The Family's Reluctant Approval and a Shocking Proposal
"Stop it! If you keep this up, I'm really going to get angry!"
After much deliberation, these were the words Shinwoo finally spoke. The moment they left his mouth, the situation calmed down like a lie. The three mother-daughter trio, who had been glaring with axe-sharp eyes, froze on the spot as if turned to ice. In that instant, Shinwoo completely pulled Elena away from his family. The sight of their son, younger brother, or older brother caring more for some rootless girl than his own blood left the three women on the verge of tears. Still, Shinwoo decided to ignore it this one time. Elena was half out of her mind from the shock.
If it were up to me, I'd kick her out right this instant...
How can I get rid of that thing somehow...
I can't move because of Oppa...!
With nothing they could do, the three women trembled with frustration. That was when it happened.
"Everyone, come over here and sit down."
The son, younger brother, or older brother they thought was sulking was calling them over. The moment the mother and daughters rushed to him, they found Shinwoo already seated at the table-like desk right beside Elena. Elena still wore a completely dazed expression. Ignoring that, Shinwoo continued.
"It seems there was a misunderstanding. Let's clear it up through conversation."
Misunderstanding? What misunderstanding? For a woman to already have a man (father) and then date another was a crime worthy of execution. It wouldn't be enough to separate her bones from her flesh. Yet Shinwoo spoke with a warm smile, his tone almost pleading, as if making a sincere request. That gentle way of speaking from a male—who should be the strong counterpart to a female—was completely unfair. The three female beasts, their nerves already frayed, had no choice but to sit across from him after hearing their son, brother, or oppa's request.
Shinwoo let out a sigh of relief.
They seem to have calmed down for now. But what do I do from here on out?
It had already been proven that bringing up the one common topic—the family with a man—was like pouring oil on a burning house. So what should they talk about? At the very least, he wanted Elena to make a good impression on Chaewon noona, whom he would keep seeing at school from now on.
As if reading his mind, Elena seized the chance Shinwoo had created.
"I-I am! The student council president candidate with the highest approval rating across the entire first-year class!"
She bit down hard on her trembling lips and spoke with confidence. Shinwoo clenched both fists. If he could, he would have patted her head and told her she did well. Yes, exactly. The second way to gain someone's favor was to highlight your own abilities—your specs—as flashily as possible. To make yourself look impressive.
"I can speak five languages in total: Russian, Korean, Japanese, English, and Chinese!"
"Mother. What do you think? She's quite a capable friend, isn't she?"
Shinwoo helped boost Elena's courage. On the other hand, the three women—especially Mother this time—did not look pleased. Then, as if testing her:
"What else?"
"Y-yes?!"
"Isn't there more you can tell us? It still looks far from enough to become our son's friend."
Mother pressed her with a relentless barrage of questions, her eyes sharp.
"What are your future aspirations?"
"Ah, yes! I'm studying hard with the dream of becoming a doctor."
"Can you cook at all? Our son's palate is extremely picky..."
"The three-tier lunchbox I take to school is something I prepare myself every single time."
At those words, Chaewon noona's body twitched.
"To become our son's friend, you need to look as presentable as possible..."
"Despite how I look, I've received quite a few love letters. If you doubt me, Mother can check for herself."
Mijin swallowed hard, visibly resentful. When Elena stood and moved beside the table, Mother followed. As Shinwoo watched what she was suddenly doing—
She began to grope and squeeze. The sight was so embarrassing that Shinwoo quickly turned his head away. Elena's "appearance check." Literally, Mother stood with her arms spread wide and started feeling up the defenseless Russian girl's body this way and that. Persistently. Lustfully. She thoroughly explored every inch, even the sensitive areas, over skin that trembled violently.
It would have been better if she had flinched and closed her legs. Then they could have used that as an excuse to send this Elena girl packing. But even with her face flushed crimson—
"Eut..."
"Keut..."
"Eut?!"
Elena endured the body search with stubborn grit. Even though Mother had freely felt her up inside her underwear. If nothing else, Mother acknowledged that tenacity.
"Huu... Well, she is a Westerner. Her figure is better than our daughters'."
"M-Mom?!"
"But! Don't you dare think this puts your mind at ease!"
She was two years older, yet upon hearing Mother's brutally honest words, Chaewon noona looked as if a rock had dropped on her head. Ignoring her daughter, Mother gave her warning.
"After all, you're only friends. Understood?"
"O-of course! Mother."
Honestly, Mother still wanted to eliminate this Elena—or whatever she was—right this instant if possible. But her son's bright, sparkling eyes. Above all, the requesting tone of a man. What woman in the world could coldly refuse that? In the end they were only friends. Compared to family, it was nothing special.
"Mom! You're really allowing it?"
"Yes... Your oppa likes her that much..."
"Damn it..."
"My body... is worse than hers...?"
The dazed older sister. The furiously fuming younger sister. And Mother, who had reached the final stage of the five stages of anger: acceptance. Seeing the three women seemingly calmed, Shinwoo breathed a sigh of relief. Then, as Elena sat back down beside him, still flushed and hesitant, he took her hand under the desk.
"That's a relief. It seems the family has approved too."
Shinwoo smiled warmly. He was genuinely happy just from making one friend. To anyone watching, the scene would have looked like the two of them had accomplished something far greater. Elena gave a silent nod. After all, her relationship with a man had been acknowledged. In this world, such an achievement was an honor for the family.
But Elena was not satisfied with this.
As friends... for now.
Though she was merely a friend at the moment, ever since the day he had saved her, she had been expecting far more. Only he didn't realize it. Her instincts were still thirsty, swallowing hard with anticipation.
Shinwoo stepped outside with his still-dazed family. When they had arrived the sun had been shining brightly, but now the sky was already dark.
"Then we'll be going."
"Yes. See you tomorrow."
"Yeah. Okay."
Elena bowed deeply as she watched Shinwoo and his family. The only one who responded was her friend, of course. Mother glared suspiciously at her back until the very moment the door closed. Mijin was every bit as intense. And above all, Chaewon noona...
"Noona. Are you okay?"
"I... I'm not as good as her..."
Ever since a while ago she had been touching the chest she had lifted with both hands, making it impossible for him to look at her properly. The entire walk home she kept muttering to herself while only fondling her breasts.
Meanwhile.
"Huu. They're finally gone."
Once the house was empty, the NIS team leader and the Chunsik Team agents finally emerged from their hiding spots. Had they forgotten about them? Elena looked at Yoo Han-kyung, who came out stretching, with surprised eyes.
"You were still here..."
"Yes. I wanted to leave quickly, but your conversation went on longer than expected."
"I see. Then please leave now."
She wasn't particularly close with them anyway. Whether they left or not, she had no intention of seeing them off. Elena walked to the refrigerator and began preparing dinner. She put on an apron and lit the frying pan. Perhaps because of her mature figure, she looked exactly like a housewife who was either carrying a baby or had already given birth. Watching her, Yoo Han-kyung, seated on the sofa, spoke as if in praise.
"You know how to cook at that age? How impressive."
"...You still haven't left?"
She had heard the front door open a while ago. That meant the Chunsik Team agents or whatever had already gone. Yet the team leader was staring at her from behind a plate of fried rice piled mountain-high. Never disturb someone while they're eating. Feeling irritated, she asked again.
"Please leave quickly. I'm more sensitive than anyone when it comes to mealtimes."
"Oh my. Is that so? I had no idea."
Yoo Han-kyung replied as if she understood. However, contrary to her words, she slowly walked toward Elena's dining table. Then she sat down across from where Shinwoo's family had been seated, sending a chill down Elena's spine. Why was she acting like this all of a sudden? A person who worked for the nation, no less. At least, it probably wasn't for personal reasons. That's what she thought.
At that moment, Yoo Han-kyung smiled at the wary Elena. An unexpected proposal flowed from her lips.
"Miss Elena, are you satisfied with this level of relationship with Sir Shinwoo?"
"......Yes?"
"Don't you want to become closer? I could help you..."
What was this person saying? But even as she tried to ignore it, the atmosphere around her—the solemn dignity of the leader of a secret organization—made it clear this was no joke. She was smiling, yet more serious than anyone.
"You won't be satisfied with just... being friends."
"...How can you be so sure?"
"Because we're both women. I made an educated guess since I know a female's instincts. Looks like it was the correct answer based on your reaction."
Her appearance was like a lion, but her tongue was like a snake. Good with words and strong—a woman one could never let their guard down around. That was Elena's assessment of Team Leader Yoo Han-kyung.
And as if she had seen straight through the Russian girl's mind, Yoo Han-kyung chuckled adorably.
"I'll help you win Sir Shinwoo's heart. In return, make a deal with me."
"What... kind of deal?"
At Elena's trembling question, she stood up. She walked closer and whispered directly into her ear so she could hear clearly.
"Honestly, it's more of a request than a deal."
"A request?"
"Yes. For this to work, it needs not only Miss Elena's consent but Sir Shinwoo's as well."
A condition that required even the man's consent. Fearing what it could be, Elena swallowed nervously even before touching her food. And finally, the answer came.
"You must... get pregnant with Sir Shinwoo's child at least three times, Miss Elena."
"......Pardon?"
"In other words, please show the entire world a scene of you giving birth to about three children and raising them harmoniously with Sir Shinwoo. That's all."
Yoo Han-kyung smiled brightly as she finished. On the other hand, having three children meant she would have to perform... that act with Shinwoo at least three times or more.
"Whaaaaat?!?!"
Elena's head burned bright red and her eyes spun in circles. It felt like she had choked before even taking a single bite.