Gaslighting
"Why are you so late?"
"I told you. I was talking with Mom."
"Still, you're way too late."
"Mom finished late, so I couldn't help it."
"...Yeah. I get it."
The moment I stepped into the house, Chaeyu started grilling me. She told me to come into her room, and before I could even protest, I was dragged inside. I tried to explain myself as calmly as I could.
"Why didn't you check your messages?"
"It's not that I didn't check them, I couldn't."
"You could've checked them while you were talking."
"The atmosphere was just too serious for that. Besides, the conversation itself was short. Don't you trust me?"
"It's not that... it's just that you usually reply right away..."
"Sometimes there are days like that."
Why is she so anxious? It’s not like I’m leaving her. Chaeyu’s expression right now is one of pure, unadulterated insecurity.
"Did you talk about me?"
"...How did you know?"
"Just a hunch. I could tell you were going to bring me up."
"What did she say?"
"...Do you want me to be honest?"
"Yes."
I had indirectly declared to Mom that I was attracted to Chaeyu. I hadn't explicitly stated that we were already involved, but the implication was there.
"She just said... that you like me too much... and that she's worried about it."
"What does me liking you have to do with her being worried?"
"It's about the social stigma... you know that well enough."
It was a fact we’d been aware of since the moment I arrived at this house. We’d just been burying our heads in the sand, ignoring it. Mom, Chaeyu, and even Sookmo. Our initial goal had been mutual physical satisfaction. But looking at Chaeyu now... I get the feeling she’s aiming for something beyond just the physical.
"So, what did you say?"
"I just... told her we're the type to hug each other... that's all."
"That's it? You didn't say anything else?"
"Yeah. What good would it do to say more? It would only lead to a broken home."
"I see..."
Chaeyu leaned back, looking relieved. But her expression still seemed to lack something.
"But why is Mom acting like that toward me?"
"What do you mean? She's probably just worried."
"Mom is super sweet to you, too."
"Well... we've only been reunited for two months..."
Come to think of it, I haven't been scolded by Mom since I moved here. At most, I’ve only received advice regarding work. I guess it did look strange from Chaeyu’s perspective.
"Isn't Mom jealous of me?"
"Hey... no way..."
Why are these mother and daughter so sharp? My heart almost skipped a beat.
"Anyway, don't make it obvious in front of Mom for a while."
"Make what obvious?"
"Don't link arms or try to cling to me."
"I don't want to."
"...Why?"
"I'm just happy I have an older brother now, so why can't I do what I want?"
"..."
I already know she likes me. Whether it’s as a brother or something else, I decided not to dwell on it for now.
"Brother, I—"
"Time to eat~"
"Yes..."
"I want to eat too."
"...Okay."
We went out to the living room and sat at the table, where a midnight snack was laid out. Maybe it was because I was hungry, but it looked even more delicious than usual. Tonight’s snack was a toast loaded with meat. It was perfect to make up for the dinner I’d missed.
"Chaeyu, you're eating too?"
"Yes. Watching you eat made me hungry."
"Alright. Just eat a little."
"Yes... huh?"
The seating arrangement was different from usual. The rule of thumb was Mom in front of me and Chaeyu to my side. But today, Mom placed Chaeyu’s plate in front of me, which naturally led to Mom sitting next to me and Chaeyu sitting across from me.
"Why are you sitting there?"
"It's closer to the rice cooker. Do you want to go get the rice yourself?"
"It's just... you usually sit there."
"I just wanted to sit here today."
"..."
Being squeezed between the mother and daughter made me feel self-conscious. They both seemed to be hyper-aware of each other.
"..."
Mom’s left hand snuck onto my thigh. Then, quietly, without even a sound of friction, she began to stroke my leg. Just the touch of her hand on my thigh was enough to make me react.
"...It's delicious."
"Right? I made it, so of course it is."
"Can I have more?"
"Didn't you say you didn't want to gain weight?"
"If you eat something delicious, it's zero calories, so it's fine."
"..."
This time, it was Chaeyu’s turn to provoke me. She didn't put her leg up openly, but she used her toes to stroke my shin from bottom to top. She teased me, tickling me with her toes in every corner.
"Thanks for the meal."
"Alright. You must be tired, so go get some sleep."
"Yes."
I eventually stood up, half-erect. If I tried to block it with my hand, they would definitely notice.
"...Ugh."
I made eye contact with Chaeyu, who was staring intently at my crotch. She was startled, averted her gaze, and practically ran into her room.
"...I have to do the dishes!"
Next, I made eye contact with Mom, who had also been staring at my crotch. She fled to the kitchen to do the dishes.
"..."
I hope those two didn't catch each other doing that...
While Chaeyu was texting and making her way to my room, I actually fell asleep from exhaustion. Suddenly, I felt a presence beside me.
"...You're here?"
"Yeah."
"Where's Mom?"
"Sleeping."
"I see..."
Chaeyu was right in front of me. I see her often these days, but every time I look at her, I find myself admiring her celebrity-like features. And I can't help but think how much she resembles Mom.
"Are you sleepy...?"
"Yeah... a little..."
"Do you want to rest today?"
"Do whatever you want, Chaeyu."
"..."
Chaeyu stared at me silently. Then, her face drew closer. A scent—not quite a perfume—wafted up with the warmth inside the blanket.
"Mmph..."
Unlike usual, today we shared our saliva calmly and quietly. It felt as if Chaeyu was matching my pace, as I was drifting in and out of sleep.
"Haa... Brother..."
"Yeah..."
"Can I hug you?"
"Yeah..."
Chaeyu hugged me as if I were a body pillow. The scent I’d felt for a moment grew stronger. My already hazy mind became even more clouded.
"Brother..."
"..."
Once again, our lips met and parted. Before I knew it, Chaeyu was on top of me.
"...Chaeyu."
"Yeah...?"
I stopped her from unbuttoning her pajamas. My eyes snapped open, and I managed to regain my senses. I had said we should take it easy before we went to sleep, yet here I was, losing my mind and going along with it.
"Is something wrong?"
"...Why?"
Since that day, my sister, who used to bicker with me and get along just fine, had become pathologically obsessed with sex. There was the fact that she’d been suppressed and couldn't do it before, but I felt there had to be another reason. So, I wanted to ask.
"You look anxious every time I see you. I'm worried something might be wrong."
"..."
Chaeyu let go of the button she was about to undo. Her head slumped down.
"...There's nothing."
"Your face says otherwise. Tell me, quickly."
"..."
After a long hesitation, Chaeyu adjusted her posture. Not that it mattered, since she was still sitting on top of me.
"It was... really scary."
"What was...?"
"You know, when I broke that statue the other day..."
"Yeah..."
"Do you know what I thought when I saw that?"
"That we were in big trouble? That precious money had just evaporated?"
"Yeah."
"Well, that's only natural—"
"You didn't worry about whether I was hurt or not."
"...You're right."
Chaeyu’s statue was made of glass. If things had gone wrong, it could have pierced her skin, or tiny shards could have gotten stuck somewhere near her hips and caused an injury. Fortunately, she didn't seem hurt, as there were no signs of it. Even I hadn't thought about that part.
"That’s why I was scared... because it felt like I’d really become just a younger sister."
"...You *are* my real younger sister."
"That's not what I mean... it felt like we’d returned to being a normal family."
"..."
A normal family. It’s true that Chaeyu and I aren't normal. It’s not normal with Mom, either. Or Sookmo. Because we’re doing things that a family shouldn't do.
"...Do you hate being normal?"
But just as the end of all tuning is the original, our family will eventually have to return to being normal. A family that builds memories normally, goes on trips normally, and lives a normal life. A family where we marry, leave the house, and enjoy our old age as a couple.
"I hate it."
"What do you hate?"
"If we become normal... you’ll marry someone else, won't you?"
"...Do you hate that?"
"...I hate it."
"Why?"
Chaeyu suddenly buried her face in my chest.
"...!"
A moment later, my chest began to feel warm.
"Are you crying...?"
"No...?"
"..."
Chaeyu wiped her tears on my clothes and pulled her face away.
"Do you remember our last day...? When we parted?"
"...You mean those last words. I remember."
We saw and enjoyed many things with Miyu, and shared them together. Our bodies and minds had developed into a relationship where we felt empty without each other.
"What did you think of me then?"
That’s why I naturally came to like Miyu, and on the day we parted, I asked for her name. Just in case there was a chance we’d see each other again. The world, especially this country, is a very small place.
"...I liked you."
"Me too."
"..."
"I also... liked you back then."
"I see..."
"But they said we were family. They said we’d have to part someday. That made me sad."
"..."
Chaeyu buried her face in my chest again. My damp chest felt warm once more.
"That's why I did that... I'm sorry..."
"...So that's why."
I stroked Chaeyu’s hair. She rubbed her head against me and clung to me.
"We won't part."
It’s a twisted relationship that has already begun, and it’s too late to turn back. I’ve reached the point where I’ve given up on any other romance myself; it’s too late. Because of that, I’d been confused until now, but after hearing Chaeyu, I made my decision. Let’s choose one path. For sure.
"I don't want to part with the family I met after so many years, either."
"...Really?"
"If I didn't feel that way, I would have moved out and lived on my own a long time ago."
"..."
If I didn't have feelings for the two of them, I would have moved out from the start and become a 'normal' family, just as Chaeyu said. I never had any intention of leaving them in the first place. If anything, I was excited to meet them again.
"So don't worry. I’ll never do anything like that."
To my women.