Chapter 2
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 2
Chapter Title: Secret
-----------------------------------------------------------------
As I stepped into the living room, Sujeong's laptop sat on the table.
Around it, my two younger sisters were sprawled on the floor, while my two older sisters lined up on the sofa.
'Looks like I'm not the only late one. Even Hwayeon and Mokhui are rubbing their eyes.'
Still, their expressions weren't too sour, so Sujeong must've woken them up.
Lucky them. If she'd woken me too, I'd have picked her side any day.
"Jigu Yang. Hurry up and sit if you're late. Everyone's waiting."
"Got it, sis..."
"Geumbi, there's still time left. Don't be so harsh~."
See what I mean?
Even now, Geumbi was shooting me a glare, while Sujeong welcomed me warmly.
Half the reason I hole up in my room is her fault.
"Yaaawn~ I'm so tired. Sis, got anything to eat while we wait?"
"Hey, Hwayeon. Don't you have hands? Or feet? Why do you always make Sujeong do everything?"
"What? I wasn't talking to you, little sis. I meant the big sis."
"That's why I'm saying it for her. Get up and do it yourself."
"Ugh, nagging first thing in the morning..."
"Hey, what did you just say? You little brat."
The other half of why I stay in my room.
Our fourth sister, Hwayeon, had locked eyes with Geumbi and started bickering.
"What? I just asked if there's food. Why twist my words like that?"
"Twist? Is that how you talk to your sister?"
"You started picking on me first!"
"Telling you not to boss Sujeong around isn't picking a fight. It's common sense."
"I wasn't bossing her! I was just asking out of curiosity."
"That's bossing! You were sitting on the floor with no intention of getting up."
"What do you know!"
"What do you know!"
Truth be told, it wasn't just me—everyone in the family ended up holing up in their rooms because of these two.
They fought... well, not often when they met, but every time.
'Geumbi's the drill sergeant type, and Hwayeon's the classic rebel. As the boss of the older sisters and the younger sisters' leader, they clash hard.'
Sujeong, the eldest, was so composed, yet Geumbi was a firecracker—that puzzled me.
And Mokhui was quiet and gentle, but Hwayeon was such a spitfire. It made me sigh.
"Enough. Mom should be calling any minute. Let's wrap it up."
"...Tch, fine, sis."
"...Hmph. Always picking on me. Tsk."
Luckily, our eldest, Sujeong, was in the living room today.
She glanced at her watch and clapped her hands, and the two glared at each other but tucked tail obediently.
-Beep.
"Ah, Mom's here...!"
The laptop screen flickered to life, connecting to the other side.
At my words, everyone turned to the table, and soon Mom appeared, looking like she was in her study.
-It's been a while. How's everyone doing?
"Yes, we're all healthy, Mom."
Sujeong answered for us, and we nodded along.
Mom smiled sweetly at that, but her face in the screen soon clouded with worry, like something was wrong.
-I'm calling today because... there's something I need to tell you all.
"Something to tell us?"
-Yeah. It's... like a family secret I've kept hidden for a long time.
Mom was always reserved, with few expressions.
But today, she stuttered more than usual and avoided our eyes.
The heavy mood silenced everyone but Sujeong.
Then, slowly from the laptop... came unbelievable words.
-We've... been together a long time, haven't we?
"Yeees... We're always grateful. Raising us all alone must've been so hard."
-I should be the grateful one. You all grew up so well despite me not visiting often. Especially thanks to you, Sujeong.
"They just followed my lead. ...And now even Mokhui's all grown up."
-Exactly. ...So that's why I'm bringing it up today.
Mom hesitated, then pulled out a single sheet of paper.
At the top of the white page were the words... 'Will'.
-Actually, your dad left a will before he passed.
"Huh...?"
-I figured you wouldn't believe me otherwise. But seeing this, you'll know it's real. I brought it here.
"What are you trying to say, Mom?"
-One of us in this family... isn't related by blood.
"""...What?!"""
For a moment, even the composed Sujeong—and the rest of us quiet ones—shouted in unison.
Startled, Mom shut her eyes tight and forced the words out.
-I originally planned to tell you around puberty. But before that... well, you know what happened to Dad.
"R-right..."
-I thought about keeping it secret forever, but I realized I should tell you. Now that even Mokhui's grown, we need to settle the inheritance too.
"Ahh... So that's why Dad's will too..."
-It's late, but it's his wish. Sigh... So, the one is...
We all swallowed hard.
Family secret. Different blood. Will. Inheritance.
The info swirled in my head, but the tension gripped my heart harder.
Mom's lips parted hesitantly.
The moment the name was about to drop—
-Ugh, no, this won't do...! Sorry. Better to tell you in person than like this.
"Huh, Mom?"
-Can't come right now with work, but I'll make time soon! We'll talk then. Stay well until...
"Mom, wait! Mommm?!"
Sujeong frantically tapped the keyboard in uncharacteristic panic.
But the dark screen wouldn't come back, and we siblings stared blankly at the monitor for a while.
"...What the hell was that?"
Geumbi broke the long silence.
Only then did we start looking at each other, calmly discussing it.
"So, to sum up, one of us is an adopted child?"
Geumbi spoke first, quick as ever to grasp the situation.
But even she struggled, clutching her forehead with a deep frown.
"She brought it up now because we're all grown, even Mokhui. Something about dividing the inheritance per Dad's will."
It wasn't just hard to accept.
She was biting her lip and grinding her teeth, probably mad she'd waited until now for such a bombshell.
"But originally... she planned to tell us around puberty. Things just... dragged on."
Sujeong, the eldest, soothed the fired-up Geumbi.
She patted Geumbi's thigh, urging understanding for Mom.
"We know best how hard it's been for her. Revealing this on top... must've been too much."
I got it.
Losing her husband and raising five kids alone was burden enough.
Telling us one was adopted might've torn us apart as kids.
'She always said she was grateful we got along. Must've made her hesitate more.'
Honestly, if someone else wasn't blood, it'd be hard to treat them the same.
Even now, as adults—what about back then? Mom's choice made sense rationally.
...Purely rationally.
"Ugh, whatever. Sis, I don't get it. Even so, shouldn't she have hinted to me or you when we were older? Dropping this out of nowhere—what are we supposed to do now?!"
"Geumbi. I'm not saying Mom was totally right—just that she had no choice. Calm down a bit..."
"I get that! But understanding doesn't mean I can just swallow it emotionally!"
How long since Geumbi yelled at Sujeong?
I and the younger ones glanced nervously; even among the girls, it felt like ages.
"Sis, think about it. One of us isn't family blood—an adopted child! But she won't say who and just bails... What now?!"
"She didn't bail. She must want to say it face-to-face, after psyching herself up."
"Then she should've from the start! How clueless to drop this over video... Ugh?!"
"There, good girl. I get how you feel, Geumbi. So calm down, okay?"
Geumbi's voice rose, finger jabbing the laptop as she nearly said something regrettable.
Then Sujeong hugged her tight.
"Confusing, right? Absurd, ridiculous, makes you mad."
"No, sis, I just..."
"But Mom had her reasons. So let's wait a little more. We can do that, right?"
"...Yeah, waiting's what we're used to anyway..."
"Exactly like always. Just wait for Mom like usual. No mentioning it till then. It'll all come out eventually."
"...Yeah, got it, sis..."
Sujeong patted and stroked Geumbi's back soothingly.
By the time they parted, Geumbi's rage had faded, head bowed meekly.
"Sorry... Kids were here, and I just yelled out of nowhere."
"No. Actually, you speaking up probably felt good for them too. Right, everyone?"
"Yeah, kinda."
"M-me too. A little... refreshing, heh."
"Y-yeah... Wasn't all bad to hear."
I, Hwayeon, even Mokhui quickly agreed with Sujeong.
Geumbi perked up, wiping teary eyes and beaming at Sujeong.
"Thanks, sis... and everyone."
"Alright, feels like we got hit with a bomb this morning, so let's order food to lighten the mood? What do you want—my treat!"
"Yay, chicken and pizza for me!"
"I-I'd prefer something light over greasy..."
Geumbi's thanks and Sujeong's flex shifted the mood.
Hwayeon and Mokhui debated menus, but Sujeong coolly ordered both.
'Can't beat Sujeong, huh.'
Unlike the nuclear shock earlier,
we flipped on some variety TV and tore into delivery food, laughing nonstop.
We fought when we fought, sulked when we sulked, holed up most days,
but together like this, it really felt like siblings.
That night, after brushing my teeth and lying down, the door creaked open.
From the half-open door... Sujeong peeked in.