Magical Girl Non-Blood-Related Family (2)

Stepping through the front door, a wave of warm air carried the faint scent of a diffuser straight to my nose.

Each click of my shoes on the marble floor echoed through the house—a sound I'd never gotten used to, no matter how many times I'd heard it.

"Sit down, Ji-un. Make yourself at home."

"...Sure."

My stepmother patted the leather sofa invitingly. That single piece probably cost more than my apartment's security deposit.

"Coffee? Or juice?"

"Just water's fine."

"Oh, come on, it's been so long. You can't have plain water. Mom'll whip up something delicious. Wait here~"

"You don't have to—"

Before I could finish, she hummed a little tune and headed to the kitchen.

The ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠housekeeper's probably around anyway.

Still, it was a sight worth watching. Her hips swayed rhythmically with each step, the hem of her thin knit dress catching ever so slightly between her cheeks before slipping free—glaringly obvious.

She really takes care of herself.

Even after retiring years ago, she kept that firmness. Was a magical girl's body just beyond normal logic?

Whiiir—

The blender whirred to a stop, and she returned with a tray.

"Here you go. Blueberries and all sorts of good stuff. I even threw in something special for men."

"Something for men?"

"Yep, bokbunja berries. Hehe."

She leaned forward to set the tray down in front of me.

Jiggle—

"......"

Hard to know where to look. Her neckline dipped low, spilling out pale, voluptuous cleavage. I could even see the lace of her bra.

It was bold enough to seem intentional.

Probably just comfortable for her, though...

If she hadn't been like this for years, I might've mistaken it for flirting.

"Drink up, my boy."

"Thanks."

I forced my gaze to the juice glass and took a sip. Tart, sweet, and rich—it spread across my tongue.

"By the way, where's Su-young?"

"Oh? Ah, well..."

My stepmother covered her mouth, eyes crinkling in a mischievous smile. She leaned in like she was about to spill some huge secret.

"I was just about to tell you. Ji-un, don't freak out, okay?"

"What's going on?"

"We finally have some good news in this house."

Good news?

Her eyes curved into crescents, face lit up like she'd won the lottery—barely containing her excitement.

"Su-young finally met him."

"Met who?"

"The angel, of course. In her dreams!"

Angel. The transcendent being that granted magical girls their power. Meeting an angel in a dream and forming a contract—that was the start of a magical girl's awakening.

"Is that... for real?"

"Of course! I went through it myself, you know. Our little Su-young's going to be a magical girl too!"

She slapped my thigh happily.

"Her big sisters are all magical girls, and now the baby of the family. All the women in our house are blessed, huh? Your dad must be watching over us from heaven."

Blessed, huh... If they never had to fight magical beasts, sure.

"Ji-un? Why the long face? Aren't you happy?"

"No, I am. Just surprised. Feels like she was a kid yesterday."

"Right? Time flies."

That's when it happened.

Thud, thud, thud, thud!

Loud footsteps pounded from the second-floor stairs. Light and bouncy, but laced with irritation.

"Mooom!!"

A booming voice shook the living room.

I turned toward the stairs. There she was, gripping the railing, huffing as she descended—my youngest stepsister, Jeong Su-young, with her short bob and baggy bear pajamas.

"Oh, you're up? It's the weekend; you could've slept in."

"I hate you, Mom! I told you not to say anything!"

Su-young puffed out her cheeks and stomped over. Her bedhead stuck up on one side.

"I was gonna jump out and scare him when he got here! But you spoiled it!"

"Hehe, sorry. He asked about you, and I got excited."

"Ugh, so annoying...!"

She jutted out her lip and came right up to me, scanning me head to toe before breaking into a grin.

"Oppa, you came early."

"Yeah. You doing okay?"

"Okay my ass. You ever seen a high school senior who's 'okay'? I'm barely surviving."

Su-young wedged herself onto the sofa between me and my stepmother, squeezing us three onto the narrow seat.

"Hey, it's cramped. Scoot over there."

"Nope. Been ages; let's snuggle."

She clung to my arm and rested her head on my shoulder. The age gap helped, but Su-young especially loved clinging to people.

A faint shampoo scent wafted from her. Not yet the 'magical girl fragrance'—just fresh soap instead of sweet fruit.

Thinking it might change any day now left a strange feeling in my gut.

"So, it's true? The dream thing."

"Yeah! It was insane. This super cute mascot doll showed up, shooting light everywhere, and I felt my body floating..."

Su-young gestured wildly, buzzing with excitement.

Ignorance might be bliss after all.

I gave a wry smile and took another sip of juice.

"Hey, oppa."

"What."

"You seem... different."

"Me? Nah."

"No, really. Like, you used to be such a total wimp, but today... I dunno, more intense?"

Su-young stared right at my face, eyes sparkling with curiosity.

"I've been working out. Can't let your sisters walk all over me without building some muscle."

"Pfft, that again. When have they ever hit you?"

They hadn't. Physically, anyway.

Creak—

A door opened upstairs, followed by heavy, languid footsteps on the stairs.

Thud, thud.

"Why's it so damn loud this early...?"

A irritated voice, dripping with annoyance. Its owner: active B-grade magical girl and eldest stepsister, Jeong Yu-na.

Short slip nightie, no robe—bare white thighs and shoulders on full display. She swept back her tousled long hair, peering down at the living room with sleepy eyes.

Our gazes met.

Her brows furrowed sharply, face twisting like she'd spotted trash.

"What the hell. You actually came?"

She yawned widely, waving me off dismissively.

"Mom, food. I'm starving."

Ignoring me like air, she headed for the fridge. A sharp chill seemed to radiate from her back.

...Yeah, nothing's changed.

This was my place here.

"Unnie! Say hi to oppa!"

Su-young snapped. Yu-na chugged from a water bottle, then turned with a scowl.

"Hi? To him? Why would I?"

"He's family! Aren't you glad to see him after so long?"

"Family? Not a drop of blood between us."

Yu-na snorted and plopped into a dining chair, crossing her legs and propping her chin to glare at me.

"Hey, Jeong Ji-un."

"......"

"Broke already? Here for allowance from Mom?"

Blunt as ever. Not wrong, but hearing it to my face still stung.

"Yu-na! Watch your mouth!"

Stepmom jumped in, but Yu-na ignored her. I tried to defuse.

"It's fine, Mom. Not exactly wrong."

"Ha! See? Even the loser agrees."

"Yu-na, enough!"

Despite the scolding, she just snorted again.

"No shame at your age? Mom calls, and you come running like a ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠dog. No pride?"

Her tone dripped contempt. Back then, her fierce glare might've made me look away first.

But—

I'm sick of it.

I fiddled with my glass calmly, meeting her eyes head-on.

"Wouldn't it be weirder not to come when Mom calls?"

"What? Smooth talker, huh. Figures, son of a thug."

Her eyebrow twitched—my reaction threw her off. Usually, I'd mumble excuses or shut up.

"Unnie! Be nice! Oppa's been away!"

Su-young kept yelling, but Yu-na ignored her, sneering like I was a bug. I didn't flinch.

Not ready to challenge a B-grade magical girl outright, but I wasn't dying quietly here either.

Her glare sharpened.

Sparks seemed to flicker at her fingertips. She looked ready to strike.

"......"

Yeah, I wouldn't die... right?

That's when it happened.

Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud!

Footsteps thundered down like the stairs might collapse—rougher and more pissed than Yu-na's.

"Ah, fuck! So goddamn loud! Seriously!"

A bellow echoed as another woman bounded down. Second sis, Jeong Yu-min.

"What's the shitshow this early? Let me sleep, damn it!"

Messy hair, no makeup, pure bedhead. She scratched her scalp furiously, storming into the living room fuming.

But her outfit was a spectacle.

Just a loose boxy T-shirt on top... and nothing else below.

Thin lace panties, white thighs fully exposed.

"Hey, Jeong Yu-na! You screaming? Or was it you, brat?"

Her shirt hem rode up, panty line blatant. Her thighs gleamed under the lights.

"......"

Silence.

Everyone froze. Even Yu-na gawked, dumbfounded.

"What? Why the mute act?"

Yu-min yawned hugely, then her eyes locked on me on the sofa.

"...Huh?"

Her eyes widened.

"You, the loser?"

"...Long time."

I greeted flatly. Her gaze slid from my face down... then to her own body.

Bare legs. Panties. Spread thighs from her stance.

Three seconds later.

"Kyaaah—!!"

A shriek rocked the room.

"Crazy! What the fuck! Why are you here!"

Yu-min yanked her shirt down, collapsing in shock. Her face flushed beet red.

"You saw! You saw my panties, you perv!"

"Didn't see. Nothing to see anyway."

"What?! Nothing to see?!"

She dressed like that and complains?

"Y-you... fuck...!"

Before I could respond, she scrambled upstairs on all fours.

"Enough, everyone. Ji-un's here after ages—cut it out. Yu-na, sit. Time to eat."

"Mom likes him? Didn't you see him talk back?"

"He was right. Yu-min should've been careful. And don't snap at your sister. Makes me sad."

Stepmom finally calmed things. With the mood soured, even Yu-na had no retort, just pouting.

"Ma'am, need help setting the table?"

"Yes, madam. The braised ribs are ready."

The housekeeper emerged from the kitchen in an apron, tray in hand. Steamy, savory rib scent filled the air.

Sweet and nutty—my stomach growled.

"Ji-un, come sit. Su-young too."

"Yay! Oppa, let's go. I'm starving."

Su-young tugged my arm. I followed reluctantly to the table.

Spacious eight-seater. Stepmom took the seat next to the head, me opposite.

The spread was lavish: braised ribs, japchae, veggies, even my favorite rolled omelet. She'd gone all out.

"Whoa, jackpot! What's the occasion, Mom?"

"Oppa's here. Eat up, Ji-un. More if you want."

She placed a big rib chunk on my rice.

"Thanks."

"Yu-na, eat. Cool off."

"...Pass."

Yu-na poked at her food sullenly, eyes still stabbing my way.

She's been a bitch since before debuting as a magical girl. How'd she turn out like this under that mom?

Other girls went nuts from corruption desire, but her? Rotten from the start.

Or maybe it just made her worse.

Needed to check.

As I grumbled inwardly, soft footsteps descended the stairs.

"......"

Jeong Yu-min. Properly dressed now: black training pants, loose crewneck tee.

She avoided my gaze, slumping into the corner seat.

Face still grumpy.

Who'd guess she's in high school?

I calmly tore into the ribs. Sisters' glares burned, but I chewed, savored, ignored.

Talk turned to Su-young's awakening.

"So, you're really gonna be a magical girl?"

"Duh! Wanna fight cool like unnies!"

"Cool? This gig's 3D. All flash, no substance."

"Pfft, you get tons of gifts. Fan mail piles up daily! Right, oppa?"

"Uh, yeah, sure."

I nodded vaguely, slipping a hand under the table.

Now's the time.

While they chatted, distracted, I quietly opened the phone app.

Not planning anything, but worth a check.

Who knows? These bitches might have dangerous desires aimed at our Su-young.

Let's see.

First target: stepmother Lee So-hee across from me.

No real worries there, but like a checkup.

She's got one.

Loose lips... Light stuff. Just gossip—low treatment priority.

Not bad at all.

I sighed in relief. Messing around with stepmom would've been awkward, even for me.

Next.

My eyes shifted to the two sisters beside me. Active magical girls—top B-grades. What twisted desires ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠did these infamous bitches hide?

Sadism? Misandry?

The loading bar spun. Slower than usual.

What's up? Lagging?

Then the message hit—way off my guess.

Huh?

I tapped the screen in confusion. Same response.

Higher ranks must block access. Makes sense.