Making the Family Harmonious (1)
Saying I didn't hate it outright would be a lie.
It was obvious I'd have to endure my sisters' cold glares and snide remarks if I went.
The fact that they were looking for me might not be a lie in itself. But what was their real motive?
'What else? Unless they didn't arbitrarily decide I was bullshitting. They're calling to humiliate me, just like when we were kids.'
"…If I weren't a counselor, I'd just ignore it."
Ever since my goal shifted from simply succeeding as a counselor to solidifying my position in Nebula, the value of my stepmother's connections had clearly diminished. Meeting her contacts and building relationships wouldn't let me turn them into witches on a whim.
Her network consisted of magical girls from reputable management agencies. Touch those women however I pleased?
No way that'd fly. If I didn't end up dead, I'd count myself lucky.
In short, they only helped me establish myself as a counselor for now. That was the extent of their utility…
The problem was, even that much was a godsend to me right now.
Connections. Even with Nebula as my backing, pursuing above-board activities required legitimate reputation and networks. Fake credentials only looked real if people around you vouched for them.
So I took the bait. I had no choice but to schedule the visit. Today, back to the family home.
Of course, there was another purpose…
'Father's business.'
Finding stepmother Lee So-hee's 'trigger word.'
It was true Father's filthy fuck-list didn't include our family names. As Viper said, even a trash like him might have wanted to protect his sacred home.
But.
'No way Father met and remarried Mother without hypnosis.'
I was confident that was next to impossible. No matter how polished Father appeared on the outside, how could he bridge that class gap and innate disparity with mere love?
It was as unrealistic as me bedding women freely without the app.
Lee So-hee was beautiful and elegant, but too trusting. Her corruption desire, a 'loose tongue,' tied into that mental vulnerability.
Father wouldn't have overlooked it. The list might not have it, but he'd planted some 'device' to control her.
Whether it was still in the house remained to be seen…
'A guy who left that box behind? No way he didn't leave something here.'
If I found stepmother's trigger word. I, I…!
Gulp.
At the very least, my standing in this house would change. Definitely.
Sector 1, District 3. Alparede Station.
'Last time, just getting in took forever.'
On my previous visit, I'd faced suspicious stares from the magical girl police at the entrance. Not this time.
Tailored suit, neatly styled hair.
At minimum, I looked the part of a professional.
Surely I'd avoid inspection this—
"Hold up for a check."
"…Ah, sure."
—time? No such luck.
Blocking my path was a flushed-faced magical girl police officer.
"Hah, hah… C-can I see your ID?"
She asked in a rehearsed tone. I pulled my wallet and handed over my resident card. As she scanned it on her terminal, I stared openly.
'She looks beat.'
Black hair tied up in a ponytail, but stray strands stuck out messily, her face dotted with sweat.
The fresh, fruity scent unique to magical girls wafted naturally.
"Hmm…"
She alternated between my ID and face.
"Family of a resident?"
"Yes. Visiting the family home."
"Logistics company employee?"
"Yes."
Her gaze swept my business card holder and outfit. Not suspicious like last time—just the dry look of one exhausted worker eyeing another.
—Zzzt!
A sharp voice crackled from her radio.
The woman flinched and snatched the radio.
"Y-yes! Main gate checkpoint!"
"Th-that… I'm in the middle of a check…"
"S-sorry! Coming right now!"
Kim So-yeon—the rookie magical girl cop—went pale. She bowed hastily to me.
"Th-thanks for cooperating. You're good to go."
"Ah, tough job, huh."
"Y-yes… Have a good…"
She didn't finish, spinning and bolting off. Her cuffs and baton clinked at her waist.
Far off in the checkpoint shadow, a sunglassed veteran magical girl stood with legs spread, yelling. Kim So-yeon groveled before her, head bowed.
'…'
I watched blankly. That voice rang a bell.
This Kim So-yeon wasn't the one who checked me before, right?
'Don't remember.' …Whatever. Not my business. A face like that wouldn't last a month or two in the force.
I stared a moment longer, then climbed the hill along the spotless sidewalk blocks.
Luxury mansions lined both sides. Manicured garden trees, marble walls.
The scenery never changed here. Nor that hill. The vista's endpoint.
I stood at the gate, taking a deep breath.
Pushing the doorbell always made me tense needlessly.
Ding-dong.
The intercom lit up with a familiar face.
"Who is it?"
The housekeeper auntie.
"It's me. Ji-un."
Click. The gate unlocked.
The front door flew open, and out rushed stepmother Lee So-hee, as expected.
"Ji-un!"
"I'm home."
"Oh my!"
She grabbed my shoulders, scanning me top to bottom.
"My son… Unrecognizable! You look like a different person all cleaned up! So handsome, kiddo!"
"Haha… Got the cert, so I figured it's time to dress the part."
"Good thinking, hehe."
Lee So-hee teared up, moved. Behind her loomed two shadows: arms crossed, leaning cockily.
Jeong Yu-na and Jeong Yu-min.
Here we go…
Time flew.
The phony welcome and awkward reunion at the entrance vanished like a mirage once we hit the living room sofa.
"…"
In just ten minutes.
I knelt seiza on the vast marble floor, interrogated by two 'active-duty magical girls' looming from the sofa.
"Hey."
Jeong Yu-min crossed her legs, scoffing. White thighs flashed brazenly from her short hotpants.
"Jeong Ji-un, answer."
"What."
"You think this makes any sense?"
She flicked my certificate on the table.
"Mana sensitivity psych counselor? You? A normie who didn't know 'mana' from Adam for 24 years?"
"Surprised me too."
"Bullshit. Think awakening's like grabbing gum at a convenience store?"
It was, though.
"Sis, look. Still denying it? Came fully prepped to scam us."
Jeong Yu-na watched coldly, arms crossed. Her gaze lacked Yu-min's emotion.
That made it scarier.
"Jeong Ji-un. I get Mom wants to look out for you. Even understand staging this play to force a job through us. But you gotta know when to be honest."
"I am being honest."
"Proof?"
She pointed at the cert.
"Think this scrap proves it? Forgery tech's top-notch these days. And why lie when a database check outs you? You couldn't use your power when I asked earlier."
Because my skills don't work on active B-ranks yet!
Seo-yul noona hacked the association database too, so I'd prefer they checked—but no way these bitches would bother.
They were thrilled I couldn't use powers on them.
'No choice.'
"Not lying. Just…"
"Just?"
"My power's a bit special. It's weak still, true. Might not work on active B-ranks like you sisters."
"You call that an excuse?"
"So I mostly counsel retirees. Like Stepmom."
"Mom?"
Yu-min raised a brow, glancing at fidgeting Lee So-hee.
"Mom, you in on it too? Made a deal with him?"
"Oh, Yu-min! It's not like that. Ji-un worked so hard…"
"Ugh, so frustrating! Mom babies him, so he doesn't know his place!"
"Haa…"
A deep sigh escaped.
The two still glared, arms crossed.
They hadn't changed a bit while I had.
"Why sigh? Got nothing to say?"
Hamster wheel. Endless, draining emotional tug-of-war.
No matter what I said, they wouldn't believe. Even if I counseled Stepmom right now?
'Mom's faking it with him.'
Obvious response. In their heads, I was stamped 'useless parasite.'
Effort to erase that was wasted time.
"Enough, Mother."
I stood.
Swish.
Yu-na's brow twitched at my sudden move.
"What? Running?"
"Not running. Just no point talking to walls. Never planned to join your company anyway."
"What?"
"You suggested it, Mother. I never begged. So don't worry. Won't stir shit at your firm."
Unlike before, no injustice lingered. Not a drop.
'Steady paycheck now. No need to beg at home.'
I turned without regret. Might as well poke Father's study while here.
"J-Ji-un…!"
Lee So-hee shot up, face ashen. Sorry, Stepmom, but impossible's impossible.
I headed for the stairs. Yu-min grumbled behind.
"What's with him? Suddenly acting cool. So annoying."
"Leave him. Guilt's making him bolt."
Yu-na snapped coldly.
That moment.
"You two, enough already!"
A booming yell shook the living room.
"…?!"
"…M-Mom?"
Yu-na and Yu-min's eyes widened. I froze mid-stair.
Lee So-hee. Always elegant and kind, never raised her voice. Now red-faced, glaring at her daughters.
"M-Mom…?"
"What kind of way is that to talk to your brother! Blood or not, he's family! How can you be so harsh?"
"But Mom… we were just stating facts…"
"Quiet! Facts or not, apologize now! You call yourselves magical girls? Apostles of justice, cruel to family?!"
I watched briefly, then resumed climbing.
A bitter smile tugged my lips.
'Thanks, Mother.'
Lee So-hee was always like that.
Beautiful, kind. The ideal mother image.
Even before independence, she'd enveloped me in smiles. That made me see her as a woman, not mother…
Fuu, whatever. Wasn't after apologies anyway. The day I got them would be when I triggered their 'corruption desires.'
I reached the second-floor hall's innermost door.
Click.
Turned the knob. Unlocked. Since Father's death, the room sat ownerless.
Creeeak.
Hinges groaned as it opened. Musty paper, dust, faint lingering tobacco.
Father's scent, unvanished.
Stepped in, shut the door.
The study was spacious.
Bookshelves lined walls: law tomes, business books, obscure foreign volumes crammed tight. Center: massive mahogany desk. Behind: single leather armchair, back turned.
Felt like Father sat there, watching.
'Creepy room.'
Strode to the desk.
"Alright, let's hunt."
One goal now: Find the 'device' to control So-hee, the family.