Chapter 22: Discipline (4)
Lee Sea was a little surprised that her voice came out so calm. And yet, it pierced through sharply to anyone listening, like an interrogation.
When Jin Yu-ri and the three or four other students didn't answer, she opened her mouth again.
"Was it you?"
"Uh... well, you see—"
The girl walking next to Jin Yu-ri hesitated, trying to make some excuse. For Lee Sea, who was all but certain, that was more than enough justification to act.
Crack!
"Ah!"
A short scream echoed down the hallway. In an instant, Lee Sea shot out her right hand and seized the girl's shoulder. Gripping it with enough force to nearly crush the bone, she looked up into the girl's face and growled lowly.
"Look me in the eye and say it again. What did you just say?"
"Wait! Let go—"
The girl tried to resist with her other arm, but Lee Sea blocked it with her left hand. Still with that icy gaze, she commanded.
"Say it quick. What did you say?"
Of course, it wouldn't end with just a bruised shoulder after that. When she decided not to hold back, she really didn't hold back.
That was when Jin Yu-ri intervened.
Smack!
Swinging her hand to pry them apart, she warned.
"If you don't want to make a big deal out of this, ease up. Min-seo, apologize too—"
"Ease up?"
Thud, boom!
Lee Sea grabbed the shoulder of Yoon Min-seo—the girl who'd first spouted the nonsense—and shoved her violently to the floor. She advanced on Jin Yu-ri.
"You said 'ease up'?"
"What, did I say something wrong? I'm just stopping the student council president from throwing her weight around with violence. Got a problem with that?"
"Shut your fucking mouth before I rip your lips off."
"...What?"
Not just Jin Yu-ri, but everyone except Yoo Hae-bin, who was watching from a few meters away, gaped in shock. It was hard to imagine the usually quiet Lee Sea saying something like that.
She continued into the stunned silence.
"I'm warning you... from now on, don't you dare mention my parents or my brother out loud. Not a word. Don't even think it. Swear it right here, right now."
"...And if I don't?"
At the brazen response, Lee Sea mustered her last shred of patience. She turned and walked into the lecture hall where the magic dynamics class had been held.
Jin Yu-ri knew exactly what that meant. Without a moment's hesitation, she followed into the classroom, and the other students crowded after them.
The undisputed school rank two—sometimes even number one—a genius. And though only in the top ten overall, her potential alone was rated high enough for top three. At Jeil High, academic scores were practically synonymous with "combat ability." It wasn't an exaggeration.
They were all young, after all, and buzzing with excitement at this unexpected showdown.
"Why are they suddenly fighting? Did Yu-ri get wrecked in mental training class and throw a tantrum again?"
"No idea? But I've never seen Lee Sea this pissed. Kinda wild. Didn't know she even knew curse words."
"Heard she threw some parent shade."
"For real? Jin Yu-ri?"
"Yeah, people who saw it said so."
"Whoa... parent shade at Sea? Total trash move."
"Honestly, hope Lee Sea dishes out some justice."
"Me too, but probably not...?"
A few kids with actual common sense looked for someone to stop this. The closest was Yoo Hae-bin.
"Hey, say something to them."
Stronger than Jin Yu-ri and friends with Lee Sea. The only suitable candidate among the students.
But...
Her response was bluntly simple.
"Why should I?"
"Huh, what?"
Watching the classroom scene with what almost seemed like anticipation in her eyes, Yoo Hae-bin continued.
"Yu-ri's always the one picking fights, and Sea's done holding back. What right do I have to butt in? Just stay out of it."
"But still..."
It was a logically sound answer, but the boy who'd spoken looked utterly flustered. Something's off... Was Hae-bin always like this? I thought she was just sociable and upbeat. Why isn't she stopping them—instead, she looks like she's enjoying it?
But the doubts didn't last. The fight had already broken out.
Bang! Boom!
Realizing it was hopeless, the boy ran down the hall with a few others to fetch a teacher mediator.
Yoo Hae-bin didn't stop them.
That'd be... too out of character for my image.
Muttering inwardly, she casually snapped her fingers. A trickle of mana created the tiniest opening in Jin Yu-ri's movements. Lee Sea, on the defensive, barely slipped free and gained distance. The battle raged on like a real skirmish.
She's my friend, after all.
She'd help this much, but no more meddling. It was Lee Sea's fight, her own will. Which meant the winner was predictable.
She's gonna be pretty embarrassed if she loses... Eh, whatever.
If this toughened her resolve, it'd be good in the end.
Lee Sea knew it too. She'd lose to Jin Yu-ri.
From first year middle school to now—over four years. They'd sparred in class dozens of times, and she'd never won once.
This time would be no different. And...
It didn't matter.
Sometimes you had to fight even knowing you'd lose.
Win or lose, she'd make sure they never spouted that crap again. She'd ensure no more nonsense reached her brother's ears while he was at school.
That was her only thought.
I'm not his real sister... if I keep hearing that...
He might start seeing her as a burden.
Adopted child. Not the biological offspring of Lee Si-hyeok and Jeong Se-bin.
Lee Sea hadn't learned that until she was twelve.
How could she not know until then? Simple—no one told her.
Spring at age eight. Both parents gone overnight, she transferred schools quickly. No one at her intended school knew she was their daughter, but even that wasn't safe enough. Their acquaintances pulled strings.
A place farther from home. Where no one knew or cared who her parents were.
They handled guardian duties smoothly too. As she grew, she understood: fear she'd be targeted as a hero's kid.
But she resented not telling her sooner.
Why hadn't her brother or their acquaintances said anything? Thought they could hide it forever? Or figured it was too heavy for a grieving elementary kid?
Still... they could've prepared her.
Before she found out by accident.
She learned in class.
"And so, four years ago, Heroes Lee Si-hyeok and Jeong Se-bin perished stopping the Great Rift."
"Teacher, what's 'perished' mean?"
"I read it in a book. Means died, right?"
"Quiet, quiet. Such respectable people—use pretty words, okay?"
Parents mentioned in the last class of the day. Lee Sea's heart pounded.
It happened rarely. Friends unwittingly bringing them up. Usually with respect, but her chest still fluttered anxiously. She'd wonder then: Do I really need to hide that I'm their daughter?
Maybe childish pride, wanting to brag. Or to etch their memory deeper.
Then when oppa talks about Mom and Dad, I could nod and say I'd heard stuff like this, thought stuff like that.
Her swelling fantasies crashed right after.
"Afterward, their son Lee Do-jin is diligently studying at National Academy 1's high school division... and I hear they have a daughter your age too... but even I don't know details."
Back then, she didn't know her brother's bad rep. She'd seen adults scold his grades, but it never shook her love.
Excited at mention of him—and her—she perked up. Until then.
"Oh, teacher, I know! The daughter's not biological—might be adopted. Dad said so. True?"
"...?"
At first, Lee Sea didn't grasp it. Not biological? Adopted? Didn't realize it meant her.
Only after the homeroom teacher's reply did it sink in dimly.
"There were rumors... but not sure. Not confirmed."
"'Not confirmed' means it's true, right? How wouldn't they know if she's real or not? They've kept it secret forever—no one knows her school, she hides."
"Enough. Everyone awake now? Back to class."
The teacher tried to redirect, but whispers persisted. About the heroes' mystery daughter.
Lee Sea curled up, trembling till class ended. No energy for friends' concerns. Doesn't remember cleanup or homeroom.
Raced home, booted the rarely used computer, searched endlessly: Lee Si-hyeok Jeong Se-bin daughter. Adopted. Children. Lee Do-jin sister. Adopted. Lee Sea adopted.
Wiki, videos, forums—everywhere. Almost nothing. As if she didn't exist. Like deliberate erasure.
Which implied...
Speculation posts caught her eye. Jeong Se-bin vanished publicly awhile, then suddenly a second child "dropped from the sky."
"Hic..."
Choking a sob-like groan, she headed somewhere. Parents' study, full of albums. Ones Lee Do-jin often showed her. Photos of parents, him, her past.
She pulled out only those over ten years old.
Dated and undated. Lee Si-hyeok holding her, Jeong Se-bin arm-in-arm warmly, grinning Lee Do-jin between. Her toddling. Him changing her crying-diapered self. Much younger him cradling newborn her.
Further back: three without her. She realized the gap.
...Gone.
How hadn't she noticed? No single photo of pregnant Jeong Se-bin.
"Uh... ugh."
Vision spinning, dizziness buckled her. Collapsed, time passed. Clock read 4 p.m. Brother due soon.
What do I do...
Ask him, get answers. But terrifying. She was still Lee Sea, same as yesterday—yet world said no. Like identity crisis, though she didn't know the term. Felt fake.
Asking might make it real. She didn't want that.
So, try what she could. Stay lovable sister. Win his favor.
No money for gifts. Eyed kitchen.
Should I...
Only option: cook. Never done it.
Unlike cooking-pro brother from childhood, he'd banned her from kitchen, doing all.
But homemade food might earn praise. Even if not blood... maybe more cherished.
Resolved, she stood in kitchen.
"Ow!"
Two hours: scalded hand thrice on hot pot. Sliced twice with knife. Throbbing, stinging cuts.
Result...
Tastes awful.
Not really food—just mixed ingredients. Stomach-upsetting, but time short for redo.
Then, message from Lee Do-jin.
It happened sometimes. More since this year, late returns.
Normally, she'd sulk but wait. Today, just scared.
Why today? Did he sense she knew? Avoiding home?
Fears spiraled. Maybe never return. "You know now, can't help it. Find someone else, live separate." Ghost her.
Abandon her, never see again.
She couldn't tell wild imagination from reason. Just feared, waiting.
One, two, three hours...
Dozed at table. Woke near midnight. Food cold on plate. Tears dripping, chopsticks trembled. Picked mangled mess, swallowed—gagged.
Rushed toilet, vomited everything. Rinsed, brushed teeth. Stared at bloodshot eyes in mirror, realized.
Not... a single resemblance.
Lee Si-hyeok's sharp yet warm face. Jeong Se-bin's crisp features. Both tall, echoed in brother.
Not her. Childish face, slight build—no parental trace. Confirmed: I'm not their child.
Next instant.
"..."
Lee Sea blankly watched light aura envelop her. Mana awakening.
The late-returning Lee Do-jin came home Saturday morning. Exhausted, crashed at friend's—sorry for no contact, sincere apology.
She replied curtly, "It's fine."
"No issues at home?"
"Yeah... but oppa."
"What?"
"I... awakened."
Just that. No adoption talk.
Home spotless. Barely-eaten food discarded, dishes done. Albums shelved neatly.
For now... didn't want to ask. Already certain.
Fear, like yesterday. But not only.
Waiting sleepless, lights blazing, terrified—first time, faintly.
She hated her brother. A little.
The "for now" vow lasted longer than expected. Once silent, hard to break. Words dwindled. Distance grew.
Not impossible to resent him. Home less, drunk returns, smoke, women's perfume since college.
Sister sidelined, only minded at home, selfish life. Love bred hate equal.
She held both.
Adoption talk came after Jeil acceptance.
"Sea-ya, come here a sec? Oppa has something to tell you."
"...What?"
Sensed it. Jeil meant no more hiding, rumors inevitable. Time to say.
As expected, he explained carefully: not biological child of Lee Si-hyeok and Jeong Se-bin.
She replied flatly.
"...I knew."
"...Huh?"
Shocked face, voice. She mustered calm tone again.
"Heard rumors. Thought... it fit."
"...Since when?"
Lied.
"Not long. Looked stuff up for middle school."
"Yeah...? Why not ask oppa—"
"Doesn't matter."
Short. Watched his face: worry, relief. Worry she'd be shocked... sure. Relief? Fewer explanations needed? Recent distance not the cause, since "recent" discovery?
Not pleasant either way.
Middle school fine. Identity public: Lee Si-hyeok and Jeong Se-bin's daughter, Lee Sea—not biological.
Didn't hide, warned gossips preemptively. Cold tone scared them? Or not that mean? Either way, smooth.
But brother relations worsened over time.
Knew his rep now. Home different, but rumors matched outside antics.
Adopted sister probably meaningless in his mindset. Cohabitant in parents' house—cares for that, not her.
Knew overthinking, but his lack of resolve fueled negativity.
He lived in past, pre-parents' death. Sister minor role.
So, could she hate him a bit? Easier that way. Allowed since not blood?
But never only hate. Liked exactly as much as hated.
And now... he'd finally pulled himself together. Caring more genuinely.
If trash talk made him rethink—"She's grown, high schooler now"—and let go?
Couldn't bear imagining.
So, end it here. No one at school dares that crap again.
All means at her disposal.
Boom!
Lee Sea barely dodged Jin Yu-ri's mana blast. Fast, strong. Normally, block and counter—gap, then disadvantage.
But today, different. Body responsive. Mana flow vivid.
Thud, boom!
Kicked floor. Zigzagged irregularly, evading spells. Distance closed.
Aimed kick at shocked Jin Yu-ri's face.
Whoosh!
Snip— Jin Yu-ri jerked head aside; hair ends caught on toe, sliced, singed smell.
Lee Sea pressed.
Thwack, smack!
Boom!
"Eek...!"
Jin Yu-ri ground teeth, defense-only, frustrated. Red-blue mana swirled arms. Compound magic: body enhancement. Counter with that, Lee Sea loses.
Then, anomaly.
Ting— faint noise. Mana on arms flickered.
Remote mana interference. Glared at door.
Yoo Hae-bin yelled heartily.
"Kill her!"
Lee Sea gathered power in right fist. Waved left arm distraction. Closed in, shin-kicked.
"Ah..."
Jin Yu-ri staggered. Lee Sea oblivious. Full power would critically injure. Stress overload—beyond her norm, misjudged.
Kaboom—!
Air exploded. Fist neared nose.
Strike imminent.
"Lee Sea—!"
Heard voice behind. Reflexively turned.
Lee Do-jin stood, face stern.