41. My Sister-in-Law Da-hye Confesses Her Love to Me, Who Married Her Older Sister. "This is serious. The day our youngest sister-in-law leaves for study abroad is really just around the corner."

After a long honeymoon,

insane amounts of lovemaking,

and nearly adapting to the Ceremonial Security Team's training and duties, a year passed. And this year,

Seo Ji-eun is going abroad to study. The foreign university she got into is none other than Harvard. "This is really serious, Brother-in-law. What will you do without me?"

Though the semester starts in fall, her departure is scheduled for early April so she can spend time with her grandmother in America and adjust by attending pre-college programs. It's only just February now. "Our brother-in-law is gradually becoming Auntie's emotional support plushie."

Pat! Pat! Pat! Seo Ji-eun patted Geum Tae-yang's back consolingly as he deeply lamented the situation. Seo Mi-na's prediction had come true. As Geum Tae-yang excelled in handling his assigned tasks, Kim Seo-hui gradually piled more work onto him. Some of these tasks even extended beyond the Ceremonial Security Team's scope—

namely, those directly connected to Terra Nova Bio Medical's operations. "Who's going to help you with work if I'm not here, Brother-in-law?"

How could Geum Tae-yang, lacking specialized knowledge, manage that? Yet he kept succeeding. How? Because genius STEM student Seo Ji-eun helped him. "What are you talking about, Sister-in-law? That's not what I meant."

"Huh?"

But the part Geum Tae-yang was lamenting wasn't work-related. "Like this—!"

Whoosh! "Kyaaah! ♡"

"I'm talking about losing the plaything I can toss onto the couch like this!"

Thud! "Hwaaaa!"

Thump! Thump! Geum Tae-yang lifted Seo Ji-eun up, dashed to the sofa, and flung her onto it. That's right. From the start, he wasn't ambitiously chasing promotions by excelling at work.

Geum Tae-yang simply did his best within his capabilities—if he couldn't manage something, so be it. What he regretted was sending off his best friend, Seo Ji-eun. "The Division Head probably has an idea anyway. So if you honestly say it was thanks to ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠your sister-in-law's help, she'll stop assigning you those tasks."

"Hwaaa! Nooo! That'd be such a waste! You studied so hard, Brother-in-law!"

Of course, Geum Tae-yang didn't just freeload. Under Seo Ji-eun's guidance, he studied diligently. And he absorbed it well. Fundamentally, Geum Tae-yang had been a good student—he just couldn't attend university due to circumstances. So Seo Ji-eun felt it was a shame for his efforts to stagnate once she left. "Hmm... I guess. I might have no choice but to tell you my secret, Brother-in-law."

"Huh? Haven't I already heard all your secrets?" "Not that kind. A real secret. Please, be serious when it's time to be serious."

Seo Ji-eun, who had been rolling on the floor thanks to Geum Tae-yang, muttered gravely as if building up suspense. But seeing Geum Tae-yang not matching her tone, she flared up. "What are you going to show me?"

"Consider it an honor. I'm only telling you—not even Mom knows."

Seo Ji-eun took Geum Tae-yang to her room and turned on her computer. "What? It's just some foreign website."

"That's how it looks. But it's not just that."

The site Seo Ji-eun entered was plastered entirely in English.

"So, this place is... whisper whisper whisper!"

Despite being alone together, she leaned in and whispered directly into Geum Tae-yang's ear. "What? Seriously?!"

But it must have been worth it. Geum Tae-yang, who had been indifferent and playful the whole time,

widened his eyes in shock. "I think this is the first time the three of us have come to La Serene together, Mother-in-law."

"Is that so?"

"That's right, Mom. The three of us, yes. Though we've been here often with Ji-eun."

About a week later, on a snowy February day, Geum Tae-yang headed to Galleria Cheongdam after his mother-in-law called, saying she wanted to go on a date. Coincidentally, Seo Da-hye had also stopped by her mother's workplace,

so the three of them ended up at La Serene. "Isn't Seo-hui working you too hard?"

"Hah! Not at all, Mother-in-law. I volunteered. I'm a parachute hire—I have to work hard."

"Still, no matter what..."

This wasn't just a random request for a date. She wanted to give her beloved son-in-law some rest. "I don't know what to do with Mi-na's stubbornness... I told her it's fine, but she just won't listen..."

And she had something to discuss with Geum Tae-yang—about his wife, her eldest daughter, Seo Mi-na. "This is the first time I've seen Unni show any interest in titles..."

Though already recognized as a prodigy, Seo Mi-na lacked a major title.

"The reason is she finds submitting work bothersome. She's got that lone-wolf personality—she just paints whatever she wants. The closest thing to an outlet she has is exhibiting at Galleria Cheongdam."

"Is the Oblean International Invitational Exhibition really that prestigious, Sister-in-law Da-hye?"

"Well, I don't know all the details, but they say it's the most authoritative invitational exhibition..."

And yet, Seo Mi-na had been invited to the Oblean International Invitational Exhibition in Europe. She was among three special emerging artists, separate from the twenty main invitees. The official invitation had arrived in early January. It was an immense honor, a career-defining gateway to the world stage.

But this was Seo Mi-na we were talking about—someone who couldn't care less about titles. And yet, for some reason, she was determined to participate in the Oblean Invitational.

'This is when you realize Seo Mi-na's a goddamn lunatic, even if she's a filial daughter...'

Seo Mi-na had a reverse scale—a raw nerve. It was the way the snobbish art world still looked down on her mother, Kim Seo-yeon, for being a former idol. Of course, at this point, Kim Seo-yeon's influence in the domestic art scene was considerable. But most of that was in the business side of things.

When it came to her artistic sensibilities and discernment, most critics still tacked on backhanded compliments.

"I still haven't forgotten that damn article, Tae-yang... Hnnggh! ♡ I even remember the reporter's name... Hngh! ♡ Hahh! ♡ Nngh! ♡ Hahh! ♡"

Thrust! ♡ Squelch! ♡ Slam! ♡ Thrust! Squelch! ♡ Slam! ♡

"Our Mi-na must've been furious..."

"An idol's bold, unconventional perspective—"

Anyone with half a brain could tell it was a veiled insult disguised as praise.

Pinned beneath Geum Tae-yang's thick, vulgar cock as he pounded into her from above, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Seo Mi-na suddenly seized the back of his neck, her eyes flashing with murderous intensity.

"This burning rage of mine—!"

Rock! ♡ Rock! Rock! ♡ Shake! ♡ Rock! Rock! ♡ Rock! ♡ Shake! ♡

Thrust! ♡ Thrust! ♡ Squish! Squish! ♡ Squelch! ♡ Slam! Slam! ♡

"Hahhh! Nngh! Hahh! Those fucking bastards! Nngh! I won't let them—! Nngh! Get away with looking down on my mom! Hahh! Hahh!"

[Note: The translation maintains all original sound effects, emotional intensity, and vulgar language while preserving the raw, aggressive tone of the scene. Character voices remain distinct - Seo Mina's furious outbursts contrast with the narrator's more analytical observations about her idol background.]

"So you're saying Seo Mi-na is ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠deliberately ostracizing herself from the mainstream art scene because she doesn't want their validation? In other words, she only cares about being evaluated by her mother. 'If I get recognized by the most prestigious institution, then Mother won't be treated like some fringe artist by the establishment anymore.' That's what she's thinking, right?"

But the Obleang Foundation's invitation was a different story. To put it in perspective, it was the absolute pinnacle of the art world—the equivalent of Seoul National University in terms of prestige. Mi-na believed that if she secured that title, the Korean art scene would no longer be able to ignore her mother, Kim Seo-yeon.

"Unnie insists she has to bring back her old style, right, Mom?"

"I keep telling her she doesn't have to, but Mi-na insists it's necessary... The Obleang people were deeply impressed by her work from that period..."

Then wouldn't it be fine as long as the work itself was good? What exactly was the problem? The truth was, Mi-na wasn't satisfied with her current artistic style.

"Just in case you're feeling guilty, Tae-yang, don't. An artist's sensibilities naturally change over time."

Right before reuniting with Geum Tae-yang, she had started slipping into a creative slump.

And then, after falling in love with him, Mi-na's painting style had completely transformed. ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠The narratives in her work brightened, and she began expressing herself more directly, moving away from metaphor and riddles.

[We highly value the anxiety, surrealism, and inexplicable emotions that emerge in Artist Seo Mi-na's work.]

But what the Obleang Foundation had praised was her old sensibility—dark, bizarre, and enigmatic.

"Still, I should feel responsible. A married couple is one, after all."

Mi-na was so deliriously happy with her married life that it was driving her insane. She was practically drowning in bliss in Tae-yang's arms. And yet, paradoxically, that very happiness was preventing her old artistic sensibility from resurfacing.

"How... How does our Tae-yang always know the perfect thing to say?"

"Right... Brother-in-law really, really loves Unnie, doesn't he...?"

"Hah! You two are making me blush, staring at each other like that and floating on cloud nine."

Meanwhile, Kim Seo-yeon and Seo Da-hye were convinced that Tae-yang—who loved Mi-na so deeply—must be secretly burdened with guilt.

"Mi-na's eccentricities will probably get worse from here on out. If she ever treats you unfairly, I'll step in first."

"I like it when Mi-na treats me however she wants. As long as I get to treat her however I want in bed."

"Oh my~! Even if you are my daughter and son-in-law, the two of you are such a perfect match it's almost enviable~"

"Right... I'm the one who's jealous, Mom..."

"Hahaha!"

Kim Seo-yeon was filled with dread, anticipating that an unprecedented level of eccentricity was about to unfold. She worried that her kind-hearted son-in-law might be deeply hurt by it.

But Tae-yang just laughed it off, bragging that his own messiness was a step above hers.

"How's the final prep for your student teaching going, sis-in-law?"

After dinner, Tae-yang dropped off Kim Seo-yeon at Galleria Cheongdam and headed back to the penthouse with Seo Da-hye.

"It's the final stretch, but... I keep noticing things I'm lacking, so it's a disaster..."

Da-hye was about to start her student teaching in April. She had even planned to rent a separate officetel nearby for the duration, given how chaotic things were at home—between her sister's artistic hysteria and the youngest's study abroad preparations.

"You've been on too much of an elite track, sis-in-law. Lesson prep is important, sure, but for regular students, what really matters is communication and empathy with their teacher."

Da-hye had been assigned to a regular public school—a world apart from the prestigious institutions she had attended. Tae-yang couldn't help but feel sorry for the bookish student-teacher.

"Communication...?"

"Yeah, communication. The same thing you're always doing with me and the family."

"Hmm..."

This was Seo Da-hye—the kind of person who wouldn't dream of doubting her brother-in-law's words. Even though Tae-yang was clearly teasing, she listened attentively, intrigued.

"Kids want to know their teacher. They're curious about the person fate has placed in front of them. Especially when that teacher is as pretty as you, sis-in-law."

From Tae-yang's perspective, she was the perfect audience—someone who'd savor every word he spun.

Seo Ji-eun was the sister-in-law you could provoke into a challenge, then mercilessly dunk on after winning.

Seo Da-hye was the sister-in-law you could gaslight.

"But I don't have anything special about me... There's nothing for the kids to be curious about, Brother-in-law..."

Da-hye timidly looked down. It wasn't an empty statement. She had spent her whole life accommodating others—her younger sister, her older sister. She had never once disobeyed her mother. The obedient middle child, Seo Da-hye, had never once asserted her own individuality.

"Curiosity isn't about something special. They'll be curious about the everyday stuff too. Why? Because you're their student-teacher!"

Geum Tae-yang passionately lectured, practically spraying saliva in his enthusiasm. Likely because this was how he'd been back in high school. "Alright! I'll play the student now. From this moment on, you, my dear sister-in-law, are Teacher Seo Da-hye to me, Geum Tae-yang!"

"I-I'm not good at acting..."

"This isn't acting! Right now, we're genuinely becoming teacher and student!"

Geum Tae-yang had somehow roped the naive second sister-in-law into this little roleplay, which suspiciously seemed like a way to indulge his own whims. "Wow~! Teacher Da-hye, you're so pretty!"

"Th-thank you..."

What kind of whim was this? It was something he'd never dared do with his actual student teacher back in high school. Because back then, Geum Tae-yang had been living with his grandmother, his inner desires firmly locked away. "Do you have a boyfriend?"

"Not yet..."

"Then how old were you when you had your first kiss?"

"Does it count if my dad kissed me on the cheek...?"

"Of course not!"

"Then... never."

"No way!! Don't lie to me!"

"I'm not lying... It's true..."

Now, with those restraints long gone, Geum Tae-yang mercilessly bombarded his innocent sister-in-law with questions. "You're doing great, sis. The worst reaction a teacher can give is getting all stiff and killing the mood. But being too slick isn't great either. What you're doing—flustered and unsure—that's perfect."

"Really? I'm just... not sure how to respond..."

"That's what makes it so effective."

Still, wasn't Tae-yang someone who genuinely wanted his sister-in-law to succeed? Even while indulging himself, he gave her solid feedback. "Can we do more, brother-in-law? I think I'm actually gaining confidence."

"Yeah? See, this is why I'm the elite employee Division Head Kim Seo-hui favors—I get results, pffahahaha!"

She'd just been floundering like her usual self, yet that was considered good?

But for some reason, it felt satisfying. Like her natural self had been acknowledged. "No way! How could someone as pretty as you never have had a boyfriend?"

"Umm... I think my standards are too high..."

"Huh? Too high?"

Tae-yang instantly reverted to his high school self, teasing the innocent student teacher. But the answer wasn't what he expected. He'd thought she'd say something vague, like it just never happened,

but instead, she gave a surprisingly specific answer—

one that didn't fit the usual sweet, accommodating Seo Da-hye. "Then what's your ideal type? How high could your standards possibly be if even you admit it?"

"Uhh... Well..."

Now genuinely curious, Tae-yang pressed further. "Do I really have to say...?"

"That's so irresponsible! You've exploded my curiosity and now you're trying to dodge the question?!"

"I'm not dodging...!"

"Answer me! I want to know Teacher's ideal type!"

Da-hye hesitated. She regretted being so honest earlier,

and there was another hesitation layered on top of that. "Well... my ideal type is..."

But with Tae-yang whining like a bratty teenager in full method-acting mode,

"Someone like you, brother-in-law..."

The warm-hearted student teacher had just made a heartfelt Coming Out confession.