Meanwhile, Yoojin's expression collapsed instantly. As if the only part that mattered was her being mistreated and someone courting death.
"…What did you say Uncle Jin-ho's family did to you?"
The word dream vanished completely from his mind and murderous intent surged in his eyes.
Even if his sister was talking nonsense—about everyone leaving, about their brothers hating her—how dare that second branch of the family touch even a single hair on Seo Family's only jewel?
"How dare he lay a hand on my sister!"
His roar echoed through the store.
Several customers jumped in fright. Even the cashier ringing up items nearby almost dropped the glass jar in his hands.
What's going on? Are they filming a drama?
Why are they crying in someone else's shop? People are trying to make a living here!
Ugh!
Still, no one dared chase them out. Not even the guard was paying them attention, afraid to lose his job if he messed with the siblings.
I mean, who would have the guts to kick out the landlord's children from a shop their boss had just rented?
He'd be the first to get fired.
'Eun-kwang, just do your job properly and get that New Year bonus,' the cashier thought, forcing a professional smile.
"That'll be 89,000 won," he said politely. "Will you be paying by card or cash?"
"Seo Yoojin…" the girl sobbed softly. "Do you also think… that I've gone crazy?"
Hearing this, Gwon Eunkwang almost answered instinctively.
'Yes. Completely crazy. Your whole family is crazy. So, please do us normal citizens a favor and leave already!'
---
Inside the car, Yoojin kept pulling out fresh tissues, neatly tossing the used ones into the trash bin. In the end, they had abandoned their shopping plans and ordered a bulk delivery instead—Hyejin's crying had made the other customers visibly uncomfortable.
"I should've…" she sniffed. "I should've spent more time with everyone instead of chasing celebrity status. I should've enjoyed life with my family…"
Her eyes were swollen and red, her nose resembling a certain sleigh-pulling deer after blowing it countless times.
"I'm sorry… I'm really sorry, Yoojin-ah…"
"Okay, okay." Yoojin sighed, handing her another tissue. "No one's blaming you. Don't cry anymore."
When will she stop crying? It's not like I died.
If they went home like this, wouldn't their parents beat him to death for making their precious daughter cry?
No. This won't do.
"Noona," he said firmly. "That was just a dream."
"Dreams are the opposite of reality." His tone softened. "So stop crying, okay? No matter what, that won't happen."
"Mom, Dad, and me… we'll never abandon you. That future won't come true."
"And if Ha-jun Hyung or Yoo-jun Hyung ever dare to hate you, that's their fault." He huffed. "Dad will kick them out of the family registry and give you all their property and inheritance. I won't help them beg either."
Seo Yoojin paused for a moment, studying his sister's reaction. Seeing her breathing then calmed, he secretly sighed before adding seriously, "And if Ha-jun Hyung and Yoo-jun Hyung ever dare to hate you, that'll be their problem. Dad and Mom will kick them out of the family registry and give you all the property and inheritance to exact justice. I won't even help them beg either. So behave yourself."
His expression was unusually solemn, yet his voice remained gentle.
"Be good and stop thinking about unhappy things."
Yoojin then opened a glass bottle he took from the car fridge and slipped in a freshly unwrapped bamboo straw.
"Drink this slowly." He held it out to her. "I saw your favorite coconut water shop restocking yesterday after school, so I bought everything they had. I stored them all in my space key. If you stop crying, I'll give them all to you."
He carefully passed her the drink, then fished the poop-shaped keychain from his pocket and dangled it in front of her.
"As for Uncle and that leech family of theirs…" His voice lowered. "They won't dare."
Even if they did.
'I'll make sure they pay for it.'
Hyejin had lived through countless deaths and daily brushes with the abyss. She could clearly sense the fleeting yet genuine killing intent that had crossed her little brother's heart.
Oblivious to his thoughts, Seo Hyejin wondered. Just what had he been thinking to harbor such clear malice?
"Stop frowning," Yoojin added casually, and eased the crease on her forehead upon seeing her crumpled face. Instantly reverting to his usual self. "You're already ugly from crying. If you keep wrinkling your face, you'll never get married. Don't think you can freeload off Mom, Dad, or me forever."
He clicked his tongue and waved the dangling object to grab her attention.
Meanwhile, Seo Hyejin almost choked from breathing and her mouth fell open.
Did he just call her ugly right in front of her face? This little brother. Is he brave or just nuts?
How could he call a celebrity who lives off her face-card ugly upfront?!
"Even if you're my baby brother, this kind of insult is just too unforgiving!" She breathed heavily ready to knock some sense to him with a solid punch.
"Are you really asking for a beating right now, Seo Yoojin?! You crazy punk—uff!" Hyejin was about to go ballistic for real. When something was shoved into her face.
Hyejin only glanced at it briefly.
Then she froze.
Even her tears stopped mid-fall.
"What the heck. Seo Yoojin! Did you just put a poop right in front of my face?"
'Wait, this thing is…'
Her gaze sharpened.
"…What?" Yoojin asked, suddenly uneasy.
The air around her had changed.
Instinctively, he tried to pull his hand back—but he was too slow.
Hyejin snatched the object from his fingers and studied it closely, as though searching for a hidden flaw.
Why does it feel so oddly familiar?
Hyejin didn't have to think long and just gently pressed the object on her forehead, sensing the material with the AI chip on her brain.
"… Huh?"
This thing…
"Isn't this the SK-0926 that Ha-joon Oppa is still developing?" Hyejin inquired in a firm note. " Seo Yoojin. Answer me, why do you have Brother Ha-joon's thing with you?"