Jinny was sitting quietly in the schoolyard, completely absorbed in her book, when someone suddenly startled her from behind. She almost jumped out of her skin when a pair of arms wrapped around her waist.
"S-Shuu!" she exclaimed, turning sharply. "You scared me!"
Shuu burst out laughing as he dropped onto the grass beside her.
"You're way too serious when you read," he said, grinning at her. "If you could see your face right now, it's priceless."
"Please stop making fun of me," Jinny replied, trying to regain her composure as she sat down again. "And what are you doing here?"
"I was bored, so I decided to stroll around the academy," Shuu said casually. "I was hanging out with Ran earlier, but he's so dull. He ignored me for almost an hour."
"Why don't you go to Thane? He's in Uncle Tristan's office," Jinny suggested.
Shuu groaned dramatically. "That place is even worse. Too quiet, too serious." His eyes slid back to her, amusement dancing in them. "But now that I've found you… maybe you can entertain me instead."
Jinny didn't even look up from her book. "I'm not a clown, Shuu."
"Oh, I know." His lips curved into a mischievous smile. "But I can think of other ways you could entertain me."
Jinny rolled her eyes. "Leave me alone."
Instead of leaving, Shuu stretched out on the grass right in front of her, propping his head on one arm while staring up at her.
"You know," he said thoughtfully, "I've always wondered why Ran suddenly started acting weird around you. Don't you realize he's attracted to you?"
Jinny's face flushed instantly.
"H-How can you say that? I only see all of you as my big brothers."
Shuu chuckled softly, his gaze openly roaming over her.
"Well, you are cute," he said without hesitation. "And that body of yours…" His grin widened. "Any man would have a hard time ignoring it."
"Shuu!" Jinny snapped, mortified. "Stop saying things like that!"
"What?" he said innocently. "I'm just being honest."
"If you're bored, go annoy someone else. I'm studying for my upcoming exams."
Shuu's smirk only deepened.
"Well…" he said lazily, folding his arms behind his head. "If Ran doesn't want you anymore, you can always come to me."
Jinny stiffened.
"Anytime," he added with a wink.
That was the last straw.
Jinny stood up abruptly and grabbed her bag. Her cheeks were burning—half from anger, half from embarrassment.
How could he say something like that?
Even if they weren't related by blood, he was still supposed to be like a brother. The secret intimacy she once shared with Ran was already complicated enough. She didn't want to be dragged into the boredom—or flirtations—of any of his brothers.
"I'm warning you," she said firmly, glaring at him. "Stop saying inappropriate things to me. If you're that horny, go find a girl at a club. Don't bother me. And if you do this again, I'll tell Mom."
"Whoa, whoa." Shuu quickly stood up, raising both hands in surrender, though he was clearly amused. "Relax. I was just teasing you."
Jinny bit her lip, still furious. Without another word, she turned and began walking away.
"But you know…" Shuu called after her, his voice playful.
Jinny didn't stop.
"I actually like aggressive women."
She refused to look back.
Shuu just smirked to himself as he watched her walk away.
.
.
While they were on their way home, Thane noticed that Jinny had been unusually quiet. She had been staring out the car window ever since they left the academy.
"Did something happen?" he asked gently.
Jinny kept her eyes on the passing scenery outside.
"Nothing," she replied shortly.
Thane glanced at her again, unconvinced.
"You look upset. Did someone bully you?"
"I'm fine, Thane," she said quickly. "I'm just tired."
It was an obvious lie, but Thane chose not to press further. He simply sighed and focused back on the road.
When they arrived home, their mother greeted them warmly at the door, kissing both of them on the cheek.
"I prepared snacks for you," Kaye said cheerfully. "Go change your clothes and join your brothers in the dining room."
"Okay, Mom," Jinny replied.
She was about to head upstairs when someone suddenly called out to her.
"Jin!"
Shuu came jogging toward her from the dining room, a half-eaten sandwich still in his hand. His bright smile only made Jinny more irritated.
"Sit beside me," he said, flashing a grin. "I saved a seat just for you."
"Thanks," Jinny replied stiffly, "but I'll sit with Thane."
Without waiting for his response, she continued walking upstairs.
Thane approached Shuu, who was still watching Jinny's retreating figure.
"She's been in a bad mood since we left school," Thane said quietly.
Shuu casually tapped Thane's shoulder.
"Maybe she's on her period," he said with a shrug before returning to the dining room.
...
Later, when Jinny finally joined them in the dining room, Shuu immediately started pestering her again.
"Sit here, Jin," he insisted, patting the chair beside him.
"No."
"Come on."
"No."
Despite her repeated refusals, Shuu remained persistent, teasing and leaning closer whenever she tried to ignore him.
The other brothers noticed the sudden change in Shuu's behavior toward her, but none of them commented on it. They all knew Shuu well enough. To them, it was just another one of his ways to relieve boredom.
Poor Jinny.
Kaye, however, saw it differently.
She smiled warmly as she watched the two of them. To her, it looked like Shuu was finally showing affection toward his younger sister.
Seeing them getting closer filled her heart with happiness.
...
Later that evening, Ran arrived home.
As soon as he stepped into the living room, his gaze landed on Jinny and Shuu.
They were sitting close together on the couch. Shuu's arm was casually draped around Jinny's shoulders while he flipped through a thick photo album.
"Look at this one," Shuu said, laughing softly. "That's me when I was seven."
Jinny leaned slightly closer to look.
Their mother was watching them from nearby, smiling fondly.
"Ran, are you hungry?" Kaye asked, standing up to greet him. "I prepared snacks for you."
"Thanks, Mom," Ran replied.
But his eyes never left the two on the couch.
Shuu noticed immediately.
Slowly, a sly smirk spread across his face.
Without breaking eye contact with Ran, Shuu deliberately pulled Jinny a little closer against his side.
Jinny stiffened.
She had also noticed Ran standing there.
Her heart skipped nervously, and she quickly tried to push Shuu away a little. She didn't want Ran to misunderstand and believe that she was flirting with his brother.
"Hey, Ran," Shuu said casually, still grinning. "You should show Jinny your childhood photos too."
He flipped another page in the album.
"She said I was cute when I was a kid."
His eyes glinted mischievously.
He was clearly trying to provoke something—any reaction from Ran.
But Ran simply looked away.
"Mom," he said calmly, "I'm going out tonight. Don't wait for me for dinner."
"Alright," Kaye replied.
Without another glance at them, Ran headed upstairs.
Shuu clicked his tongue softly.
"Well… that was boring."
He glanced sideways at Jinny, who still looked uncomfortable.
Then his grin returned.
"Let's see…" he said, turning another page of the album. "Ah, here's another cute one of me."
He leaned closer to Jinny again.
"Careful," he murmured playfully. "You might fall for me if you keep looking."