Haewon Sunbae

“Here, have some meat.” Gaeul’s brother put a chunk of Wagyu beef on top of my bowl. His personality is a huge contrast to how people perceive it, including me.

“Honey, give him some soda!” Her mom yelled at her slacking husband.

“Coming!” He’s scared. I thought he was some kind of huge-bodied loan shark like the stories around Gaeul, but he’s a gentle middle-aged man with a missing finger. I’ll take it back, he might be a member of a gang like some kind of Yakuza!

We’re sitting on the heated flooring of their house. It’s simple, casual, and comfortable. It’s a two-storey house with rooms on both levels. She said her room and her brother’s room were upstairs. We have been dating for three months, and this is my first time going to her house, though I’ve already met his brother before when Gaeul and I were on a date.

I remember when he choked me up and raised me a few centimeters from the ground. I thought I was levitating, then I saw blinding lights and a stairway to heaven. I already heard St. Peter’s dog barking at me, until Gaeul smacked her brother and introduced me as her boyfriend.

…

“I hope Gaeul’s not that hard on you.” His father gave me a glass of soda.

“Y-yes.” I think it slipped since I was reminiscing about that lovely past; it’s supposed to be a NO.

“What?” The brother looked at her sister, really mad.

“Whatt?” Her mother smacked her head with a loud whack.

“Did she?” Her father is ready to disown her.

“Hey! I’m not! When did I hit you?” She said, then slapped my shoulders.

“No– no! Gaeul’s not hurting me. She’s very gentle, like a sleeping tiger.” Yeah, she’s gentle, very gentle. That’s a slap of love.

“She’s awake right now, and she just hits you.” Her brother was glaring at her, and she glared back.

“Gaeul, honey. Stop being harsh to him. He’s a good guy.” Her mother picked a grilled eel this time and put it in my bowl.

“Thank you, Eomonim.” I received it politely, bowing. I haven’t fully eaten yet that huge chunk of meat that her brother gave me.

“Really, Gaeul. Be nice to my son-in-law.” I choked up, then her father gave me another full glass of soda… no, it’s a glass full of soju! I ain’t drinking that in one go.

“Too soon for that, honey, but they have my blessing. well thinking about how Hanwoo saved Gaeul from those bastards.” Her mother said. Gaeul’s father and her brother clenched their chopsticks and paused. There’s suddenly tension in the air, and I even stopped chewing.

“Chomp- Chomp-” Gaeul’s the only one who’s chewing at that moment. She looks so cute with her cheeks full. I want to pinch it, but I don’t want to lose my arm yet.

“I lose my appetite every time I remember that. I should have BROKEN his neck when I met him.” Her brother put down her chopsticks and cracked her hands. I thought I heard squirrels smashing nuts. I gulped.

“They should be thankful I’m making kimchi when the last time I heard they’re still at your school. I even polished Samantha for them.” Her father bends the metallic chopstick he’s holding.

“W-who’s Samantha?” I quietly asked the chewing Gaeul.

“Chomp- His 50 cal. Barrett M82.” She calmly said. I gulped, I kept gulping which dried my throat.

“Kggh-” I’m speechless, scared, terrified, and trembling. A 50 cal? Is it even legal to own one here in South Korea? I thought they were different from what I heard about them, but shit’s true!

“You guys are scaring Hanwoo. Hanwoo-honey, they’re just playing.” Her mother gave me her best reassuring smile.

“Mom, you’re the worst. I heard you called Golgo the moment you heard about what happened, that hunter who keeps insisting he’s better than that cartoon character. But, I admit he’s DEADLY.” Her brother’s laughing as if his anger had gone away in an instant. But, wait, Golgo? As in Golgo-13? The fucking sniper from my childhood!

“I-it’s fine, I know that it’s maddening remembering thosekighhhhh— !!” I shrieked in bitterness since I picked up the soju-filled glass instead of the soda one.

“That’s my son-in-law!” His father changed his mood quickly, patting my back while I kept coughing.

“Actually, I heard from my intel a kind of sad story, but I’m not sorrowful about it.” Gaeul’s mom said before pouring herself a drink.

“What is it?” Her brother picked up his chopstick and stuffed his mouth with a handful of meat.

“That guy, Oh Seunghoon, got rushed to the hospital a day ago. He slipped while mopping the hallway he was working in.” Her mother said, sipping at her soju.

“He kinda deserves it.” Gaeul’s father said he’s smiling from ear to ear upon hearing the news.

“H-how is he?” I asked.

“He’s unconscious, do you know he actually lives independently. His family regrets everything he does and feels sorry for his victims. Her parents worked at a bar as servers, and her sister is currently studying at Seoul University. Can you believe it?” My jaw dropped upon hearing it, not because of Sunghoon’s story, but because of Gaeul’s mother's intel.

“Is her sister pretty?” Gaeul’s brother nudged me.

“Uhhh–” I can sense danger somewhere; it feels close, this aura. It’s Gaeul. “I did not meet her, as Mrs. Kim said he ran away. Probably cut off any communication with them.” Danger finally eased. I can sense my end is near if I call another girl pretty besides her.

“He kinda deserves it.” Gaeul’s father said they agreed with him and just silently nodded.

We eat with full laughter, well, their laughter. I was tense and terrified the whole dinner. Gaeul silently eats and reacts normally, as if she weren’t with her boyfriend and her family.

“He’ll stay for the night,” Gaeul announced; she did not even consult me.

“I uhh–” I don’t have any idea about it all.

“Why?” The lowest tone I’ve ever heard from her brother.

“G-Gaeul I–” I tried to talk to her, but she cut me off, her habit.

“It’s late, don’t forget that it’s CSAT tomorrow. He needs to focus. I can help him with that.” Gaeul is serious, but how?

“How?” Her father asked her exactly what I thought.

“We’ll study a little; he needs to focus, so I’ll make sure he does.” Gaeul punched the fork at the sliced apple in front of her as dessert.

“I should go home.” Yes, she’s scaring me more than them so I should just go home. Everything in this house is terrifying. I love Gaeul, but I need to see the sun shine tomorrow.

“Gaeul already said you’re staying for the night.” Her mother's smile is concerning. She’s like a wolf disguised as a sheep.

“Y-yeah… I’ll stay.” They left me no choice. God, I love you, please don’t leave me just tonight.

“Let’s go, we’re going upstairs.” Gaeul stood up. She dragged my hand, and I followed her. I start to wonder whether it’s safer or not? Well, Gaeul’s not herself whenever we’re alone.

She’s a sex demon.