Location: Jin Family Mansion – Private Courtyard, Dusk
The sky was painted in golds and blood oranges as Jin returned home, his steps light, hands tucked into his hoodie pockets like nothing had happened.
He had left Yanyu in tears.
He didn't regret it.
[Jin]: [Growth requires pain. Especially when you've been simping for poison.]
As he passed through the gate, the air shifted. Someone was already waiting on the stone bench beneath the wisteria tree.
Ichiro.
Hair neat. Uniform flawless. The picture of a misunderstood saint with a twisted halo.
"Ah, Jin," he said with a warm smile. "Back already? I heard you were… clearing your head."
[Jin]: [More like clearing your lies out of everyone else's.]
Jin didn't stop walking.
Ichiro fell in beside him like a bad pop-up ad.
"I heard about Yanyu," he continued softly, hands behind his back like a humble monk. "She's been so emotional lately. I'm worried about her mental state."
[Jin]: [You mean you're worried she might stop being your meat shield.]
"I tried to comfort her, but she seemed distant. Cold, even," Ichiro said, feigning concern. "I think she might've misunderstood something I said."
System Notification – Melon-Eating Feed Activated
Live View: Family Group Chat
Sister No. 6:
He's fishing. This clown is actually fishing for sympathy.
Grandfather:
Let the boy speak. I want to see how deep this idiot digs himself.
Second Brother:
Why does he sound like he rehearsed this in a mirror?
Jin kept walking.
"Yanyu and I were always close," Ichiro went on. "It's painful seeing our bond fade. I just hope no one's been… influencing her against me."
He glanced sideways, eyes full of innocent venom.
[Jin]: [So he's trying the guilt trip + blame-shift combo. Classic narcissist. Does this guy come with a remote?]
---
Flashback Insert: Sister No. 1's Surveillance Room
Camera zoom. Enhance. Zoom again.
The screen flickered to Ichiro's face mid-smile.
"Got him," Sister No. 1 whispered, furiously scribbling in her Anti-Faker notebook. "That microexpression's a guilt twitch."
---
Back in the courtyard, Ichiro stepped in front of Jin, finally forcing him to stop.
"I care about this family," he said earnestly. "I care about you, too."
[Jin]: [The same way leeches care about blood.]
"I just want peace between us."
[Jin]: "Then stop talking."
The words dropped like stone. Sharp. Weighty. Final.
Ichiro blinked. Just once.
"...I see." He dipped his head slightly. "I'll give you space then."
[Jin]: [Translation: He's going to run to someone and play the misunderstood victim card. Probably Sister No. 3. Or worse—Mom.]
---
Melon-Eating System Analysis
Scheming Detected
Target: Mother Jin
Script Prepared: "I think Jin resents me... I just wanted to be his brother."
Suggestion: Beat him to it. Casual exposure works best. Add sarcasm. Bonus if it's public.
---
Incoming Call – Grandma Jin
"Jin-jin~ you free tonight? Let's have a hot pot dinner. I already invited everyone. Including that polite brat you don't like."
[Jin]: [Oh good. A dinner ambush. Just what I wanted.]
He exhaled slowly.
"Sure. I'll be there."
Then smiled.
[Jin]: [Let's see who burns their tongue first.]
---
End of Chapter 31
Next Up – Chapter 32: The Hotpot Trap Is Hotter Than the Broth
Ichiro tries a sympathy monologue in front of the family.
Jin doesn't interrupt — he just lets the system leak the truth, line by line.
Cue Sister No. 4 throwing a soup ladle at someone.