Hyuna tilted her head and said, 

“I didn’t stop by home.”

“You didn’t stop by?”

“Yeah. We got lucky with just one free day, so we came here. I have to return tomorrow.”

“So Mother doesn’t know either?”

At her brother’s words, Hyuna put her index finger to her lips and whispered, 

“Shh! This is a top-secret operation, so confidentiality must be maintained.”

“Ha!”

Hyunwook laughed. Hyuna noticed Yeoul looking up at her with bright eyes and squealed.

“You must be unnie‘s son! Wow, you’re so adorably cute!”

Yeoul bowed deeply at the waist.

“Hello. I’m Kim Yeoul.”

“Nice to meet you. I’m Do Hyuna, Uncle Hyunwook’s younger sister.”

“What should I call you?”

“Hmm…. Aunt?”

“Can’t I call you noona?”

“Sure. Why not? But wow, you speak really well.”

Hyuna squatted down and smiled at Yeoul, then suddenly went “Huh?” and looked back and forth between Jinwook and the child. When Hyuna looked at her with surprised eyes, Soyu smiled bitterly and nodded.

“Whoa! What’s this!”

Hyuna jumped up and rolled her big eyes at Jinwook.

“What’s going on, hyung?”

Jinwook smiled and said, 

“I’ll tell you later.”

Jinwook gestured with his eyes toward the curious Yeoul, and the quick-witted Hyuna nodded in understanding. Then she approached Jeongeun and greeted her politely.

“Hello. I’m Do Hyuna. You’re Soyu unnie‘s mother, right?”

“We’ve never met before. How do you know me so well?”

“I know Taeseop hyung and Jinwook hyung‘s parents too. And you look like your daughter.”

When Hyuna pointed at Soyu, Jeongeun smiled.

“You have a good eye. Are you in the military?”

“Yes. I return to duty tomorrow.”

“Please take care of us.”

“Not at all, Auntie.”

Hyuna was very courteous. Only one person—her brother—glared at his sister with an annoyed expression.

When Hyuna didn’t return, a woman with short hair entered the garden but hesitated when she saw so many people. Hyuna waved her arms and shouted, 

“Lieutenant Kang!”

Hyuna brought her junior officer to her side and introduced her.

“Lieutenant Kang Hyein. A rookie who just graduated from the military academy. Please take good care of our Hyein.”

Instead of a military salute, Hyein bowed her head demurely.

“I’m Kang Hyein.”

She had a small face with an innocent impression. Hyunwook said, 

“She’s completely different from you.”

“Yeah, she’s different from me. But don’t underestimate her because she looks delicate. Her special combat skills are amazing.”

Hyunwook smirked.

“You’re just showing off.”

Hyuna’s eyes gleamed with a manic shine.

“Yes, big brother. It’s been a while since we’ve seen each other, so I’ve been holding back. Want me to show you?”

Hyunwook flinched and said to Hyein, 

“I’m her brother, Do Hyunwook. These are my friends. Taeseop, say hello.”

Taeseop greeted her with a somewhat awkward attitude.

“I’m Song Taeseop. Nice to meet you.”

“Hello. I’m Kang Hyein.”

Hyein was also a bit stiff. Hyuna introduced Jinwook and Soyu.

“This is Kim Jinwook, the man of Cannes. This is Jang Soyu, whom I adore, and this is our unnie‘s son, Yeoul.”

Yeoul gave Hyein a deep bow too.

“Hello. I’m Kim Yeoul.”

“Nice to meet you. You’re really handsome.”

Hyein smiled as she bent down with her arms on her knees, causing Yeoul to blush.

“You’re pretty, noona. I’ve never seen anyone this pretty except my mom.”

Everyone burst into laughter at the child’s words. Hyuna cackled.

“Yeoul has high standards.”

Jinwook laughed loudly.

“He takes after me with his high standards. Very high.”

Soyu looked at Hyuna and Jinwook and chuckled. Now she understood why Hyunwook couldn’t stand Jinwook. She hadn’t noticed when they were younger, but now she could see that Jinwook and Hyuna were like carbon copies of each other. Even their laughs were similar. With two people like them in his life forever, Hyunwook must be exhausted. Taeseop said, 

“Should we go inside, unpack, and head to the supermarket first?”

Everyone carried their luggage inside.

As usual, Taeseop divided the tasks and people.

“Let’s split into groups—those going to the supermarket and those preparing the meal.”

Jinwook said, 

“What should we eat? Meat is too ordinary.”

Taeseop asked Hyein, 

“Hyein, do you eat seafood by any chance?”

“Yes. I like it.”

“Then we can buy some seafood at the supermarket and grill it along with the meat.”

“I eat anything well. Thank you.”

Taeseop said, 

“I’ll go to the supermarket. Jinwook and Hyunwook, you guys start the fire and prepare.”

“Okay.”

Just then, Hyein spoke up.

“I’d like to go to the supermarket too. I want to be helpful.”

Taeseop smiled generously.

“Then let’s go together.”

Soyu’s eyes narrowed as she watched the two. Taeseop seemed somehow different than usual.

After Taeseop and Hyein left to shop, Jinwook and Hyunwook lit a fire in the yard. It wasn’t just hot—it was extraordinarily hot. Jinwook stepped back, panting, and grumbled.

“I should’ve gone to the supermarket.”

Hyunwook glared at him with piercing eyes.

“You’re always amazing at finding ways to escape.”

“Aren’t you hot? Do we really need to light a fire and cook in this weather?”

“I can understand for meat, but what about seafood?”

“We could steam that. Charcoal grilling isn’t essential for the best flavor.”

Just then, a cheerful voice came from behind them.

“Brother is still the same, I see?”

Jinwook turned around and looked delighted, as if he’d found reinforcements.

“Good timing. You light the fire.”

“Me? Why?”

“You’re a soldier. You must be better at it than civilians.”

“What are you talking about? We were planning to eat out.”

“When you’re on vacation, you should experience the taste of real charcoal.”

“I eat just fine without real charcoal.”

“Tsk! You still don’t back down at all, do you?”

“You’re exactly the same, hyung. A total slacker.”

“What!”

“You were like that in the old days too. Always finding ways to escape. And do you remember how much you made me work for you?”

“Me? You? I don’t remember anything like that.”

Hyuna’s lips twitched as she looked at the shameless Jinwook.

“I still haven’t forgotten. When you locked me in the bathroom.”

Jinwook’s eyes widened.

“How old were you when that happened? You still haven’t forgotten something from that long ago?”

“That’s how traumatic it was for me. What kind of person locks up a five-year-old?”

“I got beaten badly by Father for locking you up. I’ve already paid my dues.”

“Well, who told you to lock me up?”

As their voices grew louder, Hyunwook sighed. One wasn’t enough—he had to deal with both of them. Why was his life so complicated? When their argument wouldn’t stop, Hyunwook couldn’t take it anymore and shouted.

“Both of you, stop it! Do you want to die?”

For a moment, both of them looked at Hyunwook simultaneously. After confirming Hyunwook’s angry face, they ignored him and resumed their argument, now with bulging veins.

“You were rude as a child, and now your language is even filthier! You!”

“And you’re any better, hyung? Talk about the pot calling the kettle black. Seriously.”

“Do you want to die?”

“Fine! Let’s fight! Do you think I’ll always be your punching bag? Come on! Do you know why I became a soldier? Kim Jinwook, I became a soldier to kill you!”

Hyunwook’s face turned red and blue as he watched the two move to the spacious garden and take their stances. He wanted to cancel his vacation and go home. Anywhere without those two would be a blessing.

“Ugh….”

While Hyunwook clenched his fists, battling his murderous intent, Jinwook took one kick from Hyuna and started running away.

“Ahhh! Help! I’m sorry! Do Hyuna! I said I’m sorry!”

“Get back here! I don’t care if you’re my hyung, you’re dead today!”

Meanwhile, Hyunwook, fighting with the fire, looked like he was about to die himself.

After sunset, everyone gathered in the yard. A long table was set up, and several mosquito repellents were brought out. White smoke rose lazily from the mosquito coils on one side, while meat grilled over charcoal on another, and abalone and conch roasted over the fire in the hearth.

Yeoul, who would normally be jumping around at the delicious smells, was strangely sitting quietly today, playing cat’s cradle with Hyuna.

“That’s right. Like that. You’re doing well.”

Yeoul smiled.

“This is my first time doing this.”

“I bet it is. It’s a forgotten game these days. Using your hands a lot is good for brain development.”

“Did you play this a lot too, noona?”

“I did when I was little.”

Hyunwook and Jinwook both snickered at Hyuna’s words. Hyuna glared at her brother and Jinwook with murderous eyes. Jinwook flinched. He had been thoroughly beaten earlier today. Better watch his mouth. Jinwook held tongs and placed the first grilled meat on Yeoul’s plate.

“Yeoul, eat first.”

“Can’t I eat after finishing this? It’s really fun right now.”

“Eat after you finish that.”

Next, Jinwook placed meat on Jeongeun’s plate.

“Auntie, please eat a lot. The meat is very good.”

“Yes. You all should eat too.”

“I need to take care of family first. I’m the head of the household.”

At Jinwook’s words, Hyuna asked, 

“Are you and unnie getting married?”

Jinwook reluctantly answered,

“Yeah. You don’t have to come to the wedding if you’re busy.”

“Even if I’m busy, I should attend unnie‘s wedding. When is it?”

“I said you don’t have to come.”

“What are you talking about? Who says I’m going to see you? Unnie, have you chosen a dress?”

Soyu answered with a smile, 

“I’ll go look after your leave ends. Both of us have been busy.”

“What do you do now, unnie? Professor?”

“Hasn’t Hyunwook told you anything?”

Hyuna shrugged.

“As you know, I’m not close with my relatives. I don’t get news unless it’s a funeral notice.”