Jinny woke up and stretched her arms with a satisfied sigh. She had slept well, and for the first time in days, she felt refreshed and full of energy.
She quickly got out of bed and headed to the bathroom. A warm shower washed away the last traces of sleep as she hummed softly while scrubbing herself.
A smile unconsciously spread across her lips.
Their wedding was drawing near.
The thought alone made her cheeks grow warm. She couldn't help blushing.
Matias will soon become my husband.
After her shower, she changed into a set of comfortable clothes before heading to the garden to take care of her mother's favorite roses.
She hummed another cheerful tune while watering the flowers, her good mood impossible to hide.
As she was tending to the plants, Shuu suddenly approached her.
He scratched the back of his head, avoiding her gaze.
"Hey..." he greeted awkwardly.
Jinny put down the watering can and looked at him with confusion.
"G-Good morning... Do you need something?" she asked.
Shuu took a deep breath, he cleared his throat before finally meeting her eyes.
"Can we talk?"
Jinny glanced around instinctively, hoping Matias wasn't nearby to misunderstand the situation.
The two walked toward a stone bench beside the fountain and sat down.
"So... what did you want to talk about?" she asked quietly while staring at the ground.
Shuu looked up at the sky.
"I love you," he whispered, his voice barely loud enough for her to hear.
"Shuu..." Jinny began.
"I know," he interrupted with a small smile. "I just wanted to tell you how I truly feel. But don't worry. I'm not asking you to return my feelings. I've already accepted that your heart belongs only to Matias."
He let out a bitter chuckle.
"If I had known things would end like this... I should've pursued you sooner. My biggest regret is realizing my feelings too late."
Jinny remained silent, listening patiently.
"Last night, after the punishment, I spent a long time thinking." He laughed softly at himself. "I even wondered if I should fight for you... steal you away from Matias."
He rubbed the back of his neck.
"Do you know I actually thought about kidnapping you? I imagined taking you somewhere far away where it would be just the two of us."
He shook his head with another quiet laugh.
"But then I thought about what would happen afterward. Mom would cry. Dad would be furious. My brothers would hate me, and the whole family would probably exile me."
He looked at Jinny with gentle eyes.
"And you... you'd be miserable. You'd miss everyone. I don't want to see you forcing yourself to smile every day."
He released a long sigh.
"So... I decided to let you go. I don't want to force you to love me. I don't want to keep you all to myself out of selfishness. Seeing you happy is enough for me."
A small smile appeared on his face.
"And I know Matias will take good care of you."
After a brief silence, he looked at her and smiled.
"So... yeah. I admit my defeat. Thank you for being with me, even if it was only for a short while. I truly wish both of you a lifetime of happiness."
Jinny smiled warmly. "Thank you, Shuu..."
Without another word, Shuu wrapped her in a tight hug.
"You should start calling me Big Bro now," he teased with a grin.
Jinny laughed softly. "Yeah..."
After their conversation, Shuu left.
Jinny returned to watering the flowers as if a burden had finally been lifted from both of their hearts.
Once she finished, she gathered her gardening tools and started walking back toward the mansion.
Before she could reach the entrance, Harusheen spotted her and hurried over.
"Morning, Jin," he greeted with a bright smile.
Jinny blinked in surprise.
It was rare for any of her brothers to greet her first.
"Here, let me carry those."
Before she could refuse, Harusheen gently took the gardening tools from her hands.
"What if your hands get dirty? Or worse, what if you get hurt?" he said. "You're getting married soon. I don't want a single scratch ruining my little sister's beauty."
Jinny stared at him in complete disbelief.
Harusheen noticed her expression and chuckled. "What?"
She narrowed her eyes suspiciously. "Are you high again? Did you start taking those pills again?"
"What? No!" Harusheen quickly protested. "I already quit. I'm a good man now!"
"Then why are you suddenly being so nice to me?" she asked. "Do you need something?"
Harusheen scratched his head sheepishly. "Not really. I just want to start taking care of you from now on," his smile slowly faded. "I know I've been a terrible brother. I'm sorry... for ignoring you all those years... and for bullying you."
He lowered his head in a sincere bow.
Jinny's eyes widened.
"Y-You don't have to bow!" she quickly held his shoulders and helped him straighten up. "I've already forgotten those things. And... I understand how all of you felt. I suddenly appeared here wearing your sister's face. It must have felt like I stole her place in your family. So... it's okay."
"No! It's not okay. We were wrong. We should never have blamed you for something you had no control over. I'm truly sorry," he said.
Jinny smiled gently.
The two continued walking side by side.
"Can I call you Big Bro now?" she asked with a grin. "Shuu said I could start calling him Big Bro."
Harusheen beamed.
"Of course! I'll be your kindest..." he proudly puffed out his chest. "...and most handsome big brother."
"If you ever need anything, just call me. And if Matias ever makes you cry..." he cracked his knuckles dramatically. "...I'll punch him."
Jinny burst into laughter.
The two happily continued chatting as they walked.
"Hey, hey!"
A familiar voice interrupted them.
"Looks like you two are having fun. Mind if we join?" Kasey approached with Kiko and Ineah beside him.
Soon, all five siblings walked back to the mansion together, laughing and chatting like a real family.
From the balcony, Kaye watched them with tears shimmering in her eyes.
Finally...
Her sons had begun treating Jinny as their true sister.
A pair of arms gently wrapped around her waist from behind.
Mikhail rested his chin on her shoulder.
"I'm so happy," Kaye whispered.
Mikhail smiled softly and nodded. "Mm..."
Together, they quietly watched the five siblings disappear through the mansion doors, their hearts filled with warmth.