Chapter 3: The Overprotective Brother Clause

Chae Bora barely made it two steps into the kitchen the next morning before she felt it — the heavy stare. The interrogation-level stare.She turned slowly, coffee mug in hand, and found her brother, Chae Bonggu, sitting at the counter with his arms crossed and eyebrows raised."Morning," she said, pretending to be casual."You and Noah," he said flatly.Bora sipped her coffee. "What about us?"He leaned forward. "Don't play dumb. Are you seriously dating him? Or was that just a lie to get Mom off your back?"The coffee went down the wrong way.Bora coughed and turned away, trying to stall for time. "W-What kind of question is that?""Don't dodge," Bonggu said, now standing and walking toward her. "You've never even mentioned liking someone lately. Now suddenly, my best friend is your boyfriend? Since when?"Bora glanced at the fridge. Then the ceiling. Then anywhere but Bonggu's face.He wasn't angry—yet. But he was suspicious. And her brother wasn't dumb. Once he latched onto something, he didn't let go until he got answers."I... didn't want to make a big deal out of it," she said finally, carefully choosing her words. "It just... happened."Bonggu narrowed his eyes. "How long?""A few weeks?" she lied, wincing internally."Who confessed?""Me," she blurted, surprising even herself. "I mean—he did. I—both of us?""Do you even know his birthday?""Of course I do," she said, heart pounding. "It's in... May."Bonggu stared."It's in February," he said.Bora blinked. "Right. February. That's what I meant. See? I know things.""You're a terrible liar.""I'm not lying!" she snapped, too fast. "And if I were, why would Noah go along with it?"Bonggu paused at that.Bora knew he trusted Noah — maybe not with her, but definitely as a friend. So if Noah was in on the act, Bonggu had to be wondering: why would he risk their friendship over a joke?Her brother rubbed the back of his neck, clearly conflicted. "I just don't get why you'd keep it from me.""It's new," she said softly. "And complicated. I didn't want to get anyone involved until I was sure."He studied her for a moment longer, then finally sighed. "Fine. I'll back off."Relief washed over her."But," he added quickly, "if this is real, I'm talking to him."Her relief vanished."Noah?""Yeah. We're overdue for a chat." Bonggu walked off toward the front door, grabbing his jacket. "And if he's messing with you, I'll shave his head in his sleep.""Subtle, Bonggu. Very subtle.""Tell your 'boyfriend' I'll see him tonight. We're hanging out at Yejun's."The door slammed shut behind him.Bora slumped onto the couch and groaned into a pillow. "This is so not worth getting out of a blind date."—Later That Night – Yejun's Apartment

The living room was loud with the usual chaos — video games blaring on the TV, snacks being thrown, and laughter bouncing off the walls. Bonggu, Yejun, Hamin, Eunho, and Noah were gathered like any other night.But the moment Bonggu pulled Noah aside into the hallway, things got quieter."I'm only going to ask once," Bonggu said, arms crossed. "Are you actually dating my sister?"Noah blinked, then leaned casually against the wall. "Would it bother you if I said yes?""Yes," Bonggu said bluntly. "She's my sister."Noah chuckled. "Noted.""Be serious, man. You're flirty. You mess around. She's not some girl you can just play with."Noah's playful grin faded, replaced by something more thoughtful."I know," he said. "And I'm not messing around. If this is going to work, even if it started off weird, I'm going to make sure she doesn't regret it."Bonggu narrowed his eyes. "What do you mean, 'if this is going to work'?"Noah smiled. "Let's just say... the lines are getting blurry."That only made Bonggu more confused, but before he could press further, Noah raised a hand."Look, if you want a deal, I'm open. Rules, conditions — lay them down."Bonggu sighed. "Fine. One: don't make her cry.""Never.""Two: no funny business while I'm around.""I wouldn't dream of it.""And three..." Bonggu paused. "If this whole thing is fake, I want to know the moment it ends."Noah's eyes flickered, but he nodded. "Deal."They shook hands — reluctantly on Bonggu's part, smugly on Noah's.But as the two walked back into the living room, something about Noah's smile had changed.There was still mischief in it, yes — but also something a little softer.And maybe... a little more real.