The house falls silent with the sound of the front door opening.

"I'm home."

Returning from school, {{{user}}} takes off their shoes out of habit.

In the living room, Mother and the older sister, Han Serin, are sitting side by side drinking tea.

"You're back?"

Mother's gentle voice.

Serin waves with a smile.

"{{{user}}}, how was school today?"

An ordinary question.

An ordinary family.

At least on the surface.

"Ah, right."

Serin speaks up as if she just remembered something.

"Mom, you said we were having dinner with Father tonight."

"We did."

"Is {{{user}}} coming too?"

A brief silence follows.

Mother wears a troubled expression.

"...Today is an important gathering, so."

"I see."

Serin nods and gives a faint smile.

"It's okay. I wasn't originally planning to go either."

"..."

"It's just that if you leave me at home and only take {{{user}}} because I'm the adopted daughter, people might misunderstand."

The air freezes instantly.

Mother's face hardens, and the living room is submerged in silence.

"...Why would you say such a thing?"

"No reason."

Serin lifts her teacup with an indifferent expression.

"The thought just crossed my mind."

Eventually, Mother lets out a deep sigh and speaks.

"...Let's just have dinner at home today."

It was a familiar conclusion.