< Chapter 50 >
A good person. People often call someone who listens well to others, is not easily irritated, and has more smiling expressions than a blank face as a good person.
The common point among such people is that they rarely get angry.
While there are people who can control their anger, most of those referred to as good people have a much higher threshold for anger than ordinary people or have very limited points at which they would become angry.
In simple terms, this means they don’t get angry over trivial matters,
and conversely, it means they only get angry when someone crosses a certain line.
That line varies in intensity and type from person to person, but generally, good people get angry when someone does something with the intention of “they are a good person, so this should be fine.”
Blue, holding his sister-in-law’s arm, was looking at her with a fierce gaze never seen before.
“Everyone, go to your rooms.”
Except for Ho Young who went to his room first, the eldest and second eldest children looked around before going inside. Only Blue and his sister-in-law remained in the foyer, and she still glared at him despite the situation.
“You’re crazy? Let go?”
“Didn’t you try to hit me first? Do I have a reason to let go?”
People who get angry commonly release all their accumulated anger in an instant.
They get angry but don’t hold back. They don’t really get angry, nor is it particularly bothersome. Of course, it can be bothersome, but most often, they don’t consider it significant or notice it.
A series of such events can turn what shouldn’t be a big deal into a major issue, always due to those who cross the line.
“I thought maybe you wouldn’t get angry right away after bringing Ho Young home with kids around.”
Her sweet voice now had a venomous edge, and her presence seemed to make the surrounding air cold and blue, like her hair.
Her usually calm and serene eyes were as cold and sharp as icicles in mid-winter.
“If I got angry the moment I saw you, I thought I wouldn’t hold back this time. I didn’t realize I’d act exactly as I thought.”
She wasn’t tall, standing around mid-150s in height, slightly looking up at her sister-in-law who was around 160cm. Despite her smaller stature, Blue dominated the atmosphere.
“Are you finally losing it and acting recklessly? Even talking informally?”
Feeling dominated but unable to humble her pride, her sister-in-law tried to regain control, but whenever her eyes met Blue’s, she would avert her gaze.
“For ten years, I’ve been taking care of the kids and doing household chores. What have you done all this time?”
Unable to respond to Blue’s sharp tone, though she could have vented her frustration, Blue’s words struck her deeply.
“When Ho Young couldn’t even walk. Did you ever change his diaper even once?”
Emotions were running high. She felt like she was about to pour out all her pent-up frustrations, but Blue maintained his composure and calmly recounted everything that happened.
“Before the eldest started elementary school, there was one time I got really angry. It was in the middle of the night, and I called 119. You were drinking with friends then.”
Taking care of the three siblings was solely Blue’s responsibility, and having taken on all the childcare, Blue knew a lot about them. In contrast, her sister-in-law, who had passed on the childcare duties, knew nothing specific about her own child.
“Do you know the second child has an egg allergy? You bought snacks once, didn’t you? Someone is trying to improve the second child’s diet by paying attention to their meals.”
“It’s your job to take care of the kids! I bring in the money!”
Though she shouted, she knew her words lacked any convincing power.
“Bring in money? Other than just sitting at a desk at your brother’s company and calling the boss ‘madam,’ what else do you know how to do?”
Blue’s brother ran a small company, and her sister-in-law quit her previous job to join his company after marriage, doing nothing more than occupying a position.
“Because I stay at home, you thought I wouldn’t know anything?”
Living under the same roof, stories inevitably reach each other’s ears. Just hearing her brother’s brief phone calls or the kids’ occasional conversations, Blue learned about the opinions her sister-in-law held at work.
“You’re threatening a civilian? Don’t you know that a hyper-human can’t attack civilians?!”
“Can a civilian attack a hyper-human?”
Blue squeezed harder on her sister-in-law’s arm. There had been countless instances of verbal abuse, and now, Blue was preventing her from directly attacking.
“Honestly, taking care of the kids? It wasn’t difficult at all.”
She had never felt burdened while taking care of the children, starting with the eldest for ten years. Watching them grow was enjoyable, and even when they played wildly, she enjoyed those moments too.
Of course, she did feel tired physically and mentally in some situations caused by the children.
But Blue never blamed the children.
“The only thing I felt was your unreasonable hysteria, irritability, and all sorts of tantrums over the past ten years.”
Finally, Blue’s anger overflowed, and harsh words came out. Though they might not seem like profanity, harsh language can vary in impact depending on the person.
Blue, who usually spoke softly and used polite language, found the word “tantrum” extremely harsh and strong. Her sister-in-law’s psychological pressure made her use such strong language.
Actually, Blue hadn’t fully realized she was being gaslighted. There were times she felt something was wrong, but she never had the chance to sort out those thoughts until she met A during their trip.
A listened to her and offered the least advice he could. His words didn’t determine Blue’s path; the choice was ultimately hers. And Blue knew this.
If A had suggested a specific path and direction, Blue might have felt even more confused and unable to settle things.
But the question of what she wanted to do made her think, and her thoughts soon became choices.
And once those choices appeared, making a decision didn’t require much deliberation.
Instead, she felt a sense of calmness.
“As a hyper-human, I’ll do as I’m told!”
With her other hand, she tried to strike Blue, but Blue grabbed her arm again and twisted it.
“Aah!!”
As she collapsed with a scream, Blue looked down at her coldly. He knew the kids were listening in the room. Clearly, this situation wasn’t good for the kids’ emotional well-being.
But for Blue, who had never acted for herself in the past ten years, this was her first time acting according to her will, and she had no intention of stopping or ending the current situation.
“Yes. As you say, I’m a hyper-human. I didn’t choose this, but I am a hyper-human with physical abilities far beyond those of a normal person.”
!!!
As she tightened her grip, her sister-in-law could barely let out a short moan instead of a scream.
“Did you think I’d just take whatever you do to me?”
The power dynamics between the two women had completely flipped. Thinking she was above, she now felt shame, anger, and humiliation below.
Blue felt nothing. She only felt a sense of accomplishment for carrying out her chosen actions and realizing how simple it was.
Heavy silence filled the foyer as the door unlocked with a click as Blue’s brother returned home.
Seeing the scene before him, his eyes widened.
“Sister-in-law.”
Seeing her brother, Blue’s resolve weakened, and her grip loosened. Her sister-in-law took advantage of the moment and hid behind her husband.
“Husband, kick her out immediately! What did that madwoman do to me?!”
Blue couldn’t look her brother in the eye. Though she had made up her mind, he was still family, and he had allowed her to live here.
She felt guilty towards her brother, who had cared for her like a father after their parents passed away.
Looking at Blue, her brother spoke in a low voice.
“Let’s talk inside.”
Her brother hadn’t changed. She knew he had been living cautiously since marrying, so she assumed he wouldn’t be on her side anymore.
But she realized it was just her own assumption. Her brother had simply been waiting silently for her to speak first.
Entering the bedroom with Blue’s sister-in-law, her brother sat across from her and began a conversation.
He listened to everything Blue had felt, every situation, and every insult and derogatory remark her sister-in-law had directed at her in his absence.
Even as she spoke, Blue noticed her brother’s expression contorting. She saw her brother’s furious expression for the first time, despite his usually mild and warm nature.
“So, you want to live independently now.”
After a long discussion, Blue finally stated her main point and conclusion. She wanted to live alone and handle everything herself in her own environment.
“Do you have money for a place to stay?”
While living at her brother’s house, Blue paid neither rent nor taxes, dedicating all her time to childcare and using her Earth Defense Union salary for that purpose. With only a small amount of pocket money, she shook her head.
“It will be hard at first, but I plan to do that.”
“Hold on.”
Her brother entered the bedroom. Though her sister-in-law’s sharp voice could be heard, he didn’t respond. After a moment, he came out with a savings book and a card.
?
The old savings book had faded, and Blue stared blankly at her brother’s face, unsure of its origin.
“This is the savings account I opened when I was young. It matured two months ago. I kept it until now.”
Given Blue’s immediate needs, the money would be meaningless. She had planned to give it to her when needed, and now was that time.
“I put all the money I saved from household chores over ten years in there. It might be a little short, but I tried my best.”
The quiet house echoed with her low voice, and Blue continued to listen silently.
“I’m sorry I didn’t say anything earlier. There were things I didn’t know, but not knowing was also my fault.”
Her brother, who had lost track of what was right and wrong, regretted his past indifference and sincerely apologized to her.
“It’s okay. I never blamed you.”
The siblings smiled at each other.
“When are you leaving?”
“This week. I need to find a temporary place to stay first.”
Although there were children, there was no longer a reason for Blue to stay in this house.
From the beginning, there was no reason for Blue to be tied to this house to take care of all the childcare alone.
Late as it was, she was finally returning to the path she should have taken originally.
“What are you going to do?”
Without Blue, there would be no one to take care of the children. Frankly, she doubted whether her sister-in-law could manage it well.
“I’ll figure it out. For now, focus on yourself.”
“Okay.”
It wasn’t about ignoring her concerns. Her brother truly wanted her to focus entirely on herself. Since childcare was his and his wife’s responsibility, he didn’t want to burden her with the immediate problem.
Her brother’s past negligence couldn’t be washed away, but people gradually change. If they recognize their mistakes, they try to repent step by step.
Having raised her alone without parents, her brother was now trying to lighten the load he had placed on her over the past ten years by taking on new responsibilities. Even if Blue didn’t blame him, this was a step towards her forgiveness.
“Were you happy on your trip?”
“Yeah. Ho Young had fun, and so did I.”
“I’m glad.”
The siblings talked as they normally did.
Though complex situations and a long process existed, at least the siblings were slowly returning to their proper places.
After finishing their conversation, Blue locked the door and lay on the bed.
Staring blankly at the ceiling, she remembered something and turned on her smartphone, sending a message.
[What are you doing now?]
With a lighter heart from unburdening herself and feeling comfortable for the first time in a while, she sent a message to A.
