Trying to regain some semblance of normality

"Laura, would you like to stay here for a few days?" Dahl asked. "Just in case these two are still around. I don't want anything to happen to you."

Laura sighed, but nodded, still shaken by what happened. "Y-yeah... I don't have any memory of that, everything seems normal in my mind even though I know I wasn't myself... It's terrifying..."

Claire looked down, lost in thought. She was probably also trying to recall these last few days. Her eyes suddenly widened and she got up, dashing to her room. I quickly followed her and saw her take a cheap phone that was laying on her desk.

"Mother left this here to contact us again..." Claire said, a pensive expression on her face.

"What's wrong, Claire?"

"I don't know... Just... It's like I can recall how she felt when she was wearing me..."

"And how did she feel?"

"She was... conflicted, I think..." She hesitantly replied.

"I find it hard to believe, considering what she did to you and Laura..." I said, gritting my teeth.

Claire hugged me. "Sis, we're fine... It's what matters."

"I don't want it to happen again... Can you stay with me for the time being?" I asked Claire.

"Yeah."

I tried to take the phone, but Claire held onto it. "I... I think it's better if I keep it in case she calls soon. You're still too angry."

I couldn't deny it, I would probably lash out to my mother were she to call right now.

"Okay, but please tell me if she contacts you."

"I will."

After that, we escorted Laura to her dorm room so she could grab some spare clothes and other stuff she might need. Dahl was pretty wary, often observing our surroundings. While we were walking, she also asked a few questions to see what Laura remembered. Apparently, my mother didn't make her remember the times I wore her, so it was a relief. It could have easily caused a lot of trouble for me and Dahl.

Can't believe I'm grateful for that...

We also tried to change the subject, talking about our trip to London. Dahl didn't mention her family, but we spoke about the different locations we visited, as well as how the fashion shoot went. It didn't help improve the mood much, though.

After exchanging a hug and a kiss with Dahl, Claire and I left them and walked to my house. Despite what Claire said, I still felt guilty for involving her and Laura in this mess.

"I, huh, noticed the ring on Dahlia's finger." Claire said. "Did you...?"

I blushed slightly. "I proposed to her, yeah."

It surprised Claire. "Already?"

"A lot of things happened while we were away. Things related to her past. She needed me. Maybe we indeed moved fast, but I truly love her. This trip with her only strengthened my feelings for her."

Claire smiled slightly. "I'm glad."

"And you, have you found anyone who might interest you?"

She shook her head. "Not really. I'm too shy for that."

"You'll find someone, I'm sure. Maybe we could go to a lesbian bar once you turn twenty-one?"

"Maybe."

We stopped by a grocery store on the way since my fridge was empty and we reached my house shortly after.

"I'll store my suitcase in my room and then prepare dinner. Would you like anything in particular?"

"Maybe one of your Korean dishes." She replied, smiling slightly. "They're really good."

"Alright."

While going to my room, I also checked my phone. I noticed that I received a few more private messages on Instagram, but one in particular caught my attention. One from a certain Elise...

You won't leave us alone, huh...

I opened the message, dreading what she might have written.

"You've changed so much since the last time we saw each other, I could hardly recognise you. You became a very fine and beautiful woman, I'm sure your mother must be extremely proud~"

I scoffed internally. What a joke.

She concluded her message right after. "Keep enjoying life, I'll be following your evolution closely~"

I'm sure you will...

I closed the app and went back downstairs with Claire. She was watching a TV show Sherine recommended her, trying to clear her mind.

"Hmm, are you fine with bibimmyeon?" I asked while I opened the fridge.

"Yeah."

"Okay, I'll get started, then."

I grabbed the vegetables, the beef, and the noodles and got to work, cutting and cooking everything, and preparing the soy sauce. Especially today, I wanted the meal to be perfect.

"Claire, it's ready." I said as I brought our two plates to the dining table.

"It looks delicious."

"I sure hope it is as delicious as it looks." I replied, giggling.

While we were eating, the phone Mother left buzzed. Claire took it and read the message.

"She plans to come back next week..." She quietly spoke.

I immediately frowned. "Next week... I don't want to see her again..."

"I... I don't think we should anger her more, sis..."

"What should we do, then?" I asked dejectedly.

Claire looked away. "I don't know... We can... try to see what she wants..."

"I'm worried she might do something to you or Laura again... We need to make sure you're both safe."

"I'm... nervous."

I got up and hugged her. "I'll protect you this time, Claire. I won't let her harm you again."

"Thanks..."

"Tomorrow, I'll have to go to college, but I want you to stay here. Don't open to anyone other than me or Dahl, alright?"

I didn't like the idea of keeping Claire locked up in my home like this, but I was far too afraid right now. I really didn't want anything to happen to her.

Claire nodded slowly. "Y-yeah... I'll call work and say I'm sick..."

"I'm sorry..."

"Sis, stop blaming yourself, please." Claire said gently as she hugged me again. "Dahlia said it herself, you couldn't have predicted that..."

We finished eating in silence afterwards. I got upstairs to get the guest room ready for her, and also prepared a bath. I believed it'd do the both of us good.

"Would you... Would you mind staying with me?" Claire timidly asked, taking me aback.

"Huh?"

"We're... both girls, right? And I... don't want to be alone..."

I looked down, blushing slightly. It was true that I considered myself a woman now, I got used to being one, to see my undeniably sexy feminine body. But seeing Claire naked... It was still making me uncomfortable. I spent far too long as her older brother.

I took a deep breath. I need to stop making things awkward. We're siblings, after all.

"Okay, if it helps you feel better." I replied, slightly hesitant.

I went to my room and grabbed a chair to sit on in the bathroom. Claire started to undress. I tried to avoid looking at her too much, but it was hard to do. She had a very nice body, I had to admit. She was still very thin, but was starting to gain some muscles after these last few months of working out since she joined the police.

She went inside the tub, sinking into the hot water.

"Is it hot enough?"

"Y-yeah, it's perfect. It's been a while since I last took a bath..."

She closed her eyes and tried to relax. Meanwhile, I took the time to remove my makeup.

"We used to take baths together when we were kids, you remember?" Claire said, giggling softly.

"I do. But then we got older. It would have been weird." I replied with a chuckle.

"True. Maybe we should try going to a swimming pool or a beach one day. With Dahlia and Laura, too."

"Summer is getting closer, so we could, yeah. We'll have to buy you a few swimsuits first, though."

"Right... You'll help me choose?"

"Of course. I have excellent tastes when it comes to clothes." I replied with a giggle. "I'll pick the prettiest swimsuits for you."

Claire didn't say anything else for a moment, she simply enjoyed the bath while I just sat next to her.

I'll do everything in my power to protect you, Claire. I won't let this happen again... I thought as I observed her now more peaceful face.

Finally, Claire got out of the tub and dried herself with a towel I handed to her.

"It's your turn, now, sis." She said, smiling at me.

"You'll stay here?"

"If you don't mind?"

"Nah, it's fine."

It was awkward but she needed my company, so I let her stay. I undressed, Claire observing me. It was the first time she saw my new self naked. I felt more shy suddenly.

"You really are beautiful..." She muttered as she sat on the chair I was previously using.

I smiled a bit shyly. "Thanks... You're cute too, Claire."

She blushed after hearing me. I got into the tub myself. The water was still warm, even if not as hot as before. I started to wash myself carefully like I always did.

"You really fully became a woman, haven't you?"

"Hmm?"

Claire looked down. "When I saw the pics Dahlia and you posted while you were in London, I had this thought. You've changed so much in just a month."

I smiled sheepishly. "I can't deny that... I fully embraced my newfound femininity. But I'm still your older brother too, the core parts of me haven't changed."

"I know, I didn't mean anything bad with that." Claire replied. "It's just... It took me a while to get used to it. But you've been so happy since you became Seo-Yun, so it makes me happy too. You're now always smiling, always full of energy."

"Thanks, Claire."

I quickly finished washing myself, dried my hair and got into my pyjamas. I then led Claire to the guest room, lending her a Switch I bought shortly before leaving for London.

"Goodnight, Claire. Call me if you need anything, alright?"

"Alright, sis. Goodnight."

I laid on my bed, sighing. I knew I'd have a hard time falling asleep after what happened. I was too shaken still. I texted Dahl, informing her about how my mother had planned to return next week. She was anxious as well, but told me she'd stay with Laura until then.

I can't exclude the possibility that one of Mother's underlings stayed here to watch us... We'll have to be on the lookout.

After a long time, I finally managed to fall asleep, but it was far from a peaceful one.