Returning home and to Claire

Our four weeks of vacations went by in a flash. David was getting more comfortable around us, and even became more curious and excited as Dahl and I shared some of our experiences as skinwalkers. He was a nerd, he loved manga and fantasy stories, so it was most likely a dream come true for him to learn that non-human creatures truly existed. And well, next year, he would be hanging out with us more, as he'd be starting college. I was looking forward to it. He got himself a scholarship and would be staying at the students' dorms.

Maybe it was partially due to Dahl and Lia finally being free from having to deceive their brother and Laura, but they seemed even more at ease now. They didn't have to hide anything anymore from them and a massive weight had clearly been lifted off their chest.

We kept hanging out with Laura often, even meeting some of her older friends back in high-school. Most of them seemed to share her love for skateboarding, and I had a lot of fun skating with them. I still didn't have a lot of friends beside Sherine and Laura, it was nice to meet new people. While I loved spending time with these two, I did want to make more friends. The former Seo-Yun's reputation made it harder than I would’ve liked, though. She truly scared a lot of people. Making people understand that I wasn't the same bitch she was would take time.

I also really enjoyed spending time with Lia's parents and learning more about them. They were so kind, I was so glad they'd be my parents-in-law. We talked about our future wedding, we had planned to have it next summer, once we got our degrees. It made me so excited, and I knew Dahl and Lia felt the same way.

I took the opportunity on this vacation to have a few photoshoots with Dahl and Lia, in swimsuits, sport clothes, and even my more casually elegant look. The photos were a huge success on Instagram, like always. I noticed Mother liking them a few times, but I tried my best to ignore her. Someone I didn't ignore, though, was Marion. We texted a few times, mainly to share news and to give her some pointers to help her build some muscles like she wanted.

I also kept checking in on Claire regularly, asking how she was and what she was doing. A part of me still felt guilty about what happened while I was in London. While I believed Mother would keep her word and not harm her again, I still felt bad for leaving her alone, no matter how much she tried to convince me it was alright and that I should just have fun. I wanted to reunite with her as quickly as possible. She kept telling me she was fine, that she was hanging out with Sherine and Allistair, but I would only feel at peace if she was close to me.

It was now time for us to return, I had things to do before our third year of college would start. Work, mainly. I got a few more contracts with chic brands and couldn't wait to try out all the new clothes I'd been sent.

I thanked Lia's parents for their hospitality, and promised to visit again. They wanted me to come back for Christmas, but I politely declined. No matter how much I liked their company, I didn't want to leave Claire alone for Christmas. I already felt guilty enough.

Laura was staying two more weeks, her father driving her back, so it was just me, Dahl, and Lia in the car as we took the road.

“So, did you enjoy this short break, love?” Lia asked, giving me a peck on the cheek.

“You already know the answer. I loved it. Your parents are so nice, it felt like they already accepted me as their daughter-in-law even before our wedding.” I giggled.

“They really love you, Yun. They have a great opinion of you.”

I smiled. “I'm glad. I was nervous at first. But they really knew what to do to make me relax.”

It made her giggle. “They're good at making people feel at ease. They remind Dahl of her own parents, too.” She concluded, her tone more melancholic.

“How were they?”

Lia closed her eyes, breathing slowly, and Dahl spoke. “I loved them. My mother was a nurse, and my father was a professor teaching Roman history. He was also the son of a viscount.”

At that, I couldn't help but gasp in shock. “A viscount? You mean you're a noble?”

Dahl chuckled weakly. “I guess. But he lost his title after marrying my mother, a commoner. My grandparents were against it and disowned him.”

“Wow, you still manage to surprise me.” I said, whistling. “You had a brother too, right?”

She nodded. “His name is Richard. He should be thirty-five now, and probably changed a lot. He used to party and get wasted all the time, he was pretty much the polar opposite of David.”

“You didn't want to see them again when we were in London?” I asked.

Her eyes betrayed some pain and sorrow. “No. I… believed it'd be better that way. The son and brother they knew is dead. They would have a hard time accepting my gender identity, let alone what I was cursed to be. I'm already glad I managed to reconnect with Cecile and got to finally know Marion.”

“Ah, I see…” I simply replied.

I didn't think I should be prying more. It was clear Dahl missed her former family deeply despite what she just said, but she made her decision and I should respect it.

For a while longer we drove in silence, until I decided to speak again. “While I enjoyed this break, I can't wait to return home and reunite with Claire.” I admitted in a more somber tone.

Dahl sighed. “I get you. I also worry about her, even if your mother gave us her word. It's frustrating. There's no way for us to really protect her against a skinwalker…”

“Unfortunately…”

The drive back home felt more tense, despite how cheerfully it started. We were nervous, truly hoping nothing bad happened to Claire again. When we arrived at Dahl and Claire's flat, we quickly got in. Claire was playing Tekken on her PlayStation, only noticing us when we got closer.

She quickly got up and smiled at us. “Oh, hi! Sorry, I didn't hear you. How was your vacation?”

I came closer and hugged her. “It was nice, although I admit I kept worrying about you.”

Claire looked away for a brief instant before giving me a reassuring smile. “I know. Do you… want to check to make sure I'm not worn?”

I wasn't sure if I was comfortable skinning my own sister, even just for a few seconds… Thankfully, Dahl stepped in, approaching Claire, her spines freed.

“I'll do it quickly, alright?” She said, her tone gentle.

Claire nodded. “I trust you, Dahlia.”

On that, Dahl swiftly plunged her spines into Claire's bare arm, absorbing her soul. In a way, it was a relief to see her deflate, it meant she was herself. But it was also disturbing to see my sister as an empty husk… Only a few seconds later, Dahl restored her, as if nothing happened.

She helped Claire get back up, letting out a sigh of relief. “Sorry, Claire. Better be safe.”

“I understand, don't worry. I know how much… what happened weighs on you two.” Claire replied quietly.

“I wish we could do more to protect you…” I muttered dejectedly. Claire didn't say anything, avoiding my eyes. She appeared slightly nervous, as if she was hiding something. “What's wrong?”

“N-nothing. I've just… I've been thinking about things.” She replied.

I knew she wasn't telling the full truth, but I didn't think I should push her. She was as shaken by Mother's antics as us, if not more. She needed time.

“Alright, if you say so.” I simply said.

“B-by the way, you received a few packages.” She then spoke, pointing at a pile of boxes in a corner of the room.

I approached the pile and examined it, smiling. “Oh, it must be the new clothes I was expecting.”

And indeed, it was. Boxes full of cute and hot tops, skirts, dresses, pants, and even two pairs of shoes, all sent by various brands I accepted partnerships with. It was just another perk of being Seo-Yun. I loved getting new clothes to slip into.

“Did you eat already?” Dahl asked Claire.

Claire shook her head. “No. I ate breakfast earlier.”

Dahl smiled. “I'll go buy some ingredients and cook something for us, then. And before you say anything, Yun, just rest. You've been driving for a while.”

I chuckled and plopped onto the couch. “Thanks, Dahl.”

As Dahl left, Claire sat next to me, picking back her game controller and handing me a second one. “Wanna play with me? I've missed it.”

“I missed it too.” I replied while readying myself.

We played some Tekken for about half an hour until Dahl returned. Claire had a few more wins than me, but I was quite satisfied with my performance. I could see how much I was improving at the game. I then went to help Dahl with the cooking, and the three of us enjoyed a nice hearty meal together.

Claire told us in more detail about some of the stuff she did while we were away. Allistair brought her along during one of his fishing trips to show her, somewhat unsuccessfully, the ropes. She sighed as she admitted she didn't manage to catch a single fish. He also apparently got promoted.

She and Sherine also hung out a few times to watch anime and play games together, Sherine introducing her to some obscure Indie games and manga none of us ever heard about but Sherine adored. It made me believe she'd get along really well with David, with how much of a nerdy girl she was.

I was glad that Claire managed to have fun while we were away, but again, I had a feeling she was avoiding something. Her eyes kept avoiding us as she spoke, and she never was a great liar.

What is she hiding…?

After finishing our tasty lunch, we spent a while playing games together, the three of us competing in Mario Kart the whole afternoon. I gave Dahl a loving kiss, Claire a sisterly hug, and wished the two of them a good evening before driving back to my house. While I loved spending time at Dahl and Lia's family house, I missed my large comfy bed.

We still had time before starting our last year of college, but I wanted to make sure everything was ready for it. I planned a few more photoshoots before the end of the summer break, some here and a few more in other locations fitting for the new outfits I'd pose in.

Once done, I took a hot and relaxing bath and then went to bed, hoping that nothing bad would happen again.