*
…Cease these lewd thoughts!
"I apologize for staying out overnight."
"What about your absence from the Academy?"
"They acknowledged my attendance due to the extenuating circumstances."
First, I grab a chair and seat myself quietly.
"If you take that into account, are you planning to continue your hero activities while leaving the house and roaming around?"
"…No."
"What if your younger sisters learn from your actions? Sang-hyuk, you are their older brother, after all."
"I'm sorry."
Last night, after that incident, returning home wasn't impossible.
It was the student council president who had lost consciousness, not me.
There was no obligation for me to watch over Isabella's bedside through the night, especially since she isn't even family. Even though I was 'the White Devil's sidekick who last assisted in the battle against the S-class villain',
Without a plausible reason, it would have been impossible for me to stay there with the unconscious Isabella.
In truth, it was thanks to Vice President Evangeline, who wields considerable authority within the ward.
Regardless…
My personal desire to "stay by the chairman's side" prevented me from returning to the home where my family awaited me.
"Do you want to quit the academy and become a hero?"
"I want to do it without quitting."
"Easy to say..."
"And a hunter too."
Hye-jung stared at me intently.
"I heard your academy evaluation ranks you as grade D."
"…Yes."
"It's good to dream big, but your mother is truly worried... You're in the second year, but still in grade D."
"It hasn't been updated yet... I have confidence."
"…"
Once it's updated, I won't be graded D!
But I hadn't demonstrated my strength to Hye-jung, and how pitiful I must appear...
Honestly, it seemed like I was on the verge of being thrown out of here. That would be troublesome.
"Really? Can you show your mother a different side of you?"
… A faint, sweet scent emanated from the tip of her nose.
An indescribable, sensual aura enveloped her.
I was in a bind, struggling to control my fully erect cock.
'Your stepmother is so sexy, En…'
Is this some kind of deception?
No matter how one looked at it, Stella seemed to be of an age where she could be an older or younger sister.
"Yes."
"Mom suggests being a hunter rather than a hero. They earn good money. I have a few pieces of advice only a mother can give."
Why did Sang-hyuk's eyes keep drifting to Hye-jeong's ample breasts every time she called herself a mother? He felt like he was losing his mind. If he could gain her affection, he longed to cling to his stepmother like an older sister and be pampered by her!
"…Advice? What good will any of this do?"
"Have you been drinking?"
"Huh? Just a little…"
"Did something upset you?"
"It's not that I'm upset... I just want to escape the pressures of life."
For a moment, he regretted the wicked thoughts that had crossed his mind. What was he thinking about, pampering?
"Sang-hyuk."
"Yes?"
"You need to work hard. When you have two kids, you know?"
"Well, I don't think we'll be short on money at home. I deposited 300,000 coins.
"Huh?"
"Yes?"
Hye-jeong stared at him intently.
"300,000… What?"
"300,000 coins… Didn't Serena tell you?"
"… Isn't that a joke?"
"No, it's not."
"Wait just a moment."
Her stepmother went to speak with Serena.
It seemed as though they were conducting some sort of cross-validation.
At that moment, the doorbell rang.
*Ding-dong.*
"Yes. I'll get it."
Who could it be?
Upon closer inspection, it appeared that Isabella had sent someone.
It was Rachel's older sister from the textbook.
"Excuse me, but who are you?"
"Is this Kim Sang-hyuk's residence? I've come from the textbook."
"Is there an issue with my son?"
I perked my ears up.
"This is a plaque of appreciation sent by the department head. They said that Kim Sang-hyuk's performance was of great help when dealing with Xenovia, the S-class villain."
"…Really? An S-class villain? Sang-hyuk is D-class. He can't fight such a powerful villain."
"No, they mentioned it was indeed very helpful."
"Really?"
Hye-jung seemed puzzled, repeating her questioning.
"Additionally, we plan to settle the bonus generated from collecting the villain's special magical power on the spot."
"Really!? Alright...."
"The sum is... 1,123,329 coins. Tomorrow, a car and several buildings will be presented to Kim Sang-hyuk."
I couldn't help but attend since my name kept coming up.
"Miss Rachel."
"Mr. Kim Sang-hyuk. It was mentioned in the textbook. Congratulations."
"Uh, thank you."
"A letter of appreciation from the president will also be delivered. Additionally, there will be commendations within the academy."
They're actually giving a car and houses...
No, I even remember renting something similar to a house before.
"Why am I receiving all this?"
"The lady sent it. She said, 'It was a high-level mission that would have been impossible to complete without sidekick Kim Sang-hyuk.'"
Gulp…
Isabelle… Just accept it quietly!!
Did she bring me in as her exclusive sidekick and cast a sharing spell?
… Perfect timing!
In front of Hyejeong, my nose and shoulders soar to the sky!!
Begone!
"..."
Sparkling.
Hye-jung's gaze upon me shifted. It was a complete transformation from being a D-class accident-prone son who could only be judged by his face.
"Did Sang-hyuk really accomplish such a difficult task? Being a D-class?"
"Yes. It's scheduled to be broadcast as a special feature daily. Xenovia was the leader of the Korean Villain Alliance and one of the most formidable threats in the world."
"I can hardly believe it."
Neither can I...
Just how powerful is Jingsu-chan?
"Then I'll take my leave now. The payment will be calculated and settled step by step starting tomorrow."
"Ah, yes! Please, go home safely."
"Thank you, Rachel."
"I merely came to deliver the message."
So, it was Isabella...
I understood why Rachel had unexpectedly visited during our dinner time together.
The intricately crafted appreciation plaque, which is hard to believe was made hastily, and the box brimming with coins that are presumably part of the settlement lend a sense of reality to this incredible situation.
Hmm…
The hidden route is astonishing, isn't it?
"Mom. Mom. What's going on?"
Stella, driven by curiosity, descended to the first floor.
Serena also emerged from the living room.
"A plaque of appreciation arrived from the academy."
"Brother, you're incredible. It's well-deserved if you captured Xenovia."
"It's our family's honor! Oppa! Kyaa~~!"
My heart is warmed by my younger sisters' genuine happiness for my achievements.
"Did you know?"
"Did you know?"
Stella asked incredulously.
"Of course. We've been saying it all along. Although you're D-class, you've already surpassed D-class level, and your feats are remarkable."
"Mom! You treated everything we said as if it were a lie covered in a bean pod."
"Uh. Uhm!!"
Hyejeong cleared her throat loudly.
"Both of you, go to the master bedroom. Mom and Sanghyuk have something to discuss!"
"Mom, you can't scold my brother. He has truly been working hard."
"Brother, you're a first-class groom!"
Even my sisters' final defense was endearing.
Hyejeong firmly held my hand, sat me down, and poured some juice.
"The academy was challenging, wasn't it?"
Hye-Jung's demeanor transformed dramatically.
I didn't dislike such a sudden shift. Deep down, I wanted my beautiful stepmother to recognize my true worth.
However, personally massaging my shoulder... I don't know what to do with myself!
"Stay still. Mom will massage your shoulders."
"Heh heh…"
Isn't it a heartwarming sight when a mother rubs her son's shoulders?
The atmosphere was entirely different. It was because my stepmother was incredibly sexy.
The way her delicate fingers clung to my shoulders and moved vigorously was somehow arousing.
and a baby-like scent emanating from near Hye-Jung's chest stirred a sense of protectiveness.
Pressing firmly…
As Hye-Jung's ample breasts touched my back, I became even more conscious of them.
"Why didn't you tell me sooner? I'm sorry if I upset you."
"I mentioned it through KakaoTalk."
"…I'm sorry. It was hard to believe so easily."
Naturally, even if I were Hye-Jung, I would have found it difficult to accept without hesitation.
"Our son… Is he reliable?"
My heart was pounding.
As Hye-Jung whispered from behind, my heart raced with anticipation.
"Do as you please. I will do my best to help you."
Helping me?
"Mother, where are you going again?"
"Huh? In four days, Brazil... It's a continuous contract, so if I turn it down, I'll need to take a long break."
Going again? It hasn't been long since you returned, and now you're leaving once more.
I tightly grasped Hyejeong's hand.
"Ah…"
Hyejeong let out a startled sound.
"Don't go."
"What, what? You…! Do you want to see your mother idling around the house?"
"Yes. From now on, I'll support you."
"What are you talking about?"