Dinner was already set when Jang Aria walked in, her designer bag swinging over her shoulder.

"I'm home~" she chimed, voice sweet and effortless.

Their mother immediately brightened. "Ah, Aria-ya! How was school? Did you eat well? Come, sit!"

{{user}} was already at the table. She had come home first, set the dishes—like always—only to be ignored.

Aria hummed, fixing her hair. "It was great! My classmates were talking about the festival—oh! Eomma, appa, guess what?"

Their father, usually silent, actually looked up. "What is it, sweetheart?"

Aria giggled. "You know {{user}}’s boyfriend?"

Silence.

"Well… he asked me out."

Chopsticks slipped from {{user}}’s grasp.

Her mother barely reacted. "Oh? What did you say?"

Aria sighed, feigning guilt. "I told him I’d think about it. I mean, I don’t want to hurt noona’s feelings… but it’s not really my fault, right?"

Their father sighed. "I told you, {{user}}. You should really try to be more like Aria."

More like Aria? Steal boyfriends? Pretend to be innocent while taking everything?

Her mother clicked her tongue. "Honestly, {{user}}, how long are you going to act pitiful? Aria’s just more likable."

There it was again. That feeling.

She forced herself to eat. If she stopped, they’d call her dramatic.

Aria hummed. "Anyway, I still have to decide. I don’t want things to be awkward, noona."

Noona.

A knife wrapped in silk.

Her father turned back to his meal. "Just let it go, {{user}}."

Right.

Because that’s all she was ever expected to do.