Falling For The Park Brothers' Sister ⚊ Nishimura Riki

Chapter Twenty Six

The drive back home with Ni-ki had been a welcome distraction, but as I approached my house, I couldn’t shake the knot of apprehension in my stomach.

I gave Ni-ki a warm smile as he dropped me off.

"Thanks for tonight, Ni-ki," I said. "It really helped."

He returned my smile, his eyes kind. "Glad I could be of help. Just remember, don’t let your brothers get you down too much."

"I’ll keep that in mind. Thanks again."

As Ni-ki’s car pulled away, I took a deep breath and braced myself for what was waiting inside.

The moment I walked in, I was met with a united front of my brothers, and their concerned faces made my heart sink. Chanyeol was there with his pregnant wife, Akira, looking more serious than I had ever seen him. Park Jimin was perched on the edge of the sofa, his expression a mixture of curiosity and concern.

Park Jay and Sunghoon stood on either side, their eyes filled with a mix of worry and annoyance.

The collective gaze was intense, and I felt a lump in my throat as Chanyeol spoke up.

"Jiyoo," he began, his voice carrying a stern edge. "We need to talk."

I swallowed hard. "About what?"

Chanyeol stepped forward, trying to soften his tone. "We saw you with Ni-ki earlier. We’re not trying to be controlling, but we’re concerned. What’s going on?"

Jimin chimed in, his voice filled with a mix of curiosity and concern. "We just want to make sure you’re okay. It’s unusual for you to be out without telling us, especially with someone we don’t know well."

Sunghoon’s arms were crossed, and he looked slightly disgruntled. "I thought we had an understanding about keeping things in check with new people. I’m glad you had a good time, but—"

Jay, his face a mask of concern, interrupted. "And what about Jake? What’s the deal with him? I thought you weren’t interested."

I took a deep breath, feeling overwhelmed. "It was just dinner with Ni-ki. He’s been supportive, and I needed a break. I didn’t think it would be such a big deal."

Akira, who had been quietly observing, finally spoke up. Her voice was gentle but firm. "Jiyoo, we’re not trying to intrude. We’re just worried because we care about you. We want you to be safe and happy."

I glanced at Akira, appreciating her calm demeanor. "I understand. It’s just sometimes I need a little space. Ni-ki has been a good friend, and it was just a friendly dinner. Jake’s been annoying, but I’m handling it."

Chanyeol sighed, looking a bit more relaxed but still serious. "Alright, we understand. We just want to make sure you’re making good choices and staying safe. You need to communicate with us, too."

Akira stepped closer to me, her support evident. "Jiyoo, your brothers mean well, but sometimes they can be overprotective. We’re here for you, but you also need your own space. Just let us know if you need anything."

I nodded, feeling a bit reassured by Akira’s words. "Thanks, Akira. I’ll make sure to keep you all updated."

Jimin gave me a reassuring nod. "We’re just looking out for you. It’s important to us that you’re okay."

With a sigh of relief, I turned to head to my room, feeling a mix of frustration and gratitude. I appreciated their concern, but balancing their protectiveness with my need for independence was a constant challenge.

For now, I needed to unwind and process the evening’s events.

As I walked away, I felt Akira’s supportive presence as a comforting counterbalance to the intense protectiveness of my brothers.