Different

03 - Lake.

Mr. and Mrs. Kang were upstairs, absorbed in quiet conversation, while Hanni, their young charge, was in the basement, meticulously organizing fishing gear.

The sharp click of the front door opening sliced through the stillness.

Hanni froze. Grabbing the nearest weapon – a heavy wrench – she crept to the top of the basement stairs.

A young woman stood in the dimly lit hallway. She was slender, almost feline in her grace, and moved with an unnerving stillness.

Her face, though, was what truly unsettled Hanni; it wasn't the presence of whiskers or pointed ears, but something in the shape of her eyes, the subtle curve of her cheekbones, the way her mouth was set—it all combined to give her a distinctly cat-like appearance, a predatory stillness that sent a shiver down Hanni's spine.

This wasn't the reaction of a burglar; this was… unsettlingly predatory.

Before Hanni could even speak, she launched into action. Mr. Kang's self-defense training flowed instinctively.

A swift, precise strike aimed for the woman's arm.

The woman reacted instantly, deflecting the blow with an unnerving calm and surprising agility.

Her movements were fluid and precise, like a cat batting away an annoying fly.

There was no wasted motion, no unnecessary force, only efficient, economical counters.

The wrench clattered to the floor during the struggle.

Just as Hanni was about to attempt another maneuver, Mr. and Mrs. Kang entered the hallway.

They didn't look worried; their expressions were more amused than alarmed.

They calmly watched the brief, silent struggle between Hanni and the mysterious woman.

The woman, with a fluid movement, disengaged from Hanni, and turned to face the Kangs.

Mr. Kang chuckled softly. "Well, now, this is certainly an interesting greeting," he said, his voice laced with amusement. Mrs. Kang smiled, a knowing glint in her eyes.

The woman, her cat-like features still betraying no emotion, simply said, "Good evening." She then bowed at Mr. & Mrs. Kang.

Mr. Kang stepped forward, placing a hand on the woman's shoulder. "Hanni," he said, his voice gentle but firm, "this isn't a robber."

Mr. Kang's attention went to the other girl. "And you, I thought you were out on a mission?" He asked.

"We finished it already." The girl calmly replied, attention on Hanni.

Mrs. Kang knew she was confused so,  she introduced the latter. "Hanni, this is haerin, our daughter. Haerin, this is Hanni, uhhh…"

"Your new sister." Mr. Kang continues.

Haerin blankly stared at Hanni. "Where did you get her?" She asks.

"Humans."

"You know what happens if everyone will find out she's a human." Haerin replied that made Hanni shiver down her spine.

"Let's talk about this somewh—"

"Let's talk about it here, she have rights to know." Their conversation became more serious.

"We… we usually prey humans for purposes, we hate humans and humans hate us. If someone finds out you are not like us, you will get devoured or even worst." Mrs. Kang explains.

Hanni was speechless, she's not even trying to hide her human attitude now they'll gonna tell her she can die if someone knows she's human?

"That's why we're waiting for you to comeback from a mission. Apparently Hanni has been bullied these days." Mr. Kang stated.