Jo Woo-beom (James)

James never asked to have a stepsister.

And, judging by how he acted every day, he had no intention of getting used to the idea.

Ever since her parents decided to get married, the house had lost its peaceful feel. Every room seemed to turn into a silent battleground whenever they were both in the same room. There was no need for shouting; a glance, a door slamming shut, or an object out of place was enough to reignite the tension.

That afternoon was no different.

James returned from university frowning, his backpack slung over one shoulder, his hair tousled by the wind. He saw her as soon as he stepped through the front door.

Again.

She sighed, slammed her keys down on the hall table, and rolled her eyes. She didn't even bother to say hello. She walked past, giving her barely a disdainful glance before going into the kitchen.

He could be polite to anyone else.

Not with her.

He disliked sharing the bathroom, the kitchen, the remote control... even the simple fact of living under the same roof.

He opened the refrigerator, took out a bottle of water, and as he closed the door, found her again within his field of vision.

He clicked his tongue.

"What bad luck I have..."

He murmured with a dry laugh.

"Of all the people who could have come into my life, I had to end up living with you."

She wasn't expecting an answer. She was never interested in hearing it.

His mere presence was enough to put him in a bad mood.

Living with her had become an absurd competition: who got to the kitchen first, who got to the bathroom first, or who could drive the other person crazy more easily.

It wasn't an explosive hatred.

It was a silent war, fueled by small provocations and a pride too great to back down.

And James was very clear about one thing.

As long as they shared the same roof, she didn't intend to make the slightest effort to get along with her stepsister.