Dinner was quieter than usual.
Not peaceful.
Just… controlled.
Tahee sat at the table, barely touching her food.
"…Why does this feel like a meeting?"
Across from her—
Su-ho.
Calm.
Composed.
Watching.
Always watching.
Her mother spoke occasionally.
Her brother stayed unusually quiet.
Like everyone was waiting for something.
"…I don't like this."
A pause.
Then—
Su-ho placed her chopsticks down.
Softly.
"I heard something interesting today."
Tahee didn't look up.
"…Here it comes."
"What is it?" her mother asked.
Su-ho's gaze shifted.
Not to Tahee—
But close enough.
"Someone mentioned you answered a question in class…"
A pause.
"…before it was explained."
Silence.
Tahee's fingers stilled.
Just for a second.
"…Who told her that?"
Her brother glanced at her.
"Since when do you even answer in class?"
Tahee exhaled softly.
"Since I started paying attention."
"…Nice save."
But Su-ho didn't respond immediately.
She picked up her glass.
Took a slow sip.
Then—
"Strange."
A pause.
"You don't seem like someone who prepares in advance."
Tahee looked up now.
Their eyes met.
"…Maybe you don't know me well."
A faint silence followed.
Then—
Su-ho leaned back slightly.
Still calm.
Still unreadable.
"Then let's fix that."
Tahee frowned slightly.
"…What do you mean?"
A brief pause.
Su-ho's voice remained even.
"From tomorrow, I'll be staying a little longer."
Silence.
Her mother smiled.
"That's a good idea."
Tahee's grip tightened under the table.
"…No, it's not."
Her brother smirked slightly.
"Looks like someone's finally getting supervised."
Tahee ignored him.
Her attention stayed on Su-ho.
"…She's not observing anymore."
A pause.
"…She's moving closer."
And that—
Was worse.
Dinner ended.
Chairs moved.
Voices faded.
But as Tahee stood—
Su-ho spoke again.
Quietly.
Only for her.
"You should rest well tonight."
A pause.
"Tomorrow…"
Her eyes held hers.
"…we'll have more time."
Silence.
Tahee didn't respond.
But her thoughts did.
"…This isn't observation anymore."
A pause.
"…It's containment."