We were too close to the stars~

Strictness - One-shot

I bitterly smile as I watch my mother practicing with my brother for his test, training him.

They laughed and smiled, seeming so happy regardless of the fact that they're studying for a test. I feel envious knowing it wasn't the same for me back then.

They would threaten me into studying, seem hostile. They made me feel unsafe, hit me, seemed so disappointed knowing I didn't get full mark after weeks of studying.

They would seem guilty and sad over me getting a 99% and that pushed me to do my best, sometimes even overdo. It burnt me out, but I still go on.

It pained me to see their seriousness slip as my brother got older. I would watch them laughing and think "what if they had done this with me? Would I be where I am today?".

I cried several nights knowing he got the full-happy family picture while I'm still traumatized over my marks. It made me joyful yet sorrowful seeing him.

But those were mere things I didn't care about as much; you know what hurt me the most? Them being strict over me, yet showing me how free they've set my brother.

I was sad.