𝒕𝒓𝒚 𝒂𝒈𝒂𝒊𝒏. ‎‏‏‎ 𝖻𝖺𝖾𝗄 𝗒𝗂-𝗃𝗂𝗇

𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐮𝐞

❛ ── chapter zero
SISTER, HER, SHE. ❜

          The relationship between Baek Yi-Jin and Ko Yeo-Jin were simple. . . He was the sponsor, she was the sponsee.

          That was the line drew between the two of them since they were young, a fact that had been set in stone.

          All her life, Yeo-Jin had always felt inferior to her older sister. She was the prodigy, she was the family pride, she was the favorite. And her? She was the one who walked behind Ko Yu-Rim. Born nine months after her, everyone expected the gold medalist's sister to follow in her footsteps and achieve the same level of greatness.

          It didn't matter how many times she tried to make a name for herself and distance herself from the word 'Ko Yu-Rim', she has and will always remain as the sister. It was always : " Oh, aren't you Ko Yu-Rim's sister? ", " How's your sister doing? ", " I can't believe you're her sister. "

          Sister, sister, sister. There was never any real value to her name if it hadn't been tied to that darn sister.

          But Ko Yeo-Jin doesn't back down easily, and thus she tries again.

          " You won your school's talent show? Amazing! But look! Yu-Rim just won her first tournament. " Again. " You have a piano recital tomorrow? I'm sorry honey, but I have to accompany your sister to her competition. " Again. " You plan on getting into a music school? I don't know if we can afford that since we're paying for Yu-Rim's tuition── " Nevermind.

          Yeo-Jin's achievements were never on the shelfs, or hung on walls. No, there was no space when her older sister collected shiny gold trophies and front pages on newspapers. Until one day, the sweet, sweet validation she dreamt off finally came.

          " Yeo-Jin! Your teachers said with your grades you'd probably be able to get a scholarship into a good college! We're so proud of you! We always knew you would be able to do it. "

          She loved it. Angels sang and euphoria ran through her veins. Yeo-Jin was addicted. Screw her dreams of becoming a pianist if this was the rush she felt every time she was praised. So the girl studied, she studied through birthdays and new years. When her nose bled or her temperature ran cold, all she remembers is words on a textbook.

          But her world comes crumbling down with a single gold medal.

          A national fencer. In her parent's eyes and everyone around them, Ko Yu-Rim had proved once again she would always be on top.

          Ko Yeo-Jin lost it, any rational being inside her had snapped and all that was left within her was pure and undeniable anger. Anger towards her sister. Anger to her parents. And most of all, anger to herself.

          She blames the world for having no one by her side to support her and letting her face this alone. But when Baek Yi-Jin comes back into her life and they soon find old feelings rekindling, Ko Yeo-Jin finds sanity. She finds sanctuary.

          With him, the world is quiet. She's able to be free and laugh, there were no eyes of judgement or disappointment. Just two ( obviously in love ) children trying to navigate their way through life together.

          With him, she learns that there are always second chances. To restart and make anew.

          And with this, Ko Yeo-Jin realizes that she just has to do what she's always been good at. Trying again.