But i wasn't a liar ✔️

Part 33

Part 33

Dawn light filtered through the curtains as Yuna blinked awake, the events of last night rushing back like a tide. Her throat burned, parched from hours of silent crying. The glass of water trembled in her unsteady hands as she drank, the cool liquid doing little to soothe the ache in her chest.

Needing air, she stepped outside and sank into a chair, tilting her face toward the pale morning sky. Closing her eyes, she let the memories wash over her—the raised voices, the tearful confessions, the pain she'd caused.

How ironic The girl who'd turned away from her brother's suffering now found herself drowning in the same loneliness. Life had a cruel way of teaching lessons—happiness was never guaranteed, and when you fell, you truly saw who would reach down to pull you back up.

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Hyunjin's quiet footsteps approached before his voice broke the silence "Good morning, Yuna."

She turned to find him holding two steaming cups of tea, the warmth radiating between them.

"Good morning," she replied, forcing a lightness into her voice "I thought everyone was still asleep."

"Just woke up." He extended a cup toward her, his fingers brushing hers briefly "Here."

"Thank... you." Her voice cracked, betraying her.

Hyunjin dragged a chair closer, the legs scraping against the patio stones as he settled beside her. The silence stretched, thick with unspoken words, until Yuna couldn't bear it any longer.

"I'm sorry," she whispered, staring into her tea. "Everything was ruined because of me."

Hyunjin's grip tightened around his cup. "Why would you say that?"

"You all lost your good moments last night. Because I—"

"Stop." His voice was firm but gentle "Don't."

"I shouldn't have come. I just made everything worse—"

"Because of you," he interrupted, his voice rough, "I wasn't alone in my sorrow last night."

Yuna's breath hitched. She looked up, meeting his gaze—really looked—and saw something unexpected gratitude.

Nearby, Leeknow paused mid-step, eavesdropping. A slow, knowing smile tugged at his lips before he sauntered over, his usual boisterous energy dialed up to mask the heaviness in the air.

"Good morning, good morning!" he chimed, slinging an arm around Hyunjin's shoulders. Yuna blinked in surprise—Hyunjin didn't even tense "Why are you two out here moping? Come help me cook!"

Hyunjin groaned "Why don't you make it?"

Leeknow gasped, feigning offense "Yah! Respect your elders! Up, up!"

A laugh bubbled up from Yuna's chest—weak but genuine "Fine. Let's go."

As they stood, something fragile inside her began to mend.

How rare, she thought, to find people who could turn your darkest moments into something bearable.

The small kitchen became even cozier with the three of them moving around each other—elbows brushing, quiet laughter mingling with the sound of running water. Yuna rolled up her sleeves as Leeknow pointed to the fridge.

"Yuna, can you get the oranges and strawberries?"

"Of course." She moved carefully, still adjusting to this easy camaraderie.

Hyunjin stood at the sink, rinsing rice with practiced motions. "I'm on rice duty," he announced, as if it required solemn declaration.

Leeknow handed Yuna a knife, his fingers briefly grazing hers. "Cut the oranges in half, yeah?" He turned back to slicing bread, unaware of how Yuna stared at the blade.