Swapped by fate

chapter 12

Changbin’s POV

I found myself leaning against the doorframe of Nami’s room, watching her flip through yet another book. Felix had told me she’d been reading nonstop lately, probably as a way to pass the time. It wasn’t like she had much else to do, being stuck here and all.

Nami looked up when she noticed me standing there. Her expression was somewhere between curiosity and caution. Understandable. We hadn’t really spoken much, and she probably didn’t know where I stood in all this.

“Hey,” I said, pushing off the doorframe and stepping into the room. “Mind if I sit?”

She hesitated for a second before nodding. “Sure.”

I grabbed the chair from the desk and turned it around, sitting on it backward and resting my arms on the backrest. Nami watched me carefully, probably expecting another round of evasive answers or half-hearted explanations. But I wasn’t here to interrogate her or give her false reassurances. Honestly, I just needed a break from the chaos, and for some reason, I felt like talking to her.

“You’ve been through a lot, huh?” I started, trying to ease into the conversation.

Nami shrugged, closing her book. “You could say that.”

I nodded, studying her for a moment. She didn’t seem like the type to crack easily. Even after all she’d been through, she had this strength about her, something that reminded me of someone else I knew all too well.

“You’re not who we thought you were, you know that,” I said, leaning forward. “Felix told me. But until we figure out what to do, I just wanted to give you a heads-up.”

“About what?” she asked, her brow furrowing.

“Hyunjin.”

At the mention of his name, her expression tightened. It was subtle, but I could see it—the curiosity, the confusion, and maybe even a little frustration. She had questions about him. Hell, we all did at some point.

“I know he’s been distant,” I continued. “And I’m not here to make excuses for him. But there are things you probably don’t know about Hyunjin. Things that might help you understand why he’s... the way he is.”

Nami leaned back on the bed, crossing her arms. “Like what?”

I took a deep breath, debating how much to tell her. It wasn’t my story to share, but Hyunjin was my brother in all but blood, and if it helped Nami understand him better, then maybe it was worth it.

“Hyunjin doesn’t trust people easily. He wasn’t always like this, but life has a way of hardening people. You see, when he was young, his parents died. He was just a kid. They were the only family he had.”

Her expression softened a little, but she didn’t say anything. I took that as a sign to continue.

“He ended up on the streets. For a long time, he had no one. No family, no friends, nothing. He had to survive on his own. And let me tell you, that messes with a person. It changes how you see the world, how you see people. He learned not to rely on anyone, not to let anyone in.”

I paused, letting the weight of my words sink in.

“He was just a kid,” I repeated, shaking my head. “He had to fight for everything—food, shelter, safety. And he did it all on his own.”

Nami’s eyes flickered with something—maybe sympathy, maybe something else—but she stayed quiet.

“It wasn’t until his older brother found him that things started to change. His brother’s been the only person Hyunjin’s ever really trusted. And even though they’ve built this life together, that fear of losing the people he cares about has never really gone away.”

“His brother?” Nami asked softly.

I nodded. “Yeah. The only family he has left. And trust me when I say, Hyunjin would do anything for him. That’s why he’s so careful, so closed off. He’s afraid of getting too close to people, afraid that if he does, he’ll lose them too.”

Nami stared at the floor, her fingers tracing the edge of the book in her lap. “I had no idea.”

“Most people don’t. He doesn’t talk about it, and honestly, I think he prefers it that way. But it’s important to understand that everything he does, all that distance he puts between himself and everyone else, it’s not because he doesn’t care. It’s because he’s scared of caring too much.”

She was quiet for a long time after that, and I didn’t push her to respond. I knew it was a lot to take in, especially after everything else that had happened.

“Why are you telling me this?” she finally asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

I shrugged, standing up and pushing the chair back under the desk. “Because I think you’re the kind of person who likes to understand things. And if you’re going to be stuck here for a while, you should at least know who you’re dealing with.”

Nami looked up at me, her expression softer than before. “Thanks, Changbin.”

I gave her a small smile and a nod. “Anytime.”

As I made my way to the door, I paused for a moment, glancing back at her. “And Nami? Just... be patient with him. He’s a good guy, even if he doesn’t always show it.”

With that, I left the room, closing the door behind me. Hyunjin had a way of pushing people away, but maybe—just maybe—Nami was the kind of person who could break through that wall.

And maybe, for the first time in a long time, Hyunjin wouldn’t be so alone.

What do think?