Jeonghan and Joshua are the youngest, the precious twins of the kim family. Born just six minutes apart, their arrival had brought immense joy to their parents, Mingyu and Wonwoo, and their older brothers Seungcheol, Jun, Hoshi, Woozi, Seokmin, Minghao, Seungkwan, Vernon, and Chan. From the day they were born, their older brothers had showered them with affection, and it was no secret that the youngest twins held a special place in everyone's heart.
Being the youngest in such a large family meant that Joshua and Jeonghan were always doted on. They were the center of attention, the babies that everyone looked out for. Jeonghan, with his mischievous charm, and Joshua, with his gentle, quiet nature, had captured the hearts of their family from the start. Their older brothers took pride in protecting them, making sure they never had to face the harshness of the world alone.
But somewhere along the way, the balance shifted. The overwhelming love once shared equally between the twins began to tip heavily in Jeonghan's favor, leaving Joshua to quietly wonder where things had gone wrong.
Joshua sat on the wide window, his fingers tracing invisible patterns on the cold glass as he watched the rain fall outside. It was quiet inside the villa, but only because everyone had gone out for the day again. They had taken Jeonghan to his favorite cafe, something they often did together as a family. Joshua wasn’t invited, though, not this time. He couldn’t remember the last time they had included him in one of these outings.
Being Jeonghan's twin had once meant something special to Joshua. They shared everything, from their earliest memories to their secret conversations under the covers at night. They had been inseparable, and their parents, Mingyu and Wonwoo, had treated them both as the darlings of the family.
But something had shifted. Slowly, imperceptibly at first, and then all at once.
The shift began when Jeonghan fell ill two years ago. What had seemed like a simple fever turned into something much more concerning. The doctors had diagnosed Jeonghan with a weakened immune system, which required special care and constant monitoring. Joshua remembered the worry in his parents' eyes and how their focus on Jeonghan intensified. They ensured Jeonghan had the best doctors, the most comfortable environment, and every precaution to keep him safe.
In those early days, Joshua understood. He stayed by Jeonghan’s side and helped his parents in any way he could. After all, Jeonghan was his twin, and Joshua wanted nothing more than to see him healthy and happy.
But as Jeonghan's condition stabilized, the attention never wavered. Their parents remained fixated on Jeonghan, doting on him in ways they no longer did for Joshua. It wasn’t just Mingyu’s strong protective instincts or Wonwoo’s gentle care, it was something deeper. It was as if Jeonghan had become the center of their world, and Joshua was left standing in the shadows.
Joshua tried to tell himself that it was normal, that their parents were simply more worried about Jeonghan’s health. He tried not to notice when they gave Jeonghan gifts but forgot to include one for him. He pretended it didn’t bother him when Jeonghan was the one taken to special dinners, outings, while Joshua stayed home with the rest of his brothers.
But his brothers didn’t help either. At first, it was subtle. Seungcheol, the eldest, would always pull Jeonghan into a protective hug whenever he saw him, ruffling his hair and saying, "You're my precious baby, hannie." Jun, Hoshi, Woozi, and Seokmin would follow, each offering small gifts or gestures of affection. The8, Seungkwan, Vernon, and Chan did the same. Slowly, the divide grew.
It was as though Jeonghan became the one everyone cherished, and Joshua was simply… there.
The first time Joshua truly felt the sting of being overlooked was on their birthday. It had started out as a joint celebration, as always. But as the day progressed, the attention drifted more and more toward Jeonghan. Their brothers bought Jeonghan gifts-expensive clothes, new books, and even a special bracelet gifted by their parents. Mingyu and Wonwoo spent the whole afternoon fussing over Jeonghan, making sure he had everything he wanted, while Joshua stood to the side.
