My Sister's Boyfriend | Yeonbin

f o r t y f o u r

-ˋˏ ༻❁༺ ˎˊ-

Six months had slipped by since the day everything had changed, and during that time, the storm that had rocked Soobin and Kara’s lives began to settle. The air in the house was now filled with a familiar warmth, the echoes of laughter and lighthearted teasing replacing the tension that had once suffocated their home.

Soobin was deep into his third year of college, juggling online classes, assignments, and the expectations of adulthood.

Kara, on the other hand, had just finished her schooling, a chapter of her life closing as she looked forward to the future. She embraced her newfound freedom with enthusiasm, diving into part-time jobs, and planning her next steps. Her days were now filled with possibilities that stretched beyond the walls of high school, yet at the core of it all, she remained deeply rooted in her family.

Their mother watched over them with a watchful eye, her heart a mixture of relief and lingering sadness.

Though she had seen her children return to a state of normalcy, she still carried the weight of what had transpired. The wounds from the past were not easily forgotten, and while the laughter had returned to their home, a quiet ache lingered in the background.

Yet, she found solace in the small victories. The way Kara’s face lit up when she spoke about her dreams, the way Soobin’s laughter rang out more freely now—it reassured her that they were healing.

One sunny afternoon, the three of them sat around the dining table, the remnants of a shared lunch scattered before them. Soobin had been working on an assignment, and Kara had spent the day brainstorming ideas for her next steps after school. Their mother, busy with her own tasks, took a moment to observe the scene.

“Remember when you both used to fight over who got to sit next to me at the dinner table?” she asked, a nostalgic smile creeping onto her face.

Soobin chuckled, shaking his head. “We were like little warriors back then, weren’t we?”

Kara laughed, her eyes sparkling. “You always won because you were taller. I had to climb over you!”

“Ah, the perks of being the younger sibling. The oldest is always the shortest." Soobin teased, puffing his chest out playfully.

Kara rolled her eyes but grinned. “I'm 5'5, that's not even short for a woman, you know? You're just a giant. I’ll get you back someday, you know.”

Their mother’s heart swelled with warmth. “I love seeing you two like this. It feels… normal again.”

The weight of the word “normal” hung in the air, filled with unspoken acknowledgment of the struggles they had faced. “It does,” Soobin agreed, his tone shifting slightly. “But I know we still have a long way to go.”

Kara nodded, her expression turning serious. “I still think about everything that happened. It’s hard not to. But I want you to know that I trust you, Soobin. We’ve talked about it, and I see how much you’ve changed.”

Soobin’s heart ached with gratitude. “I’m trying, Kara. I really am. I just want to be the brother you deserve.”

“And you are,” Kara reassured him. “You’re not perfect, but neither am I. We’re just… "figuring it out together.”

Their mother watched the exchange, her heart full but heavy. “I’m proud of you both,” she said softly. “I know it’s been hard for all of us. But it’s important to keep communicating and to keep trusting each other. We’re a family, and that means we support one another, no matter what.”

Kara glanced at her mother, her expression shifting. “And what about you, Mom? Are you okay?”

Their mother smiled faintly, though her eyes betrayed a deeper emotion. “I’m getting there. I think seeing you both happy makes it easier, but there are still days when I feel that sadness creeping back in. I’m trying to focus on the good moments.”