"Baby don't cry, I hope you got your head up Even when the road is hard, never give up"
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Sieun muttered under her breath, "Are you hiding something from me?" as she mechanically ate the dinner Shotaro had lovingly prepared. The words hung in the air, heavy with suspicion.
Shotaro's eyes snapped up from his plate, locking onto Sieun's. His expression transformed from calm to guarded in an instant. He replied curtly, "No" but Sieun's frown only deepened.
Her gaze never wavered, boring into Shotaro's as if seeking the truth. "Naoki is dead, isn't he?" she asked, her tone cold and detached, despite referring to her youngest big brother.
It was a topic Sieun rarely discussed, having met Naoki only twice in her life. Shotaro's hesitation was palpable, his eyes darting around the room before returning to Sieun.
"How did you know?" Shotaro demanded, his frown deepening. Naoki's passing was a closely guarded secret, known only to those within their organization's inner circle. The information hadn't been publicly disclosed, and Shotaro wondered who could have leaked it to Sieun.
Sieun shrugged, her nonchalance a stark contrast to Shotaro's growing unease. "It doesn't matter" she said, her voice dripping with indifference.
"What matters is that someone is after me, right?" The words hung in the air like a challenge, leaving Shotaro grappling for a response. Sieun's intuition was unsettling, and he struggled to maintain his composure.
The silence between them grew, heavy with unspoken truths. Shotaro knew he had to tread carefully, but Sieun's piercing gaze made him feel like he was walking on thin ice. Her eyes seemed to bore into his very soul, seeking answers he wasn't ready to give.
"You're always hiding things from me!" Sieun exclaimed, her voice rising in frustration. Shotaro's response was immediate, his tone firm but laced with concern. "I'm protecting you mei" However, his words only fueled her anger.
"You're protecting me?" Sieun shot back, her eyes blazing with indignation. "You're suffocating me! I can take care of myself, but you never trust me enough to tell me the truth." Her words cut deep, and Shotaro's expression faltered.
He knew Sieun felt trapped, but he couldn't reveal the secrets he kept for her own safety. The silence between them grew, heavy with unspoken truths.
Sieun's frustration boiled over, and she pushed her chair back, the legs scraping against the floor. "I've had enough!" she declared, grabbing her bag and storming out of the house.
The door slammed shut behind her, leaving Shotaro standing alone amidst the unfinished dinner and shattered silence. He sighed heavily, rubbing his temples.
✗
Sieun stood inside the cozy convenience store, the fluorescent lights above illuminating her weary expression. Her stomach growled, protesting the delay in satisfaction, as she grasped the steaming hot ramen from the microwave.
Hunger and anger wrestled within her, a familiar duo that often emerged when emotions overwhelmed her. As she took her first bite, the savory broth and springy noodles soothed her frazzled nerves.
Outside, the rain pounded against the store's windows, casting a rhythmic melody that synchronized with Sieun's turbulent thoughts. Raindrops trickled down the glass, blurring the world outside, much like her own blurred emotions.
With each successive bite, Sieun's tension eased, her thoughts clarifying. The argument with Shotaro still lingered, but her hunger sated, she felt more equipped to tackle the emotional storm.
"Still breathing I see"
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