Ahrin Lee | the hated member

Epilogue

Ahrin had settled back into life at the Stray Kids dorm over the past few days. Her confidence slowly returned, and the members were diligent in showering her with love and kindness. But as the evening sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm glow across her room, Ahrin found herself feeling unusually tired. After a long day of laughter, games, and catching up with the boys, she crawled into bed, fully dressed in her shorts and a short-sleeve shirt.

The Evening Routine
Unbeknownst to her, Chan had just finished preparing dinner in the kitchen, a delicious spread of Ahrin's favorite foods. "Hey, Ahrin! Dinner's ready!" he called out, cheerfully walking down the hall toward her room, his heart light with excitement.

As he pushed the door open, the sight before him took his breath away. Ahrin lay peacefully asleep, her face relaxed and serene, but it was the sight of her thighs and wrists that froze him in place. He caught a glimpse of the faint scars that marked her skin, reminders of her past struggles.

A Moment of Shock
Chan's heart sank. He had always been aware that Ahrin carried a weight heavier than most, but seeing the physical evidence made it all too real. He stepped further into the room, careful not to disturb her sleep, his mind racing with concern.

"Ah, Ahrin..." he whispered softly, his voice laced with empathy. He had never intended for her to carry such burdens alone, nor had he realized just how deeply those burdens ran. Guilt washed over him; he felt responsible for not noticing earlier, for not doing more to help her before she had jumped into the river.

Chan's instinct was to reach out, to comfort her and tell her that she was safe now, but he didn't want to wake her. Instead, he quietly set the food tray on the bedside table, hoping the sight of it would bring her comfort when she awoke.

Facing the Reality
As he stood there, Chan couldn't shake the feeling of dread and helplessness. He felt a swell of emotions—anger at the circumstances that had caused Ahrin pain, sorrow for the moments she must have felt alone, and an overwhelming determination to be there for her. He needed to understand what she had gone through so that he could support her better.

After a few moments of contemplation, he turned to leave, but paused one last time, taking a lingering look at Ahrin. "I promise I'll make it better," he vowed quietly to himself before stepping out of her room.

Awakening to Concern
A couple of hours later, Ahrin stirred awake, blinking sleepily as she adjusted to the dim light of her room. The first thing she noticed was the delicious aroma wafting from the tray beside her. Her stomach grumbled softly, reminding her that she hadn't eaten since lunch.

As she sat up, she caught sight of the food and smiled, her heart warming at Chan's thoughtfulness. She pushed her hair out of her face, feeling a sense of normalcy wash over her.

But as she shifted her legs, she noticed the way the fabric of her shorts brushed against her skin, and for a brief moment, she felt exposed. Instinctively, she pulled her legs closer to her body, hiding the scars that had become an uncomfortable part of her story.

A Heartfelt Conversation
Just then, Chan popped his head back in, his demeanor slightly more serious than before. "Hey, you're awake! I brought dinner," he said, trying to maintain his usual cheerful tone despite the weight of concern that still lingered in his heart.

"Thanks, Chan!" Ahrin replied, her voice brightening as she looked at the tray. "This looks amazing!"

As she sat up fully, Chan couldn't help but notice the way her expression shifted, the brief flash of discomfort he had seen earlier returning. He decided to address it gently, his heart racing. "Ahrin, can we talk for a minute?"

Ahrin's gaze met his, her smile fading slightly. "Uh, yeah. What's up?" she asked, a hint of apprehension in her voice.

Opening Up
Chan took a deep breath, steeling himself. "I... I saw your scars earlier," he said quietly, gauging her reaction. "I didn't mean to invade your space, but I want you to know that I care. If you ever feel comfortable talking about it, I'm here to listen. You don't have to go through this alone."

Ahrin's heart raced, and she felt exposed again, but not in a way that felt overwhelming. Chan's gentle demeanor reassured her, reminding her that she was safe. She fidgeted with the hem of her shirt, avoiding his gaze for a moment before finally looking up at him.

"I didn't mean for you to see them," she said softly, her voice tinged with vulnerability. "I thought I had hidden them well enough."

"You don't have to hide anything from us, Ahrin," Chan replied, stepping closer, his voice steady. "We're a family now, and families support each other. I wish I had been more aware of what you were going through. You don't have to carry that alone anymore."

Ahrin felt a swell of emotion, tears threatening to spill from her eyes. It was rare for her to be so open about her struggles, but something about Chan's sincerity made her feel safe. "I didn't want to burden anyone with my problems," she admitted, her voice trembling. "I thought I could handle it on my own."

A New Level of Trust
"But you don't have to," Chan insisted gently, reaching out to rest a hand on her shoulder. "You're never a burden. We all have our struggles, and we're here for each other. I'm really proud of you for taking the steps to heal, even if it feels overwhelming sometimes. It shows how strong you are."

Ahrin's heart swelled at his words, a mixture of gratitude and relief flooding through her. "Thank you, Chan," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "That means a lot."

Chan smiled softly, his eyes filled with warmth and understanding. "Whenever you're ready, I'm here to listen. And until then, let's just focus on enjoying dinner together. Sound good?"

Ahrin nodded, a small smile breaking through her earlier hesitance. "Yeah, I'd like that."

Dinner Together
As they sat down to eat, the atmosphere began to lighten again. They laughed about silly moments from the past few days, and Ahrin felt the warmth of camaraderie wrap around her like a comforting blanket. With every shared story, her heart began to heal a little more.

Though she still carried the weight of her past, Ahrin realized that she didn't have to bear it alone anymore. With Chan and the rest of Stray Kids beside her, she felt a sense of hope blooming within her.

That night marked a turning point in her journey—a step toward opening up, trusting, and allowing the love of her new family to help her navigate the road ahead. And for the first time in a long time, Ahrin felt like she was not just surviving but truly living.