It's not always like that || Treasure Fanfiction

Chapter 4: Growing Tensions

The weeks slip by, bringing with them a growing tension that lingers between Somin and Junkyu like a cloud. At first, Somin thinks she's imagining things. Junkyu has always been busy with his trainee schedule, but lately, his absences feel sharper, like he's pulling away on purpose. Even when he's home, he spends most of his time locked in his room or running through dance routines in the living room with headphones on, his focus unwavering.

Somin tries to be patient. She knows his practice is intense, and the pressure only grows as the weeks go by, but it's getting harder to ignore his subtle coldness toward her. Their usual banter has turned into one-sided exchanges, with Junkyu barely acknowledging her. He mumbles responses, distracted and curt, or ignores her completely if he's particularly tired.

One evening, Somin finds herself alone in the living room, watching a movie they'd planned to see together. She'd held out hope that Junkyu might join her, but he's holed up in his room again, reviewing dance videos. The realization stings more than she wants to admit.

The next day, she works up the courage to confront him, waiting for him to come home from practice. As soon as he walks through the door, she jumps up from the couch, trying to keep her voice calm.

"Hey, Junkyu! Do you have a minute?"

He looks up, barely meeting her gaze. "What's up?"

She hesitates, feeling her frustration bubble up but trying to keep it contained. "I just... I feel like I haven't seen you in forever. You're always either at practice or... I don't know, it's like you're avoiding me or something."

Junkyu sighs, running a hand through his hair, visibly exhausted. "Somin, I'm not avoiding you. I'm just busy. Can't you understand that?"

"I do understand, but that doesn't mean you have to act like I'm some annoying distraction. You used to talk to me, you know? You used to actually be here."

He shoots her an exasperated look, his voice sharper than usual. "Somin, you don't get it. You're not the one dealing with the pressure to be perfect every day, to work so hard your body gives out, just for the chance to maybe debut. You have no idea what it's like."

His words hit like a slap, and for a moment, Somin is stunned into silence. She's known he's been stressed, but hearing him say it aloud makes her feel like an outsider, as if she could never truly understand him.

"I'm just... I'm just your sister, Junkyu. I only wanted to be there for you," she says quietly, hurt flashing across her face.

Junkyu's expression softens for a split second before his usual frustration returns. "Then just... give me space, alright? I don't have time to worry about anything else right now."

With that, he brushes past her, heading to his room and leaving her standing alone in the hallway. Somin feels a lump rise in her throat, her emotions tangled between frustration and sadness. She watches his door shut, the sound echoing through the house like a finality she hadn't expected.

Days pass, and Somin tries to take his words to heart, giving him the space he's asked for. She keeps her distance, hoping he'll come around on his own, but his attitude doesn't improve. If anything, he grows more distant, his patience wearing thinner with each passing day. It hurts to see him slip away like this, especially after they'd shared such a close bond only weeks before.

One evening, she overhears him on a call with Jihoon and Hyunsuk, his voice lively and relaxed in a way he hasn't been with her in ages. She can hear them laughing through the door, sharing inside jokes and stories from practice. A pang of jealousy hits her, mingled with sadness. How is it that he can share his world with them but seems to shut her out completely?