It's not always like that || Treasure Fanfiction

Chapter 4: Growing Tensions

The weeks slipped by, bringing with them a growing tension that lingered between Solar and Junkyu like a cloud. At first, Solar thought she was imagining things. Junkyu had always been busy with his trainee schedule, but lately, his absences felt sharper, like he was pulling away on purpose. Even when he was home, he spent most of his time locked in his room or running through dance routines in the living room with headphones on, his focus unwavering.

Solar tried to be patient. She knew his practice was intense, and the pressure only grew as the weeks went by, but it was getting harder to ignore his subtle coldness toward her. Their usual banter had turned into one-sided exchanges, with Junkyu barely acknowledging her. He'd mumble responses, distracted and curt, or ignore her completely if he was particularly tired.

One evening, Solar found 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 was holed up in his room again, reviewing dance videos. The realization stung more than she wanted to admit.

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

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

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

She hesitated, 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's like you're avoiding me or something."

Junkyu sighed, running a hand through his hair, visibly exhausted. "Solar, 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 shot her an exasperated look, his voice sharper than usual. "Solar, 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, Solar was stunned into silence. She'd known he was stressed, but hearing him say it aloud made 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 said quietly, hurt flashing across her face.

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

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

Days passed, and Solar tried to take his words to heart, giving him the space he'd asked for. She kept her distance, hoping he'd come around on his own, but his attitude didn't improve. If anything, he grew more distant, his patience wearing thinner with each passing day. It hurt to see him slip away like this, especially after they'd shared such a close bond only weeks before.

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