When Park Sohee is forced to leave behind her childhood home, the familiar comforts of family, and all the memories she's spent years building, she's faced with the overwhelming challenge of starting fresh. With her younger brother Jisung by her sid...
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
"Do you really have to move schools?" Haechan wailed, dramatically clinging to Sohee as if she were about to disappear forever. His voice echoed down the hallway, pulling a few curious glances, but he didn't care—today was her last day, and he wasn't ready for it.
Sohee sighed, her hands lightly resting on his shoulders as she gently pried him off. "Haechan, I don't have a choice," she said, trying to keep her tone light despite the sadness she felt. She glanced over at Jaemin, who was standing behind Haechan, silently waiting for her to get some space.
Jaemin gave her a small nod, signaling that he was there if she needed him. His usual confident demeanor had softened today, his eyes full of quiet understanding.
Haechan, not getting the response he wanted, buried his face in her chest with an exaggerated sob. "How am I supposed to survive school without you? Who's going to put up with me?"
Sohee rolled her eyes, a faint smile tugging at her lips. "You'll survive, drama queen" she said, though her heart felt heavy. "I'm just moving schools, not the other side of the world."
Behind them, Jaemin stayed quiet but was clearly trying to hide his own emotions. It wasn't just Haechan who was going to miss Sohee—Jaemin had spent the last few years by her side too, and her leaving was just as hard for him, even if he wasn't saying it aloud.
Sohee turned back to Haechan, who was still holding onto her dramatically. "Come on, Haechan. I have to go take Jisung to his last soccer practice," she said, pulling him gently toward the exit. "We don't have all day."
Reluctantly, Haechan released her, though he gave her a final, pouty look. "You better come visit," he muttered, wiping his eyes dramatically.
"I will," Sohee promised, ruffling his hair. "Now stop being a baby."
Sohee finally managed to drag Haechan down the hallway, past the classrooms and out toward the front gates of the school, where her younger brother Jisung was already waiting. His soccer bag was slung over his shoulder, and next to him stood his best friend, Chenle, who looked far less cheerful than usual. Chenle had his hands stuffed in the pockets of his jacket, and his eyes were downcast, clearly not in the mood for any of his usual antics.
Jisung, bouncing a soccer ball between his feet, looked just as distracted, clearly anxious about the practice ahead, but there was an undeniable weight on his shoulders. His sister was leaving, and even though he tried to mask it, Sohee could see how much it bothered him.
"Come on, boys," Sohee called out to them, motioning toward the car. Her voice was still upbeat, but there was a subtle sadness that lingered underneath. "We've got places to be."
Jisung nodded and tossed the ball to Chenle, who caught it with a sigh before tossing it back. The two didn't say much to each other, but their quiet exchange said it all—this was hard. Sohee could tell they were both struggling to hold it together, it made her heart wrench knowing how she took care of the boys together growing up.
