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...
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It was Monday, the day Sohee had been dreading for what felt like weeks. Today was the day she and Jisung would start their morning at a brand-new school, a new chapter they hadn't exactly been eager to open. Sohee had tossed and turned all night, her anxiety gnawing at her. Thoughts of what the day would bring—new faces, new routines, and the overwhelming sense of being an outsider—kept her awake long into the night.
She dragged herself out of bed, her body feeling heavier than usual, like she was trying to drag the weight of all her worries with her. The light from the window was still dim, but she knew she couldn't stay under the covers any longer. She had to face today.
Making her way down the hallway, she hesitated for a moment before knocking gently on Jisung's door. She didn't wait for an answer before slowly opening it, already knowing what she'd find. Sure enough, Jisung was sprawled across his bed, still in his pajamas, his face lit up by the faint glow of his phone screen.
"Jisung, wake up," Sohee called softly, stepping into his room. "It's time to get ready for school."
Jisung barely stirred, his phone still glued to his hand as he mumbled something incoherent. "Five more minutes," he groaned, clearly not ready to start the day.
Sohee rolled her eyes, smiling despite herself. "You've been on call with Chenle all night, haven't you?"
He shot her a sheepish look, clearly caught, but didn't deny it. "We were playing one more round before bed... then it turned into five more rounds."
Sohee sighed but couldn't help but laugh a little. "Well, now you're paying for it. Get up, or I'm telling Jaemin you're late because you were too busy gaming."
Jisung shot up with an exaggerated gasp, his eyes wide with mock horror. "Okay sorry i'm getting up"
hands on her hips giggling. She found it cute how the younger boy saw her best friend as somewhat an older brother figure considering they grew up together. "Get dressed. I'll make breakfast."
Grumbling, Jisung reluctantly got out of bed, dragging his feet towards the bathroom. Sohee stood by the door for a moment, looking at her little brother's disheveled room, the faint sounds of his groaning filtering through the thin walls. It was strange, being here in this new house, knowing they'd have to go through today like everything was normal.
She turned back to the kitchen, where she started on breakfast, trying to push down the butterflies in her stomach. She was feeling the same nervous tension
But she couldn't afford to show her nerves—at least not to Jisung. She had to be the one who was steady, even if her insides felt like they were flipping. She turned on the stove and began making eggs, trying to distract herself from the rising knot in her chest.
Jisung wandered into the kitchen shortly after, looking like he hadn't quite woken up yet but already picking at the plate of eggs she set in front of him.
