Complexity

BEcause

Xinyu POV

It's been a few days since Sohyun practically moved into my place. Honestly? I didn't mind. Considering what Ning-ning and I saw at Sohyun's house, well, let's just say it made sense. Her dad had been a criminal, now deceased, and her mom and some other family member, where I didn't even want to know the specifics, seemed knee-deep in illegal trades. If she was here seeking secure, who could blame her?

Today, though, it was just me and Ning-ning. Sohyun had gone out with SeoAh to the amusement park. Did they invite me? Nope. Apparently, SeoAh thought I wasn't worthy of amusement time.

"It's rare to see you without your girlfriend," Ning-ning teased as she sprawled across the couch.

I rolled my eyes.

"Who's my girlfriend?"

"Sohyun. Ask me again."

I swear my face turned the color of a ripe tomato.

"Sohyun is not my girlfriend!"

"yet." Ning-ning smirked, and before I knew it, a pillow was flying at her face.

Ning-ning retaliated in kind, and before long, the living room turned into a chaotic battlefield of soft cushions and slightly bruised egos. We were both out of breath, neither claiming victory, when she spoke again.

"Hey," Ning-ning said, still panting slightly.

"What?" I flopped onto the couch, fixing my hair that now resembled a lion's mane.

"What do you think Sohyun found here?"

"Me," I deadpanned, pointing at myself with a smug grin.

She rolled her eyes and promptly threw another pillow at me.

"Be serious."

"I don't know. Maybe... Secure? Comfort? Warmth?"

"All of the above, I guess," she mused.

"But do you think she'll stay long?"

"What do you mean?"

"Sohyun's used to... 'paying' for everything," I said, miming air quotes.

"You think she'd assume we expect payment?"

"I'm just saying it might cross her mind."

Both of us just sighed and leaning back. It wasn't an unreasonable fear. Sohyun's past clearly haunted her, and I didn't want her to think she owed me anything for staying here. I just wanted her to feel safe.

"She doesn't need to pay for anything," I muttered.

"She just needs to... be herself."

"Even though you know they're probably looking for her?"

I froze, the weight of her words sinking in. I hated that she was right.

Sohyun's POV

"EONNIE, I WANT TO PLAY THAT ONE!" SeoAh's excited shriek echoed through the Amusement park, and I barely resisted the urge to groan.

Taking care of her was exhausting. As an only child, I'd never experienced the chaos of having a younger sibling, and SeoAh seemed determined to make up for lost time. One moment she was here, and the next she was halfway across the park.

"This place is huge, SeoAh," I called out, half-jogging to keep up.

"Don't run off! If something happens to you, what am I supposed to tell your parents?"

"Hehe, sorry, eonnie. I'm just excited. It's because the exams are coming up!"

Exams. Oh no. How could I forget?

Wait... why did I forget?

"Sohyun eonnie," SeoAh said, glancing back at me with a sly grin.

"You're thinking about Xinyu eonnie, aren't you?"

I blinked, startled.

"What? No!"

"Your face is red. It's true!" she teased, giggling.

I glanced at a nearby mirror, and sure enough, my cheeks were practically glowing.

Was... was it because of Xinyu?

It hit me like a ton of bricks. These past few weeks, I'd spent so much time with her—from morning till night in her home. She was always there. Always kind. Always... her.

"I'm not thinking about Xin-," and that's when I realized that SeoAh had disappeared.

"SEOAH?!" I called out, panic flooding my chest.

Where had she gone? I tried to think. She'd mentioned wanting to play on the carousel earlier, right? I sprinted toward the ride, glancing at maps along the way.

Relief washed over me when I finally spotted her. But she wasn't alone.

Somebody else was with her.

As I approached, I plastered on a warm smile for the stranger, taking SeoAh's hand. But then I got a good look at the person's face.

My heart dropped.

"...Mom?"

Her expression was unreadable, but I felt my body tense. Memories of our last encounter rushed back—a whirlwind of shouting, threats, and fear.

"Sohyun," she said, her voice softer than I expected. But I knew better than to trust it. SeoAh tugged on my hand, looking up at me with wide eyes.

"Eonnie, is this your mom?"

I didn't answer. My throat felt tight, and my mind was racing.

"Can we talk, Sohyun?" my mom asked, taking a small step forward.

I glanced down at SeoAh, her innocent face looking back at me expectantly.

"I... I don't think now is a good time," I stammered, pulling SeoAh closer.

"We should go."

"PARK SOHYUN!!"

But I didn't stop. I turned and walked away, holding SeoAh's hand tightly.

As we left, I couldn't help but glance back. My mom stood there, watching us leave, her figure growing smaller in the distance.

Xinyu's POV

The door slammed open, and Sohyun stormed in, looking frazzled and pale. SeoAh trailed behind her, unusually quiet.

"You guys having fun?" I asked, standing up.

Sohyun nodded her head, not meeting my eyes.

"yeah... I just... I need a minute."

Before I could press further, she disappeared into the bathroom, leaving me and SeoAh standing awkwardly in the living room.

SeoAh looked up at me and whispered to me,

"Her mom was there."

Oh no.