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Haeun dragged her suitcase across the polished floor of Seoul Airport, the wheels squeaking slightly against the smooth surface. The golden sunlight streamed through the massive windows above, bathing the terminal in a warm glow, but her heart felt heavy despite the cheerful rays. Around her, the crowd bustled with the typical morning energy, travelers hurrying along with their luggage, staff moving efficiently between counters, and the low hum of announcements echoing overhead. Yet, none of it seemed to touch her.
Ahead, her siblings moved with their own purpose. Taeyong was absorbed in scanning through his bag, his expression focused, while Naeun scrolled lazily on her phone, a faint pout on her lips. Haeun kept her gaze forward, the suitcase clutched tightly in her hand. She wasn't ready to look anywhere else—not at the crowds, not at the bustling check-in desks, and certainly not at the memories waiting behind every familiar corner.
As they approached the counter to drop off their baggage, a familiar voice rang out through the terminal.
"Haeun!"
Haeun froze mid-step, her chest tightening. She turned slowly, taking in the sight of Jisung a few meters away. His breath came in short, sharp gasps, and he was just close enough for their eyes to meet. The world seemed to shrink around her, the hum of the terminal fading into silence as her heart clenched.
Her siblings noticed immediately and froze as well, confused, glancing between her and the boy.
"You guys go ahead," she muttered, forcing her voice to remain steady. "I'll be right back."
Taeyong shot her a questioning look, but she only gave a faint nod before walking toward Jisung. The closer she got, the more she felt her stomach twist. His presence stirred a thousand conflicting emotions—relief, guilt, anger, longing—all mingling until it was impossible to think straight.
When she was a few feet away, Jisung reached for her wrist. Without resisting, she let him guide her to a quieter area behind a low wall, away from the throng of travelers. Once they stopped, he released her, and she stepped back instinctively, her gaze cautious.
"Haeun..." he began, voice low, hesitant. She noted the way his eyes avoided hers, flicking down to the tips of his shoes. The vulnerability in his posture was almost too much to bear.
"What is it?" she asked softly, her voice gentler than she intended.
"I'm... sorry," he said, almost in a whisper. "For yesterday. I was too harsh."
Haeun stayed silent, watching him. He looked so small in that moment, so uncharacteristically fragile. The air between them carried the weight of everything unsaid—the anger, the fear, the confusion—and for a moment, it felt as though the world itself had paused.
"I know I'm an asshole," Jisung continued, his voice trembling. "I know I caused you so many problems, and I... I never properly appreciated what you did for me. You were always there, even when I didn't deserve it. You... you made me want to be better. And I just..." He took a deep breath, fighting the catch in his throat. "I didn't realize until now how much I... how much you... mattered."
