Between Us, Since Always

Jeong Yoonchae and Kim Sieun grew up on the same street, in houses so close that their mothers joked they should've just knocked down the fence between them.

Sieun was three months older, and he never let her forget it.

"Respect your hyung," he'd say seriously, even as Yoonchae rolled her eyes and stole his snacks.

They were always together-walking to school, doing homework at the same table, falling asleep during movie nights. When people asked if they were siblings, they didn't bother correcting them.

That was easier than explaining something that didn't have a name.

Back then, it was simple. Sieun was calm, thoughtful, protective. Yoonchae was bright, loud, impossible to ignore. They balanced each other without effort.

No one ever questioned it.

Not even them.