Chapter 43
Eric POV
"Midterms are coming up," Nari said as she dropped her bag onto the table and sat down with a sigh.
"Yeah," Taemin added, stretching his arms lazily. "Teachers are suddenly acting like we're in military school again."
I nodded slightly, stirring my drink but not really focusing.
Nari leaned forward a little. "How are things at home?"
I paused for a second.
"Good," I said.
But even as the word left my mouth, it didn't feel complete.
Nari and Taemin both stopped at the same time.
That was enough for them.
"…What happened?" Taemin asked, narrowing his eyes.
I exhaled slowly.
"My sister… wants me to move in with one of her friends."
There was a beat of silence.
"Why?" Taemin asked immediately. "Is that like… punishment or something?"
"No," I said quickly. "It's not like that."
Nari tilted her head slightly. "Then?"
I leaned back a little.
"She wants me to focus on school," I said. "She's… sick right now, so she said it's better if I'm not around too much."
The words sounded simple.
But they didn't feel simple.
Nari's expression softened. "Oh… that accident you mentioned?"
I nodded.
Taemin frowned. "But wouldn't that make you worry more about her?"
I didn't answer immediately.
Because that was the problem.
Of course it would.
I sighed quietly instead.
Nari studied me for a moment. "Are you close to this friend of hers?"
"No," I said honestly. "Not really."
Taemin blinked. "Then why send you there?"
I shrugged slightly. "We're… not exactly close. He keeps acting like I'm still a kid."
Nari smiled faintly. "How old is he?"
"About thirty," I said.
That made Taemin pause. "Oh."
Now even he understood.
Nari leaned back in her chair slowly, thinking.
"I think your sister is trying to separate responsibility from you," she said finally.
"Not because she wants to push you away… but because she wants you to grow without being emotionally tied down to her condition."
I frowned a little. "I don't get it."
Nari continued gently.
"I think she's trying to give you space to live your own life," she said. "Without feeling like you have to constantly worry about her."
Taemin nodded slowly beside her. "Yeah… that actually makes sense."
I stayed quiet.
Because it did make sense.
But it also didn't feel right.
My mind drifted without permission.
Back to her.
Back to the way she looked that morning.
Back to the way she spoke like she was fine even when she clearly wasn't.
Nari's voice pulled me back. "Eric?"
I blinked.
"Sorry," I said quickly.
Taemin leaned in slightly. "You're still worried, aren't you?"
I didn't answer.
Because there was no need to lie.
Nari softened her tone. "You can worry about her… but maybe you should also listen to her."
I looked down at my cup again.
Listen to her.
That was always the problem.
She never said things lightly.
Even when she joked.
Even when she smiled.
There was always something behind it.
I tightened my fingers slightly around the cup.
"…I'll think about it," I said quietly.
Nari nodded. "That's enough for now."
But even as they continued talking, I wasn't really there anymore.
Because one thought kept repeating in my head.
If I moved in with him…
Then I would be farther from her.
But at the same time…
I wouldn't be able to ignore it anymore either.
"That aside," I said. "My birthday is tomorrow, and I'm hoping you guys would come."
"In fact, my sister will be glad to see you, since your brother is too busy with work."
"My brother?" Nari said. "How could my brother know your sister?" she asked.
"Because they work together," I said.
"Wait, what is your sister's name?" Taemin asked.
"Laurel, Davis Laurel."
"What?" they both said. "She is my brother's boss. Our benefactor.
You are our benefactor's younger brother."
"Why are you just telling us this?" they asked.
"Well, I didn't want to pressure you guys. I didn't want to sound ridiculous."
Nari came closer. "There is nothing ridiculous about that, but I hope we can stay the way we are, like being friends."
"Yes," I said almost immediately. "Sure." Then we hugged.
"We are definitely coming to your birthday."
"Okay, but don't get your hopes up. It is usually not something fancy."
"That's good as well," Taemin said.
When I got home, almost everyone was not around, including Nicholas.
"Hey," Lee Joon said.
"Good evening," I said.
"How was class today?" he asked.
"Well, same old thing… teachers coming and going."
He nodded. Then I asked, "Where is my sister and everyone?"
"Hm… they had work to do. Nicholas has a meeting to attend, Seo Hee went to an auction, Kang Dae went to oversee some office work, and Eun Woo hasn't reported back. But Laurel is in her room."
"Okay," I said as I walked toward Laurel's room. Then realization hit me, maybe I don't have to worry too much. Maybe Nari was right.
When I went in, she was already able to stand up again.
"Laurel," I said, "you shouldn't be stressing yourself."
"I know, but sitting too long… I couldn't feel my body," she said as I helped her sit back.
"How was school today?"
"Good."
Then I said, "My friends, Eun Woo's siblings, will be coming tomorrow for my birthday."
"Is that fine by you?" I said.
"Of course, why not. In fact, I would love to meet them."
"I think you've changed," I said, smiling. "Your tone."
"Isn't that a good thing?" she said, smiling.
"Hm… I can't prepare much for your birthday, but I promise I will make it up to you."
"You could ask for anything and it will be done, but that will be after one month."
"Hm… I already have things in mind."
"That fast?" she said. "Go ahead, tell me. What does my little brother want?"
"Well, it's three," I said, then she nodded.
"I want to dye my hair, not just the tips. You didn't agree last time because I'm not an adult yet."
I couldn't tell what was in her mind with the way she was looking at me.
That's Laurel, there is no one who can read her mind through her facial expressions.
"Then I want to have matching tattoos with you." She sat up and placed the pillow properly.
"Then go on a vacation with you, since I will have a one-week break after midterms."
"Hm… I will think about all this. But where do you want to go?"
"Hm… France or China."
She nodded. "I will think about it."
"Have you eaten?" she asked.
"No," I said.
"I will order some food for you."
"Hm, thank you," I said, standing up.
"I will be right back."
She nodded.
When I was done, the order had already come. I ate and went back to meet her, but unfortunately she was already asleep.
So I left quietly, trying not to wake her, and went back to my room.
It was really late and I was tired as well, so I sat down looking right into the calendar.
Looking straight at the date I celebrate my birthday with my entire family, but life has its tricks. Now I celebrate with people who are almost my family, except for Laurel, she is the only family I have left in this world.
Then I remembered Aria's words: when you turn 18, we will all have matching hair dye.
I hope Laurel will allow me to dye my hair for her. I don't think she will remember to dye hers.
Aria… I am 18 now. Guess we won't be having matching hair dye anymore.
Then I lay in bed. All I could think was if there was a way to see each other one last time… to see mom making spaghetti, to see Aria laughing with dad while fixing the car.
But for some reason, I still didn't want it… because Laurel wasn't being treated like she should be.
"Focus on the future, Eric," I said as my eyes tried to sleep.