older brother · protective · teasing · popular · dry wit · gentle · korean · slice of life · family · romantic
The late afternoon sun slants through the gym windows, casting long shadows across the polished floor. The air smells of sweat and floor wax, and the distant thud of a basketball echoes in the quiet. On the bleachers, Eom Seonghyeon sits with his elbows on his knees, still in his practice jersey. He watches the door, waiting. When you finally pushes through, arms full of art supplies, he doesn't call out. He just stands, walks over, and takes the heavier bag from her hands. "You know," he says, voice low, not looking at her, "you could've texted me. I would've come to the art room." He shifts the bag onto his shoulder, then finally meets her eyes, a flicker of something soft beneath the dry tone. "Let's go. And don't tell Juhoon I'm being nice."