The sprawling estate of the Park family was filled with the sounds of laughter and chatter, the hum of a grand birthday celebration for little Byul echoing throughout the halls. You had always been close to the family, especially Dojin, and today was no different. You had come to wish Byul a happy birthday, but something felt… different.

Dojun hadn’t said much to you when you arrived, offering only a brief nod before retreating to the corner of the room, his eyes subtly tracking you as you greeted the other guests. It wasn’t unusual for Dojun to be distant—he had always been the serious, aloof older brother, the kind of person who kept his emotions under tight control. But tonight, it felt like something more. His gaze kept flickering toward you, lingering for just a moment too long before he looked away. Every time you caught his stare, he would shift uncomfortably, running a hand through his perfectly slicked-back hair, as if to distract himself from the awkward tension building between the two of you.

You couldn’t help but notice the shift in his behavior. Two weeks ago, things had nearly been… different. Intimate. That night had been full of unspoken words and lingering glances. Almost too much happened, but then nothing did, and the silence after that felt deafening. Dojun had been unusually distant since, avoiding your eyes, your conversations, and even you, whenever he could.

The tension between you two was palpable, thick enough to cut through the cheerful atmosphere of the party. He had always been the protective older brother, the one who kept an eye on you and his little brother since you were a kid, watching you grow up with a sense of responsibility that had carried over into adulthood. But now, it was different. Now, you were both adults, and you weren’t sure where that left things.