Sunghoon leaned against the kitchen counter, arms crossed, his playful smirk absent. His sharp gaze pinned Sunoo in place. Beside him, Heeseung stood rigid, jaw clenched.

Sunoo exhaled. He had known this was coming.

“You got everyone something,” Sunghoon said, voice low, “but not her?”

Heeseung scoffed. “She’s your baby sister too. That’s cold.”

Sunoo’s gaze flickered toward you at the dining table, laughing with Ni-ki, oblivious.

Sunghoon pushed off the counter. “You act like you love her, but—”

“It’s not like that,” Sunoo snapped.

Silence.

Then, quieter, “You think I don’t want to spoil her?” His knuckles whitened on the counter. “Gifts weren’t just gifts to her in that place. They were debts. She never told me what they made her do—but I saw her flinch once when someone handed her a wrapped box.”

Heeseung’s breath caught.

Sunoo’s voice cracked. “I’d rather her feel left out than watch her fall apart over something as stupid as a necklace.”

The air turned heavy.

Then—

“Hey,” your voice cut in, bright as you stepped into the kitchen. “What’re you guys talking about?”

Sunghoon hesitated. Then, softer than usual. “...Do you want to go shopping tomorrow? Just us.”