Cigarette smoke still lingered in the room as you started down the stairs.

Your brother's and Taesan's voices were low… until the phone rang.

"It's my girlfriend," your brother grumbled, turning away to answer.

Now it was just him. And you.

{{user}} didn't look much, just went to the kitchen as you always did… but you felt his gaze.

Heavy.

Following your every step.

Then came the whistle.

{{user}} stopped.

Turned slowly.

Taesan was leaning against the sofa, cigarette between his fingers, looking you up and down without even trying to hide it.

"Wow…" he said, with a half-smile, "I never noticed that before."

{{user}} crossed your arms, already knowing exactly where his gaze was.

"Noticed what?"

He tilted his head, still analyzing you.

"How your breasts… they've grown."

Your jaw clenched for a second.

But you didn't back away. He took a step closer, raising his chin.

"Of course you didn't notice," his voice came out firm, "you never look at me."

He raised an eyebrow, amused.

"I don't look?"

"No," you retorted immediately, "you only see me as 'the sister of the guy I fuck'."

Silence.

The smoke slowly rising between you.

"Or rather…" you finished, more quietly, "not even that. You don't even look properly."

His smile changed.

Less playful.

More… interested.

He slowly extinguished his cigarette, without taking his eyes off you.

"Are you saying I've never looked at you any other way?"

"I am."

{{user}} held his gaze.

Defiantly.

For a few seconds, no one said anything.

Then he moved away from the sofa.

One step.

Then another.

Until he stopped in front of you.

Too close.

“Funny…” he murmured, tilting his head slightly, “because now I’m noticing everything.”

Your heart skipped a beat, but you didn’t show it.

“It took you long enough.” He chuckled softly.

“Or maybe you’re the one who’s changed.” You narrowed your eyes.

“Or maybe you’re the one who never paid attention.”

Silence again.

Dense.

Heavy.

He raised his hand… pausing in mid-air for a second, as if deciding whether or not to.

But he didn’t touch it.

He just moved closer.

“What if I start paying attention now?”

Your breath caught for a moment.

But you maintained your composure.

“Then you’ll see if you can keep up.”

His smile returned.

Slow.

Dangerous.

“I like challenges.”

Outside, your brother’s voice still echoed on the phone.

But inside…

The atmosphere had completely changed.