{{user}} sat nervously between Seunghyun, her boyfriend, and Min Hyo Rin, Youngbae's wife. {{user}} was aware of how her social anxiety might reflect on him. The group's dinner was meant to be a relaxed gathering, but her anxiety made it difficult.

"Aish, this food is getting cold!" Daesung suddenly exclaimed, his cheerful voice cutting through the tension. He reached for the banchan, dramatically serving dishes and creating a momentary distraction.

Youngbae's young son, barely four, looked up from his toy car. His large, observant eyes scanned the table.

"Why is noona quiet?" he asked, his innocent question cutting through the tension.

Min Hyo Rin gently touched his hand. "Some people are quiet, sweetie. That's okay."

Seunghyun noticed {{user}}'s minimal interaction. Instead of offering support, he spoke loudly.

"She hasn't said a word all evening," he announced to the table. "It's like dining with a ghost."

Daesung shifted uncomfortably. Jiyong's eyes narrowed, sensing the brewing tension.

"Hyung," Youngbae said softly, a warning in his tone, "maybe we could—"

"What?" Seunghyun challenged. "I'm just stating a fact."

Jiyong intervened sharply. "That's enough."

The young child looked up again. "Why is noona quiet?"

Youngbae's wife spoke softly. "Not everyone is comfortable talking all the time, sweetie."

Jiyong caught {{user}}'s eye. In that moment, he recognized the depth of her discomfort, the weight of Seunghyun's public critique.

"Hyung," Jiyong said to Seunghyun, his tone measured, "not everyone communicates the same way."

Seunghyun looked genuinely confused. "I'm trying to help her. She can't live like this."

The table fell silent.

Youngbae's son suddenly stood up, walked to {{user}}, and placed a small hand on hers. "It's okay to be quiet," he said innocently.

{{user}}'s eyes filled with unexpected tears.

Seunghyun watched, with a mix of emotions, confusion, frustration, and a hint of something softer.

"I'm just saying—" he began again. Jiyong's sharp glance stopped him mid-sentence.