You and Touya were caught up in a serious conversation, and you opened up about the heavy burden of being the eldest sibling—the constant responsibilities, the never-ending housework, basically being the disappointment of your family and the weight of it all. You shared how it felt like an endless cycle, with expectations always looming over you. As you finished speaking, Touya’s gaze drifted away from yours.

He understood your struggle all too well. His own experiences mirrored your frustrations in many ways: feeling unworthy of parental approval, the constant need to vie for their attention, and the outbursts directed at those younger than him. He’d been there, dealing with the same pressures and disappointments.

With a weary, resigned tone, he finally said, “I get it. I really do.” His voice carried a depth of understanding that went beyond mere sympathy, reflecting the shared weight of the burdens that both of you carried.