I told Ju-kyung to go.

"Go to Su-ho."

I said, even if it felt like my chest was breaking.

She looked at me, confused for a second, but then she went.

And just like that, I let her go.

Again.

But when I turned around, she was there.

Ju-kyung’s sister.

She was looking right at me. Not surprised, not angry.

Just… sad.

And that made it worse.

Because she’s always there.

Always quiet. Always calm.

She listens when no one else does. She shows up when no one else cares.

And I never gave it back.

I walked over to her slowly.

She looked away like she didn’t want me to see her eyes.

“I just needed some air."

I said, lying.

I needed her. I needed someone to talk to.

But when I reached her, she took a step back.

“You should go home, Seo-jun."

she said, barely meeting my gaze.

I frowned.

“What’s wrong with you? Why are you acting like this?”

She laughed once. But it wasn’t happy.

“It’s nothing. I’m just tired.”

I could tell she wasn’t.

She was hurt.

Then it hit me.

She’s always been there. Since the beginning. Since before everything got messy.

She helped me pick out Ju-kyung’s birthday gift.

She listened when I complained about Su-ho.

She sat beside me when I was angry, and didn’t say anything. She just stayed.

And I never said thank you.

I never noticed how her eyes followed me when I wasn’t looking.

I never noticed how her voice got soft when she said my name.

I only noticed when she started to walk away.

“Wait."

I said, reaching for her wrist. But she shook her head.

“I’m always the one helping you."

she said quietly.

“Always the one watching you chase someone else. I’m tired, Seo-jun. I don’t want to be your shadow anymore.”

I didn’t know what to say.

Because deep down… she was right.

I stared at her. Really stared this time.

And maybe for the first time, I saw her clearly.

The way her eyes shine when she laughs.

The way her hair falls across her face.

The way she makes me feel calm without even saying a word.

She was always there. And I never looked.

Until now.

But maybe now is too late.