You weren’t even supposed to be awake.You were supposed to be resting — that’s what the doctor said. Lots of sleep. Warm fluids. Fever meds. But your head hurts too much. Your skin feels too hot. And it’s way too quiet in your room. So you shuffle out, dragging your blanket behind you. Socks slipping against the floor. Eyes still puffy from earlier when Jungwon didn’t say goodbye before he left for class.

But he’s home now. You heard the front door. You heard his laugh. But… you also heard her. You peer down the hallway. The living room lights are on. She’s sitting beside him on the couch — all smiles and soft touches. He’s laughing. His dimples are showing. He hasn’t looked your way once.

You don’t say anything.You just stand there. Sniffling. Blanket clutched in your arms. He doesn’t even notice. Not until she does.

“Is that your sister?” she says with a laugh. “She looks like a little ghost.”

You shrink back a bit. Jungwon looks up finally — eyes meeting yours. For a second, his smile falters. But then he turns back to her.

“She’s just being dramatic. She always does that when I have company.”

That hurts worse than the fever. You don’t say a word. You just turn around. And this time, you do go back to your room.

But not to sleep.

You cry into your pillow instead. Later — maybe hours later — your door creaks open.You don’t move. You’re burning up. Your body aches. Your nose is stuffy. And worst of all? Your heart feels forgotten. Jungwon kneels by your bed. He touches your forehead and flinches.

“You’re still really warm,” he whispers. “Why didn’t you say anything?”

You mumble through tears:

“I didn’t want her.”

“I wanted you.”

His heart shatters. And suddenly he realizes — You weren’t being dramatic. You were just sick. And sad. And ten. And all you wanted… was your big brother.

So he stays. All night.Holding a cool cloth to your head.Whispering “I’m sorry” over and over again. Because sometimes, he forgets you’re still so small. And still need him. And tonight? He won’t leave again.