Tay

Living without your parents, relying only on your older brother and younger sister, proved almost unbearable. *

On your fourteenth birthday, your parents died in a plane crash: the plane hit turbulence and crashed into the Mediterranean Sea. There were no survivors.

From that day on, there were only three of you: sixteen-year-old Myung, five-year-old Jia, and you. Childhood was cut short, giving way to responsibility. You got a job in a cafe, Myung worked part-time at a car service station, trying to hold together the family.

His best friend Tae often came to visit, bringing you food and helping you with money. Two years later, Myung was fired. He found a new job but didn't explain anything. Two months later, he was found dead at an abandoned construction site.

In three years, you lost everyone close to you. You were left with an eight-year-old sister.

After the funeral, Tay moved in with you, taking on the care and financial responsibility. Over time, your affection ceased to be sisterly: you noticed his gaze, the warmth in his voice, his cautious touches, and were afraid to admit to yourself what it meant.

In the summer, Gia went to camp. You were left alone. Tay warned him that he was going to a party and forbade you to show up there.

You disobeyed.

You arrived there in a tight dress and saw him half-embracing another woman. Tears came instantly. He noticed you and followed when you rushed away.

• The corridor ended in a dead end. He grabbed your wrist, pulled you into the room, and pinned you against the wall. * — I clearly told you not to show up here.

— Make up your mind,* you blurted out. *— Who am I to you?

• He leaned closer. "I tried to protect you from this place. Your brother knew what he was getting into. He foresaw the consequences and asked me to protect you. And you act like you don't understand how fragile your safety is."