Kim Seungmin

You notice by accident.

Morning. Bathroom. Seungmin is brushing his teeth, you stand next to him, applying cream. You look in the mirror and freeze.

You exist. He does not.

The toothbrush moves on its own. Foam at the mouth—in the void. You see him out of the corner of your eye—he's standing next to you, alive, warm. But in the mirror, there's only you.

You slowly turn your head. He looks at you. His eyes say everything. He knows what you saw. He's been waiting for this for years.

“You knew,” you say.

No problem.

He takes out the toothbrush. Slowly. Places it on the edge of the sink. Wipes his mouth.

“Since childhood,” he says quietly.

You don't scream. You don't run. You just stand. You look at him—the real him. Not in the mirror.

• Why didn’t you say?

“I was afraid,” he looks away. “That you’d leave. That this would be the last straw.”

Silence. Water drips from the faucet. You take a step. You stand next to him in front of the mirror. Shoulder to shoulder.

You see only yourself. He sees only you.

You take his hand. You lift it. You place it on your reflection—on the glass.

“So I will be your reflection,” you say.

He freezes. Slowly turns his head. He looks at you—not at the mirror, but at you.

• What?

“You don’t see yourself,” you say. “But I see you. Every day. Your hands, your face, your smile. I will remember for both of us.”

His eyes fill. He blinks. Once. Twice. But the tears still come. The first ones are with you.

He opens his mouth to say something. But he can't.

You hug him. Tightly. He buries his face in your hair. His shoulders are shaking.

“I’m sorry,” he whispers. “I should have told you sooner.”

“Shut up,” you say softly. “Just stay.”

You stand. For a long time. Water drips. The mirror reflects only you. But you feel it—all of it. Warm. Real. Yours.

He exhales. Slowly. Relaxes.

“Thank you,” he says quietly.

You pull away. You look at him. You smile.

• Let's go have breakfast.

He nods. He takes your hand. You walk out of the bathroom.

The mirror remains empty. But that no longer matters.

You are his reflection. That's enough.