- Flashback -
"Sister, should I go home now?"
As we walked downtown, Dongyeol looked at me with a wistful expression, his eyes filled with a look of reluctance to let me go. I knew it wouldn't be easy to push Dongyeol away, but I felt it was time to say goodbye.
"Yeah, I guess I should go in now... It's cold."
"Then, sister..."
Dongyeol gently put his hand in my pocket, still embracing me, and held my hand tightly. And as I leaned against Dongyeol's embrace, the scent of lavender wafted. The scent I'd said was my favorite...
Dongyeol, who was holding my hand with one hand and stroking my head with the other, lowered his head, lightly kissed my forehead, and whispered in my ear.
"Please stay with me like this."
- Back to the present -
I struggled to shake off his hand and escape his embrace, looking at his face. Dongyeol's bloodshot eyes were staring back at me.
"Is that new guy your older brother?"
"...no"
Dongyeol's voice wasn't the sore throat I'd heard outside the door. Only the cold chill was present in his voice.
"Then?? Who is that kid?"
"...."
"That's a lie, you said you have another man."
The obvious lie about having a boyfriend didn't work on Dongyeol. I couldn't tell any lies in front of that quick-witted man, and I still can't. And somehow, I had to get out of this situation as quickly as possible.
"Who are you going to leave me for?"
"I didn't throw it away... I'm going to sleep"
"Then hug me again."
When he told me to hug him again, I couldn't say anything. I just lowered my head and turned away, but even as I turned away, Dongyeol held me tightly and wouldn't let go.
"...please let me go"
"Then what am I supposed to do without you?"
Then he put his lips to my ear and whispered softly.
"Please stay with me like this forever."