As the morning sun warmed Seoul's vibrant streets, I navigated through the bustling city traffic, reflecting on my life's recent trajectory. Settled into my dream job and on the brink of completing my literature degree, I was content. Everything had effortlessly aligned, yet somewhere deep down, I harbored a nagging doubt: was it all too perfect?
Beside me, my younger brother Jaehyun was engrossed in his phone, his fingers flying over the screen. Seizing the moment to draw his attention, I reached over and snatched the device from his hands, locking it. He let out a groan and playfully punched my arm.
"Listen, Jaehyun, you're always saying we don't spend enough time together because I'm swamped with work," I began, my tone firm yet caring, hoping to bridge the gap I knew he felt.
He scoffed, clearly unimpressed. "To you, a car ride counts as quality time? Just drop me off at the college gate," he retorted, his voice tinged with the mild irritation of a typical younger sibling who craved more attention.
I couldn't blame him. Ever since our mother had moved to America where her company was located, Jaehyun had decided against joining her, believing that life here with me would be idyllic. As we reached his college, I pulled the car over and turned to him, my expression softening. I reached into the backseat and pulled out an apple-branded bag.
"You mentioned needing new gear, right?" I said, presenting him with a new iPhone and MacBook, an attempt to make up for the rushed moments and missed opportunities.
His eyes widened slightly, the earlier frustration giving way to a mix of surprise and gratitude. It was these small gestures that helped maintain our bond, reminding us both of the importance of family amid the whirlwind of our daily lives.
His surprise quickly morphed into a sheepish grin. "Seriously? For me?" Jaehyun asked, his earlier frustration dissolving as he reached for the bag.
"Yeah, of course," I replied, trying to mask the relief in my voice. I wanted to make up for the times I was too busy, even if it meant spoiling him a little. "You need the right tools for college, don't you?"
Jaehyun nodded, his usual spirited energy returning as he inspected his new gadgets. "Thanks, hyung," he murmured, a genuine smile spreading across his face. It was moments like this that reminded me why I worked so hard—why every sacrifice felt worthwhile.
As he gathered his belongings to get out of the car, he paused, a thoughtful expression crossing his features. "Hey, hyung," he started, looking back at me with newfound appreciation. "How about we actually hang out this weekend? Just the two of us, maybe go see a movie or something?"
