Session 2|Chapter 62

                                    

                                          
Yoongi's POV
Bangkok | Thailand.
I stood outside her door for a moment, just listening. It was quiet, peaceful, like nothing was wrong in the world. But I knew better. The soft rise and fall of her breath, the way she slept so soundly—those were the only moments of peace left in her life. In our lives.
Slowly, I opened the door and stepped inside, careful not to make any noise. the familiar scent of lavender washed over me. I’d made sure her room was filled with things she loved—small comforts to keep her safe in this world she no longer understood. My steps were slow and measured, not wanting to startle her. She looked so peaceful, so innocent. Her world was quiet, unlike the chaos and noise that roared inside me every second of every day.
The soft glow of the moonlight touched her face, and for a moment, I just stared. She looked the same. Still my little sister, still Shine. The name I gave her because she had been the brightest part of my life, from the moment I first saw her in Mom’s arms. But now… it’s like she’s trapped. The light’s still there, but it’s hidden behind the fog in her mind.
I sat beside her, careful not to disturb her rest, and gently ran my fingers through her hair. It was something I’d always done when we were kids—something that used to make her smile. 
But even in sleep, she’s sensitive. Her eyes fluttered open, and for a moment, I saw confusion. My heart clenched painfully. 
Then her face broke into a radiant smile that cut through the ache inside me. 
“Yoon oppa!” she exclaimed, her voice filled with that childish excitement, and suddenly, she was in my arms. I caught her effortlessly, just like I always had. But this time, it hurt more. It hurt because I was no longer her strong older brother. I couldn’t protect her from this. 
Her arms tightened around me, and for a few seconds, I allowed myself to just feel—to pretend that things were the way we used to be. That she was still my baby sister, Shine, and not this broken version of her. 
I pulled away slightly to look at her, but she was already pouting, her cheeks puffed out in that cute way she always did. I couldn’t help but smile a little. I pinched her cheek gently, the words slipping out softly, “Did you miss me, Shine?”
Her face brightened immediately. “I missed you so much, oppa!” Her voice was light and innocent, completely unaware of the storm brewing inside me. 
I chuckled softly, but before I could respond, a familiar voice interrupted us.
“So, you only missed Yoongi Hyun, huh? Not me?” 
She turned in excitement, her eyes sparkling like the kid she now believed she was. “Hobi oppa!” she squealed, running into his arms like she always did.
The way she clung to him, the way her eyes shone with happiness, it was both beautiful and devastating. Because deep down, I knew that this wasn’t how it was supposed to be. She wasn’t supposed to be trapped in the mind of a teenager.
“I missed you too!” she chirped, and Hobi grinned, pulling her close and kissing her forehead. His face softened as he held her, but I saw the pain in his eyes. He was good at hiding it—better than me.
“Missed you more, Shine,” he whispered, his voice thick with emotion.
She giggled, her worries gone, just like that. Hobi sat her back on the bed, his hands still resting on her shoulders, and I joined him, sitting across from her. 
“How have you been, Shine?” I asked, forcing a smile as I braced myself for her answer. “Did you eat well while we were gone?”
She huffed, crossing her arms. “Reya unnie wouldn’t let me eat ice cream. She made me eat grass!” she grumbled, her face scrunching up in that dramatic way she always did when she didn’t get what she wanted.