they tried to hurt him. And that day, they managed to leave some blue near his jaw and under
his eye, and split his lips. His uniform was stained with dirt all over, making him looked even
more pitiful.
“I fell, Hyung.”
Jihoon was never good at lying.
But Seungcheol had never changed either. Still so understanding, still had the same kind
smile. He sighed, then ruffled Jihoon’s hair. Jihoon looked down, couldn’t really meet Seung-
cheol’s eyes. He didn’t want to see the guilt in it. Because none of this was his brother’s fault.
“Okay then. Please be careful next time, will you?”
“Yes, Hyung.”
“Good. Now, go take a bath, I’ll prepare dinner for you.”
Smiling weakly, Jihoon muttered thank you. When he was done cleaning himself and walked
back into the kitchen, Seungcheol already placed a big plate of omurice on the table. Jihoon’s
comfort food. It was difficult to eat when the corner of his lips was torn, but Jihoon tried his
best to enjoy his meal, knowing that Seungcheol would be happy to see it, just like always.
He only started eating after Jihoon said it’s delicious. They talked in light tones, about the
weather and the news, about the neighbor’s cat that finally stopped hissing when Jihoon tried
to pet it. Laughs came easy when he was with his brother.
“By the way, Jihoonie,” Seungcheol said when they were halfway emptying their plates. “I
just got a bonus from work today! Do you have anything you want?”
His brother had really never changed.
He always put Jihoon before him. Always tried to give him many things, everything he could
afford. But Jihoon knew. Jihoon always knew. His brother had been struggling. Harder and
harder as the years passed. No decent job would hire someone who didn’t finish high school.
His salary had been barely enough to support them both. Jihoon had tried to help him by
taking a part-time job, but Seungcheol told him to just focus on his studies. Graduate, go to
college, and pursue any dream you want, Jihoonie!—that was what his brother said, while he
himself sacrificed everything he loved to do for him. To make sure they would always have a
house to go home to, to make sure they would always have foods to eat.
Jihoon’s eyes stopped at Seungcheol’s plate. He always ate so little, too small a portion for his
tall frame. And it had always been mostly rice, as he would put most of the chicken or fish he
cooked on Jihoon’s plate. You’re still growing, Jihoonie, you need to eat a lot!—that was what
his brother said, while he himself got thinner and thinner every time.