Chapter Three: MORE YOU

The evening air was heavy with summer warmth, and my heart was racing faster than the ticking clock on the wall. Yeong‑woo had just ended his call with Eunho, and his words still echoed in my ears: “Bring that kiddo too.”

Kiddo. That was what Eunho always called me. A teasing nickname, yet somehow it carried a strange tenderness.

I quickly brushed my hair, tied my braid neatly, and tried to calm the storm inside me. Seven months had passed since I last saw him in person. We had played countless games together, laughed through late‑night chats, and shared little secrets. But seeing him face‑to‑face again felt different — heavier, more real.

Yeong‑woo nudged me playfully. “Don’t look so nervous. He’s just Eunho.”

Just Eunho? My brother didn’t understand. To me, Eunho wasn’t just anyone. He was the boy who had defended me, the boy whose smile felt like a sunset, the boy who made me feel unique.

We walked down the street, the glow of streetlights painting golden patches on the pavement. My steps grew slower as we approached the café where Eunho was waiting.

And then I saw him.

He was seated by the window, dressed simply in a white shirt and black trousers, yet he looked effortlessly handsome. His curly hair caught the light, his posture relaxed, his smile warm as he spotted us.

“Yeong‑woo!” he greeted, standing up. His voice carried across the room, steady and kind.

Then his eyes found me.

For a moment, the world seemed to pause. His gaze softened, and the corners of his lips curved into that familiar smile.

“Seyeon,” he said, my name rolling off his tongue like a gentle melody.

I froze, my heart pounding. I wanted to say something witty, something casual, but all I managed was a shy nod.

Yeong‑woo laughed. “She’s been waiting all week to see you.”

“Yeong‑woo!” I hissed, embarrassed.

Eunho chuckled, his eyes never leaving mine. “I’m glad you came,” he said simply.

We sat together, the three of us. Eunho asked about my studies, my hobbies, even teased me about my gaming skills again. His presence was so natural, yet every word he spoke felt like it carried a hidden weight.

At one point, Yeong‑woo excused himself to take a call outside. Suddenly, it was just the two of us.

The silence stretched, but it wasn’t uncomfortable. Eunho leaned forward slightly. “You’ve grown,” he said softly. “Not just in games, but… you seem different.”

I looked down, fiddling with my fingers. “Different how?”

He smiled. “More confident. More… you.”

My cheeks warmed. I wanted to hide, but at the same time, I wanted to stay in that moment forever.

I tried to change the subject. “You still play late at night?”

He laughed. “Sometimes. But not as much as before. Work keeps me busy.”

“You’re twenty now,” I said, almost whispering. “That’s… older.”

He raised an eyebrow, amused. “And you’re thirteen. Still the same kiddo who challenged me in games.”

I pouted. “I’m not a kiddo. I’m in eighth class now. That makes me… mature.”

He chuckled, the sound warm and teasing. “Mature, huh? Then prove it.”

I crossed my arms, pretending to be serious. “I already did. I beat you in that battle game.”

He laughed again, shaking his head. “You’ll never let me forget that, will you?”

The conversation flowed easily, like water finding its path. I realized how much I had missed this — his voice, his presence, the way he made me feel seen.

When Yeong‑woo returned, the spell broke. We laughed, ate, and talked until the night grew late. But as we walked home, Eunho’s words echoed in my mind. More confident. More you.

That night, lying in bed, I stared at the ceiling. My heart was restless, my thoughts tangled. I didn’t know what this feeling was, but I knew one thing — the reunion had changed something inside me.

It wasn’t just about games anymore. It wasn’t just about being his “little sister.”

It was something deeper, something I couldn’t yet name.

But I knew this was only the beginning.

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