Lily POV:
It was now Tuesday, the day of my test. Usually on days when I have tests, my heart beats rapidly, and my knees don't stop shaking. Today, however, was different.
As my Older Brother walked me to my class, my steps felt unusually light—free, even.
It was a first for me. Was it because he was giving me his silent support? Or maybe it was due to all that cramming he put me through? Either way, it was a nice change of pace.
He and I didn't talk much as our destination drew closer. He simply remained silent as he paved the way for me—not like I needed him to do so. But still, I never told him to stop.
Eventually, we arrived at my class. My Brother didn't stop to see me off. He just continued walking as if this place was on the way to wherever he was going.
But just before he left, he muttered something under his breath, quiet enough that only I could hear it:
"Don't fail, little shit."
I couldn't help but scoff.
"That's a weird way to say good luck," I muttered back.
I caught the briefest upward curve of his lips before he vanished around the corner.
Seeing him run away like that made me shake my head.
Can't even wish me a proper good luck... what a stupid Brother.
Keeping my complaints to myself, I stepped into class. I was still relatively early, so there were barely any students inside. Only me and a handful of others.
Seeing me walk into class, the teacher excitedly beckoned me over.
I found it somewhat strange, since she and I never really spoke. But being the polite student I was, I happily obliged.
"Hey, hey," she whispered, a wide, formal grin on her face. "Was that your Brother?"
This again?
Oh well, it wasn't like this was a first for me.
"Yes," I replied as politely as I could. "Why? Do you know him?"
Of course, I already knew the answer to that. She wouldn't be doing this if she hadn't.
The teacher let out a pleased giggle. "Do I know him? Why, I was his teacher. Of course I do! I can't believe I didn't realize this sooner, you two look so alike!"
I laughed.
"Haha. Please, I don't look anything like him. In fact, I'd say I have nothing in common with him."
The teacher placed a hand on her chin, as if thinking for a moment, then nodded along. "Hmm, you do make a good point. You are a lot more polite than he was. Maybe that's why I didn't make the connection—even though you two have the same last name."
Just as I was about to go along with her thoughts, she spoke again.
"Your Brother was really smart though—one of the smartest students I've ever taught. I hope you strive to take after him! Minus the bad personality."
At that moment, I felt my eye twitch.
Again with this? How many people are gonna compare me to him this week?!
As much as it annoyed me, it wasn't anything new. So, swallowing my irritation, I put on a bright smile and said, "I will! He is my biggest inspiration, after all!"
The teacher gave me a gleeful nod. "That's the spirit! Now, I won't take too much of your time. Class is about to start. So please, take a seat."
Giving her a farewell bow, I did as instructed and walked along the aisles of desks until I arrived at my own.
I didn't pull out my phone to pass the time. Instead, I sat completely still as I stared at the surface of my desk.
All sound gradually faded into the background. The conversations happening around me, the sound of the bell ringing, the teacher's heel clicking as she began handing out our tests—everything.
I let out a deep breath, the sound of it echoing in my ears, and I closed my eyes.
In the darkness, a familiar voice reached me, and they overlapped. It was the voice of my Older Brother.
Ever since I asked him to tutor me, whenever he came home from school, he'd barge into my room and help me study. It wasn't easy, and he wasn't the nicest teacher, but he was at least better than Dad—which was good enough for me.
The paper hit my desk with a soft *thwack*. I opened my eyes and quickly skimmed through the pages of the test. Everything looked... familiar.
I grabbed a pencil out of my pencil case and began solving the problems on the front page. Before I realized it, I was already done. There were four pages in total, and I had three left to go. I grabbed the edge of the sheet and flipped it over to the next page.
There was only one question that I was hesitant about on it, but everything else I solved with ease.
When I hit the second question on the third page, I froze.
I squinted, rereading the question over and over again. No matter how much I did, it just didn't make sense to me.
I know that in cases like these, you're supposed to move on and come back later. Normally, I would have—except I knew for a fact I had gone over this with my Brother before. It felt like the answer was just on the tip of my tongue.
My grip on the pencil tightened as I dug through my memories.
C'mon... c'mon!
Memories of my study session with my Brother flashed before my eyes in an instant. Memories from yesterday. Then, from two days ago. Until finally, I hazily recalled a problem we did the very first time he tutored me.
I didn't fully remember how he solved it, but I remembered the important parts. With that, I was able to get an answer. I didn't know if it was the right one, but I knew I was at least going to get partial credit.
This pattern continued through the whole third page.
Once I arrived at the last page, I glanced at the clock.
Fifteen minutes left, and I had one final question remaining.
I can do this!
The moment I read the final question, my eyes widened, and I let out a small chuckle.
You've got to be kidding me.
Maybe if my Older Brother hadn't tutored me, I would've panicked and forgotten how to do this question. But because he did, I remembered immediately. I couldn't forget this question even if I wanted to.
It was the same one from the very first day—the day he got frustrated with me.
There's no way I'd forget this question for as long as I live.
I lifted my pencil and, with a smile on my face, began writing down my answer. The words, formulas, and numbers just seemed to flow out of my hands. The fear from that day flowed out with them.
I swear I'll get this right.
I swear… I will make you proud.
By the time I finished writing the answer, my hand had gone completely numb.
I dropped the pencil down on the desk, leaned against my chair, and glanced at the clock once more.
Thirteen minutes were left before class ended.
I couldn't help but scoff.
All that pain from that day… just for it to be all over in two minutes?
At least, the tears from that day didn't go to waste...
And neither did the hug.
With a quiet sigh, I got up from my seat and submitted my test to the teacher. Math class was the last class of the day for me, and in my school, if we finished a test early, we were excused.
I gave the teacher a small bow, thanked her for her hard work, and left for the shoe lockers.
Normally, after a test, I'd contemplate my answers nonstop, constantly second-guess myself, and stress over whether I did well.
This time, those thoughts never came. I walked to the shoe lockers with an empty, peaceful mind.
"Looks like you did well. You usually never finish early."
I jumped and spun around to find my Brother leaning against the lockers. I hadn't noticed because I was spacing out, but... my Older Brother had been waiting for me the whole time.
I remained still for a moment as I contemplated what to say.
Wait… why do I need to say anything?
My Older Brother told me a couple of months back that actions speak louder than words.
So, with a bright smile on my face, I ran up to him and hugged him as tight as I could.
"H-hey!"
His hands reached toward me in an attempt to pry me away, but they froze mid-air.
A troubled expression appeared on his face for a moment before he let out a resigned sigh and gave me a single pat on the head.
I looked up at him, pouting. "That's all?! I worked really hard, you know! And I did well! I think I deserve something more!"
"Sorry, but that's all you're gonna get in public—or at all, really," he replied with a dismissive shrug.
My brows furrowed together.
"No!"
I clung to his arm even tighter, causing him to lurch back slightly.
I could deal with my Older Brother's detachment any day. But at least for today... I want to be pampered.
Call it the privileges of being a little sister.
Seeing how adamant I was about this, he clicked his tongue. "Okay, if you let go of me right now, I'll get you the sushi today that I said I'd get you a while ago."
"Two," I bargained. "One from then, and one for now. And I want eggrolls."
He rolled his eyes. "Okay, okay, two. Now let go."
I stomped on his foot, causing him to clear his throat, adding: "And eggrolls."
"Perfect!"
I gave him one last snuggle before letting go and changing into my outdoor shoes.
"Well, shall we get going?" I asked excitedly.
"Sure," he replied, as if it were nothing but a chore.
After that, we stepped out of the school building and walked to the nearest convenience store. Throughout the whole walk there, I clung tightly to his arm.
After we—well, my Brother—bought the food, we took refuge at a small nearby park. One eerily similar to the one near our old house.