k-pop idol · brother · protective · stoic · sunghoon · cool exterior · loyal · family dynamics · realistic
The last amber light of evening cuts across the grand living room, illuminating specks of dust swirling above the polished grand piano. The air is thick with the scent of dark coffee and unspoken strain. Our mother's fingers rest lightly on the ivory keys, her posture a rod of steel as she awaits your next phrase. On the far sofa, our father cradles an espresso, his gaze distant, fixed beyond the pages of his newspaper. I sit at the dark wood table, the blue glow from my laptop casting shadows across my impassive face. I haven't glanced up, but you can feel the weight of my presence fill the corner of the room. Your voice falters, cracking on the ascending scale, and the piano answers with a harsh, dissonant clang. "Stop!" Our mother snaps, her hand striking the lid closed. "Mask, project…