When We Are Older

Diana tries to appear fine after recently being lost in the bitterness of sorrow. Now, she meets someone who was once the reason she never liked anyone else until now. Could this be what finally pulls her out of her sadness?

Revan is searching for his true self by changing his actions and behavior, only to realize that he is still bound to his past. Now, he meets someone who shifts his perspective on himself. How can he still be tied to the past when he has already changed?

Kevin is always cheerful, mischievous, and talkative. He has a heart big enough to welcome anyone as family. Born from solitude, he now finds himself spending time with someone he despises. But could it be true that anyone can become his family?

The three of them were initially together out of necessity, with no other choice. But in the end, their togetherness became a need. Despite the emotional conflicts between them, they knew that their bond was the missing piece that completed their lives.

***

My name is Diana. I remember the first time I met him when I was in my first year of middle school. At that time, the school had already entered the second semester, and the midterm exams were just around the corner. Then, out of nowhere, our school welcomed a new student-a boy. His arrival at such a time was unusual because he transferred when exams were already so close.

But that wasn't the only thing that stood out about him. He had a strikingly handsome face and a well-built physique. That alone was enough to immediately attract the attention of many female students, making him the center of attention in school, especially among the girls.

At first, he was incredibly popular. But it didn't last long. It turned out he had a terrible attitude as a student, the complete opposite of his captivating appearance. He broke countless school rules, and before long, other students began to see him as a delinquent. Skipping class and getting into fights became his habits.

Eventually, he became the most feared student in school. Perhaps that was why he had to transfer-maybe he had been expelled from his previous school due to his bad behavior.

The breaking point came a few days after the final exams. While students were waiting for their semester results, a fight suddenly broke out between him and another student. That incident sealed his fate-he had to start the new school year elsewhere. He was expelled.

He was lucky he didn't have to repeat the grade. But he was even luckier not to end up in jail. Why? Because the student he fought was the son of the local police chief. That was what made this fight different from all the others he had been in before. He had picked the wrong opponent.

By the start of the new school year, everyone had moved on and forgotten about him.

Everyone except me.

I always remembered him. I always thought about him. And every time I did, I felt guilty. Because I knew-I was the reason he got into that fight. I was the reason he was expelled from school.

***

"I'm leaving now!" Diana called out after putting on her shoes. She walked toward the front door, reaching for the handle to open it.

"Hm. Wait a second!" her older brother called from the kitchen.

"Huh?" Diana paused, turning her head as she heard hurried footsteps approaching from behind her.

"Diana Claire, you forgot your lunch," her brother said, handing her a red lunchbox.

Diana glanced at the lunchbox, then shifted her gaze to her brother. His black hair and dark brown eyes were identical to hers. Well, of course-they were siblings. It would have been strange if they looked completely different.

She sighed. "You're right, I forgot. I forgot to tell you that I actually packed this for you, for your lunch at work later. So this is yours, David Claire," she said, pointing at both the lunchbox and her brother.

"Oh, really?" David looked down at the lunchbox in surprise.

Diana simply nodded and turned around to leave.

"Well, thanks, then," David said. But by the time he spoke, Diana had already stepped out of the house, not hearing a word.

"Ah, that girl," David muttered. Their sibling relationship was rather unique-they acted more like friends. Diana even used casual pronouns when speaking to her older brother.