The classroom buzzed with excitement.
"Did you hear? A new student is joining today!"
"Transfer student… rich family…"
Jisoo didn't pay much attention.
She was too tired.
"Class, we have a new student," the teacher said.
The door opened.
A confident girl walked in.
"Well dressed… elegant… perfect."
"Hi, I'm Tang Lin."
Jisoo froze.
Her grip tightened on her pen.
No… it can't be…
Tang Lin's eyes moved around the class—
And stopped.
On Jisoo.
A slow smile appeared.
"Well… this is interesting," Tang Lin said softly.
After class—
Tang Lin walked straight toward her.
"Jisoo."
Jisoo stood up slowly.
"What are you doing here?"
Tang Lin tilted her head.
"What? I can't study here?"
Tang Lin smiled sweetly—but her words weren't.
"You still look the same."
Jisoo stayed silent.
"Still… not enough," Tang Lin added quietly.
Jisoo's heart clenched.
Flashbacks hit—
Family gatherings…
Comparisons…
"Why can't you be like Tang Lin?"
"Look at her marks…"
"Look at her behavior…"
Her fingers trembled.
Tang Lin looked around.
"Oh… and you're still studying on scholarship?"
Her voice was loud enough for others to hear.
Students started whispering.
"Scholarship?"
"Really?"
Before Jisoo could speak—
Kevin stepped forward.
"That's none of your business."
Tang Lin looked at him.
"And you are?"
"Kevin," he replied calmly.
Tang Lin smiled.
"I've heard of you."
She turned back to Jisoo.
"Anyway, don't worry."
She leaned closer.
"You've always been second."
Jisoo couldn't take it anymore.
She turned and walked out quickly.
Outside—
She didn't stop.
Not until her eyes blurred.
"Why does it always happen…" she whispered.
Her phone buzzed.
A message from home.
She didn't open it.
She already knew.
You're not enough.
Why can't you be like her?
She sat on a bench, holding her head.
Tears fell silently.
"Jisoo."
She looked up.
Kevin.
"Go away," she said softly.
Kevin didn't move.
"She shouldn't have said that."
Jisoo laughed weakly.
"She always says that."
Kevin frowned.
"What do you mean?"
Jisoo looked down.
"My whole life… I've been compared to her."
"My cousin… perfect in everything."
Her voice broke.
"No matter what I do… it's never enough."
Kevin sat beside her.
"You're wrong."
Jisoo looked at him.
"You're enough," he said firmly.
Jisoo's eyes filled again.
"No one has ever said that to me…"
Kevin looked away.
"Then they're wrong."
Jisoo wiped her tears.
"Thank you."
Kevin stood up.
"Next time… don't walk away."
"Stay," he said.
"Not everyone is better than you."
For the first time
Jisoo didn't feel alone