Page 310 of Scarbound

Duri looked at him.

Noeul took a breath, then looked at Ji-Woo. “I’m not saying this is forever.”

His brother waited.

“I’m saying this is what I can manage now.” Ji-Woo’s expression softened. “And if six months from now I want something bigger, I’ll do something bigger. But I need to be the one deciding when that happens.”

Ji-Woo looked down at his food, then nodded. “You’re right.”

Noeul blinked. “That was suspiciously easy.”

“Don’t ruin it.”

Duri smiled.

Ji-Woo looked back at his brother. “I’ll support you.”

“I know.”

“I mean it.”

“I know, little brother.”

Noeul reached over and pushed a packet of snacks toward him. “For once, take enough food with you that you don’t come home acting like you’ve survived a famine.”

Ji-Woo grabbed them. “What are you doing today?”

“Résumé. Website.” Noeul hesitated, then took a breath. “And I’m going out.”

Both boys stopped eating. Noeul almost laughed.

Ji-Woo reacted first. “Out where?”

“For a walk.”

“Alone?”

“I think so.”

“Not a chance.”

Noeul sighed. “I knew you were going to say that.”

“Lee Chung-Hee lives next door.”

“I know.”

“What if you see him?”

Noeul’s stomach tightened at the thought. He looked down at his hands. “I don’t know.”

Noeul rubbed his thumb against his palm. “I’m scared just thinking about stepping out of the elevator.” Duri’s expression softened. “But I’ve been inside for too long.”

Noeul looked toward the windows. “I need to go outside.” He searched for the right words. “I just want to walk. Breathe fresh air. Hear people talking. Buy something stupid from a convenience store.”

Ji-Woo watched him.

“I want to remember that there’s a whole city outside this apartment.”