Rain was bouncing up and down on his bed, his body light and giddy like a child's. The oversized white shirt he wore flapped with every jump, and his soft brown curls bounced with him, flushed cheeks glowing from the joy buzzing inside him. The sound of his game console filled the room, loud enough to drown out the soft knock on his bedroom door.
When there was no response, Taylor quietly pushed the door open and stepped in. He paused for a second by the doorframe, a small smile curling on his lips as he watched Rain, genuinely happy, carefree for once, laughing to himself while holding the game controller like a trophy.
"Rain!" Taylor called out loudly, and the boy yelped, misstepping mid-jump.
THUD!
Rain crashed onto the bed, tumbling with the blankets and nearly hitting his head on the wooden headboard.
"Rain, what are you doing?" Taylor rushed over and grabbed his arm, steadying him before helping him sit upright. Rain's face flushed with embarrassment as he rubbed his elbow.
"Don't you know how big you are now? You are no longer a kid, yet you are jumping up on the bed."
Rain looked away, grabbing the pillow and hugging it tightly against his chest like a child caught in mischief.
Taylor chuckled and sat beside him, setting the bouquet and game gift box gently on the table nearby. His face still carried traces of joy, though his cheeks were visibly sore from how much he'd smiled all day.
He glanced over at Rain again, eyes softening.
"It's rare to see you without glasses and mask on."
Rain blinked, then fumbled quickly for his glasses on the bedside table.
"Oh, I will wear them now!" he mumbled, reaching for them in a panic.
Taylor gently caught his wrist, stopping him.
"It means it's good to see your face. I didn't ask you to cover it."
Rain froze. His hand slowly lowered, and he dropped the glasses back on the table.
"Oh," he whispered quietly, almost unsure of how to react.
Taylor's voice was calm but encouraging.
"I hope you will get over it soon and stop covering up. Your face isn't meant to be hidden away."
Rain looked down at his hands, his voice barely audible.
"Dad never said that…"
"What did you say?" Taylor asked, his brow furrowing.
"Nothing! Nothing at all."
Taylor let it slide but didn't miss the bitterness in Rain's voice.
He changed the subject with a sly smile.
"I see you are now involved with Frances."
Rain perked up instantly, his gloom swept away like a curtain.
"Yes! She wanted to date me!" he said, almost bouncing again where he sat.
Taylor laughed, his tone teasing.
"You must have liked her a lot."
"I like her very, very much. I can't wait to marry her."
Taylor's head whipped around.
"Marry? That soon? Even I am not married yet."
Rain shrugged innocently.
"What does that have to do with me?"
Taylor's jaw dropped in disbelief. He pointed at him.
"This boy is unbelievable! Well, it's no big deal. When you are ready, I will help you out."
Rain stiffened and looked away.
"I don't need you to help."
Taylor blinked in confusion.
"Rain! Why would you say that? Why don't you ever need my help? I'm your brother."
Rain hugged the pillow tighter. His voice cracked.
"If I needed your help, I will ask you but now I don't!"
Taylor's smile faded. His posture straightened slightly.
"You have needed my help several times, you never asked! Your company enlisted last year, you didn't ask me for money, neither did you ask Dad."
Rain didn't look up.
"I did a project for the school and won a cash prize. I used the money from there."
Taylor leaned forward, tone sharper now.
"Do you know your enlistment could have failed last year because of your stubbornness? The school didn't even pay you on time, and how much was it? $300k? Was that enough to open up a standard gaming company? How about the production process?"
Rain lifted his chin, his voice still calm but firm.
"I sorted it all out. I sold some of my projects, and with the school cash prizes it all amounted to a couple of millions. I did everything, and it was fine and good. The company is already listed now."
Taylor stared at him in disbelief.
"I gave you a card. Dad did too. I never received a debit from the card, not even once. Are you trying to always keep to yourself this way?"
That's when Rain snapped. His voice trembled as it rose.
"Isn't that what y'all wanted? You… you don't like me. You all hate me so much, what expectations do you have of me?"
Taylor softened immediately.
"Rain, don't cry."
"Leave me alone!"
The pain in Rain's voice stabbed at Taylor's chest. He took a slow breath and reached out.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to do this. I was just looking out for you."
Rain wiped his eyes roughly.
"You never did. Why are you pretending now?"
Taylor's tone turned quiet.
"You don't want to understand your brother at all. I'm doing everything for your own good."
Rain's words came out in a whisper, almost a sob.
"By casting me aside and forgetting about my existence? I don't want that. I don't even want you anymore."
Taylor stood up and suddenly pulled him into a firm hug. Rain stiffened under his arms.
"I'm sorry, Rain. I'm very sorry. I never casted you away. I'm trying to secure your future. One day you will understand everything that I'm doing is for you."
Rain said nothing. He just sat there, arms limp at his sides, face buried in Taylor's shoulder.
Taylor gave a small smile, pulling back slightly.
"You are really a genius, Rain. You shouldn't look down on yourself. Your gaming company made millions in a week. It's a badass starting point for you."
Rain sniffled.
"The boards are doing all the work. I just do the creation. I have a good CEO."
Taylor nodded in agreement.
"Your CEO is really good. After you resume college, you will start working there, right?"
Rain shook his head.
"I don't need to. The business will be taken care of. I just need to be with Frances."
Taylor's brows rose in surprise, then he chuckled.
"You must love Frances a lot."
Rain's face lit up like fireworks.
"I do. And I'm gonna marry her soon enough. I will make a lot of money and give it to her."
Taylor threw his hands up, laughing.
"This boy is crazy!" he thought with a shake of his head.
He stood up, smoothing down his shirt.
"Don't worry. I support everything you do. Even if Frances finishes your money, I'm here to give you more."
Rain smiled softly.
"Thank you."
Taylor reached out, patting his little brother's shoulder gently.
"You should sleep now. It's getting late."
With that, he turned and walked to the door. He paused just a second before stepping out, glancing back at Rain who was now curled under his blankets, staring at the ceiling with a calm but thoughtful look in his eyes.
And then the door closed behind Taylor.