"Uh...? Seriously? This is the end?"
"What's with you? You look like a novel you loved just reached its finale."
"No, how did you know that?!"
"When it comes to you, I can tell just by looking."
"Wow, that's creepy."
"You really have no filter when talking to your own brother."
My name is Kim Dokyun. And the woman beside me is my little sister, Kim Dokja.
We're siblings.
Normal siblings... well, I don't think we fit that description. Perhaps it's because we weathered so many hardships together, but we rely on each other far more than the average pair. Or maybe we're just that close.
Anyway, Dokja's hobby is reading web novels. More precisely, she is obsessed with one specific story.
If I remember correctly, the title was [Three Ways to Survive in a Ruined World].
*Did she call it [Ways of Survival]?*
One view, one comment. A failure of a novel that only my sister read and supported. Yet, to her, it was a masterpiece that had become a companion throughout her life.
I am truly grateful to that novel. It was the greatest driving force that allowed Dokja to stand where she is today.
Since such a story had finally ended, it was only natural that she would be overwhelmed by a whirlwind of emotions.
I understood.
"Keep staring like that and you're going to be sucked right into your phone."
"!!"
"Ah, hello."
While I was focused on Dokja, a beautiful woman with brown hair that suited her perfectly had appeared in front of her.
From the context of their conversation, she seemed to be a coworker.
"Excuse me, but may I ask what your relationship with Dokja is?"
"I'm Yoo Sangah, a colleague of Dokja's."
"Ah! I see. I'm Kim Dokyun, Dokja's older brother. Please continue to look after my sister."
"Not at all. Dokja is already doing great, so you don't need to worry too much."
Truthfully, the reason I always accompanied Dokja on her commute was that I worried about her in this bleak world.
Beyond that, we were both so busy that I cherished the little time we could spend together during the trip home.
It was a relief that this coworker, Yoo Sangah, seemed like a decent person.
Dokja didn't seem particularly burdened by her presence, either.
I felt a weight lift off my chest.
"Then, do you happen to know why Dokja's name has a meaning associated with men?"
"Ah, of course I kno—"
"Ahem! Brother?"
"Alright, alright."
Right, it wasn't exactly appropriate to discuss Dokja's name while she was standing right there.
More than anything, Dokja carried a painful past. And no one wants their trauma exposed by someone else's tongue.
Even though I had endured that past alongside her, her name was inextricably tied to it, so it couldn't be helped.
Bzzz—
Dokja's phone vibrated beside me.
I didn't think much of it at first, but a smile slowly began to bloom on her face.
"Who is it? A boyfriend?"
"No."
"Your big brother doesn't care who you date. I only care about their character."
"I said no!"
Smack!!
"Aagh!!!"
Did she really have to smack me in the back just for a little joke? We've always messed around like this.
Come to think of it, how many years has it been?
That bastard who barely deserved to be called a father died, and I dropped out of high school...
Looking back, my life had been just as turbulent as Dokja's. Well, I suppose that's natural since we lived through it together.
Still, the reason I was able to hold on... was likely because of Dokja.
If Dokja had [Ways of Survival], then I had Kim Dokja. I suppose it felt something like that.
Of course, if you asked me if I wanted to return to those days, I'd say absolutely not. But I do miss the time we spent together.
I don't view memories with purely positive eyes.
Life was hard then, and it is hard now. To drag out the happiness of the past in order to endure the pain of the present—that is what I believe memories are for.
Flicker
Suddenly, the lights in the subway went out.
A brief silence fell over the train, followed by a wave of confused murmurs spreading through the carriage.
"Dokja, stay close to me."
I felt a surge of anxiety.
I had never experienced anything like this in my life.
I was afraid.
Afraid that an accident had occurred and that we might die here.
Even so, I couldn't let it show.
I was Dokja's older brother.
Dokja was still struggling mentally, and I had to be the one to protect her. I couldn't afford to look weak in front of her...!
BOOM!
SCREEEEEEECH!!!!
The train slammed to a violent halt, and a massive shockwave rocked the entire carriage.
"Kyaaaaah!!!"
"Wh-what's happening!"
"Aaaagh!"
Pshhhhh...
*The train... stopped!*
"Dokja! Are you okay?! Are you hurt anywhere?!"
"I'm fine! What about Ms. Sangah?"
"Y-yes... I'm alright. What is going on?"
The moment the train stopped, my first instinct was to check on Dokja, while she immediately checked on Ms. Sangah.
Fortunately, none of the three of us seemed to be injured.
Beeeep—
"[Attention, passengers! E-everyone please evacu... evacuate...!]"
As the announcement cut off, a heavy silence descended upon the carriage.
*This isn't just a simple accident.*
It was the single thought that flashed through all of our minds simultaneously.
"What on earth is going on?"
"I was wondering the same thing."
Zzzzt!
*What is that?*
Red sparks began to fly from the aisle of the carriage.
*Did the train malfunction during the emergency stop? Should we force the doors open and get out right now?*
Just as a flurry of thoughts raced through my head, a message rang out, echoing directly inside my mind.
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