JU   How was he able to make that turn?

JU   If you did that in real life, you're dead as hell.

Regardless, The Racer continues on, his competitors slowly appearing ahead. It's a tight race - you've been on the edge of your seat for nearly the entire episode. Metaphorically speaking. In reality, you're planted firmly on the floor while Jun's laying on the wide couch behind you.

You look back now and then to gauge her reaction. Unfortunately, The Racer himself never catches her interest.

JU   Who's the bad guy in this one, again?

JU   Hope it's The Oiler. He's cool.

TN   The Oiler is an arrogant driver who has no respect for the road!

JU   That's why he's cool.

TN   His sabotage nearly gets other drivers killed!

JU   Yeah, good point.

JU   Lots of schemes, not a lot of results. He needs to work on that.

TN   How could you?!

TN   You're supposed to root for The Racer! He's the rightful hero!!

JU   Tian. Relax.

Jun's lip curls, and you immediately shut your mouth.

TN   Sorry. I-I didn't mean to yell.

TN   Keep watching, please?

She sighs and readjusts her position so she's resting her head on her arm.

JU   I'm pretty sure Cheng likes this more.

TN   I don't know...

In fact, she has the opposite problem. You get excited, sure, but your younger sister seems to believe that what happens on the screen is real. A character once drove their car off of a cliff and into the sea, which made her cry. Then you're the one in trouble for upsetting her. You think she should know better at her age, but you suppose the show can get intense for a primary-schooler.

Yes, you much prefer Jun be here with you. It's the closest you get to one-on-one time these days.

JU   Can I at least bring a book out here?

JU   You can keep the show on in the background or whatever.

TN   Okay. I'll go.

You stand up, but she gives you a strange look.

JU   What are you doing?

TN   Oh! I forgot - am I allowed in your room?

JU   No.

TN   But I can get it for you! Y-you shouldn't have to get up!

If she leaves, she might not come back.

JU   Call the staff. Duh.

TN   I could get it so much faster, though!

JU   It's not a race?

TN   Please, can I?

TN   It'll take a second, I swear!

JU   You don't even know which book I want.

TN   Then, tell me the subject! Or what the cover looks like!

TN   Or I can bring all of them!

JU   Can you stop working yourself up?

JU   Not everything has to be a show of -

You don't hear the rest of her words as you speed off to the stairs. When you enter her bedroom, you carefully grab all the textbooks on her work desk, as well as some papers and packets just in case. You make sure not a single thing is out of place otherwise. Even though she leaves her room less tidy than yours, she'll notice any trace of Tian.

As you return to the viewing room, you see Jun sitting up and looking in your direction. And once you stand triumphantly in front of her, it takes her a second to realize it. A true testament to your trained agility.

TN   Heh heh heh!

TN   5.13 seconds! You know how long that would've taken a month ago?

JU   I really don't care.

TN   8.62! It's remarkable!

TN   I think maturation is just around the corner. Don't you?

Jun responds by standing up and grabbing the stack from your grip. It's a little rough, so you stumble as you let go.

JU   Can't you ever do things normally?

You wince and look down.

TN   Sorry!

TN   I just thought... I wanted you to see...

TN   ...I got excited.

TN   I'm sorry.

You always ruin things by moving before thinking. So, you shut your mouth and wait for her instead.

JU   ...

JU   I guess I'm studying down here tonight.

JU   You better take all this back upstairs once we're done.

When you look back up, Vera's back on the couch, arranging her materials. Did you hear her right? She said we? And she trusts you enough to do it a second time? You nod and fight back a splitting grin.

TN   Of course!

TN   If you ever need help moving your things, I'm always here!

TN   Maybe not really heavy things...

TN   My legs are stronger, but my arms are the same!

JU   Yeah, yeah. Sit down, track star.

JU   Before we have to call the groundskeeper on you.

You eagerly return to your seat and un-pause the program as Jun relaxes into a cushion. You make sure to turn the volume down a bit so she doesn't get too distracted. It's harder to hear the dramatic music you love, but it's safer this way.

At one point, she starts muttering to herself. Then, to you.

JU   This'll be your problem soon.

TN   What will?

TN   Oh, do you mean as a racecar driver? Heh... I could only dream of -

JU   Schoolwork, stupid.

TN   Ah.

JU   See all this? Not even a month in, and I've got pre-midterms already.

JU   Gods. You'd think they'd go easier on freshmen.

TN   At least your class is going through it together!

TN   I can't wait to meet mine. My wonderful peers.

TN   My friends!!

Jun looks like she had bitten into something sour.

JU   You've gotta stop talking like that. Otherwise, you're an easy target.

TN   Target for what?

JU   People way meaner than me. People who'll make an example out of you.

TN   Heh! I'm not scared of bad guys. They'll have to catch me first.

JU   Dipshit, of course they'll...

JU   ...

JU   Well, you can stop them from chasing you in the first place.

JU   It's not going to be like middle school. This is a whole other league.

JU   They won't be wowed by our family. In fact, they'll think they're better.

JU   So, you have to learn to... I dunno.

JU   Not stick out as much.

TN   Baba said that drawing people's eyes is a power move.

JU   Baba does it to earn respect. You're doing it just to play around.

TN   I can earn respect!

JU   People who act like you aren't respected.

JU   Sorry to break it to you. But it's the truth.

JU   All this stops being cute once you're a teenager.

JU   So grow up.

You do your best to smile. Jun has her own special way of showing her concern for you. Even if it hurts, this is how she cares.

TN   Then, is there someone at the academy like that?

TN   Someone who's... respected?

JU   ...

JU   Yeah.

She puts down her pencil. She sounds reverent and... mad, somehow.

JU   I'm doing all I can to catch up to her.

JU   She's a sophomore, so it's not like we have the same classes...

JU   But she's going to know my name.

JU   I'll be way better to her than those brain-dead yes-men who follow her around.

JU   I'll show her that I'm just like her.

It warms your heart, imagining Jun trying so hard to make friends. You've heard a number of lectures from Baba about how important it is to make connections - that's why you do your best to charm everyone you see. You're much better at it than your sisters. And that's why Baba lectures them more than you; he believes in you plenty. He trusts that you're destined for great things.

It's the same with Mama. She goes out of her way to praise them, even in front of you sometimes. But you don't need it, because you already know she thinks highly of you. It's a mutual understanding you have with her. Heh, you almost feel bad for your dear sisters. They don't notice these things like you do.

So, you put a hand on her shoulder, your eyes still sparkling from your daydreams.

TN   You can do it. I believe in you.

She thanks you by throwing you to the other side of the couch.