Chapter 1: A Peaceful Life

Benjamin, an 18-year-old boy, seemed to have the perfect life. Born into a middle-class family, his father was the head of a department at a mid-sized tech company, and his mother worked as an accountant at the same firm.

They provided everything Benjamin and his younger sister, Lily, who was two years younger than him, could ever need. The family lived comfortably, wanting for nothing.

However, while his peers were buried in books, preparing for the intense college entrance exams, Benjamin had other interests.Anime and video games became Benjamin's world. The vibrant universes of Japanese and Korean dramas captivated him, and the thrill of conquering game levels kept his eyes glued to the screen.

What began as a simple hobby quickly turned into an addiction. Benjamin's parents noticed this change. At first, they thought it was just a phase, that he would soon grow out of it. But as time went on, their worry grew. Benjamin's grades plummeted, and his focus drifted entirely away from his studies.

Every evening, Benjamin's family sat down for dinner together. His father would often start the conversation with some advice:

Father: "Benjamin, you should focus on your studies. The college entrance exams are only a few months away. Have you thought about your future?"

Benjamin: (glued to his phone, barely looking up) "I know, Dad. Don't worry. I'll start studying before the exams."

Mother: (her tone more serious) "You can't keep this up. Don't wait until it's too late and then regret it."

Benjamin: (sighing, looking away) "You always say that, Mom. I've told you, I know what I'm doing."

Lily, Benjamin's younger sister, stood in the corner of the room, listening to the conversation, her heart heavy.

She couldn't understand why the brother she once adored had changed so much. The feeling of disappointment grew inside her, slowly turning into resentment.