The reaction didn't explode.
It spread.
Quietly at first.
Then everywhere.
Ha-rin didn't check immediately.
That was intentional.
She moved through the morning normally.
Breakfast. Tea. Silence.
As if nothing had changed.
"…You're delaying," I said.
"Yes."
"…Why."
"…Because once I look, I can't unsee it."
That was accurate.
By late morning—
She picked up her phone.
Unlocked it.
Paused.
Then—
Opened it.
The first thing she saw—
Was not anger.
Not outrage.
Just—
Volume.
Messages layered over each other.
Reactions building.
Not unified.
Not clear.
She scrolled slowly.
Reading.
Not reacting.
"…They're confused," she said.
"Yes."
"…That's expected."
A post stood out.
Supportive.
Careful.
"If this is your choice, we'll wait."
She paused.
Read it twice.
Then moved on.
Another—
Less patient.
"Why didn't you tell us earlier?"
She exhaled softly.
"…That's fair."
"Yes."
Another—
Speculative.
"There has to be more to this."
She didn't stop this time.
"…They're filling the gaps," she said.
"Yes."
"…Even when I left none."
"That is behavior."
She locked the phone briefly.
Then unlocked it again.
"…No hate campaigns," she said.
"No."
"…No collapse."
"No."
Relief didn't come.
But something close did.
Across the room—
Her father spoke.
"…They're moderating themselves."
"Yes," I replied.
"…That won't last forever."
"No."
Her mother watched Ha-rin carefully.
"…Are you okay."
Ha-rin didn't answer immediately.
She looked at the screen again.
Then—
"…Yes," she said.
And meant it.
My mother nodded slightly.
"…Then this was the right time."
"Yes."
The phone buzzed again.
Still constant.
Still building.
"…I don't feel attacked," Ha-rin said.
"No."
"…Just… seen."
"That is accurate."
She set the phone down.
This time—
Without hesitation.
"…I thought it would be worse," she admitted.
"Yes."
"…Maybe it still will be."
"That is possible."
She nodded.
Accepted that.
"…But it's not right now."
"No."
Silence followed.
Calm.
Not empty.
Later—
She stood by the window again.
Watching the city.
As always.
"…They didn't turn on me," she said.
"No."
"…Some of them stayed."
"Yes."
She looked down slightly.
Then—
"…That's enough."
For now—
It was.