Despair - 양정원 (zombie apocalypse au)

Chapter 20

Third person

The group was quiet. They stayed silent after what happened. Especially Haneul. She was staring at a blank space, the others were so concerned that sometimes they have to make sure if Haneul was still breathing.

Even Heeseung was shocked to see the new side of Haneul, the side of her that was devastated over a person. Haneul was never the one to care about other people that much. Especially when she just met the person in a short period of time.
This made Heeseung more concerned.

And Jungwon.... He looked... Empty.

When others take a quick glance at him, he looked so deep in thought. Jay and Jake apologized to Jungwon, saying that they didn't notice it was his mother. But all Jungwon was thinking about was that his mother is dead. And he felt alone and empty.

Another few silence the boy gave the two, they decided to leave Jungwon alone. As the poor boy was grieving in the corner, hands wrapped around his body and resting his head on his legs.
He felt a heavy hand caressing his hair, the hand was so heavy that it felt like the person was forcing themselves to touch him. He slowly looked up, expecting Jay or Jake's eyes to meet his, but he's eyes widened as he meets Haneul's eyes.

"Haneul-ah-" "Jay and Jake is very sorry for what they did. And you look pitiful grieving all alone in a corner. "After the words left Haneul's mouth. Both fell silent.

Then Haneul continued. " So I decided to grieve with you. Feeling a lot better? "

Jungwon just stared at Haneul, contemplating what to answer. " I guess so. " The words came out of Jungwon's mouth, forcefully.

"Glad to know that I helped. " even though Haneul wasn't also that in a great mood, she still flashed a small smile to Jungwon. The small and effortless gesture made the boy feel warmth around his body, despite the situation.

Both of the students spent their night by each other's side, as their eyes tire, they lay their heads on top of each other and slept by each other's side.

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Yang Jungwon

My eyes slowly opened wide as the sunlight met my tired and sore eyes. My eyes wandered around the room and stopped at a figure that was standing, looking outside the window.

It was Haneul. "The smell got stronger. " She spoke. Then Jinyoung started sniffing himself.
"You mean me?" The words that came out his mouth led Minyoung to hit him in the head.
"Yah! Stupid... But you're right though, but still stupid. " Minyoung harshly told Jinyoung.

"I think they're slowly coming this way, the smell is slowly getting stronger. " Haneul added.
"Aish. We're trapped. No way out, we can't get out. " Ni-ki muttered. Sunoo being by his side looked at him in disbelief. "Yah, don't say that, there's always a way. " Sunoo replied.
"Ah.. I still feel like we can't get out. " Ni-ki added and Sunoo was annoyed.

I stood up and slowly gathered with the group.
"Yah, you two stop arguing." I stopped them both and they both looked at me.
"Oh Jungwon-ah, are you okay?" Sunoo asked me and I just gave him a nod.

I sat behind the door, resting half of my body, leaning on the door. Then suddenly Haneul walked beside me. "Are you really okay?" She asked. " Mhm. " I flashed her a faint smile, which made her smile back.

As we both continued to talk, Jinyoung suddenly stood up and head to Hyewon, Hyewon being with Minyoung and Jake, the three of them was startled to see Jinyoung being all shy in front of them.

"Yah... You look weird, stop that. " Minyoung told him. Suddenly Jinyoung shushed Minyoung and fixed his gaze to Hyewon.

"Hyewon-shi... I just wanted to say that..-"
"Yahh, Jinyoung, are you blushing?" Jake said amazed. "What? No I'm not, stop it. " Jinyoung replied.

Jinyoung continued. "Hyewon-shi, I just wanted to say that I've liked you for a long time now. "

"Ehhh? Stupidfuck!" Minyoung harshly spoke, almost like trying to hold her laughter.

"The first time I saw you was when you were in your training room. Wahh~ the way you danced ballet elegantly, it was like a shooting star striking my heart. I watch you train everyday, I went to your every performance and was always amazed by how elegantly beautiful you look. I am the one who always claps and cheers the loudest after your every performance. I've sincerely liked you for a long time now.
Now... I want to be a man, not just a fan. "

Everyone was amazed by Jinyoung's sudden confession. Everyone just stared at him, silently listening to the heartwarming confession.
We were all silent and most of us gasped as we see Hyewon reaching for Jinyoung's hand, intending him to pull her up. Jinyoung shyly patted his hands and slowly pulled Hyewon.

"Do you like me that much?" Hyewon asked, and Jinyoung replied by nodding slowly, cheekily smiling. "So you don't mind dying right now?" Hyewon asked again and Jinyoung nodded already still not processing the question, as he thought about it, he looked up at Hyewon, confused. Then suddenly Hyewon threw a fist as Jinyoung's stomach and hitting his head.

"If you liked me that much why did you had to wait for a disaster to confess? Huh!? I'm pissed and I need to vent! " She continued to attack Jinyoung and all of us just laughed.
While everyone was still laughing and making fun of Jinyoung as Hyewon attacked him. I slowly fixed my gaze towards Haneul. Looking at the way she smiles and laughs makes me smile too, now that the world is a disaster, it's rare to see Haneul smile.

And I love seeing her smile.

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AUTHOR'S NOTE!!

Hello everyone!! Maybe you're all surprised that I only updated this book now... uhhh, 2023 has been a tough year for me and I just lost interest in many hobbies, including writing and reading books, but since it's already the year 2024, maybe I can give writing and reading books another chance and try to enjoy it again.
I hope y'all are still reading this, if you're still reading this book show yourselves in the comments!! I love y'all, and enjoy reading this book again!!