Mirage

42

"He is so dead".

"W-What?" the moment of realization came a bit late that Eric just finished processing what he heard only when Sunwoo already on his feet, marching down the hallway. "N-No Sunwoo, wait!"

The idea of Eric to distract Sunwoo from keep thinking about Haeun during her absence was absolutely a brilliant one. It indeed was going on so well until Eric messed up.

It was that day when he promised to have a lunch with Sunwoo and it just happened for one of Jihoon's minions passed by them in which Eric ended up spilling a story.

He just realized that he had made a mistake by telling his friend about the encounter Haeun had as soon as he saw Sunwoo's eyes flared with rages.

Oh boy.

"Where are you going?" Eric ran up the stairs, yanking Sunwoo's arm before they could reach the upper floor.

"Killing Jihoon. Do you want to join?"

Impressive - Eric thought.

Though they had broken up, still Sunwoo care for Haeun like his own. Or actually, he should not have.

"Wait!" again Eric held him from going, already noticing the frustration built up in his big eyes as he glared at him. "I'm sorry I said that, but can you just forget about it? Just let it slide".

If Eric thought Sunwoo would listen, he was wrong. Absolutely wrong.

Because right now, Kim Sunwoo was trailing the hallway with determination towards Jihoon's class to get him and maybe kill him.

He scoffed as he stood in front of the door, already feeling victorious inside. He somehow was sure that today he's gonna win.

First thing he saw upon entering the empty classroom was a bit questioning. Jihoon was at his seat - alone, probably spacing out. He was not really surprised seeing Sunwoo barged in, like he had expected to see him.

Swiftly, Sunwoo scooted closer to the boy, leaving Eric by the door frame partially covering his eyes, not really curious to see what was happening but part of him was curious.

Second questioning thing was when Sunwoo grabbed Jihoon's collar as he pulled him up before he dragged him to the back of the class, slamming him against the hard wall - he did not fight back.

It was as if he was willing to get beaten. Well if that was what he requested, Sunwoo would be glad to grant it.

"Did you have enough fun messing with Haeun?" was the first query escaping Sunwoo's lips but he swore the expression on Jihoon's face was something he had never seen before.

It was blank and hurt and Sunwoo was doubting his eyesight when Jihoon's lips trembling.

Was he about to cry?

"Beat me", suddenly the boy said, almost made Sunwoo stumble backward. "Just beat me Sunwoo!"

It was then, Eric came pulling Sunwoo away from the boy who slid down the wall, crying. Jihoon was in the lowest state, burying his face into his palms as he started enchanting something sounded like 'I'm sorry' between his wailing.

"What happened?" Eric nudged Sunwoo who seemed taken aback as well, staring down at the crying boy.

"I have no idea", the latter managed to reply, his head was spinning by the sight. Never in a thousands years, he had ever imagined to see Jihoon cry so bad.

The boy seemingly had recovered from the mental breakdown he was having a while later. The wailing had died down into small sobs as Jihoon wiped the remaining tears on his face with the back of his palm.

He did not care if the two boys in front of him would laugh at him, he did not have the time to care.

"I know I've wronged Haeun so much", Jihoon got on his feet and leaned against the wall, still sniffling. "You have the right to judge me, I was a jerk and still am. But believe me Sunwoo, I want her alive too".

The last part of his words sounded like a confession, a thought that you would always wish in secrecy. Something you never told anyone about.

And Sunwoo felt his heart skip some beats.

"I'm sorry for what I've done to you, I know the damage you received is massive".

If Sunwoo was needed to list out another questioning thing, it would be Jihoon apologizing.

"What have you talked about with Haeun?" Sunwoo questioned, desperately wanting the boy to look at him straight in the eyes but he never did. Instead, he kept looking at the floor, replaying all the memories in his head.

"She made me realize how precious she was as my friend. I regretted myself from pushing her away. Something about her that day makes me want to make it up to her before it is late", Jihoon shrugged, now only he got the courage to look at the boys in front of him. "And she wanted me to stop picking a fight with you".

At that, Sunwoo felt himself levitate. The world suddenly felt like the wide ocean and he was floating in the middle towards the surface, away from the ground.

His breath hitched and Sunwoo was having a difficulty to breath. He started staggering which a second, did concern Eric.

"Bro, you good?" he caught Sunwoo's hand that was flapping as if he was asking for a support. "Do you need anything?"

"Eric", slowly Sunwoo turned around, a faint smile drawn on his face. "S-She.... cares for me. Haeun is still thinking of me".

At this point, it was clear that Sunwoo had not moved on yet or more so, he won't. He would rather be delusional than find a replacement.

Because Kim Haeun was irreplaceable.

"Sunwoo", Jihoon was then heard calling him, the jerk tone Sunwoo always heard had made its comeback. The said boy automatically went on a grumpy mode, all the brightness on his face earlier had now faded. "It's a tip that your nerd friend probably didn't know".

"N-Nerd..?!" Eric was offended, almost getting on Jihoon's neck but then was stopped by Sunwoo.

The boy then looked back at Jihoon, beckoning him to continue before his little friend he held come back enraging.

"I heard from my parents about Haeun. She's currently in a waiting list for a donor and the chance of her living is seemingly high but still, she lacks of confidence", Jihoon paused, heaving a huge amount of air. "From my point of view, she's just scared. Much to my desire to stay by her side, I can't. Not until I get the best version of me".

"What are you trying to imply?" Eric held himself from rolling his eyes, crossing his arms as one foot tapped the floor. "Straight to the point, dude".

Jihoon scoffed underneath his breath by the attitude given. Judging from his face, he was now cursing Eric with his eyes.

"I know Haeun the best, Sunwoo", he ignored Eric who now was shooting daggers, unable to accept the fact that he was invisible. "She's an easy type of girl. Easy to persuade and easy to break as well".

At the last point of his words, Sunwoo saw Jihoon gulped. It was as if he was trying to swallow down the hard part of his life.

"Why are you telling me this now?" finally Sunwoo got to voice out his curiosity.

"I left her once when she was in her most vulnerable state and you see how it has effected our friendship", Jihoon breathed out for what it seemed like the heaviest. "I hope you won't do the same".

Just like that, the boy walked out through the door, leaving Sunwoo with his thought alone. Jihoon knew the latter was brilliant enough to understand everything he deliver.

But not the genius.

"I don't understand anything he said", Eric declared, looking at the last spot Jihoon was seen. He did hope to hear a respond from his friend but Sunwoo had turned into a statue. "Okay, what's going on with you now?"

Processing Jihoon's words were not that hard for Sunwoo but what had frustrated him right now was why could not he think the same, more earlier?

"Eric, I need to do something", at last, Sunwoo managed to break the statue state he was in, slowly finding Eric's gaze. "He got a point. Nobody could predict the future".