LOVEPHOBIA

The "Haunted" Mansion

The summer sun hung high in the sky as Areum and her friends embarked on a journey to Busan, Ji Eun's hometown. Ji Eun had graciously invited them to spend their summer vacation at one of her family's grand mansions there. Excitement buzzed through the group as they chatted and laughed, eager for the adventures that awaited them.

As the train rumbled along the tracks, Areum couldn't help but notice how close Ji Eun and Lee Yeon Woo were sitting. They were engrossed in a conversation, their heads leaning closer together, their laughter blending in the air. Areum smiled to herself, knowing that this trip might be the perfect opportunity to bring them even closer.

As the train journey continued, Areum decided it was the right moment to set their plan in motion. She pulled out her earphones, slipped one bud into Ji Eun's ear, and played a song she had carefully prepared. It started innocently enough, a catchy beat, but then eerie horror sounds began to mix in. Ji Eun's eyes widened in terror, and she let out a blood-curdling scream.

The sudden shriek startled everyone in the train car. Ji Eun clutched her chest, her face pale. "What is this?" she gasped, still trembling.

Areum couldn't hold back her mischievous smile. "Oh, sorry, Ji Eun. I was just trying out a new song I composed. I didn't know you were so scared of horror sounds!"

Lee Yeon Woo smiled, remembering his and Areum's conversation from earlier about Ji Eun's fear of horror movies and ghosts and how that could help bring them closer. Areum locked eyes with him, giving a subtle thumbs-up. He nodded in agreement, ready to play his part.

When they finally reached Ji Eun's mansion in Busan, they were met with a sprawling estate surrounded by lush gardens. Excitement bubbled within them as they explored the spacious rooms, each claiming their own for the duration of their stay.

However, while the others settled in for a much-needed nap, Lee Yeon Woo and Areum had other plans. They slipped into Lee Yeon Woo's room, gathering materials they had brought with them for their secret mission.

Together, they crafted what they called a "ghost" – a simple contraption made of paper, cloth, and a long stick. It looked eerie enough to serve their purpose.

When Ji Eun returned from a quick trip to the convenience store, Lee Yeon Woo offered to help her with the bags. Meanwhile, Areum hid in the shadows, clutching their makeshift ghost.

As Ji Eun walked past Areum, she gently brushed the "ghost" against Ji Eun's arm. Ji Eun jumped, her eyes wide with fear. "What's wrong?" Lee Yeon Woo asked, feigning concern.

"I don't know," Ji Eun replied, her voice trembling. "It feels like someone is behind me, and the person keeps brushing against me. Is it a ghost? Is this mansion haunted?"

Lee Yeon Woo seized the opportunity, flashing his most charming smile. "Don't worry, Ji Eun. There's no ghost here. Even if there were, I'd protect you at all costs."

Areum, hiding nearby, gave Lee Yeon Woo an approving thumbs-up. Ji Eun's fear subsided as Lee Yeon Woo reassured her, and she couldn't help but smile at his comforting words.

All that commotion here made all of the others come out of their room to see what happened. They understood the matter quickly and started comforting Ji Eun. However, Cha Yeon Woo had sensed something suspicious in the air. He noticed Areum hadn't come down to check on Ji Eun, which was unusual. While the others were busy comforting Ji Eun, Cha decided to investigate.

Areum noticed Cha behaving suspiciously as if he was looking for something or someone and quickly stashed their "ghost" and joined the group, feigning concern like the rest of them. Cha returned, his expression puzzled. He scanned the room, his eyes narrowing as he realized Areum was there with the group.

Areum and Lee exchanged glances, trying to keep their composure. Ji Eun was still shaken from the experience, and the last thing they wanted was to reveal their prank.

Cha decided to drop it for the time being, but he couldn't shake the feeling that something strange was happening.

As night descended upon the mansion, they gathered for dinner, sharing stories and laughter. 

After dinner, they retired to their respective rooms. As Areum and Lee Yeon Woo entered their respective rooms after a small chat talking about how well their plan was doing until then, they saw something slimy lying on their beds with a few of their clothes all over the place. Both of them were frightened of the scene so they ran out of their rooms into the dim-lit hallway and bumped into each other in the process. They shrieked mistaking the other for a ghost but soon realized it was just them.

When Lee saw Areum, he asked, "Why are you here at this hour?" Areum echoed the question back at him and both explained what they saw to the other. "This mansion isn't actually haunted, right?" Areum asked Lee while still being a little frightened. Lee noticed that Areum was trembling and tried to calm her down by telling her that it might not have been a ghost and that they would soon find an explanation to this so she need not worry. 

They settled on separate couches in the living room, ready to keep each other company through the night.

As the hours passed, they shared stories and whispered secrets, finding solace in each other's presence. The mansion was silent, the only sound being the occasional rustling of leaves outside.

With the first light of dawn, Cha descended the stairs, his eyes widening as he spotted Lee Yeon Woo and Areum sleeping on separate couches. He couldn't help but chuckle at their antics.

"Wake up, you two," Cha said, gently shaking them awake. "What are you doing here?"

Lee Yeon Woo rubbed his eyes, exchanging a glance with Areum. They explained the strange occurrence from the previous night, how something slimy had been left on their beds along with their clothes.

Cha's eyebrows shot up in surprise. He rushed out of the room, heading upstairs to wake Jae Young. The commotion woke Ji Eun, and soon all of their friends gathered in the living room.

Areum and Lee Yeon Woo recounted the night's events, the slimy surprise they had discovered on their beds, and the sense of fear that had enveloped them. Ji Eun's eyes widened with fear at the mention of ghosts, and her anxiety grew.

The group tried to console each other, but an air of suspicion hung over them. They couldn't help but glance at one another, silently questioning who among them had played the prank. Each friend denied any involvement, leaving the mystery unsolved.

Despite the eerie start to their vacation, they decided to put it behind them and make the most of their time in Busan. The mansion held its secrets, but their bonds as friends were stronger than any ghostly encounters.

As they ventured out into the warm Busan sun, they were determined to create beautiful memories together. And, unbeknownst to them, a deeper connection was blossoming between two friends who had spent the night side by side, sharing secrets in the quiet of the living room.

________________________________________________________________________________

Hi! I'm back with another chapter trying to make up for the late update I provided all of you with last time. Love you all, Bye! (❁'◡'❁)