✔ 𝔖𝔱𝔞𝔯-𝐂𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐝 ℳℯ𝓁ℴ𝒹𝒾ℯ𝓈

Chapter 8.16 - Provide Clues

On the way to Yeonjun's apartment, he was completely disturbed by the writing on the walls. The cries for help had been there and yet Soyeon had remained silent for so long. It was probably for this reason that the other apartment had been prepared for the police, because Soyeon's destructive rage had not been so easy to cover up. Yeonjun's gaze fell on the new trace in Beomgyu's hands, which they had found under the bed mattress.

Soyeon's smartphone.

But they didn't have the code for that either.

"What are we going to do now?" Yeonjun asked, opening the door to his apartment and letting the actor go first.

Beomgyu's legs were still like rubber and he trembled slightly as he put his smartphone down on the kitchen island. He sighed heavily and sat down on one of the stools. He charged the device's battery with a charging cable and stared at the lock screen. It showed a sakura tree standing next to a small fountain, but Beomgyu didn't know where she had photographed it. "I have no idea," he mumbled, completely exhausted by today's events. "I don't understand ... if she needed help, why didn't she tell anyone? How long has she been suffering like this and ... - why didn't anyone notice? Those writings seemed serious, full of despair, and I wonder what made her do it."

Yeonjun lowered his eyes and stood just half a meter away from Beomgyu. But he didn't know how best to react because they didn't know each other that well either.

But if anyone could understand what Soyeon had been through, it was probably Yeonjun.

"You know, it's not so easy to tell someone that you're being... sexually abused. Especially not to the person you're attracted to," he tried to explain a little to Beomgyu.

Just the thought of it hurt.

"I'm sorry," Beomgyu finally mumbled and stood up. "The whole thing must be terrible for you too, because all the feelings you've been carrying inside yourself are being stirred up," he said, finally taking Yeonjun's hand in his. "Because of all the chaos surrounding Soyeon, I haven't really been paying attention to your feelings and needs."

Yeonjun could see the gravity of the situation and the emotional confusion Beomgyu was experiencing. He tenderly placed a hand on his shoulder, feeling the tension and pain in his muscles. His own thoughts swirled in his head as he tried to offer Beomgyu comfort and understanding. "It's okay," he said softly, his eyes showing compassion. "This doesn't just affect me, it affects all of us. We have to stick together to help Soyeon. And what you feel is just as important." Yeonjun hesitated for a moment before gently taking Beomgyu in his arms. He felt the shudder that went through Beomgyu's body and tried to create a supportive connection through this gesture. "Soyeon is your best friend, I can't even imagine how hard this must be for you," Yeonjun whispered empathetically. "But we're here to stand by each other. You don't have to go through this alone."

The words were not only meant for Beomgyu, but also a reassurance for Yeonjun himself. The comforting touch brought a breath of relief to Beomgyu. He let himself be embraced by Yeonjun's compassion and understanding, and for a moment he felt less alone with his thoughts and feelings. The weight on his shoulders seemed to lighten a little as he confided in the musician. As they carefully separated, Yeonjun sought out the actor's gaze and nodded encouragingly.