Beyond The Surface | SUNSUN

Silent walls

The morning sun cast a muted light across the dorm, but it did little to lift the palpable heaviness that lingered. Sunoo awoke to a familiar routine, but the usual comfort was replaced by a gnawing unease. He moved quietly, determined to keep things as normal as possible despite the tension.

In the communal area, Sunoo began preparing breakfast with a forced cheerfulness. Each clatter of dishes and every attempt at light conversation felt like a performance. Sunghoon emerged from his room, his eyes barely meeting Sunoo’s before he wordlessly grabbed a cup of coffee and retreated to a corner of the room.

The rest of the group joined in for breakfast, the usual buzz of conversation present but noticeably subdued. Sunoo made an effort to engage with his bandmates, laughing and chatting as if nothing was amiss, but his forced enthusiasm was evident. Sunghoon, meanwhile, remained a silent observer, his gaze occasionally drifting towards Sunoo with an unreadable expression.

As the morning progressed, the group prepared for a photoshoot. Sunoo arrived early, immersing himself in setting up the equipment and talking with the crew. His actions were purposeful but lacked their usual spark. Sunghoon showed up closer to the scheduled time, his demeanor serious and his expression clouded with thoughts he couldn’t quite articulate.

The photoshoot began, and the tension between Sunoo and Sunghoon was almost tangible. Sunoo tried to maintain his usual energy, but every smile and pose felt forced. Sunghoon’s responses were clipped, and his movements were stiff, reflecting his internal struggle. The photographer’s attempts to capture the group’s dynamic were marred by the visible strain between Sunoo and Sunghoon, and the photos reflected a discord that was hard to ignore.

Lunch followed at a nearby café. Sunoo took a seat at the far end of the table, deliberately distancing himself from Sunghoon. He engaged in lively conversation with the other members, his laughter and animated gestures a stark contrast to the distance he maintained from Sunghoon. Sunghoon sat across from him, his gaze frequently shifting towards Sunoo with a mixture of frustration and sadness, but he remained silent.

Throughout the meal, Sunoo’s avoidance was evident. He steered conversations away from any topic that might lead to a discussion with Sunghoon and focused on keeping the atmosphere light and engaging with the rest of the group. Sunghoon’s attempts to catch Sunoo’s eye were met with deliberate turns of Sunoo’s head and distractions.

The afternoon practice session was similarly strained. Sunoo and Sunghoon worked together on their routine, but the lack of communication and mutual understanding was apparent. Sunoo performed his moves with precision but seemed disconnected from the rhythm, while Sunghoon’s actions were deliberate and rigid. Their bandmates noticed the shift in dynamics but chose to focus on their own roles, unsure how to address the tension between the two.

During a break, Sunoo retreated to a corner of the practice room, sitting alone with his back to the wall. He pulled out his phone, pretending to be engrossed in it, but his mind was far from the screen. Sunghoon, noticing Sunoo’s withdrawal, stood at a distance, his hands clenched into fists as he struggled with his own feelings of helplessness and guilt.

Later, as practice wrapped up, Sunoo quickly made his way back to his room, avoiding any interaction with Sunghoon. The evening descended, and the group gathered for dinner, the air thick with unspoken words. Sunoo sat at the far end of the table, engaging in polite conversation but carefully avoiding eye contact with Sunghoon. The rest of the members ate in strained silence, their attempts to bridge the gap between Sunoo and Sunghoon falling flat.

After dinner, Sunoo retreated to his room, seeking solace from the persistent tension. He lay on his bed, staring up at the ceiling, feeling the weight of the argument pressing down on him. His mind replayed their last conversation and the subsequent avoidance, each replayed moment adding to his sense of isolation.

Sunghoon, meanwhile, lingered in the common area, the silence of the dorm amplifying his thoughts. He sat on the couch, his mind racing with regrets and worries. The emotional distance between him and Sunoo seemed insurmountable, and he struggled to find a way to bridge the gap without further complicating things.

The night wore on, both Sunoo and Sunghoon lying awake in their separate rooms. The emotional chasm between them was evident in the quiet that filled the dorm. Despite their shared space, they felt miles apart, their unspoken issues hanging heavily in the air.

Sunoo’s avoidance had created a clear divide, and the lack of communication only deepened the emotional strain. Both men faced a night of introspection, the unresolved tension casting a long shadow over their thoughts. The hope of eventually finding common ground remained, but the path to reconciliation seemed obscured by uncertainty and fear.