Beyond The Surface | SUNSUN

Hidden truths

The morning after Sunghoon’s unsettling discovery unfolded quietly. The early sunlight filtered through the curtains, casting a warm glow across the dorm. The members of the group were slowly emerging from their rooms, each absorbed in their morning routines. The dorm's usual energy had waned, replaced by a subdued atmosphere that reflected the unresolved tension lingering from the previous day.

Sunghoon, despite his internal turmoil, went through his morning rituals with a practiced calm. His mind, however, was preoccupied with the events of the previous night. As he prepared breakfast, the sight of Sunoo’s door ajar from earlier still lingered in his thoughts. He had hoped that the day would provide some clarity, but the confusion only seemed to deepen.

In the midst of preparing his breakfast, Sunghoon noticed Jake stumbling out of Sunoo’s room. Jake looked groggy and disoriented, his hair sticking up in disarray. The sight was unusual and piqued Sunghoon’s curiosity. He wondered why Jake had been in Sunoo’s room so early in the morning. The brief encounter left Sunghoon feeling unsettled, and he couldn’t help but wonder if there was more to the situation than met the eye.

Jake, barely acknowledging Sunghoon’s presence, mumbled a half-hearted greeting before heading towards the bathroom. The door to Sunoo’s room remained slightly open, and Sunghoon’s gaze inadvertently fell upon a small paper bag near the entrance. It was the same brand as the thong he had seen the night before. The bag looked like it had been used to wrap a gift, and its appearance only added to the mystery that had been growing in Sunghoon’s mind.

Sunghoon’s curiosity was piqued. He stopped for a moment, his mind racing with questions. Was this paper bag connected to the thong he had seen? The presence of the bag in Sunoo’s room—and now seeing it out of place—only added to the mystery of their situation.

Later that afternoon, Sunghoon approached Jungwon in the common area of the dorm. Jungwon was seated at a table, going over some schedules and notes. Sunghoon hesitated for a moment, feeling the weight of his concerns pressing heavily on him. Finally, he took a deep breath and spoke up.

Jungwon looked up, noting the seriousness in Sunghoon’s tone. He gestured for Sunghoon to take a seat. “Sure, what’s going on?”

Sunghoon sat down, gathering his thoughts. “It’s about Sunoo and me. You know... and it’s been really hard for me to understand why. Last night, I saw something that really threw me off, and it’s been eating away at me.”

Jungwon nodded, encouraging Sunghoon to continue. Sunghoon recounted the events of the previous night, including his accidental glimpse of Sunoo’s thong and the peculiar sight of the paper bag. He spoke of his confusion and the growing rift between him and Sunoo.

Jungwon listened attentively, his expression thoughtful. When Sunghoon finished, Jungwon leaned back in his chair and spoke with a calm, measured tone. “Sunghoon, it sounds like you’re really struggling with this. But you need to remember that Sunoo is his own person with his own preferences and ways of expressing himself. What you saw is part of who he is, and it’s important to respect that. Instead of focusing on what you don’t understand, try to address your issues with him directly.”

Sunghoon felt a mix of relief and frustration. Jungwon’s advice was practical, but it didn’t fully address the emotional turmoil Sunghoon was experiencing. He nodded, acknowledging Jungwon’s perspective but still feeling conflicted. “I understand what you’re saying, but it’s hard to just let go of these feelings. It feels like there’s more to this, and I’m struggling to figure out what it is.”

Jungwon gave him a reassuring smile. “Sometimes, we have to accept that not everything will be clear immediately. Try to approach Sunoo with an open mind and heart. Communication is key, even if it’s difficult.”

Feeling both reassured and uncertain, Sunghoon decided to distract himself by accepting an invitation from Jake to play FIFA in his room that evening. It was an opportunity to get his mind off the growing tension with Sunoo.

When Sunghoon arrived at Jake’s room, he was immediately struck by a familiar sight. On Jake’s desk, partially hidden beneath a stack of papers, was a small paper bag in a different color but with the same brand logo as the one he had seen in Sunoo’s room. The sight caught Sunghoon off guard, and a wave of curiosity washed over him.

Jake greeted Sunghoon with a friendly smile and invited him to sit. As they started the game, Sunghoon tried to focus on the match, but the presence of the paper bag in Jake’s room lingered in his thoughts.

Despite his curiosity, Sunghoon decided not to bring up the paper bag with Jake. He didn’t want to jump to conclusions or make assumptions without more information. Instead, he engaged in the game with Jake, attempting to push aside his lingering doubts.

The evening passed with the usual banter and competitive spirit as Sunghoon and Jake played FIFA. The game offered a temporary escape from Sunghoon’s worries, but the sight of the paper bag remained in the back of his mind. He couldn’t shake the feeling that there was more to the situation than he understood.

As the night wore on, Sunghoon left Jake’s room with a mixture of relief and unease. The coincidence of the paper bag, coupled with the unresolved issues with Sunoo, left him feeling uncertain about the path forward. The night’s discoveries had only added to the complexity of his feelings and the growing tension between him and Sunoo.

Back in his room, Sunghoon lay in bed, the weight of the day’s events pressing heavily on him. The accidental sight of Sunoo’s thong, the paper bags, and the advice from Jungwon all contributed to the swirling confusion in his mind. He knew he needed to address his feelings and find a way to reconcile with Sunoo, but the path to resolution seemed obscured by a veil of uncertainty.

As he stared at the ceiling, Sunghoon was reminded of the importance of communication and understanding in resolving their issues. The road to reconciliation would not be easy, but he hoped that with time and effort, he could bridge the gap that had formed between him and Sunoo.

The night was quiet, and the dorm remained still as Sunghoon grappled with his thoughts. The complexities of the situation and the lingering questions left him with a sense of unease, but he resolved to face the challenges ahead with determination and an open heart.