MAMA'S ANGEL [SUNSUN]

23.BULE

Sunghoon woke up feeling that something was off, though he couldn't quite place it. After heading to the bathroom, he glanced in the mirror and noticed his eyes looked puffy. He recalled that Jay was still in the hospital and quickly prepared to visit his friend. As he made his way, a fleeting memory from the previous day surfaced, but something felt missing.

"I brought your favorites," Sunghoon said with a smile when he arrived at Jay's hospital room.

"Thanks," Jay replied weakly. "I'm sorry about my mom."

"You've apologized for that a hundred times. I should be the one apologizing. I-"

"Stop. Let's eat," Jay interrupted, clearly tired of the conversation.

"When do you think you'll be discharged?" Sunghoon asked.

"Not sure. Maybe in two weeks."

"That's a relief. I'll be here to help you," Sunghoon offered.

"Every day, you'll have to listen to my mom's complaints. Is that alright?" Jay said, chuckling.

"That's fine. I need to repay my debt."

"Don't talk like that, Sunghoon. I never regret helping you. Even if I had to do it again, I'd do it without a second thought. You're my best friend, dude," Jay said, and Sunghoon struggled to hold back tears. He turned away to hide his emotion.

"Just eat," Sunghoon said, trying to avoid eye contact.

"Be happy. Everything happens because of fate," Jay said as he ate. Sunghoon paused, reflecting on the phrase.

"I've heard that before," he thought.

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[ 2 MONTHS LATER]

"Jay, please, I'm really not in the mood," Sunghoon protested.

"Two months have passed, and you're still like this. Just meet her once. She was really insistent. Do this for me," Jay urged.

"Alright, alright," Sunghoon relented, though clearly irritated.

"Oppa, I'm sorry to bother you. Are you busy?" Wonyoung's voice was warm and apologetic.

"No, not at all..."

"You haven't been coming to school much. I was worried."

"Oh, I've just been caught up with practice."

"That's good to hear. I'll come visit you then." Wonyoung's concern was evident, though Sunghoon's irritation was clear.

Jay's therapy was going well, right? That's a relief."

"Mmm..."

"Oppa, can we go for a walk? This place is a bit dull."

"Mmm," Sunghoon agreed, and they left the café. As they walked, Sunghoon remained quiet, only responding with noncommittal sounds.

Suddenly, they passed an LED screen showing an old video of Ricky. Wonyoung noticed Sunghoon's face darkening. "It's an old one. He's still in the hospital," she remarked, sensing Sunghoon's discomfort.

Sunghoon didn't respond, lost in his thoughts.

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[FLASHBACK]

"Who are you?" Ricky yelled, panicked, as he tried to maintain his composure.

"I'm your punishment," Sunoo replied calmly.

"What? This is ridiculous! Police-someone help!" Ricky shouted.

"No one can hear you," Sunoo said, advancing closer.

"Don't come any closer!" Ricky fell to the ground. "Wha... why can't I move my body?" he cried out.

"Did you want love? You need to understand that love can't be forced. If you did, someone has to suffer. And look at how many are suffering. In a few hours, your father will come for you. So who will punish you?" Sunoo said, leaning in closer.

"What are you going to do? Kill me? You'll be caught," Ricky said, chuckling as he tried to mask his fear.

Sunoo chuckled. "If you think death is the ultimate punishment, that's the most foolish thing ever. The true punishment is to allow someone to die and be reborn over and over. That will make them remember their sins," Sunoo said with a smirk.

"You can't do this to me. I'll send you to hell. I'll kill you." Ricky said, trying to stand up.

"Chut, chut, chut... Are you scared? Don't be. It won't be too painful-just a hundred times worse than what Sunghoon and Jay felt. You'll regret what you did, you little vampire. Let's see who will stand by you now." Sunoo gripped Ricky's shoulder, and intense pain spread throughout Ricky's body.

After a few minutes, Ricky managed to stand up and smirked, seemingly unaffected.

"Nothing happened? Now see what happens to you," Ricky taunted as he charged at Sunoo. But before he could reach him, he collapsed, screaming in agony.

"You will keep experiencing this-being born and dying over and over," Sunoo said before disappearing. Moments later, Ricky managed to stand up and ran to get help, but he collapsed again, wracked with pain. He screamed for the police, who called for an ambulance.

[AFTERLIFE OFFICE]

"Sunoo, are you okay?" Heeseung asked.

"I'm fine now."

"But you didn't have to go that far. It was excessive. You'll face punishment for this."

"I'll break not just one, but all the rules for him. I'll be punished anyway," Sunoo replied.

[FLASHBACK ENDS]

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"Oppa, I need to tell you something. Please don't get upset."

"What is it?"

"I like you. I know you don't have to feel the same way. I just wanted to let you know. After everything that's happened, you might even hate me. But I like you, Oppa," Wonyoung said, looking down.

"I don't hate you and thank you for your feelings. But I've never seen you in that way. You're my friend, and I don't want to jeopardize our friendship. Please don't be sad. I don't want to lie to you. I feel like something is missing in my life, something I need or love. That something could be someone, so I need to wait," Sunghoon said honestly, wanting to avoid any misunderstanding.

Wonyoung wiped away her tears.

"Is that so? I expected this, anyway. Don't worry about me. I'll be fine. I'll just go now," Wonyoung said, trying to hold back her sobs.

"I'll give you a ride."

"No, it's fine. I'll take a taxi," Wonyoung replied as she left quickly.

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SEE YOU AGAIN 👋 👋👋