Friend {SoonHoon}

nine

"I can't believe you, Soonyoung!" Sungcheol exclaimed loudly in the empty funeral hall. 

After coming up with his new plan and having Jihoon approve it, he went straight to the funeral hall, excited to share the plan with his friends. What he didn't expect was to be greeted with anger, mostly in the form of Choi Sungcheol. Soonyoung felt disappointed and frustrated. He thought they'd be excited to finally have help to cross over. He knew for a fact that staying on Earth too long was harmful and took a toll. 

"Can't believe what? That I tried to help?" Soonyoung retaliated, not appreciating the attitude he was receiving. 

Sunghceol glared at him. "We're the ones who referred you to the guy. Obviously, if we had wanted his help, we would have gone to him ourselves." He pointed out. 

Soonyoung sighed but refused to back down. He'd come too far. "Please, Hyung, it's important. Helping you guys also helps me." 

Unfortunately, as Soonyoung was persistent, Sungcheol was stubborn. He held his ground. "I'm sorry, Soonyoung, I don't want to be a part of this." He stated firmly. 

Soonyoung looked over at Chan for his reply. However, the younger immediately shook his head and averted his eyes. His last hope was Gyeongsuk. He turned to the elderly ghost who gave him a tight smile. He could tell that she was hesitant, but Soonyoung wouldn't lose hope yet. 

"Please. You could finally get justice. Don't you want that?" He tried. "Aren't you tired?" 

Gyeongsuk's smile turned soft, but there was a glint of sadness in her eyes. "I am." She admitted. "I'm very tired, but it's been over twenty years, nearly thirty. It's too late for me and I've accepted that. Just focus on yourself, Soonyoung. That's enough for me." 

Soonyoung shook his head. "It's not impossible. We can always try. Jihoon is very thorough and talented. I've seen it with my own eyes. He can definitely help you. Please, at least try before you completely give up. " 

Gyeongsuk stared at him for a long while before sighing. "I guess we could always try. It's better than doing nothing." 

"Thank you, Gyeongsuk!" Soonyoung cheered. If he would have had the energy, he would have hugged her. He was happy to have one person who still believed and trusted him in the afterlife. 

"Grab my hand and I'll take you to Jihoon's." He told her as he held out his hand. 

Careful and skeptical, the elderly ghost placed her hand in Soonyoung's. He placed all of his focus on getting them to Jihoon's. Once at his front door, Soonyoung hesitated to knock. What if Wonwoo was still there? He didn't want to embarrass Jihoon, but he had already brought Gyeongsuk this far and she was the only one willing to go. He didn't want to ruin that either. So, without hesitation, he knocked. Within minutes, the door opened and Jihoon's eyes lit up seeing Soonyoung. 

"Sorry about Wonwoo. I didn't know he'd do that." He apologized as he scanned the ghost over. "Are you okay?" 

Soonyoung was taken aback by Jihoon's concern but could admit that his metophorical heart started to beat a bit faster. He quickly recovered and smiled. 

"I'm okay. It didn't hurt." He reassured. "This is my friend, Gyeongsuk. She agreed to let us help her." He introduced, changing the subject. 

Jihoon looked back and forth between the two ghosts. "Friend?" He questioned. 

Soonyoung shrugged. "Long story." 

Jihoon dropped it and invited both of the spirits in. He headed straight for his laptop, Soonyoung close behind. Gyeongsuk lagged behind, taking in everything around her. Soonyoung noticed her and watched with a sad smile. He forgot she had died nearly thirty years ago. She had spent all of her afterlife in the funeral hall. She didn't know how the world had changed around her.