Celestial Echoes~

Chapter 18

Wonwoo stood at the edge of the room, the pulsing beat of the music enveloping him like a cocoon. His gaze drifted toward the dance floor, where Era was playfully picking up a light drink. In the midst of swirling colors and laughter, Al was lost in a whirlwind of movement with Jeonghan. Their bodies moved closer, the chemistry between them undeniable, creating an atmosphere thick with unspoken connections.

Era, finally clutching her drink, strolled over to stand beside Wonwoo, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “How's your day going?” she asked, breaking the comfortable silence that had settled between them.

“Pretty uneventful, but not as tedious these days...” Wonwoo replied, a hint of humor lacing his voice as he took in the festive ambiance around them.

Era tilted her head, her gaze shifting to the far corner of the room where Ren sat, her back against the wall, engrossed in her phone. “You should be with her, shouldn’t you? She’s sitting all alone over there,” Wonwoo remarked, pointing in Ren's direction.

“She likes being by herself when she’s glued to that screen,” Era shrugged, a note of concern creeping into her tone.

“Still, you should keep her company. What if she’s feeling lonely?” Wonwoo suggested, his brow furrowing slightly as he considered Ren's solitude.

Era raised an eyebrow, her expression turning playful. “So, why don’t you go keep her company?” she challenged, locking eyes with Wonwoo.

“I could, but maybe she’s not that comfortable around me,” he admitted, his voice softening, revealing a trace of vulnerability beneath his confident facade.

“It’s not like that. If you talk to her for just a minute, she’ll open up like a book. But once she starts talking, I’m not sure you’ll be able to handle it—you're such an introvert!” Era chuckled, a teasing glint in her eye.

“That’s not a big deal,” Wonwoo replied, his tone turning more resolute.

“I see, best of luck then!” Era cheered, flashing him a wide, encouraging smile before darting back to join the others, leaving him standing there with a mix of anticipation and trepidation.

Taking a deep breath, Wonwoo glanced over at Ren again. There she was, perched in her solitary corner, her focus solely on her phone. With a gentle resolve, he approached her, letting a soft smile unfold on his lips.

“Hey, Ren. Mind if I join you for a bit?” he asked, his voice low and soothing, like a warm embrace.

Ren looked up, her expression carefully neutral, masking the storm of emotions swirling beneath. “Sure, Wonwoo. What’s up?” she replied, her tone casual yet distant.

“I wanted to talk before I leave for Korea tomorrow. We haven’t really had a chance to chat tonight,” Wonwoo said, settling beside her, the space between them charged with unspoken words.

“Yeah, it’s been a busy evening. How are things on your end?” Ren inquired, her voice light, as if trying to maintain a veneer of normalcy.

“Pretty hectic, but good. I’ve been thinking a lot about what’s next. How about you? How are you holding up?” Wonwoo asked, concern etched across his features, his eyes searching hers for a glimpse of what lay beneath her calm exterior.

Ren hesitated for a heartbeat, wrestling with her thoughts. “It’s a lot to manage. I’m trying to stay focused, but it’s overwhelming at times,” she confessed, her voice barely above a whisper, the weight of her struggles evident.

“I understand. It’s tough balancing everything. Sometimes, it helps to talk things out. Anything specific on your mind?” Wonwoo prodded gently, his empathy shining through.

Taking a moment to collect her thoughts, Ren finally spoke, her words deliberate and tinged with uncertainty. “Just trying to figure out what’s next and deal with the pressure. It’s hard to see the way forward sometimes,” she admitted, her vulnerability slipping through the cracks of her stoic facade.

“I get that. It’s not easy, especially with so much uncertainty looming. When I feel like that, I try to take things one step at a time. It’s okay not to have all the answers right away,” Wonwoo encouraged, his voice warm and steady as he glanced around the room thoughtfully.

“That’s good advice. It’s easy to forget that, but I’ll try to remember,” Ren nodded, a flicker of appreciation lighting up her eyes as she absorbed his words.

“And if you ever need to talk or someone to listen, don’t hesitate to reach out. I may be in Korea, but I’m just a message away,” Wonwoo assured her, his sincerity evident in
every word.

“I appreciate that. It’s nice to know I can count on you,” Ren replied softly, her voice filled with a mixture of gratitude and something deeper that lingered in the air between them.

“Anytime, Ren. You’ve got a lot of strength and potential. You’ll find your way,” he said with an encouraging smile, his eyes twinkling with unwavering belief in her.

“Thanks, Wonwoo. Safe travels, and good luck with everything back home.” Ren's voice was imbued with a genuine warmth that almost caught him off guard.

“Thanks, Ren. Take care, and don’t be a stranger, okay?” Wonwoo grinned as Ren nodded, their brief but meaningful exchange resonating in the corners of her heart, leaving an imprint that felt both comforting and bittersweet.

Ren's POV:

A heavy weight settled in the pit of my stomach, more burdensome than I had anticipated. The moment we shared lingered in my mind like a haunting melody, reminding me that the “glass guy”—the one who had unwittingly become such a significant part of my life—would soon be gone. The realization crashed over me like a relentless wave, and I grappled with the harsh truth: we had no real way to stay in touch. How could something that felt so essential slip away so effortlessly? This was a sensation I had
never encountered before—an intricate tapestry woven from threads of sadness, regret, and a hollow emptiness that gnawed at my core.

I fought to keep my turmoil hidden, expertly cloaking my emotions behind a practiced mask. I had always excelled at concealing the chaos within, fortifying my walls when the world felt too overwhelming. So I remained calm, projecting a facade of nonchalance, even though turmoil churned inside me. I smiled when required, laughed at all the right moments, yet beneath the surface, my chest tightened, my breath coming in shallow gasps. I couldn’t let anyone see the cracks forming in my armor. I didn’t want to reveal how deeply this affected me.

But then Wonwoo spoke to me... Each word he uttered seemed to chip away at the protective shield I had carefully constructed around myself. His voice, so calm and reassuring, wrapped around me like a soft blanket, making me feel safe for just a moment, and I almost let my guard slip. But I couldn’t. I couldn't show him the tempest I was struggling to contain.

It took every ounce of strength to suppress the emotions threatening to overflow. I yearned to cry, to scream, to beg him not to go, but instead, I chose silence. I managed to mask my pain, even though it felt like I was hanging on by a thread.

The hardest part wasn’t merely the farewell. It was the uncertainty—the gnawing anxiety of wondering if I’d ever see him again, of questioning whether I would ever have the chance to articulate the things I had longed to say but couldn’t. That uncertainty was the heaviest burden I bore. The emptiness of not knowing what lay ahead was a hollow ache that echoed in my heart.

The tale whispers on~~!