𝐂𝐇𝐎𝐊𝐄 𝐌𝐄 - 𝟐 || 𝐒𝐔𝐍𝐒𝐔𝐍 𝐀𝐔 𝟏𝟖+ ||

Chapter 6

Sunoo sat in Jungwon's therapy office, a quiet space designed to soothe and comfort. The walls were painted a soft sage green evoking a sense of calm the moment someone stepped inside. Warm, ambient lighting filled the room, emanating from modern lamps placed in each corner casting a subtle glow over the furniture.

A large bookshelf stood against one wall lined with psychology texts, journals, and framed certificates that validated Jungwon's expertise. In the center of the room, two plush armchairs faced each other separated by a small coffee table adorned with a candle and a box of tissues.

Behind Jungwon's desk is a small window let in natural light and a large potted fern rested by the sill, it's leaves curling toward the sun. Everything about the room radiated a safe environment for clients to open up about their fears, pain and secrets. But this time, the client is none other but his own bestfriend.

Across from Jungwon, Sunoo sat trembling in the armchair, hands nervously wringing the hem of his shirt. His eyes were glassy, staring down at the floor as if it held the answers he sought. The weight of his words so long bottled up was about to come tumbling out.

"It all started six years ago," Sunoo began. "These nightmares. I've been getting them since my last year of college. It's like some days are missing. Like something happened but I don't remember it. Or maybe there's a particular day that just—just doesn't exist in my memory at all."

His fingers gripped his knees as if steadying himself against the invisible force of his fear. "And it haunts me. Every night. It chases me in my dreams, screaming at me that my friends were right all along. I can't escape it."

"The voice, it's...it's distorted and it's like it's mocking me. Telling me I made some wrong decision. It laughs at me."

The tremor in Sunoo's voice grew stronger. His face was pale and his eyes darted from side to side as if the voice was still echoing in the room. Jungwon sat across from him taking careful notes, his brows furrowed in concentration but his eyes were soft with concern.

"I just want it to stop." Sunoo whispered, his breath hitching as he recalled the latest nightmare. "Last night, I saw it again. And—Sunghoon hyung." His voice faltered.

Jungwon's head tilted slightly, his brow arching at the mention of Sunghoon's name but he said nothing waiting for Sunoo to continue.

Sunoo's lips quivered and his throat tightened as he fought back tears. "I'm worried about my relationship with him. It's not working. These dreams—they're pushing me away from him. I can't keep pretending everything's fine. I've been trying so hard to ignore this growing distance between me and him, trying to convince myself it's nothing, but—"

His voice cracked and a tear slipped down his cheek. "I'm all he has."

The weight of his confession seemed to pull him down and Sunoo leaned forward wiping his tears quickly, ashamed of his vulnerability. But he couldn't stop. He couldn't bear this burden alone anymore. "I don't want to hurt him and I feel like I'm losing myself. These nightmares...they're suffocating me."