Celestial Echoes~

Chapter 21

The next day had arrived—the day Ren dreaded more than anything. Seventeen was heading back to Korea, and the air in the apartment felt heavy with unspoken emotions. Ren was still buried under her blankets when Era gently nudged her awake, her voice soft but insistent. "Ren, you should get up. We need to go say goodbye."

But Ren couldn’t bring herself to move. The mere thought of facing Wonwoo after what she had said the previous day felt unbearable. The guilt that had been gnawing at her heart had only grown overnight, and the idea of seeing him—of looking into his eyes—was too much to bear. She pulled the covers tighter around herself, her voice barely a whisper as she spoke.

"I’m just… not feeling well. Please don’t force me."

Era sat on the edge of the bed, her brows knitting together in concern. "What’s wrong, Ren?" she asked, her tone laced with a mixture of worry and confusion.

"Nothing. I’m just a little off today. Maybe it's because of yesterday," Ren replied, trying to sound nonchalant, though she could hear the crack in her own voice.

Era looked at her, unconvinced. "So, that’s it? They’re leaving today, Ren. Don’t you want to say goodbye to them? To Wonwoo?"

Ren felt her chest tighten at the mention of his name. She bit her lip and forced a small smile, one that didn’t reach her eyes. "No, really, I can’t go. Just… just say goodbye to them for me."

Era hesitated, sensing there was more beneath the surface, but after a moment, she sighed. "Alright, then, I'm not forcing you today. We’re going. We’ll be back in a few hours. Take care, okay?"

"Bye," Ren whispered, her voice cracking slightly as she watched them leave, the door clicking shut behind them.

As soon as they were gone, the facade crumbled. The tears that Ren had been holding back spilled over, and her legs gave way beneath her. She sank to the floor, curling into herself, her sobs muffled against her knees. Each breath felt heavier than the last, the weight of her own regret pressing down on her chest like an anchor.

Ren’s POV:

I couldn’t keep it in anymore. The guilt, the shame—it all came crashing down. I wanted to go. I wanted to see him, to say something, anything. I wanted to tell him how sorry I was, how much I regretted everything. But how could I? After the way I hurt him… the way I pushed him away?

The look in his eyes when I told him to leave—it haunts me. I can still see it, the hurt, the confusion. I did that. I caused that pain. And now, I’m too much of a coward to face him, to make things right.

My heart feels like it’s on fire, but there’s no one to put out the flames. It’s just burning, consuming me from the inside out, and I don’t know how to stop it. I don’t know how to breathe with this weight on my chest. All I know is that I’m losing him, and there’s nothing I can do to change it.

I wish I could take it all back. Every word, every moment that led to this. But life doesn’t work that way. Now, all I can do is sit here, drowning in my own tears, while the person I care about most is leaving. And he’ll never know how much I—

Suddenly, the doorbell rang, jolting Ren out of her thoughts. She stood up quickly, wiping her eyes with the back of her hand. Taking a shaky breath, she composed herself before cracking the door open, only to find a guy standing there, his face mostly hidden beneath a mask and cap.

"Who are you?" she asked, her voice hoarse and confused.

The figure pulled down his mask and smiled softly. "Hey, it’s me—Scoups."

Ren blinked, her brow furrowing in surprise. "What… what are you doing here?"

"To see you," Scoups replied, his tone light, but his eyes searching her face.

"Sorry, what?" Ren asked, still not fully comprehending why he was standing at her door.

"Can I come in first?" Scoups chuckled softly, tilting his head toward the entrance.

Ren hesitated for a moment but eventually stepped aside, allowing him in. She closed the door behind him, watching as he glanced around the room.

"Where are Era and Al?" Scoups asked casually, looking at the empty apartment.

"For your kind information, they’ve gone to your dorm to bid their farewells," Ren remarked, her voice laced with dry humor, yet carrying a playful undertone.

"Ahh, I see," Scoups nodded, as if piecing together a puzzle.

"But that doesn’t explain why you’re here," Ren questioned, her intrigue deepening as she studied his expression.

"I already told you—I came to see you," Scoups repeated, his tone light but there was a certain earnestness beneath it.

Ren scoffed, clearly unconvinced. "Oh, please. Stop messing with me."

"Alright, alright!" Scoups chuckled, raising his hands in mock defeat. "Actually, you left something behind at our place yesterday," he said, reaching into his jacket and pulling out a familiar item—a small purse.

Ren groaned, a mixture of embarrassment and relief washing over her. "Ugh! I can’t believe I forgot that," she muttered, shaking her head in disbelief. "Even now, I still didn’t realize."

Scoups then turned his gaze back to her. "But  why you’re not there. Why didn’t you go?"

"I’m not feeling well actually," Ren said, her voice firmer this time, though she could feel his eyes on her, reading her too easily.

Scoups studied her face for a moment longer, his expression softening. "Ren… why do your eyes look so puffy? Were you crying? Is everything okay!?"

Ren quickly shook her head, brushing his concern aside. "No, I’m just tired. That’s all."

Scoups didn’t look convinced, but he let it go, "Ah, I see. Well, I’m glad I came by then. At least I get to say goodbye in person."

"Yeah, me too," Ren said, offering him a soft smile.

They stood there for a moment, the silence stretching between them. Then, as if sensing the heaviness in the air, Scoups broke it with a gentle smile. "Well, I should get going. Still have some packing to do."

Ren felt a strange pang of urgency in her chest as he moved toward the door. "Wait," she blurted out, "do you want something to drink? Or maybe a snack?"

Scoups chuckled softly at her sudden offer. "Not today, but thanks. Maybe next time?"

Ren smirked, a playful glint in her eyes. "Or maybe not."

Scoups laughed, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Goodbye, Ren. It’s been great spending time with you. I’m really going to miss you guys."

"Goodbye, Scoups. I’ll miss you all too. Make sure to say goodbye to the others for me."

"I will," he promised, giving her one last wave before stepping out of the apartment.

As the door closed behind him, Ren stood still for a moment, a soft smile lingering on her lips. But beneath that smile, her heart was a storm of emotions—regret, sadness, and an overwhelming sense of loss that no amount of words could heal.

The tale whispers on~~!