Hopeless Shadow

Chapter 8 - Disadvantages

It has been a week since Soobin realized that he is a ghost. But in that time, he hasn't discovered anything. He isn't sure where to start looking for answers. So, for the past week, he's just been wandering aimlessly.

During this week, Yerin hasn't tried to hurt herself again. Soobin is very grateful for this.

Since no one can see him, Soobin now follows Yerin not just at school, but all the way to her home.

Yerin lives in a small apartment. The building she ran to after the rainstorm is where she lives. It can't really be called an apartment because she stays in just one room. The building has many rooms inside, and the landlord rents them to students from nearby schools and universities. Instead of an apartment, it's more of a share house.

There are three rooms on each side of the building, with a staircase in the middle leading up to the second floor. Behind the stairs is a fairly spacious kitchen and laundry room, shared with other tenants. Fortunately, each room has its own bathroom and toilet, so the residents don't have to wait for others to finish before they can clean themselves.

Yerin's room is on the second floor, on the left, right at the top of the stairs. The upper floor also has six rooms—three on the right and three on the left. The only difference is that there's no kitchen up there, so the residents must go downstairs if they want to cook.

Today, Soobin follows her again after she spent the night in the library. Yerin is walking a little unsteadily because of exhaustion. Then, an old woman suddenly stops her in her tracks. Soobin doesn't know exactly what the woman says, but the old lady seems uneasy, looking directly at Soobin.

Soobin furrows his brow. He's not sure if the woman is looking at him, so he quickly looks around to find if anyone else is in her line of sight, but there's no one else. Now, Soobin is certain that the old woman is looking at him.

Is she a ghost too? But that can't be, because Yerin can clearly see her. The girl even tries to avoid her, running away as soon as she gets the chance.

Seeing Yerin disturbed like this makes Soobin worried. He starts to walk toward her to catch up, but the old woman stops him.

"You! Stop following that girl!" Though the old woman seems uncertain, her words clearly sound like a threat.

"Wait! You really can see me?" Soobin asks. "You're human, right?" He asks to make sure.

Instead of answering, the old woman starts talking about something Soobin doesn't understand at all. "I won't let you follow her anymore. You've drained all her positive energy."

Soobin frowns in confusion. What does that mean? Who is this old woman to say such things? Soobin gets frustrated, especially when the old woman deliberately blocks his way as he tries to leave and catch up with Yerin, who has already run ahead.

"What's your problem?!" Soobin shouts angrily.

"You're going to ruin that girl's life."

This crazy woman, Soobin thinks. What nonsense is she talking? His frustration builds up, and he glares at the old lady with a terrifying look. "Stop talking nonsense, old woman!" he yells, releasing all his anger.

The old woman takes a step back, startled, and clears the way for Soobin. He quickly runs past her, leaving the stunned woman behind.

***

Soobin enters the apartment, searching for Yerin. He doesn't find her in her room, the bathroom, the kitchen, or anywhere else. Soobin starts to panic. Where could she have gone?

Ah, right. The roof.

Soobin hurries outside, running up the stairs that lead to the roof. Hopefully, she's there. Hopefully, she hasn't hurt herself again.

When he reaches the roof, Soobin doesn't find her there. Where could she be? He looks around desperately, then hears a rustling sound coming from a small storage space on the roof.

The space is made of metal and covered with a large tarp, almost like a tent, but large enough to store things. The landlord uses this place to keep supplies and items no longer in use.

Soobin enters the storage space. He is shocked to find Yerin there, hanging from a thick rope tied to a metal beam above her. Below her body, a chair lies abandoned.

Soobin's eyes widen. "Yerin!" He yells, running over to her. "No, no, no," he panics. He tries to hold her, but of course, it doesn't work.

Soobin is frantic. He desperately tries to adjust the fallen chair so Yerin can reach it with her feet, but that also fails.

Meanwhile, Yerin is struggling to breathe, her face turning red, and tears already soaking her. Her hands, which had been gripping the rope around her neck, now fall limp. Her tired eyes begin to slowly close.

No. Soobin doesn't want to see this. This is a nightmare. He groans, feeling utterly helpless. "Someone, please stop this horrible sight!" Soobin screams, holding his head in frustration at his inability to do anything, feeling useless.

"Someone, help me!" He cries out, hoping someone will come to help. His voice is full of desperation.

"Please! Let me touch her!" Soobin once again tries to hold Yerin from below.

"Park Yerin, please don't do this," he sobs, pleading from the bottom of his heart.

Seeing Yerin unmoving, Soobin feels like time has stopped.

As everything becomes even more chaotic, it seems that Soobin should truly thank anyone who might have heard his silent cries. For some reason, he suddenly finds himself able to touch Yerin's body. The barrier between them is gone when he touches her.

Soobin is momentarily stunned, but he doesn't waste the opportunity. With trembling hands, he removes the rope from around Yerin's neck, gently pulling her fragile body down, and both of them collapse onto the floor.

Yerin opens her eyes, gasping. She holds her neck and coughs. Her breath comes in rapid bursts. She looks around, her eyes landing on the rope she had just used to hang herself, now fallen to the ground.

She looks confused, surprised by what just happened.

Soobin stays by her side, still crying. "Are you crazy? Why would you want to die?!" He lowers his head in frustration, scolding the foolish girl who almost drove him mad with worry. "What if I couldn't touch you?! Stupid girl!"

Soobin continues sobbing. He's terrified at the thought that he might not have been able to stop Yerin.

Next to him, Yerin starts crying too. She groans, "Crazy. Stupid! Stupid!" She beats her chest in regret for doing something she shouldn't have.

Unable to bear seeing her in this state, Soobin moves closer and holds her, though he can't touch her anymore like before. "Don't ever do this again," he says quietly.

They stay there, hunched over, crying together. Yerin has stopped hitting herself. She now hugs her knees, hiding her face in them, sobbing as loudly as she can.

Even though he can't touch her, Soobin still holds her close, gently patting her weak back, staying with her, trying to comfort her.

"Please, stay alive." That's all Soobin asks.

Minutes pass. They remain in the same position. Yerin seems calmer now, her sobs beginning to subside.

But in the midst of the small sobs that remain, Soobin hears her mumble something that makes him frown in confusion.

"I want to meet you, Choi Soobin."[]