Left Out Friend

32

Sunoo gasped, the sound loud enough to shatter the tense silence in the room.

Jay and Jake’s heads snapped toward the doorway, their eyes widening in shock.

Sunoo stood frozen, his hands trembling as he stared at Jay, betrayal twisting in his chest like a knife. He had clung to the desperate hope that Jay would be the one to help him, the one who would put an end to this nightmare. But that hope had crumbled the moment Jay refused. Still, even after that, he had never imagined Jay could be just like them. Was it all an act? The gentle words, the careful gestures—was it all a lie?

"Sunoo?" Jay and Jake said his name in unison.

Jay took a step toward him, but Sunoo didn’t wait. He turned and bolted, running as fast as his legs would carry him—away from them, away from the dorm, away from everything. He didn’t know where he was going. He didn’t care. He just needed to escape.

Tears blurred his vision as his chest tightened, his breath coming in ragged gasps. Why? He didn’t know why he had still expected something different from Jay, even after he refused to help. He should’ve known better. Jay was just like them. A monster. A psycho. A pervert.

He reached the elevator and stepped inside, lowering his head to avoid any questioning gazes from the few people inside. He didn’t want to be seen, didn’t want to explain. His hands trembled at his sides.

Then, a familiar voice called his name.

"Sunoo?"

His breath hitched. Slowly, he lifted his head and turned.

Eunwoo.

His friend’s face was etched with worry, eyes scanning him with concern.

"Are you crying? What happened?" Eunwoo asked gently, stepping closer and placing a hand on Sunoo’s shoulder.

Sunoo sniffled, shaking his head, though his mind was in complete disarray. He didn’t know what to say. The weight of betrayal and hopelessness was suffocating him.

Understanding without needing an answer, Eunwoo pulled him into a hug. Sunoo remained still for a moment—then, as if something inside him snapped, he broke down, his quiet sobs muffled against Eunwoo’s chest. His hands trembled at his sides, unable to grasp onto anything.

The elevator doors opened.

"Eunwoo…" Sunoo murmured, voice barely above a whisper.

Eunwoo tightened his hold. "Sunoo. What happened?" he asked again, his voice filled with concern, his arm wrapped securely around the younger’s waist as if grounding him.

Sunoo wiped at his tears with shaky fingers before finally lifting his head to meet his friend’s gaze. Then, despite everything, he smiled.

Eunwoo frowned slightly at the sudden change but didn’t question it.

"Can I go to your place?" Sunoo asked softly.

***

Sunoo downed the glass of water in one go, setting it down with slightly shaky hands. He had calmed down now, but the evidence of his earlier breakdown lingered—his eyes were swollen and puffy, and his small, pointed nose was red.

Eunwoo, who had been watching him closely, sighed in relief that his members were out for their schedules or training. At least they had privacy. Still, his concern only grew as he observed Sunoo’s every movement.

"Are you okay now?" Eunwoo asked gently.

Sunoo simply nodded, offering a small, unconvincing smile. "I’m okay."