Good Night (Slow Update + EDITING PROCESS)

Chapter 2

Yoojin sat across from her friends at lunch, her hands nervously fiddling with the edge of her napkin. The sunlight streamed in from the windows, casting soft shadows on the table as her friends chatted around her. She took a deep breath, steeling herself before speaking up.

"Guys, I wanted to tell you something... but please don't judge me," Yoojin said, her voice a little softer than usual, betraying the nerves she was trying to hide.

Her friends immediately paused and turned their attention to her, their faces full of curiosity. Byeonghee, ever the eager one, leaned forward.

"What is it, Yoojin?" he asked, his voice filled with genuine concern.

The group fell silent, awaiting her next words. Yoojin hesitated, chewing on her lower lip before speaking again.

"Actually... it's about my dream," she began, her voice trailing off. "I heard someone singing, and their voice... it was so mellow, yet sweet. I just... I can't stop thinking about it. What do you guys think?"

There was a brief pause as her friends exchanged glances, intrigued by her sudden revelation.

"Yoojin," Taekyung said after a moment, his tone thoughtful, "do you know anyone here who sings with a voice like that? This school has a lot of people with sweet, mellow voices."

Yoojin shook her head, her eyes clouded with confusion. "It's not my twin brothers. Both of them have beautiful voices, but... it’s not like the person in my dream."

Her friends exchanged looks, trying to piece together her description.

"How about me?" Byeonghee asked, his eyes lighting up with a playful sparkle. "I have a beautiful voice, don’t I?"

Yoojin chuckled softly, shaking her head. "Sorry, Byeonghee. Your voice is beautiful, but it’s not the one from my dream."

Byeonghee pouted, putting on a cute sulking face. "Okay. It must be Taekyung then, right?"

Taekyung grinned, his hands raised in mock defense. "I have a sweet voice, sure, but it’s not quite the same as what you’re describing, right?"

Yoojin nodded, smiling. "You’re right, Taekyung. Your voice is sweet, but the one in my dream is... just different. I wonder who it could be. Do you guys know any seniors who have a voice like that?"

Hyemi, who had been quiet until now, chimed in. "I think I’ve heard of a senior like that. He's in the same class as your brothers. People say he’s a bit timid, but he’s really close to them."

Yoojin’s curiosity piqued, she leaned in. "Do you know his name?"

Taekyung shrugged apologetically. "Sorry, Yoojin. I can’t remember his name. He’s quite famous around here for his R&B and ballad singing. A lot of people love his voice. But here’s the thing: he never participates in school concerts."

"Why?" Yoojin asked, confused. "He has such a beautiful voice and so much talent. Why wouldn’t he want to show it off?"

Serra spoke up, her voice softer now. "I’ve heard that he’s afraid of being judged. He wants to sing, but he’s too scared to be evaluated by everyone. He keeps to himself a lot, and when it comes to awards or recognition, he asks others to take his trophies for him."

Yoojin’s brow furrowed in thought. "That’s so sad... He should be able to share his talent with everyone. I hope one day he gets over his fear."

Hyemi nodded in agreement. "Yeah, he’s supposed to be really cute, too. I think his height is about the same as your brothers’. You should ask them if they know him."

Yoojin sighed, her thoughts drifting back to her brothers. "It’s not that I don’t want to be with you guys... It’s just that my brothers are always busy. They take turns lifting me like a bride, and I don’t want to disturb them."

Her friends laughed at the mention of Yoojin’s brothers. "It must be nice having brothers who are so protective," Serra teased.

"Yeah," Hyemi added, her voice tinged with jealousy. "Sometimes, one of them piggybacks you, and the other will do it the next day. I’m so jealous of you."

Yoojin couldn’t help but smile at her friends' playful teasing. Despite how protective her brothers could be, it always made her feel safe. She could never fully express how much she appreciated them.

As the bell rang, signaling the end of the school day, Yoojin stood up with her friends. "I’ll see you tomorrow, okay?"

"Stay safe," Taekyung called out. "Even though your brothers are busy, we want you to be careful. Just promise you’ll stay somewhere with a lot of people."

Yoojin waved them off. "I will. Don’t worry."

After bidding her friends goodbye, Yoojin walked to a bench under a large tree, waiting for her brothers. She leaned back against the wood, the gentle rustling of leaves around her creating a calm atmosphere. But then, suddenly, she heard it—a voice, sweet and mellow, just like in her dream. She straightened, her heart racing.

The voice seemed familiar now, as if she had always known it. "Ijen meomchwobeolin hwamyeon sog-eseo..."

Yoojin’s eyes scanned the area, and there, sitting on the bench by the statue, was a boy with brown hair, wearing the same school uniform as her brothers. But he was facing away from her, singing softly. She could only hear the faint melody, but it filled her with an odd sense of recognition.

Before she could gather her thoughts, a familiar voice called out from behind her.

"Yah, Yoojin! What are you doing?"

Yoojin jumped, startled, and spun around. "Ahhh, you scared me! I thought you guys were still busy. I just—"

She turned back to look at the boy on the bench, but he was gone. There was no trace of him.

"What are you looking at, Yoojin?" her brother Sangmin asked, stepping closer with Seunghwan beside him.

Yoojin blinked in disbelief. "I saw a boy. He was singing the same song from my dream."

Her brothers exchanged looks, and Seunghwan chuckled. "Yoojin-ah, don’t be ridiculous."

"I’m not joking!" she insisted. "He was right there, singing 'Goodbye' by Park Hyoshin. I recognized his voice."

Sangmin raised an eyebrow. "Let’s go home."

Yoojin felt a wave of frustration wash over her. Why didn’t they believe her? Maybe her friends knew something more.

"Oppa," she said, glancing up at Seunghwan, "Do you know anything about the boy with the sweet voice in your class?"

Seunghwan looked thoughtful for a moment. "I think I know who you’re talking about. He refuses to tell anyone his identity. But he’s really talented. We both know him. He always gets awards, but never wants anyone to know about it."

Yoojin’s curiosity deepened. "Why wouldn’t he want to share his talents?"

"He’s afraid of being judged," Sangmin explained. "He’s a bit of a loner, but he’s a good person. He used to help take care of you when you were younger."

Yoojin’s head swam with questions. Who was this mysterious boy? Was he connected to the boy in her dream? And what about the strange way her brothers behaved around him? She couldn’t shake the feeling that there was more to this story than she realized.