GAME OVER | SQUID GAME

◽️CHAPTER THREE◽️

Innocence is only temporary, unfortunately. There's just no telling when you'll lose it.

Letting go of his mother and standing up straight, Sang-woo and Gi-hun parted ways with Sang-woo's mother and Cheol. The two exhausted men went back in the direction they came in, a little smile creeping on to Gi-hun's face. But it faded away almost as fast as it came. Sang-woo placed a hand on the other's shoulder to stop him in his tracks. Gi-hun looked back at Sang-woo curiously. The look in his eyes made Sang-woo lose his train of thought. There was an intense mixture of emotions going on, but Gi-hun maintained a neutral expression.

"Yes?" He asked softly. Sang-woo got all choked up for a second.

"Um...maybe we should stay at my apartment. I don't think it's good for you to stay in yours. Mentally, at least." Sang-woo replied, though Gi-hun was silent for a short time. He sighed and nodded his head, gently patting Sang-woo's hand.

"Okay...okay yeah...let's do that. Thank you." He said, forcing a little smile. For something so small to come on his face, it took a bit of effort.

- SQUID GAME: GAME OVER -

Sang-woo exited the bathroom in his pajamas with a damp towel wrapped around his neck, his glasses on his face for the first time in a while. Gi-hun looked the same, appearance-wise, though he was wearing some borrowed pajamas from Sang-woo.

Sang-woo let out an unsteady breath upon seeing Gi-hun in his pajamas. They fit him fine, but there was a strange feeling building up in Sang-woo's chest, and his heart began to race. It was all in how Gi-hun's damp, messy hair fell in front of his face, hiding his eyes. He shook it off and sat beside his old friend on the couch, who had his head down and his hands once again clasped together.

His body language and overall attitude—the atmosphere around him—it all wouldn't seem too serious to anyone else. But it made Sang-woo ache in his chest. It felt like just yesterday that Gi-hun was this bundle of laughs and confusion, goofy and excited seeing his best friend again after such a long time. He'd changed completely now.

But who could blame him?

They all thought they were in just to play some simple games for money. But while that was true, the dark twist is what changed everything.

The silence was becoming too much now.

"Do you want anything? Some tea, maybe? It's pretty chilly out." Sang-woo asked, adjusting his glasses. Gi-hun only nodded his head. Sang-woo let out a little 'okay' before getting up and setting up some water to boil in the fairly small kitchen.

"Sang-woo." Gi-hun called to him in a low, monotone voice. Sang-woo directed his attention to him.

"Yeah?" He answered back softly. Gi-hun sighed, debating whether or not to continue.

"I know I ask a lot of dumb questions sometimes...but considering how far you've come—what you were willing to sacrifice—would you have done the same for me?" He said and asked, never lifting his head. Sang-woo tensed up a bit.

"I'm going to be honest with you. I never would have had that idea. That was really...smart. I underestimated you. But...if the roles were switched, and I had the idea...I probably would've done it in a heartbeat." He said, catching Gi-hun's attention. The older male looked up at his friend.

"You would...?" He asked to confirm. Sang-woo nodded his head.

"Remember when I told you that you'd only known the old man for a short time? I've known you for years, Gi-hun, since we were little kids. Of course, I was desperate in the end, but the things I said to Ali back then...it made me think of you. It all made me more likely to look after you, but I was also torn because I felt I needed it all more than you."

"You knew what the game would be?" Gi-hun asked. Sang-woo shook his head.

"No. How would I know? A round where you have to pick one person as your partner...I couldn't take that chance, not with you. And I was so...relieved...to see you make it through." Sang-woo replied.

"You risked everyone else...not only for your sake, but for mine, too?" Gi-hun asked.

"I had to; because if there was anyone I wanted to see get to the finish line, it would be you...even if it meant having to watch you die in the end."

To Be Continued...🔺

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Hey! Sorry this one is a little bit late! But I do hope you enjoyed this and chapter 4 is already in progress by the time you finish! ❤️🤍