You Make Me | Lee Eunhyuk

20

Jiwon awoke with her heart palpitating in her chest. She blinked, trying to make sense of what she was seeing. However, as her clouded vision cleared, she realized she was no longer in the bleak apocalyptic world to which she had become used over the previous few weeks. Instead, she found herself in a warm and welcoming living room that looked exactly like her childhood home, surrounded by familiar faces and a sense of peace that she had long missed.

Her gaze was drawn to a young man nearby. She peered at him, unable to recognize him at first, but she gasped when she realized he was her younger brother Jihoon, alive and well and around her age. His dark brown hair lay messy on his head, and his glasses were perched high on his nose bridge as he sat comfortably in light blue pyjamas in the middle of the day. He was seated on the couch, his brow furrowed as he played a video game. The sight overwhelmed her with both joy and confusion. It was impossible. Jihoon had been taken from her and her family at such a young age, and their lives had been changed by their grief. Yet, he appeared to be right in front of her, as if nothing had happened.

Jiwon, overcome with emotion, called out his name, her voice cracking with disbelief. Jihoon turned towards her, his eyes transforming into crescent moons filled with warmth and familiarity. He grinned, matching the smile she remembered, and said "Hey, sis. "Long time no see, that was quite a long nap you took."

Jiwon's eyes welled up with tears as she rushed forward and embraced him firmly, unable to believe that this moment was real, and like any younger brother, he tried to push her away, saying that she was embarrassing him. He let his sister hug him despite his initial actions when he realized she was crying. They clung to each other for what seemed like an eternity.

Jiwon's eyes raced around the room as the initial shock wore off, taking in the presence of her older brother Jaeheon in the kitchen and her parents at the dining table. The family she yearned for, the family she had lost, was still present in this world. It was bittersweet, a combination of great delight and a nagging sense that something was missing.

She approached her parents and called out to them, and their eyes turned to her were filled with love and affection.

Her parents, who had previously avoided her, now adored her. It was a revelation that warmed her heart while also reopening old wounds.

Jiwon's parents had distanced themselves from her when her younger brother, Jihoon, lost his life in a tragic accident. They superstitiously believed she was cursed and had brought disaster to their family. Their love had devolved into chilly indifference, and their encounters had devolved into plain necessity.

Jiwon in this world found herself surrounded by parents who adored her, their eyes overflowing with pride and devotion. They showered her with kindness, expressing their feelings for her without reserve. Witnessing the dramatic difference between the reality she knew and the world she now inhabited was perplexing.

Jiwon couldn't help but feel a slew of emotions surge up within her. On the one hand, she yearned for her parents' affection and acceptance, something she had always desired. Their abrupt change in demeanour in this world pricked her heartstrings, rekindling a desire she had long since given up. She loved every moment, clinging to a fleeting sensation of belonging.

But, despite the excitement, Jiwon felt a bittersweet sadness. The striking contrast between this world and hers acted as a harsh reminder of her rejection and heartbreak. Her old scars were far from healed, and the absence of her parents' affection in her life troubled her.

Jiwon couldn't help but contemplate what could have been as she saw her parents' interactions. What if, instead of blaming and abandoning her, they showed her love and support? Would she have grown up feeling loved and valued? Would she have been able to overcome her remorse and self-doubt?

Jiwon walked over to her older brother Jaeheon, expecting that he would provide some answers regarding something she was curious about. She noticed him preparing a meal, a smile on his face as he hummed a melody. She approached him tentatively, her voice tinged with curiosity, "Jaeheon, where's Eunhyuk?"

Her brother halted, a puzzled expression on his face. "Eunhyuk? Who's that? Is that a new friend of yours?" He responded, his voice sincere but devoid of recognition.

Jiwon's heart fell as if a big weight had fallen on her. She slowly realized that her connection with Eunhyuk had been severed in this world. It made sense because the circumstances that had brought them together were no longer present. Maybe Jiwon was naive to believe that like a fairytale they would find each other regardless of what happened. It looked as if he had never existed in this world; no one in her family knew anything about him. The realization jolted her, shattering the foundations of her newfound happiness.

Jiwon excused herself from her family's company and went to her room, distraught and overwhelmed. She needed alone time to process her emotions. Her thoughts were filled with memories of Eunhyuk as she sat on the side of her bed, tracing her fingers along the familiar patterns of the bedsheet.

She recalled their first meeting and how their friendship had grown under all the chaos of their lives. Jiwon recalled their late-night chats, shared laughter, and unspoken understanding. Eunhyuk had been her rock and anchor, guiding her through the most difficult circumstances. But in this world, he was nothing more than a stranger.

She came into an overwhelming realization that sent ripples of both exhilaration and anxiety through her being. She discovered the extent of her affection for Eunhyuk as she continued to think. The veil of friendship that had cloaked their relationship was abruptly lifted, revealing the underlying currents of love that had silently simmered within her heart. Each recollection and encounter with Eunhyuk took on new meaning, shedding light on the tenderness and common understanding that had unintentionally woven their connection together. Jiwon's realization triggered a flood of emotions, filling her with both joy and dread as she wrestled with the irrefutable truth—she was in love with her best friend Eunhyuk, not just as a friend, but as someone with whom she longed to explore a deeper, more intimate connection. The weight of this realization got heavier with each passing second, compelling her to confront her thoughts and evaluate what this newfound love meant for her.

Jiwon longed to hear his voice, see his grin, and feel his warm touch. But she was met with perplexity: if she had to choose between this life and hers, which would she choose?

Jiwon rose from her bed to examine her face as she pondered the possibilities. She brought as small mirror to her face to see developed puffiness around her eyes, but when she reached out to touch them, they turned completely black. In shock, she dropped the mirror causing it to shatter on the ground.

As Jiwon's world crumbled around her, Eunhyuk found himself on the verge of hopelessness. His admitted feelings for her had become an awful burden, threatening to consume. With each passing second, his pulse raced praying Jiwon would wake up from her unconsciousness. He was a continuously by her side, his gaze fixed on her beautiful features, etching them into his mind. Love, longing, and a great sense of remorse for not realizing the depth of his feelings filled his head. His heart broke as he witnessed tears fall down Jiwon's face despite the fact that she was unconscious. Every fibre of his being wanted for her to wake up, for him to see her bright eyes again, and for him to tell her his feelings for her. Time seemed to stretch on forever as he waited.

[author's note]

Extra long chapter today! Hope you guys like it! Don't forget to comment and vote!

- Anise :)