Episode 5: Ghost of the Past

                                    

                                          
Hanjin sits at his kitchen table, his phone lying in front of him, the screen lighting up once more. He hesitates before unlocking it, revealing a new message from the unknown number:
"You'll find out soon."
An unsettling chill runs down his spine. The cryptic message feels like a whisper from the past, pulling him into an uneasy curiosity. Despite his better judgment, he feels compelled to discover who is behind the messages.
Later that afternoon, Hanjin strolls through the park, lost in thought. The sun is shining, casting dappled shadows on the ground. Suddenly, something catches his eye. Standing under a tall oak tree is a figure that makes his heart drop—it's Shinyu. He hasn't aged a day, his familiar features unchanged, as if he had stepped out of Hanjin's memories.
Hanjin freezes, his breath hitching as a rush of memories floods back—laughter, late-night talks, and the bittersweet taste of their goodbye. The world around him blurs, and all he can focus on is the presence of the boy who once meant everything to him.

Shinyu spots Hanjin, and his face lights up with a warm, welcoming smile that sends Hanjin's heart racing.
Shinyu (grinning): "Hanjin! It's been a long time."
Hanjin feels a whirlwind of emotions crash over him—joy, confusion, anger. He takes a hesitant step forward, and soon they find themselves sitting on a nearby bench, the air thick with unspoken words.
Shinyu (earnestly): "I had to go... It was complicated back then. But I've thought about you every day."
Hanjin's heart sinks as Shinyu's words wash over him. Memories of their last moments together flood his mind, reminding him of the unresolved feelings he thought he had buried.
Hanjin (voice trembling): "I didn't know if I'd ever see you again. You just... disappeared."
Shinyu looks away, his expression turning somber.
Shinyu: "I know. I was scared. I didn't know how to say goodbye, and I thought leaving would be easier for both of us. But it wasn't. It was never easy."
Hanjin struggles to reconcile the past with the present, thinking of Dohoon, who brings him joy and comfort.
Hanjin: "But I've moved on, Shinyu. I'm with someone now... someone who cares about me."
Shinyu's smile falters for a moment, but he quickly recovers.
Shinyu: "I'm not here to disrupt your life, Hanjin. I just wanted to see you, to explain... to let you know I'm back for good."
Hanjin's mind races. The warmth of old feelings clashes violently with the love he has for Dohoon, creating a tumultuous storm of emotions inside him.
Later that evening, Hanjin returns home, his mind still spinning from his encounter with Shinyu. He moves around the apartment like a ghost, barely noticing Dohoon as he enters the room.
Dohoon, sensing the tension, watches Hanjin with concern.
Dohoon (worried): "Talk to me, Hanjin. You can't keep shutting me out."
Hanjin looks up, his heart racing. He feels trapped between two worlds, the weight of his past crashing against his current happiness.
Hanjin (breathing heavily): "It's Shinyu. He's back, and I don't know what to do."
The words hang heavy in the air, and Dohoon's expression shifts to one of deep concern, realization dawning on him about the gravity of the situation.
Dohoon: "You mean... he's really back? After all this time?"
Hanjin nods, feeling the tension coil tighter around him.
Hanjin: "He wants to explain why he left. I thought I was over it, but seeing him again... everything came rushing back."
Dohoon takes a deep breath, trying to process Hanjin's revelation.
Dohoon: "Hanjin, I don't want to come between you and your past, but I need you to be honest with me. What do you feel for him? What do you want?"
Hanjin's heart aches, knowing he must confront the truth of his feelings.
Hanjin: "I... I don't know. Part of me is still connected to Shinyu, but I don't want to lose what we have. I love you, Dohoon, but this... it's complicated."
Dohoon's expression softens, but the hurt in his eyes is undeniable.
Dohoon: "Just promise me that you'll be open with me about everything. I don't want to be left in the dark."
Hanjin nods, tears pricking at the corners of his eyes. He knows the road ahead will be difficult, but he also understands that he needs to face his past if he wants to move forward.
As Hanjin looks at Dohoon, he realizes that he must navigate the storm of emotions swirling within him, and only time will reveal what the future holds.
End of Episode 5.