The falling rain does not match Hyunjin’s tears which are streaming down his cheeks, falling faster than he can wipe them away.

He stares at the man in front of him, his boyfriend of four years

And still can't understand the words he has just heard.

Hyunjin: *crying* I don’t get it… did I do something wrong?

Lee Know shakes his head slowly.

Leeknow: No… you didn’t. **pause** I just don’t love you anymore.

The words land, Heavy and cold.

Hyunjin: **voice shaking** What do you mean you don’t love me anymore?

Hyunjin: We’ve been together for four years...four years and now you’re saying this? **Steps closer** was it all a lie?

Leeknow exhales, rubbing his face like he’s already tired.

Leeknow: Don’t make this harder than it has to be, Hyunjin.

Hyunjin: *voice rising* I'm not, I just want you to help me understand...

Leeknow: it's not that hard to understand

Hyunjin: *steps back* But why…? *voice cracks* We were fine… weren’t we?

Leeknow hesitates. Just for a moment.

Leeknow: I’ll be honest with you.

Hyunjin’s heart starts pounding.

Hyunjin: …okay.

Leeknow: I met someone else. **Pause** Someone who knows what they want… someone more stable. More mature

Hyunjin: **blinks**…more mature?

Leeknow: *nods* And I’m already seeing them.

Silence for a moment then Hyunjin starts shaking his head while more tears escapes, he let's go of his umbrella and the rain hits him coldly.

Hyunjin: No…**steps back** No, you’re lying…

His voice breaks.

Hyunjin: Minho, you said you’d never do this to me..you said you loved me the way I was...

Leeknow: **jaw tightens** I didn’t plan for it to happen like this. I’m sorry.

Hyunjin laughs weakly through tears.

Hyunjin: If you wanted me to change… I would have. **Sniffs** You know I would do anything for you.

Leeknow: Hyunjin...

Hyunjin: *turns around* I get it...

Leeknow: Wait...

But Hyunjin is already running. Out into the rain. The cold hits him instantly, but he doesn’t stop. Behind him Leeknow calls his name. Again and again. But Hyunjin can’t hear him. His chest burns, his thoughts blur.

There’s only one thing left in his mind (i can’t live without him)

The rain pours harder, washing away his tears or maybe mixing with them. He doesn’t know where he’s going. He just runs. And then light.

Blinding headlights cut through the rain. Leeknow sees it first.

Leeknow: Hyunjin, STOP!

But Hyunjin doesn’t. Time slows. For a split second he turns. Their eyes meet. And in that moment he stops.

it is too late.

The sound of impact echoes through the rain.

Leeknow: **screaming** NO!

Hyunjin’s body hits the ground. Still.

Leeknow runs to him, dropping to his knees, pulling him into his arms.

Leeknow: Stay with me please… I’m sorry… I didn’t mean it, I swear just stay...

Hyunjin’s hand trembles as he lifts it weakly. And touches his cheek.

Hyunjin: **barely a whisper**I… love… you…

Leeknow breaks.

Leeknow: I love you too… I do just don’t go, please don’t leave me...

Hyunjin: **lips trembling**it’s… better this way…

Leeknow shakes his head desperately.

Leeknow: No...someone call an ambulance! Please!

Hyunjin coughs. Blood stains his lips.

Leeknow: Stay with me… please…

Hyunjin’s eyes slowly begin to close.

Hyunjin: **faintly**…I’m tired…

Darkness creeps in.

(it’s better this way…He’ll be happy…I’m not meant for this world…No one stays…Not my family… not him…)

A quiet thought fragile, fading

(Maybe… in another world…someone will love me enough to stay…)

Everything goes black.

...ΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩ...

A loud horn blares. Hyunjin’s eyes snap open.

Hyunjin: …huh?

He stumbles slightly, breath catching. There's noise all around him and he's standing on the middle of the road.

Hyunjin: **confused**What… what’s going on?

His hands tremble as he looks around.

Hyunjin: (I’m supposed to be dead…)

...(…so why am I here?)...

Hi everyone!

I just wanted to say something quickly.

I usually write chat stories 😭, and this story was originally meant to be one too.

But along the way, things didn’t really work out the way I planned, so I decided to write it in this format instead.

At first, I was a bit unsure about the change… but this story felt too important to leave unfinished. So here we are 🖤

I hope you’ll still enjoy it just as much (maybe even more 👀), and I’m really excited to share this journey with you.

Thank you for being here ....seriously.

🖤❤️💙🖤❤️💙🖤❤️💙

Hyunjin is standing in the middle of the road, staring at a car in front of him.

Hyunjin: wait...what's going on?

Unknown: (shouting) Will you get out of the way!

Hyunjin: Uh (runs out of the way) Sorry.

Hyunjin looks around, confused. Everything feels familiar.

Too familiar yet something feels wrong at the same time.

Hyunjin: how's this possible?

[ I died… just now. ]

There’s no rain. No sound of thunder. And Leeknow is nowhere to be seen.

Hyunjin starts walking slowly, unsure of where he’s going.

The streets… the buildings… everything looks the same.

But at the same time different. The structures are familiar but the names are not.

He stops in front of a coffee shop, one that he's familiar with. His eyes lift to the sign.

#(Lee Bokie’s Coffee Shop)

Hyunjin: (murmurs) Lee Bokie…?

Hyunjin: Lee? But this shop belongs to Chan hyung…

He pushes the door open and a soft chime rings above him. Warm light spills over him. The smell of coffee and baked goods fills the air.

Hyunjin: (breathes in) Mmm… smells so good.

When did Chan hyung start baking? [Did I come to a wrong place?]

A FEW MINUTES EARLIER

Felix is wiping the tables.

Felix: Hey you quokka, don’t forget to take the donuts for your boyfriend.

Han: (walks out, fixing his shirt) Already packed them.

You spoil him too much, you know.

Felix: Anyone taking care of my little quokka deserves it.

Han: Yaah! I’m older than you.

Felix: (throws a flying kiss) You wish.

Han: Tsk. I’ll get going. Close up quickly, okay?

I heard some drunk strangers have been causing trouble.

Felix: Don’t worry. I’ll close soon after you leave.

Han: (waves the bag) Thanks for this. I’m sure Leeknow will love them.

Felix: He always does.

Han: Don’t be so full of yourself.

Felix: I’m not. I’m just good at baking.

Han: (rolls his eyes) Bye.

Felix laughs as Han leaves. He starts cleaning up, preparing to close.

Lee Felix is in his mid twenties and he owns the shop.

Han is his childhood friend, they grew up in the same neighborhood and he helps out in the café when he can.

Felix picks up a trash bag and walks toward the door.

Just as he reaches it the door opens.

And a boy walks in. Looking messy and lost.

But the moment the scent of food hits him, his face softens.

Felix pauses and stares.

[ He must be a college student… ] he wonders to himself.

Tall, well built, long dark hair brushing his shoulders.

Just too handsome to ignore.

Felix: (smiles) Can I help you, we are closed?

Hyunjin looks down, startled.

Hyunjin: Oh...uh… who are you?

Felix blinks.

Felix: (taken aback) Aren’t I supposed to ask that?

Hyunjin looks around. [The place looks like Chan's but the setting...it's different]

Hyunjin: Are you Lee Bokie?

Felix nods slowly.

Felix: Yeah… why?

Hyunjin: [they have the same surname, could they be related?] Are you related to Le....

A sharp pain hits his head and Hyunjin cries out while crouching.

Hyunjin: Argh!

Felix drops the trash bag instantly and catches him.

Felix: (concerned) Hey! Are you okay?

Hyunjin: (groaning) My head… it hurts…

Felix: Come on, sit down.

He helps Hyunjin to a chair and quickly brings water.

Felix: Here.

Hyunjin takes it and downs it immediately. Felix slowly caresses his head while giving him the concerned look. Hyunjin stares at him.

Felix notices.

Felix: What?

Hyunjin: Your freckles...they are pretty.

Felix: (flustered) Uh… okay, thanks I guess.

What's your name?

Hyunjin: Hyunjin...Hwang Hyunjin...

Felix: Are you a college student?

Hyunjin: (nods) Yeah...is it that obvious?

Felix: (chuckles) Sorta...Just now you were asking me something?

Hyunjin: Oh yeah...do you own this place?

Felix: (nods) yes...

Hyunjin: For how long?

Felix: (confused now) Um...why do you want to know that?

Hyunjin: Just recently someone else owned it...

Felix: who?

Hyunjin's mind is suddenly filled with a fog, he no longer remembers who owned the café.

Hyunjin: He...wait I know him...

Felix: (staring at him) Um...maybe you're just confused.

Hyunjin: (shakes his head) No, I swear....I come here everyday after class...

Felix: (pulses his lips) Ah...a lot of college students come here...

Hyunjin: (breathing heavily)...

Something is wrong, he can feel it.

Hyunjin: What's the name of the university?

Felix: XX university.

Hyunjin: [that's not familiar] is that the only university around?

Felix: (nods) yes...why?

Hyunjin tries to get up but Felix pulls him back on the chair.

Felix: You need to call someone. You can’t go home alone like this.

Hyunjin looks up, his confused eyes suddenly lonely then like a dark cloud, they fill up with tears...

Hyunjin: I have no one...i can't remember my friend's name...or anyone...

Felix: …what?

Then his face suddenly lights up.

Hyunjin: Wait...[Lee know, I have him]

Just at that thought, the pain hits again.

Hyunjin: Argh!

Felix immediately moves closer, gently holding him.

He shields Hyunjin’s eyes from the light.

Felix: I don't know what's going on but we’re going to the hospital.

Hyunjin doesn’t respond. Felix pulls out his phone.

Felix: 📱Can you come to my shop? I need help.

unknown: Will be right there....

A few minutes later

Hyunjin looks around. Everything feels familiar again.

But wrong.

Earlier when the person Felix called arrived , Hyunjin had seen a familiar face and he was so happy but when the person looked at him like he had never seen him before, it confused him. I.N, was his friend from university and they played basketball together...[so why is he acting strange? Just what is happening to me?]

Felix is wheeling him inside the hospital, with I.N beside him. They are stuck in a conversation that Hyunjin knows nothing about and has no interest in.

Felix: Come on, he’s your boyfriend.

I.N: Not yet. And stop saying that.

Felix: (smirks) Still mad at him?

I.N: I’m not mad… I just can’t do this anymore.

Felix: He’s a doctor, he's probably busy and you have to be clear with him, maybe he doesn't notice all of your efforts.

I.N: I DID tell him! And guess what he said?

Felix: (half laughs) I won’t even try.

Hyunjin watches quietly.

[ His voice… it’s deep for someone so small… ]

I.N: He said we’re better off as friends.

Felix: Ouch!

I.N: you can imagine how I felt when I heard him say that.

Felix: Sorry friend, he must have his reasons..

I.N: He doesn't like me...that's obvious.

Felix: I doubt that.

I.N: (sighs) that's the only sensible thing I can think of, why else would he reject me if not for that?

Hyunjin: (mutters) maybe he's trying to protect you. Trust me… don’t force it.

I.N: (frowns and looks at Hyunjin) From what?

Felix: (suddenly paying attention to Hyunjin)

Hyunjin: From breaking your heart.

I.N: Um...I'm capable of taking care of myself.

Hyunjin: not when he leaves…when you’re happiest.

[ Just like he did to me… ]

Tears fall again.

I.N: Um…(looks at Felix and mouths) what the hell?

Felix: (shrugs) I don't know ...

Hyunjin: [he left me...]

Hyunjin: It hurts… so much.(tears streaming) [ my heart hurts....so much]

Felix: (looks at Hyunjin) I think we need to hurry.

Innie takes them to the testing room and he runs some tests. After some time, he looks up at Felix...

Felix: is something wrong?

I.N: (nods) yeah…

Felix: If it’s serious, you need to call him.

I.N: No way...I'll have to leave first then you can call...

Before he can complete his sentence, the door opens and Changbin walks in. His eyes go straight to Innie.

I.N: …

Felix: (smiles) Hi, Doc.

Changbin: Lixie? You sick?...(to Innie) why didn't you call me?

I.N:...I thought it was something I could handle.

Changbin: (turns to Felix) what's wrong with you?

Felix: it's not me. (points at the wheel chair)

Changbin looks at Hyunjin and Hyunjin looks at him. He doesn't recognize this person, just like Felix...

Changbin: What’s wrong?

I.N: Sudden headaches. High BP and he's struggling with his memory...

Changbin checks him.

Changbin: …unusually high. (touches his forehead)

Changbin: (turns to I.N) prepare for a scan.

I.N nods and leaves.

Felix: Hyung… is it serious?

Changbin: We don’t know yet, we must scan him first

Felix looks at Hyunjin.

Hyunjin is blank, empty. in his head, only fragments of his past life are present...and when he tries to think of the one person that mattered most in his whole life, his head hurts.

Hyunjin: (winces) Argh...

Felix gently touches his hand.

Felix: You’ll be okay.

Hyunjin smiles faintly.

Hyunjin: Don’t worry… I think I'm already dead...

Felix frowns.

Felix: Don’t say that.

Hyunjin: (blankly) you're so nice. I wish you were him...

Felix: Him?

Hyunjin: (hurt)My ex....(winces again)...

Felix blinks.

Felix: …yeah, no thanks.

Hyunjin: (softly) I know...[it hurts to just think of him]

Changbin: Ready?

Felix looks at Hyunjin with a worried expression and nods.

Changbin: (pats Felix) I’ll do my best.

Felix: Please do hyung.

Felix watches Hyunjin.

[ Why do I feel like this…? ]

[ He’s just a stranger… ]

[ So why do I care so much about him? ]