Season two, chapter seventy-seven

"He's just a beautiful boy
with a beautiful soul,
and I love him"

THEA'S TEAR-STREAKED flushed cheeks conveyed her uncontrollable outpouring of emotion, her shaking hands clasping tightly onto her boyfriend's gentle grasp, who, despite efforts to awaken him, continued to keep his eyes closed. It appeared as though he was simply in a state of deep slumber, leaving everyone perplexed about the circumstances at hand.

Thea's eyes were inflamed and puffy, she could have sworn that her tears were running out from crying uncontrollably. Her emotional distress stemmed from two primary causes - firstly, Mun remained unconscious, likely in a coma, and secondly, Jun-seo was alive, had always been alive. She was uncertain which of the two factors elicited a more profound emotional response, but upon fainting at the sight of Jun-seo, her supposedly deceased brother, her heart could not withstand the intensity of the situation, and she was grateful that she did not experience a cardiac event.

"Please open your eyes, Mun" urgently implored Ms. Chu as she tried to rouse him inside the dark car, the chilly darkness of the night concealing the sorrow and deep feelings of all present

"Ms. Chu, do something. Is there no way to heal him?"asked Mo-tak, his voice trembling as he briefly checked the rearview mirror, tears welling up in his eyes as he tried to concentrate on the road ahead

"What do we do?" Jeok-bong cried, his gaze fixed unwaveringly on the boy lying motionless in the car seat "What will happen to Mun?"

"Don't worry. I'm sure there's a way" Ms. Chu reassured, her eyes shimmering with tears "He will pull through. There must be a way. Please, Mun" Ms. Chu urgently clasped Mun's arms, and then reached for his face, although he showed no response, keeping his eyes shut and unaffected by her touch

Thea's expression appeared vacant, void of any emotional response, fixated on the pristine white table before her. Internally, a plethora of feelings engulfed her - including anxiety, fear, sorrow, and anguish - yet predominantly she was consumed by a profound emptiness. This sensation, extremely harrowing and disheartening, had enveloped her ever since her boyfriend slipped into a coma. The thought of him not regaining consciousness and abandoning her like others had left her gripped with terror. Uncertain of her ability to move forward without him, she clung to the hope that he would awaken, restoring their previous life together.

Suho furrowed his brow as he uttered "I can't reach Wi-gen either" He elaborated, clasping his hands together on the pristine table "After being disconnected from Mun, I think she's trapped somewhere in the White Ground"

Ms. Chu, with a puzzled expression, posed the question "The 'White Ground'? Where's that?" while standing with her hands placed gently on the white table. A glimmer of optimism appeared in her eyes as she promptly proposed, "Is Mun there too? Then we should go there and find Mun and Wi-gen—"

"You can't do that, Mom. Only those in a coma can enter that place" SuHo assertively interjected, conveying remorse for dashing the team's hopes

"Are you telling me that there's no way to wake him up?" Mo-tak exclaimed in exasperation, his eyes widened as he turned to SuHo with a dubious look on his face

"He needs to be reunited with Wi-gen and enter into the Counter contract once again" Hyun-ki started to elucidate, aiming to ease the tense ambiance surrounding them "That's the only way he'll wake up" His eyes moved to Thea, who remained silent and avoided making eye contact throughout their meeting. He comprehended the extent of her anxiety, hence he held no resentment towards her and would abstain from discussing the issue if she preferred

"And the only way to get Wi-gen back" Jong-guk stressed with grave concern, his eyebrows furrowing instantaneously

"Hey, you read his memories, right?"Mo-tak inquired of Hana, who held a grave demeanor as she stared at the table contemplatively, much like Thea, also struggling to make sense of the situation "How is he doing?"

"Only two events were erased from his memory" declared Hana, delicately placing both hands on the table, speaking with care and in a soothing tone to provide reassurance to her companions, specifically the female individual next to her "The miraculous time when Wi-gen entered his body and when he woke up from his coma as a little kid" she delicately held Thea's hand, which rested on the pristine table, with Thea displaying minimal response to her touch

"Both moments were when he was reborn"U-sik explained, acknowledging Hana's insight with a nod of agreement "He fell into a coma after his past and present were disconnected"

"In that case, can't you give him back those memories?"Jeok-bong asked optimistically, his eyes shining with anticipation of a favorable answer

"His memory is completely gone" Thea expressed with evident concern, her tone both quivering and grave, hinting at the emotional distress she was trying to mask with a composed demeanor. Nevertheless, it was clear to all that she was the one most deeply affected by the situation "It's impossible to restore them" she added

"Damn it" With visible frustration, Mo-tak forcefully struck his fist against the table, creating a resonating sound that lingered in the air, resulting in a temporary hush amongst those present "Gelly did a number on Hwang Pil-gwang and us. She knew how important Mun was to all of us"

"We must summon her first" Hana declared confidently as she rose from her chair, placing a reassuring hand on Thea's shoulder in an attempt to provide words of encouragement "We don't know what else she'll do. Now that she's cut ties with Hwang Pil-gwang, we can subdue her even without Mun. No, we must"

"But there's no way to locate her. If we're too easy..."U-sik started to speak, his brow furrowed and his gaze momentarily falling on his hands resting on the table

"None of us will be safe if you run into Hwang Pil-gwang or Ma Ju-seok" Gi-ran's demeanor turned solemn as she underscored the severity of her caution with a grave expression and somber tone

"Then what?" Mo-tak asked in a tone of irritation, rising from his chair and causing his voice to reverberate across the room "Should we just sit on our hands?"

"I'm saying we should do what we can" Gi-ran responded in a similar manner to her colleague, though her demeanor betrayed her deep concern for the safety of the Counters "Catch Lee Chung-Jae and obstruct Ma Ju-seok's plan. That's the best option for Yung and the safety of the Counters"

The room fell into a hush as all in attendance pondered the woman's words. At the same time, Thea, deep in reflection, was jolted from her thoughts by the abrupt swinging open of the white doors located behind the team, flooding the area with a radiant white glow. Straining her eyes, Thea shifted her position in her seat, capturing the attention of the room fixed on the trio making their entrance.

"Thea!" exclaimed her beloved brother Jun-seo with a melodious voice, waving his hand with a wide smile. However, what truly captivated Thea's gaze were the two figures following behind Jun-seo, both wearing smiles on their faces

In that instant, time appeared to freeze, causing Thea to experience a sudden wave of shock as her heartbeat steadily increased. Although she attempted to speak, she found herself speechless, reacting instinctively by swiftly rising from her seat with tears welling up in her eyes. Desperately trying to convince herself that the unbelievable sight before her was indeed reality, she pinched herself in disbelief.

The melodious chirping of the birds outside created a peaceful and delightful atmosphere, accompanied by the radiant and unparalleled sunshine, presenting a perfect opportunity for a leisurely stroll and moments of happiness. Nevertheless, Thea found herself experiencing the opposite emotions. This day marked the first time she would navigate through hours without the presence of Mun - devoid of his endearing smiles, his uplifting and soothing voice, the sparkle in his chestnut eyes reflecting vitality and joy, his infectious and charming laughter, the solace of his warm embraces, and the tenderness of his affectionate kisses. In his absence, life appeared devoid of purpose, with the day taking on a somber and monochromatic hue. Without him, she felt a sense of emptiness and worthlessness.

Watching him lay still on the bed with his eyes shut urged her to take extensive measures to rouse him from his slumber. Thea yearned for the moment when he would awaken, gaze at her with a smile, and offer words of reassurance to alleviate her concerns, as he typically did. Nevertheless, amidst these emotions, she could not shake off her profound sense of dread regarding potential bleak consequences.

"My dearest, I long for your presence deeply, though it has been merely a day since I beheld your smile, heard your gentle voice, and gazed into the depths of your eyes," Thea murmured softly, delicately brushing aside a few stray strands of Mun's hair "Yesterday... Yesterday I saw my parents for the first time in seven years," Thea chuckled faintly, tears tracing a path down her cheeks. "In that moment, I experienced a sense of profound joy, feeling like a child once more as I found solace in the embrace of my loving parents."

Thea looked down, finding it difficult to maintain her composure as her voice wavered and she struggled to keep it steady. The quiet atmosphere heightened her sense of unease, causing her to long for any form of acknowledgment.

"I wished to express this to you face-to-face, to witness tears of joy in your eyes," Thea said with a bittersweet smile while gently clasping Mun's hand "My parents and brother want to meet you, properly of course. I have spoken highly of you to them, and now they hold you in high regard despite not having met you personally," She chuckled softly, the sound fading away "So please wake up soon, I want my family to get to know you, just as your parents got to know me, remember?"

Thea meticulously studied Mun's serene and tranquil facial expression, giving the impression that he was peacefully sleeping rather than being in a state of coma.

"I love you... I love you so much and the thought of a day without you is unbearable." She struggled to compose herself, her trembling voice betraying the tears streaming down her face "I know you were the first to say it, you were the only one who said it to me and I... I never told you that I loved you." She frantically wiped away the tears that she could not contain. "The difficulty in finding the right words held me back, it was so difficult to get the words out, you deserved to hear them all the time... forgive me, forgive me for not being the best girlfriend, forgive me for failing to reciprocate your unwavering love"

The sounds of distress resonated beyond the confines of the room, reflecting Thea's profound sense of remorse and regret that remained inscrutable to others.

"I am certain that you are cognizant of the recent interaction between SuHo and myself," Thea expressed tearfully. "I wish for you to comprehend that it held no significance for me. He was under the influence of alcohol and therefore not in control of his actions, which is why I took the initiative to clarify matters with him before erasing his memory." She displayed a faint, sorrowful smile once more "Please wake up soon. Don't leave me alone for too long. I don't know if I can go another day without you..." Her trembling hand affectionately stroked Mun's cheeks, as he continued to lay in a state of unconsciousness and non-responsiveness

The hushed yet sturdy noise of the door to the room being opened prompted Thea to swiftly sniffle and subtly dab at her tears, in order to avoid being noticed in such a moment of fragility.

"This way" Jangmul gestured quickly, holding the door open as Mun's two closest companions entered, rushing towards him with a combination of panic, astonishment, and worry

"Hey, Mun"Ju-yeon expressed with worry as she walked towards her best friend lying on the bed, tears immediately welling up in the girl's eyes

"He'll wake up" reassured Ms. Chu, gently patting the backs of both friends, who anxiously watched their unconscious friend on the bed unable to look away from him"He will. Calm down"

"I heard that you played a big part in waking him up when he was younger, Ju-yeon" Jangmul stated, expressing optimism that his intended strategy would yield positive results once more, much like it had in the past "You sang and talked to him. So..."

Ju-yeon gazed with watery eyes and spoke with a quivering voice as she asked "How long has it been?" Her inquiry was fueled by a desire for reassurance and relief from her anxiety over the situation

"It happened around 6:00 p.m yesterday. It was before sundown" Jeok-bong remembered, clearly identifying the exact time when the events unfolded. He rested his chin on his hand and gazed upwards, suggesting that his posture was helping him remember

"So it's been a day already. What about a doctor? Have you called one already?"Ju-yeon promptly looked to the team behind her, ready to assist in any way they could

Hana answered with a quiet "No, not yet" while shaking her head, feeling a tinge of embarrassment as the others appeared unsure of how to reply. Once again, she assumed the role of providing a sincere response

"He must be hungry. We should administer nutrients intravenously" suggested Ju-yeon, adjusting the sleeve of Mun's sweatshirt to delicately take hold of his arm "You must know a doctor. Please call them right now"

"Okay" Jangmul acquiesced without delay, recognizing the dire circumstances they were facing and understanding that they could not decline assistance if it meant aiding the team's most critical member

"All right"

"Does he have a diaper on? You still have the bowel movements in a coma"Ju-yeon elaborated with proficiency, her gaze briefly sweeping across the entire room before coming to rest on Thea, who kept her eyes fixed on her boyfriend's face as if avoiding his face would cause him to wake up and she would miss it

"I placed two bedsheets under him yesterday" Jeok-bong quickly stated with expertise, making a concerted effort to communicate that he had made every effort to help

"That'll soil the sheets and make it hard to wash them"Ju-yeon replied, as she reached under the covers to inspect Mun's abdomen "His stomach is full already"

"Ill go buy some diapers" Ung-min hesitated, his emotions a mix of stress and concern. Despite feeling daunted, he understood the importance of maintaining a strong and determined demeanor to handle the situation efficiently

"Okay. Hurry" Ju-yeon replied calmly as the young man exited the room. She shifted her gaze to Jangmul, the intensity in her eyes communicating her thoughts before spoken words, allowing others to predict her next actions almost immediately "Just singing, talking and praying won't help him wake up. We must cope with this situation" she stated solemnly, seeking reassurance for herself as much as for others. Jangmul acknowledged her words, grasping the underlying message "Let's wipe and massage his body first, so it won't stiffen. We need wet towels" she concluded

"Right"

"Give me one"

"I got it. Right here..."

"What are you doing? You need to move quickly" Ju-yeon prompted the group when she observed them nodding in agreement but not taking any actions, prompting an immediate response to her directives from each member

"Yes, ma'am"

"Sorry"

Hana asked "What else do you need?" as she exited the room, fully prepared to acquire any additional resources needed to provide aid

"Plenty of wet towels" Ju-yeon remarked, her gaze shifting from her friend's unconscious body to Thea once more. Unable to avoid the situation, she rose from her seat and feigned composure, pretending that everything was fine and she hadn't been crying just moments before

"A lot of towels"

"I'll bring more water"

After the departure of all the individuals from the room, Thea proceeded to walk slowly, her gaze fixed downwards, exhibiting a reluctance to part from her boyfriend. Her proximity to him provided solace, alleviating feelings of overwhelm, sorrow, indignation, and exasperation. Ju-yeon couldn't help but sympathize with Thea upon observing her emotional turmoil.

It was evident that she was grappling with distress, yet others seemed to overlook this, likely in an effort to avoid exacerbating her distress. Having known Thea for some time, Ju-yeon understood that she was reticent about unveiling her innermost sentiments unless they deeply impacted her, thus prompting concern that even her family appeared to be brushing aside her evident plight.

"Thea, you are welcome to stay if you wish," Ju-yeon murmured, prompting Thea to face her and offer a small smile of appreciation "It affects you deeply, doesn't it? If so, why do you try to conceal your emotions?"

Thea's mouth opened as if she intended to speak, yet no words emerged, leading her to gulp nervously, unable to find a suitable reply.

I do not wish to be a burden to anyone

I do not wish for anyone to be concerned about me

Out of the blue, Thea found herself embraced by arms, causing her to feel stunned and confused. Ju-yeon gently held her, aiming to provide solace and urge her to express her feelings. The embrace was something that Thea had been craving for a long time - a comforting and affectionate hug. Suppressing her emotions no longer possible, tears streamed down her face as she embraced Ju-yeon in return. Overwhelmed by their shared sentiments, Ju-yeon also couldn't contain her tears, leading to both women experiencing a whirlwind of emotions simultaneously.

Author's note;

Apologies for not updating yesterday, as I was overwhelmed with school work. I opted to forego a break and attend intersession to make up for lost points in math. I apologize for the delay and assure you that the next chapter will be posted as promptly as possible! 😉

Question of the day: What is your current favorite song? 🎵🎧

I am inclined towards the piece "Write love and read breakup" by Hayea Song, as it is profoundly poignant and evokes a myriad of emotions. Let's reconnect next Wednesday! 🩷