FIVE 

It was raining that morning, and Sunggyu was getting dressed. He had a black shirt on, along with pants of the same hue. On top of it, he wore a black blazer. 

After approving his appearance from the mirror, Sunggyu went out of his place and drove. He arrived a little bit too early at the funeral home, and muttered a low curse when he saw Woohyun’s figure standing beside the white casket. Now he had to deal with this too. 

There were several people he recognized there, although most of them looked slightly different as compared to how they were back in high school. He smiled curtly at them, and decided to get himself a glass of water. 

“Sunggyu,” a voice came behind him and the said male turned around, only to find one of his closest friend standing before him. 

“Myungsoo,” Sunggyu smiled, “How are you?” 

“Not too bad,” The younger gave him a kind smile, showing off his dimples, “I didn’t know you were back, I was hanging out Woohyun last week and he said nothing about you coming back,” 

Sunggyu could only let out a chuckle in response, “Well, I came back about a month ago,” he said, “I visited Seoul for a bit, but have been staying in Jeonju with my parents until last week.” 

Myungsoo nodded his head, and after a little catching up, the younger excused himself and walked over to Woohyun who was still standing in the same position. 

Throughout the entire time, Sunggyu couldn’t help but notice how different Woohyun was acting. So after a while, he walked over to the front, standing next to Woohyun who still had his eyes glued to the woman who was sleeping peacefully inside the casket. 

Sunggyu felt his heart sinking down. He wasn’t too close to Hana, but he remembered the several conversations he had with her. She was a bright girl, and no one would ever guessed that the reason she skipped school so often was to receive her treatment and therapy. 

“Woohyun,” Sunggyu managed a whisper. 

Woohyun didn’t budge the slightest bit, so Sunggyu kept quiet and just stood there. Not long after, Hana’s parents approached Woohyun, and Sunggyu noticed how familiar they were with him. The two elderlies gave Woohyun a tight hug. 

“She loved you so much, Woohyun,” Sunggyu heard Mrs. Song say, “I’m sure she wants you to be happy,” 

Woohyun was in tears and he excused himself. Sunggyu was about to run after him, but halted when he heard Mr. Song say to his wife, “He was one of the best things that had happened to her,” 

The woman nodded with tears in her eyes as she leaned her head on her husband’s shoulder. 

It didn’t take long for Sunggyu to realize what was going on. He ran out of the room, and outside the building, only to find Woohyun drenched in the rain. 

“Damn it, Woohyun,” Sunggyu muttered as he rushed over to him. 

Woohyun felt his hands being pulled and his body being dragged back into the house. He didn’t have to look to know that it was Sunggyu.  

It was until Sunggyu managed to take a proper look at Woohyun under the verandah, shielded from the rain, that he realized how miserable the younger looked. He hasn’t him in two weeks, but Woohyun looked even more different than when he first saw him after three years. 

“Woohyun,” Sunggyu called again, and this time, the younger looked at Sunggyu with his empty eyes, “Why didn’t you tell me about this?” 

Sunggyu’s voice was soft, without a hint of accusation, but Woohyun still couldn’t find any words to speak out. 

Sunggyu dragged the younger to sit on the railing of the verandah and took off the Woohyun’s soaked jacket, before putting on his dry ones on around Woohyun’s body. 

“Stay here, I’ll be right back,” Sunggyu said as he rushed back inside the house. Not long after, he appeared again with two cups of warm tea, and gave one to Woohyun. 

“That was my girlfriend,” Woohyun finally spoke after Sunggyu settled down next to himself, “Song Hana,” 

“She had always been sick,” Sunggyu said quietly. 

“It was ovarian cancer,” Woohyun told him, “Even after she passed away like that, I still think she won her battle. She was always so happy and carefree, and she never complained,” 

The two were basked in silence again. 

“How did you two...” 

“She was a client,” Woohyun didn’t need Sunggyu to complete his question, “Well, her parents’ company was the client, but she was the one who reached out to me to help the audit their financial records.” 

Sunggyu nodded, “How long have you two been together?” 

Woohyun looked up at the sky that was starting to clear up, the rain was slowing down, “Almost two years,” he said and formed a small smile, “It would be our two years anniversary next week if she made it. I was planning on things already, but I think she knew she wasn’t going to make it. She always told me to just... live in the present.” 

Sunggyu felt his heart shattering, “Why did you never mention about this to me?” 

Woohyun sighed, “Because I made a promise to myself to not talk about this with anyone,” he answered, “Especially you, Sunggyu.” 

The elder had lots of questions running around his head, but kept quiet nevertheless.

“I was doing her a favor, at least in the beginning,” Woohyun continued, “She told me has always been fond of me since high school but never had the chance to hang out. She said she saw genuineness and sincerity in me although I was known to be someone who plays a lot with girls’ heart. And that really touched me. 

“Then she told me how she was going through this battle with cancer, and she was even smiling when she talked about it,” Woohyun had to chuckle as he remembered the day they first hung out after he finished work, “I was so confused but somehow it didn’t feel unnatural. I drove her back to her place since it was late, and before getting off my car, Hana told me her last wish.” 

Sunggyu was quiet, listening only to Woohyun’s story, as he encouraged the latter to go on. 

“She said, ‘How nice would it be to have you as a real boyfriend before I move on from this life,’” Woohyun then gazed up to Sunggyu’s eyes, “I had to tell her about us. I’m sorry.” 

Sunggyu felt like crying, but he held it all inside, “No,” he said quietly, “Don’t be.” 

Woohyun gave him a broken smile, “So I told her I’d date her, and only her,” he continued, “But throughout the past two years, I felt she was the one doing me a favor because when you left, I was pretty much destroyed. But she came and I realized that her warmth was all I need. I was really happy.” 

“I’m sorry, Woohyun,” was all Sunggyu could say. And he meant it. 

“Aren’t you going to judge me?” Woohyun asked, “Being superficial and all?” 

Sunggyu shook his head as he felt his eyes became wet, “You’re very kind,” 

Woohyun smiled, “That’s what Hana always says,” 

The two was silent again for a brief moment, sinking into their thoughts until Sunggyu couldn’t help but ask, “Did you ever... love her?” 

Woohyun took a couple of seconds before he answered, “She wasn’t hard to love,” 

Sunggyu nodded quietly again, gazing down to the wooden floor below. 

“But no, I never loved her like how I loved you. And she knows it,” Woohyun continued, “It was a meaningful relationship, nonetheless.” 

“Did she know that I was back?” 

“If she didn’t know, I wouldn’t have called you the night you landed here,” Woohyun smiled, “I told her that I should only be with her and you could wait, but Hana told me she just wanted me to be happy.” 

Sunggyu ruffled his hair and frustration, knowing how hurt Woohyun must be the last time he met him, “I’m really sorry Woohyun, I didn’t know,” he said. 

Woohyun placed his hands on top of Sunggyu’s that were resting on the elder’s lap, “It was my fault,” he assured him, “You didn’t know anyways. That morning, I received a call from her parents and they told me she was admitted to the hospital because something went wrong during her treatment, and the doctor said she only had 2 weeks left at most.” 

The rain had stopped and the sky was clear again. Sunggyu pulled Woohyun into a deep embrace. 

“I should’ve been there for you,” Sunggyu said, all kinds of regrets rushing through his veins. 

Woohyun smiled and patted his back. He wiped the tears that strolled down Sunggyu’s eyes, “That was my own fight,” he then gave Sunggyu’s forehead a light kiss. 

“From now, promise me that you’ll make your fight mine as well,” Sunggyu said sternly and Woohyun grinned, grabbing Sunggyu’s hand. 

“I will,” he said and stood up, “As long as you don’t leave me for three years like that again.” 

Sunggyu let out a laugh and stood up as well, “I won’t, I promise,” he said, “At least if I leave, we’ll still talk to each other and beat the distance.” 

And with that, Sunggyu sealed his promise with a kiss on Woohyun’s lips. 

-//-

FIN 

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Hi! Thank you for finishing the story :’) it’s been a while since I last wrote/updated a fic here so it’s great to be back! Hope you all enjoyed it :)