———

“ Do you know that if your soulmate found someone else to be happy with, Your heart will be in pain until you can no longer handle that pain anymore? “

Everyone was told about that since they were small children, some believed it was just a myth but there were some cases of people who died from what they called “broken string”, a condition that was believed by many caused by having a soulmate who fell in love with someone else.

So, as much as it sounds like a pure fairytale dream to have a soulmate... many people wished to be one of those lucky normal people who wasn’t born with a soulmate that was connected together with them since birth by an invisible red string of fate. No one wants to feel what they believed to be the worst pain from having a soulmate who gave their love to someone else.

Choi Siwon was born with a rare ability to see the red string of fate that connected soulmates together. When he was a child, Siwon was happy to have this ability and only those who were close to him knew about his extraordinary ability.

Since his young age to adulthood, Siwon has been helping a few pairs of soulmates to be together. He was happy because he used what nature gave him to make people happy with their fated partner, to help them get away from “broken string” situation. He saw red string on his ring finger, Siwon has always been thankful to be one of those rare people who was born with soulmate. He couldn’t wait to meet them, to share the rest of his life together with them—

“ Siwon! I have someone to introduce to you! “ His friend since elementary school, Lee Hyukjae cheerfully waved at Siwon

“ This is Jongwoon-hyung, he will help us preparing for the competition next month! “ Siwon noticed a black haired boy next to Hyukjae, he barely smiled just looked at Siwon and shook his hand awkwardly but Siwon didn’t mind at all because his attention was on the red string that connected this new guy’s left ring finger... the red string that no one other than Siwon’s eyes could see.

Choi Siwon was 15 when he met his soulmate that he had been waiting since the day he saw his own red string. The teen was excited to know more about this boy.

Despite his awkward and unique personality, Jongwoon quickly warmed up to Hyukjae and Siwon. The three became close friends after the competition they’ve won together for their high school. Hyukjae and Jongwoon loved teasing each other, mostly it was the younger who tease Jongwoon and the he rarely actually got mad at him. 

While Siwon and Jongwoon always studied together, they played basketball together and the two barely seen separated from each other since their home were also not far from each other. Siwon believed this was what fate beautifully prepared for him and his soulmate, they had no problem in quickly becoming part of each other life since the first minute they have met.

The younger planned to tell Jongwoon about his ability to see their red string before Jongwoon graduate but—

“ Siwon-ah... I have something to ask. “ 

Jongwoon panted as he was lying his body on the cleanly cut grass tiredly after a basketball practice section with Siwon for the whole evening

“ hm? “ Siwon turned his head to the sight of his soulmate’s gorgeous profile view 

“ I’m going to graduate soon... I think I should confess something that has been bothering me for months ... “ Jongwoon told him while his eyes still kept looking up to the starry sky above them. Siwon’s heart beats faster at the older’s words, 

“ I know we have only known each other for less than a year but... there was something that attracted me, even if I tried to stop myself from thinking further than friendship... “ Siwon kept his silence as he still looked at Jongwoon with all attention he had, with his heart filled of hope

“ Siwon-ah... I think I... “ Jongwoon finally turned his gaze from the sky to Siwon

“ ... I’m in love with Hyukjae... what should I do... ? “ 

Short confession from the raven haired caused a strange sharp pain in Siwon’s chest... for the first time he knew what it felt like to be heartbroken... 

... To be one of those who suffered from broken string condition.

Jongwoon graduated and moved to Seoul to continue his study in college without confessing to Hyukjae, he told Siwon on that day because Siwon was Hyukjae’s closest friend and Siwon was the person that Jongwoon felt the most comfortable with to tell everything, but Jongwoon was scared that Hyukjae might be someone who has a fated soulmate and he didn’t want to hurt himself even more with unrequited love.

He tried to forget about the past and move one so Jongwoon rarely contact with Hyukjae and Siwon since graduation even though Siwon knew in Jongwoon’s heart, he still felt love for his friend because there was rarely a day without Siwon feeling light sharp pain stabbing his chest.

He knew he was selfish but he wished his soulmate would forget Hyukjae one day...

“ Siwon, long time no see! “ Hyukjae gave him a hug, they haven’t met and talked much since they both moved to different university after graduate. 

“ I miss you so much, man. “ Siwon told as they let go of their hug and sat down inside a small cafe. Despite everything, He still loved Hyukjae as the only friend who knew about him more than others... he felt terrible for the hidden jealousy that he had toward this man every time he thought of a certain black haired person

“ College is killing me, you know... I thought I picked an easy to pass major but I guess none of college kids get it much easier than others. “ Hyukjae spent an hour complaining about people in his class, about how lonely he has been without Siwon around and Siwon was happy to listen. Their friendship has always been this way since they were young.

“ also... “ Hyukjae’s tone changed to a bit of hesitation before he sipped his hot chocolate 

“ ...have you heard anything from Jongwoon-hyung since he had left ? “ Siwon looked at Hyukjae for the sudden question about Jongwoon, who tried to avoid them for years 

“ No... not even his contact number... “ Since the night he confessed about having a crush on Hyukjae, Jongwoon just decided to avoid both of them... and it was hurt 

“ I met him recently... “ Hyukjae told him... his fingers played with his straw 

“ ... He told me something. “ Hyukjae’s eyes looked down to his drink instead of his best friend who was paying attention to him

“ Jongwoon-hyung confessed to me, Siwon... “ He told his friend honestly, Siwon stopped breathing for a few second as he heard that. His soulmate finally confessed to his crush...

“ That’s quite shocking... “ He pretended not to know... as if this fact wasn’t the pain he suffered from for years 

“ I told him to wait for my answer ... “ Hyukjae said before grabbing Siwon’s hand 

“ I want to see you and ask you something first, Siwon... “ Siwon was curious but he slowly got what his friend meant by that

“ I know I shouldn’t use you like this but I really want to know if you can see red string on my finger or his finger ... please I just... I don’t want to be in serious relationship with him and hurt his soulmate or my soulmate. I know it’s stupid that I believe about the myth of broken string symptom but I don’t want to risk this. “ Hyukjae begged him while his hand held Siwon’s tightly waiting for answer 

Hyukjae’s finger has a red string that connected him to his soulmate ... Jongwoon’s finger has a red string that connected him to Siwon... both of them shouldn’t be together but from the pain that Siwon suffered everyday, Jongwoon really loves Hyukjae to the point he still thought about him after these few years they were apart ...

“ Hyukjae, You asked me because you have feeling for him too... am I right ? “ the blush that appeared on the man’s cheeks confirmed everything, 

“ but I don’t want to hurt anyone, Siwon. That’s why— “ Siwon cut his words 

“ Don’t worry about that. You are lucky both of you don’t have the string that attach you to your soulmate. “ Hyukjae’s eyes filled with happiness as he heard his friend’s word, he quickly shook the hand he was grabbing 

“ Thank you thank you thank you so much! I knew I shouldn’t have worried for nothing, I mean... those soulmate people are pretty rare, why would I think both of us are attached ! ?” Hyukjae was happy, Siwon forced himself to laugh along and showed him the best fake smile for his friend.

He shouldn’t lie, but he didn’t want to break Jongwoon and Hyukjae’s heart. If they could be happy, the pain he would received now and in the future would be nothing...

Siwon didn’t know the pain could get worse as time went by.

A few days later he received a happy text from his best friend that they are dating now. Siwon smiled while his tear fell from his eyes and his hand clutched over his chest painfully.

The broken string wasn’t a myth and Siwon was suffering from it.

——

Since Hyukjae started dating Jongwoon, the three of them became close again. Siwon was glad that his soulmate found his happiness but the pain got worse the more Jongwoon fell in love with his best friend.

On Valentine’s Day, Siwon was the one Hyukjae asked to help him buy gift for Jongwoon— because Siwon knew what Jongwoon likes. That night he vomited and got fever from the unbearable stabbing pain in his chest, he couldn’t attend class for a few days. On Jongwoon’s birthday, Siwon helped Hyukjae preparing a surprising party for him, He tried his best not to collapse from pain during the whole party and forced himself to smile for them as his soulmate kissed Hyukjae and whispered sweet words to that man—

Siwon hates himself for being jealous of his best friend, for being terrible deep down inside that he secretly wished the two would break up.

However, their relationship only became stronger as years passed. 

“ Siwon-ah... what do you think of this ring? “ Jongwoon showed him a diamond ring

“ It’s beautiful, hyung. Hyukjae will love it! “ Siwon gave the older friend a smile that showed his dimples but covered the burning pain from his heart

“ Really??? But how about that one? The design looks more unique. “ 

Jongwoon asked Siwon to help him shopping for a ring. He planned to propose to Hyukjae after the younger graduates from his college. He has never refused helping the couple, even though he knew it was the same as stabbing himself with a knife repeatedly.

“ We want you to be our best man, Siwon! “ Hyukjae gave him the brightest and biggest smile as he had his arms hugging one of his fiancé’s arm

“ You helped us a lot, I think no one deserves this role more than you. “ Jongwoon nodded to agree with his smaller fiancé

“ What do you think, Siwon? You won’t be busy on that day right ? “ Siwon’s eyes wandered to the ring that Jongwoon wore on the left finger that still had his red string attached to it, Siwon wished he could cut that cursed string every time he saw it...

“ Why would I be too busy to accept this honor? “ Siwon’s answered with a smile which made Hyukjae and Jongwoon looked at each other happily before turning to thank him again and again...

If Jongwoon was this happy, he could bear more of this pain, right? 

Siwon fell unconscious on the wedding, the pain became much worse on that day that the big man couldn’t handle it anymore. He could barely breath as he was standing and holding the rings for Jongwoon and Hyukjae.

“ Sir, You know you are suffering from broken string syndrome, right ? “ Doctor Kim Heechul told him after Siwon was taken out of emergency room, he nodded sadly 

“ You know there is nothing much I could do as a doctor to help patients with this rare condition, except telling them to find their soulmate and talk to them... “ He sighed. A doctor’s nightmare was to meet patients with this condition, they couldn’t do anything to help beside giving pain killer... most patents just end up losing their breathe after years of pain on their own, nothing and no one could help them.

“ Sometime it’s not that easy, Dr. Kim... sometime the soulmate is already happy with someone else, I don’t want to ruin everything for them... “ Siwon said as his eyes turned to the couple who was waiting outside of the room for him 

“ So, You do know who your soulmate is and still you chose to suffer? “ Dr. Kim followed his patient’s eyes to the couple outside 

“ ... “ Siwon didn’t answer as he closed his eyes to rest and wished he could never open his eyes again because he knew from today, the growing pain in his heart would get more painful every single day and no one could do anything to help him. How stupid of him that he used to be an innocent kid who was happy and thought he was blessed to have a soulmate, now his soulmate is his slow and painful way to die.

“ I really hope those guys would know how much you sacrifice for their happiness, Mr. Choi... and I hope they cherish everything they are having. “

——

“ Siwon, I just noticed something... “ Hyukjae asked Siwon who was trying to catch his breath after helping Hyukjae moving this stuff to the new house he had bought with Jongwoon after their wedding. His health has gotten worse since the day he was sent to emergency room on their wedding but Siwon used medication to temporarily hide it from his friends 

“ ... I’ve never seen you dating anyone before ? Like since I’ve known you in elementary school, seriously! “ Hyukjae jumped to sit beside him on the sofa

“ Don’t tell me you are one of those people who has soulmate and is waiting for them? Oh my god, that must be it right ??? “ Hyukjae covered his mouth with his hand and teased his friend who just forced himself to let out a chuckle

“ Stop daydreaming, Hyuk. I just prefer living alone and my job is too busy for relationship, okay? “ He denied 

“ what? That sou