Things had grown cold at home.
"Sihyun isn't even speaking to me properly."
Jaeha muttered lowly as he stood in front of a sliding door, the sterile smell of the hospital clinging to the air around him.
He peeked through the narrow slit of glass instead of entering, observing the scene inside, which was painfully familiar.
There, in the stark white room, his physical body lay motionless, trapped by wires and tubes connected to various machines that beeped incessantly.
That fragile web of technology was the only thing keeping him tethered to life — even though he had long since crossed the threshold of death.
His once strong-willed parents sat beside the bed, their faces pale and drawn, the muffled sobs barely contained as they clung to one another for comfort.
With no hope left to hold onto, the years had carved themselves harshly into their features, each day chipping away a little more of their strength and spirit.
It was clear to anyone that their son would never wake again. And if by some miracle he did, his body would be too damaged to live a normal life — forever reliant on machines to survive.
Finally, after endless torment and silent prayers, they had made their decision.
They would say goodbye.
They would let their beloved son rest peacefully, sparing him the unbearable loneliness of suffering in silence. The thought had burdened them for years, but only now had they found the resolve to follow through.
Tears welled in Jaeha's eyes as he watched his parents quietly consoling each other.
The time… had finally come.
- - -
Arriving at the luxurious flat, Jaeha found the actor in the kitchen, standing in front of the stove.
A kettle simmered on the burner, steam unfurling in wisps from its spout, while a delicate ceramic cup waited on the countertop.
"Did you go somewhere?"
Jaeha asked after noticing that the man was wearing stylish clothes he had never seen before.
But the reply never came.
Sihyun seemed to treat him like air, his attention fixed instead on carefully preparing a cup of honey tea.
"Are you ignoring me again?" Jaeha sighed, a trace of frustration in his voice. "You're really gonna regret this after I leave."
The words somehow triggered the man, and he instantly stared back at him with a deep exhale.
"That's none of your business," Sihyun taunted, halting what he was doing. "In fact, why can't you leave now? Why are you even here?"
Jaeha couldn't help but let out a dry laugh.
"Wow. That's super mean of you to say that to your friend."
The man simply clicked his tongue, looking at him impassively. But that veiled expression soon shifted to one of horror—eyes widening and mouth agape.
Jaeha blinked, watching in confusion as Sihyun suddenly leaped toward him, frightened.
"What's wrong?" Jaeha muttered, peeking down at the trembling figure. Large droplets of tears were trailing down the man's sombre face.
"Jaeha… your body..?" Sihyun stammered between ragged breaths. "W-what is happening?"
This was when the ghost finally looked down on his own form, noticing his legs disappearing into mist and gradually creeping up toward his torso.
Fear surged through him for a moment, but he somehow managed to put on a brave face.
"Looks like it's finally taking place…" Jaeha muttered with a small smile. "… my departure, that is."
Sihyun stood frozen, panic seizing his heart.
The words made no sense in his turbulent mind.
"Why are you crying?"
Jaeha's warm voice permeated the air, and the man looked up through blurry eyes.
His long fingers reached up, trying to grasp the translucent figure slowly vanishing before him. But his hands passed through nothingness, the touch empty and cold.
He could only sob harder, utterly broken.
Jaeha felt a wrenching pang as he gazed softly at Sihyun.
"Don't be sad," he said through choked words. "I'm only going where I was meant to be."
"No, don't leave!" Sihyun pleaded, collapsing to his knees, pounding the floor in desperation.
Helpless, Jaeha crouched beside him, his lower half almost completely gone at this point.
"Just think of me as a friend who was with you for a little while," he said, offering a gentle grin. "You still have so much more to discover. I'm just one of the few stops along your journey."
"No…" Sihyun shook his head, eyes laden with sadness. "Stay here with me. I'll listen to you… please."
"What's that?" Jaeha giggled, trying to appear positive. But the grimness behind his eyes was clear as day.
He cleared his throat, forcing himself to stay calm before continuing.
"I'm thankful to have known you, Sihyun. Please… always be happy." He muttered, leaning his forehead against the man, their eyes locking in a silent, bittersweet farewell.
"Although it was rare to see you smile at me, I really liked it whenever you did. Goodbye… Sihyu-.."
The words trailed off as the last remnants of the figure dissolved into the air.
"Nooo!"
Sihyun shouted, grasping wildly at empty space.
But all that remained was bone-chilling silence.
Clutching his aching heart, he collapsed to the floor, wailing his grief into the quiet of night.