In the bustling corridors of the university, amidst the chatter of students and the rustle of papers, Shin, a freshman, cut a striking figure. Tall, handsome, and exuding an air of quiet confidence, he effortlessly navigated the labyrinthine halls, his presence commanding attention wherever he went.
Yet beneath Shin's composed exterior lay a shadow - a recurring nightmare that tormented his sleep, leaving him restless and disoriented, unknown by everybody. In the dead of night, he found himself ensnared by a blinding light, its intensity searing through his subconscious and casting him adrift in an abyss of darkness.
Five years prior, Shin and his older brother embarked on a fateful motorcycle ride in the rain, their mission urgent as they raced to deliver medicine to their ailing grandparents. The treacherous conditions of the slick roads, coupled with the glaring headlights of an oncoming truck, culminated in disaster - the deafening crash reverberating through the night as tragedy struck. Amidst the chaos that ensued, they bore witness to the aftermath - a young student lying motionless on the ground, the specter of death looming ominously in the harsh glow of the truck's headlights.
Haunted by the memory of that harrowing night, Shin carried the weight of guilt on his shoulders, his heart heavy with the burden of what might have been. He was young and afraid. He understood that it was the truck that hit the boy and the driver promised them to bring the boy to the hospital quickly, but he still felt so wrong in many ways. Since that fateful night, Shin couldn't shake the vague image of the injured boy from his mind, the silhouette haunting his dreams and casting a shadow over his waking hours.
Amidst the complexities of his life, Shin found solace in the presence of Jacob - with his warm smile and gentle demeanor, whose beginning friendship offered Shin a glimmer of light in his darkest hours. Unknown to Jacob, Shin has been admiring him from afar.
Seated vigilantly by Jacob's bedside in the hospital room, Shin was worried sick. As Jacob's parents arrived, he stood sentinel, a silent guardian in the face of adversity. Jacob remained unconscious until Shin had to leave.
Shin felt a familiar feeling of uneasiness.
As Shin made his way through the school corridors, his mind was a whirlwind of emotions. It had been days since Jacob's hospitalization, and he couldn't shake the worry that had settled in the pit of his stomach. But now, as he caught sight of Jacob's familiar figure in the distance, a surge of relief flooded through him.
"Jacob!" Shin called out, unable to contain the smile that spread across his face as he watched Jacob slowly weaving his way through the crowd. It was the first time he called his "big bro" by his name.
Jacob's steps faltered for a moment before he turned to face Shin, his expression a mix of surprise and uncertainty when he heard his name. He adjusted his glasses.
"Hey... Shin," Jacob replied tentatively, the name unfamiliar yet comforting on his tongue. Jacob finally learned about Shin's name when his parents told him that he brought him to the hospital.
Shin noticed the hesitation in Jacob's voice and the way his eyes widened ever so slightly, as if he had just made a discovery.
"How are you feeling?" Shin asked, trying to mask the concern in his voice with a casual tone.
"B-better now that I'm out of that hospital," Jacob replied, his words a little stilted as he shifted awkwardly on his feet.
Shin couldn't help but notice the slight discomfort in Jacob's demeanor, and he wondered if Jacob was aware of his name for the first time.
"I'm just glad you're okay," Shin said softly, reaching out to give Jacob's arm a reassuring squeeze.
"Thanks," Jacob murmured, his gaze dropping to the floor as he mumbled his response.
Shin sensed that Jacob was still processing the information, so he decided to tread carefully.
"You don't have to thank me, Jacob," Shin said earnestly. "We're friends, right? That's what friends do."
Jacob looked up, meeting Shin's gaze with a tentative smile that didn't quite reach his eyes.
"Yeah, friends," Jacob echoed softly, his voice barely above a whisper.
Together, they walked side by side down the hallway, their footsteps falling into sync as they navigated the crowded corridors. And as they disappeared into the throng of students, Shin couldn't help but feel a glimmer of hope stirring within him, knowing that despite Jacob's hesitance, their friendship was slowly but surely beginning to take root.
In the days that ensued, Shin and Jacob forged a bond, their camaraderie blossoming with each passing moment. They shared some laughter and intimate conversations, their hearts intertwining amidst the shared pursuit of mutual interests. As they ventured forth into the world together, exploring uncharted territories.
Shin discovered a sense of belonging previously elusive to him.
"Would you like a joyride?" Shin asked Jacob cheerfully.
"S-sure." Jacob answered.
As the sun dipped low on the horizon, casting a golden glow across the sky, Shin and Jacob made their way to the secluded beach near the school. The sand was cool beneath their feet as they walked, the gentle murmur of the waves providing a soothing backdrop to their conversation.
Finding a spot to sit, they settled down next to each other, their shoulders brushing lightly as they gazed out at the vast expanse of the ocean. The air was filled with the salty tang of the sea, mingling with the sweet scent of tropical flowers that bloomed nearby.
"Isn't it beautiful?" Jacob's voice, soft and contemplative, broke through the tranquil air as they gazed out at the vast expanse of the ocean, the crimson hues of the setting sun painting the horizon in a breathtaking display of color.
Shin nodded, a small smile playing at the corners of his lips. "Yeah, it really is."
Silence enveloped them for a moment, the sound of the waves crashing against the shore providing a soothing backdrop to their shared reverie.
"You know," Jacob began, his tone hesitant yet earnest, "I'm glad we met. I feel like... like I can really be myself around you."
Shin's heart skipped a beat at Jacob's words, a warmth spreading through him at the sincerity in his friend's voice.
"I feel the same way," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper.
Their eyes met, an unspoken understanding passing between them as they sat in companionable silence, the bond between them growing stronger with each passing moment.
Yet as they embarked on a nighttime motorcycle ride going back home, their laughter harmonizing with the gentle patter of raindrops, an ominous premonition hung heavy in the air. The distant rumble of thunder presaged the impending storm, forewarning of the tumultuous events that lay ahead.
Abruptly, as they rounded a bend in the road, the blinding light of an approaching truck pierced the darkness, resurrecting a deluge of memories that threatened to engulf Shin once more. Amidst the ensuing chaos, Shin found himself cast adrift, his body thrown to the unforgiving earth as the cacophony of screeching metal filled the air.
The rain fell in a soft, rhythmic cadence, punctuated by the distant rumble of thunder. Shin could not move his body. He felt he was going to pass out while he saw the raindrops against his helmet's visor.
Jacob's voice, tinged with urgency, cut through the darkness like a beacon of light, pulling Shin from the brink of unconsciousness.
"Shin!" "Shin!" The cry echoed through the night, a desperate plea laden with fear and apprehension.
With a jolt, Shin's consciousness surged to the forefront, his mind racing as he struggled to grasp the gravity of the situation. Through the haze of pain and confusion, he reached out, his fingers clawing desperately at the damp earth as he sought to anchor himself in the tumultuous sea of chaos that engulfed him.
"Jacob..." The word escaped Shin's lips in a hoarse whisper, barely audible above the din of the storm.
He saw a familiar figure, a familiar experience, a familiar silhouette. His heart hammered in his chest, a primal rhythm that echoed the frantic beat of his thoughts.
But as swiftly as the moment had come, it slipped away, dissolving into the darkness once more. Shin's grip on consciousness wavered, his body growing heavy as the world receded into the inky abyss of unconsciousness.
And as darkness claimed him once more, a single thought echoed through his fractured mind - Jacob.
