Someone.
Sowon had dozed off on the couch again. It was an unintended habit, but her bed seemed too wide and empty. The couch at least gave the impression of enclosure. When she curled up, the weight in her chest felt less suffocating.
Her troubled slumber was abruptly interrupted by the doorbell's constant ringing.
She sighed, scratching her temples, and forced herself up. The ringing did not cease. Whoever stood at the door had no intention of leaving. She grumbled and stumbled toward the door, opening it without checking first.
The door swung wide to reveal a familiar person.
Hyein.
Sowon blinked, taken aback. The woman stood in front of her, shorter but with an evident presence, her arms crossed and frowning as she looked Sowon up and down.
"You look like shit."
Sowon inhaled sharply and ran a hand over her hair. "Nice to see you too."
Hyein entered without waiting for an invitation and removed her shoes. She hardly gave Sowon another glance before rushing directly to the kitchen.
"What are you doing?" Sowon inquired, following behind.
"What does it look like?" Hyein turned on the tap and began gathering the filthy dishes stacked in the sink. "This place is a mess."
Sowon scowled, suddenly feeling vulnerable. "You don't have to do that." She reached for a dish, but Hyein smacked her hand away.
"I do have to," Hyein stated bluntly, washing a dish with precise, efficient strokes. "Because apparently, you're not doing it."
Sowon sighed and leaned against the counter. "Hyein—"
"You can't live like this forever." The words were mild, yet they landed like a slap. Sowon tensed, she knew what was coming.
"You need to move on," Hyein said, her voice steady but forceful. "Your members did, Why didn't you?"
Sowon pushed her nails into the fabric of her jumper. It wasn't that simple.
Moving on entailed accepting that things had genuinely ended. That GFriend would never come back. Those years of hard work, sweat, and love had been reduced to memories and stored videos.
She was their leader.
Whatever happened, she would always be there.
Fans had looked to her for hope, comfort, and a future. Buddies were still whispering about a reunion. They were still waiting. And as long as they were waiting, she felt compelled to wait as well.
But she was only human. A weak, damaged individual who had lost herself as everything went apart.
Hyein finished the last dish and turned off the faucet. She dried her hands before gazing at Sowon thoroughly.
"You’re allowed to be happy, you know."
Sowon's throat clenched.
Hyein softened slightly. "You don't have to spend the rest of your life carrying this weight alone."
Sowon withdrew her gaze and swallowed hard.She wasn't sure how to answer.
Hyein groaned and shook her head. "You are stubborn. Always have been." She grabbed a towel and tossed it at Sowon. "Go wash up, You smell of alcohol and regret."
Despite everything, Sowon gave a low laugh. A little, fragile object.
Hyein smirked. "There she is."
For the first time in what seemed like an eternity, the silence in Sowon's home was not oppressive.
By the time Sowon finished washing up, the aroma of citrus soap had replaced the drab staleness of alcohol on her skin; she felt lighter. Not much, but sufficient.
She went out of the bathroom to discover Hyein cleaning off the remaining kitchen counter. The dishes were gone, neatly packed away. The sink shined. It was a simple deed, but it made the building feel less like a jail.
Hyein looked up and nodded in approval. "Better. Now let's head outside."
Sowon blinked. "Go out?"
"Yes, go out," Hyein said, flinging her jacket. "The weather's perfect, and you need to breathe fresh air instead of drowning in your own misery."
Sowon paused, looking at the door as if it were a foreign notion. She hadn't been out since... She couldn't even recall how long.
Hyein exhaled. "Sowon, No more excuses. Let's simply enjoy the day. No serious discussions, no painful recollections. It's just us. Come on."
For some reason, Sowon found herself nodding.
The morning breeze was fresh, and the sun filtered across the sky in delicate golden tones. It felt strange at first, being outside, surrounded by life, with strangers going about their business. But Hyein had a way of making everything seem natural.
They went shopping first, perusing the shelves of clothing, accessories, and home decor. Hyein insisted on selecting outfits for Sowon, stating she had lost her sense of fashion during her "self-imposed hibernation."
Sowon rolled her eyes and let her do it. Surprisingly, she found herself liking it, albeit only somewhat.
Then they went to a little restaurant and sat by the window, eating steamy bowls of ramen. It had been a long time since Sowon had a nice lunch outside, and it exceeded her expectations.
"You're eating like a normal person again," Hyein said, drinking her tea. "Proud of you."
Sowon scoffed but did not argue.
After that, they went into a small shop that sold charming souvenirs. Hyein purchased two identical keychains, one with a tall giraffe and the other with a bear. "This one's for you," she added, handing her the tall giraffe.
Sowon raised an eyebrow. "Why?"
"Because you're a giant," Hyein said calmly.
Sowon rolled her eyes, but she paid for it.
Hyein smirked as they exited the store, slipping her keys into her pocket. "See? That wasn't too bad, right?"
Sowon hummed while spinning the giraffe keychain between her fingers. It was such a small, unimportant thing, but it had a strange weight. A reminder that she wasn't utterly alone, that someone cared enough to pull her out of the hole she was falling into.
Hyein poked her shoulder. "You don't have to pretend everything is fine, but you also don't have to let it consume you."
Sowon exhaled and looked up at the sky. The sun had begun to set, coloring the skies pink and orange. It was beautiful. It has always been gorgeous.
Perhaps she had simply forgotten how to notice it.
Perhaps it was time she relearned how to see the beauty she once knew.