Page 8 of Scarbound

Haneul’s favorite snacks.

Chung-Hee instinctively pressed a hand against his own pocket, where an identical packet rested.

“You’d probably tell me to stop blaming myself.” A humorless laugh escaped the young man. “You always did.”

Chung-Hee went still.

Rage flared—

then shattered.

His eyes burned, but Chung-Hee didn’t move. He had to hear everything. For a few moments, the words became too quiet to make out. Then Noeul spoke again.

“I didn’t come to your funeral. How could I face your family? My brother’s actions were unforgivable. And I was responsible too. I didn’t protect you.”

Noeul’s voice cracked.

Chung-Hee dragged both hands through his hair, trying to release the pressure building inside his mind.

“I didn’t realize how far he pushed you. I should have stopped him. I should have hit him that day, when he was shouting, when he was hurting us both. Maybe then he would have thought twice.”

Chung-Hee’s hands trembled despite every effort to remain composed.

“After you died, everything collapsed,” Noeul continued. “They blamed my brother. Destroyed him. But he was still my brother, I couldn’t abandon him.” A bitter breath. “They blamed me too. Called me a liar. A murderer.”

Silence swallowed his words.

“No one cared that I loved you. That you were my best friend.”

For a moment, Noeul said nothing.

“Haneul… Gong killed himself last year. On the anniversary of your death.”

The words landed like a blow.

“He never recovered. He blamed himself for your pain, for everything. He left a note saying that he loved you and wished he could save you. I wish I could save you too. I’m sorry for your family’s pain as well. If there were a way to take it away, I would. I’d give my life to bring everyone happiness.”

The cemetery swallowed his grief. Chung-Hee stayed hidden, unmoving.

“I never told you I loved you.” His voice dropped to almost nothing. “I still do. Can you forgive me, just once?”

Silence.

“I’m leaving Korea. There’s nothing holding me here anymore. Losing you and Gong ended everything.”

His final words barely carried.

“I hate myself.”

A long silence followed.

“I’m sorry I’m still alive, hyung.”

Another breath.

“I’ll keep you close. I promise… Maybe I’ll join you soon.”

When Noeul finally left, Chung-Hee stepped forward. He didn’t try to stop the tears. They fell, hot and sharp.