RED STRING || 1

Chapter nine.

SEULGI SAT ON THE edge of her bed, feeling a sense of tranquility wash over her as she took in the spacious room. Unlike the cramped quarters she had been used to, this room was an open, comfortable sanctuary. It felt like a fresh start—a place where she could finally breathe, and perhaps, begin to find some solace. The weight of everything that had happened lately still lingered in her heart, but there was something comforting about being here, in this new space. A sense of calmness that hadn't been present for a while.

She glanced over at the clock and noticed it was late. Irene was probably already asleep in the next room. She felt a quiet longing to be near her, but instead of heading directly to Irene's room, Seulgi found herself gravitating toward the storage room. It was a room she had avoided for some time, but tonight felt different. She had been carrying a deep, hidden pain, and for some reason, this room felt like a place where she could confront that sadness in silence.

Seulgi tiptoed to the storage room, making sure to avoid any creaking floorboards. When she opened the door, she found the familiar objects sitting there untouched. Everything was exactly as it had been before. As her eyes scanned the room, they landed on a small, well-worn bear that sat on top of the table. It was old and ragged, with stitches clearly visible across its worn fabric. A smile tugged at Seulgi’s lips as she approached the toy, a quiet tear slipping down her cheek.

At one point, the bear had been ripped—its seams coming apart from a small accident. Seulgi knew that the bear had meant something important to Irene, something from her childhood that she had held on to with great care. The fact that Irene had taken the time to sew it back together, to fix something that was broken, made Seulgi's heart ache in a way she couldn't describe. It was a simple act of kindness, but to Seulgi, it meant the world. She gently held the bear in her hands, her fingers brushing against the soft fabric.

"Thank you," she whispered, her voice trembling with emotion. She wasn't sure why it affected her so deeply, but the thought of Irene's effort to repair the toy made her feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude.

Just then, Seulgi heard footsteps in the hallway. Her heart skipped a beat as she quickly wiped her eyes, suddenly aware of the tears streaming down her face. She couldn't let Irene see her like this. She tried to compose herself, but it was too late. The door to the storage room creaked open, and Seulgi turned to find Irene standing in the doorway, her eyes wide with concern.

“Irene…” Seulgi started, but her voice faltered as she quickly tried to hide the bear behind her back.

Irene’s heart sank when she saw the tears in Seulgi’s eyes. She stepped forward, her gaze softening as she took in the sight of her wife standing there, vulnerable and hurt. "What are you doing here in the middle of the night?" Irene asked, her voice gentle but full of worry.

Seulgi looked down at the floor, unable to meet Irene’s eyes. She felt a deep sense of shame, embarrassed by her emotional state. “I—I don’t know,” she muttered. “I just needed some time alone, I guess.”

But Irene wasn’t having it. She stepped forward, her arms enveloping Seulgi in a warm hug. She could feel the tension in Seulgi’s body, but she didn’t pull away. She held her tightly, hoping her embrace would offer some comfort.

“Why are you crying? Stop that. It hurts me,” Irene whispered, her voice full of concern. She had never seen Seulgi like this before, and it made her heart ache. She had always known Seulgi to be strong, resilient, and composed, but now, in her arms, she felt the weight of her pain.

Seulgi pulled away slightly, holding the bear even tighter to her chest as if it were the only thing anchoring her to this world. She swallowed hard, her voice shaky as she spoke. "I miss my friend... She gave me this bear, and... she passed away."