It's Always Been You | Lee Suhyeok

Episode 5 - Searching for Cheongsan

While waiting for Suhyeok and Cheongsan from the teachers’ office, Areum was leaning her body against the window beside Namra. The black haired girl was lost in thought as the class president beside her was stating some facts to the others. 

“I heard that in some countries, they mourn adults more than they do with children. And in other countries, they are sadder when children die. Which do you think our country is?” Namra mentioned.

The class president was faced toward Wujin, aimlessly looking at something behind the boy as Wujin stared at her in amazement. The young boy was amazed that he could see the other sides of her beside her cold exterior. 

Glancing around to see his friends, Daesu went to ask the class president. “What do you mean by that?”

“What Namra meant is that when children die, you lose hope. And when adults, you lose their wisdom.” Joonyeong explained behind Daesu. “Hope and wisdom. Which do we value more?”

“Hmm.” Daesu hummed as he thought about the question. Hearing the helicopter whirring in the distance, Areum turned her body around and saw two helicopters were flying in the sky.

“They’ve been flying all over the place since yesterday.” Areum claimed when she spotted the two helicopters flying in different directions, hoping in her mind that they would be rescued soon. 

“They would have already saved us if they really wanted to.” Namra added as Areum caught sight of her close friend glaring toward the two helicopters. 

“But even if they do come to save us, we won’t get out first. We’re just not important enough for that.” The class president paused as she glanced around her classmates. “We’re just students. Nothing more.”

Hearing Namra’s words, Areum instantly knew what she had said was partly true, which made her hope for being rescued would be hopeless. Areum closed her eyes and took a few deep breaths as she tried to calm her panic.

***********

Seeing Suhyeok walking along the window ledge to the broadcasting room, both Daesu and Wujin called his name, which attracted the attention of their friends. Areum immediately left her seat beside Namra and went closer to the tall boy, who was panting after landing inside the room.

“Are you okay?”

“Where’s the phone?”

“And where’s Cheongsan?” 

All of these questions were unanswered by Suhyeok as Areum could see his eyes become unfocused after coming from the teachers’ office. Quickly, Areum went to stand in front of the boy and cupped his face with her small hands. When she saw the tall boy still seem unfocused, the young girl tried to soothe the boy by rubbing both of his cheeks in a circulation motion with her thumbs as she stared at his black eyes.

“Suhyeok-ah, look at me. Please. You’re here. You’re okay now.” Areum whispered as she tried to make the tall boy focus on her after seeing his state when coming inside the room. 

“Lee Suhyeok. Please, look at me. It’s going to be alright.” The black haired comforted him. Few moments later, Suhyeok was able to focus on her as he stared at her brown eyes. Taking a few breaths, Suhyeok suddenly hugged Areum, which made the beauty jump in surprise.

“Are you alright?” The young girl asked in a low voice as he tightened his arms around the girl. Areum could feel Suhyeok shaking his head in response, making the girl frown in question. Patting his back in comfort, the young girl waited for him to explain for further detail.

Watching Onjo walk to the window to look for Cheongsan from Suhyeok’s shoulder, Areum could see Onjo checked from both sides of the window, hoping Cheongsan would soon appear.