Episode 2: Comforting Dream

Sunoo was full of energy as the school prepared for their much-anticipated Lunar New Year festival. Seoul University had always been known for its extravagant events, and this year, Sunoo made sure it would outshine any previous celebrations. As the Student Government President, his excitement was contagious, rallying students to prepare for an unforgettable night.

With traditional hanboks as the dress code, a stage set for performances, lanterns lighting up the campus, and mouthwatering food stalls lining the walkways, the festival promised to be magical.

That evening, Sunoo, along with Jake and Jungwon, stayed behind to tidy up after the bustling preparation.

“Sunoo, we’re practically done. Can’t we call it a night?” Jake whined, playfully tossing a broom aside.

“Not yet, Jake. This festival has to be perfect, and perfection means attention to every little detail!” Sunoo grinned as he adjusted a stray lantern.

Jungwon chuckled. “You really are the President of Perfection.”

As the three tidied the stage area, Sunoo noticed something sparkling near the base of a tree. Curious, he picked it up—a stunning amulet with intricate patterns etched into it. The metal shimmered under the moonlight, and it seemed almost otherworldly.

“What’s that?” Jake asked, peering over his shoulder.

“I don’t know,” Sunoo murmured, holding it up. “It’s beautiful. Maybe it’s someone’s, but… it feels like it’s meant for me.”

“Are you sure about that? It could be cursed,” Jake joked, earning an eye-roll from Jungwon.

“It’s just an amulet,” Sunoo replied with a soft laugh, pocketing it. Little did he know, this small discovery would change everything.

In a quiet countryside by the sea, Sunghoon sat on a stretch of sand, the soft waves lapping at his feet. The Lunar New Year celebration at the beach was in full swing, with families laughing, couples enjoying fireworks, and children running around with sparklers.

But Sunghoon was alone.

His parents were abroad, running their businesses across the globe. Despite his family’s immense wealth, Sunghoon had never been to the city. His parents had always been overly protective, insisting that he grow up away from the fast-paced and sometimes dangerous life of urban Korea. Their strictness had shielded him but also left him yearning for more.

As he gazed at the families enjoying the festivities, a pang of loneliness washed over him. “Maybe one day,” he thought, “I’ll get to see what it’s like beyond this place.”

Standing up to stretch, Sunghoon wandered along the shore, away from the crowds. As he walked, something shiny caught his eye, half-buried in the sand. He knelt down, brushing it off, and found a mesmerizing amulet with a design that seemed almost alive under the moonlight.

“What’s this doing here?” he wondered aloud, slipping it into his pocket. It felt warm to the touch, as if it belonged to him.

That night, as the clock struck midnight, Sunoo and Sunghoon unknowingly connected for the first time.

Sunoo held the amulet close as he drifted off to sleep, thinking about the festival and the lives of the students he always surrounded himself with.

Sunghoon, meanwhile, lay in bed listening to the sound of waves outside his window, clutching the amulet he had found.

And then, they dreamed.

In their dreams, the world was hazy but vivid. Cherry blossoms floated in the air, even though it wasn’t the season for them. A small bridge over a glimmering stream connected two sides of the dreamscape.

From opposite ends of the bridge, two figures appeared—Sunoo and Sunghoon. Neither could see the other clearly, but their presence felt familiar, as though they had known each other for a long time.

“Who’s there?” Sunoo called out, his voice echoing.

Sunghoon looked around, confused. “Who… are you?”

The dream lingered for a moment before fading into darkness. Both woke up with the same feeling: confusion but also an odd sense of comfort, as if they had found something—or someone—they didn’t even know they were looking for.

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