Episode 4: Their Connection

The air felt colder than usual that night as Sunoo wrapped himself in his blanket, staring at the amulet resting on his nightstand. Its intricate carvings shimmered under the moonlight, as though it held secrets waiting to be uncovered.

Far from the bustling streets of Seoul, Sunghoon sat on the porch of his family’s cozy home on Jeju Island. The salty breeze swept through his hair as he clutched the amulet in his hand. His chest felt heavy, as if the object carried more than just its weight. Though his family was wealthy, Sunghoon had spent his entire life on the serene island, sheltered from the chaos of city life. His parents, working abroad, had always emphasized simplicity and isolation, believing it would help him grow unspoiled by urban distractions.

Sunghoon opened his eyes to find himself standing in a vast field bathed in soft golden light. The tall grass swayed gently in the breeze, and the air smelled faintly of blossoms. He looked around, confused, until his gaze fell on a figure standing in the distance.

The figure turned slightly, just enough for Sunghoon to see Sunoo’s radiant smile, but his features were still blurred, as if the dream refused to give away all the details.

“Who are you?” Sunghoon called out, his voice uncertain but curious.

Sunoo tilted his head. “I… I don’t know. I’ve been seeing you in my dreams. Are you real?”

“I don’t know,” Sunghoon replied, taking a hesitant step forward. “But… do you have this too?” He held up the amulet in his hand.

Sunoo’s eyes widened. “You have one too?”

Before either could say another word, the field began to dissolve, the golden light fading into a swirl of colors. Both boys reached out instinctively, their hands almost brushing before the dream faded completely.

Sunoo jolted awake, his heart pounding. He sat up and immediately turned to the amulet on his nightstand. It gleamed softly, almost as if it were alive.

Grabbing his phone, he texted Jungwon.

Sunoo: “I had the dream again. This time, we talked. He has the same amulet as me.”

Jungwon’s reply was immediate.

Jungwon: “Sunoo, you need to stop reading fantasy novels before bed. Are you sure you’re not imagining things?”

Sunoo: “Jungwon, I’m serious. It felt so real, like… like I knew him somehow.”

Before Jungwon could reply, Ni-Ki chimed in on their group chat.

Ni-Ki: “Sunoo, are you crushing on your dream boyfriend? 😂”

Sunoo: “Ni-Ki, I’m blocking you.”

Ni-Ki: “Okay, but seriously, maybe it’s a sign. What if you’re fated to meet him?”

Sunoo stared at the message, his thumb hovering over the keyboard. Was it really just a dream, or was there something more to it?

Meanwhile, in Jeju, Sunghoon sat on the sandy shores of the beach, staring at the waves crashing against the rocks. The amulet dangled from his hand, the carvings catching the sunlight. Jay, his childhood best friend, plopped down next to him with a bag of tangerines.

“You’ve been quiet lately,” Jay said, tossing a tangerine into Sunghoon’s lap. “What’s going on?”

Sunghoon hesitated, his fingers tracing the amulet. “I’ve been having these dreams… about someone I’ve never met. And he has the same amulet as me.”

Jay raised an eyebrow. “That’s… oddly specific. Are you sure it’s not just your imagination?”

Sunghoon shook his head. “It feels too real. Like, I can feel the grass under my feet and smell the air. And when I see him…” He paused, his voice dropping. “It’s like I’ve known him my whole life.”

Jay leaned back, letting out a low whistle. “Okay, so let’s say this is real. What are you gonna do about it? Jeju’s not exactly a hotspot for random encounters.”

“I don’t know,” Sunghoon admitted, clutching the amulet tightly. “But I feel like… I need to find him.”

Jay smirked. “Sounds like you’ve got yourself a destiny, Sunghoon. Better start packing.”

That night, both boys found themselves alone in their rooms, staring at their respective amulets.

In Seoul, Sunoo whispered into the quiet of his room, “Who are you? And why do you feel so familiar?”

In Jeju, Sunghoon lay on his bed, the amulet resting on his chest. “Where are you? And why do I feel like I’ve been waiting for you my whole life?”

As the moonlight bathed their rooms, the amulets began to glow faintly, as if responding to their shared longing. Neither boy noticed the light, but they both felt a strange warmth, a sign that their fates were intertwined in ways they had yet to understand.

The connection had begun, and neither Sunoo nor Sunghoon would ever be the same.

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