Chapter Text
The air is warm, filled with the chirping of birds and the bustling sounds of the breeze rustling the trees outside Sunoo's window. It's a cozy afternoon in late June, with the sun casting a golden glow over their house. Sunoo's birthday was just last week, a joyous occasion he celebrated with his family back in their province.
There was laughter and music, with his favorite dishes laid out on the table and the gentle hum of family chatter filling the air. Now, he's back in town, settling into his room laying in his bed, preparing for the upcoming school year. His desk is already cluttered with textbooks and notebooks, and a sense of anticipation mingled with the warm afternoon air as he looks forward to his Instagram account?
"What pic should I post kaya? Hmmm, this one? Or this one? No! Oh, this one! Shit, ang sexy ko!" Sunoo squealed as he swiped through his album of sultry photos. He was shirtless, wearing only shorts, and playfully teasing his Calvin Klein underwear.
"Sunoo nak! come down here dito mamaya sa garage! buhatin mo ang mga boxes na ito sa storage room!" Sunoo's mom commanded him.
"Wait lang ma! I'll be there lang teka lang wait po "Sunoo answered back.
"Oh wait teka lang ano caption ko hmm? uh wait ano music ilalagay ko ugh! wait sza? charli xcx? doja cat? oh! ariana grande nalang para sweet girl pero bad bitch ang atake!"
Just when he was about to post his pictures on Instagram his mom appeared behind his back and snatched his phone away.
"And post- , hey! Teka lang Ma!" Sunoo said.
"Bubuhatin mo ang mga boxes? or I will confiscate your phone?" His mom said.
"Okay po I'll do it and plus I'm not your student ma" sunoo responded defeated, "impatient mo naman ma" sunoo whispered softly.
"Ano sabi mo?" Sunoo's mom asked, "wala ma sabi ko ang ganda mo" sunoo said cheekily.
"Oh here's your phone teka lang bakit ganito ang suot mo dito!" Sunoo quickly grabbed his phone from his mother's hand. "Ang cute ko ma right! oh the boxes ma! let's go!" Sunoo said and grabbed his mother outside his room and guided their way towards their garage.
Sunoo resides in a peaceful subdivision, where the neighborhood exudes a serene charm. Their house beautifully reflects the rich architectural style of the early 2000s, with accents of beige, white, and maroon, complemented by lush plants that envelop the property. He lives with his mother and his furry friend Casper, a white British Longhair cat. His father works abroad in the United States, while his mother is an elementary school teacher in the town's local school.
"Carry those three boxes inside nak, ang dalawang malaki ilagay mo sa storage room and the small one ilagay mo sa room mo" sunoo's mom said.
"Why naman po ma? eh ang dusty nito isang box tapos sa room ko pa ilalagay?" sunoo responded.
"That box contains some of your junior high school projects, albums, and notebooks kasi check mo lang and throw those na hindi mo na kailangan"
"okay po, wait nandito pala scrapbook ko oh my gosh!" sunoo said shockingly
"Yes and some of your test papers before nak" sunoo squinted his eyes and shook his head.
"Okay okay po no need to reminisce about the past po hahaha" Sunoo said and carried the boxes inside the storage room and went back inside the garage to carry the last box.
"Ma what are you gonna do inside here kasi?" Sunoo asked "I'll be renovating it kasi I'm gonna add my plants here" their house is filled with plants inside and out literally.
"Oh sunoo nak I'll be going to school mamayang hapon we will have a meeting later kasi" sunoo's mom reminded him.
"Okay po ma, ay! ma nag-aya pala sila yujin na mag stroll kami sa mall mamaya can I go po?" sunoo asked shyly.
"Yes you can go pero make sure to feed baby casper and check everything before leaving the house"
yes! Shopping can't wait!!!
"Yes ma! love you!" Sunoo said and hugged his mother.
Sunoo carried the last box and returned to his room and picked up his phone to post his pictures on Instagram.
"shit ang hot ko! main thing by Ariana Grande's perfect song talaga!" Sunoo said while laying down in his bed.
"‘Oh, look at this— liking my recent stories and posts. Stalker much? Hahaha, just kidding!’ Sunoo chuckled, amused by the user who had been consistently liking his posts for the past three years. It wasn’t that he was keeping track, but it was unusual that this account only followed him and seemed to watch and like his stories right before they were even posted.
‘Hmm, baka hater to, hmp! Sayang, ganda ko pa naman magkaroon ng hater!’ Sunoo added with a playful smirk."
Just as he was scrolling down his phone, Yujin was calling him.
"Sunoo! Girl! Mamaya, don't forget ha, gala tayo later!" Yujin said excitedly over the phone."Yes, I know, you’ve reminded us a lot already in the group chat," Sunoo replied."Whatever, babe! Basta, will pick you up around four sa hapon. Ningning is going to drive, pero car ni Chan Hee gagamitin," Yujin explained."Hahaha, gosh, okay, I'll get ready in a bit lang!" Sunoo responded."Okay, byeee! See you later, sis!" Yujin sang out cheerfully.
"Gosh, ang pretty ko! Blonde hair really suits me, shit!" Sunoo exclaimed. "I dyed my hair last week and I’m thrilled it turned out so well. I was so nervous at the salon, but I’m naturally pretty, yes I know. I’m glad my mom finally agreed to let me dye my hair—it took me a month of chores just to convince her, hmp!"Sunoo decided on a pink button-up shirt paired with low-rise jeans and white sneakers.
He also planned to add some glitter to his makeup and apply blush. Just as he was about to take a shower, his phone began ringing with notifications. Assuming it was Yujin from their group chat, he initially ignored it. But when the notifications kept coming, he decided to check.
"Ugh, student leadership duties await!" Sunoo said with a sigh."It's still summer vacation, but my student leader duties have been bugging and disturbing my fun these past few months. Ugh, I just can't stand some of the council members—can’t they understand it's summer? My phone has been exploding with notifications about plans for this year's student activities. It’s a lot for leadership, I guess. Well, I put myself in this position; I exerted my effort, time, and dedication during last year's campaign, and now I’m the council’s secretary. I can't believe it! I'm really proud of myself— a gay secretary on the school's student council, like, slay, I guess! So fetch! I’ll give my very best in service, chos! Eme! But seriously, I’m going to be the best secretary!
Sunoo checked his phone and was surprised by the sheer number of responsibilities he was assigned. Sure, being the secretary meant a lot of work, but he didn’t expect it to be this hectic.
"What? Ang dami naman nito, huhu! And they expect me to pass it tomorrow, ugh!" Sunoo said in annoyance. He was about to walk away when he suddenly tripped and fell over a box full of his high school junk.
"Aray! Gosh, ang lampa ko naman! Shit!" Sunoo exclaimed as he stood up and began to clean up the mess he’d made. While picking up the papers and books, he spotted a crumpled picture of himself and a familiar face—well, a former friend.
Sunoo stared at the picture, and a wave of memories came rushing back—moments he once cherished, times he had treasured with the person in the photo.
"I thought I threw this away already, ugh!" Sunoo muttered. As he was about to crumple the picture, he was distracted by the boy’s image.
"I hate you, Park Sunghoon," Sunoo said with a hint of bitterness, tossing the picture back into the box.
nakakainis ka...
Sunoo was startled by the loud beep outside his house and quickly peeked out of the living room window while feeding Casper.
"Sunoo, let's go na!" Chan Hee shouted.
"Ang ingay talaga nito, gosh! Buti na lang bff kita, beh," Sunoo thought.
"Casper, I'll go na, baby. I’ll be back later. Mama's coming home soon," Sunoo said, giving Casper a kiss.
"Beh, ang tagal mo! Let's go na! Sunoo, beh, enough na sa pag-makeup, gosh!" Yujin and Ningning yelled.
"These bitches talaga, ang atat!" Sunoo muttered.
He went out, locked the door, and hurried to the gate, where Chan Hee's Wrangler was waiting.
"Ganda naten, beh ah!" Ningning remarked.
"Talaga, ako na to, oh," Sunoo replied with a smile, tucking his hair behind his ear.
The four of them giggled as they made their way to the mall, their laughter echoing as they walked. They had grown incredibly close during their senior high school years, and their bond had only strengthened over time. Now, they were the best of friends, having shared countless experiences, stories, and offering each other a shoulder to rely on and cry on during tough times.
Yujin, the determined volleyball player, always full of energy and competitive spirit. Ningning, with her Muay Thai enthusiasm, has a fierce yet caring demeanor. Chan Hee, a member of the university's renowned band, brought a touch of musical charm to their group. Together, they complemented each other perfectly, their unique talents and personalities weaving into the tapestry of their healthy friendship.
They decided to watch a movie, and went shopping and bought new clothes, and ended their gala with dinner in a nearby restaurant.
"Sun eat ka na sis enough muna checking your phone" yujin said "Wait lang beh dami kasi chats ng vice pres sa akin huhu" sunoo said sadly.
"Aba that vp is too much na ha! last year pa yan may inggit kay sun!" chan hee hissed.
"I know right I didn't vote for her and she won like ugh feel ko rigged! ang bad pa naman niya she's so rude!" ningning said.
"mga beh enough na, I know naman Yuna is just doing her job" sunoo replied, "and plus I'm the secretary so it's my job talaga noh"
"Ay basta ako I don't like her!" ani ni yujin "Me too!" ani din nina chan hee and ningning.
"why is she like that to you, hindi naman siya ang president—si Karina ang president, kaya siya ang may upper hand. And it’s still summer!" Ningning explained, a hint of frustration in her voice.
"I know naman kasi, pero we need to work early for the preparation of the opening and other student activities, kaya chill lang guys," Sunoo said.
"She's like that sayo kasi her crush likes you, eh! Hahaha, Jay likes you!" Chan Hee teased.
Giggles and tickles enveloped their table, and Sunoo’s cheeks turned a deep red.
"Stop na kaya kayo! It's not even true! Ugh, please!" Sunoo warned his friends, his face flushed.
"Okayy," the three responded shyly, their smirks barely concealed.
Sunoo rolled his eyes and continued eating, but he was startled when a notification popped up on his phone. Ningning quickly grabbed his phone and shrieked, which startled the others.
"Shet, mga bading! Nag-message si Jay sa kanya sa Messenger, omg!" Ningning exclaimed.
Sunoo reached for his phone, but was stopped.
"Give me my phone na, please. Maybe an emergency," Sunoo said, trying to stay calm.
The three looked at each other, giggled, and handed his phone back.
"Love emergency kasi, eh! Hahaha!" Yujin laughed.
Sunoo just rolled his eyes and giggled. He was right—it was just about student leader stuff. Jay had messaged him to ask when the soccer team could start playing, as they had a schedule to follow in their council.
"It's about soccer stuff, guys. Wala nang iba, kayo talaga, eh," Sunoo said, shaking his head.
Jay: Thanks, Sunoo!
Sunoo: You're welcome po, Kuya Jay! The attached file is the schedule of practices from the department po, hehe.
Jay: Thanks a lot, Sunoo.
Jay: Uhm, Sunoo?
Sunoo: Yes, Kuya? Hindi mo ba ma-open ang file?
Sunoo: I'll message the owner to request access po, wait.
Jay: Sunoo, I already opened it po, no worries.
Jay: Actually, uhm, are you free next week, Friday?
Sunoo: Oh, okiee po.
Sunoo: Ah huh.
Sunoo: Uhm, oo po.
Jay: Great! There's a new restaurant in town, and I'd like to try it with you if it's okay naman sa'yo.
Sunoo: It's fine with me po, hahaha.
Jay: Thanks, Sun. I'll pick you up?
Sunoo: Ay, no na po, hahahaha.
Jay: Really? Okay, I'll meet you there. I'll send you the link to the location. See you, Sunoo.
Sunoo: See you din po, Kuya!
Sunoo’s blush was evident—indeed, Jay is handsome and hot, the university's MVP on the soccer field. Sunoo had been crushing on him for the past year, and now that Jay was actively talking to him and liking his posts, his heart was racing.
The three friends just smiled and continued eating. Once they were done, they decided to head home, but Sunoo chose to stay since he needed to go grocery shopping with his mama.
.
"Sun, ingat ka ha! tell tita na we said hi!" Chan Hee called out from the driver's seat, since he would be the one driving.
"Sure! Ingat kayo ha, chat kayo sa gc kung naka-uwi na kayo! Bye, mga bading! Drive safely kayo ha!" Sunoo said, blowing a kiss to his friends.
After Sunoo bid his best friends goodbye, he walked into the mall, checking his phone for messages from their student council’s group chat. He was also carrying a takeout dessert, a blueberry cheesecake—his mother's favorite. As he navigated through the crowded mall towards the grocery area, he accidentally bumped into someone. Given his string of clumsy mishaps for the day, he was bracing himself for yet another awkward moment. However, to his surprise, he was stunned to find the person standing before him.
A tall man with broad shoulders and a well-built physique, he wore a black hoodie and matching sweatpants, his hair styled in a dashing buzz cut with a distinct slit on his right eyebrow. However, what truly caught his attention was the noticeable bruise on his lips.
Bakit may pasa ito?, napaaway ba siya? Nasaktan ba siya? Basagulero na ba siya? Bakit ko nga ba iniintindi ito? At ano ang ginagawa niya dito, ha? Akala ko ba nasa States na siya—di ba nag-migrate siya doon tatlong taon na ang nakalipas?
Despite not encountering each other for the past three years, the changes between them were evident—their heights, hair color, and style had all evolved. Regardless of how their friendship had shifted or faded, Sunoo quickly recognized the person standing in front of him. It was his former best friend, who had turned into a bully and now his enemy, Park Sunghoon.
He was about to walk away when the person blocked him. Inirap ito ni Sunoo and was about to walk away when the latter spoke.
"sun" the tall person said
"Don't call me that…. we aren't friends" sunoo replied coldly, gone was the bright and warm smile he showed to his friends a while ago.
"And I don't talk to strangers" Sunoo said and continued walking away from the latter leaving the boy with a clenching jaw and fists.
Sunoo continued walking, unaware of the tears that began to stream down his face.
Why am I crying? Bakit ka pa nagpakita? Nakakainis.....
I'll forever abhor your presence and your entirety, Park Sunghoon. I once found solace and warmth in you; I once called you my best friend, my everything. You were my light. But everything changed. You changed.
You became a monster, and you hurt me. What you did and said will forever leave scars within me. You built up my confidence, but you also caused it to fade, and now I'm trying to regain it. I loathe you. But why, after all these years, do I still long for your presence? You drugged me, Park Sunghoon. You ruined my light. I fucking hate you.
Huhuhu, ang blueberry cheesecake ni Mama naipit tuloy sa dibdib niya…. Ang tigas, naggy-gym ba siya? What! Bakit ko pa iniisip 'yan! I hate you, Park Sunghoon!