486 Losing A Friend
Take inspiration from everyday life. That was what Minjun had told him.
However, it was definitely easier said than done. For that to happen, June decided to be one with nature and listen to the sounds that it created. [Music Production Skills: + 0.5] [44.5 points more for an upgrade.] June closed his eyes to tune out Fu's interruptions. Fu had been adding small increments to his music production skill score since yesterday, almost teasing him for not being able to come up with any decent music. "Hmm," June hummed, hoping he'd find a nice tune. [Music Production Skills + 1] [43.5 points more for an upgrade.] "Fuck off!" June exclaimed. "I don't need you to inform me of every single increase! Just tell me when I actually reach the needed points for an upgrade." [For this to happen, please wink and pout into the distance.] June sighed, feeling more frustrated by the minute. He was already stressed because he couldn't come up with a decent song even after Minjun suggested something to him. And Fu wasn't helping with the situation at all. So, he faced the window, closed one eye, and pouted for a quick second. Fu finally stopped bothering him, making him sigh in relief. Then, he closed both eyes again, trying to concentrate on the sounds surrounding him. He heard the sound of engine revs and car horns from the distance...
The sound of the drama show that Akira and Jisung were watching...
The sniffs of a distressed man... Wait.
June opened his eyes when he heard a sound that was different from the usual sounds he heard in his dorm room. He tried concentrating again, but the sniffs became louder and louder, snapping him out of his reverie. June clicked his tongue and stood from his bed, opening the door. He thought it was Akira and Jisung since they were fans of watching tearjerker dramas. However, it seemed like they were watching a comedy show instead, filling the dorm with their unhinged laughter. 13:43
He thought it was Akira and Jisung since they were fans of watching tearjerker dramas. However, it seemed like they were watching a comedy show instead, filling the dorm with their unhinged laughter. However, even amidst their loud laughter, June still heard the sniffing sound the loudest.
"Do you guys hear that?" June asked. "Hear what?" Akira asked, not even looking away from the screen. June clicked his tongue and weaved through the dorm to find the source of the sound. The others seemed to still be asleep, so they were silent. However, as June arrived in front of Casper's room, he heard the sniffing sound. June paused, finding it weird how the weird sounds were coming from Casper's room. He never saw the guy cry—not even when he won third on Rising Stars.
June's curiosity got the best of him, and he knocked on the door before he could stop himself. The door slowly opened, revealing a teary-eyed Casper. June's eyes widened in surprise since he really didn't expect such circumstances. If this was Jaeyong or any other member, June would have even joked about it. "What happened?" June asked, genuinely concerned. As much as Casper was weird, made June uncomfortable, and was borderline crazy, he was also the member who appreciated June the most. He believed in June the most. He always encouraged June through his weird ways. Somehow, he also became the glue of the team even though no one explicitly acknowledged it. Casper sniffed and opened the door wider, silently telling June to come in. June went in as Casper made his way back to the bed, covering his large figure with a blanket. June sighed and sat next to him. The two were engulfed in silence for a couple of moments since June didn't know how to comfort a crying person. Finally, after a few minutes, he finally had the courage to speak.
"Are you alright?" he asked.
Casper snuggled deeper into the blanket before shaking his head.
June pursed his lips and scooted closer to him. "Can I ask what happened?" Casper stayed silent for a few moments before saying one name. "Luther," he whispered, causing June to freeze. He had never seen the infamous cat, but he knew how important he was to Casper. Heck, he seemed to be the most important aspect of his life. "I—I never thought this day would come," Casper started opening up. "I love Luther so much," he nearly whispered. June really didn't know what to say, so he kept quiet, knowing that his presence would be the best thing he could offer. "I know it might sound stupid how I could love an animal this much, but I just do," Casper continued. "His presence itself is enough to make me smile. Even though he can't respond to what I'm saying, I feel like he's always listening...something that humans are sometimes unable to do," he whispered in the latter part. "Am I making sense?" Casper vulnerably asked. June nodded in understanding. He has never had a pet before, but Mei Ling always insisted that they get one. "It's not stupid," June assured. "Luther is your friend. Losing your pet is like losing a friend," June smiled. Casper choked back a sob. "I don't want to lose him," Casper sighed. "I know," June said, placing his hand behind his back and patting it gently. "But we need to understand that almost everything in this world is finite," he continued.
"As much as it hurts, pets aren't immune to that. However, that doesn't erase the happy memories that they contributed to our life." Casper's tears fell freely, burying his face in between his knees as he sobbed. "I heard this saying one time—a pet's departure is the prize we have to pay for the happiness they shared during their short time in this world." Casper continued to sob, and June wondered if he was making the situation worse with his words. "I want to see him," Casper said, finally revealing his face. June pitied his teammate since he looked so brokenhearted, "Let's go and see him then," June unhesitatingly suggested. "But we have a song to produce," Casper sighed. "I can't possibly leave when it hasn't even been started." "It doesn't matter," June said. "We can go right now. Who cares about the song when Luther's in trouble." A small smile finally appeared on Casper's face. "Will you accompany me?" Casper asked, hope evident in his voice. June pursed his lips before nodding in agreement. "Sure," he said, making Casper smile even wider. "Don't go back on your word now," Casper said, and June nodded once again.
"I won't," June said, standing from Casper's bed. The taller idol quickly followed after June. "Now, where is Luther buried?" June asked. Casper stopped in his tracks, causing June to stop, too. "Buried?" Casper exclaimed. "Yeah," June nodded. "Or is he not buried yet?" "I'm not getting what you're asking," Casper said.
"Huh?" June frowned in confusion. "Why would he be buried when he's just stuck in a tree?"
i love my dog so much, so i understand what casper is feeling!
SandKastle
