The Sky is Up There, Try to Look at It When You Feel Down

Back in 2016, there was this otome game from Korea called Mystic Messenger that was released. It was a fun dating game that made a lot of women wake up at night just to chat with fictional characters. I am included. Back in 2017.

Most and foremost, I liked ZEN the most; the musical actor that smokes, occasionally drinks beer, and likes a night ride with a motorcycle. Something that never aligned with my own ideology but hey, he is so nice to MC in every route. Supportive, protective, and caring to everyone (except Jumin). And that's all that matters, at least for a fictional character.

Despite my obvious favoritism towards ZEN, I must admit that the most memorable moment I have in that game was with 707. In which in day 4 common route he says :

"When I feel depressed, I stare at the sky. Try that when you feel down. The sky is up there, but people don't really look at it"

I heard those sentences at least 3 times, one for each route, not including where I replayed. But it still rings in my ears.

I just thought it was beautiful the first time I heard it. After that, I stared at the sky several times before I went back to my usual agenda and stared at the ground and Earth.

4 years later, back in 2021, I fell into my greatest depressed state. Spiraling thoughts and everlasting sadness. It was such a devastating time.

I was out of my town during that year until 2 years afterwards. It was such an exhausting time, sometimes death feels like a solution. I feel like such a worthless human being, unworthy to live on this Earth along with another 7 billion people.

At some point, suddenly my brain recalled that phone call with 707. To stare at the sky when I feel down.

And I did just that.

It started as baffling. I never thought there would come a day where I listen to a fictional character's advice. But after several times of practicing what he told me, I realized that it did help.

The sky in the source of misery was so pretty: it was a clear blue sky with silk-like clouds when the day was sunny and it was practically gorgeous during the dusk. Orange, pink, and purple sky mixed perfectly, as if God Himself told the angels to paint the sky with His blessing. Sometimes, the moon already arises before the sky turns dark blue, and it adds perfection to the mixture.

Sometimes life went hard during the night. And the pretty moon is always right there, greeting me with its smile. And I feel better immediately.

And I don’t consider myself as a religious person, but isn’t this one of God’s wonders? To present you with something to ease your pain when life feels unbearable? And for some religions, God is thought to be watching you from His throne in the sky. Was that the reason for the comfortable warmth I felt whenever I looked at the sky?

Today, I stared at the sky. It was clear blue. As pretty as I remember it to be. In different places, different times, and different feelings.

A sense of longing, gratitude, and warmth dwells inside of me as 707’s lines once again filled my ears,

"...Stare at the sky. The sky is up there, but people don't really look at it"