"Hey, are you just standing there? Help me hold him down, will you?" Ji-hoon shouted, frustration lacing his voice as he glared at Mina, who stood frozen, wide-eyed with disbelief at the unfolding chaos. With a burst of determination, she rushed forward, wrapping her arms around the struggling boy and pinning him to the ground. Just then, a nurse appeared, rushing towards them with urgency etched on her face, wielding an anesthetic injection in her hand, ready to bring calm to the turmoil.
As the struggle continued, Mina found herself grappling with the boy, who was writhing in resistance. His frantic movements made it difficult for her to maintain her grip without risking his safety. Just when she felt overwhelmed, Ji Hoon's voice cut through the chaos, steady and clear.
"Extend his arm outward while gently exposing his shoulder," he instructed, his tone firm yet calming. "Just be cautious not to pull too hard; it could cause harm to his body." Mina nodded, focusing on the task at hand, determined to follow his guidance carefully amidst the chaos.
Mina stood anxiously, her eyes fixed on Ji Hoon, waiting for his next move or instruction. Suddenly, out of nowhere, Ji Hoon lunged forward, his hand gripping a syringe tightly. With a swift, decisive motion, he plunged the needle into the boy's shoulder. The shock of the act left both Mina and the nurse frozen in disbelief, their expressions a mix of horror and confusion, as if they were witnessing the antics of a madman rather than the actions of someone in a hospital. Ji Hoon's demeanor was alarming, making them question his sanity in that sterile, clinical environment.
"Are you out of your mind? What on earth was that all about?" Mina's voice trembled with a mix of anger and disbelief as she confronted Ji Hoon. Her eyes were wide, fueled by a fierce determination to make him understand the gravity of the situation. "Don't you realize who he is? If anything happens to him, what will you do then? Have you completely forgotten that nearly half of your revenue relies on him? Or was that accident just too overwhelming for you to process?" She bombarded him with a relentless stream of questions, refusing to give Ji Hoon a moment to reply.
"What are you even talking about right now?" Jae Hyuk's confusion was evident as he tried to grasp the whirlwind of accusations. His voice was thick with bewilderment, the urgency of the moment swirling around them.
Even before they could properly confront each other, both Mina and Jae Hyuk could feel the weight of the world pressing down on them, as the boy they were so concerned about gradually slipped into a peaceful slumber, completely unaware of the storm brewing around him.
"Turn him over gently and steadily onto his back," Jae Hyuk instructed, his voice steady yet filled with a hint of urgency. As he carefully maneuvered the boy, dark strands of hair shifted away from the boy's face, revealing his delicate features. Jae Hyuk paused, momentarily frozen in shock at the sight before him. Just then, Mina, noticing his reaction, couldn't resist the temptation to tease him once more. "See? Now do you understand the consequences of your actions?"
Before she could continue her playful jabs, the nurse interjected with a calm demeanor. "Actually, I want to clarify that it was indeed necessary for him—just a bit of anesthesia to soothe him. What he did was beneficial, but the method was rather frantic. So, if you could, please be a bit more cautious from next time." Changing the direction of her eyes towards jaehyuk she said.
Ji hoon remained deep in thought, his brow furrowed in concern as he observed the boy's face. Without breaking his gaze, he gave a brief nod and turned to Mina, silently instructing her to give the boy a piggyback ride. Though he longed to take the boy onto his own back, the lingering pain from his injuries and the doctor's stern orders restrained him.
As Mina carefully lifted the boy onto her back, Jae Hyuk's heart felt heavy with worry. Together, the three of them made their way toward the elevator. Jae Hyuk hovered his hands protectively over the boy, the warmth of his concern radiating even in his weakened state. Just then, his attention was drawn to the nurse, who was mumbling to herself under her breath, her expression a mixture of concentration and unease. Jae Hyuk's curiosity piqued as he tried to decipher her words, adding to his growing unease about the situation.
"I hope he runs late, for heaven's sake," she said, a note of desperation in her voice.
"Who?" Jae-hyuk asked, furrowing his brow in confusion.
"Park Hong-ji," she replied, her expression tightening. "He's the leader of his group and acts as their guardian. I've heard he's quite intimidating and very protective of his members. What am I supposed to do if he finds out I left Sam Yeong-su alone?"
"But why is he doing this?"
With that question, Ji Hoon suddenly became the focal point of their attentive gazes, as if a light bulb had gone off above their heads. It was as if a shared realization washed over both women.
"Ah! Right, you were that patient from room 706," the nurse exclaimed, her eyes widening.
Mina quickly joined in, nodding in agreement. "Yes, that's right! You wouldn't know."
"Just ten days ago, Joon Ho, a member of the solar group, departed from this world, leaving behind a deep void. In the industry, it was well-known that he and Yeong su-ssi shared an inseparable bond, akin to brothers. After the devastating news of his best friend's passing, Yeong su was admitted here just three days later, and since that moment, he has remained in this sorrowful state. The weight of the loss is palpable, and as the nurse continues to speak, her words falter when she catches an unexpected sight: Ji Hoon, eyes brimming with tears, overwhelmed by grief.
"Were you a fan of Joon Ho?" she asked softly, her voice laced with genuine concern. The awkwardness of the moment hung in the air as he flushed with embarrassment, unable to meet her gaze. Sensing his discomfort, she leaned in closer, her eyes searching his for understanding, hoping to console him despite the evident confusion swirling around them. Even Mina, usually so composed, looked perplexed and echoed the same question, her brow furrowed in genuine curiosity. Meanwhile, the nurse, drawing from her experience in delicate situations, offered a handkerchief.
As Ji Hoon touched his cheeks, he felt the dampness there, a stark reminder of the emotions swirling within him. A sharp twinge of pain radiated from his chest, making each breath feel laborious and heavy. Conflicted thoughts raced through his mind.
Ji Hoon's heart pounded as he struggled to find the right words. He took a deep breath to steady himself and finally spoke, his voice laced with sincerity, "No, actually, I'm just a huge fan of Yeong Su. Seeing him like this and hearing about everything that's happened... it truly hurts me."
Mina squints her eyes in skepticism, her brows furrowing as the nurse's words linger in the air. Meanwhile, the nurse besieges Ji Hoon with a flood of sympathy, her voice a gentle cascade of reassurance. "Oh! You must be feeling so worried and scared, right? But don't fret. He's undergoing treatment, and I truly believe he'll get better soon. So, please, you can stop crying now."
It is not Jae hyuk that has been shedding tears; it's Ji Hoon, whose eyes glisten with a constant stream of unshed emotion. His heart feels as though it has been pierced by needles over and over, each prick a fresh reminder of his pain. With great effort, he manages to suppress Ji Hoon's feelings just a little.
When the elevator doors slid open, revealing the floor of Yeong Su—coincidentally the same as Ji Hoon's.
Ji Hoon, feeling a wave of emotion wash over him, issued a firm command to Mina, instructing her to help him back to his room. He insisted she only return once he was properly tucked in, then hurried off, eager to escape the suffocating atmosphere.
As he opened the door to his room, he was greeted by the sight of Hae Ra.
"You're back!" she exclaimed. "I brought you some food, and I also compiled the company's recent four years of data, just as you requested. Unfortunately, I need to head back to the office soon, but the doctor is scheduled to arrive in three hours. Please make sure to get a proper check-up. Also, in the future, just wake me up—I'd be more than happy to accompany you wherever you need to go."
Ji Hoon cut her off, impatience creeping into his tone. "I got it, so just leave. You mentioned you have to go, right? If you're still not done playing my butler, just leave your messages or whatever with Mina or Min hyuk. Now, please, I want to rest. And tell everyone not to come in until I say so."
With that, he waved her off, desperate for a moment of peace in the solitude of his room.
A wave of offense washed over Hae Ra, but she couldn't bring herself to confront Ji Hoon. With a heavy heart, she turned and exited the room, her footsteps echoing softly as she departed. The moment she disappeared from sight, Ji Hoon crumbled, tears streaming down his cheeks as he sobbed violently, each wave of emotion wracking his body. Outside, Jae Hyuk's spirit hovered, a silent observer, taking in the heart-wrenching scene unfolding before him.