The days pass quickly, and the atmosphere at the inn is getting livelier.Seok Jin, Sung Joon, Kyung Ho, and Min Woo are now living with Ji Hoon, and the excitement and laughter always colors their days. They are not only friends, but also like family. The four friends have managed to continue their schooling thanks to Ji Hoon's help, and they are starting to feel calmer about their future. Sometimes, when they get together, there is laughter filling every corner of the room, reminding Ji Hoon that this is the life he has always dreamed of-not just freedom, but also the warmth of genuine friendship.
One day, Ji Hoon's father invites him back home. "You haven't been home for a long time, Ji Hoon. Let's go back for a while. Let your four friends enjoy life at the inn more peacefully," Ji Hoon's father said. Ji Hoon, who felt grateful for everything he had accomplished, agreed to go back. Although his heart felt heavy to be separated from his friends for a while, he knew that this was a chance to return to a home full of memories.
Arriving home, Ji Hoon sees that his room has been renovated very well. All the amenities he needed were there, and Mom and Dad welcomed him warmly. Ji Hoon feels a rare sense of peace, a sense of comfort that reminds him of his childhood. However, despite that comfort, his heart still felt more alive when he was with his friends at the inn. Home may have given him peace, but the inn gave him a different kind of warmth.
Even so, Ji Hoon couldn't help but long to see Soo Jin. After dinner, he sat in his room, opened his phone, and found a message from Soo Jin. "Are you home now, Ji Hoon?" Soo Jin wrote. Ji Hoon smiled as he read the message, feeling the warmth of her words. Without thinking, he typed a reply: "Yes, I'm at home right now. Maybe we can meet later? I miss talking to you."
The two of them hadn't seen each other in a while, and Ji Hoon longed to talk more with Soo Jin. He knew that their relationship was much different than before, but the feeling remained. He hopes that this meeting can bring new peace to both of their hearts.
A few seconds after sending the message, Ji Hoon felt anxious. Would Soo Jin approve? But he tried to stay calm. For Ji Hoon, meeting Soo Jin is not just about the memories of the past, but also about how they can continue to grow together, even in different paths.
One day, Ji Hoon invited Soo Jin to accompany him to a special event held by a wealthy family that Ji Hoon used to hang out with. The event is attended by many important people and, as usual, the guests are very concerned about each other's appearance. Ji Hoon asks Soo Jin to pretend to be his girlfriend, just for a while, as he wants to avoid any awkward feelings or questions from the people present.
Although Soo Jin hesitates, she agrees. She knows Ji Hoon is trying to avoid more complicated things, so she doesn't want to refuse. However, when they arrived at the event, some of Ji Hoon's friends started looking at Soo Jin with strange looks. They start whispering, unaware that Soo Jin and Ji Hoon overheard their conversation.
"I guess he's a poor man's son, right?" one of them said in a mocking tone.
"This is so embarrassing, Ji Hoon. Why did you choose him?" the other said.
Soo Jin fell silent at the comments. Tears began to well up in her eyes, and she rushed out of the building in a hurry. Ji Hoon watched her leave, and anger and disappointment flooded through him. He couldn't understand how people could be so shallow and judgmental.
Feeling like he had to do something, Ji Hoon ran after Soo Jin who was already walking quickly toward the street. "Soo Jin!" he shouted, calling out to her in a strained voice. However, Soo Jin didn't hear and continued walking.
When Soo Jin was on the road, a car suddenly sped up, not seeming to slow down. Ji Hoon sees her in panic, and without thinking, he jumps towards Soo Jin to save her.
Soo Jin can only be surprised to see Ji Hoon crashing into the car, before a loud crash is heard. The car stops a few meters further on, and Ji Hoon is sprawled out on the road, while Soo Jin falls down, only suffering minor abrasions on her hands.
Soo Jin's tears fell instantly, and she ran to Ji Hoon. "Ji Hoon! Ji Hoon, wake up!" she shouted frantically, shaking Ji Hoon's motionless body. This happened so fast, and the scene became very chaotic.
Soon after, several people ran towards them. Soo Jin cried endlessly, not knowing what to do. Ji Hoon, who finally slowly opened his eyes, groaned slightly from the pain. "Soo Jin...," he whispered weakly, "Don't worry... I'm fine..."
However, Soo Jin couldn't hold back her feelings anymore. She felt guilty, angry at herself, and felt that this incident only happened because of Ji Hoon's decision to help her.
This scene changed everything. Ji Hoon, who is usually strong, felt that this moment really opened his heart. In his pain, he thinks of only one thing: protecting Soo Jin, who is now more than just a friend.
After the incident, Ji Hoon is taken to the hospital by ambulance, while Soo Jin sobs beside him, unable to hold back the tense guilt. Upon arrival at the hospital, the medical team immediately treated Ji Hoon, and Soo Jin could only stand outside the treatment room, waiting anxiously.
Hours later, Ji Hoon is still lying unconscious in the ICU, unresponsive, and the doctor informs her that Ji Hoon has suffered a severe concussion, and may even be in a coma for some time. Soo Jin feels as if the world is crumbling before her. She sits stunned, biting her lip, trying to keep her tears from falling.
Ji Hoon's parents arrive soon after receiving the news from the hospital. Ji Hoon's mother and father enter the hospital room with heavy steps. They looked very worried and depressed, seeing their son lying motionless. They knew very well that Ji Hoon was a stubborn child and always tried to solve problems on his own, but they never imagined that they would see him in this state.
"What exactly happened, Soo Jin?" asked Ji Hoon's mother in a trembling voice, looking at the girl sitting in the corner of the hospital room.
Soo Jin, with tears in her eyes, answered in a quiet voice, "It was an accident, Mom. Ji Hoon was just trying to save me. I... I don't know what to say, but it's all my fault."
Ji Hoon's father who was listening anxiously just let out a long sigh. Although his heart was broken, he knew that no one was to blame. "It was an accident, Soo Jin," he replied softly, "We all know Ji Hoon did this to protect you."
Ji Hoon's mother rubbed her eyes, then turned to look at her son who lay weak. "We... we just want Ji Hoon to know that we care about him. But... why does it have to be like this?"
Soo Jin felt very guilty, but she also felt that this was the result of Ji Hoon's decision to protect her without hesitation, even though he knew the danger that could come. "I... I don't know what to do. I don't know if I can face it," Soo Jin said in a soft voice.
Ji Hoon's father looked at Soo Jin with an understanding gaze. "You don't have to feel guilty. Ji Hoon is a brave boy, he'll be fine. The important thing now is that we wait for him to wake up together."
Soo Jin nodded slowly. Although her heart was still full of worry, she knew that right now the most important thing was to give Ji Hoon the time and support he needed to recover.
The days passed slowly. Every day, Ji Hoon's parents and Soo Jin take turns sitting by his bedside, waiting expectantly. Ji Hoon, despite being in a coma, still looked calm there. Soo Jin promised herself to stay by Ji Hoon's side until he woke up, hoping that when that time came, Ji Hoon would know that she was always there for him.
The accident may have changed things in their lives, but Soo Jin realizes that she can't let guilt get the best of her. He just wants to make sure that Ji Hoon has his full support, just like Ji Hoon did for him before.
The days Soo Jin spent without Ji Hoon were very hard. Every time she walks into school, it feels like there's a huge void. No more Ji Hoon's laughter that used to grace her days, no more little surprises that always made her smile. Soo Jin felt lonely, as if the world was a little darker without Ji Hoon.
That night, after work at the restaurant, Soo Jin planned to go home. However, her old motorcycle suddenly broke down in the middle of the road. Soo Jin banged the bike in frustration. "Why now?" she complained softly. He decided to wait, hoping to fix it himself or maybe someone would pass by and help him.
Suddenly, the voice of a man he recognized came from behind him. "Hey, Soo Jin!!!" his voice was a little surprised, but full of excitement. Soo Jin turned around, and her eyes widened at the figure standing there. With a bandage on his head, Ji Hoon's face looked more mature and a little more serious than before. He didn't look like the usual Ji Hoon, but Soo Jin could feel a deep happiness in his heart.
"Ji Hoon... you... you're awake?" Soo Jin was almost speechless. Her tears started to well up, but she tried to hold herself back. It was like a dream, seeing Ji Hoon standing in front of her after what happened.
Ji Hoon nodded slowly, although he looked a little weak. "Yes... I'm fine. Just a little maintenance," he replied with a small smile. "I was looking for you, Soo Jin."
Soo Jin couldn't hold back her tears anymore. She ran to Ji Hoon, hugging him tightly, as if she didn't want to let go. Ji Hoon hugged her back, feeling the warmth of Soo Jin's embrace that he had missed for so long. For the first time after the accident, they can embrace soulfully.
Because of Ji Hoon's taller body, he gently strokes Soo Jin's head, a touch full of affection and warmth. Soo Jin felt the touch, and her heart skipped a beat. The moment felt especially meaningful to her, as it was the first time Ji Hoon had touched her in this way.
"Thank you for waiting for me, Soo Jin. I'm really sorry for everything," Ji Hoon said in a soft voice, although there was still an awkward feeling between them.
Soo Jin smiled with tears still running down her cheeks. "I've waited too long, Ji Hoon. But I'm glad you're back."
They stayed in each other's arms for a while, savoring the moment, and feeling the long-lost happiness. At that moment, the world seemed to stop for a moment, only the two of them existed, bound by feelings that could not be expressed in words.
After a few moments of hugging, Ji Hoon finally released Soo Jin gently. He smiled and said, "Well, so you really missed me, huh?" to break the tense atmosphere. Soo Jin smiled, a little embarrassed, but still relieved to see Ji Hoon again.
Ji Hoon looked at Soo Jin with a serious gaze. He looked deeply into Soo Jin's eyes, as if to confirm something he had been thinking about for a long time. "Soo Jin," he said slowly, "do you love me?"
Soo Jin was silent for a moment, her eyes closed as if trying to find the right answer, but her heart already knew what she felt. She nodded, slowly but surely. "Yes," she replied, her voice soft and soulful.
Ji Hoon sighed and looked at her again, this time more deeply, more seriously. "Do you want to be a part of my life?" he asked in a different tone, as if wanting to make sure that the answer was something more than just friendship.
Soo Jin was surprised by the question. She stared at Ji Hoon for a moment, heart racing, and mind spinning. "What do you mean?" she asked, a little confused but also moved.
Ji Hoon smiled slightly, as if he was ready with the answer. "Being my lover, Soo Jin. I don't want to lose you again. I want us to be more than friends."
Soo Jin was silent for a moment, digesting Ji Hoon's words. She felt the same feelings, but there was a sense of hesitation and fear that it was all too soon. However, seeing Ji Hoon's hopeful gaze, she finally replied, "Yes, Ji Hoon. I want that."
Ji Hoon's smile widens, and for the first time since the accident, he feels like the whole world is on his side. They stood there, under the night sky, with their hands clasped together, feeling a stronger bond than ever before.
That day, everything changed. They were no longer just friends, but a couple ready to face everything together. No more doubts, only happiness filled their hearts.