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The VVIP ward was unusually quiet.
The rhythmic beeping of the heart monitor blended with the soft hum of the air conditioner, creating a peaceful atmosphere.
Kyunmin stood beside Chang Wook's bed with a nurse, carefully checking his vital signs.
"His pulse is stable," he said after examining the monitor. "And his temperature is back to normal."
He took the patient's record file from the nurse, wrote down Chang Wook's progress, then handed it back.
"Thank you. You can leave now."
The nurse bowed politely before leaving the room.
Everyone in the hospital knew that whenever Kyunmin had a free moment, he spent it with Chang Wook. The nurses had long stopped questioning it.
As the door closed, Kyunmin pulled a chair closer to the bed and sat down in his usual spot.
He looked at Chang Wook.
"How are you feeling today?"
Chang Wook smiled faintly.
"I'm trying to be okay."
Kyunmin returned the smile.
"Don't worry. This phase will pass too."
Chang Wook looked at him for a few seconds before speaking.
"Don't look at me with those pitiful eyes."
Kyunmin shook his head immediately.
"I'm not."
Chang Wook slowly turned his gaze toward the large window, watching the clouds drift across the sky.
"But you already know the answer."
A small smile appeared on his lips.
"I'm dying."
The room fell silent.
Without saying a word, Kyunmin reached over and held Chang Wook's hand.
"You can still be cured," he said firmly. "Don't give up."
Chang Wook looked back at him.
"I'm not giving up."
He smiled softly.
"I still have Mom and Dad to think about. I can't just leave them behind like that."
His smile faded.
"It's been a long time since I heard from them."
Kyunmin squeezed his hand gently.
"They're in the States because of work. Once they're back, they'll come and visit you."
Chang Wook nodded.
"I know how their jobs are."
Both of them smiled.
Trying to lighten the mood, Kyunmin changed the topic.
"Your birthday is in a few days."
Chang Wook's eyes widened slightly.
"You still remember?"
Kyunmin chuckled.
"How could I forget?"
He leaned back in his chair.
"So... what do you want for your birthday?"
Chang Wook pretended to think.
"Hmm..."
After a few seconds, he looked at Kyunmin.
"I want ice cream."
"Ice cream?"
Kyunmin blinked in confusion.
"I can buy you ice cream on any random day. Why choose that?"
Chang Wook smiled.
"That's how we met."
Kyunmin stared at him for a second before laughing.
"So that's what this is about."
"Our friendship."
Chang Wook nodded.
"You forgot already."
"I didn't forget."
Kyunmin smiled warmly.
"Then I'll buy you the exact same one."
The two of them laughed together.
After a moment, Kyunmin's expression became serious again.
"Be strong, Chang Wook."
He looked him straight in the eyes.
"Recover completely and live the life you've always wanted."
Chang Wook slowly turned his head away.
"I think it's already too late."
A bitter smile appeared on his face.
"I might just live that life in the next world."
"Stop saying things like that."
Kyunmin's voice became firmer.
"You still have a long road ahead of you."
"The medication is already working. You just need to recover a little more before we move on to the next treatment."
Chang Wook smiled weakly.
"Don't pity me too much."
He let out a quiet sigh.
"I've lived the life millions of people dream about..."
He paused.
"...without them ever knowing what was happening behind the scenes."
Kyunmin understood exactly what he meant.
But he had no words that could ease that pain.
Chang Wook suddenly yawned.
Seeing the opportunity to let him rest, Kyunmin stood up.
"I'll leave you to sleep."
He gently patted Chang Wook's head.
"Make sure you get some rest."
Chang Wook frowned playfully.
"Stop doing that."
"I'm not a kid."
Kyunmin grinned.
"You secretly like it."
"I secretly hate it."
"Oh really?"
Kyunmin laughed before making an exaggerated heart pose with both hands.
Chang Wook immediately covered his face.
"Stop being like that."
"It's so cringe."
Kyunmin only laughed harder, refusing to stop until he finally stepped out of the ward.
---
### The Next Day
The hospital was already busy with doctors, nurses, and patients moving from one department to another.
Ayan was walking toward the HR department when she spotted a familiar figure from behind.
A mischievous smile spread across her face.
Without thinking twice, she quietly sneaked up behind him.
Pat!
She smacked the back of his neck.
"Brother!"
Kyunmin immediately turned around.
"You little troublemaker!"
He tried to hit her back, but Ayan dodged it effortlessly before running a few steps away laughing.
"Why are you so slow?" she teased.
Kyunmin caught up with her within seconds.
"And who exactly is the slow one?"
Before Ayan could escape again—
Knock!
He flicked her forehead.
"Ouch!"
Ayan frowned dramatically before bursting into laughter.
"You're the cheap one."
She looked at him with an innocent smile.
"Good morning, handsome."
Kyunmin reacted as though he was about to throw up.
"I don't have whatever you're about to ask for."
Ayan folded her arms.
"And who said I wanted something?"
She gave him a suspicious side glance.
"Can't I just be nice?"
"No."
Kyunmin answered immediately.
"Being nice isn't your personality."
Ayan tried to kick him playfully.
He stepped aside just in time.
"You missed."
The two cousins continued teasing each other, completely forgetting where they were.
Until—
"Good morning, Kyunmin... Ayan."
The familiar voice made them both stop.
They turned around.
Ayan's smile faded slightly.
"Miah..."
"Good morning, Miah," Ayan greeted politely.
"Good morning, Dr. Kyunmin," Miah said calmly.
Kyunmin looked at her for only a brief moment.
"Good morning, Dr. Miah."
He never called her by her name.
Not anymore.
For a brief second, disappointment flashed across Miah's face.
Even in her wildest imagination, she had never thought the man who once called her "Mi" would one day address her so formally.
Ayan noticed the awkward silence.
She was about to excuse herself when Kyunmin casually placed an arm around her shoulders.
He looked at Miah.
"Have a nice day."
Without waiting for a response, he walked away.
Ayan followed beside him.
Before turning the corner, she glanced back at Miah, sighed quietly, then faced forward again.
Miah remained standing where she was.
Watching them disappear down the hallway.
After a few moments of silence, Ayan finally spoke.
"Brother..."
She didn't even finish her sentence.
Kyunmin answered before she could.
"I'm okay."
"Don't worry."
Ayan gently held the hand resting on her shoulder.
"It's been ages since you walked like this with me."
Kyunmin smiled.
"Since our high school days."
The memory made both of them smile.
He checked the time on his wristwatch.
"I have to go."
He removed his arm from her shoulder and started running toward the elevator.
"Be careful!" Ayan shouted after him.
"Don't fall!"
Kyunmin looked back with a grin.
"I won't."
The elevator doors opened just as he reached them.
Ayan watched until the doors closed before quietly continuing toward the HR department.
- Writer
