Chapter eight
886 Words
Episode 8
The smell of antiseptic had faded slightly for Hyun-woo, but the hospital still felt like it was stitched into his skin.
Hyun-woo sat upright on the bed, the IV finally removed, his wrist only marked by faint tape lines. His eyes were clearer now, but his body still carried that tired heaviness of recovery.
Soo-young stepped into the ward with a clipboard tucked under her arm. Her gaze went first to the empty tray on the bedside table, then to him.
“Finished eating?” she asked, glancing at Ha-rin who was seated beside the bed like she had been guarding him all morning.
“Yes,” Ha-rin replied simply.
Soo-young nodded and turned to Hyun-woo. “How are you feeling? Any pain?”
Hyun-woo shifted slightly, testing his body. “Not really. I feel okay now.”
Soo-young raised a brow. “You just finished eating and already asking about discharge?”
He gave a small, tired smile. “I’m just curious.”
She set the clipboard down and checked his notes. “You’re not leaving yet. You still need to complete your drip cycle.”
Hyun-woo sighed but didn’t argue. “Okay.”
Her phone buzzed.
“Yes, doctor,” she answered immediately.
It was Ji-hoon.
⸻
The Doctor Arrives
Ji-hoon entered a few minutes later, calm as always, his presence instantly tightening the room’s atmosphere. He nodded briefly at Hyun-woo before turning to Ha-rin.
“Miss Ha-rin,” he said.
“Yes, doctor,” she responded, standing immediately.
“Come with me.”
Without another word, she followed him out.
Soo-young stayed behind, adjusting the drip.
Ji-hoon paused at the door. “Nurse Soo-young.”
“Yes, doctor?”
“Deliver this file to Doctor Lu.”
“Understood.”
And then he left.
⸻
The Office
The office was quieter than the ward, lit by late afternoon light slicing through half-closed blinds.
Ha-rin stood in front of the desk, arms folded loosely now, though her posture still carried tension.
Ji-hoon opened the file.
“He won’t be able to return to basketball immediately,” he said.
Ha-rin’s head lifted sharply. “What? But the competition is soon.”
“He needs time,” Ji-hoon replied calmly. “He dislocated his ankle. If he rushes it, he’ll worsen the injury.”
She exhaled through her nose. “Fine. I’ll adjust the lineup.”
A pause.
Then she added, quieter, “He’s important to the team.”
Ji-hoon looked at her for a moment but didn’t comment.
“I’ll go check on him now,” he said instead.
⸻
Back in the Ward
Hyun-woo had just shifted into a more comfortable position when Ji-hoon returned.
Hyun-woo looked up. “Doctor.”
Ji-hoon pulled a chair closer. “You’re a student at Seoul National University?”
Hyun-woo nodded. “Yes.”
“I see,” Ji-hoon said. “My brother teaches there. English department.”
Hyun-woo blinked. “Really?”
“You’re a sophomore?”
“Yes.”
“And you know Professor Ji-woo?”
Hyun-woo’s face brightened slightly. “Of course. Everyone knows him. He’s very popular on campus.”
A faint, almost invisible smile crossed Ji-hoon’s face. “Yes… that sounds like him.”
Then he returned to his usual tone.
“How are you feeling?”
“A bit dizzy,” Hyun-woo admitted.
Ji-hoon checked the chart. “Low blood pressure.”
Hyun-woo shrugged lightly. “I was told before. I didn’t really take it seriously.”
Ji-hoon’s eyes sharpened slightly. “You should.”
“I know,” Hyun-woo murmured.
Before the silence could settle—
The door slammed open.
⸻
The Visitor
“HYUN-WOO!”
Min-seo stood in the doorway, breathless, panic written all over his face. He crossed the room quickly, ignoring everything else.
“What happened? Why didn’t you call me? I thought you disappeared!”
Hyun-woo blinked, then let out a soft laugh. “Relax.”
Ji-hoon cleared his throat quietly.
Min-seo paused mid-sentence, finally noticing him. “Oh—good evening, doctor.”
Ji-hoon nodded once. “I’ll give you some privacy.”
And he stepped out.
The moment the door closed, Min-seo turned back instantly.
“You scared me,” he said, voice lower now. “What really happened?”
Hyun-woo leaned back slightly. “Basketball accident.”
Min-seo narrowed his eyes. “That doesn’t sound simple.”
“It’s already handled,” Hyun-woo replied.
Min-seo didn’t look convinced, but he didn’t push further.
“Just don’t do anything reckless again,” he muttered.
⸻
Discharge
Later, footsteps returned.
Ha-rin appeared at the door.
“Everything is ready,” she said. “You’re discharged.”
Hyun-woo blinked. “Really?”
“Yes,” she replied. “No more hospital stay.”
Relief softened his expression instantly.
Min-seo crossed his arms. “It’s too soon.”
Ha-rin glanced at him. “It’s medically approved.”
Min-seo sighed. “Fine…”
Hyun-woo carefully stood, testing his balance. A bit unsteady—but standing.
“I’m finally leaving,” he said quietly.
For the first time in days, the hospital room no longer felt like a cage.
And as he stepped out, supported lightly by Min-seo, the world outside felt louder… and more real.
But somewhere behind them, Ji-hoon watched from the corridor—silent, thoughtful.
- Writer
