Jihu enters the hallway.
His sharp footsteps echo first—slow, heavy, filled with years of secrets.
Jongsuk turns, eyes widening.
It's his first time ever seeing Jihu in person. The air freezes.
Jihu stops in front of the door Jaeahn had locked.
"Open the door."
His voice is calm… but shaking deep inside.
Jaeahn opens it halfway—only to pull Jongsuk inside and slam it shut again.
"Open. The. Door."
Jihu tries again, louder this time.
But Jaeahn answers coldly:
"I don't know you. Who even are you?"
Do Hwan looks helpless.
"What do I do now…? Jaeahn, please just open it…"
Inside, Eunwoo whispers:
"Big sis… can we open the door now?"
Jaeahn glances at him sharply.
"Do you want to get thrown out of this house?
Then stand still."
She opens the door again.
Their first reunion in 15 years.
Jihu's face.
The same eyes.
The same breath.
Time stops around Jaeahn.
She tries to close the door again out of panic—but Jihu pushes it open and steps inside.
That one step breaks her.
She loses control.
Her voice cracks—
And suddenly, she's crying, harder than she has in years.
Jongsuk goes breathless—he has never seen Jaeahn cry.
Jihu moves without thinking and pulls her into a tight hug.
"Stop crying… stop…
It won't happen again.
I'm not leaving you ever again."
Jaeahn's grip trembles on his shirt.
"Then get ready," Jihu says quietly.
"We're going to fight."
"Fight who?" she whispers.
"The fight I started… but you're the one who'll end."
Jaeahn wipes her eyes.
"…Okay, hyung."
---
Eunwoo's part
Eunwoo nervously approaches Jihu.
"Big brother… please don't tell anyone what happened on the bridge."
Jihu looks at him.
"I won't.
But first—you have to promise me you didn't do anything wrong."
"I… I need to tell this to Jaeahn," Eunwoo says softly.
---
🌑 Next morning
They sit together, the room silent and heavy.
Jaeahn says,
"I went to Hyejin's hometown yesterday. I met her mother… and I found two big clues."
Jihu rubs his forehead.
"I already know about one.
She used to work in AHN Medical Group."
"WHAT?!" Jongsuk almost chokes.
Do Hwan asks,
"And the second clue?"
Eunwoo hands over the notebook.
"Look."
Jaeahn opens it.
Bone marrow transplants.
Human cloning experiments.
Everyone freezes.
"Human clones??
Are they stupid or psychopaths?" Eunwoo blurts out.
"Both," Jaeahn answers flatly.
She flips the page.
Three passcodes.
But none of them can figure out what they unlock.
---
Planning
"Even if we know the truth," Jihu says, "Mom controls the entire facility. She won't let any of us enter."
Jaeahn laughs bitterly.
"She'd kill me if she saw my shadow near her."
"Then how will you go?" Do Hwan asks.
Jaeahn smirks.
"Who said anything about going now?"
Jongsuk frowns.
"What are you planning?"
She looks at him.
"Jongsuk… ready for tonight's midnight mission?"
"NO! NO! NEVER!" he yells.
"Okay, then Eunwoo will come with me."
"NOOO! I'LL GO!"
Jongsuk shouts immediately.
"It's too risky," Jihu mutters.
"Relax," she says.
"You, Do Hwan, and Jongsuk just have to protect me."
She grins.
"Not like I need protection anyway."
---
Midnight – 2:30 AM
They arrive at AHN Group headquarters.
Doctors are still walking around.
"Why are they still here…?" Jaeahn whispers.
Eunwoo smirks.
"I knew something like this would happen… so I prepared."
He hands them fake doctor coats, fake access cards, and Bluetooth earpieces.
Jaeahn stares at him.
"Whaaaat?! You know how to do this stuff?"
Eunwoo shrugs.
"Hacking is relaxing."
Behind him, Jongsuk gasps.
"YOU HACKED THE HOSPITAL?!"
"Call it whatever you want," Eunwoo says calmly.
Jaeahn, Do Hwan, and Jihu put on their coats and masks.
Jihu whispers,
"Aren't we scared to enter from the front door?"
Jaeahn smirks.
"We ARE doctors here. Why would anyone question us?"
Do Hwan whistles.
"Damn… she's really something."
They walk through the front door like actual staff.
Eunwoo speaks through the Bluetooth:
"Sending the full map to your screen."
A digital map appears.
5th floor: patient zone
6th & 7th: doctor cabins
Underground: restricted lab
9th floor: advanced research wing
A secret floor below ground
"45 minutes," Eunwoo says.
"Two teams. Don't hang up the call."
"I'm going to the 9th floor," Jaeahn says.
"Jihu, Do Hwan—go to the underground lab."
"Okay."
They move forward—
When suddenly, a voice behind them says:
"…What are you doing here at this time?"
END OF CHAPTER
---