A distant voice echoed faintly in the darkness, calling out his name again and again.
"...o!"
What? Who's there? Kiyonari thought, his consciousness drifting somewhere between sleep and awareness.
"... Soo...!"
At first, the words were muffled, almost indistinct but slowly, they began to take shape, growing clearer with each passing second.
"Mr. Soo!"
This time, the voice rang out louder, edged with urgency desperate enough to pull him back.
[!!]
Kiyonari's eyes snapped open as he gasped sharply, his chest rising with a sudden breath. The first thing that greeted him was a stark white ceiling, fluorescent lights glaring down so brightly upon him that he instinctively squinted. His vision was blurred, hazy and unfocused, but gradually it cleared as his gaze wandered and scanning the unfamiliar room around him.
Where... am I? He wondered, confusion settling in.
Then like a sudden jolt; Wait... this is a... hospital? What am I doing here?
As he turned his head slightly, his eyes caught sight of someone stepping into his field of vision.
"Oh my, you're awake already," a soft woman's voice said gently.
Kiyonari blinked slowly, still trying to gather his thoughts. "Who...?" He murmured weakly, his voice barely above whisper.
"Please wait here. I'll call Doctor Jang," the nurse replied quickly before hurrying out of the room.
Left alone again, Kiyonari stared blankly at the ceiling. His mind struggling to piece things together. He couldn't remember a thing after the rescue... it was all a blur.
What happened to me? Why am I here?
Questions swirled endlessly, unanswered.
[Earlier that night]
The helicopter lifted into the air, its blades cutting through the darkness as the rooftop slowly disappeared beneath them. Inside Soo-hyun sat quietly, wearing the coat to cover himself. Beside him was Kiyonari, his sleeve soaked with blood, though he remained conscious. Both of them exhaled, the weight of everything finally beginning to settle.
It's finally over, Soo-hyun thought, his gaze drifting toward the window. The rooftop below looked distant now, small, hallow, like something unreal.
I can go back to my life... and forget this night ever happened.
His eyes shifted, landing on Kiyonari sitting next to him. I'm safe...
We're both safe.
For a brief moment, something softer flickered in his expression. "Everything's going to be okay now," he murmured quietly, his voice barely audible over the hum of the helicopter.
Soon, the helicopter descended onto a secured base, its blades whipping the air into a frenzy as flashing red and blue lights painted the scene below. Police cars had already surrounded the area, and ambulances stood nearby ready. Their sirens ringing sharply through the night.
The moment the helicopter touched down, rescuers rushed forward, pulling open the door without delay. Soo-hyun stepped out first, steady but visibly drained. Behind him, Kiyonari followed, but the moment his feet hit the ground, his body faltered, balance giving way as he stumbled.
Fortunately, one of the rescuers caught him immediately, preventing him from tripping. They quickly guided him toward an ambulance to tend to his injuries. As Soo-hyun walked alongside them, something off about Kiyonari caught his attention.
But before he could dwell on it, Kiyonari turned to him and flashed a faint, forced smile as if deliberately trying to ease his concern.
"What are you grinning about?" Soo-hyun asked, his tone edged with irritation, though it couldn't quite mask the unease beneath.
Kiyonari let out a small, sheepish chuckle. "I'm just glad you're finally safe, Director."
"..."
"I was really worried about you," he continued, his voice soft but sincere. "When Eunji-sshi contacted me and said something felt wrong, I panicked. I rushed over as fast as I could... thinking I might never find your whereabouts."
Soo-hyun remained silent and listening, but his calm facade cracked slightly. His dark eyes widening just a fraction.
"But I'm really glad I found you," Kiyonari went on, his voice faltering. "Even if I was late..." A hint of disappointment slipped through. "I'm so sorry, sir."
"No." Soo-hyun cut in immediately.
Kiyonari blinked. "Huh?"
"You weren't late," Soo-hyun said firmly. "You came just in time, Mr. Soo. If anything..." He hesitated, then looked away, a faint blush creeping up to his ears. "I should be thanking you for coming all this way to save me."
[!!]
"So, thank you... Mr. Soo."
The words came out quieter than expected, almost shy. Kiyonari stared at him for a moment, caught off guard. A warm unfamiliar feeling spread through his chest, softening everything even the pain that had been gnawing at him seemed to fade, if only for a second.
He let out a quiet chuckle. But the relief didn't last. A sharp, searing pain suddenly surged through his body. His breath hitched violently as he coughed a strained groan escaping his lips.
Soo-hyun's expression changed instantly. "Hey, what's wrong? Are you okay?!" He asked, stepping closer in alarm. His hand reached out, brushing against Kiyonari and came away yet.
He froze. Slowly, he pulled his hand back, his eyes locking onto the dark, glistening blood stain coating his fingers.
Don't tell me...
Realization began to dawn, but before he could react, Kiyonari's body suddenly gave in. His head slumped forward, landing heavily against Soo-hyun's shoulder.
Soo-hyun flinched from the unexpected weight.
"Mr. Soo?" He called, his voice tightening. "What's wrong with you? Why did you—?!"
Something was terribly wrong. He could feel it now the full weight of Kiyonari's body leaning into him, growing heavier by the second.
"Mr. Soo...!" Soo-hyun's voice rose, panic breaking through. "Mr. Soo! Wake up!"
There was no response. Kiyonari had already lost consciousness.
Unbeknownst to Soo-hyun, blood had been steadily soaking through the back of Kiyonari's clothes—another wound, far worse than the one on his arm. He had been shot from behind while shielding Soo-hyun earlier.
No! It can't be!
"Help me! Please, someone help!" Soo-hyun shouted, his voice cracking in sheer horror.
His hands trembled, his eyes wide with shock as fear and panic gripped him in a way he had never felt before. This wasn't like earlier or something he could brush off or control. Something deep inside him twisted violently, unfamiliar and overwhelming as Soo-hyun didn't know what to do.
A nearby rescuer hurriedly ran toward Kiyonari and tend to his wounds.
*****
[At the hospital]
Kiyonari let out a sharp breath as the pieces finally fell into place. I remember now... he thought, his gaze lowering slightly. I collapsed from losing too much blood.
The memory surfaced clearly this time the pain, the dizziness, the darkness swallowing him whole. And yet, here he was... lying on a hospital bed.
"Right," he muttered under his breath as something else struck him all at once. His eyes widened slightly. "Director Je!"
His head snapped up, urgency replacing the haze of confusion. Where is he now? What happened to him after I collapsed?
"I need to find him...!"
Ignoring the sharp protest of his injuries, Kiyonari forced himself upright. His body trembled slightly from the strain, but he pushed through it, swinging his legs over the side of the bed. The moment his feet touched the floor, a dull ache surged through him but he gritted his teeth and tried to stand.
Before he could take another step, the door suddenly swung open.
"I'm glad that you're awake, Mr. Soo."
The voice made him flinch.
Kiyonari lifted his head, his gaze landing on the man who had just entered. Recognition flickered faintly. "You're... Dr. Jang...?" He asked, voice still weak.
The doctor gave a small nod, tilting his head slightly to the side. "Yes, Mr. Soo," he confirmed. Stepping closer, his tone remained calm and professional. "I will be your doctor."
"You collapsed due to severe blood loss from the multiple gunshot wounds, both arms and your lower back."
Kiyonari's expression tightened a little bit.
"So I wouldn't recommend moving around so carelessly," Dr. Jang continued, his voice firm but composed. "Your wounds may reopen. Even if the stitches seem secure, there's always a risk if you keep pushing your body like this."
Kiyonari slowly lowered his head, aquiet frustration settling over him.
"... How long was I out?" He asked after a moment.
"Four days," Dr. Jang replied.
Kiyonari stilled.
"We were initially concerned you might fall into a coma due to the amount of blood you lost," the doctor added, offering a polite and reassuring smile. "I'm glad to see you've recovered consciousness, Mr. Soo. But we still need to run some tests just to make sure you don't have any other issues. Once you're stable, you will be ready for discharge."
Kiyonari gave a faint node, his gaze lowering slightly as the weight of information settled in. "I was out for that long, huh?" He murmured under his breath, almost as if he couldn't quite believe it.
Silence lingered for a brief moment. Then, as if something snapped back into place, he straightened his back despite the discomfort and looked directly at Dr. Jang.
"Director Je... where is he?"
There was a sharp urgency in his voice now, fragile, almost on the verge of breaking. "Is he okay?"
Dr. Jang shifted slightly, noticing the distress in the young man's expression. He raised a hand gently as if to ease him. "Please, calm down, Mr. Soo," he said in steady reassuring tone. "Director Je is alright. You have nothing to worry about."
The tension in Kiyonari's face eased almost instantly. His shoulders relaxed and he let out a quiet breath he hadn't realized he was holding.
"He's not the one you should be worrying about right now," Dr. Jang continued. "You lost a dangerous amount of blood. When that happens, the body goes into shock—your blood pressure drops, your organs don't get enough oxygen and you can lose consciousness, just like you did. Waking up after four days means your body had been under significant stress. You're still at risk of dizziness and weakness, so don't push yourself too much."
Kiyonari remained silent, absorbing every word. His lips pressed together tightly as he fought the urge to argue.
"So I strongly suggest you stay here and rest," the doctor added firmly. "It's best if you remain lying down for now."
Kiyonari hesitated for a moment, then slowly nodded. Times like this... he knew better than to be stubborn.
"... Thank you, doctor," he said quietly.
Dr. Jang simply smiled in response, calm and reassuring.
*****
Mid-autumn sunlight blared through the wide hospital window, bright yet gentle, casting a warm glow across the quiet room. The thin curtains swayed softly with the cool breeze drifting in, their faint rustling blending with distant hum of the outside world. The air felt light almost refreshing, carrying with it a calmness that seemed out of place within hospital walls.
Soo-hyun sat upright on his bed, his gaze fixed blankly on the window. His eyes followed the slow movement of the sky as clouds drifted lazily beneath the afternoon sun. The breeze brushed lightly against his cheek, cool and soothing... and for a brief moment, a faint smile tugged at his lips.
He had never felt something like this before.
Not in a place that once only held memories of suffocating silence and isolation of being alone in a sterile room with nothing but his own thoughts. And yet now... it felt different. It was peaceful, almost comforting.
The quiet was broken when the door slid open.
The sound pulled Soo-hyun from this thoughts, and he turned his head toward it. His eyes widened slightly when he saw Kiyonari standing there, his arm secured in a cast, his posture a little stiff but steady.
"Director Je," Kiyonari greeted, his voice carrying a sense of relief. There was a brightness in his expression, genuine, almost soft.
"Mr. Soo..." Soo-hyun muttered, parting his lips slightly, eyes welled up as if relieved. Then his brows furrowed too quickly.
"What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be resting in your room?"
"I'm alright now, sir," Kiyonari replied with a reassuring smile.
"Don't lie!" Soo-hyun snapped suddenly, his voice sharper than intended. "What if your wounds open again? You lost a lot of blood and were out for four days. Do you even realize how serious that is?!"
The words came out fast, laced with something deeper, fear, worry, emotions he didn't bother to hide.
Kiyonari blinked, caught off guard. For a moment, he couldn't say anything. He had never seen this side of Soo-hyun before, so raw and unguarded. It was a stark contrast to the calm and stern man he was used to.
A memory flashed in his mind; the same look Soo-hyun had back then.
"... Were you..." Kiyonari began slowly, his voice softer now, "worried about me, Director?"
Soo-hyun froze.
His expression flickered, conflicted, as he realized how he must've sounded. He noticed the way Kiyonari looked at him, almost in awe.
"What?" He scoffed quickly, his tone defensive. "Worried? Says who?"
He averted his gaze, turning his head slightly to the side, trying to hide the faint flush creeping onto his face.
"I'm just saying you shouldn't act like an idiot and use your head," he added, forcing his tone back into something cold and composed. "It would be a great loss on my side if I were to lose my only reliable secretary."
His voice hardened further. "Don't misunderstand, Mr. Soo. Having someone like you in the company is an important asset to the business."
"Oh..." Kiyonari responded, his voice faltering slightly. "O-Of course. I'm sorry for worrying you, Director Je."
Did I get it wrong? Kiyonari thought.
He lowered his head, a bit embarrassed, before letting out a small, awkward smile as he scratched the back of his head. "I'll make sure to take care of myself and be more careful from now on."
I'm so stupid. I shouldn't be so reckless and making things hard for the Director. I'm his secretary, someone he should be able to count on but instead, I'm only being a burden.
Soo-hyun shot him a brief glance, his expression unreadable. "It's good that you understand."
Silence followed.
The air between them shifted, turning oddly stiff. The earlier warmth seemed to fade into an awkward stillness, neither of them quite sure how to move past it.
Soo-hyun cleared his throat, the sound cutting through the lingering awkwardness as if he was trying to reset the atmosphere between them. "Anyways," he began, tone steadier now, though his gaze remained fixed straight ahead. Deliberately avoiding Kiyonari.
"I'm going to say this now because I know it will come up sooner or later."
Kiyonari tilted his head slightly. "Hm?"
"If someone offers you anything in return for saving an elite Omega like myself," Soo-hyun continued, his voice firm and measured, "you turn it down. No matter what it is." A brief pause followed before he added, "Better yet, don't say anything at all."
Kiyonari's brows drew together in confusion as he looked at him. "Pardon me? What do you mean by that?"
Soo-hyun leaned back against the bed, settling into a more composed posture, though the tension in his expression remained. "This isn't some advice," he said flatly. "It's an order, Mr. Soo." His tone faintly sharpened.
"The Je Group is not the kind to sit quietly after almost losing something they consider important—especially not when it's tied to their business."
The way he spoke made it sound less like he was referring to himself as a person and more like an asset. Kiyonari noticed.
"And my mother," Soo-hyun added, his voice dipping colder, "will be the first to act if she thinks there's something to gain."
He leaned forward just slightly this time, finally turning his gaze toward Kiyonari. His eyes met Kiyonari's directly, serious and unwavering.
"That includes firing you, Mr. Soo."
"Why would they fire me?"
"They'll obviously think your at fault and blame it all on you. Or you only saved me because you're after something."
"..."
"I guess they would think I'm after a huge sum as a reward." He murmured.
But that's not it. That's not why saved Director Je. I did it because...
Kiyonari remained seated, taking in every word without interruption. After a brief moment, he gave a small nod. "I understand," he replied calmly.
Soo-hyun blinked faintly as if acknowledging the answer, before his expression settled back into its usual composure. With a small wave of dismissal, he instructed Kiyonari to return to his room and rest.
Kiyonari didn't argue. He stepped out into the corridor, the quiet of the hospital returning as he walked slowly back toward his room. Letting out a soft sigh, he ran a hand through his hair.
I really should get my shit together and stop being a burden to Director Je. He thought to himself.
A faint, almost amused smiled tugged at his lips.
But I gotta say, he gets extra strict when he's shaken up...
He paused for moment, then muttered quietly under his breath. "And yet... he doesn't want to admit it."