The sound of the helicopter echoed over the island, and Gogo and Yuri narrowed their eyes. As dust and leaves flew in the air, the crew rushed down. The moment they'd been waiting for had finally arrived. One of the crew members shined a flashlight toward the two silhouettes, and Gogo's face appeared at last, followed by Yuri's. A medical staff member said, "Let me run your checks." The nurse reported over the radio, "Muscle strength is low, blood pressure is low, vitamin deficiency and mild dehydration detected."
Another crew member said, "We need to connect you to IV fluids."
Both were connected to IVs, and the helicopter lifted off. Chaos awaited at the hospital entrance. Reporters, tabloid journalists, fans—an unbelievable crowd was waiting for Gogo.
Fans and reporters shouted, "Is Gogo alive?"
"When will there be an announcement?"
Fans chanted: "Gogo… Gogo… Gogo… Gogo."
Social media had already exploded.
The ambulance helicopter landed. Gogo and Yuri were taken on stretchers through the back entrance of the hospital under tight security and brought into treatment rooms. After the chief physician examined them, he would go out to address the crowd waiting outside. To avoid further delay, he stepped before the press.
The chief physician said, "The consciousness of both patients is clear. They are not in critical condition. Long-term inadequate nutrition and fluid restriction have caused vitamin and mineral deficiencies, muscle weakness, and low blood pressure. Their treatment will continue for a few days, after which they will be discharged."
A wave of emotion rose within the crowd. Many couldn't hold back their tears.
The hospital corridor held a sterile silence. Even the fluorescent light on the walls seemed soft. Despite all those days, it was as if the gentle light didn't want to disturb the quiet exhaustion of the two who had survived island life. Gogo and Yuri were taken to separate rooms for treatment.
After the doctor's statement, the company made its announcement. "Thankfully, Gogo has been found. For days we continued the search stubbornly without losing hope. We extend our gratitude to the search and rescue team, our doctors and nurses, and to you, the valued FOXEN fans, for your support and understanding. As our doctor said, after a few days of treatment he will be discharged, and FOXEN will make a swift comeback. With respect."
Everyone was finally relieved. Both statements were clear. Gogo was safe, and FOXEN would return. Ray, Vex, Jeno, and Kiko had their hoods pulled up and masks on. They moved toward the back entrance to avoid the overwhelming crowd at the front.
Hana said, "The doctor gave a brief—" but before she even finished, the four friends had already taken off running toward Gogo's room. "—permission… That's what I was going to say." She froze for a moment, then added, "Hey, wait for me, kids."
= Gogo's room =
The light was dim. The room was large and sterile. Gogo was sitting in a half-reclined position on the bed, an IV in his arm. The door swung open so suddenly that he didn't even have time to be surprised. He was immediately pulled into a circle of affection by his four friends.
Vex: "Our Gogo is finally back."
Jeno: "I told you he's strong."
Ray: "How are you? Are you feeling alright?"
Kiko: "Since you're okay, you'll tell us all about the island later." (He winked.)
Gogo: "As soon as I'm out of here, promise."
Hana (the manager): "It's so good to see you again. All of us… everyone prayed for you."
Gogo: "Thank you, all of you."
A little while later, a nurse entered the room to give him an injection. "We'll have to ask you to step out, please. We need to give the patient a sedative."
Hana said, "Kids, we should leave. He'll sleep until noon tomorrow anyway. You can come then." The group said their goodbyes and left the room.
(Five days later)
The hospital corridors looked calm in the early morning light. After five days, both Gogo and Yuri had recovered, and their discharge procedures were nearly complete. Gogo was waiting in his own room, but something bothered him:
He hadn't seen Yuri for days.
Before his friends arrived, he couldn't resist and quietly made his way to Yuri's room. Peeking inside, he saw a nurse handing Yuri her discharge papers.
"Ms. Yuri," the nurse said in a gentle yet curious voice, "you're being discharged. Do you have a relative we should contact?"
Yuri gave a slight smile, wearing her usual careless mask. "I have no one. I'll go out on my own. Thank you."
The nurse left. At that moment, Gogo appeared at the doorway.
He leaned against the wall, his arms crossed, the familiar mischievous expression on his face.
"No one, huh? So… where are you going?"
Yuri replied, her tone dripping with sarcasm, "Probably somewhere you're not."
Gogo raised a brow, smiling lightly. "Looks like you missed the island. You're teasing me again."
Yuri pouted. "Of course. If we'd stayed a few more days, we would have started rotting. And I definitely wouldn't want to deal with your rotten version." She stuck out her tongue and made a face.
Gogo stepped closer. Just as Yuri was about to leave the room, he grabbed the door, shut it, and with his arms created a subtle barrier so she couldn't slip by.
Yuri rolled her eyes. "What now, Mr. Muscle Mountain? I didn't even say anything bad. Don't be mad at me, Fox Man."
Gogo closed the distance, stopping only when they were eye to eye. "Tell me… do you always have to be this unpleasant? Miss Stubborn. You enjoy throwing jabs, don't you?"
Yuri swung her fist, but Gogo caught her wrist midair.
Her other fist came next. He caught that one too.
"Hah," Gogo said calmly, with a hint of mockery, "this isn't the island, Yuri. We're in a hospital. Settle down a bit. If you really have nowhere to go… I can arrange a place for you."
That sentence cracked the mask Yuri wore. It was true: she had no home to return to. Not to her stepmother. Not to that neighborhood.
She averted her gaze. "Really?"
Gogo nodded slightly. "Yes. Really."
Yuri took a deep breath. "Alright… then. For now, I accept."
Gogo gave a faint smile. "Good. We're agreed. We'll leave separately. On this card is the address of where you'll stay. When you get there, give my name. And this is my number… in case you need it."
He released her wrists and stepped back.
"Take care of yourself, Yuri."
Yuri stood still, watching him. She wanted to say something, but the words stuck in her throat.
Gogo headed toward the door. Before stepping out, he glanced back over his shoulder.
"I know I'm impressive… but if I stay here any longer, my friends will think I've disappeared from my room."
Yuri blinked, startled, and stepped aside.
Gogo left the room. Yuri stared at the door for a few seconds… as if even those seconds carried too much meaning.