Two weeks passed.
For the first few days, the hospital remained the center of everyone's life.
Yerin spent almost every waking hour beside Ji-hoon.
Her mother came whenever she could.
Her grandmother refused to leave him alone for too long.
And Do-hyun somehow managed to be everywhere Yerin needed him without making a big deal out of it.
But slowly, Ji-hoon improved.
He could sit up for longer periods.
He started eating properly.
His conversations became longer.
And most importantly, he started complaining again.
Which, according to Yerin, was the clearest sign that he was getting better.
One afternoon, Yerin entered his room carrying a small bag of snacks.
Ji-hoon looked at her.
"What did you bring?"
"Nothing."
He narrowed his eyes.
"Then why are you holding a bag?"
"Because I like carrying bags."
"Yerin."
She laughed.
"Fine."
She pulled out a packet.
"Your favorite."
Ji-hoon's expression immediately brightened.
"Give me."
"No."
"What?"
"You have to ask nicely."
"I'm your older brother."
"Exactly. You should have better manners."
Ji-hoon stared at her.
"You've become annoying."
"I've always been annoying."
Yerin smiled.
She handed him the snack.
"Here."
Ji-hoon took it.
"Thank you."
"See?"
He shook his head.
"How did I end up with you as my sister?"
"Bad luck."
He smiled.
For the first time since the attack, their conversations felt normal again.
And that meant more to Yerin than she could explain.
A few days later, the doctor finally walked into the room with a smile.
"I think we're ready."
Yerin immediately looked up.
"Ready for what?"
"To let him go home."
Ji-hoon's eyes widened.
"Really?"
The doctor nodded.
"As long as he rests properly and follows the instructions we've given him."
Ji-hoon looked at Yerin.
"You heard that?"
"Yes."
"I can go home."
"I heard you."
"I'm going home."
Yerin laughed.
"You're acting like you've been imprisoned."
"I have been."
"You were in a hospital."
"Exactly."
She rolled her eyes.
But she couldn't stop smiling.
The day Ji-hoon was discharged, the entire family seemed lighter.
Yerin watched as he slowly walked out of the hospital with their mother beside him.
Her grandmother kept reminding him to walk carefully.
Ji-hoon complained that everyone was treating him like a five-year-old.
Yerin laughed.
For once, there were no machines.
No waiting rooms.
No terrifying phone calls.
Just her family going home together.
And for the first time in weeks, Yerin allowed herself to believe that things might finally return to normal.
At least for a little while.
Back to University
The following week, university began again.
Final exams were getting closer.
The campus was filled with students carrying books, rushing between lectures, and complaining about assignments.
Yerin stepped through the university gates beside Do-hyun.
She looked around.
"It feels strange being back."
Do-hyun adjusted the strap of his bag.
"Because you've forgotten how to study?"
She looked at him.
"I never forgot."
"That's not what your grades say."
She stopped walking.
"Excuse me?"
He continued walking.
Yerin quickly followed him.
"You really enjoy annoying me."
"Sometimes."
"You're impossible."
"I've heard that before."
They reached the main building.
Before they could enter, someone came running toward them.
"FINALLY!"
Emily.
Min-jae was right behind her.
Emily nearly crashed into Yerin.
"Where have you two been?"
Yerin laughed.
"University."
"You know what I mean."
Min-jae pointed at Do-hyun.
"Two weeks of disappearing and then you both show up looking like nothing happened."
Do-hyun shrugged.
"We had things to deal with."
Emily looked at Yerin.
"Are you okay?"
Yerin smiled.
"I'm fine."
Emily studied her face.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes."
Emily nodded slowly.
"Okay."
Min-jae suddenly sighed dramatically.
"Anyway, forget all that. We have finals."
Yerin groaned.
"Don't remind me."
Do-hyun looked at Min-jae.
"You haven't studied."
Min-jae looked offended.
"I have."
"How much?"
"Enough."
"That means nothing."
Min-jae pointed at him.
"Don't judge me."
Emily laughed.
Yerin couldn't help smiling.
It felt good.
Normal.
Almost ordinary.
Throughout the day, Emily kept watching Yerin.
Not obviously.
But enough for Yerin to notice.
During lunch, Emily watched Do-hyun slide a bottle of water toward Yerin without saying anything.
Yerin took it without even looking at him.
Later, when Yerin stood up to leave the classroom, Do-hyun quietly picked up the notebook she had forgotten.
Emily saw everything.
She narrowed her eyes.
Something was definitely happening.
She just didn't know what.
After their final lecture, Emily caught Yerin's arm.
"You're coming with me."
Yerin blinked.
"Where?"
"Coffee."
"Why?"
"Because I said so."
Yerin laughed.
"That's not a reason."
"It is today."
They sat at a small table near the window.
Emily placed her drink on the table.
Yerin looked at her.
"Why are you looking at me like that?"
"Because I'm thinking."
"That's dangerous."
Emily ignored her.
"Yerin."
"Hm?"
"Is something going on between you and Do-hyun?"
Yerin almost choked on her drink.
"What?"
Emily leaned forward.
"You heard me."
"No."
"That was very fast."
"Because the answer is no."
Emily raised an eyebrow.
"Really?"
"Really."
"Then explain something."
Yerin sighed.
"What?"
"Why does he always know when you're tired?"
Yerin opened her mouth.
Then closed it.
Emily continued.
"Why does he automatically give you things without asking?"
"He's just—"
"Why did he look at you three times during today's lecture?"
Yerin frowned.
"I don't know."
"And why did you know what he wanted without him saying anything?"
Yerin looked away.
"Coincidence."
Emily stared at her.
"Yerin."
"What?"
"I've known you for years."
"I know."
"You are hiding something."
Yerin remained quiet.
Emily's expression softened.
"Is he treating you badly?"
"No."
"Did he do something?"
"No."
"Do you like him?"
Yerin's eyes widened.
"What?"
Emily smiled.
"That reaction answered more than your words."
"It did not."
"It absolutely did."
Yerin looked down at her cup.
Emily leaned back.
"I'm not trying to force you to tell me."
Yerin looked up.
"I'm serious."
Emily continued.
"If something is happening, you can tell me whenever you're ready."
Yerin's expression softened.
"I know."
"But?"
"But there's nothing."
Emily sighed.
"Fine."
She picked up her drink.
"I'll stop asking."
Yerin smiled.
"Thank you."
"For now."
Yerin laughed.
"You're impossible."
"So I've been told."
By the time Yerin returned home, the sky had already begun turning orange.
She stepped inside.
"I'm home."
No one answered immediately.
She placed her bag down.
Her entire body felt heavy.
Maybe Emily's questions had exhausted her more than she realized.
She walked toward the staircase.
One step.
Then another.
Her vision suddenly blurred.
She stopped.
She blinked.
"What's happening?"
The staircase seemed to move beneath her.
She held onto the railing.
Her breathing became uneven.
She tried to take another step.
But her strength disappeared.
Her knees gave way.
"Yerin!"
Her mother's voice echoed through the hallway.
Yerin barely heard it.
She collapsed.
Her mother rushed toward her.
"Yerin!"
She knelt beside her.
"Someone help!"
Her voice trembled.
"Do-hyun!"
Do-hyun was in his room when he heard the shouting.
He immediately rushed downstairs.
"What happened?"
He saw Yerin lying near the stairs.
His expression changed.
"Yerin."
Her mother looked at him.
Do-hyun immediately moved toward her.
"Where's the doctor?"
"I've called him."
Do-hyun carefully helped lift Yerin.
"I'll take her upstairs."
Her mother followed quickly.
"Be careful."
He carried Yerin to their room and carefully placed her on the bed.
Her mother sat beside her.
"She looks so pale."
Do-hyun looked at Yerin.
"We'll wait for the doctor."
The doctor arrived shortly afterward.
He examined Yerin carefully and asked a few questions.
After checking her condition, he sighed.
"She's exhausted."
Her mother looked worried.
"Is she okay?"
"Yes. But she has clearly been pushing herself too hard."
Do-hyun remained beside the bed.
The doctor continued.
"She also needs to improve her nutrition. Her vitamin levels aren't where they should be."
Yerin's mother nodded.
"What should we do?"
"I'll prescribe some vitamins and medication."
He wrote down the instructions.
"And she'll need a course of injections twice a week for the next three weeks."
Do-hyun looked at the prescription.
"Anything else?"
"Rest."
The doctor looked directly at him.
"Proper rest."
Yerin's mother nodded.
"We'll make sure."
The doctor packed his things.
"She should wake up after resting."
He turned toward Do-hyun.
"And don't let her immediately return to her usual routine."
Do-hyun nodded.
After the doctor left, Yerin's mother looked at him.
"Please keep an eye on her."
"I will."
She gently touched Yerin's forehead.
"I'm going downstairs."
Do-hyun nodded.
Several hours passed.
The room was quiet.
Yerin slowly opened her eyes.
The ceiling came into focus.
She blinked.
Then turned her head.
Do-hyun was sitting nearby.
He noticed immediately.
"You're awake."
Yerin frowned.
"Why are you here?"
He stood.
"Because you fainted."
"I did?"
"Yes."
She tried to sit up.
Do-hyun immediately stopped her.
"Slowly."
"I'm fine."
"You fainted on a staircase."
"I know."
"Then stop saying you're fine."
She sighed.
He picked up the glass of water from the table.
"Drink."
Yerin took it.
She drank slowly.
Do-hyun helped her sit comfortably against the pillows.
"What happened?"
"You collapsed."
"Why?"
"The doctor said you're exhausted."
Yerin looked offended.
"I'm not that exhausted."
Do-hyun stared at her.
"You were unconscious for hours."
She looked away.
"Maybe I was just sleeping."
"On the stairs?"
She paused.
"Okay."
He sat back down.
Yerin looked at him.
"Did everyone panic?"
"Mother almost did."
"Sorry."
"Don't apologize."
She looked at him.
"Are you angry?"
"No."
"Then why do you look angry?"
"Because you're stubborn."
Yerin smiled slightly.
"You've said that before."
"Because you keep proving me right."
The evening slowly turned into night.
Yerin was feeling much better.
She sat against the headboard while Do-hyun sat on the other side of the room.
For once, neither of them had anything urgent to discuss.
No investigation.
No messages.
No family secrets.
Nothing.
Yerin looked at him.
"Do-hyun."
"Hm?"
"What's your favorite food?"
He looked at her.
"That's random."
"I know."
He thought.
"Probably steak."
She frowned.
"That's boring."
"What's yours?"
"Spicy noodles."
"That's worse."
Yerin gasped.
"How dare you?"
He smiled.
"You asked."
"I regret asking."
A few seconds passed.
Then Do-hyun asked,
"What's your favorite color?"
"Blood Red."
"Why?"
"I don't know. I like it."
He nodded.
"What about you?"
"Black."
She stared at him.
"Of course."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"You wear black all the time."
"It's simple."
"It's boring."
"You called my favorite food boring too."
"Because it is."
He laughed.
Yerin smiled.
She hadn't realized how long it had been since she'd heard him laugh like that.
She looked at him.
"Did you always want to study what you're studying?"
"Not exactly."
"What did you want to do?"
He thought for a moment.
"When I was younger?"
"Yeah."
"I wanted to travel."
Yerin smiled.
"Really?"
"Yeah."
"Where?"
"Everywhere."
"That's not a place."
"I know."
She laughed.
"What about you?"
Yerin thought.
"I wanted to photograph places."
"Photograph?"
"Yeah."
"Why?"
"Because I like keeping memories."
Do-hyun looked at her.
"That sounds like you."
"What does that mean?"
"You remember everything."
She smiled.
"Not everything."
"Most things."
"What about you?"
"What?"
"Do you remember things?"
"Unfortunately."
She laughed.
"You're weird."
"So are you."
"Thank you."
"You're welcome."
The conversation continued.
They talked about teachers they couldn't stand.
About embarrassing university moments.
About foods they refused to eat.
About childhood punishments.
About music.
About places they wanted to visit.
About ridiculous things they'd done when they were younger.
At one point, Yerin laughed so hard that she had to hold her stomach.
Do-hyun looked at her.
"You shouldn't laugh that much."
"Why?"
"Your doctor told you to rest."
"Laughing isn't exercise."
"It might be for you."
She threw a pillow at him.
He caught it.
"Violence?"
"You deserved it."
He placed the pillow back.
"You're impossible."
"You married me."
He froze.
Yerin froze too.
The room suddenly became quiet.
Neither of them had meant to say it.
Yerin looked down.
"Sorry."
Do-hyun looked away.
"It's fine."
A few seconds passed.
Then he quietly said,
"Technically, you married me too."
Yerin looked at him.
"Don't remind me."
He smiled.
"Fair."
The awkwardness slowly disappeared.
They continued talking.
Eventually, Yerin glanced at the clock.
"It's late."
"Yeah."
She yawned.
Do-hyun stood.
"You should sleep."
"I'm not tired."
She yawned again.
He raised an eyebrow.
"Clearly."
Yerin smiled.
"Fine."
She pulled the blanket over herself.
Do-hyun walked toward the door.
"Wait."
He turned.
"What?"
"Your medicine."
"When do Ihave to take it?"
"In the morning."
"You remembered?"
"I heard the doctor."
Yerin smiled.
"Goodnight, Do-hyun."
He paused.
Then smiled faintly.
"Goodnight, Yerin."
He turned off the light.
For once, there was no strange phone call.
No warning.
No mysterious message.
No hidden clue waiting around the corner.
Just silence.
A quiet room.
And two people who, for a few hours, had forgotten everything complicated about their lives.
For tonight—
that was enough.
...To Be Continued...