"Hey!" Seojun waved a hand in front of Jihoon's face. "Are you alright?"
The omega blinked, nodding. "Yeah... I'm fine."
The beta hummed, brows furrowed in concern. "You looked lost for a while," he pointed out.
Jihoon shook his head. "I'm really fine," he insisted. "Which hospital has she been admitted to?"
"Uhh..." Seojun scratched his chin thoughtfully. "... The university hospital, I think?"
The omega nodded in understanding. "So... she has been admitted there," he murmured.
"Yeah," The beta affirmed. "Apparently, she was found nearly dead at the back of the University," he said, adjusting his cufflinks.
"Senior... Has the person been found?" Jihoon asked, playing with his sleeves.
"Found?" Seojun chuckled, turning to face the mirror. "Whoever did this is an expert. Police are still investigating though."
He looked at Jihoon's reflection through the mirror. "Why? Do you want to visit her?"
The omega hesitated, tightening his fingers around his bag.
"Don't go," Seojun said. "No visitors allowed. The police is keeping watch over her till she regains consciousness."
"Why... won't they allow people to visit her?" Jihoon asked.
The beta scoffed, turning to face him. "Isn't it obvious? They are keeping her safe till she can say who did this to her."
"So don't go and put yourself in trouble," he advised.
Jihoon nodded. "Thank you, Senior."
Seojun smiled. "It's no problem. Just... stay out of trouble."
The omega dipped his head. "I'll take my leave now."
"Alright."
Seokjin watched Jihoon leave, the door shutting with a soft click.
He smirked, dusting his trousers. "The curious bird is inching into the golden cage. Soon, it will be trapped with nowhere to go."
*************
Jihoon adjusted his face cap, making his way
into Seoul National University Hospital.
The air smelled heavily of detergent, blood and different scents. The omega nervously reached a hand to feel his scent patch. Thankfully, it was still intact.
"You can do this, Kang Jihoon." He took a deep breath, building up his confidence.
"Please help me!" A woman wailed, running into the reception, a swaddled baby in her arms. "My baby... she is not breathing!"
Her screaming attracted the nurses who immediately ran to her and took her to the emergency room.
Jihoon watched, the woman's cries breaking his heart.
Why was he always so weak?
The omega sighed and walked to the receptionist, a smile on his lips. "Excuse me, I'm looking for a patient."
"Oh..." The man nodded. "Who are you looking for?"
Jihoon adjusted his cap. "Kim Yujin."
The receptionist frowned at the name, eyebrows raising quizzically. "Kim Yujin?" he repeated and the omega nodded.
"I'm afraid I can't allow you to see her," he said.
"Is that so?" Jihoon frowned. "But it is kind of urgent for me to see her."
"See her?" The man rolled his eyes. "She is in a coma. No one is allowed to visit her, police orders."
"I just want to see her once," The omega insisted. "I'll leave immediately after that."
His voice reeked of desperation as he leaned over the desk, imploringly staring at the man. "Please, I'm begging you."
"Seriously..." The receptionist sighed, rubbing his forehead. "If you don't leave, I'll be forced to have you thrown out of the premises."
"Please, leave."
Jihoon expected this.
Did he think it would go any differently?
He nodded and walked away, feeling the weight of the receptionist's gaze on his back.
"Creepy," he heard the man scoff and Jihoon's cheek reddened in embarrassment.
Time to go home, I guess.
"Jihoon?" a familiar voice called and omega turned, brows furrowed.
"Seungho?" he whispered, approaching his friend.
They hugged briefly.
Jihoon pulled back, eying Seungho's clothes.
"Why are you wearing that?"
The other omega was dressed in blue overalls, a pair on white converse on his feet.
Seungho rolled his eyes. "I work here, silly. I'm a nurse."
Jihoon frowned at the new information. "I didn't know you had a nursing degree."
His friend smacked his shoulder. "There are a lot of things you don't know about me."
"What are you doing here?" he asked, observing Jihoon's outfit. "You look suspicious by the way."
The omega snorted at the teasing. "Very funny, Seungho."
"I wanted to see a colleague of mine," he admitted.
Seungho nodded. "Who is it?"
"Kim Yujin," Jihoon stated. He watched his friend's eyes widen in surprise and hurriedly shook his head, waving his hands. "It's not what—"
"No one is allowed to see her," Seungho interrupted, eyeing his friend with scrutiny. "Police orders."
"Your colleague already told me that," Jihoon deadpanned. He sighed, holding Seungho's hands. "But I really need to see her."
The other omega stared quietly at their joined hands. "You are going to get me in trouble."
Jihoon gave him a bright smile. "So you'll help me?"
He embraced his friend tightly, ignoring his complains. "I love you so much!" he proclaimed, filled with joy.
Seungho forcefully pushed him away, dusting his uniform. "Do you want to die?"
Jihoon clasped his hands together, shaking his head. "I can't bear to leave you alone."
His friend scoffed. "Just stay here. I'll distract Minsoo and get information about Kim Yujin's room."
"Just stay here till I say otherwise," he instructed.
Jihoon nodded obediently, fingers absently toying with his zipper.
He watched as Seungho strode to the receptionist, leaning over the desk with a confident smile.
"Hey," he tapped the desk twice. "The head nurse is looking for you."
"So suddenly?" Minsoo frowned. "Why is she looking for me?"
"How will I know?" Seungho shrugged. "I'll watch the place till you return."
Minsoo sighed and stood up, running to the elevator. "Don't move an inch from there, Seungho!"
The other bit back a scoff at the warning and waved instead, watching as the elevator doors closed.
Jihoon watched with trepidation as his friend type on the computer and ran to him.
"Second floor. Room 207."
Jihoon nodded, grateful. "Thank—"
"Hurry!" Seungho urged, pushing him forward.
Jihoon ran up the stairs, skipping as he went. He reached the second floor, gasping for breath.
"Room 207," he mumbled, eyeing the doors. He reached the room and pushed it open.
Yujin laid unconscious on the hospital bed, face heavily bruised, her right leg in a cast. The heart monitor beeped faintly beside her bed.
The omega's heart clenched at her terrible state and he stepped in, quietly shutting the door.
"What happened to you?" Jihoon whisper
ed, approaching her bedside.
He stared at her face quietly, hands clenching tightly at his side.
As if sensing another presence, Yujin's eyes snapped open.