A Day in Seoul, South Korea
In Seoul, Christmas was meant to be joyful. Everyone anticipated a cozy holiday, the streets were decorated, and children were waiting for gifts.
However, the wind felt different that year.
Suddenly, an odd infection started to spread. An unidentified virus in the air was soon discovered by scientists. The joy of Christmas has since diminished. Some people lost their jobs, while others remained indoors. Celebration was subtly replaced by fear.
Months went by, followed by two years. The virus continued to linger in the atmosphere like a silent shadow even today.
It was named Neisseria meningitidis, a disease that is transmitted by mucus or saliva. And Scientists cautioned the general public.
"It can attack the brain. It causes fever, stiff neck, confusion, and rash. Without fast treatment, it can cause brain damage or death."
Both South and North Korea declared a full lockdown.
Four Years Later Han-Kyum, now 18, worked as a toxicologist and pharmacologist. He didn't notice the virus outbreak at first because he was always focused on chemicals and formulas. He lived quietly, mixing substances and creating small medicines.
____
One afternoon, as he was labeling bottles, his boss suddenly entered the room. "Han-Kyum! Have you heard what's happening?" He looked confused. "What? Why? Did something happen?" His boss, Mrs. Jana, showed him a tablet with rising case numbers. "There's a deadly virus spreading today! Look at this!" Han-Kyum blinked. "A virus? Again?" "Yes! We need more chemists to help prevent it from spreading. I want you to help develop a protective chemical."
Han-Kyum hesitated. "Boss, I'm not sure if I can. Isn't that too dangerous? I'm just a simple toxicologist…" Mrs. Jana sighed and crossed her arms. "I understand. If you're not ready, I won't force you. Maybe Gio or Lee Seong can try?" Han-Kyum frowned. "But they don't really know the process. It might be too much for them—" Before he could finish, the TV switched to breaking news. NEWS REPORT
"Good day, everyone. Neisseria meningitidis cases continue to rise. Starting today until February 5, no one is allowed to leave their homes. Authorities are still searching for the cause of this virus. Scientists and chemists are encouraged to work on a cure. Please stay safe."
Han-Kyum stared at the screen, speechless. Why would someone create a virus this deadly? Who is behind this? Mrs. Jana placed a hand on his shoulder and spoke softly. "Kyum, I know this is overwhelming. But if you choose to help us, I believe you can. You're more skilled than you think." Han-Kyum swallowed nervously. "Alright, ma'am. I'll try my best." She smiled. "Good. That's all I wanted to hear." Late Night at the Laboratory He worked nonstop for days. Dangerous chemicals, test tubes, and antiviral mixtures were scattered on his workspace. He even created a sample medicine and named it "Colorful Chemical."
It wasn't perfect, but it was his first hope. While he was writing notes, his friend Jae-Heon walked in with a cup of warm tea. "Kyum, you're still awake?" "Yeah. Just a little more research." Jae-Heon sighed and handed him the tea. "At least drink something. You look like you haven't blinked in two hours." Han-Kyum laughed weakly. "Maybe I haven't." Jae-Heon smiled softly. "Seriously, Kyum. If you collapse, who's going to finish this cure? Rest later, okay?" "I will… thanks, Jae-Heon."
Jae-Heon waved and left for the night. The Boss Checks On Him Later, as Han-Kyum cleaned the lab table, Mrs. Jana approached him. "Han-Kyum, one question. What did you use for your experiment?" "I mixed antiviral agents with several reactants. It's still unstable, though." She nodded thoughtfully.
"Good start. From now on, let's focus on forming a real cure. We're still testing things, so don't pressure yourself." She smiled slightly. "And once we succeed, I'll throw a big celebration for the entire team. You all deserve it." Han-Kyum chuckled. "That sounds fun, ma'am." She glanced at the clock. "Your shift is finished, right? Go home and rest. Kim Gael and I will take over the night shift." He grabbed his bag. "See you tomorrow, ma'am! Goodnight!" With that,
Han-Kyum walked out of the laboratory, hopeful but anxious about what might come next.
____
The next morning, Seoul felt strangely slow. It was as if the whole city was waking up under a thick blanket. Han-Kyum stepped off the bus and pulled his jacket tighter. The cold air stung a bit more today, and he couldn't tell if it was the weather or the unease twisting in his chest since last night. When he entered the laboratory building, he immediately sensed something was off.
Usually, the hallways buzzed with chatter, machines warming up, and monitors blinking to life. Today, there was only silence. A quiet, unnatural silence. Han-Kyum scanned his ID and pushed open the lab door. He didn't take two steps before he stopped. "Why is the lab this quiet?" His eyes landed on his table, and something inside him sank. His notebook was open to an untouched page.
His pen lay on the floor. The vial he worked so carefully on last night wasn't where he left it. It wasn't missing; it was just shifted. It looked like someone had picked it up, examined it, and put it back with purpose. Han-Kyum's voice came out small. "I know I didn't leave it like that." He set his bag down slowly, his pulse racing. He wasn't the type to panic quickly, but something felt wrong. It was as if someone had been standing exactly where he was now, watching the same research he guarded with his life.
Then— CLANG. The sound came from the back of the lab—metallic and sharp. Han-Kyum flinched. "Hello?" he called, forcing himself to sound steady. "Is someone here?" He rounded the corner and almost collided head-first into someone. "Shit!" It was Jae-Heon, but he didn't look like the Jae-Heon Han-Kyum knew. His hair was a mess, his eyes were red as if he hadn't slept, and his hoodie was wrinkled and thrown on in a rush. Han-Kyum exhaled sharply, his hand over his racing heart. "Bro, seriously… you scared me."
But Jae-Heon didn't joke back. He didn't even smile. He just looked at Han-Kyum with a tense, uneasy expression—the kind that makes your stomach drop before you even know why. "Kyum," he said quietly. "We have a problem." Han-Kyum blinked, furrowing his brows. "Okay… what kind of problem?" Jae-Heon hesitated, rubbing the back of his neck as if he didn't know how to start. "It's Mrs. Jana," he finally said. "She never went home last night." Han-Kyum stared. "What? She was supposed to end the shift with Gael." "I know," Jae-Heon replied. "But her bag is still in the office. Her phone too." Han-Kyum's heart sank. Mrs. Jana never left without her things. She was the one who always reminded them to finish tasks properly, lock things correctly, and follow protocols. For her to leave like that? Something was wrong.
Jae-Heon reached into his pocket and pulled out a small, folded note. "I found this taped to the exit door this morning." Han-Kyum unfolded it. There was one sentence, written in shaky handwriting, with a faint reddish fingerprint on the corner. "Stop your research." Han-Kyum looked up, his voice almost breaking.
"Is this some kind of joke?" Jae-Heon shook his head and lifted his other hand. He was holding a glass shard. The edge was stained with dried, brownish-red. Han-Kyum felt his throat tighten. "Where did you find that?" Jae-Heon swallowed hard. "On your workstation." Silence. It felt heavy and suffocating. For the first time since the virus outbreak began, Han-Kyum experienced a fear that had nothing to do with sickness.
Han-Kyum's hands shook as he gripped the shard. He glanced at Jae-Heon, searching for some kind of answer. "So… where's Mrs. Jana?" His voice came out small.
Jae-Heon rubbed the back of his neck, eyes darting away. "She hasn't come in. I checked the cameras, looked at her schedule nothing. No calls, not even texts,." A heavy pressure settled in Han-Kyum's chest. "She wouldn't just leave. Not like this." "I know," Jae-Heon said, voice low. "That's why I stuck around. In case someone showed up, or… I don't know." Han-Kyum let out a shaky breath, trying to hold himself together. "Alright. So… we just wait?" Jae-Heon shook his head. "No, let's check her office.
Maybe she left something behind her laptop, notes, anything that helps us figure this out." Han-Kyum nodded, and they headed down the hall together. At first, nothing seemed out of place.
The office was tidy, everything where Mrs. Jana always kept it. But after a second, the details started to bother him. Her chair was pushed back just a bit too far. The laptop sat open, locked. All her personal things sat untouched, like she'd just stepped out for coffee.
"She's not here," Han-Kyum muttered, raking his fingers through his hair. "Yeah. And it's not right," Jae-Heon said. "She's always here early and gone on time. She never just disappears." Han-Kyum's stomach twisted. He forced himself to think straight. "Maybe she got called out for something. An emergency, a last-minute meeting." "Could be,"
Jae-Heon said, but he didn't sound convinced. "But it doesn't feel right. Not this time." Han-Kyum stared at the shard in his hand, turning it over. "I don't get it. Why leave a note like this? Who would even—" He broke off, shaking his head.
Jae-Heon put a hand on his shoulder. "We'll figure it out, Kyum. Right now, just breathe. Don't touch anything else yet." Nodding, Han-Kyum set the shard down gently on a tray. They stood there, quiet, the silence thick between them. Neither had answers, but both knew something was wrong. And for now, that was all they had.
Han-Kyum dropped into his chair, still glancing at the shard and that folded note. His hands hovered, not sure if he should touch anything else, or just sit there and stare. He sucked in a slow breath, trying to steady himself. His thoughts wouldn't stop racing.
Who would leave something like this? And who even knows what I'm working on? He shot a look at Jae-Heon, who leaned against the counter, arms folded tight, silent but not exactly freaking out. Just uneasy. "Jae-Heon," Han-Kyum finally said, keeping his voice low, "how long's it been since she left?" Jae-Heon hesitated, then answered,
"About… an hour? Maybe more. I checked the cameras earlier, like I said.
Nothing. Nobody came in or left."
Han-Kyum nodded, dragging a hand through his hair. He leaned back and stared at his tray. The vial of "Colorful Chemical" sat there, untouched, almost daring him to do something with it. I can't leave this lying around. But I can't afford to mess up, either. He grabbed his notebook, flipping through last night's scribbles. Numbers, formulas, little notes about reactions pages and pages in his own neat handwriting.
Then he saw it. A pattern he'd missed before, something hiding there in the chaos. His mind snapped into focus, the panic fading a bit.
Jae-Heon watched him, picking up on the shift—Han-Kyum was switching gears. "You're going to keep working, aren't you?" Jae-Heon asked, voice soft. Han-Kyum didn't answer right away. He traced the formulas with his finger, thinking. "…I can't stop now," he said at last. Calm, steady. "Someone left that note for a reason. I have to figure out why. And I can't let it end up with the wrong person." Jae-Heon let out a slow breath and rubbed his face. "…Guess I can't talk you out of it. Just… be careful, Kyum. Seriously.
Don't do anything stupid." Han-Kyum nodded and turned back to the vial. He watched the liquid shimmer in the lab light, focusing on each tiny shift, every bubble, every flicker of color. If he could just concentrate on that, maybe he could block out the rest—the uncertainty, the worry. Time slid by.
The lab went quiet again, just the two of them there. Han-Kyum lost track of the minutes, completely absorbed. He retraced his steps from yesterday, replaying each reaction, running through possibilities, trying to guess who could've left that note. For the first time since he found it, determination sparked up inside him. I'll get to the bottom of this. I have to. Jae-Heon stayed quiet, still watching. He knew better than to interrupt when Han-Kyum got like this. So the lab stayed silent, tense. Han-Kyum stared at the chemicals, Jae-Heon watched his friend, and both of them waited for answers that just wouldn't come.
____
The hours dragged by in a thick, uneasy silence. Han-Kyum hunched over his notes, scribbling formulas, glancing up now and then to check the Colorful Chemical for anything weird. Jae-Heon started to talk "hey kyum, i'm getting my self for a food, im gonna buy you some so for sake don't leave this room okay?." Han kyum nods at him, Jae-Heon had ducked out for a break, so Han-Kyum had the lab to himself. The quiet pressed in, heavier with every minute. He rubbed his eyes and slumped back in his chair, staring at the vial in front of him.
There a tiny bubble hovered near the surface. He frowned. I didn't put that there… He shook his head, blaming it on exhaustion.
Still, a chill crawled down his neck, that gut feeling that something wasn't right. He stood up and drifted over to the storage shelves, pretending to look for supplies. Really, he was scanning the room, slow and deliberate, eyes darting to every corner. Nothing. Not a thing out of place.
He let out a breath and turned to head back, but then a flicker of movement at the far window. Just a shadow, there and gone. His heart jumped.
"No… I'm just tired. It's nothing." He tried to brush it off, headed back to his table, but the weird feeling clung to him. Something—someone—had been here. He couldn't see anyone, but the air felt different, unsettled, like someone had just slipped out. He ran his hands over his face, annoyed with himself. "I'm imagining things," he muttered,
but then he spotted it a faint footprint near the back door. Small, sharp, almost delicate. Just one. Han-Kyum stopped cold. He crouched and studied it. The tread didn't match any shoes he knew. Whoever left it had been careful. Too careful. Someone's watching me. He straightened up, took a long breath.
Get it together, Kyum. Don't lose your head. Still, his mind wandered. Mrs. Jana's disappearance, the strange note, that shard of glass—it all fit together too neatly. This wasn't some accident. This had nothing to do with the virus anymore. Somebody out there knew exactly what he was working on. Someone smart. Someone dangerous. He tightened his grip on his pen. His nerves settled, but he moved with new caution. I won't let them stop me. And out there, just far enough to stay hidden, someone watched the lab in silence. Not moving, just waiting.
___
Minutes later the lab door clicked open. Han-Kyum didn't look up right away. His shoulders were bunched, breath caught up in his chest, nerves stretched tight. Then he caught the sound of those familiar footsteps, and finally glanced back. "Oh... it's just you," he said, letting out a shaky sigh. For a second there, he'd really thought someone else had come back. Jae-Heon arched an eyebrow. "Who else would it be? A ghost?" Han-Kyum tried to laugh, but it sounded thin, almost embarrassed. Jae-Heon set a cup of coffee down.
"You look pale. What happened while I was gone?" Han-Kyum paused. It wasn't that he didn't trust Jae-Heon—he just didn't know how to say it without sounding crazy.
"I... don't know," he said, voice low. "I just felt something." "Something?" Jae-Heon echoed. Han-Kyum nodded, fingers tightening on the table's edge.
"When you left, the room felt off. Like someone was here. Or watching me. I can't really explain it." He pressed a hand to his chest, as if trying to steady himself.
"My back went cold. I swear I heard something. Not loud, just... a presence."
Jae-Heon's face softened no teasing, just concern. He knew Han-Kyum didn't make things up.
"So what did you do?" he asked. "I turned around. No one was here. Everything looked normal. I checked the equipment, the doors, even the cameras." Han-Kyum rubbed his forehead.
"But the feeling stayed. It was like someone was right behind me. Breathing down my neck."
Just talking about it made him shiver. Jae-Heon stepped closer, worry clear now. "Hey. You're shaking," he said, voice gentle. "If you felt it that strong, something set it off. You're not making it up."
Han-Kyum swallowed. "Do you think someone came in?" Jae-Heon scanned the room, then shrugged. "Maybe. Or maybe someone was watching you from somewhere you didn't see. Whatever it was... I believe you." Han-Kyum finally let out a breath he'd been holding. Just hearing that eased the fear a bit. "I just... needed to say it out loud," he murmured. Jae-Heon smiled a little and patted his arm. "Good. Next time, call me. Don't deal with it alone."
____
The fluorescent lights buzzed overhead as the end-of-shift buzzer went off. Han-Kyum rubbed his eyes, stretched, and let out a long sigh.
The day had been tense, no way around it. Everything just felt off since that weird moment in the morning. Jae-Heon leaned against the counter, coffee still in hand, eyes on him.
"Rough one?" he asked, voice casual but warm, like he actually cared. "That's one way to put it," Han-Kyum said, trying to hide how rattled he still felt. He forced a small smile, grabbed his bag, and slung it over his shoulder. "Honestly, I just need some air before I head home."
Jae-Heon tilted his head, watching him closely. "You good, Kyum?" he asked, a little softer. "You seem… somewhere else." Han-Kyum hesitated, not wanting to admit he still felt on edge, but not wanting to lie either. "Yeah, just tired," he said at last. "It's nothing." Jae-Heon didn't push, but his gaze lingered a little longer. "You sure?" he asked, giving a half-smile that made Han-Kyum's chest tighten for reasons he couldn't quite name. "I'm sure," Han-Kyum said, though his voice wobbled a bit. He slung his bag over his shoulder and headed for the door. Jae-Heon fell in beside him as they walked down the hall. The lab was quiet now, machines off, screens dark.
"Try to get some sleep tonight," Jae-Heon said, lighter now. "No more midnight experiments or creepy lab energy, alright?" Han-Kyum let out a low laugh, shaking his head.
"You sound like my mom," he shot back, but he couldn't help smiling. "Maybe I am," Jae-Heon grinned. "Or maybe I just don't want you to combust on my watch."
Han-Kyum laughed, and some of the tension slipped away. They reached the exit. Han-Kyum paused at the door, hesitating, like he wanted to say something but couldn't quite get it out.
"See you tomorrow?" Jae-Heon asked, waiting. "Yeah," Han-Kyum nodded. "See you. tell me if Mrs. jana have founded" They shared a small, quiet smile. Nothing dramatic just a simple moment of understanding.
Han-Kyum stepped out into the cool night. The weight of the day eased, just a little. And Jae-Heon, watching him go, felt that sharp urge to help if only he knew how.
___
Han-kyum arrived at his apartment The apartment felt dead quiet. Unnaturally so.
Han-Kyum kicked off his shoes and let his bag drop.
The soft thud echoed in the cramped room. He pressed his fingers to his temples, trying to rub away the stress that had been dogging him since morning. It's nothing. Just tired, that's all, he told himself. He collapsed onto the edge of the bed and stared up at the ceiling.
The harsh hum of the lab was gone, replaced by the low buzz of the fridge and the occasional whoosh of a car outside. Still, the feeling wouldn't leave him alone. He kept thinking about the lab earlier — how the air felt off, too still, like something was watching.
It unsettled him more than he'd like to admit. I can't let it get in the way of my research. He forced himself up and shuffled to his little desk in the corner. Notebooks, vials, a laptop with formulas glowing on the screen the usual chaos. He sat down, opened a notebook, and traced the lines of his own writing.
The letters stayed neat and sharp, but his eyes blurred over them. If I stop now, who knows what'll happen? He picked up the vial of his "Colorful Chemical," rolling it between his fingers.
The liquid caught the light, glimmering softly. I made this. I worked for it. I can't just forget about it.
He sat like that for a while, just watching the colors shift, letting his mind slow down. The dread from earlier hung around, but the familiar ritual of his work helped steady him. Maybe it really is nothing.
Maybe I just need some sleep. But I can't shake it. He set the vial down and leaned back, eyes closed. The city noise drifting through the window felt distant, almost soothing.
Tomorrow, I'll head back to the lab. I'll focus. I'll figure this out. He let out a long breath, trying to loosen the knots in his shoulders. For now, all he could do was wait, watch, and get ready for whatever tomorrow decided to throw at him. He didn't know it yet, but that uneasy feeling from the morning wasn't going anywhere. Not anytime soon.
The apartment was quiet, just the fridge humming in the background. Han-Kyum sat at his desk, city lights throwing pale shapes across the walls.
He'd finished sorting his lab notes and lined up all his vials, but his mind kept looping back to that odd moment earlier. His phone buzzed.
Aunt Sun-hee's name popped up. He smiled. She always seemed to know when to call. He answered. "Hello?" His voice sounded softer than usual. "Kyum-ah! There you are!" Aunt Sun-hee's voice was bright, bubbling with energy. "It's late… are you still working? Are you eating enough?" He laughed, rubbing his head. "I'm home now, Auntie. Just finished cleaning up. Don't worry, I'm fine." "'I'm fine,' he says," she shot back, half-joking, half-scolding. "You always say that! You're too stubborn.
Don't skip your meals, promise me!" "I promise, Auntie," he said, grinning. "I'll eat soon. Really." "Good, good. And don't stay up all night, okay? You need that brain of yours rested. Experiments can wait—your health comes first." He laughed, shaking his head.
"I know, I know. But you know how I get. I want everything just right." "Always the perfectionist," she teased. "Listen. You don't have to get everything perfect. Everybody messes up, even you. Don't push yourself too hard." He sighed. "I just worry a lot, I guess."
"That's normal. But remember you're not alone. You've got people who care. Me, your dad your mom..... and Jae-Heon's watching your back too, don't think I don't know that."
Han-Kyum blinked, then laughed. "You're everywhere, Auntie. How do you always know?" "I just do, Kyum-ah," she said, teasing. "So, tell me—how's Jae-Heon treating you? You two still surviving the lab?"
He grinned. "He's good. Honestly, handling things better than me sometimes. Keeps me from burning out." She laughed, sounding proud.
"Good! That's what friends are for. But don't let him babysit you too much, okay? You've got to look after yourself too." "I'll try," he said, voice small. "You'll try? Promise me. Not just try—promise." "I promise, Auntie. I mean it." A pause. Her tone softened.
"You're my boy, Kyum-ah. I worry about you, you know? Even from far away. If something happens—big or small—call me. I'll answer, every time." Something eased in his chest. "I won't forget. Thanks, Auntie. Really." "You're welcome, my boy. Now, go get some sleep.
Eat something warm before bed. And remember you're smart, you're capable, and you don't have to do everything yourself. Good night, Kyum-ah." "Good night, Auntie,"
he said, still smiling as he hung up. He leaned back, letting her words sink in. The tightness in his chest finally faded. Outside, the city lights glimmered against the dark.
He picked up his notebook, flipped a few pages, but his mind had wandered off. Should eat… maybe make some tea. Yeah. Tea first. The night didn't feel so empty anymore. Even in the quiet, his aunt's words lingered.
Han-Kyum poured himself a mug of hot tea and dropped into the chair by the window. He thumbed through the virus investigation files on his tablet, doing his best to concentrate. Then he froze.
A photo popped up Elijah and Yunseok. Both chemists. Both suspects. His gut twisted. Chemists. And suspects. Seriously? He set the tablet aside and took a slow drink, hoping the tea would settle him down. But the tension wouldn't let go of his chest. "They are really suspicious" he muttered himself while looking at the window.
he take a deep breath and processing everything that just happened today. the fact that mrs. Jana was missing and there was something different atmosphere in the lab, and the fact that he just saw the two chemist and suspects, "what is even happening in the world right now?" he muttered to him self. "i guess i just need some sleep" he stands up and throw him self in the bed.. still thinking the scenarios that left him speechless, and now he felt asleep, the night became quiet and peaceful...