The next day came slower.
For the first time in a while, Kang Min did not wake up to the pressure of rushing to the station. It was the weekend, and the usual demands of work were absent. But the quiet did not bring rest.
He was already awake, seated beside Ji Won's hospital bed.
The room was calm. The steady sound of the monitor filled the space, soft and rhythmic. Ji Won was still asleep, her breathing even now, her face no longer flushed like the night before.
Kang Min sat there, watching her.
Every now and then, he reached out to check her temperature, making sure it had truly gone down. It had.
But he didn't move away.
His phone rested in his hand for a while before he finally unlocked it.
He hesitated briefly, then scrolled to Ara's contact and placed the call.
She picked up after a few seconds.
"Hello."
"Ara," he said.
"Yes."
"Are you busy?"
"No," she replied. "Why?"
Kang Min glanced at Ji Won before speaking.
"Ji Won is in the hospital."
There was a short silence on the other end.
"What happened?"
"She had a high fever last night," he said. "The doctor said she's been overworking herself."
Ara's tone changed immediately.
"Is she okay now?"
"She's stable."
"Which hospital?"
He told her.
"I'll come," Ara said.
Kang Min continued,
"On your way, can you stop by my place and pick up some of her things?"
"Of course," Ara replied without hesitation.
"What do you need?"
"I'll send you a list."
"Alright. What's your house password?"
He told her.
"I'll be there shortly," she added.
"Thank you."
He ended the call and placed his phone down.
His attention returned to Ji Won.
⸻
It wasn't long before the door opened again.
Kang Min looked up.
Eun Sang walked in.
Her expression carried concern, though it was composed.
"What happened?"
She moved closer to the bed, her eyes scanning Ji Won carefully.
Kang Min stood up.
"She had a fever last night."
Eun Sang looked at him.
"Why?"
Kang Min didn't look away.
"She's been pushing herself too much."
Eun Sang's brows drew slightly.
"What do you mean?"
"She hasn't been getting enough rest," he said. "She's been studying nonstop."
Eun Sang straightened.
"That's because she needs to improve."
Kang Min's expression tightened slightly.
"She's a child, not a machine."
Eun Sang crossed her arms lightly.
"And you think letting her do whatever she wants is better?"
"That's not what I said."
"Then what are you saying?" she asked.
Kang Min exhaled quietly.
"I'm saying this is too much."
Eun Sang glanced at Ji Won again.
"She just needs discipline."
Kang Min shook his head.
"This isn't discipline."
Eun Sang turned to him.
"You're overreacting."
Kang Min's voice dropped slightly.
"I already called the tutor."
Eun Sang's eyes snapped back to him.
"You did what?"
"I told him not to come again."
Her expression changed immediately.
"You made that decision without talking to me?"
"Yes."
Eun Sang let out a short breath.
"You don't just make decisions like that."
"I just did."
Her gaze sharpened.
"She's my daughter."
"And she's my sister," Kang Min replied.
Eun Sang's tone tightened.
"You should have discussed it with me first."
Kang Min didn't back down.
"There was nothing to discuss."
Eun Sang stared at him.
"You don't get to decide what's best for her alone."
Kang Min's voice remained firm.
"And you don't get to push her until she breaks."
Eun Sang's expression hardened.
"I'm doing what's necessary for her future."
Kang Min shook his head.
"And what happens before that future?"
She didn't respond immediately.
He continued,
"Does it get to the point where she collapses again before you stop?"
That landed.
Eun Sang's lips pressed together slightly.
But before she could respond—
Her phone rang.
She glanced at the screen and answered.
"Yes."
Kang Min stepped back slightly, giving her space.
She spoke briefly, her tone shifting into something more professional.
"Alright. I'll be there."
She ended the call and turned back to him.
"I have a meeting," she said. "I can't cancel it."
Kang Min didn't respond.
She glanced at Ji Won again.
"Stay with her."
He nodded once.
"If you need anything, call me."
"Okay."
Eun Sang adjusted her bag, gave one last look at her daughter, then turned and left.
The room became quiet again.
⸻
A while later, the door opened once more.
Ara stepped in, carrying a bag.
Kang Min looked up.
"You came."
She nodded.
"I got what you asked for."
She placed the bag on the chair and walked closer to the bed.
"How is she now?"
"Better," Kang Min replied.
Ara looked at Ji Won, her expression softening slightly.
"That's good."
She turned back to Kang Min.
"What exactly happened?"
Kang Min exhaled lightly.
"She's been overworking herself."
Ara understood immediately.
"And Eun Sang?"
"She's been pushing her."
Ara's gaze shifted briefly.
"That explains it."
Kang Min ran a hand through his hair.
"I already stopped the tutoring."
Ara looked at him.
"She won't like that."
"I know."
Ara looked back at Ji Won.
"She needs rest more than anything right now."
Kang Min nodded.
They stood there for a moment.
Then Ara turned to him.
"You should go home."
Kang Min frowned slightly.
"What?"
"Freshen up," she said. "You've been here all night."
"I'm fine."
"You don't look fine."
Kang Min didn't argue.
Ara continued,
"I'll stay with her."
He hesitated briefly.
"I don't want to leave her alone."
"You're not," Ara replied. "I'm here."
Kang Min looked at Ji Won again.
Then back at Ara.
"…Alright."
Ara gave a small nod.
"Go. Come back later."
Kang Min picked up his jacket.
"Thank you."
"You're welcome."
He gave one last look at Ji Won before stepping out.
⸻
On his way out, he stopped at the billing counter.
"I'd like to settle the bill," he said.
The staff checked the system.
"It's already been paid."
Kang Min paused.
"Paid?"
"Yes."
He didn't need to ask who.
He nodded once.
"Alright."
He turned and walked away.
⸻
The drive home was quiet.
His mind stayed with everything that had happened.
When he finally reached home, he stepped inside and closed the door behind him.
The house felt still.
He walked further in, glancing around briefly before heading to his room.
He sat down on the bed, leaning back slightly.
For a moment, he did nothing.
Just sat there.
Thinking.
Then he let out a slow breath.
One thing was already decided.
He wouldn't let it happen again.
Not under his watch.