A faint beeping sound echoed steadily in the quiet room, soft yet persistent, like a reminder that life was still there, holding on. The sterile scent of medicine filled the air, mixed with a strange calm that only places like this carried.
Lee Hyun's fingers twitched slightly before his eyelids slowly lifted, vision blurry at first, then gradually clearing as the world returned to him. The ceiling above him was unfamiliar. White and still.
For a moment, his mind struggled to connect the fragments. Battle.. Blood.. Explosion.. Then her..
His eyes widened slightly, and he tried to move, only to feel a sharp pain shoot through his body, forcing him to stop. That was when he noticed a presence beside him.
Sitting calmly and watching him. His master. Her expression remained as composed as ever, yet the faint pressure around her told a different story, something deeper hidden beneath that calm surface.
"You're awake."
Her voice was steady.
Lee Hyun let out a small breath, his body relaxing slightly.
"…Looks like I didn't die."
She glanced at him.
"…You were close."
He smiled faintly.
"…Then I guess you saved me."
She did not deny it. Silence followed for a moment before his expression changed.
"…Seoah."
His voice carried urgency.
"…Is she alright?"
Her gaze softened just slightly.
"She is alive."
That single sentence was enough. The tension in his body disappeared, his eyes closing briefly as relief washed over him.
"…Good."
Before anything else could be said, the door suddenly opened.
A familiar presence rushed in.
"Lee Hyun!"
His sister. Her eyes immediately locked onto him, and the moment she saw his condition, something inside her broke. A tear escaped her eye despite her trying to hold it back, her usual strong demeanor cracking in front of him.
"What happened to you…"
Her voice trembled.
"…Why do you always do things like this…"
She stepped closer, her hands shaking slightly as if afraid to touch him, afraid he might break again.
"Do you even know how worried I was…"
Her gaze shifted sharply toward his master. His sister was like about to erupt in rage.
"What happened."
Her tone changed to demanding and cold. But his master remained unmoved.
"That is not something you need to know."
The atmosphere turned heavy instantly.
"…Not something I need to know?"
His sister's eyes narrowed.
"He is my brother."
Her voice carried suppressed anger.
"My precious little brother."
"If something happens to him, do you think I'll just stand here quietly?"
Silence and tension took over the entire room.
"Fine. If you won't tell me…"
She took a step back.
"…I'll find out myself. I'll kill those basterds.. How dare they touch him."
Without waiting for a response, she turned and left, the door closing with a sharp sound that echoed through the room. Lee Hyun was shocked. This is the first time in his memory that he felt her rage on this level. She always maintained her cold demeanor.
Lee Hyun sighed softly.
"…Sorry."
His voice was quiet.
"…On her behalf. This is also my first time seeing her angry and going crazy."
His master looked at him for a moment, then simply turned her gaze away.
"She cares about you."
"…Do not waste that."
Before he could respond, another presence approached. Slower and quieter. He turned his head. She was Min Seoah. She stood at the door, her expression unreadable at first glance, but her eyes… told everything. She was cold, distant and hurt.
She walked in without saying a word. Stopping near his bed. Seeing her here, their master takes her leave. Silence stretched between them.
Lee Hyun smiled lightly, trying to ease the tension.
"…How are you."
No response.
"…You look fine."
Still nothing.
He continued, his tone softer.
"…Even when you're angry… you still look beautiful."
She did not react.
"…Come on now…"
"…Don't be so cold."
Silence remained.
"…Are you really going to ignore me like this."
He tried to sit up slightly and a sudden pain shoot through his body. He trembled. But suddenly she moved. Her hand pressed against his shoulder, stopping him immediately. Even in anger, she did not let him hurt himself further.
He smiled faintly.
"…See."
"…You still care."
That was when she finally spoke. Her voice was low and shaking.
"…Why."
His smile faded.
"…Why do you always do things like that."
Her eyes trembled, tears forming but not yet falling.
"…Do you think I'm not worthy to stand beside you."
"…Do you think I can't fight with you."
"…Do you think I don't care about you."
Her voice broke.
"I do."
"I care more than anyone."
Her tears finally fell.
"…Then why…"
"…why do you treat your life like it means nothing…"
"…when it means everything to me…"
She could not hold back anymore. She cried openly. Lee Hyun froze for a moment. Then slowly sat up despite the pain and pulled her closer, letting her head rest against his shoulder. His hand moved gently, patting her back as if calming a child.
"…Hey."
"…Don't cry."
His voice softened.
"For you…"
He paused.
"…you always come second in my life."
She froze.
"…What."
Her voice carried disbelief.
"…Then who is first."
A hint of jealousy. Even now.
He smiled faintly.
"Of course…My family. You're also one of them."
She stared at him.
Then he continued.
"…But when I thought you died…"
"…everything went dark."
"…My mind stopped."
"…My heart stopped."
"…It felt like my life broke apart."
His voice turned quieter.
"I can't even imagine you getting hurt…"
"…so how can I accept losing you."
Silence followed.
Her tears slowed.
"…Then what about me…"
She whispered.
"I feel the same…"
"But you never let me..."
"You never let me stand beside you."
"You decide everything alone."
"I want to be there…"
"…in danger…"
"…in happiness…"
"…in everything…"
Her voice trembled again.
"If you die…"
She looked at him directly.
"…I'll die with you."
"…I'll follow you anywhere."
"…even if it's heaven or hell…"
"I will never leave you."
Lee Hyun froze for a moment. Her eyes, her words, everything. It was real. He let out a small breath.
"Alright. Alright.."
He smiled gently.
"…Don't cry anymore… My small heart can't handle it."
She wiped her tears slightly.
"…Then promise me… Don't do that again."
He paused.
"…Promise me."
He sighed softly.
"Okay… Now stop crying.… You're ruining your cold queen image."
She looked at him.
"…What does that matter. For you…"
Her voice softened.
"…I'm just your Min Seoah… That image is for others…not for you."
He blinked. Then smirked slightly.
"…Oh?"
"…So you're mine?"
She realized what she said.
Her face turned red instantly.
"…Wh-what are you saying…"
He leaned slightly closer.
"…Then give me something."
She looked confused.
"…What."
He smiled teasingly.
"…CPR."
Her brain froze.
"…W-what…"
His smile widened.
"…I said give me CPR."
Her face turned completely red, her ears burning as she tried to process his words.
"…Y-you…"
"…what are you saying…"
He chuckled softly.
"…Look at you… Even when you're shy… you look like a fairy… I really should thank fate for you."
She bit her lip, completely flustered. Then slowly, she leaned closer. Her eyes closing and before she could even think, their lips met. Soft, warm and a real sensation felt through their heart. The world seemed to fade. All the anger, all the pain, all the fear gone in instant. Only them remained.
Time passed without notice. When they finally separated, both were slightly breathless. But smiling. He held her hand gently.
"I love you."
She looked at him.
"…Again?"
He smiled.
"…You never answered me."
"…And until you do…"
"…I won't stop."
She looked away, her face red again.
"…I…"
She hesitated.
"I'll go… someone is calling…"
He sighed dramatically.
"…I'm an injured patient."
"…Can't you grant me one wish?"
She froze. Her heart raced. Then in one breath and quick. Almost like escaping.
"I… I love you too."
Silence erupted. She immediately hid her face in his chest. Completely embarrassed. Lee Hyun laughed softly, his eyes slightly wet.
"…That's the first time…"
"…a girl said that to me."
He hugged her gently.
"…I'm really happy."
He looked at her again.
"…From now on…"
"…you're my girlfriend."
"…and I'm your boyfriend."
She looked up at him, her face still red.
"…Then don't let any other girl come close to you… Unless you call her sister in front of me."
He chuckled.
"…Don't worry… My heart only beats for you."
She smiled slightly.
"…Good."
Then a faint chill passed through him. Her eyes changed for a moment.
"…If I ever see something else…"
The killing intent was subtle, but real.
He swallowed slightly.
"…Noted."
She leaned slightly closer again. And for the first time, peace settled between them. Not fragile nor uncertain, but real and unbreakable.