SLC 31

“Can’t I not go in?”

“No. There are still 2 days left in the contract period.”

After parking the car in the hospital parking lot, Kim Jinkyung looked at Mok Seongha. It meant, why aren’t you getting out?

‘Why aren’t you getting out?’

The words Kim Jinkyung wanted to say came out of the man’s mouth. With no other choice, he unfastened the seat belt and got out of the driver’s seat. He thought that since he was a precious young master, he should at least walk him to the hospital room.

However, in front of the hospital room, Mok Seongha stubbornly tried to drag Kim Jinkyung inside with him.

“…Can’t you go in alone?”

When Kim Jinkyung recalled the old man who had looked at him with piercing eyes, a chill ran down his spine.

“No. During the contract period, properly play the role of a lover. What if the chairman suddenly tries to set me up on a blind date?”

“Haha, no way.”

While Kim Jinkyung was awkwardly laughing, Mok Seongha opened the hospital room door. The old man, who had been reclining on the bed, recognized Mok Seongha and said, “You came.” Kim Jinkyung, who was standing behind him, instinctively bowed his head in greeting.

But Mok Seongha stopped at the doorway and didn’t move.

Why is he standing there instead of going in?

Kim Jinkyung leaned his head out beside Mok Seongha’s back. A man and a woman were standing by the hospital bed.

The woman holding a flower basket turned her head.

She greeted them first with her eyes. Mok Seongha just stood there without moving.

“What are you doing? Come in.” The old man called his grandson inside.

“This is the president of Dongcheong Group I told you about before, and this is his youngest daughter, Lee Nahye. She’s said to be 1 year older than you.”

“Hello. I’ve heard a lot about you.”

The woman with short bobbed hair greeted Mok Seongha. He didn’t answer and only looked at his grandfather.

“I have something to discuss with the president, so you two step out for a moment.”

…He’s setting up a blind date in a hospital?

Kim Jinkyung was left speechless at the unbelievable sight, even though he was seeing it with his own eyes.

“Why did you call me?”

Mok Seongha asked his grandfather.

“I called you so you could greet him since the president came. You’ll inherit the business later, so shouldn’t you at least recognize the faces of important people?”

Mok Seongha walked in with heavy steps. Then he stared at the middle aged man’s face for about 3 seconds and asked, “Is that enough?”

“What did you say?”

“I saw his face. I’ll be going.”

Mok Seongha turned around.

“Stop right there.”

The old man sounded angry. Kim Jinkyung grew anxious. He worried that Mok Seongha might cause a scene in the hospital room.

“Don’t behave rudely. Is that how I taught you?”

It was hard to believe this threat came from an old man sick in bed. Every time Kim Jinkyung met the old man’s piercing gaze, he felt like he had encountered a tiger in the mountains.

Mok Seongha stood there silently with an expressionless face. Kim Jinkyung caught sight of his clenched fist trembling slightly.

‘I told you. The chairman doesn’t like me much.’

Kim Jinkyung realized that Mok Seongha’s boiling point rose only in front of his blood relatives. His mouth tasted bitter.

“Escort her out. For a person, it’s only proper courtesy.”

“…….”

Mok Seongha didn’t answer and lowered his head. Kim Jinkyung knew that Mok Seongha had never once spoken badly about his grandfather.

Mok Seongha didn’t even look in Kim Jinkyung’s direction. He must be very angry.

“I’ll see you in the parking lot later.”

Kim Jinkyung whispered quietly, but Mok Seongha didn’t answer and left the hospital room. The youngest daughter of Dongcheong Group’s president hesitated for a moment, then followed after him with an uncomfortable expression. Only 3 people were left in the hospital room.

“Why aren’t you leaving?”

The old man didn’t hide his displeasure as he looked at Kim Jinkyung.

“I have something to say.”

When Kim Jinkyung calmly stated his intention, the old man gestured with his eyes to the man standing in front.

“Then I’ll come visit again later. Chairman.”

“Alright. You worked hard coming all this way.”

The man left the hospital room more easily than expected. Kim Jinkyung could easily guess that the purpose of his visit had already been fulfilled.

“You got the examination done properly that day.”

There was no way the old man didn’t know that Kim Jinkyung had disappeared from the hospital without a word that day. Kim Jinkyung honestly apologized.

“Something happened that day, I ended up leaving the hospital without telling you.”

He spoke calmly, but cold sweat ran down from the hands clasped behind his back. Mok Seongha aside, the old man’s pressure was hard to face.

“Was that situation you couldn’t explain related to the child?”

“…Yes.”

Kim Jinkyung confessed honestly.

“Didn’t I tell you back then not to do unnecessary things?”

After coughing lightly several times, the old man cleared his voice and continued.

“I know through Secretary Kang’s report that the child follows you well, like an older brother.”

Thank you, Secretary Kang…. You really wrapped it up with the nicest possible words.

“You know you can’t become his real older brother just because he follows you, right?”

“Ah, yes. I know.”

It meant to know your place. Kim Jinkyung had no intention of becoming a real older brother. If he were, he’d end up in handcuffs.

“He’s a child who can’t even tell right from wrong yet. It’s his first time mixing with kids his age, so he’s just happy and mistaken.”

“…….”

Kim Jinkyung silently listened to the old man’s words.

They were facts he couldn’t deny. That thought was always circling in Kim Jinkyung’s mind as well. After living an extremely reclusive life, it had only been a little over 1 year since he had fully taken on a human form. The reason he showed Kim Jinkyung affection close to obsession was probably because everything was new to him.

First experiences always shine in vivid colors. But repeated stimulation becomes boring.

That was a scientific principle. If he met other people and opened to a wider world, he would eventually lose interest in Kim Jinkyung.

So Kim Jinkyung tried as hard as he could not to be greedy.

“Mok Seongha has to form a pair. He absolutely has to. Only then can he live looking like a proper person.”

The old man’s eyes as he said it were resolute.

“I’m the only one who knows what’s best for him. So stop doing meaningless things and tell him to change his mind now.”

Instead of answering, Kim Jinkyung rummaged through his bag and took out a book. Just in case, it was a problem workbook he had packed earlier. If nothing else, this was something he had always wanted to show the old man someday when he met him.

“I wanted to show you this.”

“What is that?”

“It’s a problem workbook that Mok Seongha-ssi solved.”

The old man took the tattered workbook in his hands. Kim Jinkyung had said that for concept based problem books, it was good to solve the same book multiple times. Taking that advice, Mok Seongha had repeatedly solved the same workbook.

“He solved all of this?”

“This one too, Mok Seongha-ssi solved all of it.”

Kim Jinkyung took out another workbook from his bag and handed it over. A dim sparkle lit up the old man’s eyes.

Surprise. Pride. And joy.

…See. I told you. Your grandfather likes you.

Kim Jinkyung wanted to take a picture of that expression and show it to Mok Seongha. Maybe it would make him feel a little better.

“Mok Seongha-ssi is really working hard. He’s also preparing very well for the mock exam tomorrow. His grades might not meet expectations, but they aren’t lucky guesses. They’re scores he earned by solving the problems, so they’ll definitely have meaning.”

He hadn’t even been this nervous when presenting in front of his major professor.

Kim Jinkyung hid his trembling hands behind his back and continued explaining.

“Later on, his grades will be even better….”

“You’re saying the meaning is different?”

The old man interrupted Kim Jinkyung. The latter swallowed dryly and nodded.

“So what kind of meaning do you think that has right now?”

“Pardon? Ah, there’s still time left before the CSAT….”

“Do you think I’ll still be alive by then?”

“That….”

Kim Jinkyung couldn’t open his mouth.

Even as a white lie, it was hard to say the old man looked healthy. His dark, dull complexion, the skin sagging over his bones, his sunken eye sockets, and the wheezing sound of his breathing felt like they were introducing Death standing beside him.

“But if you try the new drug, …there might be good results.”

A twisted smile appeared on the old man’s face.

“Who said that new drug would work once it enters this body of mine? Mok Seongha?”

“…….”

Kim Jinkyung was at a loss for words.

‘A new drug was developed in the US, but he says he won’t receive the treatment.’

Mok Seongha believed that if his grandfather used the new drug, he would be cured. And he passed that belief on to Kim Jinkyung. He accepted his theory without any critical thinking. That was because he also unconsciously wanted to believe Mok Seongha, someone he felt affection for. It was a textbook case of confirmation bias.

“Mok Seongha-ssi, that’s….”

“You must have heard that the new drug is effective in stages 3 and 4. But for a body like mine, responsiveness to existing treatment matters more than that.”

The old man coughed several times and continued speaking.

“…….”

“In short, the cancer cells in my body are the kind that don’t respond to the new drug.”

Kim Jinkyung’s vision burned. He realized how irresponsible it had been to confidently tell him to trust him and promise to get him into college.

“So that means things like this are useless.”

The old man continued as he dropped the book in his hand onto the floor.

“Talking about how the process matters is something only people with plenty of time spout. In the end…. cough, cough, …ugh.”

As if he were about to throw up every organ in his body, the old man began coughing uncontrollably. Then he lowered his head and spat out a mouthful of blood.

“Chairman!”

Kim Jinkyung rushed over and held him up.

“Are you alright? I’ll call the doctor.”

Kim Jinkyung urgently shouted, “Please call a doctor!” The attendant standing outside the room opened the door and came in. Seeing the blood soaked bed, he immediately called for a doctor.

Even then, the old man coughed as blood streamed down between the fingers covering his mouth. Kim Jinkyung held onto him so he wouldn’t fall and block his airway, and waited until the doctors arrived.

Several doctors ran in and surrounded the bed.

“Sir. Can you hear me?”

A doctor checked his consciousness and issued orders rapidly.

“Check vitals, call anesthesia. Prepare for intubation.”

Doctors and nurses began treatment. A nurse who noticed Kim Jinkyung frozen in place quickly instructed him.

“You need to step out.”

Kim Jinkyung left the hospital room with a dazed expression. People moved quickly through the hallway.

…Phone, I need to call Mok Seongha…..

Kim Jinkyung rummaged through his pockets to call him, then realized he hadn’t brought his phone.

You idiot. Why now of all times?

Kim Jinkyung asked a passing nurse.

“I’m sorry. I think I need to make one phone call.”

“Over there, talk to the desk and use it.”

Kim Jinkyung ran to the desk. Just as he was about to call Mok Seongha, his head went completely blank. He hadn’t even memorized his number.

“……!”

Kim Jinkyung gripped the receiver and rested his forehead on the desk. Everything felt hopeless.

‎

‎

‎

The hospital room door opened and Mok Seongha walked out. Kim Jinkyung hurried over and asked him.

“What happened?”

“They said he got through the worst of it.”

Only then did Kim Jinkyung slump into his seat. Sitting on a chair, he murmured a, “Thank goodness,” while clasping his blood-soaked hands together. His hands and sleeves were entirely bloodstained. Mok Seongha grabbed him and took him to the restroom.

He turned on the water at the sink and put Kim Jinkyung’s hands under it. Kim Jinkyung started washing his hands. Only after scrubbing for a long time did his hands finally look clean again.

“Here too.”

Mok Seongha pointed at Kim Jinkyung’s lips with his hand. Only then did Kim Jinkyung look into the mirror. Blood was splattered not just on his lips, but here and there on his neck as well.

Kim Jinkyung quickly washed his face. Water mixed with blood made a gurgling sound as it was sucked down into the sink. Mok Seongha tore off a hand towel and handed it to Kim Jinkyung.

“Thank you.”

Mok Seongha looked calmer than expected. Maybe it was because he had already been through this several times. After receiving the hospital’s call and showing up, he immediately heard an explanation of the situation from the doctor. Even after being told that it was still a critical situation and that he couldn’t enter the hospital room, Mok Seongha walked inside. The medical staff stopped him several times, but he watched the entire process from the front. Only after things calmed down did he walk out with an expressionless face.

“…Are you okay?”

Kim Jinkyung asked worriedly.

“I’m fine. If they use the new drug, he’ll get better.”

“……”

Kim Jinkyung stared up at Mok Seongha. Anyone who wasn’t an idiot could tell that this wasn’t a situation that would get better.

“The exam is tomorrow, but I didn’t bring my problem books.”

Kim Jinkyung felt anxiety hidden beneath those out of place words. He lowered his head. It felt like someone had suddenly poured boiling water into his chest.

“I need to study.”

Did he really not know?

“Fuck, this is bad.”

Mok Seongha smiled innocently.

Standing in the middle of a flower field, Kim Jinkyung felt like crying.

“It’s okay.”

Kim Jinkyung forced himself to speak calmly.

“You can take the exam next month. You don’t have to worry.”

“You said the June exam was important.”

Some people said that June scores eventually became CSAT scores. It was an exam the state treated as an important indicator when deciding difficulty.

“All exams are important. They’re all part of the process leading up to the CSAT….

“Then that means I have to take tomorrow’s exam no matter what.”

Knowing that all his clumsy, incomprehensible behavior came from anxiety, Kim Jinkyung silently listened to him.

“Fuck, if I can’t take the exam tomorrow….”

Mok Seongha’s breaths quickly grew ragged. His pupils constricted. Kim Jinkyung quickly grabbed his sleeve and led him to the emergency stairwell.

“Are you okay?”

“Haah….”

Mok Seongha slumped down on the stairs, spent a long time catching his breath, then covered his face with his hands.

“…What do I do?”

Mok Seongha mumbled in a small voice.

“What do I do, teacher….”

Mok Seongha looked up at Kim Jinkyung. Inside that large body, he saw a small child. A child who hadn’t been in the world long, surrounded by unfamiliar and uncomfortable things, enduring as best he could.

This time too, Kim Jinkyung couldn’t deny that he was wrong. It wasn’t a sight anyone could get used to, no matter how many times they saw it. The fear and sadness Mok Seongha must have felt spread through him, making his throat ache.

‘The chairman won’t die. He’s not someone who’d go that easily.’

Mok Seongha’s face as he smiled and said that came to mind. Kim Jinkyung silently sat down beside him.

How can I help you?

Kim Jinkyung slowly stroked Mok Seongha’s hair.

I shouldn’t touch him.

On days like this, he always bites. But even if he bit him, Kim Jinkyung wanted to comfort him somehow. Mok Seongha kept his head lowered.

Then suddenly, the old man’s words flashed through Kim Jinkyung’s mind.

You have to do what’s best for the child.

“I think it would be good for you to talk with the chairman again later.”

At Kim Jinkyung’s words, Mok Seongha lifted his head and asked, “What?”

“About marriage. I mean..”

Mok Seongha’s distraught expression vanished. Cold, emotionless golden eyes stared at Kim Jinkyung. He grabbed Kim Jinkyung’s hand that had been stroking his head and pushed it away.

“I parted with that woman as soon as we left the hospital room. And like you asked, I was waiting in the parking lot.”

“……”

“Why? Do you also want me to pair up with that woman and get married?”

Mok Seongha asked as he tightened his hold. The force was enormous. Kim Jinkyung held his breath as pain raced through his wrist, as if it were about to twist apart.

“That’s not it….”

“If it’s not that, then what is it? Or did he tell you to say that?”

“No.”

Kim Jinkyung’s face turned pale as the grip tore into his skin.

“Don’t lie! You hate me too! My eyes are yellow and my fur is black, fuck.”

Blood trickled down, but in Mok Seongha’s anxious gaze, none of it registered.

“No. Mok Seongha-ssi, please listen to what I’m saying…. ngh.”

Kim Jinkyung finally couldn’t hold it in and groaned in pain. Only then did Mok Seongha lower his gaze.

“Ah, …it’s okay. I-I’m not badly hurt.”

Kim Jinkyung said as he covered his wrist with his other hand. Mok Seongha just stared down at Kim Jinkyung’s wrist.

“Please try talking honestly with the chairman one more time. Not about the exam. The chairman will definitely….”

As if there was nothing worth hearing, Mok Seongha stood up from his seat.

“Get your wrist treated. I’ll tell the hospital.”

“…….”

“I’m going.”

Mok Seongha opened the emergency door and left. Kim Jinkyung stared at the closed door. It didn’t open even after a long time passed.

The wound ached, and Kim Jinkyung held both of his hands together and lowered his head.