RACA 101

“How long did I sleep?”

Eunsol asked as he looked around. The last thing he remembered was the bleak atmosphere of the operating room, but when he opened his eyes, he was in a hospital room that felt warm and soft.

The familiar pheromone mixed with the smell of disinfectant. The feeling brought him relief, he was really back.

“Not long.”

Then why was he avoiding his gaze when he said that?

“How long exactly?”

When Eunsol insisted, Jaebeom sighed and told him the truth.

“49 hours.”

Eunsol stared at him, then asked again in disbelief.

“Two days?”

Jaebeom nodded without saying anything.

“You must have been worried.”

Eunsol felt sorry and held his hand tightly. Why was he realizing it only now? He had eye bags, and his dark eyes were filled with layers of exhaustion and worry.

“Let’s call the doctor first and check your condition.”

“Yes.”

When Jaebeom pressed the call button, the doctor soon entered the room. Reclining on the bed, Eunsol answered a few simple questions and underwent a brief examination.

“As I mentioned earlier, there are no major issues with your body. It seems the fatigue from the surgery accumulated, and you fell into a deep sleep.”

Jaebeom’s expression hardened as if he still didn’t understand.

“Shouldn’t we do a thorough examination?”

The doctor calmly continued explaining.

“There are no signs of bleeding or organ damage, but if you wish, we can perform additional tests right away.”

“It’s fine.”

Before Jaebeom could say anything else, Eunsol quickly waved his hand. Then, he gently spoke to Jaebeom, who had a displeased expression, trying to appease him.

“I really am fine. It’s better for me to rest now. Going in and out of the room for more tests will only make it harder.”

Since he said that, there wasn’t much Jaebeom could do. In the end, he let out a long reluctant sigh.

“…Alright. If you say so, then fine.”

When the doctor left, only the two of them remained in the room. Jaebeom, still lingering at the bedside, gently held Eunsol’s hand. The warmth that seeped into his fingertips conveyed his reliet, his fear, and his yearning for Eunsol.

“I want to see the twins.”

Eunsol changed the subject to lighten the mood.

“Eat first.”

“Ah…”

Eunsol nodded, accepting the drink he offered him, saying, “Just quench your thirst.” Meanwhile, Jaebeom called to ask for a meal.

Since he hadn’t eaten anything for two days, a bowl of white porridge was served, which was easy on the digestive system. Eunsol picked up his spoon without a word.

Maybe it’s because he gave birth, but he’s not as drawn to spicy foods as he used to be. He used to prefer bland foods like this.

“I finished eating.”

Eunsol emptied the bowl in an instant and looked at Jaebeom, asking if that was enough. Jaebeom smiled helplessly and rubbed the corner of his eye.

“You want to see them that much?”

“Of course.”

They were the children he had carried preciously for ten months. Now that they had finally come into the world, he felt sorry and curious for not having seen their faces yet.

“Alright. I’ll have them brought here.”

“Huh? We’re not going there?”

Eunsol asked in disbelief and looked at Jaebeom.

“Go where?”

“The newborn room.”

Wasn’t that how it usually went in dramas or movies? He tilted his head, recalling the scenes he had seen in videos before. Then he looked at Jaebeom with a doubtful expression.

“You said you don’t even have the strength to go for more tests, so how would you make it all the way to the newborn room?”

“I can manage that much. If not, you can take me there in a wheelchair.”

“Right?” He smiled brightly as he joked, and Jaebeom chuckled softly, tapping Eunsol’s nose with his finger.

“Ow.”

It didn’t actually hurt. He was just pretending to complain. But maybe Jaebeom didn’t see it that way. He looked at Eunsol’s face carefully, his gaze full of concern.

“No, it doesn’t hurt…”

Eunsol told the truth, feeling uncomfortable under the careful gaze that held his chin and turned it from side to side. Only after Jaebeom checked thoroughly and seemed satisfied did he make a call.

“Eunsol wants to see the twins.”

It was a subtle tone. Polite, yet not like someone speaking to medical staff. It sounded more like he was talking to someone he already knew.

He learned why when he saw the person who entered with two infant transport cribs.

“Huh? Chairman Jang?”

Chairman Jang laughed heartily at Eunsol’s surprised face and came closer.

“Oh my, are you feeling alright? I tried to come see you several times, but that brat here kept blocking me.”

“As you can see, I’m fine. Thank you for worrying.”

“Of course. You have to be fine. Do you know how long these adorable babies have been waiting?”

Chairman Jang was grinning from ear to ear. Eunsol looked at Jaebeom, confused about what was going on.

“While you were unconscious, the chairman camped out in the newborn room every day. He’s been here since this morning too.”

“What, really?”

Eunsol already knew how much affection Chairman Jang had for his grandchildren. The house was full of things he had sent as gifts.

“Come now, hurry and see the babies!”

With no hint of embarrassment in his behavior, Chairman Jang puffed out his chest and brought the twins in front of Eunsol.

The babies seemed fascinated by the unfamiliar surroundings, their clear eyes darting around. They were only two days old, yet they looked lively.

“How are they so full of energy? Maybe they take after you, Jaebeom-ssi?”

“Maybe they’re curious like you.”

“Me?”

Eunsol shifted his gaze. Thinking back, he did show a lot of curiosity when he was little.

The memories were blurry, but he remembered watching lines of ants crawl on his way home from school, then suddenly chasing after a butterfly that flew by, and then spotting a playground slide and running there instead.

Because he wandered around like that, it always took him forever to get home.

“Hmm… yeah, I guess I was a bit like that.”

When Eunsol admitted it awkwardly, Jaebeom smiled like he found him adorable. Meanwhile, the twins lying in the same crib puckered their lips and moved their curious eyes around.

Then, all of a sudden, they spotted Eunsol and their lips curled up.

“Huh?”

“What is it?”

“Look at them. I think they know I’m their dad! They’re smiling!”

A newborn’s smile was more of a reflex, but Jaebeom didn’t bother correcting him.

“Yeah, looks like they’re happy to see their dad.”

“Right? Hello, my little twins. Daddy’s so happy to finally meet you!”

Eunsol waved his hand, and the twins moved their mouths again as if they understood.

“Oh really? You’re happy too?”

Holding Eunsol, who looked happier than the babies themselves, Jaebeom slowly closed and opened his eyes. This was enough. The peaceful sight eased his worries.

Chairman Jang, who had been watching the scene with a pleased expression, decided it was time to leave and said his goodbyes, promising he’d come again tomorrow.

“Should we use the names we came up with before?”

“Beomwoo and Eunwoo?”

“Yes.”

Those were names Eunsol had suggested. They came from combining parts of their names, Eun, Sol, Jae, and Beom, and the best combination had been Beomwoo and Eunwoo.

“They fit perfectly.”

Eunsol smiled as he looked between the two babies. They looked almost identical, but there were small differences. Eunwoo had slightly upturned eyes, while Beomwoo’s eyes looked a bit more angular.

“This one’s Beomwoo, and this one’s Eunwoo?”

As if reading his thoughts, Jaebeom pointed with his eyes at each one. When Eunsol stared at him in surprise, Jaebeom gave a questioning look.

“How did you know which name belonged to which baby?”

Eunsol hadn’t told him yet, so he asked curiously.

“I just thought those names fit them best. Am I wrong?”

“Does it look that way?”

“Yeah.”

Maybe so. In truth, Eunsol had just named them based on how they looked, so the words pricked a little.

After naming the babies and spending a bit more time together, they sent them back to the newborn room. It was a little disappointing, but Eunsol agreed it would be better to meet them again after recovering. Besides, there was something he wanted to talk to Jaebeom about.

When they were finally alone, Eunsol felt strangely nervous and began to speak carefully about what had happened while he was asleep for the past two days.

“Actually, Jaebeom, I met Grandma in my dream.”

He was about to explain what they had talked about when Jaebeom said something unexpected.

“Really? That’s strange. I also talked with your grandma in a dream.”