The room is dim, the only light coming from the glow of monitors and the sterile beam from the hallway when the door creaks open. Yu doesn't even flinch. His body feels like lead, too wrung out to be startled anymore. He just lifts his red-rimmed eyes, cheeks streaked with dried tears, when Joy's familiar silhouette slips inside.
"Yu…"
Her voice is soft, tentative, as if afraid he might break just from hearing it.
"The hospital called me. You… you listed me as your emergency contact."
She tries to smile but her eyes glisten, betraying her worry.
"I came as fast as I could. And—I brought Izan."
Behind her, Izan steps into the room, quieter but steady, his usual composed air dimmed by concern. His gaze lingers on Yu for a moment, then dips toward the monitors as if silently counting each flicker of heartbeat.
Yu wipes at his cheeks with a shaky hand, though it does nothing to erase the stains of exhaustion.
"You… came here…?"
His voice is hoarse, confused.
"Why?"
