An hour later, the hospital's elevator doors slid open, and Mr. Kim stepped out, flanked by the members of Alpha Boys and Idols, all dressed in casual yet somber attire. The sound of hushed conversations and soft footsteps filled the air as they made their way to the waiting area. The presence of securities in crisp uniforms added a sense of gravity to their procession.
As they entered the waiting room, the tension was palpable. Taejoon's eyes, red from lack of sleep, locked onto the group, and he rose from his seat, his movements economical and controlled. Mr. Kim's expression was a mix of concern and reassurance as he approached Taejoon.
"How is he?" Mr. Kim asked, his voice low and serious.
Taejoon's gaze flicked to Han's room before returning to Mr. Kim. "He's stable," he replied, his voice barely above a whisper. "The doctor said he'll need some time to recover."
The members of Alpha Boys and Idols nodded somberly, their faces etched with worry. They all had a deep respect for Han and were eager to see him on the mend. As they settled into the waiting area, the securities discreetly positioned themselves around the room and outside the room, maintaining a watchful eye on the surroundings ¹.
Mr. Kim discreetly excused himself to take care of the hospital bills, leaving the others to offer what comfort they could to Taejoon. Lorenzo and Ace stepped forward, their faces etched with concern, and placed a gentle hand on Taejoon's shoulders.
The touch seemed to shatter the fragile control Taejoon had been maintaining. His eyes welled up with tears, and he felt his body shake with sobs. "I should have protected him," he choked out, his voice barely above a whisper. "It's my fault. If I hadn't let him step in... If I had just been faster..."
Taejoon's words trailed off as he succumbed to his emotions, his body wracked with guilt and grief. Lorenzo and Ace pulled him into a tight hug, holding him close as he broke down. The other members of Alpha Boys and Idols looked on, their faces filled with sympathy and concern.
As Taejoon cried, he felt the weight of his responsibility bearing down on him. He couldn't shake the feeling that he had failed Han, that he should have been able to protect him. The thought of losing Han was unbearable, and Taejoon's sobs grew more intense.
Lorenzo and Ace held him close, whispering words of comfort and reassurance. They told him it wasn't his fault, that Han would be okay. But Taejoon couldn't shake the feeling of guilt and self-blame that had taken hold of him.