I went to the nurse, my body screaming in pain, and asked her:
"Where is Saka? Please… tell me."
She replied calmly:
"He's currently in the operating room."
What…?
In the operating room?!
Is he going to die?
Is he going to leave me?
No… no, no, no, no—
Please… don't die. Don't leave me.
My breathing began to accelerate, my heartbeat pounding violently.
My legs could no longer support me, and I lost consciousness.
A voice echoed inside me:
"You are weak.
You rely on others and forget yourself, forget that you have your own power.
Wake up—he's not dead. He's only in surgery."
I woke up to the sound of machines and bright lights in my face.
I gasped sharply, as if my soul had been dragged back into my body.
The nurse saw me awaken, smiled with relief, and hurried to call the doctor.
I didn't know what had happened to me.
The only thing that mattered was seeing Saka.
When I tried to stand, I noticed Nino asleep beside my bed.
Why was she here?
I felt warmth… kindness.
I couldn't remember the last time I had felt that.
She woke up, saw me, burst into tears, and hugged me tightly.
I asked her:
"Why are you hugging me and crying?"
I couldn't understand her words—only sobs came out.
Then I remembered.
I had to see Saka. No matter what.
When I tried to stand, my body rejected my will and forced me back down.
Huh…?
My body… refusing my command?
I called out to Nino.
"Get me a wheelchair. I need to visit someone."
She hesitated, but I insisted.
She finally agreed and said:
"On one condition—
You'll go shopping with me."
I agreed immediately.
Seeing Saka was all that mattered.
She wheeled me toward the reception desk.
I asked:
"I'm looking for Saka's room."
The receptionist checked and said:
"Saka… yes. He was in surgery, then recovery.
Room 203."
I finally relaxed.
"Let's go."
Inside the elevator, Nino asked quietly:
"Tai… what happened to you?"
I answered:
"It was just some bullies."
She frowned.
"Those bastards… why didn't you call the police?"
"It's between us," I replied. "Don't worry."
She looked at me with doubt, her voice breaking.
"Tai… are you really okay?
Were they really just bullies?"
I didn't answer directly.
I reassured her instead.
"Don't worry… I'm still here.
I won't go anywhere without you."
She looked at me in a way I had never seen before—
Concern… and warmth.
I didn't understand it at the time.
Not until much later.
As we approached the room, I heard Saka's voice.
I whispered:
"Nino… step back a little."
She looked confused but obeyed.
I moved closer and heard something I had never heard before.
Saka…
A legendary assassin.
A bounty of two million on his head.
They were questioning him about the fight…
About me.
He deflected every question, avoiding answers, protecting something.
I knocked and entered.
Three men stood inside, dressed in elegant suits.
Saka was lying in bed—machines everywhere—
Blood monitors, IVs, pressure gauges.
And guns.
He was being threatened.
I stayed calm.
Measured every word.
One of the men stood up.
"I'm leaving."
As soon as he left, the atmosphere changed completely.
The darkness vanished.
They smiled, shook my hand, and said:
"He's the one who created that tension."
I asked Saka:
"Who was that?"
He replied:
"The vice head of our department."
I asked jokingly:
"So… are we a licensed assassination company?"
He laughed.
"Idiot.
Who would be stupid enough to give killers a license?"
…Fair point.
Seeing Saka alive and stable, I went to find Nino.
She was furious.
"You took too long. I thought you lied to me."
"Why would I lie to a child like you?"
She hit me on the head.
I screamed:
"I'm injured, you idiot!"
"I don't care!" she yelled back.
She asked the receptionist:
"How long will he stay?"
"Three weeks hospitalized," the nurse replied.
"He'll be discharged after a month."
Nino turned to me angrily.
"You're staying here for a month, you cripple."
…Cripple?
Me?
I won't forget that word as long as I live.
She stormed off to ask about visiting hours.
Only then did I realize—
She was angry… because she cared.
A month passed.
I endured the vice director's gaze every day.
When I was finally discharged, Nino was waiting.
Before leaving, I asked:
"What about Saka? How is he?"
The nurse replied:
"Saka will stay another week.
After that, two days of rest.
Severe anemia.
Damage to kidneys, liver, stomach, and nose.
But don't worry—we managed."
I was stunned.
Saka endured all of that…
Then the nurse looked at me.
"What's your name?"
"Tai. Why?"
"You should be worried about yourself."
"What injuries do I have?"
She stared at me in disbelief.
"Severe head bleeding.
Severe anemia.
Shattered forearm bones.
Broken wrist.
Deep wounds across your body, including vital areas.
Dislocated and fractured shoulder.
Mild neck sprain.
Significant cranial damage…
What are you?
Are you human?"
I smiled in shock.
How was I even alive?
I felt proud—
I had more injuries than Saka.
The receptionist punched me.
"Don't be proud of that!"
I went back to Nino.
Good thing she wasn't there when they told me…
She'd reopen all my wounds herself.
She took me to a massive shopping complex.
I said:
"The doctor told me to rest for a week. Take me home."
She glared.
"If you want your debt to increase, keep talking."
I immediately shut up.
She dragged me into the first store.
My body was still screaming in pain.
She handed me clothes.
"Try this on."
I looked at the outfit…
Then at myself…
Then back at the outfit.
This doesn't suit me.
I can't afford this.
I said nothing.
I tried it on.
…I didn't recognize myself.
Elegant. Handsome.
Like a different person.
The bandages ruined it—but still.
She stared.
"It suits you."
Please don't say that…
I can't afford it…
She handed me more.
And more.
And more.
Then came the moment of truth.
The cashier.
My heart pounded harder with every step.
I remembered the doctor's warning:
"If your heartbeat spikes, you could relapse—or die."
I grabbed her hand.
"Listen carefully…
I don't have any money."
She laughed.
"You're not paying."
"What?"
"This is your hospital discharge gift."
(End of chapter 16)