Jungtae stood by his grandpa's bed, careful not to touch anything.
His mother came back from the hallway with two paper cups of coffee. She handed one to him.
"Drink," she said softly.
Jungtae nodded and wrapped both hands around the cup. It was warm. He took a small sip, then another. His mother didn't sit. She stayed standing, eyes fixed on the bed.
"They said the payment went through again this morning," she said.
Jungtae froze for half a second.
"All of it?" he asked.
She nodded. "The room, the medicines, even the follow-up tests."
Jungtae looked down at the floor.
'He is keeping what we agreed about.'
"I don't know how to thank that person," his mother continued.
Her eyes shifted to Jungtae. "Tell him that I am really really thankful for his help."
Jungtae's grip tightened around the cup.
"I will…mom," Jungtae said after a moment.
His mother studied his face. She didn't press him. She only nodded and placed a hand on his shoulder, squeezing gently before returning to the bed.
Jungtae's phone buzzed three times. He checked and quickly slid it inside his pocket.
"Mom, I have to go. Tell me if anything happens."
"Ok. Don't worry."
After 18 minutes. The door slid open quietly.
"Excuse me."
Jungtae's mother turned.
Woojin stood there, still in his school uniform. His tie was loose, his hair messy like he'd run here without fixing it. He held a small bag in his hand.
"W-Woojin, what brings you here? Is it Jungtae?"
Woojin nodded and stepped inside. His eyes went straight to the bed, then to Jungtae's mother.
"Auntie," he greeted politely.
She smiled at him. "Sorry but Jungtae just left minutes ago."
Woojin just nodded and looked at Jungtae's grandpa laying on the bed. "How is grandpa's condition, auntie?"
"He is no longer in critical condition but he's still in a coma." Mrs. Han answered.
Woojin studied her face for a moment before speaking again. "How was the bills?"
"It is all settled Woojin, don't worry. A friend of Jungtae whom I still don't know his name is the one paying our hospital bills." Mrs. Han said.
"What?" Woojin froze.
ৎ────
Across town, Haneul sat in Owen's apartment, fingers digging into the couch cushion. Owen stood by the window, scrolling through his phone, relaxed as ever.
"So you really took him out," Haneul said, breaking the silence.
Owen glanced at him. "You saw?"
Haneul laughed weakly. "You didn't even hide it."
Owen shrugged. "Why would I?"
Haneul stood up. "You said it was just a deal."
"It is."
"Then why are you touching him?" Haneul snapped.
Owen's smile faded a little. "Careful."
Haneul's hands shook. "You're playing with him."
Owen stepped closer. "And? Don't be jealous, Haneul."
Haneul's eyes burned. "His friend likes him."
Owen tilted his head. "I know."
That only made it worse.
"You're doing this on purpose," Haneul said. "To piss him off."
Owen's lips curved. "That is exactly what I want."
Haneul clenched his fists. "Can't you just let that guy be."
Owen laughed softly. "You don't get to tell me that. I found him."
Haneul's voice dropped. "Then I won't let you two have peace together."
Owen raised an eyebrow.
"I'll tell Woojin everything," Haneul said. "About the deal. About what you're making Jungtae do."
Owen's eyes sharpened.
"You think he doesn't already know something's wrong?" Haneul continued. "You think Jungtae can hide this forever?"
Owen stared at him for a long moment. Then he smiled again, slow and dangerous.
"Go ahead," he said. "Let's see what happens. I want to break them apart anyway."
Haneul felt sick.
Owen approached, with one hand he lifted Haneul's chin to look at him. "You're being a mean cat today, you know that? Jealousy brings out that side of you." Owen said with a grin.
"Go ahead." He added.
Haneul's eyebrows furrowed and looked away.
ৎ────
The next day.
Jungtae slowed when he passed the music room.
The door was half open. Inside, Woojin stood alone by the piano. Woojin ran a cloth over the keys, careful, slow, like he had all the time in the world.
Jungtae stopped walking.
He watched from the doorway longer than he realized. Woojin hadn't noticed him yet. His shoulders were relaxed, head slightly bent, focus fixed on the piano. It looked peaceful and familiar.
Jungtae's fingers curled at his side.
He hadn't been hanging out with him for a while.
His phone felt heavy in his pocket. He thought of the days he spent sneaking around, the hours stolen with Owen, the messages erased before anyone could see them. Woojin didn't know.
Jungtae stepped inside.
"Yo, Woojin."
Woojin looked up. For a split second, surprise crossed his face. Then his lips curved into a soft smile.
"Tae," he said. "What brings you here?"
Something in Jungtae's chest loosened at that smile. It was the same one. Warm. Easy.
"I was just checking on you," Jungtae said, leaning against the piano. "You always disappear here."
Woojin chuckled and folded the cloth. "Well, I wanted to learn something new."
Jungtae glanced at the piano. "I see. I bet you're good at it already."
"Next time, hear me play it and you'll be super amazed."
They both laughed.
Jungtae checked the time on his phone. "I should go. Last class…"
Before he could step away, fingers wrapped around his wrist.
Jungtae looked down.
Woojin wasn't gripping hard. Just enough to stop him.
"Tae," Woojin said. "Can you come over after class?"
Jungtae blinked. "Huh?"
"I have something to give you."
Jungtae's brows pulled together. He unlocked his phone again, eyes flicking over the screen. No new messages. No missed calls.
He looked back up. "After class?"
Woojin nodded. "Yeah."
Jungtae hesitated, then nodded too. "S-sure. I just need to drop some fruits at the hospital first."
"That's fine," Woojin said. "I'll wait."
He let go, then flicked Jungtae's forehead lightly.
"Ow," Jungtae hissed, rubbing it. "What was that for?"
Woojin grinned. "Nothing."
ৎ────
Jungtae was walking on the road after visiting the hospital, when a familiar voice called out.
"Jungtae!"
He turned.
"Hanna noona."
She hurried toward him, eyes scanning his face like she was checking for injuries. "You disappeared. You didn't contact me at all. How's your grandpa?"
"He's stable now," Jungtae said. "Sorry, noona. Things got messy."
Her expression softened. "Boss fired you without warning. I asked him why. But he didn't say anything."
Jungtae looked away. "That actually made me upset."
She shook her head. "I'm sorry."
"It's okay," Jungtae said. "I'm managing."
She reached out and patted his shoulder. "I miss you, kid."
He smiled faintly. "Me too. Take care, noona."
"You too," she said. "If you need help, just call me." Hanna winked.
Jungtae nodded and walked away.
A few minutes later.
He hadn't gone far when voices rose from across the street. Angry. Sad. Curious people gather.
Jungtae slowed.
Something lay near the fence of a small house. Too still.
He stepped closer before he realized what it was.
A dog.
Its body was twisted wrong. Cuts crisscrossed its skin, uneven and deep, like someone had taken their time. One leg bent at an angle it shouldn't.
Jungtae's stomach turned.
'What the heck!'
Someone covered their mouth. Someone else whispered.
He stepped back, heart pounding. The image burned into his eyes. It was similar. Too close to another memory he didn't want to remember.
He turned away fast and walked.
"Who did that again…"
ৎ────
By 6pm, he stood in front of Woojin's house.
His hands stayed buried in his pockets. He checked his phone once more.
Still nothing.
He exhaled, relief slipping in quietly.
He rang the doorbell.
The door opened almost immediately.
Woojin stepped aside. "Come in."
Jungtae slipped off his shoes and followed him inside. The house was quiet.
"Aunt Sue isn't around again?" Jungtae asked.
Woojin shook his head. "She's working late."
Jungtae nodded and glanced around.
"Sit down," Woojin said.
Jungtae did.
And whatever Woojin had been meaning to give him suddenly felt heavier.
Woojin exhaled through his nose. "I asked your mom about the bills."
Jungtae stiffened.
"She told me someone was paying the bills."
Jungtae stayed quiet.
"So you made a deal with that bastard."
Jungtae's chest felt tight.
"H-how did you-"
"You told me you are gonna ask me for help," Woojin said. "I waited Tae!!."
"I-"
"Why did you get involved with him?"
Jungtae clenched his fists. His nails dug into his palms.
Woojin's jaw tightened. "You said you will never get involved with him."
Jungtae flinched.
"I'm sorry Woojin."
"You should've told me," he said quietly.
Jungtae felt something crack in his chest. "I didn't want to burden you."
"What do you mean? I offered my help. I just waited for you to ask me…"
Jungtae's lips trembled. "Woojin, you have helped me more than enough…"
Woojin's expression was hurt. "So you ran to Kwon Owen instead?"
"I-I…I'm sorry Woojin. But I don't regret my decision." Jungtae stood up and walked to the door. Hands trembling.
Woojin stood up from his seat. "Why are you walking away? Are you tossing our friendship!? Are you choosing that guy?!" Woojin shouted.
Jungtae turned around. "I-It's not like that Woojin!"
"I like you, Tae."
"What?"