The ceiling was the same as yesterday,
but the silence... louder.
Pain hums beneath the ribs — not just from the kick,
but from the knowing.
Eyes open, but rest never came.
Somewhere between duty and betrayal,
my name became a target.
They say I’m safe in this uniform,
but safety feels like glass — seen, not held.
Everyone smiles like masks stitched too tight,
and even shadows feel rehearsed.
Still… I breathe.
Still… I rise.
One lie closer to truth,
one step closer to out.
knock
arya
excuse me
arya
I am junior doctor here to check on you
arya
How’s the pain today? Still sharp or more manageable?
jihoon
Still there. Manageable... if I don’t breathe too deep.
arya
On a scale of 1 to 10, how would you rate the pain now?”
jihoon
A strong six pretending to be a four.”
arya
Jihoon-ssi… can I be a bit personal?
jihoon
sigh nod
arya
My wife and daughter are huge fans. They know I was assigned here, and… they begged me to ask. Would it be alright if I got an autograph for them?
jihoon
You mean… even after the headlines and vanishing acts?
arya
My wife and daughter… they practically fought with the reporter on the TV screen when they saw the news about you.
arya
My daughter said, ‘He’s not bad! They’re just jealous!’ and threw her toy at the screen."
jihoon freeze for a second
jihoon
Brave little soldier.
Jihoon turns his face slightly away after the autograph, the moment sinking into silence. Arya notices — not just the sadness, but the way Jihoon hides it.
Arya softly, pulling up a chair beside the bed
arya
You don’t have to say anything, Jihoon-ssi.
arya
*smile gently*When you’re ready to let someone sit with the silence, I’m here.
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