Hospital Recovery Room. 8:46 AM. Jiwoon just woke up from minor surgery.
Seo Jiwoon (ML)
(typing…)
Ugh.
Tell me this hospital serves coffee stronger than the sedatives you gave me.
Nurse Gina
No coffee for stab victims, sorry.
And don’t move too much — your stitches are fresh.
Seo Jiwoon (ML)
Where’s the pretty doctor with ice in his voice?
The one who sews hearts shut without blinking?
Nurse Gina
You mean Dr. Kang?
He's on rounds. He’ll be in soon. Try not to flirt with the walls while you wait.
20 minutes later. Footsteps. Curtain slides open.
Dr. Kang Haru(MC)
You’re awake.
Seo Jiwoon (ML)
And tragically unkissed.
But I’ll survive.
Dr. Kang Haru(MC)
I reviewed your CT. No internal bleeding.
You’ll be discharged in 24 hours — if you behave.
Seo Jiwoon (ML)
Can I behave badly and still get released?
Haru doesn’t answer. Just checks Jiwoon’s IV and stitches. His fingers brush lightly against Jiwoon’s side. Jiwoon flinches — not from pain, but something else.
Dr. Kang Haru(MC)
...You’re tense.
Pain level?
Seo Jiwoon (ML)
I’m fine.
Just… don’t touch my back.
Pause. Haru’s hand stills. Jiwoon won’t meet his eyes.
Dr. Kang Haru(MC)
Is there an injury I missed?
Seo Jiwoon (ML)
No.
Not the kind you can stitch.
Haru says nothing. He walks around the bed, reaches for the hospital gown. Jiwoon grabs his wrist — fast.
Seo Jiwoon (ML)
I said don’t.
Their eyes meet — Jiwoon’s defiant, but something in his voice cracks.
Dr. Kang Haru(MC)
...Okay.
Seo Jiwoon (ML)
(quietly)
I just don’t like people looking at it.
It’s not a tattoo. It’s history.
Dr. Kang Haru(MC)
I understand.
Haru takes a small step back. Then turns toward the clipboard. Clinical again.
Dr. Kang Haru(MC)
I’ll leave instructions for the nurse.
Let her know if you feel dizzy.
And if you change your mind… I don’t flinch easily.
Seo Jiwoon (ML)
No.
I can tell.
As Haru turns to leave, Jiwoon says one last thing — not flirtatious, not joking. Just raw.
Seo Jiwoon (ML)
...You’re the first doctor who didn’t look at me like I was a mess they didn’t want to clean up.
Haru pauses. Then walks out without a word. Jiwoon watches the curtain fall shut, slowly. His fingers graze the scar on his lower back.
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