[Where are you]
[Another blind date failed]
Woo Gyeongun stared at the chat he had exchanged with Seo Hojin a few hours ago, sighing heavily as he dragged himself into the clubroom. Normally, that brat would have already replied with something like “lol” or “gg,” completely insincere. But now, there was only silence.
“Senior Gyeongun, you came again?”
Woo Gyeongun sprawled across the sofa, rolling around for a while before sitting up with a sense of unease. He asked a junior who had dropped by to kill time before his date with his girlfriend.
“...Hey, why isn’t Seo Hojin around? Didn’t they say he practically lives here even during vacation? Where did he go?”
“Ah, Hojin-hyung? I think he went to the department office earlier.”
“Not the library?”
“Seems like there’s some student council matter today.”
At the university, Seo Hojin was famous for two things.
For being as handsome as a celebrity and for having an unusually nasty temper.
Pale skin as if it had never seen the sun, jet-black hair, and a cold gaze—anyone who first saw him was overwhelmed by his aura. Behind his back, rumors flew endlessly. That he must be the son of a chaebol family, or that he was an aspiring celebrity.
But those didn’t last long. Instead, he got stuck with the title of “that bastard.” Because Seo Hojin had shown his true colors.
Woo Gyeongun liked that about him.
Even if Hojin cursed someone out to their face, he didn’t discriminate. He worked hard for what he wanted. Of course, it was annoying how disgustingly good at studying he was.
One mystery remained, though: why someone like Seo Hojin, who calculated gains and losses so thoroughly, would voluntarily take on the class rep position.
“A 4th-year? Even during vacation? Couldn’t he just post announcements?”
“How would I know. Maybe someone caused trouble again. His face looked like a demon. You’d better stay out of it, senior.”
The junior shook his head and turned his eyes back to his phone.
There had been an incident about a year ago that made Seo Hojin even more infamous, but to those around him, the mystery of him being class rep was less important.
Woo Gyeongun collapsed back into the sofa with a groan.
“Ha, no good. I’ve got the best story ever today, and I need a drink to spill it all.”
“Senior, seriously...”
The junior made a cold face, then left, saying he had to meet his girlfriend.
Even after wandering around SNS and chats, Woo Gyeongun eventually shot up, grabbed his bag, and headed to the department office. Cautiously opening the door, he saw the back of someone leaning against a tower of textbooks on a desk.
“Hey, Seo Hojin. Why didn’t you reply?”
Approaching slowly, Woo Gyeongun tapped the tip of Hojin’s shoe with his foot.
“......”
“It’s not like this is the first time. Come on, pack up. You’re mostly done with your exams anyway, you can study tomorrow. I bombed my blind date so bad today, I’ll explode if I don’t drink. Let’s disinfect my throat with some soju first. That place we went last time, the side dishes were good—where was that—”
Normally, Hojin would’ve already snapped, told him to shut up, or reluctantly agreed.
But this silence was dragging on too long.
Feeling uneasy, Woo Gyeongun bent over to check.
“Seo Hojin?”
Then, Seo Hojin stirred at last. His under-eyes were dark, his cheeks flushed with fever, and he’d grown thinner.
The sight of a patient, plain as day. Woo Gyeongun was shocked.
“...What.”
“Holy shit! Do you even look human right now?”
“...What about me.”
After the July LSAT, Hojin had skipped dinner with his brother, saying he was too busy. Woo thought he’d relaxed a little, but no—between his law school application essay and interview prep, he’d clearly overdone it.
“You okay?”
“Do I look okay?”
“Hospital?”
Hojin waved a hand irritably and pulled out another book.
“I took medicine.”
“Oh, so our Hojin’s real dream wasn’t being a lawyer but a doctor, huh? Should’ve told me earlier. Since when were you an expert on your own body? Thing is, shots work best for stuff like this. Unless your grave site’s feng shui is amazing, you should go now.”
“Shut up, seriously...”
Running a hand through his hair in irritation, Hojin picked up his pen again.
Still had the energy to curse, so maybe he wasn’t that bad?
Woo Gyeongun clicked his tongue, mocking ◆ Nоvеlіgһt ◆ (Only on Nоvеlіgһt) him, but still set up the kettle to make tea with the unused green tea bags piled in the corner. He figured some hot drink might help.
“Gross bastard. Nobody’s gonna blame you for resting. Your schedule’s too inhuman. Sleep a bit, and if you still feel bad tomorrow, go to the hospital. Who cares if idiots from the department talk? I’ll cover for you with my handsome face.”
Still no reply.
He put a teabag in a cup, turned off the kettle, and turned back.
“No, you know what, I’ll just take you mys—Huh? Hey?! Seo Hojin!!”
Seo Hojin’s body slowly toppled over.
Crash!
Books and all, he collapsed to the floor.
“Hey! Hey, Seo Hojin!!!”
Woo Gyeongun rushed over, shoving the books aside, checking for consciousness.
Shaking him, slapping his cheeks, but Hojin’s eyes stayed tightly shut. His skin burned like fire.
Woo Gyeongun’s heart pounded wildly.
“Fuck! Stupid bastard!”
Cursing nonstop, his trembling hands were already dialing for an ambulance.
After that, he barely remembered how things happened. Next thing he knew, he was in an ambulance, then in the ER.
“What’s your relation to the patient?”
“Uh, I’m... a friend.”
“Can you contact his guardian?”
“I-I’ll try.”
“Please hurry.”
No matter how he tried to calm down, his vision spun. He regretted wasting time in the clubroom, furious at himself for not dragging Hojin to the hospital earlier.
He took Hojin’s phone, but froze at the lock screen pattern. Then, out of desperation, he hit the emergency contacts.
[My brother]
“There!”
Thankfully, it was saved—and the call rang.
But nobody answered.
“Fuck! He won’t pick up! My friend’s gonna die here, isn’t he?! Seo Hojin’s not gonna die, right?!”
“Sir, please step out! You’re interfering!”
“No, wait!!”
Hojin’s eyes stayed shut. The call never went through.
Kicked out by the nurse, Gyeongun bit his nails in panic, trying again and again.
On the 37th attempt—
[Yeah, what.]
“...Huh? Oh, thank God! You’re Hojin’s brother, right?”
A cold voice came through, but it calmed him down.
“I-I’m not some weirdo, I’m Hojin’s college friend! That’s not important though—he’s here at XX Hospital! Why didn’t you answer?!”
He hurriedly gave the hospital name, practically begging for him to come. The reply was calm.
[——I’ll be there.]
The call ended. Exhausted, he slumped into a chair in the ER waiting area.
“Phew... what the hell... Woo Gyeongun’s life’s biggest episode.”
He buried his face in his hands. Only one thought circled in his head:
‘Please let him be okay.’
And maybe one more:
‘Please let his brother get here soon.’
Hojin, still unconscious, was wheeled from place to place for tests.
Just then, the entrance grew noisy.
“——Isn’t that... Yoon?”
“...No way, why here?”
Following the voices, Gyeongun saw a tall man stride in. All thoughts vanished.
He had thought no one could be more handsome than Seo Hojin.
‘Is that even human?’
Ever since the rumor spread that Hojin’s brother was a famous idol, people whispered about it. Gyeongun himself had seen photos of Seo Hoyun before—thought, “Figures, no wonder he’s Hojin’s brother. Damn handsome.”
But in person, words failed.
Looking very much like Hojin, Seo Hoyun pushed his bangs back as he approached the nurses. Snapping back to his senses, Gyeongun rushed up.
“Hyung!!”
“...?”
“Hyung, your brother—it looks like overwork, maybe! They said the tests aren’t done yet!”
Hoyun glanced at him once, then spoke to a nurse.
“I’m Seo Hojin’s guardian. Could I hear an update?”
“Please wait. The doctor will be here soon.”
Hoyun stood silently, looking down at his brother. He tapped the bed’s armrest with his fingers—audible even in the noisy ER.
The doctor arrived.
“Was this his first time fainting?”
“Since becoming an adult, yes. As a child, he collapsed several times with severe fevers.”
“Any chronic illness?”
“None.”
“Basic tests and CT show nothing major. But I recommend detailed exams, just in case. Shall we admit him?”
“Yes, please.”
Hoyun’s voice was calm, composed.
Gyeongun stayed silent. Then, another man with a warm demeanor drew the curtain and handed Hoyun a phone. Hoyun took it, then looked at Gyeongun.
“You’re Hojin’s friend?”
“...Y-Yes!”
Hoyun extended his hand for a shake, expression unchanged.
“Thank you for calling. I’m Seo Hoyun, Hojin’s brother.”
The resemblance to Hojin was undeniable. Gyeongun, dazed, shook his hand.
“I’m Woo Gyeongun, college friend.”
“You were the one who called the ambulance?”
“Yes, we were in the department office together and...”
“I see. Was he okay then?”
“He looked pale, but he talked a little... I didn’t think he’d suddenly collapse. Oh, and that call—I only found your number in the emergency contacts, I swear!”
Hoyun nodded.
“If not for you, it could’ve been bad.”
“N-no, it’s fine...”
“Manager.”
The man beside him, apparently Hoyun’s manager, pulled out a wallet and handed Gyeongun a business card.
“We’ll repay you properly. If anything comes up again, call here.”
“...Yes.”
Glancing at Hojin again, Gyeongun muttered, “But... he’s still unconscious... Will he be okay?”
“He’ll be fine.”
“Should I stay?”
Hoyun’s lips curved faintly at last.
“No. You must be shaken too. Go rest. I’ll stay.”
“......”
“Don’t worry too much. I’ll contact you if anything happens. Manager, please see him out.”
“Of course.”
The burly manager guided Gyeongun out.
“Our company will thank you again later. If you have questions, call the number on the card—”
Half-listening, Gyeongun turned back once more. He caught one last glimpse of Hoyun bowing politely, then closing the curtain again.
Gyeongun had shed tears over his friend, but Hoyun, the brother, remained calm throughout.
‘Impressive... but strange.’
They were supposed to be the same age. Maybe it was because Hoyun had entered harsh society early. His speech, his demeanor—felt alien.
“...By the way, don’t post this online anywhere—”
‘Does he not even worry about his brother?’
Uneasy, Woo Gyeongun left the hospital.
***
Rustle.
“Fuck.”
As soon as Hojin’s friend left and the curtain closed, ragged breaths burst out. With trembling hands, Hoyun clutched the bed to steady his swaying body.
“Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.”
Collapsing into a chair, he buried his face in his hands, cursing harshly.
“It’ll be fine. He’ll be fine.”
This won’t be anything serious.
“It’ll be...”
But if not...
“......”
...What then?
