After repeatedly falling asleep and waking up, Ire finally sat up. He got off the bed and went to the window, where the sun, just beginning to rise, caught his eye. Below, cars were passing by one by one. It felt quite different from the scenery he had seen at night, and it felt new.
Ire came out and looked around the living room. Light streamed in through the large window, half engulfing the living room. The floor was still spotless, and the furniture was all as good as new, without a single scratch.
But Kim Ha-yoon was nowhere to be seen. Contrary to his words about playing together because he was bored, he had been considerate enough to let Ire fall asleep right away. He had given him a clear liquid to drink, saying it was good for hangovers, and thanks to that, his stomach didn’t feel upset.
As he looked outside, trying to find the location of the hospital where Matteo was hospitalized, he heard footsteps behind him. He turned around to see Kim Ha-yoon approaching, wearing navy blue pajamas and barely able to open his eyes.
“Did you sleep well?”
His voice, just awakened from sleep, was more languid and affectionate than usual. Ire belatedly realized that his pajamas were the same as his own. He was resisting the urge to take them off immediately when Kim Ha-yoon noticed and smiled.
“I bought several of the same kind. Take them if you like them.”
“I’ll pass…”
Kim Ha-yoon lay down on the sofa and closed his eyes.
“Understand me. I don’t have any energy in the morning because of low blood pressure.”
Who said anything? He was overflowing with energy when we fought. Ire unconsciously examined the face of the man who had closed his eyes. The sunlight that entered the living room rested on his face, making his already pale skin look even whiter. His eyes, nose, and mouth were as handsome as if they had been painted. Looking only at his appearance, he was truly a person who deserved to be called handsome.
While he was lost in admiration, Kim Ha-yoon moved his lips.
“Do you like my face? Are you going to tear it off?”
Feeling like he had been caught doing something he shouldn’t have, he walked towards the kitchen as if running away. He heard a low laugh from behind. Can that man see even with his eyes closed? As he was looking for a cup to drink water, he heard a sound at the entrance and someone came in. It was a man with graying hair.
Not knowing how to introduce himself, he was flustered, but the man smiled brightly.
“I heard we had a precious guest, and you’re already up. Nice to meet you. I’m Yoo Min-joon.”
“Hello…”
As he greeted awkwardly, the man approached. He asked how he had slept last night, whether he was uncomfortable, and whether he had any food allergies. Was he Kim Ha-yoon’s father? But he didn’t seem to resemble him at all.
Then he immediately went to the living room and greeted Kim Ha-yoon. Only after hearing him say “Young Master” did he realize that he was not his father. He washed his hands, opened the refrigerator, took out ingredients, put something in a cup, and brought it to Kim Ha-yoon.
“Drink this.”
Kim Ha-yoon, who received the cup, frowned.
“Damn it. When that old man dies, I’m going to bury that herbal mountain or whatever it is with him.”
“Please don’t say such things. You know how much the Chairman worries about you, Young Master.”
Kim Ha-yoon, who drank the liquid in the cup, laughed like a villain.
“Tell him to stop paying attention to me and worry about the old man’s stamina. Unless he wants to see me sleeping with his new wife.”
“Can’t you please speak nicely?” The man shook his head and took the cup, then turned around and came to the kitchen. Then, with the ingredients he had taken out, he began to busily trim and organize.
As Ire was wondering whether he should help, Kim Ha-yoon called from the living room. The interior was so wide and large that his voice echoed. Reluctantly, he went to the living room and stood there, and Kim Ha-yoon pointed to the space next to his head with his hand.
“Sit here.”
He obediently did as he was told, and this time Kim Ha-yoon reached out his hand.
“Give me your hand.”
“Why…?”
“Give it to me.”
As he reached out his hand, Kim Ha-yoon grabbed it and instantly moved it to his forehead.
“Your body temperature is low. You should drink the herbal medicine.”
“What are you doing…?”
Embarrassed, he tried to pull his hand away, but Kim Ha-yoon placed his own hand over it.
“Ten minutes. Until I come to my senses.”
“You should just wash with cold water.”
“Don’t say that unless you’re going to wash me. It’s hard to even move my arms and legs.”
He wanted to fill a bucket with cold water and pour it over his face. But if he did that, he would probably get beaten up right away. Ire sighed and looked at the sparkling chandelier hanging from the ceiling. The hundreds of pieces of glass were so dazzling as they reflected the light that it was almost blinding.
Time passed, and Kim Ha-yoon remained motionless with his eyes closed. Was he asleep…?
He stared blankly at Kim Ha-yoon’s hand covering the back of his own hand. His hands are big… Is it because he’s tall? It was long and straight, so much so that it was hard to believe it was the hand that wielded the axe. The knuckles were slightly plump, and the veins running from the back of his hand to his arm looked good.
Then, realizing that he was scanning someone else’s body like a delinquent, he quickly averted his gaze.
After eating breakfast and leaving the house, he headed to the hospital where Matteo was with Kim Ha-yoon. Breakfast was prepared by a man named Yoo Min-joon. He was in charge of Kim Ha-yoon’s meals. It was amazing that he could create dishes he had never seen before in an instant, but the taste was also excellent.
While he was distracted by looking at the scenery outside, the car arrived at the hospital. He was speechless for a moment at the enormous scale. There was a hospital where he used to live, but it was woefully inadequate for the number of people, and the facilities were also outdated.
It was better than nothing, but even that was a benefit for the relatively successful people in District B.
As he entered the hospital and looked around the interior in a daze, people who appeared from somewhere followed Kim Ha-yoon’s side. “You should have contacted us in advance. The hospital director will be here soon.” He could feel them groveling at a glance.
As he tried to move away to the side because they were uncomfortable, Kim Ha-yoon’s arm naturally went up to his shoulder. Before he could shake it off, Kim Ha-yoon changed direction.
“This way.”
The eyes of the people around him sparkled. They were wondering who Ire was. He felt burdened by their gaze and wanted to distance himself from Kim Ha-yoon as much as possible. They arrived in front of a hospital room marked “Intensive Care Unit.”
Matteo’s figure came into view through the small window. His heart sank in an instant. He had been told that the surgery went well. Why was he in such a state? Could it be that Kim Ha-yoon had deceived him? Seeing his complicated expression, Kim Ha-yoon chuckled.
“The surgery went well. Don’t worry.”
A middle-aged doctor who was next to him interjected.
“Yes, that’s right. We did our best. However, he doesn’t have the will to live, so… that’s what’s bothering me…”
The doctor mumbled. Ire knew what that meant. Matteo’s words about refusing surgery must have been sincere. He might get angry and resent him when he opened his eyes. But he didn’t regret it. Even if the same situation came again, he would save him. Just like he saved him 20 years ago.
“Can I go in and see him…?”
At Ire’s question, the doctor looked at Kim Ha-yoon. He seemed to be waiting for his permission.
“Go ahead.”
As soon as Kim Ha-yoon’s permission was given, Ire disinfected himself and put on another layer of clothing. He was told that it was to prevent the spread of germs. As Ire went inside all wrapped up, Kim Ha-yoon watched the scene from outside.
Ire looked at his adoptive father affectionately, then took his hand and placed it on his cheek. His blue-gray eyes were trembling as if he was about to shed tears at any moment. Soon, he began to pray, and Kim Ha-yoon, who was watching, muttered to himself.
“Disgustingly affectionate.”
After the visit, Ire came out. His eyes were red, so he must have been holding back tears. Kim Ha-yoon stared at his face.
“How is it? Do you feel better?”
Matteo had opened his eyes for a moment, but he was not in a condition to have a conversation. There was nothing he could do. Except hold his hand and pray. Please live. Please hold on. Don’t leave me. In the end, he couldn’t get an answer, but he could feel many emotions in the eyes that looked at him.
Then he realized that he hadn’t properly thanked Kim Ha-yoon. Whatever his purpose, it was true that he had saved Matteo. As he thanked him for keeping his promise, Kim Ha-yoon smiled faintly. He thought he would show off, but he just walked ahead, saying let’s go.