Eternal Bonds

Chapter 6 Arc 3

As Eunwoo's innocent laughter filled the air, Min-ji found himself ensnared in a web of worry, his thoughts tethered to the unsettling implications of Eunwoo's dream. The weight of responsibility settled heavily upon his shoulders, an unyielding burden that threatened to consume him whole. "Based on the dream, Eunwoo is cared for, right?" he whispered to himself, the words a feeble attempt to assuage the rising tide of apprehension that now engulfed his consciousness.

Unbeknownst to him, the words slipped from his lips, carried forth on the hushed currents of the air. "I need to make a new poison soon, just in case," he murmured, his voice barely audible against the gentle hum of the surrounding atmosphere. A sudden presence behind him caused him to start, his heart leaping into his throat at the unexpected intrusion. "Poison?" a voice intoned, tinged with both curiosity and concern.

"Ji-hoon!" Min-ji exclaimed, his breath catching in his chest as he was led by his beloved to the sanctuary of their room. The dim glow of the fading daylight cast elongated shadows that danced along the walls, adding an air of solemnity to the impending conversation. Ji-hoon's penetrating gaze bore into Min-ji's own, his expression a blend of apprehension and unwavering support.

Questions spilled forth, and Min-ji found himself unraveling the tangled threads of his past, his clandestine knowledge of poisons laid bare before the piercing scrutiny of Ji-hoon's unwavering gaze. Each carefully chosen word served as a testament to the trials and tribulations that had shaped Min-ji's tumultuous journey, a testament to the shadows that had long haunted the recesses of his consciousness.

"Poison?" Ji-hoon's voice resonated with a mix of curiosity and concern, his brow furrowed with a tinge of apprehension. "What do you mean by making poison, Min-ji?"

Min-ji's gaze faltered for a moment, the weight of Ji-hoon's inquiry bearing down on him like an unyielding burden. "I... I have some knowledge of poisons," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. "It's a skill I acquired before becoming a doctor, from my mother's lineage. She was known as the Viper in the underground."

Ji-hoon's eyes widened in surprise, a flicker of understanding mingling with the lingering traces of apprehension. "Your mother's lineage?" he echoed, his tone softened by a gentle curiosity. "You've never mentioned this before. What kind of poisons are we talking about here, Min-ji?"

Min-ji's shoulders slumped slightly, his gaze drawn to the floor as he grappled with the weight of his confession. "Various kinds, really," he confessed, the words heavy with the weight of the secrets he had long kept buried within. "Some can incapacitate, others can cause significant harm. It's a knowledge I've kept hidden, a part of my past I never wanted to bring into our lives. But in these times of uncertainty, I couldn't help but feel the need to be prepared."

Ji-hoon nodded, his expression softening with a newfound sense of understanding. "I understand, Min-ji. It makes sense that you'd want to protect us, given everything we've been through. I appreciate you being honest with me. You've always been the strong one, the protector. I'm here for you, too, you know."

Min-ji's gaze flickered upwards, his eyes meeting Ji-hoon's unwavering gaze with a newfound sense of vulnerability. "I know," he whispered, the single word heavy with the weight of his unspoken emotions. "I've always known, Ji-hoon. And I trust you, more than you could ever imagine. It's just... I never wanted to burden you with the darker parts of my past. But now, with everything that's happening, I couldn't bear to keep this hidden any longer."

Ji-hoon reached out, his hand finding its way to Min-ji's, the gentle touch a reassurance that transcended the confines of spoken language. "We'll face whatever comes together, Min-ji. I'm not going anywhere," he murmured, his voice a soothing balm amidst the tempest that now raged within Min-ji's troubled mind. "You're not alone in this. We'll find a way through, just like we always have."