𝗦𝗨𝗡 & 𝗠𝗢𝗢𝗡 | ᴬᶰ ˢᵒᵒᴴᵒ 『English Version』

Chapter 35

Sooho woke up in the room to complete silence, with no one by his side. His brows furrowed as he carefully got up and stepped out, glancing around, hoping to spot Hyeori somewhere.

"Hyeo?" he called, opening the bathroom door, even more confused when she wasn't there either. With a slight frown, he let himself fall onto the couch, staring at the dark TV, his leg bouncing up and down from the anxiety.

It was way too late at night—where was she?

Sooho looked around, searching for a phone or anything he could use to contact someone, but it was like everything had disappeared, which only made his anxiety worse. Just as he was about to leave and go looking for her, the apartment door opened.

He rushed over, stopping in his tracks when he saw Hyeori carrying an injured Juntae. She was whispering to him while he nodded weakly, both trying not to make any noise.

"Hyeo?"

She froze for a second before looking up, spotting Sooho standing there, his brows knitted and shoulders tense. She cursed internally, shutting her eyes briefly before continuing to help Juntae to the living room couch.

"Don't move too much. I'll get the stuff... Sooho, could you grab some ice for his face, please?"

He watched her run off to the bathroom, still confused, but did what she asked. He grabbed a frozen piece of meat, wrapped it in a small cloth, and approached the younger boy, who thanked him softly, placing the cold compress on his swollen cheek.

"What happened to you?" Sooho asked, noticing all the bruises on his face.

"Ah, just a few punches... It's nothing."

Sooho didn't push, but he couldn't help the discomfort he felt seeing him like that. The memory of Sieun and Hyeori being hurt came rushing back. He hated that scene. It made him angry—so angry it twisted something inside him.

Moments later, Hyeori returned with a first aid kit. She seemed to know exactly what to do. He wondered if this was something she did regularly—the way she cleaned wounds and applied small bandages, so gently, so patiently, like someone used to this kind of pain.

"It's okay... You don't have to go home if you don't want to. The couch is comfortable," Hyeori said while Juntae mumbled that he was fine.

"I don't want to be a bother, noona," he murmured. "It's hyung's first night here with you and—"

"Stay," Sooho interrupted, his voice warm. "You could pass out in the street."

He gave Hyeori a look, and she smiled slightly before going back to treating Juntae's face.

"Sleep here, and if you feel better tomorrow, you can leave. Or we'll take you to the hospital. We'll sleep better knowing you're okay."

Juntae looked at Hyeori, who nodded and gently ran her fingers through his hair, making sure he wasn't hurt there, before standing and joining Sooho with a small smile.

"I'll grab some blankets, then we'll unfold the couch so it's more comfortable."

Sooho watched her walk toward the bathroom. Out of nowhere, Juntae spoke, catching his attention.

"Hyung... Are you guys having problems?"

"Problems?"

"Noona seems kinda tense," he said quietly, not wanting to sound nosy, but he couldn't hide his curiosity. Sooho didn't respond, but the silence was answer enough.

Juntae adjusted his glasses and shifted with some discomfort, thinking.

"It's normal for her to be tense," he started, making Sooho frown slightly. "During the time you were in a coma, I think noona went through hell. She saw you fall, bleed, almost die. Then she spent months not knowing if you'd wake up."