pretty flower | 강새벽

042

Sae-Byeok and Shin-Hyuk were sitting in a police station, staring at the officers in front of them in disbelief. 

"What do you mean 'you can't do anything? 453 people are dead and there is nothing you can do?" Sae-Byeok scoffs as her fists clench. "You claim to uphold justice but you're not listening to two people who are telling you about a major crime that's gone on!" 

The officers shook their heads and snickered, finding her distraught state humourous. "You have no proof that anything is going on. We don't have time for your games."

"No proof? What more proof do you need?" Sae-Byeok yells as she stands up, lifting her shirt slightly as she shows the stiched-up wound on her stomach. 

"You could've gotten that anywhere. Hell, you could've gotten it from a bar fight."

Shin-hyuk tilts his head slightly as he looks at the officer in front of them "And how do you think it would look to the press if we told them that Seoul's top-ranked police department refused to help people who reported a mass homicide?" 

The officer froze, looking at Shin-hyuk with eyes as big as saucers. 

"Now I would suggest you help us or all of this," Shin-hyuk holds up his phone, showing the recording camera that had been on the whole time they were there "will go out to the press. I bet it'd make it globally."

"You can't be recording in here!" one officer yells.

"It doesn't show anyone here, but it gives us enough proof that you are not cooperating with us." 

"It's an invasion of privacy."

"And this is unprofessional on your behalf. You are not even going out to investigate a potential homicide. You're sitting here whilst other people could be dying. And all because 'we don't have proof'. You want proof? Go and investigate yourself as your job includes."

"I think we're done here." Sae-Byeok scoffs before standing up and walking out of the small room. Shin-hyuk followed behind her, glaring at the officers before he left. 

"What are we supposed to do now?" He asks, turning towards the girl who just kept walking. 

"I need time to think, Shin-hyuk. It's either I start freaking out or I do something to keep my mind off of all the things that could be happening to the love of my life." 

Shin-hyuk nods, understanding the strong-headed girl needed a distraction. "Okay, could we make a quick stop before we head back?" 

"Yeah, sure." Sae-Byeok sighed, opening the door to the car and sitting inside.

⎯⎯⎯⎯

Sae-Byeok and Shin-hyuk made it to the hospital in record time, the male asking the nurses at the front desk where a certain individual by the name of Lee Binyoung's room was. Some people questioned why the two were looking for him, concerned because they were fans of his company, or worried because as doctors, they didn't want something bad to happen.

Eventually, they were given a room number, being escorted by a nurse who kept glancing back at them.

"Are you okay?" Sae-Byeok asks the nervous man walking next to her. Shin-hyuk shakes his head, distraught about how the interaction between him and his ex-fiance would go.

"I'm nervous as hell."

"For what? You kept blabbering the whole way here about how much you wanted to see him again" 

"I haven't seen him in almost a year. What if he hates me?"

"He might be upset, but he loves you. He wouldn't be here if he didn't love you." 

"You may be right, but I can't help being nervous."

The two of them make it to a room, the door closed firmly shut and a loud conversation between a young lady and a man, who Sae-Byeok assumed to be Binyoung.

"I'm fine, Jisoo."

"Sir, you passed out because you haven't been eating or sleeping. And you've been overworking. I'm not going to let you continue like this!" the young girl scolded him, holding onto a clipboard. 

"Jisoo, I am in charge of my own habits. What I do with myself, is my choice." Binyoung groaned, pushing the girl's hands away from him.

"Lee Binyoung, I am not going to allow you to kill yourself because you are too stubborn to get over Shin-hyuk."

"I am over him!"

"No, you're not." Shin-hyuk interrupted, causing both heads to snap towards the two in the doorway. 

"Shin?" Binyoung asked, not believing that Shin-hyuk could be standing in front of him. 

"Bin, you're not okay. Please stop lying." Shin-hyuk answered, walking into the room slowly, arms tucked neatly behind his back.

"I'm fine." Binyoung crosses his arms, turning away from Shin-hyuk. Shin-hyuk sat on the edge of the bed, touching the male's arm gently. 

"Jisoo's been telling me about your situation. Not eating? Not sleeping? And you're always at the office? No wonder you're in the hospital!" 

"I haven't been hungry. And I can't sleep. Anytime I do fall asleep, I keep seeing you walk away. And going home just reminded me of you, so I stayed at the office."

"What were you trying to achieve? Killing yourself?"

Binyoung shook his head.

"Nurse!" Shin-hyuk calls out "Can we get some of that?" he asks, pointing to the food tray she was driving past with.

"He won't eat it," she responds and Shin-hyuk smiles.

"Yes, he will."

"Okay." she shrugs, not quite believing him. She brings the tray in and places it on the table next to the two. Shin-hyuk thanks her before grabbing the chopsticks, picking up the kimchi and holding it up to his own mouth. Shin-hyuk takes a bite before pointing it towards Binyoung, who hesitantly takes a bite. Everyone, including the nurses, watch in amazement as Shin-hyuk feeds Binyoung for the first time in a long while.

"Don't do this again." Shin-hyuk scolds and Binyoung nods before taking another bite. 

"Don't leave me again," Binyoung responds, eyes glowing with hope as he looks at the smaller boy. 

"I won't." 

"Why did you leave?"

"I wanted you to be happy. I was worried I was going to hold you back." 

"You make me happy, Shin. No one else. And I don't care what risks I'd need to take, if it was for you, it'd be worth it." 

Both men smiled at each other and Sae-Byeok did the same, seeing the bittersweet couple get along so well. Claps from out in the hallway caused both men to freeze, looking outside.

"Looks like your fan club found you." Shin-hyuk giggles and Binyoung just rolls his eyes before kissing Shin-hyuk. 

Sae-Byeok stares at the crowd of people, an idea sparking inside her imagination. Maybe Binyoung's fan club was what she needed to save Sun-Hi.

⎯⎯⎯⎯

WORD COUNT: 1115

this chapter is so up and down omg. it's so chaotic but bittersweet at the same time.