As The Petals Fall

Recovery

Hayoung stood in the hospital lobby motionless, still in shock as Jae-Joon stepped up beside her.

She blinked slowly, taking in the bustling hospital environment as if in a trance. The sound of murmuring voices and beeping machines created a cacophony of noise that contrasted starkly with the peacefulness of the night. She remained still, her mind consumed by thoughts of Jasper and the accident.

Jae-Joon gently patted her shoulder as she stood there. At times, he felt like a father figure to a lot of the members, including Hayoung. Before Jasper arrived, Jae-Joon had been the driver for fromis_9 for many years.

Hayoung flinched slightly as Jae-Joon touched her shoulder, startled out of her reverie. She turned to him, her eyes brimming with worry. "How is he? i mean... will he be okay?"

Jae-Joon spoke in a calm, fatherly voice. "The doctors here are very good, I'm sure they'll be able to help him."

She nodded slightly, taking comfort in Jae-Joon's words, but as her thoughts lingered on Jasper and her throat constricted, preventing her from speaking further as she began to fight back tears

Jae-Joon led Hayoung towards the seating area. "Here, take a seat it might be a while before we know anything, and you should rest a little."

She obediently followed Jae-Joon to the waiting area, her movements mechanical as she tried to suppress her emotions.

She sat down, wrapping her arms tightly around her torso as if holding herself together. Glancing up at Jae-Joon, she spoke in a barely audible whisper. "do you think it was an accident?"

Jae-Joons face turned serious and concerned. "Motorcycles are forbidden in the park, so i'm not so sure. Did you see the driver of the motorcycle?"

She furrowed her brow, trying to recall the details of the incident. "I saw him briefly, but he wore a helmet and pulled down his visor. So I couldn't see his face."

His expression grew even more concerned. "So he looked back at the accident he caused and just ran away?"

She nodded solemnly. "yes... he glared at us before driving off."

Jae-Joon leaned back in his seat with a worried expression as if to come to some conclusion. "ah, then it does seem intentional."

Hayoung shifted uncomfortably in her seat, her eyes scanning the waiting room as if searching for answers. "i... i don't know." She leaned forward, her voice dropping to a hushed tone. "could geun-woo have something to do with it?"

Jae-Joon sat up in his seat, his eyes confused. "Is there something you know?"

She rubbed her temples, deep in thought. "maybe... It's just a theory, but I think Geun-woo might have been the one who tried to attack me that night in the parking lot. I never told anyone because I didn't think he was serious, but the day of the attack, he told me that I would regret turning him down."

Jae-Joons expression turned solem as he analyzed both moments, trying to piece them together. "It doesn't add up. Why would someone who is obsessed with you try to run you down?"

Hayoung pondered for a moment. "He is crazy. who knows what's going through his head."

Jae-Joon pondered a little more. "What sort of relationship does Geun-woo have with Jasper."

Hayoung looked down. "They kind of hate each other, and Geun-woo is always going on about how I shouldn't be spending time with Jasper and Instead should be with him."

A light bulb flickered over Jae-Joons head, and he finally understood the mystery. "Jasper was the target, but he knew if the motorcyclist tried to run you over, Jasper would have no choice but to save you, putting himself in harms way. Maybe he realized Jasper was the one person standing in his way of getting to you."