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19

"Good morning," Chaeyoung greeted Mina, who emerged from her room, still rubbing sleep from her eyes.

"You're up early," Mina murmured, settling into a kitchen chair, her head lolling slightly.  Chaeyoung was already at the counter, expertly brewing coffee.

"Couldn't sleep," Chaeyoung replied, a soft smile playing on her lips. She carried two steaming mugs over to the table, placing one before Mina.

Mina beamed, taking a sip. "This is amazing, thank you."

"You're welcome," Chaeyoung replied, taking a sip of her own coffee.  The quiet comfort of their shared morning routine was a welcome balm.

"Going to school today?" Mina asked, rising to start breakfast.

"Nope.  Rehab duty this morning.  Just one class this afternoon," Chaeyoung said, settling onto a chair.

"Okay. I'll make extra breakfast for Jeongyeon Unnie; you can take it to her," Mina said, turning on the stove.

"Thanks, Mina Unnie," Chaeyoung said, rising again. "I'll go take a shower first."

"Okay.  Breakfast after, alright?" Mina replied.

"Yes, Mom," Chaeyoung teased, earning a playful chuckle from Mina.  "Rude kid," Mina said, shaking her head fondly.

Jeongyeon's POV.

It felt like an eternity had passed. Memories flooded back – childhood, high school… everything. Yet, a significant part of my memory remained stubbornly elusive.

"Okay, Ms. Yoo, I'm going to ask you a question. Ready?" the doctor asked, flipping through his notes.

I nodded.

"What's the last thing you remember before the coma?"

I closed my eyes, struggling to recall.

"The last thing…," I whispered, searching the depths of my memory.

Mom… I saw Mom… and Dad… Chaeyoung…

What happened?

A sharp pain lanced through my head, a jarring interruption.  My brain was holding something back…

"Okay, we can leave that for now," the doctor said gently.

I sighed, staring at my hands.

"Want to see yourself?" he asked, holding up a small mirror.

I nodded, taking the mirror from him.  My reflection was… different.

I touched my face, my height.  Four years had left their mark.  I was taller.  The doctor attributed it all to Chaeyoung's tireless care.

But a strange feeling lingered – anger? Guilt?

"No need to rush.  Memories return gradually. They might be jumbled after the coma. You did hit your head," the doctor explained.

Hit my head?

He said his farewell and left.  I closed my eyes again, trying to piece together the missing fragments. But the void remained.

Third Person POV.

"Unnie, ready?" Chaeyoung asked, pushing Jeongyeon's wheelchair toward the door.

Jeongyeon smiled and nodded.  A nurse helped Chaeyoung transfer her to the chair.

They arrived at the rehab room.  Chaeyoung watched from a bench as Jeongyeon, with the assistance of nurses, began her exercises.  Jeongyeon's progress was astonishing, surpassing other patients who'd been in rehab for weeks.  She managed to walk five meters, holding onto a support bar.

Lunchtime arrived, and the nurse dismissed Jeongyeon for the day.  Chaeyoung gave her sister water and a towel to wipe the sweat from her brow.

As Jeongyeon was drying herself, the door opened, revealing Mina carrying a lunch bag.

"Oh, Mina Unnie," Chaeyoung exclaimed, taking the bag.

"I brought lunch. You must be exhausted," Mina said, smiling warmly at the sisters.

Jeongyeon couldn't help but stare at Mina, marveling at how such a kind, beautiful girl could be friends with her sister.

They ate lunch together, the conversation flowing easily, filling the room with laughter and warmth.