"We were calling you! Why did you leave so suddenly?" The maknae's voice was the first thing Jihoon heard as he stepped through the door of the dorm.
Dino's eager face was quickly shoved aside as Jihoon entered, his eyes scanning the room. The members were all gathered in the common area, their expressions a mixture of concern and confusion. He could guess what had been on their minds. After all, he had disappeared without a word, and to them, it must have seemed like he'd vanished into thin air. For all they knew, something could have happened to him—kidnapped, hurt, lost. The possibilities were endless.
"Guys! Woozi is back!" Chan's announcement drew everyone's attention. Seungcheol practically sprang from the couch, a flash of urgency crossing his features. His intent seemed clear—he was about to demand answers, to scold Jihoon for disappearing without a trace. But as Jihoon approached, Seungcheol's expression softened, and before anyone could process what was happening, he enveloped Jihoon in a tight hug.
The room fell into stunned silence. It wasn't that Seungcheol was cold or uncaring—it was simply that his usual response was to interrogate first and show affection later. So, this abrupt embrace caught everyone off guard. No one spoke, watching as the two men shared a quiet, unspoken moment.
Jihoon, still recovering from the shock, found himself caught in Seungcheol's embrace, his usually composed leader holding him as if he'd just returned from the edge of the world.
The silence stretched on until Seungcheol finally pulled away, his eyes unusually moist.
"Thank goodness you're okay," Seungcheol muttered, exhaling in relief before pulling out his phone. It was clear he was trying to regain his composure, likely notifying the company of Jihoon's return.
"Six hours. Six damn hours," Seungcheol continued, his voice thick with a mix of frustration and concern. "I'm not angry, we were just worried. You left without telling anyone where you were!" He paused, trying to steady his emotions.
"Just... where were you, Jihoon?" The question hung in the air, thick with tension. The entire room seemed to hold its breath.
Jihoon could feel the weight of their stares as the atmosphere grew dense with unspoken curiosity. It was like a spotlight had been cast on him, and he suddenly felt exposed.
He cleared his throat, attempting to steady himself. "Rin..." His voice faltered slightly as he spoke her name.
At the mention of her, Seungcheol's eyes widened in shock, and Jihoon noticed Jeonghan's sudden shift in demeanor. The usually calm member had straightened, an unspoken understanding flashing across his face.
"...She passed out after the show. Got a concussion." Jihoon's voice cracked, the emotion breaking through the walls he had carefully constructed. "She's in a coma right now, and as her only family here in Korea, I had to be there for her."
His words hung in the room, a quiet confession that left the members stunned. Jihoon wasn't the type to be so vulnerable, and the rawness of his outburst seemed to shake the others into silence.
Seungcheol, for a moment, seemed lost for words. The realization that Aerin—someone none of them had known Jihoon was that incredibly close to—was in a life-threatening condition hit hard.
"...How is she?" Seungcheol's voice was softer than before, but his question still carried an edge of confusion. For all they knew, Aerin had only been a distant acquaintance to their leader.
"Fine, according to the doctor," Jihoon replied, his voice flat as he removed his shoes and began unpacking his small bag. He was numb, detached—almost as if he was trying to convince himself that this was just another day, another problem to be dealt with.
"Shit." Jihoon's hand trembled as he rifled through his bag, the realization hitting him like a jolt. He paused, staring down at Aerin's phone—still in his possession, untouched.
"What's wrong?" Seungcheol asked, his concern piqued.
"I forgot to put Rin's phone back in her hospital room," Jihoon muttered, his frustration rising. "She has no way to contact anyone... or anyone to contact her."
Without a word, Seungcheol was already moving toward Jihoon. His hand extended, and without hesitation, Jihoon handed over the phone.
"I'll bring it to her," Seungcheol said, his voice firm, though there was an unexpected gentleness behind his words.
Jihoon was taken aback. There was no reason for Seungcheol to go out of his way for Aerin—she wasn't family, wasn't even particularly close to him. Yet here he was, stepping up without question.
Before Jihoon could respond, Seungcheol was already pulling on his jacket and grabbing his keys. "I'll take care of it."
Jihoon stood there, still processing. He shook his thoughts from his mind as Seungcheol flashed him a reassuring smile before leaving the dorm.
Seungcheol's actions were driven by something more than just duty. As he made his way to the hospital, his mind raced. Why did he care so much? He wasn't even close to Aerin—yet he couldn't shake the feeling that he couldn't leave her in this state. He tried to bury the thought, but it lingered.
"Aerin..." he whispered to himself as he entered the room, his voice barely audible.
He lowered his mask, revealing a face filled with a quiet concern that he'd never show in front of anyone else. Sitting down beside her bed, he looked at her in silence. She was pale, too still, and it gnawed at him.
They weren't even close. So why couldn't he walk away?
