Pure Imagination (Solo Leveling)

Strawberry Crème

Jin Woo grasped the Holy Water of Life in his hands, careful to not break it. He stared at the intricate;y designed glass jar that held a small amount of thick, red liquid. It sloshed around with every movement, staining the sides of the glass a pink before it dribbled down and joined the rest of the body of water. It didn't look like water in all honesty. Jin Woo has seen enough blood to be able to spot it at first glance, and this Holy Water of Life was not in fact blood, although the color could almost be the same.

'This... this could help Mom and possibly Yuki.' Jin Woo clenched the jar, imagining his mother awake and a healthy Yuki. Almost all of them together once more. No fear of anyone dying now due to Jin Woo being stronger, Yuki healthy, his mother awake and also healthy, and there should be no reason for Jin Ah to ever be in danger again thanks to the soldier he has watching her.

It was an almost perfect image. The only one missing was his dad.

Riding on the back of Kaisel, his newly acquired Wyvern, Jin Woo reminisced of old memories. Memories involving all five of them, laughing in the small apartment and trying to crack jokes at one another. His dad was always the life of the party, followed by a small Jin Ah who would make her own jokes and laugh at everything their old man said. Yuki would be smiling, laughing lightly, and helping his mother with either cooking or cleaning as Jin Woo lingered near the two. Helping when necessary and laughing at his dad and Jin Ah.

After his dad disappeared, those times quickly came to an end. His mother fell ill, Yuki was injured, and then started the cafe business, Jin Ah focused on school, and Jin Woo focused on not dying.

"I'm sorry Yuki, but it's the only way to pay the bills."

"As I said, I can help." Jin Woo clenched his jaw, glaring at Yuki, "I don't want your help! I can do this!" He was an E Rank, the weakest of the Hunters, but he was still stronger than a regular human. The ratty and old table, abused by years of homework, cooking, bills, and life had broken when he kicked the leg of it. The wood, plates, and cups crashed onto the floor and shattered everywhere. Hibiscus tea spilled everywhere and made the floor red.

"I can do this. I can support Jin Ah on my own. I don't need your sympathy." Jin Woo looked up with a glare that quickly melted once he saw the look on Yuki's face. His breath lodged in his throat as the terrified red eyes snapped to him and looked at him in fear. He gulped, "I- Yuki... I'm...I'm sorry." Red eyes watched him like a hawk, keeping track of his movements and ensuring there was distance between them.

"I-I should go."

"Yuki, please–"

"Goodbye, Jin Woo."

Jin Woo landed in the hospital room his was mother staying in. Her face thin and grey, she almost looked like a corpse. He pushed that thought away, choosing to focus on the fact that he now had the item to heal her. To hopefully wake her up.

Hopefully.

If this worked, Yuki would be next. He will give Yuki this, and finally, they will all be healthy once more. His mother is awake and smiling, Yuki will no longer be in pain, Jin Ah could once again smile with everything in her, and Jin Woo will feel more complete. Never fully complete, but close enough.

"Jin Woo?" Never fully complete, but close enough.

"You've been working so hard, haven't you? I'm sorry that I left the burdens on you." Warm hands, callused from years of hard work but gentle on his skin, encased his larger hands.

"I'm so proud of you." Tears raced down his cheeks as he hugged his mother, who was awake and hugging him back. Her heartbeat loud in her chest and feeble arms, that were once bone now full of healthy fat and muscles, hugged him back.