Our Story | HaJeongwoo

Our End | Chapter 11

Chapter 11: Memories Coming Back Late

Jihoon shuffled through the hospital corridors, a restless energy coursing through him.

Days bled into one another, measured by Jeongwoo's slow, uncertain recovery.

Today, however, was different. A strange sense of urgency gnawed at him, an unspoken premonition that something was about to change.

He found Jeongwoo's room empty, the bed neatly made and the air thick with a palpable absence.

Panic clawed at his throat as he scanned the ward, his eyes searching for any sign of his younger brother.

Finally, he spotted a faint silhouette against the backdrop of the darkening sky – Jeongwoo on the balcony.

Relief washed over him, momentarily eclipsing the worry etched on his face.

He stepped onto the balcony, the cool night air carrying the faint scent of jasmine from the nearby courtyard.

Jeongwoo stood by the railing, his back to Jihoon, a crumpled piece of paper clutched tightly in his hand. His gaze was fixed on the vast expanse of the night sky, a tapestry of twinkling stars that mirrored the turmoil swirling within him.

"Jeongwoo?" Jihoon's voice was gentle, breaking the silence.

Jeongwoo turned slowly, his face bathed in the soft glow of the moon.

A flicker of recognition sparked in his eyes, a fleeting warmth that sent a jolt through Jihoon.

"Jihoon," Jeongwoo confirmed, his voice raspy from disuse. He held out the crumpled piece of paper towards him. "Look."

Jihoon took the drawing hesitantly, his fingers brushing against Jeongwoo's cool skin.

As he unfolded the paper, a gasp escaped his lips.

On it, there was a sketch - two figures, one taller with unruly black hair and a mischievous grin, the other shorter with delicate features and a shy smile. It was unmistakably Haruto and Jeongwoo.

A wave of shock washed over Jihoon.

Memories flooded back – their childhood days, the late-night talks filled with dreams and fears, the unspoken bond between Haruto and Jeongwoo that Jihoon could never fully understand.

But most importantly, he remembered the heartbreak, the bitter fallout that fractured their relationship.

His gaze darted back to Jeongwoo, whose face was a mask of emotions – a mix of newfound clarity, dawning realization, and a tremor of fear.

Jihoon's heart thudded against his ribs. He knew what this meant. He knew what Jeongwoo was about to do.

"Jeongwoo," he began, his voice tight with concern, "You… you shouldn't go see him."

Jeongwoo's eyes narrowed. "Shouldn't?" he echoed, his voice low and dangerous. "Why not?"

"It's not a good idea," Jihoon stammered, searching for the right words.

"You don't remember everything, and what you do remember… it's not all good."

"I know!" Jeongwoo's voice rose a notch, his frustration bubbling over.

"But I want to see him. I need to see him. There are so many questions swirling in my head. Why did we fight? Why did we stop talking? What happened to… what happened to us?"

He stopped abruptly, a fresh wave of fear clouding his eyes.

Jeongwoo flinched, a hand flying up to his temple as fragments of memories returned in a painful rush.