Swapped by fate

Chapter 29

Hyunjin's POV

I don’t know how it happened, but somehow, I’ve learned to deal with all of it. The hospital smell, the endless doctors, the chemo machines, all of it. I used to feel like I was walking through a nightmare every time I came to see Nami, but now… it’s different.

She’s still Nami. Cancer hasn’t changed that. And yeah, she’s bald now, but she’s still the most beautiful person I’ve ever seen. Sometimes, I catch myself staring at her like she’s some kind of masterpiece. And maybe that’s cheesy or whatever, but it’s true. She’s strong in a way I never even knew before. Honestly, I’m kind of in awe of her.

I’ve been visiting her more often lately. Felix was right—she’s been getting better day by day. It’s not like everything’s perfect, but things feel lighter now. Maybe it’s because the treatments are working, or maybe we’ve just gotten used to the routine. Either way, she’s fighting, and I’m here for whatever she needs.

When I walk into her room today, the first thing I notice is her smile. It's small, but it’s there, and it makes me feel like maybe today’s gonna be a good day. She’s sitting up in bed, scrolling through her phone, and when she looks up at me, I swear my heart skips a beat.

“Hey, you,” I say, setting down the snacks I brought. “You look like you’re in a better mood today.”

She rolls her eyes, but she’s still smiling. “Yeah, maybe. I slept like a baby last night. For once, I didn’t wake up every five minutes.”

“Well, that’s good news,” I say, sitting down next to her. “And I brought you actual food this time. None of those gross kale chips.”

Nami laughs, opening the bag of chocolate-covered pretzels I got her. “Finally, you’re learning.”

We settle into this comfortable silence. I love these moments, just being with her, not needing to fill the space with a bunch of talking. Sometimes she rests, and I’ll just chill next to her, sketching in my notebook or scrolling through my phone. It’s enough just to be here.

After a few minutes, she looks over at me, her expression soft. “Thanks for coming by so much, Hyun. I know you’ve got a lot going on.”

“I *want* to be here, Nami. I told you that,” I say, leaning back in my chair. “You don’t have to feel guilty about it. This is where I wanna be.”

“I know,” she says quietly, looking down at her hands. “But sometimes, I feel like… I don’t know, like I’m holding you back or something. Like you’re putting your life on pause for me.”

I shake my head immediately. “Don’t even think like that. You’re not holding me back from anything. I *want* to be with you through this. I *choose* to be here. It’s not some sacrifice or whatever.”

She doesn’t say anything for a moment, just kind of stares at me, her eyes searching my face. And I get it. I know she’s been feeling this weight of guilt, like she’s dragging me into something I didn’t sign up for. But she’s wrong.

“You know you’re still the most beautiful person I’ve ever met, right?” I say, and it’s not some cheesy line—I mean it.

She raises an eyebrow at me. “Hyunjin, I’m *bald*.”

“So what?” I shrug, grinning. “You’re still fine as hell. Bald, short hair, long hair—it doesn’t matter. You’re *Nami*. You’re beautiful no matter what.”

She laughs softly, shaking her head. “You’re such a liar.”

“I’m not lying!” I protest, crossing my arms. “I think you’re hot, okay? Just accept it.”

That gets her laughing for real, and it’s the best sound I’ve heard in days. I sit back, watching her, and it hits me how far we’ve come since all this started. She’s still here, still fighting, and I’m so damn proud of her.

We don’t say much after that. She rests her head against the pillow, and I just sit there with her, scrolling through my phone and occasionally looking over to check on her. It’s calm, peaceful. And honestly, I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.

After a while, she reaches out and grabs my hand, holding it in hers. Her grip is light, but it’s enough to make my heart skip a beat.

“I’m glad you’re here,” she says softly, her voice barely above a whisper. “I don’t know if I could do this without you.”

I squeeze her hand gently. “You’re not doing this alone. I’m with you, all the way.”

She looks at me, her eyes full of emotion, and for a second, I feel this overwhelming rush of love for her. I don’t care what happens next—I’m sticking by her side. No matter what.

---

Later that afternoon, we’re still chilling in her room when the rest of the guys show up. It’s the usual weekend crew—Jisung, Seungmin, Changbin, and Lee Know. They burst into the room like they always do, bringing all this chaotic energy with them. It’s a little overwhelming, but Nami just smiles. I think she likes it, having everyone around.

“Yo, what’s up, baldy?” Jisung says, grinning as he walks over to Nami’s bed.

“Wow, rude,” she shoots back, but she’s laughing. “You can’t just call a girl bald like that, you know.”

“Yeah, but you’re pulling it off,” Jisung says, plopping down in the chair next to her. “Honestly, you look badass.”

“You really do,” Seungmin chimes in. “Like, you could totally be in a movie or something. Main character vibes.”

Nami rolls her eyes but smiles. “Thanks, guys. Appreciate the hype.”

Changbin’s rummaging through the bag he brought, pulling out a bunch of snacks and drinks. “We brought you some real food,” he says, handing her a can of iced tea. “Hospital food sucks.”

“Tell me about it,” Nami says, cracking open the can. “You guys are lifesavers.”

As we all settle in, talking and joking around, I catch Nami glancing over at me. She looks happy, and that makes me happy.