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34. Guilt

Guilt.

It was what made Ilsung speed towards the hospital, praying that he wouldn't get pulled over.

Guilt.

It was what made Ilsung squeal into the rain slicked parking lot and race for the building as Jongsu's words played on a loop in his mind.

'I found out the truth. He really is still alive.'

Guilt.

It was what made Ilsung practically manic at the emergency room desk as he asked for Lee Know's room. His parents, who were within ear shot in the waiting room, looked his way but Ilsung was too preoccupied to notice.

Guilt.

It was what made the nurse working the desk wary, calling out for a man who identified himself as Changbin to deal with him. Ilsung begged a skeptical looking Changbin to take him to where Lee Know was before he was finally escorted there.

Now that he was standing in the doorway, Ilsung felt the weight in his chest ease ever so slightly.

'He's alive. He is staring at me like I have two heads, but he's alive...'

Minho stared at Ilsung as he stood there, wondering why he looked as panicked as he did. Chris stayed alongside his bed, only visible to him, as he watched Ilsung approach Minho.

"You're alive."

"I am," said Minho calmly. "Why do you sound surprised?"

Minho's question had Ilsung open and close his mouth, unsure how to respond. Minho looked past Ilsung at where Changbin stood by the door.

"Could you guard the outside of the door for a moment so we can speak alone?" asked Minho.

Nodding, Changbin moved to leave the room, but not without one further glance behind his shoulder before he shut the door. The tension left in the room was too thick to even be cut by a knife. Minho reached a hand over to the bedside dresser where the folder was, holding it out so that Ilsung had no choice but to look down at it.

"Where did you get that?" asked Ilsung eventually, taking the folder in his hands as he looked at the name written on it.

"I think you know," said Minho, "Just like how you knew I was here."

Ilsung looked up from the folder as he locked eyes with a very passive faced Minho.

"How are you connected to Jongsu?" asked Minho. "If you have ever respected me as an employee, I need you to just tell me the truth. After all, I almost died tonight."

"It's a long story..."

"Good thing I can't go anywhere," said Minho, not willing to budge on his stance towards getting the truth.

"Jongsu is my younger brother," Ilsung said with a sigh, sinking into a nearby chair as if the confession weighed him down.

Minho remained silent as he waited for Ilsung to continue. Chris meanwhile was staring intently at Ilsung. Minho could sense the stare, turning to look at Chris without making it obvious. When he locked eyes with the other, he gave him a, 'what's up' look.

"He looks familiar for some reason," said Chris, "even though I know I've never met him."

The longer that Chris stared at Ilsung, the more that feeling that he seemed familiar pestered him. Minho left Chris to practically stare into Ilsung's soul as he turned his attention back to Ilsung.

"I felt like it was my job as his older brother to protect him and keep guiding him towards the right path..." Ilsung started to say.

"Which means what?" asked Minho. "Are you saying he was on the wrong path before?"