Hypernova : A Sequel to Supernova

Episode 5.5 - The Taste of Failure

Nine and Ontae arrived at the park as the late afternoon sun filtered through the trees, casting a warm, golden glow that made the fading leaves shimmer. The quiet space, tucked just off the main road, felt more somber than serene, with a few worn benches, a rusted swing set swaying lazily in the breeze, and a garden overtaken by the creeping chill of autumn.

This was where Han Taejin's wife had suggested they meet. She had mentioned during the call how they'd spent countless Sundays here with their daughter, Taejin pushing her on the swings as her laughter echoed through the trees. But now, that joy seemed distant—replaced by an uneasy stillness.

Nine's chest tightened as they neared the meeting spot. His breath stuttered for a moment, the weight of the upcoming conversation bearing down on him. His mind raced, trying to keep his nerves from unraveling. 

"Hey," Ontae's voice was a calm anchor amidst the storm of thoughts. "You okay?"

"Yeah," Nine murmured, though a knot of anxiety twisted in his chest.. " I'm good. Just... trying to focus."

Ontae gave him a reassuring smile, one that reminded Nine he wasn't facing this alone. But even as they walked, Nine couldn't shake the discomfort gnawing at him. The knot in his stomach tightened with every step.

As they walked further in, a group came into view—two women, one older and one younger, and just behind them, the man they had come for, Han Taejin.

Nine's heartbeat quickened. There he was--Han Taejin in the flesh.

As they approached the bench, Nine's gaze fell heavily on the  broad-shouldered man, with a rugged face weathered by years of work in construction. His hair had begun to gray at the temples, and there was a thick scar near his right eyebrow, a reminder of the accident. While there was a kind of detachment in his eyes, his countenance overall was pleasant. His wife stood beside him, nervously adjusting her scarf, while their daughter looked on with hopeful eyes.

"Good afternoon, Mr. and Mrs. Han," Nine said, his voice steady despite the tightness in his chest. "I'm Kailen Kim, and this is Ontae Shin. We're here from NeuroMend."

Han Taejin's gaze immediately narrowed, scrutinizing them. His eyes flickered with doubt as he took in their youthful faces. He didn't bother to hide the skepticism in his voice as he spoke. "You're the doctors? You don't look much older than my daughter."

The young woman beside him shifted, offering a small, shy smile in their direction.

There was a slight edge to his words, not just curiosity but a deeper frustration, as if he'd hoped for something more reassuring. Nine could see the tension in the way his arms crossed tighter over his chest. He deduced his wariness wasn't just about their age—it was about whether they could really help.

"Well we're still students," Ontae replied, his voice unwavering and calm, "but we're trained, and we're here to support you and your family."

Mrs. Han had been quiet up to this point, her eyes lingering on Nine, her brow furrowing in concentration. . She squinted, her lips parting as recognition dawned.

"You seem... familiar," she murmured, her gaze narrowing as she studied Nine's face. "Have I seen you before... on TV?"

The question sliced through the air like a blade, and Nine felt a familiar jolt of panic. He never knew when or had any control over when people would recognize him but in moments such as this one, it was a little uncomfortable.

Nine adjusted his glasses, forcing a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes, "You might have." 

"This is... unexpected," Mrs. Han said softly, her voice wavering slightly. She glanced at her husband, a nervous laugh escaping her. "I didn't expect to be meeting someone from television."