SEVENTEEN | SICKFICS - HURTFICS

Jeonghan | Poisoned Part II

As the fan signing continued, Jeonghan's table quickly filled with an array of gifts. From letters to plush toys, he was touched by the thoughtfulness of his fans. But it was the sight of a familiar cup of coffee that caught his eye.

"Is that my favorite?" he asked, picking up the coffee with excitement.

The girl who had brought it nodded eagerly, her eyes sparkling. "I remember you said you loved this flavor! I hope it helps you stay awake."

"I'm so grateful! This is perfect," Jeonghan replied, his smile brightening. He took a drink of the coffee forgetting their manager's warning. He felt a rush of energy enjoying the taste of his favorite coffee. "You're a lifesaver!"

As he placed the coffee on the table, he glanced around at the other gifts, feeling overwhelmed with gratitude. "Thank you so much for all of this! It really means a lot to me," he said, his sincerity evident.

Just then, another fan approached, her hands trembling slightly as she handed him a beautifully decorated letter. "I wrote you about how much your music has helped me," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Jeonghan's heart melted. "Thank you for sharing that with me. I can't tell you how much it means to hear that. I'll cherish this," he promised, tucking the letter carefully beside the coffee.

As the line continued to move, Jeonghan found himself getting more and more energized by the warmth of his fans, constantly drinking the coffee. The tiredness that had threatened to pull him under earlier faded away, replaced by a bright eagerness to connect.

"Do you have any special messages for us?" a fan asked shyly, glancing down at her feet.

Jeonghan leaned in closer, his eyes twinkling. "Just remember to take care of yourselves! You're all so important to us, and we love you dearly."

She smiled brightly, clearly touched by his words. "Thank you! That means a lot!"

Across the table, Seungkwan watched Jeonghan interact with the fans, feeling a sense of pride swell in his chest. "Hyung, you're like a magnet for gifts!" he joked, winking at Jeonghan.

"Maybe they just know I need the caffeine boost!" Jeonghan shot back with a laugh, holding up the coffee for emphasis.

"Or maybe they just love you more!" Seungkwan retorted, earning a playful shove from Jeonghan.

As the moments flew by, Jeonghan found himself lost in the joy of the fan interactions. Every laugh, every shared story, and every heartfelt gift reminded him of the connection they had with their Carats. And with each fan who approached, he felt more awake and grateful than ever, energized by their love and support.

As the fan signing progressed, Jeonghan continued to engage with the fans, enjoying their smiles and laughter. However, unbeknownst to him, the coffee he had received earlier was far from the delightful pick-me-up he believed it to be. The girl who had gifted it to him wasn't a loyal Carat; she was an anti who had disguised herself, harboring malicious intent.

While Jeonghan chatted with the fans, he began to feel a strange heaviness settle in. At first, he brushed it off as fatigue from the long day, but as more fans approached, a wave of dizziness washed over him. He shook his head, trying to clear his thoughts and maintain his cheerful demeanor.

"I'm fine, I'm fine," he whispered to himself, forcing a smile as he signed another album. But the dizziness grew stronger, and he fought to keep his composure. He didn't want to worry his members, staff, or the fans.

"Hyung, you okay?" Dino asked, glancing over with concern. Jeonghan nodded, but the effort felt increasingly difficult.

"Yeah, just a little tired," Jeonghan replied, hoping to brush off the worry.