Echoes of Care

Reunions and Revelations

The morning sun cast a soft glow over Seoul, but high above the city on the 35th floor of Yunhe Hospital, a storm of tension brewed in the heart of its formidable CEO. Jeon Sohee, elegant in her tailored suit with a sleek bun that seemed to defy her years, stood in the conference room, her sharp gaze fixed on the bustling streets below. Her expression was stoic, professional, but behind that exterior was the heart of a woman who had sacrificed much for her family and hospital.

The conference room soon began to fill. First, Director Jinyoung walked in, giving Sohee a respectful nod before taking his seat. Min Yoongi entered, his hands casually in his pockets, exchanging a few words with Jinyoung. A few steps behind, Jimin and Hoseok strolled in, each lost in their own worlds on their phones.

Yoongi chuckled as he glanced at the two. “You two still glued to those screens? Can’t believe nothing’s changed.”

Hoseok looked up with a grin. “Hey, it’s called multitasking, hyung.”

As they settled in, the door opened once again. This time, it was Kim Seokjin, Kim Namjoon, and Kim Taehyung—three familiar faces who hadn’t stepped foot in Yunhe Hospital until now. Jimin’s eyes widened in surprise, his phone slipping slightly in his grip.

“Tae!” he whispered, the joy clear in his voice.

Taehyung, ever the charmer, flashed his boxy smile, making Jimin’s heart swell with nostalgia. It had been too long. College memories flooded back, their late-night study sessions, and their grand dreams of working together one day.

Namjoon gave Jimin and Yoongi a small nod, his dimpled smile betraying his own happiness. Jin, calm and collected as ever, observed his friends with a slight smile, a rare softness in his usually composed expression. They took their seats, and although they couldn’t express their excitement openly in the formal setting, the silent smiles and exchanged glances said everything.

Jin leaned over to Namjoon, whispering, “Feels surreal, doesn’t it?”

Namjoon nodded, his eyes scanning the room. “It’s like we’re back to square one, but with a lot more pressure.”

Just as Taehyung’s gaze wandered around the room, searching for someone who was noticeably absent, the door opened once more, and a familiar figure walked in. Dressed in a crisp white shirt with two buttons undone, Jeon Jungkook strolled in, exuding his usual nonchalance. The moment his eyes landed on his mother, he quickly fumbled with his buttons, adjusting his shirt to her standards. But as he looked around, his gaze froze, landing on Jin, Namjoon, and finally Taehyung. It had been five years since he last saw them, and yet… there was something in Taehyung’s warm, easy smile that felt like no time had passed at all.

Taehyung caught Jungkook’s small smile—the same restrained but genuine smile he remembered from their college days. It wasn’t much, but Taehyung knew that for Jungkook, this was the equivalent of a full grin. Jungkook, the enigma of their group, only let his guard down in the smallest of gestures.

Sohee cleared her throat, pulling everyone’s attention. Her voice was smooth, authoritative, and carried the weight of years of experience. “Good morning, everyone. As you may have heard, we have three new chief doctors joining us today. Let me formally introduce them.”

She paused, her gaze shifting to Jin, Namjoon, and Taehyung. “Dr. Kim Seokjin, our new cardiologist. Dr. Kim Namjoon, specializing in psychiatry. And Dr. Kim Taehyung, our new gynecologist. They come to us from Daegu National Hospital with outstanding credentials and a history of excellence.”

The room filled with polite applause, though Jimin’s smile was more of a grin, and Yoongi nudged Taehyung’s arm with a smirk. Jungkook’s eyes met Taehyung’s briefly, an unspoken acknowledgment passing between them. Taehyung could feel his heart race a bit faster; even after all these years, Jungkook’s gaze had the same effect on him.

“So,” Sohee continued, “I expect all of you to work closely and support one another. With the addition of Dr. Kim Seokjin, Dr. Kim Namjoon, and Dr. Kim Taehyung, I believe our hospital will continue to set new standards of care.”

They proceeded with formalities, discussing hospital protocols, goals, and responsibilities. While the conversation was professional, there was an underlying warmth that came from the history they all shared. As the meeting drew to a close, Sohee raised her hand, signaling for the others to wait.

“Everyone else may leave,” she said, her gaze sharp but softened by a hint of mischief. “Except for our seven chief doctors.”

As the room emptied, leaving only Jin, Yoongi, Namjoon, Jimin, Hoseok, Taehyung, and Jungkook, Sohee’s expression melted into something far warmer. The strict CEO demeanor slipped away, replaced by a smile that was both motherly and mischievous.

“Sohee-ssi?” Jinyoung tilted his head, curious.

“Oh, you can go too, Director,” she replied with a wave. “I just need a moment with these troublemakers.”

As Jinyoung closed the door behind him, Sohee’s strict exterior fully disappeared. She walked over to Jin, Namjoon, and Taehyung, pulling them into a warm embrace.

“It’s so good to see you three,” she said, her voice thick with emotion. “You have no idea how much I missed you. Jungkookie’s friends are like family to me.”

Jin laughed, a rare, unrestrained laugh that surprised even himself. “Ahjumma, you’re going to make us emotional.”

“Hey, we didn’t know you were this soft,” Hoseok teased, earning a chuckle from the others.

Jungkook, meanwhile, felt an odd discomfort. He shifted in his seat, looking away, knowing what was coming. Taehyung caught Jungkook’s averted gaze, curiosity sparking in his eyes.

Sohee turned back to Jungkook, raising an eyebrow. “Oh, so they didn’t know, huh?”

Jin crossed his arms, his gaze narrowing playfully at Jungkook. “Didn’t know what, Jungkookie?”

Yoongi, smirking, leaned forward. “Care to share, Jeon?”

Jungkook cleared his throat, trying to appear unfazed, but a light blush crept up his cheeks. He shrugged, playing it off. “It’s… nothing really.”

“Oh, nothing?” Sohee said, feigning innocence. “Nothing at all about how this entire hospital belongs to you?”

The room fell into a stunned silence. Jimin’s jaw dropped, and Hoseok stifled a laugh, his eyes wide with amusement.

“Wait—what?” Taehyung blinked, clearly caught off guard.

Jungkook scratched the back of his neck, avoiding everyone’s gaze. “Yeah… my parents own the hospital. But I didn’t think it was important to mention.”

Namjoon shook his head, laughing softly. “So you’re telling me, Mr. Mysterious, that you’ve been working here all this time, and you never thought to tell us?”

Jungkook looked anywhere but at Taehyung, whose eyes were sparkling with a mix of amusement and something else—something softer, like admiration.

Taehyung finally broke the silence, chuckling. “Jeon Jungkook, the silent owner. You really know how to keep secrets.”

Sohee ruffled Jungkook’s hair affectionately, her strict CEO facade long gone. “He’s always been like this—keeping things to himself. But he has a good heart, don’t let him fool you.”

Jungkook shot his mother a warning glance, but there was a slight smile on his lips. For the first time in a while, he felt… happy. Surrounded by his friends, each one a piece of the family he’d chosen, he felt the walls around his heart begin to crack.

“So… any other secrets you’re keeping from us, Jungkook?” Jin asked with a smirk.

Jungkook glanced over at Taehyung, who was watching him with that familiar warmth in his eyes. He felt his heart race but shook his head, pretending to be exasperated. “That’s it. No more secrets.”

They all laughed, the sound filling the conference room with an ease that hadn’t been there before. In that moment, they weren’t just doctors or professionals; they were friends—family. And as Sohee looked around at the group, she felt a contentment she hadn’t felt in years.

But for Jungkook, there was one secret he knew he couldn’t keep hidden forever: the quiet ache in his heart every time Taehyung smiled at him. And he knew, someday, he’d have to face it.