DISGRACE ✴ kim rian

63 ─── ᵈᵉᵗᵉⁿᵗⁱᵒⁿ

ʰⁱᵉʳᵃʳᶜʰʸ
ʰⁱᵉʳᵃʳᶜʰʸ
ʰⁱᵉʳᵃʳᶜʰʸ

The stillness of the hospital room was broken by the sound of approaching footsteps, followed by a firm knock on the door. Two men in suits, accompanied by a uniformed police officer, entered with somber expressions. The air instantly grew heavy, and everyone in the room tensed, sensing the gravity of their visit.

One of the suited men cleared his throat, addressing Mi-hee’s mother. “We apologize for the intrusion, but this is an urgent matter regarding Kim Rian’s trial. It’s come to our attention that a signature is required to proceed if we are to move forward with sentencing him to juvenile detention.”

Jae-i’s shoulders slumped as a deep sigh escaped her lips. Guilt flickered across her face. “He’s been in police detention for weeks now,” she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. “And every time I’ve tried to visit him... he’s refused to see me.”

The room grew oppressively quiet. Kang-ha leaned against the wall, arms crossed, his expression unreadable. The weight of the moment pressed down on all of them, amplifying the tension.

Breaking the silence, Kang-ha finally spoke, his voice steady but tinged with emotion. “Kang In-han wouldn’t have wanted this.” His gaze fell to the floor, as if wrestling with his own thoughts. “He wouldn’t have wanted to ruin someone’s life, not if they’ve truly realized their mistakes.”

His words hung in the air, heavy with meaning. Jae-i looked up at him, her eyes searching his for clarity.

“But,” Kang-ha added, his tone firm, “this isn’t my decision to make. It’s Mi-hee’s. She’s the one who started this, and she should be the one to decide how it ends.”

The men exchanged a glance, their brows furrowed. One of them spoke up, his tone clipped. “We understand that this is a sensitive matter. However, if a decision isn’t made within a week, the court has the authority to proceed as they see fit.”

Mi-hee’s mother, who had been quietly observing the conversation, suddenly stood and waved a dismissive hand. “Enough of this,” she said curtly. “You’re ruining the mood of this room. Leave us be.” Her voice, though polite, carried an undeniable finality.

The men hesitated but eventually nodded, retreating from the room with the officer in tow. Once the door clicked shut, the tension in the room lingered, heavy and unspoken.

Kang-ha sighed deeply, running a hand through his hair. “This entire thing... it’s a mess.”

Jae-i nodded, her gaze fixed on Mi-hee’s still form. “It’s hard to know what’s right anymore.”

Mi-hee’s mother returned to her seat by her daughter’s bed, her hand brushing over Mi-hee’s hair with a tenderness that spoke of endless love and worry. “We’ll wait,” she said softly. “For Mi-hee to wake up. She’ll know what to do.”

The three of them settled back into their chairs, the room quiet except for the faint hum of hospital machinery. The weight of the decision loomed over them all, but for now, they could only wait and hope.

ʰⁱᵉʳᵃʳᶜʰʸ
ʰⁱᵉʳᵃʳᶜʰʸ
ʰⁱᵉʳᵃʳᶜʰʸ