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Aiko
The day had stretched long and thin, lit by the sterile glow of the lab's overhead lights. Aiko worked with laser focus—measuring, calculating, adjusting ratios by micrograms. Her notes were scribbled out across half the lab, entire pages taped to the wall, equations and blood analysis covering every surface. She hardly moved from her stool except to pace or prep new compounds.
Her goal was simple. And impossible.
Reverse the infection. Not suppress it. Not delay it. Undo it. Bring them back—strip away the horror and rot and bring back the people they once were.
But it wasn't simple. The newest formula required a high percentage of her blood. Too high.
She lied to Heeseung.
Told him it was safe. That the side effects were minimal.
He'd believe her if she said it with enough certainty in her eyes.
By mid-afternoon, she was preparing to draw again, setting out fresh vials. The bruises along her inner arm were faint but blooming. Just as she turned to sterilize the needle, a familiar voice broke her concentration.
"Trying to bleed yourself dry without me?"
Aiko turned and exhaled.
Heeseung leaned casually in the doorway, his gear half-unzipped from his morning shift, tousled hair and that signature grin on his face.
"You're early," she said, brushing a sweaty strand from her cheek.
"I missed you," he replied, walking over. "And I was worried you'd invent a miracle cure and forget to eat again."
Aiko gave him a tired smile. "Almost there. But I need one more sample."
He watched her prep the needle and immediately reached out.
"I'll do it."
"You?" she asked, amused.
He gave her a confident shrug. "I'm basically a doctor."
"You're an apprentice," she corrected, raising a brow.
He held his hand over his heart. "Ouch."
Still, she let him. He was surprisingly gentle—hands steady, voice low, eyes flicking to her face every time she winced.
"You okay?" he asked, even as he capped the full vial and held a piece of gauze against her skin.
She nodded, breathing shallow. "Thanks."
Heeseung leaned down, pressing a kiss to her temple. "You're incredible, you know that?"
She looked at him for a second too long, guilt threading through her ribs. "Yeah," she said softly, "I just hope it's enough."
