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Aiko & Heeseung
"This just in," the news anchor's voice echoed from the flat screen mounted high on the hospital room wall.
"New developments in the aftermath of the Genentech outbreak have finally brought long-awaited closure."
The camera cut to a breaking news graphic: aerial footage of the ruined Genentech facility, collapsed and scorched by time and failure.
"It has now been confirmed that the virus originated from within Genentech Industries, a private bio-research facility previously operating under the radar. The lead scientist behind the operation, Dr. Mai Nakamura, was found deceased in the laboratory six months ago. Authorities believe she died moments before the lab was compromised and the virus began its spread."
Aiko sat up slowly in her hospital bed, breath catching at the name.
Her eyes stayed locked on the screen.
Her mother.
They finally said her name out loud.
She swallowed hard as Heeseung reached for her hand, gently intertwining his fingers with hers.
"Keep watching," he said softly.
The screen shifted again—to cheering, to camera flashes, to a polished auditorium packed with reporters, military personnel, and government leaders.
"And in other news," the anchor continued, "we finally celebrate the heroes of this dark chapter in human history. The team of young civilians from Jeju Island credited with finding and deploying the cure for the Genetech virus."
The camera panned upward.
A stage. A podium. The seal of the presidency on the front.
And behind it—
They stood.
Aiko blinked rapidly, her lips parting as if watching someone else's life.
She saw herself.
Standing shoulder to shoulder with the others.
Lee Heeseung. Park Jongseong. Sim Jaeyun. Park Sunghoon. Han Yuna. Yang Jungwon. Kim Sunoo, Nishimura Riki and of course, AIko Nakamura.
A group of ordinary young adults who had once laughed over ramen and cheap energy drinks—now standing in front of the president of an entire country.
"Today," the president spoke into the mic, "we honor not just courage—but resilience. Unity. And above all, sacrifice. These seven individuals gave the world a fighting chance, working together when the world had all but fallen apart."
The camera caught Heeseung's arm around Aiko's shoulders, Yuna wiping away a quiet tear beside them, Jungwon's subtle smile as he bowed his head.
"The dispersion device activated six months ago was the turning point. From there, with global aid and containment, we were able to turn the tide. We owe that turning point to this group. And today, we officially recognize their actions with the Presidential Medal of Honor for Civilian Bravery."
