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48.

"Let me get this straight." Haechan says holding up a hand to his head. "Renjun's friend was that little kid? Woobin, was his little brother? The one who died shielding you from the fire?" He glances back and forth between Jungwoo and Renjun, the former's face gaining an unreadable look and the latter clears his throat albeit with a blank face. 

Haechan shoots Taeyong a look, to which the detective shakes his head. So, the boy settles on staring at the girl sitting by his brother's bedside.

"Haechan, I know it is a lot to process but-" Jieun pauses knowingly, her head barely turned back. "-can I ask you to be a bit more mindful?"

Haechan's lips part to retort but at the last moment, he decides against it. Instead, he mumbles a sorry in Renjun's direction, his head bowing a little to Jungwoo.

Jungwoo mirrors Haechan's action but Renjun sighs, "It's fine Jieun, I expected it." Him and Haechan momentarily meet eyes, making Renjun add, "That's just his way of doing things".

Renjun didn't elaborate because he didn't have to. Him and Taeyong knew Haechan far too well to know how the tan-skinned boy usually hid his concern and care under the guise of his theatrics. Recently, Jieun had come to realise this too. 

Jieun hums in acknowledgement. "We know it, Jungwoo oppa doesn't."

"And? He doesn't need to know. You three knowing is fine, thank you." Haechan pouts, purposefully looking away from all three, making Renjun scoff. Taeyong hides a smile of amusement at his little brother's ears turning red and Jieun looks on with a warm smile.

 Looking at Jieun with her cousins, Jungwoo feels a twinge of hurt. Jungwoo internally reflects on all the moments he has shared with Jieun and Jisung so far and compares it with the way the siblings behave with Haechan and Taeyong.

He couldn't help himself as his fists clench upon remembering how quickly and easily the Park siblings had become close to detective Taeyong and Haechan. Initially, Jungwoo had thought that maybe it was because Haechan was a close friend of Jisung's so him being close to Jieun was natural and since Taeyong was both Haechan's older brother and the detective in-charge, them being close was also understandable. 

However, the reveal that the Lee brothers were the Park siblings' cousins, made it clear why the two had always been so protective and caring. It makes him a little jealous, as the affection that Taeyong and Haechan show so easily for his adopted siblings, he has struggled with it for years. Even now, when he is free to be an older brother figure, he constantly second-guesses his actions and words. So, when he sees the sibling dynamic come so naturally to those four, it makes him feel a bit left out.

With such thoughts swirling in his mind, Jungwoo turns to leave but is stopped by the sight of Mark in his wheelchair, by the doorframe.

~~~

Mark clears his throat, an action that gains him looks from Renjun, Taeyong and Haechan. Jieun refuses to look at him directly and although that pains Mark, he gives her space.

"You should be resting. Injuries like that aren't going to heal overnight you know." Taeyong says firmly.

Mark raises a brow. "Look who's talking. A man with a gunshot wound who's already thinking of plans to ambush the killer."

Taeyong shoots him an incredulous look. "Don't get cheeky with me just because you are my ace detective." Mark responds with a grin and Taeyong's right eye twitches. "I'm still your boss Lee Minhyung."  

At the sound of the unfamiliar name, Jieun perks up. "Minhyung? I thought your name was Mark..."

For the moment, Mark pushes aside the guilt that surges through him upon seeing the look of betrayal in Jieun's eyes. "Minhyung is my Korean name, and Mark is my Canadian name. I use it as my codename for-"

Mark trails off, throwing Taeyong a meaningful look.

Taeyong's face warps in a serious but apologetic look. "I didn't say it. I felt it was only right for you to explain."

Mark exhales heavily as his eyes scan the room. "Where's Jisung? I want him to listen to this."

"He's gone with the others to get food and drinks for everyone." Renjun speaks up. 

"At this hour?"

"Jieun's BP fell earlier." Renjun motions to Taeyong with his head. "Someone had once told me, that eating something salty helps her. Jisung obviously knows better so he went with them."

"The boys went alone?"

"Detective Doyoung and Johnny went with them." 

Mark gives him a curt nod and Renjun returns it, which doesn't go unnoticed by Haechan.

"While we wait for them, you two explain this situation."

Mark looks at Haechan unamused. "What?"

Haechan's eyes sparkle with a mischievous glint making Jieun squirm in her seat.

"When did you two go from romantic rivals to confidants?" Haechan tilts his head and clocks the brief shock on Mark's face and the lack of same in Renjun's expression. "Surely not after Mark's confession, the man has been too busy trying not to die to do that."

Mark glares at Haechan. "You. Do you have nothing better to do?"

"Well, for your kind information, to court Jieun, you would have to go through me. But it doesn't matter now does it?" Haechan winks at Renjun and sends a flying a kiss to Jieun. "Because you were too late."

 Though Renjun doesn't react, the tip of his ears turning red and Jieun intensely coughing give Haechan the confirmation he was looking for. Mark contains his hurt and disappointment as he calmly responds, "You think I don't know that?"

Haechan crosses his arms as leans back on the wall. "Then you see why I want to know what made Markie boy and the Huang Renjun buddies." 

"I swear, if you were not Taeyong's brother I would-"

"Mark." Taeyong warns and Mark huffs out angrily. Taeyong then gives the same stern look to Haechan, at which the boy feigns innocence.

"What? Don't tell me you are not dying to grill the two men who confessed to your cousin."

"Who did what now!?"

Heads turn, and Jieun wants to dig a hole in the ground at the sight of a horrified Jisung standing in the doorway, his arms despite everything carefully balancing cups of instant noodles.

I love Haechan's character in this story.

And Jungwoo, it's okay. You are doing great, trust me. [Yes, the chapter was dedicated a little bit to Jungwoo.]

Let me know who you are rooting for the most in the story! And I shall be back with another chapter soon. :)