Regret Me Not | 김석진

Twenty Six (I)

As long as you shine, I'll be okay.

May 31st, 2017

Hoseok moved his feet in time with the rhythm of the song booming from the speakers in the small dance room.

From the floor, Jimin filmed him with his phone, and laughed when the older turned to face him and did a silly pose.

It was a day when the studio had no students, so the boys decided to opt for some practice time. Hoseok didn't know why Jimin wouldn't join him, but he didn't want to press it.

The door opened slowly to reveal Jisoo, one of their coworkers. She held a cake and bounced happily over to Hoseok. "Happy Birthday!"

He touched a hand to his chest. It was always great to see Jisoo. She started working at their studio months ago. Hoseok had a soft spot for her, and always enjoyed her company.

"It's not my birthday," he reminded her with a smile.

A blush dusted her cheeks pink as she rocked back and forth on her heels. "I know."

He faltered while staring down at the candles. For some reason, Victoria's voice boomed in his head. The way she called his name, so similar to the one that left him all those years ago. And she left him, too. It left a bitter taste in his mouth, but he pushed it away before blowing out the tiny fires.

-

It was late when he received a text from Jisoo asking him to come to the studio. She said she and Jimin were practicing and wanted Hoseok to be there.

"Why is Jimin practicing with her?" he asked himself, jealousy crawling up his throat. "But she asked me to come..."

He continued muttering to himself for a few minutes before finally deciding to go. He hurried to the studio, which wasn't far from his and Jimin's apartment.

Once inside, he passed through the dimly-lit halls quickly. Jisoo being alone with another guy was not something he wanted to think about—he almost forgot that it was his best friend.

Hoseok pushed the door open with a smile, only to find Jisoo on the floor. She wasn't moving, and the sight squeezed his heart so hard he thought he might die.

Jimin wasn't there, but he didn't notice. All he could focus on was her.

He rushed over to her limp body and turned her over. "Jisoo," he called urgently. Blood pooled on the floor where her head had been, and his eyes widened.

Her breathing was shallow. Hoseok knew he had to do something. He sat on the ground in front of her and pulled her onto his back before standing unsteadily.

His shoes slapped the ground hard as is began to rain outside. That didn't stop him from sprinting, even when his lungs felt like they were collapsing. Even when he thought his legs might give out. He was en route to the nearest hospital, and swore he could hear footsteps behind them, but he ignored them.

Hoseok just wanted Jisoo to be okay.

It wasn't long before he reached the hospital, and he ran around the building to the emergency room. Nurses rushed to the two, who were soaked thoroughly, moving her from his back to a gurney and asking what happened.

"I—I don't know," he stuttered, feeling tears prick at his eyes. "She hit her head."

His gaze was caught on another gurney moving past him as they ushered Jisoo away. A young boy lay there, face and body cut up beyond recognition.

But he still knew.

"Jungkook?"