Winter In My Heart (Jikook/Kookmin)

53

"We will be conducting two treatments: Radiotherapy and Chemotherapy. Radiotherapy uses high-energy radiation to target and kill cancer cells, while chemotherapy involves drugs that also destroy cancer cells. Both treatments are necessary before surgery to shrink the tumor, making the operation easier and more effective. Once the tumor has been reduced, we’ll proceed with surgery to remove part of the stomach, along with the surrounding tissue."

The doctor paused for a moment before continuing, "I need your full cooperation. You will need to be here daily for radiation therapy. Treatment is typically administered five days a week, over the course of five to six weeks."

Jimin sat there, holding tightly onto Mingyu's hand, his mind trying to absorb every word the doctor was saying. Mingyu had pushed him to start this treatment—something Jimin knew he should have done from the beginning but avoided. All of it was handled by Mingyu. Jimin had refused countless times, mainly because he was worried about the enormous cost of the treatments. But in the end, Mingyu had left him no choice, saying, "If you don’t start the treatment, I’ll tell Jungkook." That single sentence broke Jimin's resistance.

Now, the two of them sat quietly on a bench just outside the hospital. Jimin's thoughts were racing as he tried to come to terms with everything the doctor had just told him.

"Hyung, I-I don’t think I can do this..." Jimin's voice cracked, his words barely above a whisper.

"You can, Cutie," Mingyu responded softly, his voice steady and reassuring. "The Jeon Jimin I know is one of the bravest people I’ve ever met. He’s been through things that would break others, and yet he always finds a way to endure."

Jimin's eyes filled with tears as he looked at his friend, his chest tightening with fear.

"But... I’ll lose my hair... my body will change... my life will never be the same..."

He remembered the doctor’s warning about the side effects: the loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, hair falling out in clumps, and the weakness that would settle into his bones. After the surgery, he'd be restricted in his movements, unable to eat normally for days, even needing to be fed through a tube. The thought of it all terrified him. His life would never be the same.

"Those are just side effects," Mingyu said gently, squeezing Jimin’s hand. "Everyone who goes through treatment deals with them. But you need to focus on what’s important—staying alive. As long as you’re breathing, I’ll make sure you’re happy. You need to be strong, not for me, but for yourself."

Jimin sighed, his heart heavy with gratitude and fear. Mingyu had done so much for him, not just covering the medical costs but being there every step of the way, offering support when Jimin felt like he couldn’t go on. Mingyu’s words always seemed to calm the storm inside him.

"Thank you, hyung... I-I don’t know what I’d do without you."

"Don’t thank me yet," Mingyu smiled softly. "I need to see you fully healed first. I’m not going anywhere, Jimin. I’ll be here, right beside you, every step of the way."

Mingyu took both of Jimin’s hands in his, smiling warmly as he gently rubbed his thumbs over Jimin’s knuckles. His touch was comforting, grounding Jimin in the moment.

"Thanks, hyung. Really, thank you so much."

"Aish," Mingyu chuckled, ruffling Jimin’s hair playfully. "Enough with the ‘thank yous.’ You’ll owe me once you're back on your feet."

Jimin giggled through his tears, the sound light and soft, as he looked up at his hyung, feeling just a little bit braver.