Bandaids & Punches ✔️

20. The Final Puzzle Piece

Jisoo stands frozen at the door, his eyes wide and hands shaky. He stares at the man sitting on the hospital bed, his legs feeling weak and breathing picking up speed. He is shell-shocked, mouth opening and closing repeatedly, no words leaving his lips.

Dae Ho has a similar expression, albeit not as surprised as Jisoo. He has known about the other's existence since he met Haneul but is still taken aback by the sudden arrival.

Haneul jumps in front of Dae Ho, moving towards Jisoo. "Ji-Jisoo...what are you doing...here?"

Jisoo is brought out of his stupor when the doctor blocks his view. "Hyu-hyung, he's...he's supp-" his words are a blabbing mess, mouth feeling dry.

"How is...your f-friend-"

"You n-never...I mea-" Jisoo is tongue-tied, his words making no sense. His emotions overflow, zapping his ability to think logically. "-dead, he is supposed to be dead! Why is he here!" He bursts, his eyes turn to Haneul who is speechless too. Jisoo starts muttering to himself, bringing his nails to his mouth and biting them. His chest feels constricted every time his eyes meet Dae Ho's.

"Han Jisoo!" Haneul exclaims, placing his hands on his shoulders, shaking the guy. "I need you to start making sense. Take a deep breath and calm down first."

The brunette points a finger at Dae Ho, choking he adds, "h-he died hyung, we lost him." Tears cascade down his cheeks, vision getting blurry. "That d-day-"

"Get out," a deep voice growls, earning a head snap from Haneul.

"Dae Ho, what are you-"

"Get out, both of you!" Dae Ho barks, clutching the sheets of the bed. "If you don't, I'll leave this room myself."

If Haneul was surprised before, he is fuming at the fighter now. He understands that the meeting is not how they had hoped it would be, but Dae Ho is exhibiting irrational behavior. Haneul is about to march towards him when a hand takes a hold of his wrist.

"I'll leave, hyung," Jisoo whispers wiping his tears with a disbelieving expression.

"No, Jisoo that brat needs to lear-"

Jisoo shakes his head. "It-it's alright." He runs out of the room, Haneul following behind him not before throwing Dae Ho an angry look.

He spots Jisoo sitting on the chair outside Dae Ho's room, head cradled in his palms. Haneul fills a cup with water and hands it to Jisoo, which the latter takes wordlessly and drinks from it. The doctor sits beside the younger who has calmed down, head lowered and eyes trained on the floor.

"How long...for how long have you known him?" Jisoo asks in a meek voice, intertwining his fingers together.

"Almost a year now."

Jisoo turns to him, hurt flashing in his eyes. "That's pretty long...why haven't you told me anything about him?"

Haneul fiddles with the pen in his hand. "I'm sorry, it was not my place to interfere. Dae Ho said he wasn't ready." He has been expecting the question since he's seen the brunette.

"But isn't it unfair for me? Do you not trust me enough?"

"It's not about trust, that guy would've fled the moment if he knew I told you. He made me promise to not reveal anything until he's ready."

"Does he not miss his family?" Jisoo retorts, "wasn't all these years not enough for him to get ready!"

Haneul sighs, carding his fingers through his blonde hair. "He didn't even know his family existed until he met me. I don't know what happened, but your brother lost his memories."