Go Hoon’s studio apartment was in a neighborhood full of one-room flats, where the alleyways were notoriously narrow—just barely wide enough for a single car to squeeze through. Anyone unfamiliar with the area who happened to drive in was bound to end up in a frustrating situation.
He once saw a car struggle to back out after encountering another vehicle head-on in the alley. That memory alone made it clear: trying to drive all the way in with Bae Jung-yoon’s car would be a disaster.
Considering all of that, Go Hoon asked to be dropped off at the bus stop closest to his place. But Bae Jung-yoon wasn’t the type to just nod and accept that. He insisted on walking Hoon all the way to his door, which of course, Hoon firmly refused.
“It just looks bad because of all the bandages. I’m not actually hurt. I can walk on my own.”
It really only looked serious from the outside. Walking wasn’t a problem at all—as long as he was careful, bent his knee a little less than usual, and moved gently. The painkillers were still working too.
“Still, I can’t just let someone injured walk off alone.”
“You’ve been like this all day. Don’t you think you’re being a little too overprotective? What are you, my dad or something?”
“If that’s the problem, then screw it—I’ll just be your dad.”
A dry laugh slipped through his teeth. This guy really doesn’t think before he speaks. Go Hoon gave him a weary look.
“I don’t have the energy for jokes right now. There’s nowhere to park here anyway. This area’s crawling with parking enforcement. Just go.”
Maybe it was the fatigue in his voice that finally got through, but this time, Go Hoon won. He stood still like a stone statue, silently watching Bae Jung-yoon until he finally gave up.
“If anything happens, call me. Don’t be stubborn about it.”
Climbing into the driver’s seat, he repeated himself several times before finally driving off. Go Hoon stood there and waited until the car disappeared from view, then slowly began walking home.
As soon as he reached the front of his building, he checked under the first flowerpot. Just as he’d asked, the house key was sitting right there, in plain sight.
He picked it up, unlocked the door, and started climbing the stairs. It sounded simple enough in words, but it was exhausting. Gripping the railing tightly, he took it one step at a time—it felt like he was climbing an endless stairway to heaven.
When he finally reached the top, he stood there for a moment, catching his breath.
“How the hell am I supposed to go up and down these stairs every day…?”
He pushed the realistic worry aside and straightened up. Right in front of his door, neatly parked, was his bicycle—moved there by Bae Jung-yoon’s people.
Back at the hospital parking lot, after shoving Hoon into the car, Bae Jung-yoon had made a phone call. Not long after, a man in a suit had appeared, and without saying a word, took charge of the bicycle.
All Go Hoon had done was hand over his house key. At first, he eyed the stranger warily, but when Bae Jung-yoon reassured him that the man could be trusted, Hoon gave a polite nod and asked him to take care of it.
The quiet man bowed once and left the lot. Hoon had no idea who he was or what he did, but thanks to him, the bicycle made it home safely.
After unlocking the door and stepping inside, the first thing Go Hoon did was change out of the clothes that were now practically rags. Normally it would’ve taken less than a minute, but with his body in its current state, even that felt like it took an eternity.
By the time he finished changing, sweat had already started to bead on his forehead. After that, he grabbed a dry towel, went back outside, and wiped the rainwater off his bike. Before he knew it, it was already evening, and he ordered cup rice through a delivery app.
Even eating wasn’t easy. Using a plastic spoon with his injured left hand, he struggled just to get the rice into his mouth. After missing several times, he finally gave up with a frustrated sigh and dropped the spoon on the table.
It was time to admit it—living alone in this condition was impossible.
After thinking it over for a while, Go Hoon picked up his phone and searched through his contacts. Yeah… there was no one better suited for this than Yoon Seong-gon.
He’d have to report the bicycle accident anyway, so he figured he might as well ask if Seong-gon could act as a caregiver for a few days. He was the only person Go Hoon could even imagine asking for this kind of favor.
The phone barely rang before the call connected. Before the other person could even respond, Go Hoon jumped in.
“Yoon Seong-gon.”
—Ah, hang on a sec. Yeah? Hyung, why are you calling?
But something about the background noise was off. Seong-gon sounded distracted, and Go Hoon could vaguely hear a woman’s voice behind him. He paused, frowning.
“Where are you right now?”
—Me? I’m at the airport.
“The airport?”
—Yeah. I’m flying to Japan with my family. We’re literally about to go through departure now. Seriously, the timing of your call is unreal.
Hearing Seong-gon marvel at the timing, Go Hoon could only sigh. Yeah. Unreal.
Disaster never comes alone. Why did everything always seem to fall apart at once? Of course, it wasn’t like Seong-gon taking a vacation was a bad thing, but… why now? Why at this exact moment?
Seriously, didn’t Korea just have that huge soccer match against Japan not too long ago? And this guy just ups and takes a trip there like it’s no big deal? Does he not even know what “Buy Korean” means? Buy Korean, damn it. If he had that much free time, he should’ve taken a domestic trip and helped boost the local economy.
As his stress hit a peak, his frustration started spilling over in weird directions.
In his head, he was delivering a full-on independence movement speech, but deep down, Go Hoon knew he couldn’t exactly vent all that to Yoon Seong-gon right now.
Because he had a guilty conscience.
“…A trip to Japan? Out of nowhere?”
That was all he managed to say.
— We’re going to see the cherry blossoms. I mean, I found out by chance that Kyoto’s in full bloom right now. Once I heard that, I realized it’s been ages since I’ve traveled abroad, and suddenly, I really wanted to go.
Go Hoon pressed his lips tightly together, fighting the sigh that threatened to escape. While he was knee-deep in misery, Yoon Seong-gon was carefree and glowing.
He wasn’t sure if telling someone so hyped for a rare family trip about the accident was the right thing to do. It wasn’t like it’d be a welcome bit of news, anyway.
— But seriously, hyung, why’d you call?
Right on cue, Seong-gon asked. Go Hoon hesitated, then decided to deflect.
“When are you coming back from Japan?”
— Me?
Thankfully, the ever-simple Seong-gon answered without any suspicion.
— In a week.
A whole week, huh. Go Hoon grimaced as a dull ache settled into his temples. He gave a small nod.
“Alright. Have fun.”
Now’s not the time. He figured he could always tell him once he got back. No reason to ruin his trip now.
— What the hell? That’s it? You didn’t have something else to say?
“Nah. Just figured I’d check in.”
— What’s with you…? You never do that. You’re creeping me out.
Seong-gon’s voice was thick with suspicion. Go Hoon responded coldly.
“Hang up, jackass.”
— No, wait! Don’t just hang up like that, c’mon—Hyyyung.
Hearing the panic in his voice, Go Hoon brought the phone back to his ear.
— There’s seriously nothing going on?
“No. What, are you hoping something’s wrong?”
— Please, I’m always rooting for you to be okay.
Maybe that’s why I’m never okay, Go Hoon thought bitterly. As his mind wandered down that pointless track, Seong-gon suddenly chirped again, cheerful as ever.
— Anyway, hyung! I’ll bring you back a souvenir from Japan, okay? Look forward to it! They’re telling me I have to go in now, so I’m hanging up. Bye!
Don’t bother. I don’t need anything. Go Hoon opened his mouth to reply, but the call ended before he could say a word.
“This bastard tells me not to hang up, then does it himself.”
Staring blankly at the now-dark screen, Go Hoon dropped the phone onto the floor with a soft thud. Then he looked down at himself again.
“Not a single thing’s going right.”
The bandaged arm and leg looked especially pitiful today.
“Haa…”
A heavy sigh slipped out. How the hell am I supposed to live like this, alone? He picked the phone back up and scrolled through his contacts, but no name felt right.
A harsh truth, but unavoidable. The only person he could even consider calling now was Bae Jung-yoon. And that was only because he already knew about the accident—and had even offered to take Go Hoon to his place.
But Go Hoon wasn’t thrilled about the idea. He didn’t want to burden him, and he certainly didn’t want to rely on him. Still, it wasn’t like he could do anything in this state, either…
“…I’ve got no other choice.”
With a conflicted expression, Go Hoon stared at Bae Jung-yoon’s number for a long while before finally letting out a deep breath and pressing the call button.
***
He packed as lightly as possible and headed toward the nearby station. He wouldn’t be gone long, anyway. Once he was feeling better and confident he could manage on his own, he’d return home right away.
With that firm decision in mind, he clutched the bag’s strap tightly—only to flinch at the sting in his palm and quickly loosen his grip.
Night had fully settled over the alley now, and the streetlights flickered to life here and there.
Limping along with his bag in one hand, he could feel the curious stares from passing pedestrians. Not that he blamed them—his appearance was enough to make anyone look twice. He did look like someone who’d been through hell.
As he neared the station entrance, he spotted a sleek white foreign car parked nearby.
Originally, he had suggested just taking a taxi to Bae Jung-yoon’s place. It was only one subway stop away, so it wouldn’t cost much.
But Bae Jung-yoon insisted—really insisted—on coming by car. The station had been the compromise.
As he approached the vehicle, Bae Jung-yoon stepped out from the driver’s seat, clearly having spotted him. He walked over briskly, took the bag from Hoon’s hand without a word, and then wrapped one arm around his waist without hesitation.
