Chapter 125
At the time when the sun was at its highest point in the day, the cast members of “Please Take Care of My X” arrived on Jeju Island, chatting amicably while waiting for their luggage.
“Sae-young, isn’t that our luggage coming out over there?”
“Huh? Where? Oh, yes! That’s right. The one with the red ribbon tied to the handle!”
The cast members who spotted their luggage approached the conveyor belt, timing it to grab their bags. As a result of the busy movement, the number of people holding their suitcases gradually increased.
Amidst the bustling crowd, only Seo-jung remained in place with a dazed expression. Standing still in such a dynamic space made him stand out even more.
“Seo-jung oppa, what are you doing? Isn’t that your luggage?”
Seo-jung only moved when he felt someone shaking his arm. Startled out of his thoughts, he turned to look beside him.
Seo-jung rolled his eyes, surveying his surroundings. It seemed as if he had just realized he was at Jeju Airport.
“Ah, right.”
Thanks, Sae-young. After quickly greeting her, Seo-jung strode forward and lifted his suitcase. As he walked back towards her pulling his luggage, Sae-young spoke up.
“Oppa, you know you’re acting strange today, right?”
“Huh?”
“You were like this when we left the X House too. It seems like your mind is somewhere else.”
Sae-young’s observation was accurate. As she said, Seo-jung’s thoughts were entirely focused elsewhere. To be more precise, since the previous night, his mind hadn’t left the hospital where Cha Yoon was admitted. Seo-jung once again recalled the events of the early morning.
‘It’s been a while since I heard Ki Seo-jung’s nagging.’
Was this what it meant to be at a loss for words? In an instant, Seo-jung’s mind went blank, and he couldn’t make a sound. Cha Yoon’s single sentence had such an enormous impact on Seo-jung.
Everything was too sudden. Was it a dream? The situation was so absurd that it seemed more natural to think it was a dream rather than reality. Seo-jung remained frozen, not knowing what to do, helplessly embraced. Time passed relentlessly like this.
How much time had passed? The sound of footsteps echoing in the corridor beyond the hospital room door was heard. Soon, with a sliding sound, the tightly closed door opened. At the same time, Seo-jung’s hazy eyes became clear.
All his attention instantly turned to the doorway. The person who opened the door was likely either Yu-min, who had been away, or a night-shift nurse. He couldn’t be sure which of the two had entered, but one thing was certain: whoever it was, they shouldn’t see this situation.
So he couldn’t afford to be distracted any longer. The priority was to extricate himself from Cha Yoon’s embrace before any strange misunderstandings could occur. Seo-jung immediately pushed Cha Yoon away with both arms. As if by magic, Cha Yoon’s arms, which had been wrapped around his back and nape, fell away. So easily that it was hard to believe it was the same Cha Yoon who had refused to let go just moments ago.
Seo-jung stared at Cha Yoon, who had separated from him, with trembling eyes. There was no disappointment or regret in Cha Yoon’s eyes. Only a firmness that seemed to be reassuring Seo-jung not to worry remained. As if he knew exactly what point Seo-jung was concerned about.
It was an unexpectedly mature response, too adult-like for the 22-year-old Cha Yoon he had known in the X House, who used to charge ahead without thinking. This unforeseen aspect of him added to Seo-jung’s confusion.
Just as he was about to ask if this was really the Cha Yoon he knew, if his memories had returned, Yu-min’s voice interrupted.
“Oh, Cha Yoon-ssi, you’re already awake?”
At Yu-min’s appearance, Seo-jung turned his head without saying anything. Unaware of the recent events, Yu-min offered an explanation that wasn’t really necessary.
“Seo-jung-ssi, you’re here too. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to leave on purpose, but the PD called to ask about the situation here. I thought it would be better if the sound of the call wasn’t heard, so I went out to answer it, and this is how it turned out.”
Yu-min looked thoroughly flustered, as if she hadn’t expected the situation to become so complicated. She seemed concerned about what she had said before Seo-jung left. But in a situation like this, such things were hardly a major issue for Seo-jung.
“I figured you had a reason to step out. It’s fine, so please don’t worry about it, Writer-nim.”
“Well, that’s a relief.”
Seo-jung shook his head and comforted Yu-min. Only after hearing this did Yu-min slowly relax her troubled expression.
“How are you feeling, Cha Yoon-ssi? The test results showed no problems, but you might feel differently. Please speak freely. If anything hurts, I’ll call the nurse right away.”
As Yu-min made a gesture as if ready to press the nurse call button at any moment, Cha Yoon shook his head.
“No, I’m not hurting anywhere, and all my anxiety has gone away.”
Seo-jung felt Cha Yoon’s gaze turn towards him at the end of that sentence. It sounded as if he was saying he was fine now because Seo-jung was there in front of him, causing Seo-jung to swallow dryly.
Not knowing how to react, he lowered his eyes. After that, there were a few more exchanges between the two. As he was quietly listening to their conversation:
“Ki Seo-jung.”
Seo-jung raised his head at the sudden call of his name. It was Cha Yoon who had called him. It was a monotonous call without the usual “hyung” honorific, but it was enough to make Seo-jung’s heart sink.
“Are you okay?”
This time, unlike before, formal speech was heard. It was Cha Yoon again. When there was no particular response to his call, he filled the gap between them instead of Seo-jung.
“We were in the car together, weren’t we? I’m worried if you have any injuries.”
As if it wasn’t just a casual remark, his gaze touched every part of Seo-jung’s body. It was an intense look, as if he couldn’t overlook even the smallest detail.
“Oh right, Seo-jung-ssi, did you get checked out properly too? I forgot to ask earlier because things were so hectic.”
“Ah… They said I was just shocked and there were no other issues.”
Yu-min hurriedly asked, as if she had just remembered. Seo-jung looked at Yu-min and briefly explained what the doctor had told him. It meant he was fine and there was no need for unnecessary worry.
“That’s a relief.”
But this time too, Cha Yoon was a step faster than Yu-min. Cha Yoon continued in a low voice.
“Still, keep an eye on it for a few more days.”
“…”
“If you feel even a little unwell, tell the production team.”
“Yes, Cha Yoon-ssi is right. If you feel unwell during filming, please feel free to speak up anytime.”
“Okay, I will.”
With Yu-min joining in to reinforce Cha Yoon’s words, Seo-jung had no choice but to agree. Only after Seo-jung nodded did the conversation finally conclude.
After carefully checking on the condition of both of them, Yu-min spoke in a cautious voice.
“I feel terrible bringing this up right after a patient has woken up, but since we’re in the middle of filming a show, I think we need to talk about the schedule.”
“It’s okay, please speak freely.”
Yu-min was left speechless with surprise. It was none other than Cha Yoon who had just said those words. A selfish child who only cared about himself – that was the character of Cha Yoon that she had understood until now. She couldn’t believe that such a Cha Yoon would utter such considerate words.
Did she mistake Seo-jung’s words for Cha Yoon’s? Or was she hearing things because of the shock? As Yu-min blinked her eyes, denying reality, Cha Yoon called out to her again.
“Writer-nim.”
At the voice calling her again, Yu-min stopped denying reality. Only then did she have to admit that she had heard correctly.
What on earth happened during the accident? Did their souls switch or something? Come to think of it, it was something that even an ordinary person might say easily, but because the subject was Cha Yoon, Yu-min’s reaction was quite understandable. Yu-min, still looking bewildered, began to talk about the schedule.
“If you were staying in the X House, it wouldn’t matter, but as you both know, we have a schedule to leave for Jeju Island today. I asked the nurse, and they said Cha Yoon-ssi needs to undergo additional tests this morning. So, if Cha Yoon-ssi’s test results show no problems, he can join us in Jeju Island, and Seo-jung-ssi, it might be best for you to return right away… What do you two think?”
Although it seemed like she was asking for their opinions, Seo-jung knew he had no choice. Nevertheless, he couldn’t bring himself to say that he would return to the show immediately.
He wanted to stay here. Not for any other reason. He simply didn’t want to leave Cha Yoon alone while he was sick. He wanted to stay here, watch over Cha Yoon’s condition a bit more, and personally confirm that there was nothing wrong with him.
As Seo-jung, uncharacteristically, hesitated to answer, Yu-min, who had been waiting, opened her mouth once more.
“Um, I understand how you feel, Seo-jung-ssi. But…”
“Let’s do that.”
It was none other than Cha Yoon who interrupted Yu-min’s ongoing words. Yu-min couldn’t help but open her eyes wide once again. What’s going on? She looked back and forth between the two. Seo-jung, whom she thought would easily agree, was hesitating, while Cha Yoon, whom she thought would be difficult to persuade, gave a willing answer instead.
“I’ll be fine alone. So go ahead. I’ll follow soon after.”
As Yu-min hesitated, Cha Yoon comforted and persuaded Seo-jung instead of her. At those words, Seo-jung’s lips moved as if he was about to say something, but in the end, he swallowed a sigh without uttering anything.
“I’ll go with Writer-nim.”
And so, he took heavy steps.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
