I glanced at the caller’s name on my phone screen and then looked over at Ban Eun-hyeol.
It was a message from Do I-hyun.
“It seems like you couldn’t get a visit from him because Eun-hyeol stopped him.”
Even without looking, I could guess what had happened.
Do I-hyun probably sent the message first since he couldn’t come visit right now.
He brought me here but left without seeing me wake up.
I felt sorry, like I had only stirred up his trauma for no reason.
‘He said his first love died in a car accident, right?’
It was a common cliché in internet novels, but since my friend actually had such a story, I couldn’t even imagine how painful it must be.
“What is it?”
Just as I was about to slip my phone under the pillow to hide it,
Ban Eun-hyeol’s sharp eyes caught me, and he raised one eyebrow.
His expression clearly showed a hint of annoyance.
“What?”
“Why are you hiding that?”
I tried to pretend I didn’t know, but I failed to smoothly change the subject.
Ban Eun-hyeol jerked his chin toward my phone and narrowed his eyes sharply.
“…I’m just worried it’ll bother you to see it.”
“Do I-hyun?”
I nodded silently.
Judging by Eun-hyeol’s displeased expression, if he were fully awake, the hospital room would have been filled with tension.
“What did he say?”
Eun Ba-da, who was cautiously watching Ban Eun-hyeol’s reaction, asked carefully.
I picked up my phone with my left hand to check the message.
But before I could read it, Ban Eun-hyeol snatched the phone from my hand and checked the message himself.
Though I couldn’t see the contents, his brows furrowed deeply as he read quickly.
“That’s enough. You don’t need to read it.”
He deleted the message before I could even look.
“Why? I should know what it says. He must be worried.”
“Worried? Whose fault do you think this is? Who’s supposed to worry about whom?”
“If you want to argue, it’s not really Do I-hyun’s fault. I get how you feel, but you got hurt because those damn gangs pushed you.”
A cold atmosphere settled over the hospital room.
Still, I had to make it clear to Ban Eun-hyeol that blaming only Do I-hyun wasn’t right.
I understood his wariness since he liked me, but it wasn’t fair to blame someone else for what others had done.
Especially since Do I-hyun wasn’t at fault, making him feel like a criminal was uncomfortable for me as a friend.
Ban Eun-hyeol looked at me silently, then gathered his bag from the sofa and stood up.
“That’s enough. Why don’t you try contacting Do I-hyun yourself?”
Then he opened the hospital room door and left.
‘He’s just going to leave like that?’
I stared dumbfounded at the door he had closed behind him.
The mood instantly turned sour, and Han Ji-bin, who had been watching nervously, forced a smile.
“Haha, even if Eun-hyeol acts like that now, he’ll be back soon. You know Eun-hyeol, right? He’s simple-minded, so even if he fights, he gets over it quickly.”
“I think this time it might last a while…”
“Hmm… but since your arm hurts this much, it probably won’t last long.”
That actually made sense.
No matter how upset he was and left like that, he’d come back soon because he’d be worried about me.
I sighed deeply as I looked at my phone and asked,
“Do you guys think the same as Eun-hyeol? That Do I-hyun was wrong?”
My friends looked at each other but hesitated to answer.
Among them, only Yeon Ha-yeon, who was frowning deeply and crossing his arms, spoke up.
“Eun-hyeol overreacted a bit.”
“Yeah, since Eun-hyeol likes Dana, it’s natural for him to be sensitive about this kind of thing.”
Eun Ba-da, seemingly struggling to find the right words, interjected.
After Yeon Ha-yeon’s comment, he calmly added his opinion.
“It’s probably better not to contact Do I-hyun in front of Eun-hyeol if possible.”
“I’m cautious about that too, but this is a special case…”
“I get it. Dana, I know what you’re worried about.”
Eun Ba-da smiled gently, as if understanding exactly how I felt.
Listening to his soft voice made me feel a little calmer.
Since Ban Eun-hyeol deleted the message, I had no idea what he had said, but I decided to send Do I-hyun a simple message about my condition.
Yeon Ha-yeon, who was watching me send the message, quietly asked,
“What did you say?”
“I told him I’m fine, so don’t worry, and that I only need to be hospitalized for a week.”
I also added that it wasn’t his fault, so he shouldn’t feel guilty.
Because Do I-hyun would probably blame himself and bury himself in shame.
He probably wouldn’t come to visit, but I thought I should meet him once after I’m discharged.
‘I wonder when he’ll come back.’
Like my friends said, since my arm was injured, he’d probably come back soon.
But this was the first time we’d fought like this, so I was a little worried.
I was peeking at the door, waiting for Ban Eun-hyeol to come back.
At that moment, the door opened, and Ban Eun-hyeol came in carrying his bag.
The atmosphere was still chilly, but it seemed like his mood had lightened a bit.
He sighed as he looked at me, then strode over.
He tossed his bag back onto the sofa and ruffled his hair irritably.
“Do you want to be in contact with someone else in front of your husband?”
“A wife should only look at her husband.”
Ban Eun-hyeol, who was glaring at me, continued in a softer voice, as if slightly moved.
“Just like how I’m only looking at you right now.”
His gaze made my face burn.
He was staring at me with such intensity that when he shifted his eyes to the blanket, he asked,
“Why are your hands under the blanket? Are you cold?”
“No, the air conditioning temperature is fine.”
I desperately hid my cramped fingers under the blanket, not wanting him to see.
He looked at me silently as I gave an awkward smile, then reached out and gently stroked my head.
Ji Kang-han, who had been quietly watching from behind, motioned for our friends to leave.
Seeing him point toward the door with his thumb, Yeon Ha-yeon, Eun Ba-da, and Han Ji-bin quietly packed their things.
Just then, my phone started vibrating repeatedly as if someone was calling.
Everyone froze while packing and looked at me.
“Oh? It’s Mom.”
I checked the caller nervously, and as soon as I saw “Mom,” I breathed a sigh of relief.
Everyone else seemed relieved too.
‘Come to think of it, they must be on their trip now. I hope they’re not already on their way back to South Korea.’
I hoped they weren’t ruining their long-awaited overseas vacation because of me.
I answered the call with a worried heart.
[“Dana! I heard about the accident. Eun-hyeol contacted me. Your arm’s broken, right? Are you okay?”]
“Yes, it’s just a bit uncomfortable. It wasn’t a serious accident.”
I spoke casually to ease my parents’ worries.
Their concern made my chest tighten and brought tears to my eyes.
It was like when a child doesn’t cry after falling but bursts into tears when their parents ask if they’re okay.
[“I was so shocked I almost flew back to South Korea, but Eun-hyeol said not to worry because he’d take good care of you. And he even booked a five-star hotel with a limousine and a guide, you know?”]
“…What? Eun-hyeol?”
[“Yeah! Thanks to him, you’re being spoiled. Haha, I’ll be there in three days, so make sure Eun-hyeol takes good care of you. Oh my! Then take care of yourself.”]
“Mom? Hello?”
The call ended.
I stared at my phone blankly, then raised my eyes to Ban Eun-hyeol.
He wore a proud expression, clearly having heard the whole conversation.
Yeon Ha-yeon, Ji Kang-han, Eun Ba-da, and Han Ji-bin all showed different expressions, but they all seemed to be holding back smiles.
“Since when did you arrange all this? And what’s with the hotel and limousine?”
“Your parents were worried you wouldn’t enjoy the trip properly. It’s nothing.”
Ban Eun-hyeol shrugged as if it was no big deal.
I had thought my parents were already back in South Korea, so it felt strange but also a relief that they weren’t.
“Well, I’m really okay. Thanks to Eun-hyeol, my parents can enjoy their trip properly.”
“You’re welcome.”
“If you’re thankful, then here.”
Ban Eun-hyeol tapped his cheek and leaned close to me.
“We should get going now. You two enjoy your private time! Let’s go, guys!”
Han Ji-bin dragged the others out like a broken robot.
Everyone left with warm expressions, pushed along by Han Ji-bin.
After Yeon Ha-yeon waved goodbye, the door closed.
Only after confirming they were completely gone did Ban Eun-hyeol grin and say,
“Now that no one’s watching, hurry up and do it.”
Then he tapped his cheek again.