Chapter 192: Dissolve: His Last Choice

Jung Sungwon sunbae

Me: Sunbae-nim, about that Hospital you recommended. Is it possible to make a reservation anonymously?

Jung Sungwon sunbae: Of course. It’s possible.

Jung Sungwon sunbae: Wait, Hyunsoo, did you actually persuade Jooho sunbae?

Me: He seemed a little interested.

Jung Sungwon sunbae: Wow… Hyunsoo, you’re really something.

Jung Sungwon sunbae: Not even Bang Manager could break Jooho sunbae’s stubbornness.

Jung Sungwon sunbae: Honestly, I didn’t expect much when I recommended it.

Jung Sungwon sunbae: Sunbae must really trust you, Hyunsoo.

Me: I just want sunbae to get at least some sleep.

Me: Oh, and I didn’t say it was your recommendation.

Jung Sungwon sunbae: Good job.

Jung Sungwon sunbae: If you did, sunbae might’ve insisted on not going for no reason, haha.

Me: Sending a grown man to the Hospital even once is this difficult.

Jung Sungwon sunbae: I regretted pushing so hard last time.

Jung Sungwon sunbae: Thanks for reaching out first.

Me: I’m the one who should thank you for introducing a good Hospital to Jooho sunbae^^

■

After finishing work at the Hospital, Team Leader Jang Suhyeon drove her SUV home.

It was just another typical day.

The officetel in Gwacheon where she’d lived since the year before last wasn’t far from the Hospital, and with the rent much cheaper than in Seoul, she was quite satisfied.

With many large apartment complexes nearby, life was convenient, and it was nice to take walks or exercise around Yangjaecheon.

Originally, she was considering purchasing this officetel for her own use sometime next year. Lately, though, she was less sure.

The Hospital had never exactly been running smoothly.

Lately, even salaries had been delayed two or three months.

Just a few days ago, the Head Director, for the first time in a while, handed out all the overdue pay at once, saying the cash flow had finally opened up. Still, the uneasiness remained.

Team Leader Jang found herself frequently visiting job search sites. But it wasn’t easy to find a suitable Hospital that appealed to her.

Maybe I should try contacting some acquaintances…

Thinking that, Team Leader Jang turned off the ignition and stepped out of her parked car.

“Team Leader Jang Suhyeon?”

A voice called from behind, as if waiting for her to get out of the car.

She turned to see a man, looking to be in his early forties.

He was well kept for his age, but even beyond that, he was fundamentally good-looking.

Judging from his neat attire and the impression he gave off, he didn’t seem suspicious.

“And you are…?”

Still, no matter how good the first impression, a stranger’s sudden appearance naturally put her on guard.

Perhaps to reassure her, the man kept a distance of about twenty steps and answered.

“Sorry for the sudden visit. Please don’t be alarmed. I’m Bang Sangho, a patient at the Sleep Center. Well, to be exact, maybe I should say a guardian of a patient, or someone associated.”

“And what brings you to me…?”

“There’s something about the Hospital I wanted to discuss with you.”

“With me, not the Head Director?”

“Yes. It’s a matter that must be discussed specifically with you, Team Leader.”

The man looked at Nurse Jang with serious eyes.

“I’m sorry, but if it’s about the Hospital, please speak to me there. This is my private time. Honestly, I’m uneasy that you found this address, which I never shared for any reason. I hope this never happens again. Goodbye.”

The visitor didn’t follow as Team Leader Jang turned to leave. Instead, he raised his voice slightly from behind her.

“You didn’t get paid for a few months, and it only got resolved recently, right?”

“……”

At those words, Team Leader Jang had no choice but to stop walking. And after hearing what came next, she turned back again.

“It’s a proposal for both you and us to survive.”

Now, the man’s face was filled with desperation.

It was the kind of face she sometimes saw on patients who were so, so exhausted, the ones who came to the Hospital at their wit’s end.

“To survive, you say?”

“I apologize for the sudden approach. But it was unavoidable, for security’s sake.”

The man remained in place as he continued.

“Both you and we are in significant danger right now. If we’re not careful, you might get caught up in a crime without even realizing it, and be used.”

“……”

“Join hands with us.”

■

April 1st, April Fool’s Day.

Giant snowflakes are falling, like a lie.

Is this the last farewell of the long, harsh winter?

Looking through the glass at the heavy April snow is oddly romantic. Though I am a bit worried about traffic on the way home.

It may not be a midsummer Christmas, but this April snowfall feels like a small miracle.

Where and with whom are you, our dear listeners, watching this snow?

Even the smallest plans are fine, so after you finish your day, why not make precious memories with your loved ones?

And don’t rush on your way home, take care.

Now, to commemorate this April winter, shall we listen to a carol together? Michael Bublé’s ‘Have yourself a merry little Christmas’……

It was just a random radio channel left playing.

After the DJ’s comment, the music began. Michael Bublé’s carol, which he’d once found sappy and sentimental. But now, it didn’t seem so bad.

Yoon Jooho, waiting at a signal, reached for his cigarette pack. Taking one and holding it to his lips, he muttered,

“Where and with whom, doing what? I’m betting my life on Teheran-ro.”

But contrary to the weight of the words, betting his life, his heart didn’t feel all that heavy.

Maybe it was the snowflakes, ignoring the season and filling the sky as they fell.

Maybe the April snow and the Christmas carol made him feel oddly buoyant.

As he exhaled a thin stream of smoke, Yoon Jooho let out a rough chuckle.

No way, that can’t be it.

Gazing out at the thick, luxurious snow pounding the windshield, he was suddenly struck by how far he’d come.

He’d been prepared to fight from the start. But if it hadn’t been for Song Hyunsoo, he never could have made it this far.

He wouldn’t have been able to throw himself into the heart of the battlefield with such peace of mind.

It was strange, how fighting for someone else could bring out more courage than fighting for oneself.

Truly, inside, Yoon Jooho felt an uncanny calm.

It wasn’t the miracle of April snow, but because of Song Hyunsoo.

Following the green light toward Gyodae Station, Yoon Jooho slowly pulled out and dialed a call.

[What is it, sunbae? Is something wrong?]

A hurried, worried voice.

Knowing he’d left for the Hospital, Song Hyunsoo picked up right away.

“I haven’t even arrived yet. I’m on Teheran-ro.”

[Ah… right? But why?]

“It’s snowing.”

[…What?]

At the dumbfounded response, Yoon Jooho stifled a laugh.

[I’m sweating bullets here, and you’re being so relaxed, sunbae. I don’t know whether to be relieved or annoyed.]

“There’s a one-bedroom unit in our Mansion too.”

[This conversation is all over the place.]

“I told the realtor’s office in advance that I’d be interested if one came up for sale.”

[…]

“Seems like someone wants to sell now.”

[I have a bad feeling about this.]

As he turned the wheel at the Seocho Station Intersection, heading toward Seoul Arts Center, Yoon Jooho continued with a grave tone.

“You have two options.”

[What are they.]

“Move into the one-bedroom unit and become my neighbor, or…”

[Or?]

“Buy the one-bedroom, pretend to live there, and then come back to my place.”

[Either way, you’re planning to buy that one-bedroom unit.]

“That’s right.”

[What kind of wasteful spending is that??]

It was the reaction he expected.

“How is spending money to be with you a waste?”

Sigh. Song Hyunsoo’s sigh could be heard over the phone.

[Sunbae, now is… the timing is a bit… Do you really need an answer right now?]

“For me, this is the moment of a lifetime. I have to say this to you now.”

Because of the blizzard making everything blurry, all the cars were crawling along.

A kid, wearing a fur hat and scarf and holding his mom’s hand, leaned back so far to look at the sky he almost fell over.

Maybe, just like the radio DJ said, this snow really was a little romantic.

“When this is all over, live with me again.”

[…]

“Not the guest room on the second floor. This time, in my bedroom.”

[…]

“You get what I mean, Song Hyunsoo?”

[W-what? What are you talking about…]

“I’m saying, let’s start our newlywed life together. Right now.”

[Aaagh! Ah! N-newl… Why are you saying that at a time like this!]

Yoon Jooho flicked his cigarette into the ashtray with a chuckle.

“That sexy scream of yours…”

Shaking his head, he stopped the car at the red light.

[I’ve made up my mind. But I’ll give you my answer once everything is settled.]

Before Yoon Jooho could say anything, Song Hyunsoo continued right away.

[So, Yoon Jooho-ssi.]

“What? Yoon Jooho-ssi?”

[If you want my answer, deal with this first. Got it?]

From the beginning until now, it felt like nothing had ever gone the way he intended with Song Hyunsoo.

Maybe it was a game he was never meant to win.

Shaking his head with an exasperated smile, Yoon Jooho looked aside without thinking.

Even as he thought he couldn’t win, the face faintly reflected in the car window was grinning foolishly.

For some reason, his own face, superimposed over the April snow, seemed more pleasing than ever.