I thought Do-hyun was asleep.
I was sure of it.
The doctors had given him strong painkillers, and he'd barely been able to keep his eyes open just an hour before.
So when I returned to the hospital late at night with two cups of coffee, I didn't expect to hear anything.
The corridor was quiet.
Most of the patients were asleep.
And the hospital's nighttime lights gave the place that familiar cold feeling.
I approached his room.
But before I could open the door, I heard a voice from inside.
Do-hyun's voice.
I stopped.
He wasn't speaking in his usual way.
He wasn't joking.
He wasn't laughing.
His voice was low.
Serious.
"How much longer?"
There was a short silence.
Then Michael's voice came.
"A little."
I felt something strange in my chest.
A little?
What's left?
My hand froze on the handle.
"Three."
Michael finally said it.
"Or four at most."
I heard Do-hyun sigh wearily.
"Then it's almost over."
I didn't understand what they meant.
But something about the way they spoke made me freeze.
"They're the last of the henchmen."
Michael added.
"The rest have fallen."
My fingers tightened around my coffee cup.
Henchmen?
Henchmen of whom?
Then I heard the name.
The name that made my heart sink.
"The Minister's henchmen."
Silence fell again.
A long silence.
A heavy one.
As if the words themselves had become burdensome.
Then Do-hyun gave a short, mirthless laugh.
"They almost succeeded this time."
Michael didn't reply.
Even though I didn't see them, I could picture his face.
That cold face that only appears when it comes to things like this.
"It won't happen again."
He finally said it.
But Do-hyun wasn't convinced.
I knew it from his voice.
"Michael."
"What?"
"This has to end now."
The reply came immediately.
"I know."
"No."
Do-hyun said slowly.
"You don't understand what I mean."
My heart started beating faster.
Something in his tone scared me.
Then I heard the sentence I couldn't forget.
"This has to end before something happens to her."
To me.
He meant me.
I realized it instantly.
Silence filled the room.
Long.
And frightening.
Then Michael spoke.
His voice was lower than usual this time.
"No one will touch her."
"That's what you always said."
Do-hyun replied.
"And look where I am now."
I heard no response.
Just silence.
Then Do-hyun continued:
"If they're willing to target me like this, they're willing to do anything."
"They won't get near her."
"You can't guarantee that."
That was the first time I'd heard real fear in Do-hyun's voice.
Not fear for himself.
For me.
I felt a lump in my throat.
Then Michael finally said:
"We're nearing the end."
"Near doesn't mean we're there."
"I'll handle it."
"We'll finish it."
Do-hyun replied.
"Finish it."
Long seconds passed.
Then I heard a faint movement inside the room.
It was as if Do-hyun was trying to sit up despite his injuries.
"Listen to me carefully."
He said it in a quiet voice.
"I've been ready to die for a long time."
I closed my eyes.
No...
"But she's not part of this."
He continued.
"She doesn't belong in this world."
"I know."
Michael replied.
"Then end it."
His voice was weaker now.
But his resolve remained unchanged.
"Before she becomes the price."
A chill ran through me.
I wasn't afraid of myself.
It was of them.
Of the weight of responsibility they carried alone.
Of the number of things they hadn't told me.
Of the way they spoke of danger as if it were normal.
As if it were part of their daily lives.
I raised my head to the ceiling.
And tried to push away the bad feeling that was starting to creep inside me.
That feeling that tells you something's not right.
That the end is near.
But I didn't want to believe it.
Because I was happy.
And because I wanted to believe everything would be alright.
A few moments later, I heard Do-hyun's tone suddenly change.
"And by the way."
Michael sighed.
"What?"
"If I die, give her my secret chocolate set."
"I won't."
"Why not?"
"Because you're not going to die."
Do-hyun chuckled softly.
"That's the nicest thing you've said to me in years."
"Shut up."
I smiled despite the anxiety that was choking me.
That idiot...
Even covered in bandages and in a hospital bed, he still found a way to crack a joke.
I took a deep breath.
Then I finally opened the door.
I wore a small smile.
Pretending I hadn't heard anything.
As the words I'd heard moments before slowly settled in my heart...
Like a warning whose meaning I only understood too late.