MDQ Ch 26

I forced myself to think of something else so I wouldn’t cling to the past. What came to mind naturally was the moment before I lost consciousness.

The betrayal of the CEO I trusted, Park Saebit’s threats, and their words telling me I would regret it.

That day, if Park Chungrim hadn’t appeared at just the right time, what would have happened to me? That day, where had Jung Yohan been?

Does Jung Yohan also believe I plagiarized? Wouldn’t he have taken my side, at least?

‘What a pointless thought.’

Because I saw Jung Yohan in my dream, I must have thought of him without realizing it. Having already quit being a manager, what did it matter to me what Jung Yohan did?

And there’s no way Jung Yohan would take my side anyway…

Of course, Jung Yohan wouldn’t side with Park Saebit either, but he would surely observe the situation as a complete bystander.

Maybe he would even persuade the CEO not to renew his contract because of Park Saebit’s matter.

I wasn’t very curious about what the other members thought, apart from Jung Yohan.

Even if Seo Seoho and Kang Junhyuk sided with Park Saebit, I would probably just accept it. I didn’t have much faith in them to begin with.

I belatedly got down from the bed and looked for Park Chungrim. Somehow, I felt that the owner of this neat and spacious unfamiliar house must be Park Chungrim.

When I carefully stepped out of the room, a wide living room came into view.

With only the necessary furniture, the living room carried almost no signs of life. It only looked clean, just like the image Park Chungrim gave off.

Just then, Park Chungrim came out of one of the rooms. Spotting me standing dazed in the living room, he immediately walked straight over.

“When did you wake up? Does anything hurt? Are you okay?”

His face, when I looked up, was filled only with concern. A gentleness I had never felt from my father or the members of Given.

He wasn’t my family or my friend, yet he treated me with genuine sincerity.

Because of that sincerity, I was able to smile. Even though I had gone through heartbreaking things, I was still able to stand again now.

I didn’t need grand words.

Just a little care, concern, and…

I answered belatedly to Park Chungrim, who was waiting for my reply.

“Lately, I’ve heard ‘Are you okay?’ so many times from you. I’m okay now.”

There wasn’t any particular pain. Even the splitting headache I’d felt before was fine now.

“Thank goodness. You don’t know how worried I was because you wouldn’t wake up.”

Those words made it sound like I had been asleep for a long time.

I suddenly glanced at the living room’s wide windows. The sky above the clear view of Seoul was bright. Surely only a single night had passed.

“Have I been asleep for a long time?”

“Yes, you couldn’t wake up for three whole days.”

“What? That long?”

Park Chungrim nodded.

“You were in such a bad state that I took you to a big hospital and even called in a private doctor, but luckily they said there was no particular problem. They said it was just extreme stress keeping you from waking up.”

“…”

Even I was shocked to hear it. I had never once in my life lost consciousness for three days.

‘Was my condition really that bad?’

Just as I was about to thank Park Chungrim for taking care of me over those past three days, my stomach let out a loud rumble. Growl.

Damn it, why did hunger have to hit at that exact moment? I smiled awkwardly.

Seeing me like that, Park Chungrim also gave me a faint smile. A very gentle one.

“Want to eat something first? I’m good at cooking.”

“Thank you…”

Saying it was no problem, Park Chungrim patted my shoulder. Then he headed straight into the kitchen and began cooking something.

The porridge Park Chungrim made was excellent. I had thought porridge could just taste like a porridge, but clearly it wasn’t.

I felt grateful anew toward Park Chungrim, sitting across from me at the table.

“Thank you, for the hospital fees and everything…… Anyway, I’ll compensate you for what I can. I don’t know how I can repay this debt.”

“It’s fine, I didn’t help you to be repaid.”

“Then why?”

“Because I wanted to help. I don’t need anything in return.”

I knew the earnest look in Park Chungrim’s eyes as he gazed at me. Unless one were a fool, it was impossible not to realize he held romantic feelings for me.

Even I could sense how certain his heart toward me was, yet he hadn’t spoken even a hint of words that might make me feel burdened.

His words carried only straightforward sincerity: he just wanted to help.

But I had never liked men before, and the first man I had ever liked was Jung Yohan.

Park Chungrim was undoubtedly a good person, but I couldn’t really imagine becoming close to him in that way. It was truly a pity for him.

“But there’s something I want to ask.”

“What is it?”

“Can I ask about… the plagiarism issue?”

Ah, the plagiarism issue. After three days, how had it been resolved?

As I was thinking, Park Chungrim hurried to add, “Sorry. I know I should be careful asking, but I was impatient because I wanted to help. Of course, I’m certain you didn’t plagiarize.”

“…”

“We’ve worked together for two years already. I think that’s long enough to be sure of you. No, even if it hadn’t been that long, I would still trust you.”

I told Park Chungrim the same truth I had consistently insisted to the CEO and Park Saebit.

“Yes, I’m innocent. Those are Park Saebit’s lyrics.”

He replied without hesitation. Strongly, with certainty, “Of course, I believe you.”

That brief statement, filled with conviction that he trusted me, made my chest tighten.

After being betrayed by so many people, what I needed wasn’t anything grand.

Just a little care, concern…… and trust.

I desperately needed someone who would tell me they believed in me.

Someone who wouldn’t deny the upright life I had lived.

“Thank you for believing me. I… truly… have lived honestly.”

As soon as I spoke like a confession, tears streamed down my face. An uncontrollable cry I couldn’t hold back.

“I really… lived without shame.”

Even as tears poured endlessly down my face, I couldn’t stop speaking.

“But now everyone’s saying I was wrong. That I’m useless. That I have to take responsibility for something I didn’t even do.”

“…”

“Can you just tell me… that I’ve lived well?”

Barely finishing my words, I lowered my head. I couldn’t control the storm of emotions surging inside me.

And soon I felt a familiar warmth. Park Chungrim had come from across the table to hold me.

Patting my back as if to comfort me, he said.

“You’ve truly lived well. Earnest and without shame. You’ve done nothing wrong.”

“…”

“You’re not a bad person.”

It felt like I cried in his arms for quite a while.

Once the tears subsided, belated embarrassment washed over me. I hadn’t meant to cry this much.

“I’m sorry. Your shirt got wet because of me.”

“I can just change the shirt. It’s no problem. So please, stop apologizing.”

Had Park Chungrim always been this kind? He hadn’t seemed so gentle with others.

I wondered if maybe he was kind only to me, the way I had been especially gentle with Jung Yohan.

“Do you want me to hold you more?”

I shook my head slightly, pushing him back a little.

“I-It’s fine now, you don’t have to hold me anymore.”

“If you ever need my arms again, just tell me. Hugging you isn’t a big deal.”

I only nodded. Though I liked his kindness, it felt awkward because it had been so long since anyone had shown me such care.

Eventually, Park Chungrim sat back down across from me.

“Can we finish what we were talking about earlier?”

“Yes, I’m curious how the plagiarism issue turned out while I was unconscious.”

“Well…”