SS 8(1) Part 5

“…Bomin-ah.”

Someone walked into the space filled only with Bomin’s suppressed sobs. Kim Seohun’s face was also haggard, though not as much as Bomin’s.

In fact, a gloomy shadow hung over the faces of everyone living together in the mansion.

It had been almost a month since Song Jaeho fell into a coma.

At first, everyone thought he would regain consciousness soon. He was someone who would notice immediately even if Bomin just took a step closer. But no matter how much Bomin guided him, Song Jaeho didn’t even twitch an eyelid.

The association’s medical staff repeated like parrots that this was the first time they had encountered such a case and couldn’t determine the cause.

Han Biseong had tried to flip out several times, but the others had stopped him. After Bomin, Han Biseong was the one who felt Song Jaeho’s absence the most keenly.

With the person he always bickered with lying half-dead and unconscious, he, too, was much more on edge than usual. Yoon Bisam had managed to control Han Biseong by threatening to throw him in jail if he caused any more trouble.

Being locked up in prison didn’t matter, but the threat of being confined in solitary confinement, unable to see Bomin, calmed him down like a sedated beast.

“You haven’t eaten yet, have you? I bought you lunch.”

Kim Seohun forced a smile, lifting the shopping bags in both hands. They were filled with signature lunch boxes from Bomin’s favorite restaurant.

“…I’m not hungry.”

Bomin shook his head. He, who used to boast a voracious appetite that made one wonder where all the food went, had lost his appetite since he started watching over Song Jaeho’s bedside.

No matter how delicious the food was, it felt like he was chewing on coarse sand. Naturally, he started eating less and wouldn’t bother eating unless others fed him.

Kim Seohun’s eyes welled up as he looked at Bomin’s bony wrists. In reality, Song Jaeho wasn’t in a state that required nursing. His body was fine; it was just his mind that hadn’t returned.

Thanks to his rampage risk level dropping to a stable range, Bomin didn’t have to stay by his side like this. However, Bomin hadn’t left the treatment room for a moment, like a bird that had built its nest there.

Kim Seohun rubbed his eyes at Bomin’s pale complexion from lack of sunlight. With the tip of his nose reddened, he forced a smile towards Bomin.

“Let’s try just one bite. I waited in line to buy this…”

Kim Seohun said what he knew would sway Bomin’s heart. He hadn’t actually waited since he pre-ordered, but he knew Bomin would eat at least a few bites if he said this.

“…Alright.”

Bomin reluctantly nodded. Kim Seohun quickly arranged the lunch boxes on the table. There were two four-tiered lunch boxes. The compartments were filled with food made from seasonal ingredients, gleaming with a glossy sheen.

Bomin’s eyes, which would have sparkled with delight in the past, were now cloudy like opaque beads, devoid of light.

“Here, ah~“

Kim Seohun deliberately raised his voice and picked up a piece of tteokgalbi (grilled short rib patties) with his chopsticks. He brought it to Bomin’s mouth, and Bomin opened his mouth slightly, taking a small bite from the edge of the patty.

He missed the Bomin who used to have such a hearty appetite. Despite only taking a bite of the tteokgalbi so small that no one would notice he’d eaten anything, Bomin moved his jaw for a long time.

Kim Seohun, desperately hoping to see Bomin’s Adam’s apple move, quickly offered him another dish. It seemed Bomin was having trouble swallowing the tteokgalbi.

“Shall we try just one roll?”

It was a roll the size of a circle made by joining the thumb and index finger. He offered it because he thought Bomin wouldn’t be able to take a bite if he gave him a larger one. Plus, it contained a good balance of nutrients, including carbohydrates.

“…I can’t eat it. I’m sorry.”

Bomin shook his head with an apologetic smile. His mouth felt rough, as if he had chewed and swallowed stones. He felt sorry for Kim Seohun, who had gone to the trouble of buying him lunch, but he thought he’d have to have soy milk instead of a meal once Kim Seohun left.

Even that was because of Yoon Bisam’s threat to drag him back to the mansion by force if he didn’t eat anything. Since everyone else looked at him with worried expressions, Bomin couldn’t starve himself completely.

He couldn’t afford to collapse after Song Jaeho.

“Or should I leave it here? I’ll eat it later when I have an appetite.”

He felt bad for Kim Seohun, whose face was crestfallen. He also felt sorry for only eating one bite of tteokgalbi. At Bomin’s words, Kim Seohun nodded and started packing up the lunch boxes he had spread out.

“Can I… stay a little longer?”

After putting the lunch boxes in the refrigerator inside the intensive care unit, Kim Seohun hesitated and looked at Bomin cautiously. Judging by Bomin’s behavior, he seemed to want him to leave quickly. But it had been days since he had properly seen Bomin’s face, so he wanted to see him for as long as possible.

He had just returned to Seoul today after being dispatched to Gangwon-do for a dungeon clearing mission. He had come straight to the treatment room with the pre-ordered lunch boxes because he missed Bomin.

“Of course. Come here.”

Bomin opened his arms towards the dejected Kim Seohun. Kim Seohun finally burst into tears, burying his face in Bomin’s chest. Bomin let out a soft sigh.

“…Everyone’s going through a lot because of me.”

Bomin knew it in his head. He knew that Song Jaeho’s condition wouldn’t improve just because he kept staying by his side. On the contrary, because he was cooped up here, Kim Seohun and the others were becoming increasingly gaunt.

Whenever they returned from their missions, they would stop by to see Bomin instead of going straight to the mansion. But the space was too small for them all to stay together.

Even though it was the largest intensive care unit, it was still small. Compared to ordinary hospital rooms or treatment rooms, it was spacious and luxurious enough to be called a hotel, but it couldn’t compare to the mansion where they all lived together.

“No. Don’t say that… Esper Song Jaeho is precious to us too.”

Although they were jealous of each other and sometimes fought, they had become like family. They ate together, exercised together, spent their free time together, and… rolled around with Bomin every day in the same mansion, naturally forming a bond stronger than mere friendship.

They all wished for Song Jaeho to open his eyes. They just wanted Bomin to take care of his own health a little more.

“Your nose is so red.”

Bomin carefully wiped Kim Seohun’s face with his sleeve as Kim Seohun lifted his head from his chest. Kim Seohun sniffled and closed his eyes, savoring Bomin’s gentle touch.

Even for a moment, it was okay. This time, when Bomin was focused solely on him, was as sweet as honey. After wiping away his tears, Bomin cupped Kim Seohun’s cheeks in his hands and gently sucked on his plump lips.

Kim Seohun’s eyes widened. He had come here just to see Bomin’s face and talk to him. He hadn’t expected Bomin to kiss him.

Since Song Jaeho fell into a coma, everyone had unintentionally become celibate. Even when Bomin guided other Espers, he only held their hands or gave them light kisses.

“…It’s nice.”

Kim Seohun, forgetting that he had been crying just moments ago, broke into a wide smile.

“You’re cute.”

Thanks to Kim Seohun, Bomin was able to wear a genuine smile on his face, even if just for a moment.

Beep, beep, beep—

“Huh…?“

Their eyes, gazing into each other’s, widened at the strange sound that filled the treatment room.

Bomin hurriedly got up and approached Song Jaeho. Song Jaeho was currently shirtless, with machines attached to his chest and temples to measure his electrocardiogram and brainwaves.

The graphs, which had been flowing steadily, were now fluctuating wildly, accompanied by a loud beeping sound.

“The— the call button…”

As Bomin tried to press the button above Song Jaeho’s bed with trembling hands…

“What’s going on?”

The door to the treatment room burst open, and the medical staff who had been in charge of Song Jaeho rushed in. Bomin had no choice but to give way to them.

His trembling eyes watched the medical staff frantically checking Song Jaeho’s condition. Their expressions grew serious, as if something was wrong. Bomin’s face hardened as well.

Bomin clasped his hands together anxiously. His sweat-soaked hands were completely damp.

“Esper Song Jaeho’s condition… It hasn’t worsened, has it?”

He wished they would say something. The medical staff seemed too busy to answer Bomin’s question.

“Please answer me.”

Unable to bear it any longer, Kim Seohun grabbed the shoulder of the medical staff member standing closest to the door. Startled by the strong grip, the medical staff member turned his head.

“I believe President Yoon specifically instructed you to inform Guide Lee Bomin first about the patient’s condition. Did I hear wrong?”

Only then did the medical staff’s eyes fall on Bomin’s pale face. Bomin was barely breathing, as if he was about to collapse.

“Oh, I apologize. You don’t have to worry. Esper Song Jaeho’s prognosis is good. We expect him to wake up within a day or two.”

The highest-ranking member of the medical staff bowed his head to Bomin. Bomin hadn’t meant to blame him. He had just been terrified that something might have gone wrong with Song Jaeho.

On the contrary, hearing that Song Jaeho was likely to wake up allowed him to breathe properly again. His heart, which had dropped to his stomach, returned to its place and pounded strongly.

“We were late because we were checking his overall physical responses. Please press the call button when Esper Song Jaeho wakes up. We’ll be going now.”

He apologized to Bomin and Kim Seohun once more before leaving the room with the others.

Bomin was an S-class Guide, and Kim Seohun was an A-class Guide. Moreover, they lived in the same house as not only the Association President but also the S-class Espers of the association.

The medical staff was courteous because there was nothing to gain from offending them.

“Haa…”

“Bomin-ah, are you okay?”

Bomin’s body, relieved of tension, slumped down. Kim Seohun quickly grabbed Bomin’s waist to support him.

“…Yes. Please lay me down next to Song Jaeho.”

He was okay, but he had no strength left in his body. Now that Song Jaeho’s safety was confirmed, it felt as if the blood that had stopped flowing was now coursing rapidly through his body. Perhaps that was why he didn’t have the energy to walk on his own.

With familiar hands, Kim Seohun lifted Bomin and laid him down next to Song Jaeho. Bomin stretched out his arms and wrapped them around Song Jaeho’s neck. Feeling his warm body temperature, he gradually regained his strength.

“Should I get you some water?”

“It’s okay.”

“Still, I think you should drink some. You were very surprised.”

Kim Seohun, stroking Bomin’s hair, got up and brought a glass of water. Although Bomin’s complexion had improved since hearing that Song Jaeho was okay, he was still pale.

After taking a sip of water with Kim Seohun’s help, Bomin lay down next to Song Jaeho again and stared intently at his sleeping face.

“Seohun-ah.”

“Yes.”

“The doctor said Song Jaeho would wake up today or tomorrow, right? I didn’t hear wrong, did I?”

“Yes, that’s right. He definitely said that.”

By now, information about Song Jaeho’s condition would have been relayed to Yoon Bisam and the other S-class Espers. After Bomin, Han Biseong was the one who wished for Song Jaeho’s recovery the most.

If Song Jaeho didn’t wake up by tomorrow as they had confidently predicted, Han Biseong might really cause a huge incident this time. The fact that the medical staff had said such a thing, knowing Han Biseong’s personality, meant that they were that certain.

“So, don’t worry. Esper Song Jaeho will wake up soon.”

Bomin nodded at the comforting hand patting his back.

“…I can’t fall asleep.”

“I’ll keep watch over the treatment room. Don’t worry and get some sleep.”

Now that the tension had subsided, an overwhelming fatigue washed over him. In fact, Bomin hadn’t slept more than two or three hours a day since he entered this treatment room.

Even when he briefly closed his eyes, he would jolt awake as if doused with cold water, gripped by the fear that something might be wrong with Song Jaeho.

“Mmm… Please.”

He wanted to stay awake until Song Jaeho opened his eyes. But now that he had heard that Song Jaeho would be okay, the accumulated tension was pulling his mind into a comforting darkness.

Bomin couldn’t fight off his heavy eyelids, as if they were carrying the weight of the world.

“Sleep well, Bomin-ah.”

With those gentle words whispered in his ear, Bomin’s eyes closed completely.