* * *
“……?”
What’s this? Why the sudden change of heart?
He used to hate it when I even mentioned ‘Gray Coat.’
“Uh… Why are you asking all of a sudden?”
“That hunter belongs to the Bureau. I could get a message through my father. Isn’t that what friends are for?”
“Oh, right! That’s true!”
I still wasn’t used to the idea that his father was a ‘powerful figure.’
Even after hearing him on TV and radio, he still just felt like ‘Taehwan’s dad’ to me.
It was nice realizing that a distant idol was actually within reach, but…
“Well… Some people are struggling because of that dungeon, and if it’s not handled properly, people could get hurt. It would be good if someone cleared it…”
“Then I’ll pass the message along.”
“No, no! I appreciate the thought, but there’s no need!”
“Why not?”
“Well…”
I mean… I do want him to pass the message.
Having my words reach my idol would be amazing.
But…
Finding the courage to explain took a little more effort. Facing the reality of my situation was always difficult.
“I’ve been in the hospital for so long… I don’t really know how the outside world works. I think he’d have a better sense of judgment than me. Whatever decision he makes, I trust it’ll be the right one.”
“……”
“So I’m happy just quietly cheering him on.”
Still… someday, I’d like to write him a fan letter.
I want to thank him for being such a huge source of comfort in my life.
Maybe I’ll write it when I’m alone later. It’d be embarrassing if Taehwan saw.
“Just because you’re outside doesn’t mean you live in a big world.”
“Well, it’s got to be bigger than being stuck in a hospital! I can’t even go online!”
“Some people live in a world even smaller than this. Jaehee, I’m about to pour water on your face. Close your eyes and shut your mouth.”
“Mmph! Mmmphhh!”
After splashing me thoroughly, he scrubbed my face clean.
My barely-there baby fat squished and moved under his thumbs.
This jerk—he was clearly just playing around now, even though I was already washed.
In retaliation, I quickly reached out and grabbed his face. But… he was smiling.
Like he was genuinely happy.
“Well, I heard your answer. I’ll do as you wish.”
His voice, unusually bright, echoed beautifully in the shower room.
He was probably wearing a face as stunning as the sound of his voice.
‘I want to see him.’
I carelessly let myself entertain that foolish desire again.
Before I could sink deeper into regret, I hastily pulled my hands away from his face and fumbled around.
“I-I’ll soap myself.”
“No, I’ll do it. Just relax when I’m here. You can do more when the caregivers help you.”
“Mm… Okay.”
We’d bathed and swam together since childhood.
We’d grown up thinking nothing of seeing each other naked.
But this… this was different.
Having someone help me bathe… it was something I could never quite get used to.
I needed to focus on something else. Anything else.
As Taehwan finished washing me and helped me into a bathrobe, we returned to my hospital room.
The entire time, I found myself absentmindedly picturing his face—one I’d memorized over the years.
“Jaehee, I might not be able to come for a few days.”
After applying lotion all over my body, dressing me in my hospital clothes, and lifting my legs onto the bed, Taehwan finally spoke.
It was the first time in nearly ten years that I’d ever heard those words.
“…What?”
Even when the strongest typhoons raged, when blizzards blinded everything in sight, when heat waves melted plastic, Taehwan always came at the same time.
Even during exam periods, he would show up and study at my bedside.
He was constantly in and out of the hospital.
And now he was saying he wouldn’t come for a few days?
“Did you finally meet someone…?!”
“No.”
“Augh!”
A light flick to my forehead.
Did he really have to look that disgusted?
I clutched my forehead dramatically, whining in exaggerated pain, but Taehwan just snorted.
Then, he started nagging.
“I just have something urgent to take care of. Even when I’m not here, make sure to eat on time, don’t leave leftovers, and chew your food properly instead of swallowing too quickly. Drink plenty of water, and don’t avoid sunlight just because it’s a hassle—at least once every two days, go up to the rooftop for a bit and get some sun. Wash your hands often. I’ll give you a bath when I come back. And…”
The words don’t stop.
I’ve been living in this hospital for over ten years now, practically a veteran at long-term hospitalization, so setting aside how excessive his worrying is…
“You won’t be able to come for that long?”
“…No, it won’t take long. I can’t give you an exact date, but I’ll finish as quickly as I can and come back.”
For the past three months, we’ve always been together—probably because I’ve been sick more often.
There were times when Taehwan didn’t show up for a day or two without saying anything, but this time, he was outright telling me he couldn’t come.
If he was giving me a heads-up, it meant he’d be gone for quite a while.
I was the one who told him to take personal time, yet the moment I thought about him not coming, I felt completely lost.
But if I showed it, he’d feel bad.
Keeping my expression as neutral as possible, I shamelessly reached out to him.
“Let me touch your face.”
Without hesitation, Taehwan leaned in.
The familiar shape and warmth.
Maybe because it’s so familiar, it’s all the more precious to me.
I touched his face earlier in the bathroom, but knowing I won’t be able to for the next few days makes me reluctant to let go.
Did he notice?
Taehwan chuckled.
“Yeah, go ahead, touch me as much as you want now. Ah, and the most important thing…”
“What? Even after all that nagging, you still have more to say?”
“Don’t get sick.”
“…That’s not really up to me.”
“Try your hardest. If you get sick, I’ll drop everything and come running.”
“Hmm, I’ll do my best.”
“If you miss me, just get sick.”
“Wow, that just gave me an incredible surge of willpower. I’ll make sure not to get sick.”
Since my caregiver reports my every move to Taehwan, if I really do fall ill, he’ll come rushing back.
I don’t want to get in the way of his work, so it’d be best if I stay healthy.
At the same time… knowing that no matter where he is, he’d return to me without hesitation—it was comforting and reassuring.
Finally, I was able to smile properly.
“Finish your work well. I’ll be waiting.”
“Yeah. I’ll be back.”
He stroked the corner of my eye with his thumb one last time before I let go of him.
“Jehee, I’m here. I’m turning on the radio, okay?”
“…Huh? Oh. Yeah.”
What should I do while Taehwan is gone?
What would make him feel at ease when he returns, knowing I managed well on my own?
I thought about it, but nothing good came to mind.
For now, I figured I’d just read a book, so I started flipping through the braille books Taehwan had given me.
But as soon as my caregiver entered the hospital room, they turned on the radio.
That was unusual.
I hadn’t even asked, so why were they turning it on for me?
It turned out—it was for me. Because there was some incredible news!
—
“Hot news this morning! You may already know that the enigmatic hunter ‘Gray Coat,’ affiliated with the Hunter Bureau, has reappeared. But now, he’s made a surprising new announcement!”
“He declared that he will challenge the near-unconquerable A-rank dungeon Sanctuary of White Flames, which was almost classified as ‘Miclear’!”
“This is the first time ‘Gray Coat,’ who usually operates behind the scenes, has publicly announced his schedule!”
“The ‘Sun’ Guild had already declared they would attempt the dungeon again. So who will go first?”
“Looks like… they’ll go together!”
“Are you saying that the ‘Sun’ Guild and ‘Gray Coat’ Hunter are collaborating?”
“Yes! And it seems ‘Gray Coat’ was the one who suggested it first!”
“Wow, that’s quite the unexpected move.”
“The ‘Sun’ Guild has already expressed their welcome for the cooperation. They’re currently discussing details with the Bureau, and we’ll update you as soon as more information comes in!”
—
The radio hosts sounded incredibly excited.
Their voices were twice as loud as usual, their tones brimming with energy.
But I was just as excited, so their words went straight to my ears—I couldn’t miss a single thing.
My jaw dropped open.
“Wow! Whoa, whoa!”
“You’re really happy about this?”
“I—I didn’t mishear that, right? ‘Gray Coat’ Hunter is really teaming up with the ‘Sun’ Guild for the dungeon raid?”
“Yep, you heard it right. It’s been the talk of the morning.”
“Whoaaaa!”
I gaped at the radio and listened, completely enthralled by the news pouring in.
* * *
