* * *
In Jihoon’s arms, the fear and loss that had consumed Yeongdeok melted away as if they had never existed.
In their place, a sweet warmth filled him.
The beating of Jihoon’s heart mirrored his own.
When the embrace ended, Yeongdeok stepped back first.
“If you’re okay with it, would you stay by my side from now on?”
Though the words didn’t contain “I like you” or “I love you,” Jihoon could easily tell it was a confession.
Still, he wanted to hear it more directly, in unmistakable terms.
“Say exactly what you mean.”
“I don’t think I could be clearer.”
“You said I’m pathetic, right? If you don’t spell it out, I won’t understand.”
Amused but serious, Yeongdeok opted for action instead of words.
Grabbing Jihoon’s arm, he pulled him closer and pressed his lips to Jihoon’s.
Soft, warm, and slightly plump, Jihoon’s lips met his.
Jihoon’s wide eyes betrayed his surprise before he slowly closed them.
When the brief kiss ended, Jihoon adjusted his posture, awkwardly turning his head away.
“Doing this… in a hospital room of all places…”
“I did it to show that I like you too.”
Just as they were lost in their world, an elderly man sharing the hospital room clucked his tongue and muttered, “Young people these days have no shame.”
Yeongdeok ignored him completely, but Jihoon flushed red from head to toe.
“Ahem. I’ll… I’ll go get something from the vending machine!”
“Go ahead.”
Mortified, Jihoon sprang up and hurried out of the room.
Alone, Yeongdeok absentmindedly touched his lips, recalling the sensation of their kiss.
A strange warmth coursed through him, making the air-conditioned room feel oddly stifling.
“Ah…”
Even Yeongdeok’s ears turned slightly red.
ꔚ
The next day, despite his injuries being minor—a few stitches on the back of his head—familiar faces showed up to visit Yeongdeok.
“Hyung, are you okay? The world’s really dangerous these days,” said Eungyeol, looking at Yeongdeok with concern.
“I’m fine. Thanks for coming.”
Eungyeol glanced at Jihoon, who clung to Yeongdeok like a shadow.
Sensing something unusual in their dynamic, Eungyeol thought, So it’s finally happened.
“Hyung, I brought you some fruit as a get-well gift. Ask Jihoon to peel it for you. You should take advantage of moments like this.”
“He’d peel it for me even if it weren’t for this.”
Dalsu handed over a large fruit basket brimming with apples, pears, oranges, melons, and more.
Yeongdeok, noticing Dalsu’s unexpectedly loyal nature, smiled.
“When’s your birthday? I’ll remember it.”
“You don’t have to, but if you insist, a Rolex would be nice.”
“Don’t say stuff like that. He might actually get you one,” Jihoon scolded.
“Then that’s a win for me.”
After Dalsu left, others came and went, bringing chatter and gifts.
Despite the interruptions, Yeongdeok found himself smiling, surrounded by those who cared for him.
After Eungyeol and Dalsu left, it was Choa’s turn to visit.
“First my brother, and now Yeongdeok oppa… both ending up in the hospital. Is this some kind of curse?”
“Didn’t expect to see you here.”
“You visited my brother in the hospital, so of course, I should come visit you too.”
“Is that so…? Here, drink this.”
Yeongdeok handed her one of the many drinks Jihoon had hoarded from the vending machine.
Choa accepted it politely with both hands.
Compared to her older brother, Baek Seonwoo, she seemed far more well-mannered despite being younger.
“The Beautiful Life members were really worried about you in the chat. Did you see it?”
Of course, he had. His phone had been buzzing nonstop.
[Gwakdupal: Is Yeongdeok Chicken doing okay?]
[Gwakdupal: Sorry I can’t visit. Please get better soon. ㅠㅠ]
[DaerimdongFist: Get healthy so you can play with us again!]
[Natsuyama Soseki: That’s right! Get well soon, Yeongdeok Chicken!]
[Earth destroyer: Wishing you a speedy recovery.]
What a bunch of bothersome people, he thought, though he couldn’t help but smile faintly as he recalled the chat messages.
“Get well soon, Yeongdeok oppa.”
“Yeah, thanks.”
Choa chatted on about her brother’s shortcomings until she finished the juice Yeongdeok had given her.
Only then did she rise to leave.
“I hope I didn’t talk too much, considering you need rest. I’ll head out now.”
“No need to see you off?”
“I’m not a kid. Besides, you’re the patient.”
Choa claimed she wasn’t a child, but to Yeongdeok, she still seemed very much like one.
“Not my job to see you off anyway. Jihoon, go take her.”
Jihoon hesitated, unsure if Yeongdeok really meant it.
“Me? You’re telling me to go?”
“Who else would I be talking to?”
“R-Really, it’s fine…,” Jihoon stammered, but eventually did as he was told.
Choa also waved her hand dismissively.
The thought of being seen off by someone she didn’t even know suffocated her with awkwardness.
Jihoon felt the same way, but seeing how much Yeongdeok seemed to care about this person, he got up from his seat.
“Fine. I’ll just escort her downstairs and come back.”
“Thanks.”
Jihoon, asking mundane questions like “What’s your name?” and “How old are you?” to Choa, left the room with her.
Finally, Yeongdeok was able to enjoy some peace.
He hadn’t had a moment alone for quite a while.
He was gazing out the window when he heard the sound of the hospital room door opening.
Turning his attention toward the sound, he was startled.
A familiar man was walking in.
The man didn’t glance at any other patients as he strode straight to Yeongdeok and stopped in front of him.
Yeongdeok feigned composure, meeting his gaze.
Why is he standing before me?
And in this… completely disheveled state?
The man no longer had his radiant ash-blue hair, his towering, imposing stature, or his strikingly defined features.
Now, he stared at Yeongdeok with lifeless, fish-like eyes, his hunched shoulders trembling pitifully.
No one in this world remembered PetitRolang anymore.
And so, the words Yeongdeok was about to utter came as naturally as breathing.
“Who are you?”
“Don’t pretend not to know me. You know who I am.”
“I don’t. Who are you, exactly?”
Yeongdeok kept up his feigned ignorance, watching as Roran clenched his trembling fists and grit his teeth.
“You must have questions. I’ll answer them—just stop pretending you don’t know me.”
“…”
“Please.”
Admittedly, Yeongdeok was curious about the full story.
Finally, he decided to drop the act.
“Fine. You’d better keep your word.”
“…Follow me.”
Roran spat the words out and sharply turned his head. Yeongdeok didn’t appreciate the arrogance of his tone, but to put an end to this tangled relationship, he removed the catheter attached to his arm.
As if he could hear a nurse’s distant cry—You can’t just pull that out!—Yeongdeok ignored it and followed after him.
Roran pressed the button for the top floor in the elevator and led Yeongdeok to the rooftop.
Once he confirmed no one else was around, Roran grabbed at his own hair and began speaking in a voice drenched with confusion.
“Everyone… Everyone has completely forgotten me. In an instant, PetitRolang ceased to exist. I have no idea how to return to my original world….”
“…”
“It’s all because of you. This is all your fault, Cha Dowon!”
Even though Yeongdeok had followed him all the way here, it seemed Roran had only brought him to lay blame.
Crossing his arms, Yeongdeok retorted.
“You’re blaming me now? That’s ridiculous. If we’re assigning fault, didn’t you start it by killing me off so easily?”
“Don’t be absurd. I’m the writer, and you were just a character. If we go by that logic, every villain I’ve killed off should be seeking revenge on me. Why am I the only one suffering this…?”
Roran tried to pin the strangeness of it all on Yeongdeok, but his words didn’t carry much weight.
Conviction, after all, is in the delivery—expression, tone, and attitude.
And in Yeongdeok’s eyes, Roran had the face of a defeated man.
“This story was decently popular before you interfered, Cha Dowon. If it had been published as planned, I might have been rolling in money by now. But you ruined everything!”
“…”
Hearing Roran continue to shift the blame, Yeongdeok’s anger surged.
* * *
🫶🏻
1 chapter….
Thanks
kill the author instead hahhah