* * *

It wasn’t about wanting to work right now. He was expressing that he could work in the same space as Jinwoo.

At those words, Jinwoo’s eyes wavered for a moment. He tightened his grip, then startled, he let go and ran a hand through his hair.

For a moment, he was tempted.

He thought that working at the company might be better than staying in the hospital if they could always be together. But a company isn’t a place to play, and even as an assistant, work was required.

Moreover, Director Tak had so much work that he was busy every day.

There were meetings to attend and frequent overtime.

Considering all these factors, staying in the hospital would be better for recovery.

“If we’re together, you can immediately know if I’m sick. The hospital isn’t far from the company… Wouldn’t it be fine if I get checked once a week?”

“You can’t work for long anyway. Do you still want to?”

“Yes. Being an assistant isn’t that hard, right…? Or is it?”

Jingyeom, trying to remember what office workers do, rolled his eyes wide.

At that moment, Soohyuk, who had been lying down laughing, sat up and chimed in.

“It’s not hard. You just need to be good at copying and organizing documents. Since it’s an assistant role, it shouldn’t be too difficult.”

“Oh…”

“Director Tak already has two secretaries; does he need an assistant too? I don’t have much work to do. How about becoming my secretary? It’s better than being an assistant.”

Seizing the opportunity, Soohyuk tried to slyly insert himself. But he was quickly rebuffed by Jinwoo’s defense.

“No.”

“That’s harsh. Working with me would be easier than with Director Tak.”

Soohyuk shrugged his shoulders as if disappointed but still had a playful smile as he patted the back of Jingyeom’s head where Wonbeom had touched.

Jingyeom didn’t refuse the pat even though his head was wobbling.

“Jingyeom.”

Soohyuk, who always called him ‘Jingyeom-ssi’ or ‘Baek Jingyeom,’ now called him by his first name without any formalities, making Jingyeom look at him with wide eyes.

Soohyuk’s eyes curved gently, but his words didn’t match the kindness.

“Did you forget the word ‘boundaries’ along with your memories?”

“Sorry?”

“When someone else touches you, you should say ‘I don’t like it’ or ‘Don’t touch me.’ You shouldn’t just stay still.”

Even as he said this, he continued to pat.

“You still do it now. You stay still when Director Tak touches you. You stay still even when I do this. You even stayed still when Secretary Baek put his hand on your leg.”

“No… That’s…”

“No matter how familiar someone is, you should be more alert.”

“I don’t like it. Don’t touch me.”

Jingyeom’s lips twitched as he quickly turned his head to avoid Soohyuk’s hand.

Soohyuk’s smile grew wider, seemingly satisfied.

“That’s right. Good job. But don’t say that to me. It’ll hurt my feelings.”

Despite telling him to do it, now he said not to do it to himself. He certainly had a peculiar temperament.

During the previous peach allergy incident, he took pictures as he pleased.

When told to say thank you, he said thank you, then was told not to.

“He’s really a strange person.”

Jingyeom was sure of it more as he experienced it firsthand, though he had known it all along.

“Both of you, stop touching my brother.”

Jinwoo remained silent when Wonbeom touched Jingyeom earlier, and he did the same now. He felt he should intervene, but since Jingyeom didn’t particularly reject it, he held back.

More importantly, even though it was frustrating, Soohyuk wasn’t wrong in his words.

“Director, will you really let my brother work? He’s not in good health and might end up just sitting around. If that’s a problem, please tell us now.”

The implication was to not fire him after raising his hopes.

Moreover, it wasn’t like he could start immediately.

They needed to monitor his condition and decide on his discharge.

Doctor Hoonil wanted him to stay hospitalized until the surgery.

Jinwoo felt the same.

It had taken a lot to persuade them, and now it seemed like Wonbeom’s words might undo that.

What he said might come across as arrogant.

After all, telling a superior who offered a job that he might end up just sitting around was presumptuous.

Wonbeom, about to cross his legs, stopped when he almost bumped into Jingyeom’s leg, then lowered his leg again.

He habitually crossed his legs when sitting, but stopped this time, worried Jingyeom might get squeezed between him and Soohyuk.

It was a consideration only Wonbeom noticed.

“I didn’t expect much. Just don’t cause any trouble.”

“Thank you.”

Jinwoo’s response made Jingyeom’s lips twitch before turning into a smile.

Seeing his delight, Jinwoo couldn’t help but smile too.

Does he really like working that much?

Other people would rest if they could.

Why does my brother keep wanting to work?

Though he knew it was to repay debts and help with living expenses, he wished Jingyeom would rest due to his poor health.

Still, seeing him so happy, Jinwoo’s mood improved. Working in the same space, he decided to follow Jingyeom’s wishes this time too.

“Brother, you’re impressive. You got a job right away.”

“Hehe.”

Jingyeom tried hard to hold back his laughter, covering his mouth, but some giggles escaped through his lips.

Jinwoo reached out and gently brushed Jingyeom’s hair back, which had fallen forward from the shaking.

“Promise you won’t overdo it.”

Jingyeom nodded eagerly.

“Tell us immediately if you’re in pain.”

He nodded again instead of replying.

“Always wear the watch. Keep your phone in hand.”

“Got it.”

“…Okay. Since it makes you happy, I’m happy too.”

Though he wanted to tell him to stay in the hospital, it didn’t seem right to stop him when he was this happy.

Of course, his health was a concern, but avoiding stress was also important for recovery.

Though Jingyeom never showed it, he must have moments of anxiety due to memory loss, which could become a source of stress.

Jingyeom touched his fingertips together, then looked at Wonbeom while blinking rapidly.

Noticing he had something to say, Jinwoo tilted his head, signaling him to speak.

“Will I also get an employee ID?”

“Do you want one?”

Jingyeom nodded more vigorously than before, his hair swaying.

The neatly arranged bangs Jinwoo had fixed quickly became disheveled.

Wonbeom wondered if his head might fall off from all the movement.

He held Jingyeom’s chin, causing him to inhale sharply.

“Why do you want one?”

“Because wearing a suit and having an employee ID is my dream!”

“…Dream?”

His dark eyebrows twitched.

Don’t people usually mention specific careers when talking about dreams?

Can this even be called a dream?

Growing up hearing that dreams should be grand, Jingyeom’s dream seemed cute, almost humble.

But his eyes sparkled just like when he heard about being an assistant. His eyes were so moist that it seemed like tears might drop any moment.

“Waking up to an alarm in the morning, wearing a suit, and getting on the crowded bus and subway!”

His voice was filled with excitement, momentarily leaving the three men speechless.

The content was terrible, but his voice was too bright.

“Then, using the employee ID to open the door and going to the office!”

“……”

“Greeting team members with ‘Good morning,’ working, having lunch, getting take-out coffee from a cafe, and walking!”

None of them could interrupt. Jingyeom’s gestures, with clenched fists, were too adorable to stop.

“After work, going for chicken and BBQ with everyone! That’s what working life is about!”

“I saw it on YouTube!”

As expected.

Wonbeom let out a short sigh and rubbed his face with one hand.

He never remembered worrying about someone before, so why was he feeling so concerned at this moment?

“…Secretary Baek.”

“Yes?”

“Stop him from watching YouTube.”

“…Yes.”

---

Jingyeom was eager to wear a suit and start work as soon as possible.

However, Hoonil wouldn’t allow it.

Even though he insisted he was fine and begged to be discharged, Hoonil remained firm.

Finally, Jinwoo intervened and managed to get the discharge approved.

During his stay in the hospital, Jingyeom watched YouTube or read fantasy novels that Hoonil lent him.

When Jinwoo got off work, they would take walks around the hospital.

On the morning of the fourth day, it was finally the long-awaited discharge day.

“Eat your meals regularly and take your vitamins. Make sure to exercise for at least 30 minutes a day. Even if you’re not sleepy, try to sleep at night. A good night’s sleep is the best medicine.”

“You’ve told me this three times already, you know?”

“Three times isn’t enough. If you collapse and end up back in the hospital, I’ll really lock you in the hospital room.”

“Can a doctor even do that? That’s practically a threat…”

Jingyeom adjusted his bag and looked around the hospital room to make sure he wasn’t leaving anything behind.

Thanks to Jinwoo, who had packed everything, he only had his bag to carry.

Hoonil opened the hospital room door and continued his nagging.

“Do you want to see what a real threat looks like?”

“No, I don’t.”

“Then follow everything I’ve told you. Your stomach and intestines are still weak, so avoid spicy foods and stick to porridge as much as possible.”

“But porridge tastes bland…”

Hoonil’s lips twitched at the grumbling voice.

* * *