Reasonable Loss - 32

“……What?”

Eunsoo dropped the cookie.

His eyes blinked rapidly. Discharged? Already? Why? He hadn’t heard anything about it yesterday……, and while thinking about how he had left the hospital yesterday, he gently bit the inside of his cheek. It wasn’t a situation where they could discuss discharge, and Dokwon wouldn’t have told him about it personally.

As Eunsoo momentarily lost his composure, Myunghee clicked her tongue.

“He says he doesn’t like the hospital. Even though he’s fully recovered, he feels like he’s trapped and doesn’t like it.”

“Ah……. That might be…….”

“What does that mean, ‘might be’? Even if he’s fully recovered, what good is it if his head is broken…….”

“Mother.”

“Yes, his head is broken. Isn’t that right?”

“……”

“Anyway, I didn’t raise him with indulgence, but he grew up to be self-indulgent…….”

Myunghee shook her head. Eunsoo could only manage an ambiguous smile, neither agreeing nor denying.

Discharge was possible anytime. Dokwon was an adult and would be aware of his own condition. However, Eunsoo was worried about how to meet him now.

It was easy enough to visit the hospital, but home was another matter.

Of course, he knew his home address. In fact, his fingerprint was registered on his home door lock. Still, finding a home was entirely different from visiting the hospital. It would be really sad to be turned away at the door.

He could meet him at the company. But there were many onlookers. If the director’s visits to the 14th floor suddenly stopped, bad rumors would surely spread. Also, if Dokwon didn’t visit, Eunsoo’s reasons for meeting him would be greatly reduced.

The design team leader and director were worlds apart.

Eunsoo picked up a cookie with a dazed face and brought it to his mouth. The cookie, which had been delicious earlier, now tasted dry and rough. It was so dry that it felt like his throat was blocked.

* * *

After work, Eunsoo’s phone rarely rang. When it did, it was mostly from Dokwon. Even then, it was rare, as they were usually together. But today, just as he lay down to sleep, his phone rang.

It was Secretary Jeong.

From the moment he saw the caller, he had a bad feeling. And sure enough, Dokwon had been found collapsed at home. Eunsoo, rushing out of the house, grabbed a taxi.

After telling the driver the destination, he buried his face between his knees. The loud engine noise and the cars swiftly passing by outside were scarier than ghosts covered in blood.

Whenever the horn blared, he had to bite his lip and hold back the tears that slipped out. This was the second time he was taking a taxi because of Dokwon. It almost felt like he was deliberately trying to help him adapt to the car.

Eunsoo finally arrived at the hospital, his back damp with cold sweat.

The hospital room, now as familiar as his own home, was crowded as always. Amid the bustling crowd, Dokwon could be seen intermittently.

Dokwon was sitting on the sofa, not the bed. Contrary to expectations, he looked quite well. He was wide awake, sitting up by himself, and there were no signs of a respirator or bandages.

Eunsoo let out a sigh of relief. At the same time, Dokwon’s eyes flashed as he glared at Eunsoo through the crowd. It was definitely a glare.

As Eunsoo took a deep breath at the cold and sharp gaze,

“Oh! Oh, Eunsoo.”

Kiho spotted Eunsoo. At his shout, everyone, including the doctor, looked at Eunsoo. However, everyone’s eyes seemed dull. Although he didn’t expect them to be happy about his presence, it was strange that they were treating him like an unwelcome guest.

Eunsoo unconsciously took a step back. The doctor and Myunghee quickly stepped out of the room. They surrounded him, as if to block him. Whether they actually did or not, that was how Eunsoo felt.