Chief Kim and Assistant manager Choi

It seemed that there were now many people who worried about Woojin’s lunch. Eejun was waiting at the door to the policy room and when Woojin saw him, he looked down at his watch. In the past, he would’ve just bought a sandwich and milk from the nearby convenience store and ate in his office while continuing to work.

Woojin touched the books on the shelves. They were dusty and his fingers came out looking a bit grey.

Eejun frowned and asked, “Why are you dirtying your hands? We are about to go out to eat.”

“I didn’t say I was going out to eat with you.”

“Come on, let’s go. I will buy you a bowl of rice porridge.”

“I don’t want to.”

Unfortunately, Shin Kim was out attending business meetings all morning. Woojin felt a little sad because they didn’t even get to say good morning. Perhaps spending too much time with your lover was a dangerous thing. Because when you get so used to someone, even the briefest separation could be painful. Woojin could feel his loneliness and obsession growing.

When Woojin remained quiet and contemplative, Eejun tapped his shoulder a few times and asked, “I hear Shin Kim is out attending meetings again?”

“Are you going to tell me that Shin asked you to ask me out for lunch again?”

“No, nothing like that. I just want to eat lunch with you, that’s all. You shouldn’t skip meals. It’s not healthy for you.”

But Woojin felt differently. Skipping a meal wasn’t a big deal, especially because he had actually gained a bit of weight recently. His shirts, which were custom made because he was so slim, now felt too tight. Yesterday when he went to the shop, he was told that he might have to be measured again for future outfits. It was a surprise because he didn’t realize that this was happening to him.

He had been eating and sleeping well lately. People around him told him that he looked much better. Healthier.

Woojin rubbed his face. Now that he thought about it, he did feel a little hungry.

Woojin replied, “Fine. Let’s go out to eat, but not rice porridge.”

“Oh, really?”

Eejun smiled and helped Woojin with his coat. He liked taking care of others. Woojin always felt more uncomfortable around Eejun, who was more honest, than with Jihoon, who was more secretive. He wondered if it was because he and Jihoon were related by blood.

Suddenly, Woojin’s phone vibrated loudly. Eejun said the obvious, “I think you are getting a text or a call.” For an unknown reason, Woojin suddenly felt a chill. He could hear his phone, but he couldn’t see where it was. Then, he saw that it was on the floor underneath his desk. Eejun pointed at it and the screen displayed the caller ID.

-Shin Kim

Eejun teased Woojin, “Wow, it must be nice to be so loved like this. Calling to make sure you are having a nice lunch, I’m sure...”

Woojin hurriedly picked up the phone and answered, “Hello.”

“Are you by chance Mr. Woojin Choi?”

It wasn’t Shin’s voice that answered him. Woojin’s heart began to beat painfully as he replied, “Yes. That’s right.”

“This is the S hospital emergency room in Gangnam. Mr. Shin Kim has been in a car accident and he is unconscious...”

Woojin dropped his cell phone on the floor.

“Woojin Choi?”

Before Eejun could stop Woojin, who looked like he just saw a ghost, Woojin ran out of the room towards the elevator.

***

When Shin opened his eyes, he couldn’t remember what day it was. He felt confused and tried his hardest to organize his thoughts. It took a very long time.

Was it still the weekend? When he touched the side of the bed, the mattress felt too hard and the smell of a hospital stabbed his nose. Shin slowly sat up, but sudden dizziness stopped him. He carefully laid down again and when he moved his arm, he saw clear tubes attached to it. They were IVs. He frowned in shock and confusion.

Just then, a nurse pushed the white curtain aside and appeared in front of him.

“Please don’t move.”

“What is...”

“Sir, please lay down and remain come. You shouldn’t be moving like that.”

Suddenly, Shin realized that it was Monday and he had been out attending meetings. He looked around and began to remember what had happened. He was about to walk across a crosswalk because the light turned green. Suddenly, a black sedan came at him out of nowhere. Shin remembered exhaling as he saw the car, and then his head turned blank.

The doctor came in and began to read Shin’s chart. In a weak, coarse voice, Shin asked the doctor, “What time is it?”

The doctor looked down at Shin in confusion and asked, “You are Mr. Shin Kim, right?”

“... what time is it?”

The doctor turned towards the nurse who was standing next to him. He whispered something to her and came towards Shin. He touched Shin’s shoulder and said his name, “Mr. Shin Kim?”

“Yes.”

“Do you know what day it is today?”

“It’s Monday.”

“And do you know where you are right now?”

“Isn’t this a hospital?”

“And do you remember what happened?”

“Yes.”

He was going to cross the street to get to the next meeting. He had to park far away from the meeting place, so he had to walk a bit. Shin was checking his cellphone and waiting for the light to change. When the light turned green, he waited about 10 seconds to check and make sure it was safe to cross. It was an old habit he developed after the hit-and-run many years ago. He always made sure to be careful. Some may have thought he was overreacting, but his life could depend on it.

And thanks to this habit, he was able to notice a black sedan speeding towards him.

Shin added, “I remember the license plate number.”

“Pardon?”

“I was in a car accident, right? A hit and run?”

The doctor finally sighed in relief and explained, “Yes, that’s right. And you lost consciousness for a few hours. Fortunately, you only suffered minor scratches. No brain injuries and your vitals are all normal. But you need to be monitored, and we need to run a few more tests as well.”

“Of course.”

“Oh, and it’s almost 3 PM.”

Shin remembered he left his car a little after 12 PM, which meant he blanked out for almost 3 hours. He checked his pants for his cellphone, but it wasn’t there. When he looked around, the nurse who was standing nearby brought him his belongings and informed him, “We couldn’t get through to any of your family members, so we contacted an acquaintance listed on your phone.”

“... Pardon?”

Shin’s eyes widened as he asked the nurse, “Umm, who did you call...?”

“Oh, there he is.”

Woojin, who was deathly pale, came in and grabbed Shin’s wrist. Woojin’s hand was so cold that Shin’s eyes widened even more. Woojin bit his lip as his entire body shook uncontrollably. The nurse continued, “He said he was your co-worker, right? I had this gentleman hold on to your belongings...”

“Oh... I see.”

Shin could barely understand what the nurse was saying. His eyes were focused on Woojin. Shin bit his lip.

When the nurse left, Woojin’s knees gave in. He collapsed on the floor, but slowly, he pulled himself up and sat down on the chair next to the bed.

Shin whispered, “When did you get here?”

“...”

“The office...”

Suddenly, Woojin buried his face on Shin’s shoulder. Woojin was trembling so badly that Shin hugged him tightly.

“... Assistant manager...”

“...”

Shin suddenly felt his shoulder becoming wet. Woojin wasn’t making any sounds, but he realized that Woojin was sobbing. Shin couldn’t breathe well. He rubbed Woojin’s neck and finally whispered, “I am not hurt. Just some scratches. I saw the car before it hit me directly... I was able to move away a bit in time.”

“...”

“Woojin, are you listening to me?”

Woojin nodded and exhaled deeply. When he could finally talk, Woojin said to him, “Don’t go anywhere... Don’t leave me.”

“...”

“I won’t leave you either.”

Woojin said to him breathlessly.