“Uh...?”

What is happening to me right now?

Before I could even think, the scene before my eyes changed.

I wanted to look around but my body would not move.

The emergency room.

The smell of medicine and the chill of winter air, the clamorous sounds unique to an ER.

It felt like a VR experience.

I perceived everything but my body sat immobile in a chair.

What situation is this?

Before I could puzzle it out, I saw a familiar face.

The old man lying in the hospital bed.

Grandfather Choi Ik-hyeon, whom I saved on CSAT day last year.

What was this?

Was this reality?

Had I pinched my cheek, I would have felt that much it felt vivid.

Everything around me was so real. It was literally reality.

Had I somehow traveled back in time like in a movie? I glimpsed that absurd thought.

“cough”

My gaze returned to the coughing old man. I focused on his ribs.

The spot I’d pushed when saving him.

I remembered feeling guilty then.

What did I say?

“You must be in a lot of pain because of me.”

It was strange how my lips moved and words came even though I couldn’t move.

At my words the woman beside him waved her hand.

“Oh no don’t say that.”

Her husband nodded.

Huh? What was this?

This man was the one I’d seen in the hospital corridor.

“If it weren’t for Sun Woo-joo, my father might not even be able to lie in this bed.”

“I’m grateful you think so.”

Then he handed me a business card.

It bore a hospital logo and the inscription

[Professor Choi Yong-jae Pediatric and Adolescent Cancer Center]

“Huh?”

While I stared in confusion, the past me spoke with him.

“If your grandmother needs care or the hospital needs anything, contact me. I’ll help as much as I can.”

Just then the scene shifted again.

Back to reality.

The corridor leading to Biju’s brother’s room.

I tested moving my hand and could.

It felt like a minute of watching a memory but the real time wasn’t that long.

“Hyung?”

Biju, walking ahead, turned to me. He asked in confusion and I handed him the bag.

“Biju, you said you couldn’t find a good surgeon for Min-jun’s reoperation?”

“Oh, yes.”

“Well....”

I swallowed and said,

“There might be a good solution.”

“Huh?”

“Take this with you. I need to go back to the room first, okay?”

“Hyung, I don’t even know the way....”

“Left!”

I thrust the apple bag at him and strode toward where Professor Choi stood.

Biju went right.

“Biju, left!”

“Oh, yes!”

Once I confirmed he turned left, I approached the man.

“Hello!”

I greeted with a bright smile. He looked puzzled.

Three seconds later his tired face bloomed into a wide grin.

“Sun Woo-joo?”

“Yes, it’s been a while professor.”

My mind was still in turmoil.

I didn’t know why that flash of the past had occurred.

But that no longer mattered.

“Do you have a moment? This may be sudden but I’d like to treat you to a cup of coffee.”

I’d grasp at any lifeline.

The hospital room was quiet.

His parents had quietly left for a meal and Min-jun, who’d had a fever all night, was asleep.

My one and only little brother.

Every New Year Biju prayed

Please heal my brother. I don’t care if I never debut, please make my brother happy.

But that wish came true in reverse.

He’d won first place on music shows before debut and experienced a dreamlike happiness.

Meanwhile his brother’s health worsened day by day.

Lately he’d been hospitalized several times a month with severe fevers.

I hadn’t heard details but judging by the dark shadows on his parents’ faces the situation looked grim.

Today was a bit better.

His fever had dropped and we’d made him happy by being there.

I wished our sister were here too.

I wanted to see our mother smile.

Thank you all.

I thought, looking at my members.

Jun-hyun sat reading Min-jun’s science book in the caregiver’s chair, Ri-hyeok frowned at his phone, Ji-ho brooded with his chin in his hand.

And though not here yet, Sun Woo-joo.

At the thought of his face Biju covered his own.

Oh, how embarrassing.

Even if it had been somewhere atmospheric I’d have been embarrassed, but blurted my heart out in the market of all places.

I don’t normally say things like that...

I’d shared every trivial detail.

But I couldn’t help it.

He’d looked at me with those deep eyes as if waiting to hear anything I had to say.

Yet I felt somewhat relieved.

It was the first time I’d spoken like that to anyone.

But why did he bring up surgery?

I couldn’t understand the earlier event.

Sun Woo-joo’s eyes had sparkled like he’d discovered an opportunity.

Then he approached the man in the white coat.

Could he know him?

Just then

“Hyung.”

I turned to see Ji-ho hesitantly sitting beside me, no playful grin but anxious.

I smiled reassuringly.

“How’s your ankle?”

“I put the patch you gave me on.”

Ji-ho lifted his foot showing the patch half peeling off.

I fixed it neatly then looked at him as if expecting something.

“I wanted to apologize.”

“For what?”

“For all the times I acted like a kid. Complaining about a bland breakfast this morning, messing up my room. And also...”

Oh. That was it.

Since the hospital visit he’d looked so pale I’d thought his ankle hurt badly.

But he’d been worried about my feelings.

“You’ve been through so much for your brother every day and I’ve been such a headache for you and Ri-hyeok.”

“Don’t include me. I’ve treated Biju well.”

Ri-hyeok said from his phone. Ji-ho glared but resumed his downcast look.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to.”

“It’s okay.”

I patted his head, thinking

I wish Min-jun would grow hair to ruffle.

“You’re still young. I always think it’s cute.”

“I’ll do better from now on.”

“Me too.”

When Ri-hyeok chimed in Ji-ho frowned.

“Why are you sneaking in when I’m trying to apologize? Do your own thing.”

“No.”

“Guys.”

Jun-hyun, who’d been reading, said

“Min-jun just fell asleep.”

The brothers fell silent. Watching that I smiled inwardly.

It was okay if nothing changed.

They were one of the few joys in his life.

Every time he enjoyed the food Jun-hyun ◆ Nоvеlіgһt ◆ (Only on Nоvеlіgһt) cooked or wore the neatly ironed uniform Ji-ho pressed, he felt proud.

While Ji-ho and Ri-hyeok glared at each other, Jun-hyun came over.

“Where’d Woo-joo hyung go?”

“I don’t know. He said he met a doctor he knows and had something to say.”

Unlike the younger two, Jun-hyun was a comfortable friend.

The same age and no need to coddle, he managed on his own.

Perhaps that ease allowed him to learn Biju’s troubles first.

So then

Who is Woo-joo hyung to me?

Hard to define.

He was someone both familiar and distant.

Warm sometimes yet cold at others.

Lazing on a sofa all day off, then staying all night in the practice room on weekdays. 𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶

Locked away composing so intensively he seemed a wreck.

Unpredictable.

One thing was certain—he’d achieved impossible feats.

From the lowest morale to first place in the year-end evaluation, to music show and chart wins.

If I must define Sun Woo-joo it’d be someone I want to rely on.

Someone who could solve my problem.

Someone I wanted to tell my worries.

No doubt that was why I confided in him about Min-jun’s reoperation.

Ridiculous.

Sun Woo-joo wasn’t Superman—how could he arrange surgery for my brother?

Unless he had some connection.

Even with my father the former professor’s network, scheduling surgery was nearly impossible.

Just then

“Biju!”

The door slammed open and the mother burst in.

“Mom?”

She ran to him, her face flushed, and hugged him tightly.

This was bewildering.

What was this situation?

He gently wiped her tears and asked,

“Mom, what’s wrong?”

“Min-jun, Min-jun....”

She choked on the words. Biju waited calmly.

“They scheduled Min-jun’s surgery!”

“Huh?”

“You heard me—they scheduled it!”

What was happening? Everyone looked stunned.

Then the man and two others entered.

Sun Woo-joo with a gentle smile, the tear-red father, and the doctor from before.

His mother wiped her tears and said,

“Biju, this is Professor Choi Yong-jae.”

“Oh.”

I’d heard that name before.

A leading authority on pediatric cancer surgery. His waiting list was at least three months.

Just then

“Professor Choi will perform Min-jun’s surgery.”

“Huh?”

Even if the world ended tomorrow I wouldn’t be more surprised. Biju stared wide-eyed at his father.

He nodded.

And the calm professor in the middle.

Biju greeted him awkwardly, then looked at Sun Woo-joo.

When I returned his nod and smile, he felt a profound emotion.

I thought of the aliens in Toy Story.

Those little green guys in the claw machine going “Oooh” whenever something happened.

That was us.

Every time Professor Choi spoke, we all went “Oooh” or “Ah” then “Uh...”

“The surgery date is set as discussed. I must warn you—do not mention what happened today to anyone. If it gets out, problems could arise.”

“Yes! Of course.”

His mother nodded repeatedly. His father removed his glasses, wiped his tears, and said,

“How can we ever thank you... taking leave for us...”

“Thanks should go to Sun Woo-joo here,” Professor Choi said, pointing at me.

“He risked his life to save my father. How could I refuse his request? I will do my utmost.”

Everyone looked at me in awe.

“As always, I cannot guarantee the outcome. But I promise to operate with my full effort.”

He did not peddle false hope.

Yet that promise alone conveyed his sincerity.

Biju’s parents and our members bowed deeply.

When Professor Choi finally left, the brothers rushed me.

“Hyung, what’s happening?”

“You know him?”

“This is real, right?”

I explained patiently.

He was the son of the grandfather I saved on CSAT day. I happened to meet him and mentioned the situation.

I cautiously asked for help, and he instead offered to do the surgery.

Biju’s parents encountered us on the way back.

After that brief story, Biju could not speak.

“Hyung....”

Neither could I.

Because Biju’s father strode over and hugged me.

“Thank you, truly.”

His voice, just like his son’s, whispered in my ear.

Before I could respond, his mother joined us. I didn’t know why I ended up embraced by this weeping family.

But it felt good.

“Mom, what’s wrong?”

Min-jun, awakened by the commotion, looked around groggily.

Biju immediately explained.

That day

On the way back to the dorm I carried the miniature trophy from the board game.

A gift from Min-jun.

Smaller than the music show trophy but to me, far more precious.

And not long after

In the practice room we sat around the phone awaiting news.

The result of Min-jun’s surgery.

His tearful mother relayed the information.

It had gone very well.

So well that before next spring they should buy his backpack and school supplies.