손남신.

“She's alright. Rachel noona is safe.” Jihoon tried to smile, but his expression crumbled almost immediately. “Thank God you're finally awake…” His voice was barely audible. He lowered his head, staring at their hands. His fingers were still wrapped around Ryo's, just as they had been all night. “You have no idea how worried sick I was.” A shaky laugh escaped him. “I stayed here the entire night. I couldn't sleep. Every time the monitor made a sound, I'd look at it. Every time you moved, I'd think you were finally waking up.” He paused, swallowing the lump in his throat. “I even talked to you, you know? Told you to stop being stubborn and open your eyes. I probably looked ridiculous.” His eyes began to glisten. “When they brought you here, I thought you were going to be okay. I kept telling myself that. But then I saw all that blood, and I remembered how you weren't responding to me…” His voice broke. “I cried, Ryo. I actually cried beside your bed. I tried not to, but I couldn't help it. I was so scared. I didn't know what I'd do if you never woke up.” He quickly wiped his cheek, embarrassed by his own tears. “I kept holding your hand, hoping you'd squeeze it back. Just once. I wanted some sign that you were still there.” He finally looked at Ryo. “I'm scared, okay? I'm terrified of losing you too. So please, don't ever make me go through something like that again. Please stay alive. Keep talking, keep laughing, keep annoying me. Just... stay.” He took a shaky breath. “There is something else I've been hiding. I've spent so long pretending that you're just another friend, that teasing you and spending time with you is enough. But it isn't. Not anymore.” His thumb gently brushed Ryo's knuckles. “I look for you without realizing it. I wait for your messages. I remember the smallest things you say. Whenever something happens, you're the first person I want to tell. And somewhere along the way, I fell for you.” A tear slipped down his cheek. “I love you, Ryo. I don't know when it happened, and honestly, I'm still scared of what happens after I say this. I was afraid you'd look at me differently. Afraid I'd ruin the friendship that means so much to me.” He gave a small, broken smile. “But yesterday, I thought I'd lost my chance to ever tell you. And I realized I'd regret staying silent for the rest of my life.” His fingers tightened around Ryo's hand. “You don't have to answer me right now. You don't have to feel the same way. I just needed you to know.” He leaned closer, his voice falling into a whisper. “I don't need forever right now. I just want another tomorrow with you. So please, Ryo... don't leave me behind.” He took another shaky breath, still holding Ryo's hand. “Don't make me scared like that again... Please, stay alive. Stay safe and healthy. Okay?” Ryo simply stared at him, stunned and momentarily lost for words. He hadn't expected any of this—not the tears, not the confession, and certainly not the feelings Jihoon had apparently been carrying all this time. For a moment, neither of them spoke. Jihoon lowered his gaze, suddenly uncertain whether he had said too much. Yet he didn't let go of Ryo's hand. And in the quiet hospital room, between the steady beeping of the monitor and everything left unsaid, neither of them knew what would happen next. ======== END ========

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