“Hmm…”
“The hands are healing well. Well, since you pretty much tore all the flesh with glass, there will be scars. Other than that, it’s fine. Your hemoglobin is normal and your blood count is fine too. No diabetes either. You know you have to be more careful because the patient’s blood type is rare, right?”
“What’s his blood type?”
He was curious about what Miro’s blood type was that it was called rare.
“It’s called MkMk, it’s different from common blood types. Because it has antibodies to all blood types, he can’t receive transfusions unless it’s the same MkMk blood type as his own. His body attacks it.”
“…There’s a blood type like that.”
Eunchan was surprised at hearing a blood type for the first time in his life and trailed off.
“Miro-ssi’s blood type has insufficient supply worldwide. So, I’m saying you need to carefully watch even the patient’s small wounds. Even now, Miro-ssi doesn’t have enough blood packs for his own use.”
“Yes, yes.”
“Please stay by his side continuously as his guardian and create an environment where he can be emotionally stable. Reduce the anti-anxiety medication he’s currently taking… Also, self-harming can become a habit, so it needs to be corrected.”
“What? Anti-anxiety medication?”
This was the first he was hearing of it. Eunchan had never seen Miro taking medicine. At most, he’d only seen him getting IV drips.
“You didn’t know? Mental care is more important for Miro-ssi. Talk to Miro-ssi’s psychiatry attending physician about this.”
“Ah, yes.”
“The most important thing is your role as guardian. Please pay attention.”
“Yes… Then, we can’t be discharged.”
Wiping the sweat flowing to his forehead, Eunchan gave up on his original purpose. However, the doctor responded in an unconcerned voice.
“You want to be discharged? That’s fine.”
“Won’t it be difficult? He takes medicine and his blood is precious.”
“That said, it’s not a good method to keep a healthy person hospitalized continuously either. And as I said earlier, Miro-ssi’s case has significant psychological factors. If you as the guardian take good care of the patient, it could actually be better than being in the hospital.”
“Ah… Then it’s okay to be discharged?”
“Yes, later when you go to Miro-ssi’s psychiatry consultation, go together, check his condition, and if it’s okay, ask them to adjust his medication.”
“Yes, thank you.”
“If you have any questions, please contact us right away.”
The doctor handed his business card to Eunchan. Eunchan received the card and bowed in greeting. After the lawyer, now a doctor. He’s been receiving business cards frequently these days.
Coming out of the consultation room, Eunchan sat down in a chair in the lobby instead of going straight back to the hospital room and caught his breath. Miro felt heavy. Is he someone I can handle? He didn’t know whether to push away or pull in Miro, who was standing precariously on the line he’d drawn in his heart.
Moreover, the stalker’s existence was tormenting Miro more than he’d thought. Self-harming because he couldn’t bear the stress, taking medicine because he couldn’t overcome his fear. He wanted to catch the stalker first and free Miro rather than finding Kim Noeul.
Or, since the stalker already knows Miro’s house anyway, how about taking him to my house instead? Eunchan bit his lip and continued his thoughts. Compared to the hospital room and Miro’s house, it’s no different from a shantytown, but it’s a pretty good choice in that the stalker doesn’t know about it.
[Hyung what time are you coming today?]
Having sent a reply to Hyungsik’s text saying he’d be there soon, Eunchan shook his head. First, he should ask Miro what he wants to do. He might find staying at someone else’s house burdensome.
Exchanging greetings with the nurses who had now become completely familiar, Eunchan returned to the hospital room. Warm sunlight crossed the hospital bed.
“Wh-where did you go?”
He thought he’d be sleeping soundly, but Miro, who must have been awake, opened his eyes wide and asked Eunchan.
“I went to the cafeteria to eat breakfast and asked the doctor if it’s okay to be discharged.”
“Ah, ah…”
Picking up the luggage bag crumpled in the corner, Eunchan put his clothes in it.
“He said it’s okay to be discharged. What do you think, Miro-ssi?”
“I’m good with it.”
Miro got up from the bed, put on his slippers, and approached Eunchan. Soon he snatched the luggage bag from Eunchan’s hands and began packing the luggage himself. He pulled out the clothes that had been stuffed in haphazardly and folded them neatly.
“I’ve been thinking… The stalker knows your house, Miro-ssi. And your house is in a completely secluded place.”
“Yes.”
Eunchan hesitantly opened his mouth.
“Would you rather stay at my house? Just until we catch the stalker.”
Only after blurting it out did regret set in. Was this really the best method? Eunchan rubbed the back of his neck and waited for Miro’s answer. Miro, who had been folding Eunchan’s clothes with his delicate hands, raised his head.
“Eunchan’s house?”
“Yes. Just until we catch the stalker!”
Eunchan repeatedly emphasized the time period.
“Okay.”
There’s no trace of deliberation. Miro immediately answered and then hugged Eunchan fully in his arms. Miro’s laughter echoed in his ears. Eunchan smelled Miro’s rose scent and hoped this was a good choice. Eunchan couldn’t drive out Miro, who had already come inside the line.
“Really just for a few days.”
“Yeah, let’s go to our house. Eunchan’s and my house.”
“It’s my house though.”
Miro, who had already bound Eunchan with the word ‘our,’ smiled brightly. Avoiding Miro’s touch as he repeatedly stroked his hair and caressed his cheek, Eunchan also smiled slightly.
“Sh-shall we go now?”
“First, I’ll come here after work today. Wait for me. We need to stop by your house, Miro-ssi, to pack your things too.”
There was still no contact from the lawyer and the village head matter had been resolved. He planned to go to the office, settle his share, and then head home immediately. He needed to air it out and clean up the messy room. He had to prepare a space for Miro to stay. He also had to stop by Miro’s house once more.
“If you have anything to take care of at the hospital before discharge, Miro-ssi, go ahead and do it.”
The precautions he’d heard from the attending physician came to mind. He’d need to get more of the psychiatric medication he was taking too. Without showing it, Eunchan gave Miro time to go to the psychiatry department.
“What time will you come?”
“Probably around 2 or 3 o’clock. Make sure you eat lunch.”
“C-can I call you?”
“Text me. I’ll reply.”
Miro nodded and continued packing the luggage he’d paused. Eunchan rested his chin on his hand and watched Miro work. Looking at it this way, it seems like Miro-ssi is my guardian. Whether he liked taking care of others, Miro secretly enjoyed looking after Eunchan. Buying him clothes to wear, and after he kept stealing lotion, just leaving several new ones out for him. When they ate together, Miro wouldn’t eat until Eunchan took the first spoonful.
Eunchan took back his luggage bag from Miro’s hands for no reason. At this rate, it seemed like he’d get used to relying on others. He stuffed in the neatly folded clothes and closed the zipper. Putting on a ball cap to cover his messy hair, Eunchan stood up and greeted Miro.
“I’ll be going.”
“…Yeah,”
As if displeased with how hurriedly he stood up, Miro frowned, but obediently accepted the greeting. Nodding his head, Eunchan turned around without hesitation.
It was time to go to work.
* * *
Eunchan moved aside the box placed at the office stairway entrance. No one does it except me. It had become Eunchan’s morning routine now. Even though the boss or Hyungsik must have arrived before Eunchan, it was always Eunchan’s job to clean up. Thinking about tying it up with straw rope but giving up, Eunchan stepped on the stairs and went up, soon seeing the office door wide open.
“Why did you leave the door open? With the air conditioner on.”
“Hyung, you’re here? I’m airing it out. A customer is coming today.”
Hyungsik, who was watering the potted plant by the window, welcomed Eunchan. Eunchan closed the office door, came in, and threw his luggage bag at his seat. It felt like he was sitting in the office chair for the first time in a while.
“Where are you going?”
Hyungsik asked, pointing at Eunchan’s luggage bag.
“No, I came from somewhere. Where’s the boss?”
“He went to the bathroom for a moment. Hyung, I saw the text you sent. Who are you looking for?”
“I’m trying to find out something work-related. Did you search SNS too?”
Hyungsik, leaning against Eunchan’s desk, shook his head.
“I thought it would be easy to find because the name is unique, but I don’t know. There’s only a man in his 40s who runs a blog, should I tell you the address?”
“No, it’s fine.”
After waving his hand dismissively, Eunchan lay down and clicked his tongue. Kim Noeul, Kim Haengbok. He didn’t know their relationship. They might be complete strangers.
“Hyung, but do you know who the customer coming today is?”
“Why, who is it.”
Unlike Eunchan’s tired appearance, Hyungsik didn’t hide his excited state. Hyungsik brought his face to Eunchan’s ear and whispered softly.
“It’s Choi Hanul from Uju Daebak Boys.”
“An idol?”
“Yes! You know that famous group these days, he’s a member there.”
Excited, Hyungsik took out his phone and held it out to Eunchan. Looking at the idol’s face filling the screen, Eunchan made an indifferent expression. It was because he was much uglier and less charming than someone he knew. Must be easy to be an idol these days.
“I saw an article before. They haven’t even debuted yet. They said they’re debuting in September. Isn’t he not an idol yet?”
“Hyung, you really don’t watch TV. They’re coming out through an audition program. I voted by text a lot too.”
“I don’t know. So he’s coming?”
Not interested. Thanks to his recently raised standards, Eunchan yawned and pushed away Hyungsik’s phone.
“Yes! The boss said he got a call.”
That’s why he was sweeping the office and airing it out, Hyungsik said with a laugh. Yeah, at that age, he’d like singers and such. Eunchan patted Hyungsik’s head.
