Replay

"What's the real deal with the dean? I'm still not convinced he could kickstart this project so quickly within months of your first case going viral," Jinwoo asked, his voice laced with curiosity.

He leaned in, a playful grin on his face. "What was it again? Some kind of dream machine?" Jinwoo chuckled at his own words.

Hyunsu let out a soft laugh. "It's not a dream machine, you idiot. It's called AIDR — Artificial Intelligence Dream Replay."

"AIDR... Dream Machine... whatever, Mr. Genius," Jinwoo teased, wiggling his eyebrows.

"I also heard you dealt with many sleep disorder patients? That sounds pretty serious. Got any creepy stories to tell?"

Hyunsu laughed, his eyes glinting with a mischievous spark. "Maybe a few. But I'm saving those for when we're not in the hospital. Wouldn't want to scare all the patients before they even see the doctor."

Hyunsu shook his head, amused. "The first use case was a huge success in Kyoto. The response was overwhelming. No other country has reached that level of precision yet. The dean wants to expand Miracle's scope, and he thinks this could be the breakthrough."

He leaned against the wall, arms crossed. "He attended my seminar in Kyoto a few months back and got really excited about the whole concept. He made me a great offer, and Kyoto agreed to set up another research station here. Plus... I missed being back home. That's how it all came together."

Jinwoo crossed his arms, pretending to be unimpressed. "But what help does the famous sleep specialist Dr. Hyunsu need from little old me?" he asked, dripping with sarcasm.

Hyunsu smirked. "I need you. From a neuroscience perspective, I want you to monitor how these experiments impact the patients' brain activity. I don't have enough time to handle that side of things on my own."

Jinwoo's grin widened. "No problem. We can work together, partner. I'll help you become the world's first person to create a dream machine."

"It's not a dream machine, you dumbass," Hyunsu teased.

A brief smile hung between them before Jinwoo's curiosity got the better of him. "But... why did you even start this project? What made you so passionate about it?"

Hyunsu's eyes flickered with something distant—a memory buried deep.

"There's someone who could benefit from this."

Jinwoo's brows furrowed. "Who?"

Hyunsu snapped out of his thoughts and waved it off.

"You wouldn't know even if I told you. Forget it."

Jinwoo narrowed his eyes suspiciously but decided to let it slide. The two of them strolled toward the cafeteria, grabbing some lunch.

"And by the way, do you know you have to attend that TV station interview tomorrow? The dean pulled some strings to arrange it. He's using you to boost the hospital's popularity," Jinwoo mentioned casually.

Hyunsu leaned back in his chair, smirking. "That's fine. I don't mind attending a hundred interviews, as long as he funds my project. Besides, who wouldn't want someone as handsome as me on TV? The whole nation will talk about me. It's time to make some hearts flutter," he said, clearly enjoying his own words.

Jinwoo rolled his eyes, shaking his head. "You want the whole nation to be amused by you the moment you return? You're still the shameless playful brat."

"Not everyone... just the one I want," Hyunsu muttered under his breath, but Jinwoo's sharp ears caught it.

"Wait, wait, wait—who? Did you get a girlfriend? Are you pursuing someone? Spill it, man!" Jinwoo's curiosity spiked as he leaned forward, grinning.

Hyunsu smirked but didn't answer, simply eating his meal.

Jinwoo squinted at him, then leaned back with a sigh. "You really have changed, man. Where's that rebellious kid from school days? You've softened."

Hyunsu chuckled. "Look who's talking. You've changed too. If anyone told me back then that we'd both become doctors, I'd have laughed in their face."

Jinwoo's playful grin faded slightly. "It's true, a lot changed over the years. I studied so hard because of my mom... you know that, right? Losing her because of lack of proper treatment... that's what pushed me into this field."

Hyunsu's face softened, understanding the pain behind his friend's words.

"But you... your story's different. You didn't have any such motivations. You could have chosen any field, but you still went after such a niche specialty out of all specializations.

I've always wondered... what made you choose sleep disorders out of all departments?" Jinwoo asked, genuinely curious.

Hyunsu's fingers tapped lightly on the table, his eyes distant, as if he was lost in old memories — perhaps the real reason he chose this field.

"There was someone... someone who couldn't sleep," he finally replied, his voice quiet.

Jinwoo's eyes widened slightly, sensing there was more to the story — but knowing Hyunsu, he'd have to wait patiently to hear the whole truth.

"Still the same secretive bastard," Jinwoo muttered, smirking.

Hyunsu finally cracked a grin. "And you're still the same noisy and nosy one."

****

The following day at the TV station:

"Why do we need to come in disguise?" Luna whispered, adjusting the black cap that was barely hiding her face.

"Do you think we can just walk in and ask them nicely?" Nina snapped back, her eyes scanning the security cameras. "Reporters are already trying to hunt you down for interviews after that auction.

That's exactly why I told you to let me handle this. But no... Miss DrawWithin couldn't sit still, so now we're both sneaking in like criminals."

"What can I do if you're not fast enough?" Luna muttered, peeking over the wall they were hiding behind.

They were still bickering in hushed voices, trying to figure out how to cross the security checkpoint—when suddenly—

"Nina? What are you doing here?"

A deep male voice called out from behind.

Both of them froze in place, turning around at the same time in same pace.

There he stood — wearing a crisp white shirt under a black suit jacket, his hands casually tucked into his pockets. His dark black hair was neatly styled, his sharp features glowing under the morning sunlight.

He was so ridiculously handsome that anyone could simply live by just looking at him.

Luna's eyes widened slightly, her heart skipping a beat without even realizing why.

As soon as they turned around, Hyunsu's sharp gaze locked onto Luna — a brief, almost unnoticeable moment of eye contact.

But that one second was enough to make Luna's heart skip a beat.

What the hell... Why does he look like someone who just walked straight out of a painting?

For a moment, she completely forgot why they were even there.

"Brother?! What on earth are you doing here?" Nina's surprised voice snapped her back to reality.

Hyunsu's eyes shifted to his sister, clearly confused by their suspicious outfits.

His brows furrowed as he scanned them from top to bottom.

"Wait... why are you both wrapped up like runaway thieves in this hot weather?" he questioned, folding his arms. "Hoodies, caps, and masks — is this some kind of secret mission? Or are you planning to rob a TV from the TV station?"

He leaned in slightly, grinning mischievously.

"You two look exactly the same. Are you trying to form a criminal duo? What should I call you... Bonnie and Bonnie?"

Nina grabbed his arm and pulled him to the side, glaring at him.

"Lower your voice, you idiot!" she whispered.

"What are you doing here?" Nina repeated in a hushed tone.

"I'm here on some work," he replied nonchalantly, slipping his hands into his pockets. "What about you two?"

Hyunsu smirked slightly, "Should I call security... or should I pretend I didn't see two weird-looking burglars sneaking into a TV station?" he teased, crossing his arms.

Nina immediately placed her hand on his mouth, hushing him. "Why are you shouting? Do you want to get us caught?"

"Then what are you doing at a TV station dressed like this? What trouble are you both making?" his voice started tingling with anger.

"Brother, please... try to understand us. It's for LuLu," Nina finally spilled the truth.

"What is it?" he asked again, his eyes shifting between the two.

She immediately opened her mobile and showed him an article.

"We found out who took this picture. Luna has some questions for him... she needs answers," Nina explained, her voice low.

Hearing that they were there for Luna, Hyunsu's expression softened. Of course, if it's for Luna... he wouldn't back out.

His sharp eyes shifted toward Luna, studying her silently for a moment.

"Do you really need to talk to him?" he asked, expecting her to speak up for herself.

Luna hesitated but gave him a small, firm nod.

Hyunsu glanced at his watch, then back at her.

"It's 11 o'clock now. Wait at the café nearby... I'll bring the person you want to talk to by 1 o'clock."

"But, brother—" Nina started to protest, knowing how reckless her brother could be.

Before she could finish, Luna gently grabbed her wrist, stopping her.

"Let's wait, Nina," Luna whispered, her eyes fixed on Hyunsu.

Even without saying much, she knew... he would definitely bring that person.

She silently nodded at Hyunsu, as if she truly believed in his words. Even when his own sister was trying to oppose him, Luna—who once never even spared him a glance—now chose to place her trust in him without much interaction or second thoughts.

She wasn't sure herself... Was she more interested in finding out the truth? Or... had she really started to trust him after just one meeting?

Seeing her silently trust his words made something warm bloom inside Hyunsu. Though his face remained blank, his heart couldn't hide the tiny spark of happiness.

She believes in me...

It might seem like a small gesture to anyone else, but for Hyunsu, this was the first crack in the wall she had built around herself—the first step for him to get closer to her.

Without saying anything, he gave a small nod and turned away, walking off as he noticed someone searching for him from afar.

"Are you Dr. Hyunsu?" A woman working there approached, scanning the hall while looking for someone.

"Yes, I am here to meet Mr. Ryan," Hyunsu responded without much emotion, adjusting his wristwatch.

"He is waiting upstairs for you, sir. I will escort you," the lady answered politely, guiding him through the scanned security gates.

Doctor? He became a doctor?