Ho Seok's laughter erupted, echoing through the room. His face turned red as if he had just heard the most absurd joke of his life. He leaned back in his chair.
"Disease? Cure? Are you serious?" he managed between gasps of laughter, his voice dripping with disbelief.
"Yes… Aren't you still interested… in b-boys?" Mrs. Nam stammered, her fingers fidgeting uncomfortably.
Ho Seok's laughter came to an abrupt halt. He stared at his mother as though trying to decipher a riddle. "Mom… you came all this way… for this?" He let out a hollow chuckle, his expression hardened as the humor drained from his face.
"Look, son," she began, her tone pleading,
"I want you to be happy. And this is important. For you. I finally found some cure for you. So…I thought…" she couldn't talk properly.
"Happy?" Ho Seok repeated, his voice laced with bitterness. He leaned forward, shaking his head slowly.