Chapter 10: Weight of Truth

"I'm truly sorry; this will be the last time I offer an apology to you. You were right—it was incredibly foolish of me to hold onto my pride when I couldn't even safeguard you or the people I care about." With a voice steadied by determination, he confesses, "Now that you've finally granted us your permission, I will do whatever it takes to protect you. Whether it means sacrificing my body or my very soul, I will make it happen. You have endured far too much suffering, so I urge you to take some time to rest. I promise I won't allow those monsters to come anywhere near you again. But this time, I hope you'll stand firm and not take it back." 

With dampened eyes, he scans Ji Hoon from head to toe. As he finishes, Min Hyuk bows slightly, a gesture steeped in unspoken emotions, before turning away and stepping out of the room. 

From his vantage point outside, Ji Hoon watches the scene unfold, hovering around his own body, an ethereal observer. In that moment, he realizes the truths he had long evaded, hidden beneath layers of fear he had chosen to ignore. If only he had dared to open his eyes earlier, perhaps he wouldn't have felt the weight of loneliness pressing upon him so heavily. 

But now, it was too late; the Ji Hoon, Min Hyuk yearned to protect, had already slipped away, leaving only Jae Hyuk in his stead, a new anchor for his heart. There's a tinge of sadness that washes over Ji Hoon, but regret fails to take root. He had already invested enough effort and trust into those around him, experiences that had left him battle-worn. Now, he prefers to observe from the sidelines rather than immerse himself in the uncertainty of striving again.

For the next few days, Ji Hoon attempted to voice his objections, but his efforts fell flat. He unleashed a torrent of tantrums and threats, yet his resolve was met with unwavering indifference from Min Hyuk, Mina, and Hae Ra. Their lack of reaction only fueled his frustration, and after exhausting all avenues, Ji Hoon finally surrendered to the situation. He agreed to remain compliant, but under strict conditions: he required a laptop, regular updates on company affairs, and the previous day's reports laid out on his desk each morning for analysis.

Hae Ra, sensing a shift in Ji Hoon's focus and somewhat concerned by his sudden enthusiasm for the company, sought to understand the reasons behind his newfound dedication. However, Ji Hoon's stubbornness proved to be a formidable barrier, prompting her to eventually concede and accept his terms without further questioning.

Now, Ji Hoon found himself barricaded in his room, surrounded by towering stacks of files and reports. As he shifted through the labyrinth of data on Eclipse Entertainment, he was astonished to discover the grim reality of the company's state. Despite previously being a beacon of success, Eclipse had seemingly rotted from the inside out in the absence of Ji Hoon's parents and grandfather, the former chairman. Corruption ran rampant, illegal dealings lurked in the shadows, and artists were treated with a blatant unfairness that left him both baffled and determined to unravel the tangled web of deceit that had ensnared the once-thriving organization.

Feeling overwhelmed by the chaos of his surroundings, Ji Hoon decided it was time for a brief escape. He wanted to step onto the terrace of the hospital, seeking solace and a moment to clear his mind.

As he pushed open the door to his room, he was greeted by the sight of Min Hyuk and Mina, both absorbed in their gaming on their phones. The sound of Min Hyuk's animated voice broke the silence. "Hey, on your left! On your left!" he shouted, completely lost in his virtual world.

Mina, with a teasing smirk, replied, "I know—care about yourself!"

Ji Hoon interrupted them, a faint smile on his lips. "Looks like you're winning." 

"Oh yes, of course! Just you wait," Min Hyuk exclaimed, his enthusiasm faltering as he became aware of Ji Hoon's presence. Both friends sprang to their feet, startled.

"We were just—"

"Don't… no need to explain. Just be aware of your surroundings," Ji Hoon assured them, his comforting tone leaving the duo momentarily speechless.

With that, he stepped out into the hallway, gliding toward the elevator. Suddenly, Mina piped up, "Where—if you're going somewhere, we can—"

Ji Hoon cut her off gently but firmly. "No… no need. Just stay here; I want some time alone."

"But—" Min Hyuk began, attempting to voice his concern, but fell silent as Ji Hoon waved his phone in their direction, signaling his intent.

"I will call when I need you, so keep your cellphones close," he said, leaving them standing there as he approached the elevator buttons.

The fresh air beckoned him, promising a reprieve from the noise and tumult that had dominated his thoughts. As he wandered about, his feet led him to the railing, where he stood, captivated by the view. The horizon stretched out before him, but his mind was elsewhere, swirling with thoughts of Jae Hyuk's world. The Eclipse reports and analyses had opened a window into the life of Jae hyuk, one that sparked an insatiable curiosity within him about the turmoil on the other side.

"Lee Min Ji, the elder sister of Lee Jae Hyuk, has taken over her brother's firm, alongside Park Hyeong Seok," he recalled, noting the headline that seemed to set the town ablaze with gossip.

The shocking news of Jae Hyuk's untimely death—declared a result of a tragic drink-and-drive accident—had rocked the community. 

According to various news outlets and their so-called investigations, Jae Hyuk was allegedly dead drunk the night of the incident, leading to the catastrophic accident that had cut short the life of a brilliant lawyer.

An explosive article from a prominent news channel was making waves across the country, leaving Ji Hoon bewildered and speechless. He pondered the audacity with which false evidence had been concocted, catching him off guard with its calculated precision. 

As frustration mounted, he let out a heavy sigh, casting his gaze toward the sapphire sky above, desperately trying to purge his mind of the tumultuous thoughts swirling within.

As Ji Hoon closed his eyes, surrendering to the sensation around him, he focused on his steady, slow breaths. Suddenly, the sound of footsteps echoed behind him, pulling him from his tranquility.

"I told you not to—" he began, turning around to face the noise, his voice laced with irritation. He expected to confront one of the notorious Do-Lee pairs, but instead, he was met with a figure he dreaded: Yeong Su… Sam Yeong Su.

"What the—Yeong Su? Don't tell me he…" 

As Ji Hoon's mind raced with predictions of Yeong Su's intentions, he noticed Yeong Su stepping toward the railing, his gaze lost in a distant void, as if he were searching for something unseen in the swirling wind.

Before Yeong Su could advance any further, Ji Hoon leaped in front of him, blocking his path with urgency. "Yeong Su-ah!" he called out, his voice raised in an attempt to cut through the fog that seemed to envelop Yeong Su, but his efforts were in vain. Yeong Su remained fixated, staring vacantly ahead, as if the world around him had dissolved into nothingness.

For a fleeting moment, Yeong Su's steps faltered, but it wasn't enough.

"It's really windy out here. We should go back, hmm?" Ji Hoon urged, concern creeping into his tone. The memories of their previous encounter weighed heavily on him, amplifying his fear.

Gently, he grasped Yeong Su's hand, attempting to usher him away from the edge, but Yeong Su stood unmoved, almost as if he was drawn to the abyss before him. Ji Hoon's heart raced, his desperation spiking as he fought against the invisible tether pulling Yeong Su toward the danger.

"He was sad. I need to find him. I need to go to him. He was lonely; he was upset." Yeong Su mumbled, his words laced with desperation and guilt, as if he were trying to convince himself of a reckless course of action. He continued toward the railing, the intensity of his fixation sending chills down Ji Hoon's spine.

Panic surged within Ji Hoon, and with swift determination, he yanked Yeong Su back, pinning him firmly against the wall. "Are you crazy? What the hell are you on about?" Frustration bubbled in Ji Hoon's voice as he threw the question at Yeong Su, desperate to snap him out of his trance.

"I need to get him back. I need to get Joonie back! He is waiting for me! GET LOST!" Yeong Su shouted, attempting to shove Ji Hoon away, only fueling Ji Hoon's mounting frustration and anxiety.

"HE IS GONE! JOON HO IS GONE FOR GOOD! HE WON'T COME BACK! DO YOU UNDERSTAND? HE LEFT... HE LEFT THIS WORLD!" Ji Hoon's voice resonated with raw desperation, cutting through the suffocating silence that enveloped Yeong Su's troubled mind.

Yeong Su stood frozen, acutely aware that Ji Hoon's words were not just a painful truth but a reflection of the reality he so desperately wished to deny. A quiet storm raged within him, fueled by grief and an overwhelming desire to escape the inevitable. "No... he didn't... he said... he would come back... he..." His voice trailed off, stumbling over the weight of his own denial. He shut his eyes tightly, attempting once more to retreat into a place where the unbearable hurt couldn't reach him. But Ji Hoon wasn't willing to let him hide.

With trembling hands, Ji Hoon cupped Yeong Su's face, gently guiding him to confront the stark reality that loomed over him. Even without uttering another word, Yeong Su could see the depths of pain mirrored in Ji Hoon's eyes—a haunting plea that left him feeling utterly helpless and utterly alone. He felt the weight of despair crash over him, pulling him down into the depths of his sorrow.

Unable to withstand the emotional tide any longer, Yeong Su crumpled to the ground, utterly defeated. Ji Hoon, filled with a heartbreaking tenderness, embraced him, brushing back the strands of hair from Yeong Su's backhead. He caressed and tapped Yeong Su's back with a gentle rhythm, as if soothing a child, his touch a balm against the anguish.