Chapter 15: Power of Presence

"Hello?" 

An unfamiliar voice broke the tense silence, startling the boys into exchanging confused glances. 

"Hello?" the voice repeated, a hint of urgency echoing in its tone as the boys remained mute, their minds racing with uncertainty about what to do next. 

"Hyeong?" A familiar voice cut through the tension, offering a glimmer of relief that eased their anxious hearts. 

"You woke up?" The soft, tender voice shifted its focus to Yeong Su, laced with a sense of guilt that contrasted sharply with the anxious energy they had sensed before. "I'm sorry. The phone kept vibrating for a while, and I thought it might be something urgent, so I answered."

"Hello?" A tentative voice broke through the lingering silence, finally anchoring their swirling worries.

"Yeongie?" The question hung in the air, each boy holding his breath, yearning for confirmation from the familiar voice they had been longing to hear.

"Hyeong!?" Yeong Su's voice erupted from the other end, a tantalizing blend of excitement and an undercurrent of sadness threading through his words. "Why didn't you come yesterday? I was waiting!"

"Sorry, we're really sorry!" Ha Joon's heartfelt apology poured out, a torrent of remorse echoing the feelings of the group. One by one, the other boys quickly chimed in, creating a chorus of regret that filled the line.

"Yeah, we are really sorry." 

"We are truly sorry." 

"We should have been there for you." 

"Sorry, Yeongie... It won't happen again." 

"Yeongie, would you like me to stay by your side?" Ryo interjected unexpectedly, his voice steady and confident—a stark contrast to the uncertainty he had displayed moments earlier. Despite being thousands of miles away, the strength in his words seemed to bridge the distance, capturing everyone's attention and drawing their focus toward him.

"You know, I'm booking the tickets. Let me just—" 

"NO!" they yelled in unison, the tension in the air thickening as stress lines deepened on their brows, most notably on Yeong Su's. 

"You really don't need to come," Yeong Su insisted, his voice steady despite the storm of emotions swirling within him. "I managed on my own, even though I felt all alone. I took my session seriously this time," he continued, pride seeping into his tone as he emphasized his determination to be strong, hoping to encourage Ryo to concentrate on his work.

"I'm sorry if I've troubled you," Yeong Su added, a note of self-pity creeping into his words that felt heavy in the air. 

"What...? No!" the others protested, their voices overlapping in a chorus of disbelief, urgency threading through their tones. 

"What are you talking about? You've never been a burden." 

Panic ignited within the group as they scrambled to dispel Yeong Su's self-critical musings.

"I mean, I've been distracting everyone, including Ryo Hyeong. That's not good," Yeong Su said, his gaze dropping to the ground, the weight of his words leaving a palpable silence in their wake. 

"What are you—" Before Ryo could confront his brother's spiraling thoughts, a wave of longing washed over him, reminding him just how desperately he wanted to be by Yeong Su's side, to protect him from his own doubts. 

"I'm sorry. It's not your fault," Ryo declared, his voice firm and resolute, a warm reassurance woven for both his brother and the rest of the group. "I promise I'll finish my work and be there as soon as possible, so please don't feel bad." The sincerity in Ryo's words hung in the air, a promise of unity even in their individual struggles.

"Speaking of which, we heard about your session. Are you okay?" Ha Joon attempted to shift the conversation, sensing the need for a change of topic. 

"Ah right! I'm perfectly fine, although it was a bit scary and lonely," Yeong Su started, his excitement quickly giving way to a tinge of sadness. "But overall it went well because I had some help." His voice carried a hint of hope as he finished his sentence. 

Exchanging concerned glances, the boys noted the word "help" but hesitated to express their worries, cautious to penetrate Yeong Su's newfound cheerfulness. 

"Really? That's good! Did you take your medicine?" Siwoo interjected, aiming to break the lingering hesitation. 

"No, not yet... I'll have it soon," Yeong Su replied, his tone shifting slightly as he continued, "Will you guys be there next time?" His request laid heavily in the air, tinged with guilt, as if he feared asking for something selfish, yet hoping his members wouldn't leave him alone. 

"Of course! Don't worry. One of us will be there for your next session," Ha Joon affirmed decisively, instantly becoming the center of the group's attention. 

"Really?" Yeong Su's voice sparkled with joy, brightening the atmosphere. 

It had been too long since they had heard his soft giggles—though they weren't quite the same as before; they felt a little forced, yet it was reassurance enough for the boys, bringing them relief. 

"It's time for your medicine. Would you like something besides porridge?" the unfamiliar voice drifted in again, soft and laced with concern. 

"No, porridge is fine," Yeong Su replied in that familiar soft, whiny tone he reserved for his members.

"I guess it's your medicine time," Siwoo remarked, trying to lighten the mood. 

"Hmm." 

A heavy silence enveloped the room. The boys had a plethora of thoughts swirling in their minds, yet they struggled to find the right place to start. They feared they wouldn't have enough time to say everything they wanted to say. Yeong Su, too, felt the pull of connection but hesitated, aware of the busy schedules everyone had. None of them hung up; it was as if they were sharing a silent moment. They stared at the phone while Yeong Su nervously nibbled on his thumb. 

"Guys," Yeonwoo peeked inside, his voice a mere whisper. "The staff is here; you all need to get ready." 

"What are you doing?" the unfamiliar voice returned, a note of concern creeping in. 

"What... why are you nibbling on your fingers—" 

"Ah!" Yeong Su interrupted, his startled scream cutting his words.

"Yeongie?" 

"What happened? Yeong Su?" 

"Hyeong? Are you okay?" The boys' voices rose in a chorus of worry, anxiety threading through their words. 

"Did you bring a sweet bun?" Yeong Su asked the unfamiliar voice, redirecting his focus and momentarily ignoring the concern. 

"A sweet bun?" The voice trembled with confusion as it echoed the request back. 

"Yeah! I'm really craving a sweet bun. Can't I?" Yeong Su whined softly, his tone irresistible; it was a plea no one could deny when it came from him.

"But earlier... Ok, wait, let me order." The voice faltered, surrendering to the rising tide of thoughts and questions, before walking away from him. 

"You feel like having a sweet bun?" 

"Is that alright?" 

"Did you ask the doctor?" 

"And who was that?" 

Without a pause, the younger members began bombarding him with their concerns, their voices overlapping in a chorus of care. 

"Yeah, it's fine," Yeongsu reassured them, his tone steady and calm. "As for him, he's someone who has helped me immensely. I want all of you to meet him soon." His confidence washed over the group, momentarily easing their uncertainty and fears.

"Sure, we'll do that. But for now, you should get some more rest. We can talk later," Daeho spoke up, his tone firm yet gentle, voicing the collective sentiment of the members.

"I miss you, Hyung," confessed the youngest, his voice laced with hesitation as they hung up, leaving Yeongsu in the throes of guilt and regret for his past actions. Sujin, embarrassed, quickly ended the call, returning to their schedules with a heavy heart. 

Yeongsu clutched the keypad, tears streaming down his cheeks; he couldn't shake the regret that weighed on him for having hurt the people who cared for him the most. The thought of reaching out to his own mother and sisters felt like a distant dream, buried beneath layers of remorse.

After a while, Ji Hoon returned, cradling sweet buns in his hands, a nurse trailing behind him like a devoted shadow. 

"What? Did you actually go to the market yourself? What took you so long?" Yeongsu teased, a playful sarcasm lacing his words.

"Of course not! I was just waiting for my Yeongsu's smile," Ji Hoon replied, a warm glow illuminating his face.

"Smile? What?" Surprised by the absurdity of Ji Hoon's words, a soft giggle escaped Yeongsu, momentarily banishing his burdens as he overlooked the gentle, relieved glances aimed at him.

As the days of Ji Hoon's impending discharge drew near, a flutter of anxiety stirred within Yeongsu. He felt an urgent need to cherish every moment with Ji Hoon. 

Often, he would find himself dozing off in Ji Hoon's bed, comforted by the fluttering of paper at a ditance of the bed; or curled up on the small couch adjacent to Ji Hoon's workspace, wrapped in the warmth of their companionship. Or would merely rest his head on Ji Hoon's shoulder, feeling safe and content as the days slipped steadily closer to the inevitable farewell.

One morning, Yeongsu woke to find himself sprawled in Ji Hoon's bed, the remnants of sleep still clinging to him. As he blinked awake, he noticed the clean and tidy sofa that should have been occupied by Ji Hoon's tall, slender frame was empty. 

Panic surged through him at the thought of Ji Hoon's absence, but his frantic gaze landed on a beautifully decorated cake on the table behind him, accompanied by a note nestled beneath it.

In the dim light of the room, Yeong Su carefully unfolded the crumpled piece of paper, its edges frayed and worn from anxious handling

Good morning or afternoon?

I apologize for leaving so abruptly; it would have been far too difficult for me to walk away if you had been there to say goodbye. I simply couldn't bear the thought of it, which is why I chose to take this route. I'm truly sorry, and I completely understand if you feel inclined not to forgive me.

I do have one request, though. The next time I visit, I hope to see a healthier, more vibrant version of you. If I don't, I may hesitate to return, fearing that my presence is making you overly dependent on me. As you know, too much dependency can be detrimental. That's also why I didn't leave my number; I prefer to exchange it in person when we meet again—only if you're comfortable with that.

By the way, I spoke with the doctor before I left the cake—it's not too sweet, but it's not bland either, making it just right for you to enjoy before your medication.

Take care...

 The last words penned by Ji Hoon were a haunting reflection of turmoil, each letter imbued with the weight of guilt and uncertainty. The frantic scribbles danced across the page, a chaotic testament to Ji Hoon's inner struggle. Crossed-out phrases marred the surface, while certain words were meticulously cut away, as if trying to erase the very thoughts that tormented him.

As Yeong Su absorbed the raw emotion contained within those lines, a profound understanding settled over him. "It must have been incredibly difficult," he mused, the thought echoing in his mind like a solemn vow. With a glimmer of relief and newfound determination, he began to fold the paper back.

"Who in the world actually died and made Jung Sung the CEO?" The voice cut through the tension in the room like a blade, resonating with incredulity and defiance. Just then, the door to the right of Jung Sung's swung open with a decisive creak, and Ji Hoon strode in, exuding an undeniable aura of authority that commanded the attention of everyone present in the hall.