And it was just a rest

It was my brother on the stretcher, completely covered in blood. I ran to him, desperate. I turned to my father and told him to rest, that I would go with Sora, and then I left.

Sora had broken three ribs, lost two teeth, and even fractured his arm.

The doctor told me I should try talking to him because he wasn't communicating.

— Sora?

His eyes turned to me.

— You're going to be okay, alright? The doctor said it's just a matter of time, so don't worry. I'll take care of this. Just… please, don't do this again, don't.

Tears started streaming down my face as he began crying too.

— I'm sorry… — His voice was hoarse, but I could hear the pain.

Sora needed surgery, which made the debt even worse. My head started pounding from the pressure. Soon, there wouldn't even be a place for my mother to stay. I should tell my younger siblings the truth, but I didn't know where to start. The pain in my head just kept growing.

I don't know how much time passed, but when I opened my eyes, I was already in my room.

— What…? — I asked, confused, but my doubts quickly faded.

Lucas walked into my room, smiling when he saw I was okay.

— Glad you're awake!

— What about Sora?

— He's fine, but you passed out at the hospital, man.

— I see.

— I'm going to find you another job. A better one than this. Don't worry. I've got you, okay?

Lucas was the one who got me my current job. He knew Jaemin's uncle, and thanks to that, I got a position with a good salary.

— Salin! — I jumped when Jun-Ho entered my room. — You're awake!

— He's the one who found you unconscious and has been here ever since.

I wasn't imagining things. Jun-Ho really had tears in his eyes.

— Hey, I'm okay. — I said in shock, holding back the urge to comfort him with my hands. — My brother's the one in bad shape at the hospital.

— Sorry, I thought I was going to lose you. You weren't responding when I called you. The doctor gave you a sedative and said it was best to bring you home, that all of this was stressing you out. He said you need to try to worry less.

— Your brother is going to be fine — Lucas reassured me.

— Yeah — Jun-Ho confirmed.

— You two know each other? — I asked, curious since they seemed pretty comfortable around each other.

— No. Never met before — they both said at the same time.

I laughed, feeling at ease.

— Okay, Lucas, this is Jun-Ho, my stalker. Jun-Ho, this is Lucas, my best friend.

They nodded at each other in greeting. I decided to get out of bed, which worried them both.

— I'm fine. Thanks.

When I reached the living room, I noticed that dinner was ready.

— Jun-Ho made it — Lucas answered before I could ask.

— Yes, eat well, Salin. I have to go now. Let me know if you need anything. I'll check on you again.

— Thanks, but that won't be necessary. You can go on with your life. — The memory of him passing out after kissing me was still fresh in my mind, and I had no intention of repeating that experience.

As soon as Jun-Ho left, Lucas looked at me in shock.

— Why did the heir of Goden cook for you? And why did he seem so worried when you wouldn't wake up? That's really weird, man! You literally have a faction leader into you!

— I still haven't fully processed all of this. He just showed up, and, I don't know… I find him really attractive.

— Don't let him use you.

— Honestly, he can't even if he wanted to. Which is a shame, because I wish he could…

— Get a grip, Salin! — Lucas said, exasperated.

— Seriously! He puts me on a pedestal! I absolutely love that. I don't care that he's the son of a loan shark…

— Well, I can't really judge, considering Jaeho…

— I just wish he would shut me up and kiss me. But he can't, and he even gets sick.

— You talk as if a lot has already happened…

— A lot has happened, but not in a good way…

— What do you mean?

— It doesn't matter. It's just that, the first time we kissed, he was really nervous. I thought it was because he was kissing another guy in public. But the second time, he was still nervous, and later I found out he has issues with physical intimacy… Because when I grabbed him and kissed him, he passed out.

— Holy sh*t…

— Seeing him pass out was terrifying and, to be honest, kind of disappointing. And the thing is, he and his brother didn't even care. It was just another blackout for him.

— But maybe, for him, it's something normal. Didn't he tell you about it when you slept at his place? And he did reject you, didn't he? — Lucas started laughing, and I pouted, having almost forgotten that part.

— But he's crazy about me now.

— What difference does it make? Seems like he still can't touch you.

— I can't stay away from him. He's everywhere.

— Between Jun-Ho and Yomin, you've got the worst luck, huh? And JP is still the worst of them all.

— It'd be nice if it was just bad luck in love, but I'm screwed in every way possible.

— Look on the bright side... I'm your best friend.