Bad News at the End of the Day

Do Hwan and I opened the karaoke room door, someone was standing right in front of us.

Kim Hana.

I froze, and so did Do Hwan. But Hana’s expression was the hardest to read—her gaze was sharp, her lips slightly pursed, as if she was too tired to even be surprised.

“What are you doing here?” she asked flatly, but I could hear the displeasure in her voice.

I opened my mouth, but Do Hwan spoke first. “Isn’t it obvious? We were singing karaoke.”

Hana turned to Do Hwan with a cold stare. “I was asking her.”

I swallowed hard, not knowing what to say. Hana waited, and I knew she wanted an explanation—something reasonable, something that would ease her suspicion.

“I… just happened to run into Do Hwan and…”

“Happened to?” Hana cut me off, her tone sharper. “So you just happened to go to karaoke with him? After everything that happened?”

I felt my blood rush. “What do you mean?”

“What do I mean?” Hana took a step closer, locking eyes with me. “I’m just curious. Yesterday you couldn’t talk to me, but now you can have fun with Do Hwan?”

I frowned. “Hana, it’s not what you think.”

“Then what is it?” She crossed her arms. “Didn’t you say you didn’t want any more misunderstandings? But look at yourself now.”

I clenched my fists. “You don’t understand…”

“I understand more than you think, Narin,” she interrupted, her voice softer but still heavy with pressure.

I wanted to reply, but Do Hwan suddenly pulled my arm back. “Let’s just go,” he said calmly.

I turned to him, but before I could say anything, Hana let out a small laugh. “Right, go ahead. It seems like I’m the only one left in the dark here.”

Then she walked away without looking back.

I watched her retreating figure, the uneasy feeling in my chest growing heavier.

But before she disappeared, she stopped and turned around one last time, this time with a smirk that felt anything but warm.

“You know, Narin? I actually feel sorry for you.”

My heart dropped.

“What do you mean?” I asked, my voice quieter than I intended.

Hana shrugged. “You’re always like this. Drifting between people without really knowing what you want. Avoiding, hiding, and hoping everything will fix itself. No wonder you’re always alone.” Her gaze sharpened. “Just so you know, in the end, you’ll only end up hurting everyone who actually cares about you.”

I felt something tighten painfully in my chest. Like the air had been sucked out of my lungs. Her words hurt. Maybe because a part of me was afraid they were true.

I wanted to argue, to defend myself. But my tongue felt heavy. Her words, no matter how sharp, struck right at the part of me I had always avoided.

I was too scared to face things head-on. I always chose to run, hoping problems would disappear on their own. And now, Hana had said it out loud.

Do Hwan, who had been standing silently beside me with a clenched jaw, suddenly stepped forward and faced Hana.

“Stop,” he said, his voice lower than usual, but firm.

I turned to him, slightly widening my eyes. He looked angry—not just angry, but frustrated.

Hana smirked. “Why? Does it hurt?”

“You talk as if you’re the only one who’s been hurt,” Do Hwan narrowed his eyes, “but if you really cared about Narin, you should have asked first instead of judging and throwing words when you don’t even know the full story.”

I blinked. I didn’t expect Do Hwan to say that. I didn’t even expect him to defend me like this.

Hana let out a bitter chuckle. “Funny. You sound like someone who knows everything about Narin.”

“I don’t know everything,” Do Hwan replied quickly, his expression unwavering. “But at least, I don’t judge someone without making sure of the truth first.”

I could see Hana’s jaw tighten, her eyes flashing with anger.

“I don’t need to hear that from you. You’re not me or her. You’re nobody,” she finally said before brushing past Do Hwan and leaving.

I stood frozen in place, my heart pounding. My fists were clenched without me realizing, and there was a strange mix of emotions swirling inside me.

I felt exhausted. Angry. Disappointed.

But above all, I felt… guilty.

Do Hwan let out a long sigh beside me. I could feel his gaze, but I couldn’t turn to face him.

“Why are you just standing there?” he finally asked.

I bit my lip. “Because… maybe she’s not entirely wrong.”

Do Hwan stared at me for a long moment, his expression unreadable. Then, slowly, he exhaled, pressing his fingers against his forehead as if trying to suppress a headache.

“God, Narin…”

---

As Do Hwan and I walked out of the building, my phone vibrated. An unknown number appeared on the screen. Hesitantly, I picked up.

“Hello?”

“Is this Narin?” A man’s voice came from the other end. “I’m your father’s colleague. Your father had an accident at the work site and is being taken to the hospital. I think… you should come immediately. Sorry for telling you so suddenly.”

It felt like all the blood drained from my body, leaving me cold and weak. “What…? No… that’s not possible….”

Without thinking, I turned and ran. Everything blurred. I could vaguely hear Do Hwan calling my name behind me, but I couldn’t stop. I only knew one thing—I had to get to the hospital.

The street ahead grew busier, but I didn’t care. Until suddenly, the blaring sound of a car horn jolted me.

I turned. A car was speeding toward me.

Before I could react, a strong hand yanked me back forcefully. I gasped, nearly stumbling, but the grip kept me steady. Do Hwan.

He held my shoulders tightly, his face flushed with anger and panic. “Narin! Wake up! You almost got hit!”

I was still gasping for breath, my body trembling. “I have to get to the hospital… My dad…”

“I know! But you can’t be like this!” Do Hwan shook me slightly, his eyes sharp. “Calm yourself down first!”

I looked at him, tears welling up in my eyes, before they finally spilled over.

“My dad got into an accident, Do Hwan… I’m scared…” My voice trembled, my body weak.

Without hesitation, Do Hwan pulled me into his arms, gently patting my back. “I’m here. We’ll go to the hospital now. Everything will be okay. Trust me.”

Do Hwan looked at me with a serious expression, his hands still firmly on my shoulders. My breath hitched, my body drained of energy.

“My dad…,” my voice wavered. “He… had an accident at work.”

Do Hwan didn’t respond immediately. His jaw clenched, but his hands didn’t let go. “Which hospital?” he asked seriously.

I tried to gather my breath, but my voice caught in my throat. My hands trembled as I tried to open the message on my phone. Do Hwan quickly took it and checked the screen.

“Alright, we’re going there now.”

Without waiting for my response, he grabbed my hand, leading me toward the main road. My hands were still shaking, my legs weak, but his grip was strong and warm—almost as if he was transferring his strength to keep me standing.

On the way, I couldn’t think straight. Thoughts of my father haunted me, imagining the worst possibilities. I didn’t even realize when Do Hwan hailed a taxi and opened the door for me.

“You’re with me. Everything will be okay,” he said softly, his eyes locking onto mine before we sped off toward the hospital.

***