Love is better than pain
25. Where fate stops
A few days later, in the Hive headquarters' basement practice room.
The Seventeen members gathered together for the first time in a long while ahead of the concert.
The smell of sweat, the sound of music, checking the stage movement.
In the familiar scenery— Myeongho's expression was particularly dark.
He spoke less and his movements became heavier.
도겸(석민)
“Hey, Myeongho… Can you do it today?”
Dokyeom asked cautiously.
Myeongho nodded briefly.
디에잇(명호)
“Yeah, I can do it.”
Just one word. That one word contained the resolve to endure such a harsh punishment.
***
Even after two hours had passed and the members sat down to take a break, Myungho continued practicing alone.
호시(권순영)
“Hey, you look like you’re going to collapse. Get some rest.”
도겸(석민)
“Hey, Myeongho. Let’s do it later.”
승관
"Brother, get some rest!"
Amidst the members' growing concerns—
Myungho continued to make unreasonable movements, and suddenly felt dizzy and sick to his stomach, causing him to collapse on the spot.
에스쿱스(승철)
“Hey hey hey, are you okay?!”
The resting members came running in surprise. Seungcheol supported them and spoke.
조슈아(지수)
"Myungho, this won't work. Practice isn't the problem right now. First, go to the hospital."
디에잇(명호)
“I… am okay…”
에스쿱스(승철)
“You don’t look well. Seriously, listen to me and get some rest.”
Myungho finally nodded quietly to the members' persuasion.
디에잇(명호)
“…Okay. I’ll be back.”
에스쿱스(승철)
“Can you go alone?”
디에잇(명호)
"huh.."
***
So, Myeongho went down to the underground parking lot and quietly got into his car.
After catching my breath for a few minutes, I headed to the university hospital, which was 20 minutes away.
디에잇(명호)
“I don’t like small hospitals… because I feel self-conscious. I’m used to it here.”
Myungho quietly finished checking in and sat down in the waiting chair, wearing his mask and hat pulled down low.
My body was hot and heavy, but what was more suffocating was the empty space deep within my chest.
디에잇(명호)
"...Siyeon..."
Then—a familiar voice came from somewhere.
강시연
"Yeah... You don't have to come visit me... I'm receiving treatment..."
디에잇(명호)
“……!!!”
Myungho's eyes shook violently. He slowly turned his head— Siyeon, wearing a hospital gown and an IV drip.
She was holding the phone and talking with a small smile.
강시연
“…I haven’t told Mom yet… You’re the first one to talk… haha…”
Siyeon held her phone and smiled quietly.
강시연
“…Well…they said I had six months to live, so now I only have five months left…?”
Words said so casually.
In it, the resignation of a person who has let go of everything was evident.
강시연
“I don’t know either…”
After talking for a while, Siyeon, who had been listening to the other person, gave a small smile.
강시연
"...What? You're only five months old... Why are you saying that so calmly?"
Heh— Forced laughter.
강시연
“Okay, I got it. Come back later.”
And then— Bam. The phone hung up.
Siyeon quietly put the receiver down and leaned back against the small table.
강시연
“I miss you, Myungho…”
A small voice. Words only she could hear. With those words—the tears she'd been holding back, quietly flowed down her cheeks.
***
Myungho was listening to the scene from the hallway next to the hospital room.
Every word she spat out from behind Siyeon's back pierced Myeongho's heart.
디에잇(명호)
'...6 months...5 months...'
I was out of breath.
He quietly took a step closer, but the moment he reached out—Shiyeon stood up.
Myeongho couldn't reach out and hurriedly hid behind the wall.
She walked away. With a slow, cane-like pace, dragging her hospital baton, she slowly disappeared down the hallway.
Myungho sat down right there.
I covered my head with both hands and stared blankly at the floor, unable to breathe.
디에잇(명호)
“…You must have been in a lot of pain…”
I understood everything. Why did you push me away like that?
Why were you so cold, why were you so ready to leave?
디에잇(명호)
"Really...is that so.."
Six months. Only a month has passed. So... five months left.
No, maybe even shorter than that. Myungho's shoulders began to tremble.
디에잇(명호)
“…I… even knowing this now… would I be able to approach you again?
디에잇(명호)
Even if I hold on to him… I know he'll be gone forever in a few months…
Myeongho hugged his knees and buried his head. Tears began to fall again.