The door to Jinwoo's hospital room opened quietly.
"Mr. Jinwoo?"
Ju-Hee stepped inside, holding her bag tightly, eyes flicking nervously toward him. When she saw him awake and sitting up slightly in the bed, relief washed over her face like sunlight breaking through clouds.
"You… you're awake!" she exclaimed softly, her voice trembling. She hurried to his side and lowered her head slightly, as if trying to hide the emotion in her eyes.
Jinwoo looked at her and offered a small, faint smile. "I'm fine… thanks to you."
Ju-Hee shook her head quickly, brushing a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "No… it's you I need to thank. You saved me, Mr. Jinwoo. If you hadn't told me to leave the temple… I… I wouldn't be here. I would've—"
Her voice broke, and she swallowed hard, tears glimmering in her eyes.
Jinwoo reached out and gave her hand a gentle squeeze. "Hey… it's okay. You're safe now. That's what matters."
Ju-Hee finally met his gaze, a soft, grateful smile spreading across her face. "I don't know how to repay you… but I just… I just wanted to say thank you."
Jinwoo's chest warmed with an emotion he hadn't felt in years — the quiet satisfaction of having protected someone, even when he himself had been powerless. "You don't have to thank me," he said quietly. "you always helped me every time I got hurt so I have to thank you "
She looked at him, squeezing his hand briefly before letting go. "No it my duty a healer to help as helper and I promise to help you whenever I can ."
For a moment, the chaos of the temple, the blood, the horror — everything seemed distant, replaced by the simple, human connection of gratitude and trust.
Jinwoo leaned back slightly, feeling the weight of both pain and relief. Atleast he saved a person who helped helped him … he thought. That's enough for now.
.....
The hospital room was quiet once more after Ju-Hee left.
A soft knock sounded at the door, followed by a familiar voice trembling with emotion.
"Jinwoo…?"
Jinwoo turned his head, and his eyes softened as they fell upon Sung Jinah, his younger sister, standing hesitantly by the doorway. Her small frame shook slightly, and her eyes were red and wet.
"Jinah…" he whispered, his throat tight.
Before he could say more, she stepped forward and threw herself into his arms. The warmth of her body pressed against his side, and she clung to him desperately, burying her face into his chest.
"I was so scared… I thought I'd lost you," she sobbed, trembling. "I thought… I really thought I'd never see you again!"
Jinwoo wrapped his arms around her, holding her gently but firmly, careful not to hurt her. His heart ached at the sight of her tears, the raw fear and relief spilling over.
"It's okay… I'm here now," he said softly. "I'm fine."
She pressed closer, letting out another shuddering sob. "I can't… I can't even imagine what you went through… You scared me so much… Jinwoo…"
He rubbed her back slowly, trying to offer what little comfort he could. "It's over. You don't have to worry anymore. I'm safe. And I'll keep getting stronger… so nothing like that ever happens again."
She tightened her grip, as if afraid to let go, and murmured against his chest, "Don't ever leave me like that again… please…"
Jinwoo's chest tightened, but he offered a faint, reassuring smile. "I won't. I promise. I'll always come back… no matter what and i will protect you all ."
For a long moment, the two remained like that, clinging together in silence, letting the fear, relief, and love pour out between them.