〘CHAPTER 11〙
The golden light of sunset streamed softly through the hospital room's half open blinds, casting long shadows across the pale floors and quiet walls.
The sky outside was awash with warm hues - rose gold melting into soft lavender while the faint sounds of distant traffic buzzed below.
The room smelled faintly of antiseptic, but it was warmer than usual tonight.
Peaceful - almost like home.
Minu sat upright on the hospital bed, a folded blanket over his legs, watching the door expectantly.
"You guys are here!" He exclaimed, a broad smile lighting up his face as Jay, Dom and June walked in.
Jay was the first to approach, he walked up to Minu's bed "Told you we'd come as soon as visiting hours started".
"We also brought snacks~" Dom replied, holding up a small plastic bag of candy with a grin "June made us stop twice".
June rolled her eyes, playfully elbowing him "He kept changing his mind. First gummies then chocolate, you know how dramatic he gets when he's hungry".
Minu chuckled, his heart warmed by the playful banter. It felt good - normal, after weeks of silence and solitude.
June walked over with a warm smile and gave Minu's shoulder a friendly pat "How are you feeling, buddy?".
Minu stretched his legs a bit, still amazed at how far he'd come "Much better, my leg's still sore sometimes but I can walk again. Honestly, it's like a miracle. Even the doctor said he didn't expect such a quick recovery".
Jay chuckled, his voice gentle "Yuna told us everything, she's been keeping us posted the whole time".
His tone softened "Everyone's been waiting for you to come back, school's just not the same without you".
Minu smiled wistfully "I'll be back soon, I even miss that annoying school bell".
He laughed, then added softly "Can't wait to see everyone again, I missed so much".
Dom leaned against the wall, then suddenly threw an arm over Jay's shoulder and smirked "You better be ready~ cause the moment you're outta here, I'm challenging you to a race again, no excuses!".
"Pfft~" Minu said, grinning "Bring it on, I'll still beat you even if I have to hop on one leg".
"Don't forget me" June leaned against the edge of the bed "I want a rematch too".
The room was filled with laughter, echoing through the quiet halls beyond the door, Minu's chest felt light.
For the first time in weeks, he felt more like himself - whole and hopeful.
But as the laughter died down and a quiet lull settled between them, something tugged at Minu's thoughts, a small wrinkle appeared between his brows.
"Wait a sec... where's Vinny? Isn't he with you guys?" He asked suddenly, glancing around as if expecting him to appear from behind the door.
Jay's smile dimmed just slightly, he shook his head "He went to visit his mom, she's at the other hospital across town. Said he might come by after".
Minu nodded slowly, his expression turning thoughtful "Oh, right... I forgot she's still recovering. Tell him not to worry about me, he should stay with her. I hope she gets better soon".
Dom rubbing the back of his neck "Actually, now that you mention it. I heard that his mom's doing a lot better recently, something about her breathing getting stronger".
"Really? That's great news" Minu perked up, hope sparking in his eyes.
"Yeah" Jay confirmed "Vinny said her latest tests came back positive, she might be discharged soon".
June's face lit up "That's awesome! Maybe we should all go visit her sometime, bring her some flowers or something".
"I'd love that" Minu said "She was always so kind to us".
The group continued chatting for another half hour, letting the sun sink lower and the warm orange hues fade into a deeper blue.
The first stars were beginning to appear as the hospital lights flickered on, bathing the halls in gentle white.
Finally, they stood to leave, promising to return soon. Minu waved them off with a sleepy smile, leaning back into his pillows.
The hall outside was calm and dimly lit, with the occasional beep of machines echoing faintly in the distance.
Outside the windows, the city was cloaked in twilight, the horizon painted in purples and midnight blues.
As they walked down the hospital hallway, Dom - as always, broke the silence with enthusiasm "Okay, hear me out~ when Minu gets out, we're throwing a huge party".
"A huge party?" June raised an eyebrow "Define huge".
"Food, music, balloons, everything!! And we'll get a cake with his face on it" Dom clapped his hands together, full of energy.
"Please~ not his face, he'll punch you" June laughed "And that's quite to much, I think a simple meal with close friends is fine".
"I agree with June"Jay spoke up.
"Alright, fine~" Dom said with a grin "But let's ask the girls for help, maybe they'll know the best food place".
Jay - walking a few steps behind, was unusually quiet. His gaze was distant and his hands were buried in his pockets.
As Dom and June chattered about food, Jay's phone buzzed.
Thinking it was a message from Shelly or maybe his mom asking when he'd be home, he casually pulled it out and checked the screen.
But the moment his eyes landed on the message, he stopped walking.
His entire body stiffened.
Dom turned around, saw his friend standing frozen in place "Yo, Eunuch?".
June followed Dom's gaze and also stopped "Jay? You okay?".
Jay didn't answer at first, he just stared at the screen - unmoving.
Slowly, as if in a trance, he held out his phone for them to see.
Dom grabbed it and read the message aloud, his voice catching in his throat as he spoke "Oh... shit".
〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜
The fluorescent corridor lights had already blinked on, though a final band of amber twilight still pressed against the narrow window at the end of the hall.
Outside, the city was sliding into nighttime - office windows winking out one by one, streetlamps flickering awake, a soft violet haze settling over the distant river.
In the hush of the ward, monitors hummed and the faint scent of disinfectant mingled with yesterday's wilting carnations on the nurses' station desk.
Vinny eased open the heavy door to Room 527.
Inside, the air felt warmer, almost home‑like, despite the pale walls and the constant soft beeps of machinery.
His mother - small against the vast white sheets was propped up by pillows, her dark hair streaked with silver under the lamplight.
A physician in a crisp coat stood beside her bed, penlight stowed, stethoscope draped neatly around his neck.
The doctor gave Vinny a polite nod, then turned back to his patient "All right, Mrs. Hong" He said, brisk yet kind "Heart sounds steady, lungs clear and your vitals continue to improve".
Vinny's pulse slowed a notch, he hadn't realized how tightly he'd been gripping the strap of his bag.
When the examination finished, the doctor faced them both, smile reaching the corners of his eyes "Her recovery is progressing remarkably well. If everything stays on course, we're looking at another two, perhaps three weeks before discharge. Congratulations".
Relief washed over Vinny in a single, luminous wave "Thank you, Doctor" He managed, voice husky.
The physician packed his chart "Keep resting, Mrs. Hong. Light meals, minimal stress and you" He glanced at Vinny "Make sure she behaves".
With that gentle tease, he exited into the hallway, shoes clicking lightly until the sound was swallowed by quiet.
Iseul shifted, watching her son with fond exasperation "I told you there was no need to come tonight".
She murmured, patting the mattress beside her "You've been here every single day, sweetheart. You should be home catching up on sleep".
Vinny unshouldered his bag and sank onto the edge of the bed, expression softening "It's fine, mom. I don't like the idea of you facing all these late‑night checkups alone".
She took his hand, her grip gentle but insistent "And I don't like the idea of you running yourself ragged".
Her tone brightened, conspiratorial "Tell you what~ when I'm finally through those doors, I'm cooking your favorite. The big pan of spinach‑ricotta lasagna, remember how you used to steal bites before it cooled?".
Vinny's lips curved into a nostalgic grin "Deal! But you focus on getting strong first".
He spotted the dryness in her throat and reached for the plastic pitcher, pouring water with practiced care, she thanked him with a nod before sipping.
After a comfortable silence, Iseul gazed toward the dimming window "We owe your friend Minu a great deal" She said softly, voice tinged with both gratitude and worry.
"His accident... yet you say he still found time to help us with the medical bills" Her eyes glistened "We must repay him somehow".
Vinny lowered his gaze, he'd replayed that thought every night since Minu's hospitalization "I know" He said quietly "Currently I'm working part-time to pay him back, I'm more than halfway there".
Surprise flitted across her features "You're working?".
"Yeah" He admitted "Dom hooked me up - his cousin manages the loading dock at Macario's Market, evening shifts".
He lifted an arm, flexing teasingly "I've become a professional box‑lugger".
Her brow furrowed, fingertips brushing his wind‑tousled red hair "Are they treating you well? No one giving you trouble?".
"It's good, mom. They're decent people and Dom pops by whenever he's bored, so I'm basically untouchable" He added a wink for reassurance.
She exhaled, the tension in her shoulders easing "Just promise me you won't push yourself to exhaustion, money can be earned slowly but your health can't."
"Promise" He said, squeezing her hand.
A spark of excitement brightened her eyes "Actually... I was thinking of inviting him over for dinner and your friends, of course".
Vinny's brows rose "You won't mind? We'll be a bit noisy".
She laughed - a soft, musical sound that filled the sterile room with warmth "Nonsense~ I've missed a full house. Besides, those kids are lovely".
He felt a swell of pride for his circle "They're the best, mom".
"Then it's settled" She declared, reclining against her pillows with content determination. A gentle yawn escaped her "Now, shoo~ I want a catnap before the night nurse arrives".
"All right" Vinny stood, tucking the blanket snug around her shoulders.
He dimmed the bedside lamp, leaving only the glow of the hallway slanting through the door window "Sleep well, dream of lasagna".
She smiled, eyes fluttering shut "Be careful on your way home, honey".
Vinny slipped out, soft‑closing the door behind him. The corridor lights were cooler now, casting bluish pools on the glossy floor tiles.
Far off, an orderly wheeled a cart that squeaked with each turn.
The hush of the evening shift settled over the hospital like a blanket.
As Vinny started toward the elevator, his phone buzzed with a message.
He frowned, thumb unlocking the screen and widened his eyes in surprise at the text.
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