CHAPTER 5:

- Everything is happening in a good way. Sunghoon certainly has been taken care of very well. Don’t force him to remember anything, just lead him to memorable things in the past. Someday not too late, he’ll be well again.

- Thank you.

- Ah~ what’s your name? I’m so sorry because in the old days that was Mr.Ko taking Sunghoon to this place, so I don’t know who you are.

- Ah, I’m Eun Jiwon. Sorry, I didn’t call you to announce in advance about this change.

- No problem.

The doctor turns his eyes on Sunghoon and gives an encouraging smile:

- Sunghoon, fighting!

- Thank you.

Jiwon’s heart thrills like a new spring is coming. He really feels like there is a rain in the spring, which is has abnormally high burning in his mind. Happily having heard the news from the doctor that Sunghoon’s memorial situation has been better, Jiwon has more motivation and belief about someday not too far, Sunghoon will come back with real complete memories. Then, although Jiwon may be continued to be angry with or scolded by Sunghoon, he will never let Sunghoon go even one more time.

*Jiwon sighs*

- What’s the matter?

- Just thinking higgledy-piggledy a little bit.

Jiwon keeps silent a few seconds, then takes a big step, and stands across Sunghoon’s walkway. Jiwon uses his eyes, though they are small, to describe to Sunghoon the great happiness existing in his heart. Sunghoon backs to Jiwon, just need to back to Jiwon, there is nothing to require anymore.

- What are you doing? – Sunghoon surprises.

- Thank you, Sunghoon.

- Thank you for what?

Jiwon holds Sunghoon’s hands, hold whole of them in the hollow of Jiwon’s hand. Sunghoon can realize the warmth from both hands blending with each other, then suddenly feels very ashamed.

“What is really the relationship between you and me?”

- I don’t understand.

Sunghoon looks down at his hand, then looks up at Jiwon, continues:

- Hugging me, wiping my face, holding my hands; there was a day you even kissed me. Don’t you have any intention?

- Did you notice of such actions? – Jiwon opens the eyes widely – But I… when did I kiss you?

- "Have a good sleep. I’ll cook for you”. Something like that!

- *glances around himself* It’s just because that day…

- You like me?

Sunghoon all of a sudden “explodes” that makes Jiwon immediately speechless. Jiwon scratches his head, laughs heartily and wholly, and reveals his embarrassment.

- Yes. Is it ok?

- I don’t allow you, Eun Jiwon.

Before Sunghoon’s embarrassing attitude, Jiwon cannot dominate that laughs out loud. Sunghoon frowns in annoyance and be sulky. Thinking that Jiwon teases him, he throws Jiwon’s hands, then hastily goes away.

- You’ve just met me today. So crazy! *mumbles*

Jiwon runs after Sunghoon to the campus. Sunghoon only accepted to leave the bench after during a length of time Jiwon had to rub his hand gently and entreated, if not, Sunghoon would only sit there like he was stuck by the paintwork. Jiwon takes Sunghoon leaving the hospital and strolling the streets, and has Jaejin drive his car for home. Sunghoon is like an excited child. Two people walk together through a lot of places that they have not come back for a long time.

- I see this place familiar.

- Familiar? Can you remember anything?

Sunghoon still shakes his hand, and continues:

- But the image when I’m here with someone has just glided past my mind.

“That’s me, Sunghoon…”

Jiwon does not need Sunghoon to remember it at once. Jiwon just want to make the most comfortable atmosphere for Sunghoon to help Sunghoon recover his memories that does not suffer from any burden. How long it takes, Jiwon will always expect…

- Let’s move on.

Jiwon takes Sunghoon to the next place. That was the place where two people made their promise two years ago. Jiwon really wants to tell Sunghoon about that, but he hesitates.

- Here is…

Sunghoon turns his body and enjoys the surrounding scenery from all angles. There is something familiar here with him, and it may be also connected closely someone’s image. Sunghoon smiles happily. He feels his heart comfortable and just wishes to stay here a little bit longer.

- Here’s your soda, Sunghoon.

- Soda?

“– Sunghoon, I bought a soda for you.

- I’m sick now.

- Oh my… I forgot it. I’ll buy for you a glass of hot milk.”

- Jiwon hyung!

Sunghoon urgently calls Jiwon. He is sure that he has just remembered something. Cannot wait for Jiwon’s reply, Sunghoon asks quickly:

- Was it you taking me here?

- Did you remember it?

- Soda… and you. I just remember a little. Oh!

Jiwon hugs Sunghoon, lifts Sunghoon off the ground and swivels him around. Sunghoon is thinner too much, Jiwon can turn Sunghoon a round and more a round that does not have to complain his arms or his legs are getting tired. Sunghoon has realized that this place connected closely the memories between him and Jiwon, Jiwon is overjoyed afresh.

- What are you doing again? Let me go.

- I’m only too happy.

Jiwon holds the soda-can in his hand, cannot dominate himself that kiss on it.
- Ew~ - Sunghoon proves to be tired. He does not understand Jiwon is reacting to what.
- It’s thanks to the soda-can. I just kiss it to show my thankfulness.
- You can kiss another girl over there.
Sunghoon raises his eyes and looks far away. He wants to find for Jiwon a subject, a girl with the long legs and white complexion walking on the street alone for example. Sunghoon does not notice of Jiwon’s depressing expression because he just ignores Jiwon all the time and does not grasp Jiwon’s sincere will.

- I don’t need any girl. I… I only need Kang Sunghoon.
- What? ARE YOU CRAZY? Why is that me?
- Nope. I’m very of sound mind.
- I’ve just met you since today.
- No, Sunghoon. Have you quickly forgotten that last-10-year Photobook? We’ve met each other for 10 years ago.

Sunghoon’s memory also suddenly comes back. Sunghoon must have been keen on seeing the sights surrounding that he said it inadvertently like that, he does not mean to forget the photos in that book although both of them were older because of the grind of time. Sunghoon scratches his head, looks puzzled and says apologize to Jiwon, then asks:
- Why can you affirm that you need only me?
- Because…
How to tell Sunghoon this time? It is clear that Jiwon does not know, but he is still daring to express his love.

- Because I love you…
- … What?
- I love you, Kang Sunghoon.
- ...

Sunghoon cannot say anything and looks at Jiwon bewilderly. Jiwon does not need Sunghoon to reply because he has received Sunghoon’s answer for nearly ten past years. Now, Sunghoon as long as feeling safe and happy by Jiwon’s side is enough.

- Let’s... let’s move on.

Sunghoon parries the serious face of Jiwon and his burning eyes by sneaking away to another place, then find some statement to say out loud for form’s sake. Sunghoon’s cheeks are blushing. His face is hot, wait for a breeze coming to relieve. Sunghoon once again cannot face Jiwon’s heart.

A little later...

- Let’s go home, Sunghoon.

- Why? – Sunghoon still wants to continue his interesting journey.

- I... I feel that someone is following us.

Jiwon puts his hand around Sunghoon’s shoulder, hold Sunghoon’s arm and presses Sunghoon against his side. Sunghoon keeps silent. He does not understand what actually is happening, but Jiwon’s attitude makes him confused extremely. Sunghoon holds tight Jiwon’s shirt and his voice trembles:

- Go... go home.

Jiwon calls Jaeduk to announce the recent status, then quickly takes Sunghoon home. A fire about unsafety arises and burns formidably in his heart.

Two people went home. Anxiety, flutter and fright overlapped during the stretch of road. Jiwon suddenly still feels someone is behind him and Sunghoon from the street as far as here. Being angry, Jiwon turns his line and seeks around to ask for the truth. Suddenly a dazzlingly shining knife edge appears in Jiwon’s eyesight.

- Sunghoon, be careful!

Jiwon holds Sunghoon’s hand and draws Sunghoon towards his side, then use two arms to tighten Sunghoon. The point of knife comes straight to Jiwon’s back and stabs him deeply. Jiwon is painful, clenches his teeth and does not scream. He still holds Sunghoon is his arm. No matter what occurs, Jiwon must fulfill his duty to protect Sunghoon. The injury starts spreading with blood and soaks the shirt he wears. Jiwon falls down, his sweat flows like rain because it is so painful that he cannot stand anymore, then Jiwon becomes unconscious.

“That knife. That piece of cloth. It’s him!!! Who am I? Where is here?”

“Please! Don’t kill him!”

- RRRRRRR!!! – Sunghoon holds his head and screams out loud.

The police arrive and catch the murderer. Jaeduk, Jaejin and Suwon rush to like shooting arrows.

- Take Jiwon-hyung to the hospital!

- Call the ambulance!

- Not in time. Take him to Jaeduk’s car.

- Sunghoon, are you alright?

The sounds are like mixed with the whistle from police car making a terrible mixture, Sunghoon is numbed. His hands are “dyed” with the dark red of blood because he used them to stop the bleeding for Jiwon’s injury. Right at the moment Sunghoon saw the knife’s shape and the piece of cloth that the killer wearing, he could not keep himself calm anymore.

“Sunghoon, it’s me, my mom. Don’t be ignorant more, come home and be a good person, my dear”

“Hyung, I miss you much”

“You adhered to the gangster world. Are you crazy?!!!”

“-  Run away, Sunghoon

- Who ask you to protect me? I don’t need you to protect me.

- Mend your way, please, Sunghoon. I know you can do it”

“From now on, I’ll not let you be friend with such kind of human”

“Don’t keep opening your mouth to swear. Do you hear me?”

“Don't call her a in' girl"

“This letter, I know it’ll not be sent to you, but… is your marriage life still happy, Jiwon-hyung?”

“Please. Don’t kill him! Just kill me!”

Sunghoon sits down on the ground right in front of the house’s door, look at Jiwon being taken to Jaeduk’s car and prepared to carry. Sunghoon suddenly jumps up with a start and uses all his speed to run after. In the worst situation, Sunghoon… remembered all.

- Suwon, I…

- Sunghoon, you should stay home – Suwon is really hurried. He does not have time to look at Sunghoon and listen to what Sunghoon wants to say.

- Suwon, I remembered everything.

- What do you say?

Sunghoon does not reply. Time does not wait and Jiwon’s life is very important, Sunghoon stops hesitating, then pushes Suwon into the car. Sunghoon has to see Jiwon because of him that must suffer from hurt, his heart is like torn into thousand pieces. Tears overflows and rolls on the cheek, Sunghoon cannot continue to suppress his emotion. He realized that during last period, how much Jiwon loved him, and Jiwon even said that Jiwon would protect him till the end of his life, now he repays Jiwon by this way? Just wants to be dead to delete this offending, Sunghoon bursts out crying. Suwon sitting next to Sunghoon is also no less broken-hearted. He effortlessly slaps Sunghoon’s shoulder and consoles:

- Having you, Jiwon-hyung certainly will be fine.

Jiwon is immediately taken to the emergency room. The wound is too deep that makes him lose much blood, Jiwon’s heart is stop beating. The doctors quickly save the situation. During the case, the sweat cannot stop streaming down from their forehead. They know they have to try their best to save a person’s life.

Everything happens too long that makes Sunghoon lose his temper. He puts his back to the wall, holds his head and his tears cannot help shedding. Falling in critical time, Sunghoon runs his eyes over, then mumbles himself:

- It’s me harming Jiwon-hyung. I don’t wanna live more. I don’t wanna live more.

- Sunghoon, listen to me – Suwon shakes Sunghoon’s body strongly to set Sunghoon’s mind at rest– Jiwon-hyung needs you. You aren’t allowed to think like that.

- But because of me that Jiwon-hyung is in danger. He’s in danger, you know? Let me die!!!

- Jang Suwon, get out!

A hand draws Suwon towards rearwards.

*slapping*

- Why do you slap Sunghoon? – Jaeduk starts and gets into a panic.

That is Jaejin. He stands face-to-face with Sunghoon, whole his body is trembling with anger.

- Don’t treat like a child. How old are you Kang Sunghoon?

Both Jaeduk and Suwon are surprised. That years have passed, they have never seen a firm Lee Jaejin who treats like a brother like that. The human will really have some times that they have to show their different aspect because of the circumstance.