Slowly, the blade grew closer to the string of his life.

+ × +

"Guys, he's waking up!"

"Shh, you're going to startle him when he does!"

Beomgyu lifted his stone-heavy eyelids and winced as a sea of blinding light flooded his sight. It hurt.

All around him, s stood. Fear was evident on their faces; eyebrows knitted together and a few pouts from Yeonjun and Kai.

He couldn't help but notice the shiny streaks shaped like rivers on Taehyun's face.

Beomgyu frowned. "What's wrong?"

Soobin pointed to his own arm, prompting Beomgyu to take a look at his own arm. He couldn't believe it.

"Hyung, where are you getting the bruises?" Kai asked the older boy.

From my freaking cancer. "I've been trying to improve my stamina while sick so I've been going to the gym. Didn't realize how intense I was doing it."

It seemed feasible, but also absurd. Why would Beomgyu even think of going to the gym with such a condition?

But luckily, everyone seemed to believe it.

Except for Taehyun.