“Seungwan ah, sorry we’ve been too busy to visit.” Seulgi grins instead and held out a teddy bear that she was hiding behind her back, “Tadah! I’ve brought myself here for you.” She handed over the big fluffy thing that matches the height of the girl in bed.

 

“I love it! Thanks Seul!” Wendy squeezed the bear tightly, her eyes shining.

 

“Irene unnie said she’ll visit later.” Seulgi informed her.

 

“What about the giant baby?” Wendy casually asks, fiddling with the bear’s nose.

 

“She didn’t specify.” Seulgi smiled, “The bear’s cute right?”

 

“Absolutely!”

 

“Well, I’ve got to go now. Irene unnie should be here any minute now.”

 

“Someone said my name?” A light voice came through the door.

 

“Oh unnie, I was just about to leave.”

 

“See you later at home.” Irene patted the younger on the head as she left.

 

Wendy cheered seeing the slender figure step in, “You came!!”

 

Irene chuckled and placed a bunch of flowers on the bed, “Something to brighten the room.”

 

“Thanks!” Wendy beamed, “It’s good to be sick.”

 

“Hoho, not for long though.” Irene pinched Wendy by the nose.

 

“Owww.”

 

“Sorry, did that hurt?”

 

Wendy laughed at Irene’s expression, “What’s with that look?”

 

“Huh?”

 

“It’s my leg’s that hurt. Not my nose!”

 

“Oh…” Irene gave an awkward laugh, “Sorry.”

 

“Busy lately?” Wendy smiled and reached out to gently push Irene on the head with a finger.

 

Irene returned the smile, “You look much better today.”

 

“I do, hmm.”

 

“Yeah, I was so worried yesterday watching you in pain… and not being able to do anything to help…”

 

“You helped. You all did.” Wendy didn’t stop smiling, “Trust me. Feeling everyone’s hands on me gave me strength.”

 

“Feeling everyone’s hands… on you?” Irene asked slowly, with a teasing smirk.

 

Wendy went red in the face, “T-That’s not what I meant!!”

 

“Oh what exactly did you mean then, Miss Toronto hottie with a broken ankle?”

 

The latter burst out into laughter, “What is it with you today?”

 

“Just feeling up to it.” Irene chuckled, “Seeing you makes me happier.”

 

“Aww… I’m honoured.”

 

“You better be.” Irene’s cheerful expression faded off, “How long more, Seungwan ah?”

 

Wendy’s smile still lingered, “A month?”

 

“A month.”

 

She nodded, “It’ll be fine. The group will be fine, unnie.”

 

“It will. Of course. Just… it will be different without you around.”

 

“Do I make up such a great part?”

 

“You make up the biggest part.”

 

“So sweet today, Irene-shi.” Wendy giggled, eyes glinting teasingly.

 

“I meant every word I said, Seungwan ah. Every word I’ve ever said to you.” Irene smiled.

 

“Thanks for being there for me.” Wendy reached out for Irene’s hand.

 

“Anytime.” Irene rearranged their fingers so that Wendy’s hand is the one in her grasp.

 

A figure stood outside the room with a solemn look.

 

Perhaps they shouldn’t be interrupted…

 

After a few seconds of watching, she turned around and left.

 

Footsteps heavy across the dull grey corridors.