The next day, Jungwon balanced both his college and part-time job. A month passed by peacefully, with Jay picking him up after his shifts. One fine day, as Jungwon was cleaning the countertop while listening to music, Heesung called out to him. "Jungwon! Can you come here for a moment?" Heesung asked
Jungwon, lost in his music, didn't hear him. Heesung approached, gently removing the earbuds from Jungwon's ears. Jungwon flinched momentarily, caught off guard.
"Oh, Heesung. What happened?" he asked, blinking in surprise.
"Come into the kitchen for a second; I want to show you something," Heesung replied.
Jungwon removed the other earbud, placed them back in their case, and started to walk toward the kitchen just as Jay entered the café.
"Jungwon? You said your work was finished," Jay said, raising an eyebrow. "Yeah, I just have to clean this place a bit before leaving," Jungwon replied. Heesung stood at the kitchen door, glancing at Jay. "Oh, okay. I'll wait here then," Jay said, adjusting his tuck and sitting down at a nearby chair. "Yeah, just wait. Heesung called me. I'll be right back," Jungwon assured him.
"Okay," Jay replied.
Heesung added, "Umm, nothing. I just wanted to ask where the cherries are. I couldn't find them anywhere, but I found them just now."
"Oh, okay. Just ask me if you need any help," Jungwon offered. "Sure. But all tasks are finished. You can leave after cleaning the countertop," Heesung said. Jungwon smiled brightly. "Okay!" He resumed cleaning the countertop while Jay texted in the group chat with Sunoo and Sunghoon. Suddenly, the café echoed with the ringtone of Jungwon's phone. He picked it up and answered.
"Oh, Mom, you remember your son now? Why didn't you answer my call last night?" he said, but his expression changed as he listened intently to her on the other end.Jay walked over, concern etched on his face. "Is everything okay?" he gestured with his hands.
Jungwon couldn't respond, too focused on the conversation. "Mom, I'm coming immediately… No, Mom, how can you expect me to stay calm when Dad is injured and in severe condition?" Heesung, hearing Jungwon's words, quickly removed his gloves and stepped outside."I don't know. I'm coming right away. Take care of him. I'll reach you soon," Jungwon said before cutting the call. "Drink this water," Jay said, handing him a glass."Is everything alright?" Heesung asked, concern in his voice.
"My dad got into an accident last night while coming home from work," Jungwon explained, his voice shaky. "How is he now?" Jay asked, worry evident in his tone. "It's not severe, but even a minor injury is dangerous since he's getting older. Just a fracture," Jungwon replied.
"Let's go," Jay insisted. "I'll go. You go home safe," Jungwon said firmly. "How can I let you go alone?" Jay countered. "You have college," Jungwon reminded him. "Let's think about that later," Jay replied, determination in his eyes.
"Alright, let me remove the apron," Jungwon said, moving to do so.
"Okay, I'll wait in the car and tell our friends about this," Jay said.
"Okay," Jungwon replied.
Heesung stepped forward. "Let me help you," he offered, trying to assist Jungwon with the apron.
"Thank you," Jungwon said, quickly removing it with Heesung's help. He grabbed his mobile and bag. "You don't need to worry about work. I'll take care of your shift too," Heesung assured him. "Thank you so much, Heesung. I'll treat you to an expensive meal and cover your shift when I come back," Jungwon promised. "It's fine, just go ahead. Contact me if you need any help," Heesung said, both of them smiling at each other before Jungwon hurried out. He settled into the front seat of the car beside Jay, who had put his phone aside as Jungwon entered.
"I notified them about your uncle. Let's stop by a gas station first," Jay said. "Okay," Jungwon replied, his mind still racing with worry. As they drove, Jay noticed Jungwon's anxiety about his dad and mom. He reached over, holding Jungwon's hand and caressing it gently. "Everything's going to be fine. Trust me, okay? If anything happens, we'll take care of it together. You have me," Jay reassured him. "I know," Jungwon said, managing a smile. After hours of driving, they finally reached Jungwon's hometown. Exhausted from his work at the café, Jungwon took a nap in the car as Jay parked near the hospital. "Jungwon? Wake up. We're here," Jay said gently. "Hmm? Did we reach?" Jungwon mumbled, rubbing his eyes.
"Yes," Jay confirmed, passing him a tissue before getting out to retrieve their bags from the back seat. They entered the hospital together, and Jungwon hurried toward his mom, enveloping her in a tight hug. "Dad…" he said, spotting his father resting on a hospital bed, treated but still in pain, with his mother by his side. "I told you to be careful at night. You didn't listen to me at all," Jungwon scolded gently. "Aish," his dad replied, feigning annoyance. "It's not your dad's fault," Jungwon's mom interjected. "This isn't the first time you're defending him anyway," Jungwon teased, continuing to talk with his dad about health and precautions.
Jay, standing nearby, asked, "When will they discharge your uncle?" "Oh, Jay! How are you, dear?" Jungwon's dad greeted him warmly. Jay moved closer, taking his dad's hand. "I'm fine, uncle. How are you feeling now?" "A bit of pain, as I'm getting old, son. But my son is too worried," Jungwon's dad replied with a chuckle. Jay smiled. "He loves you a lot, uncle."
Jungwon scoffed, "What's the use of worrying and caring if you never listen to what I say?" He pouted playfully. "You can sulk later. For now, you should spend time with your uncle," Jay suggested. Just then, a nurse entered, saying, "Only one person can stay with the patient."
"Okay, you both go home and take a rest," Jungwon's mom said.
"No, I want to stay with Dad. You should freshen up, Mom. Eat something and take a break," Jungwon insisted.
"I'll drop Aunty at home then," Jay offered.
"Jay, you drove for so long; you should rest too," Jungwon said, concerned.
"It's fine," Jay replied.
"Why didn't you help him? You let him drive all the way?" Jungwon's mom scolded gently.
"It's okay, Aunty. He was working when he found out about uncle's situation.
He needed to nap on the way," Jay explained.
Jungwon's mom and Jay headed back home while Jungwon insisted on staying with his dad at the hospital. Once home, Jungwon's mom unlocked the door, and Jay remained in the car, unpacking the items he had bought on the way when jungwon took rest throughout the ride.
Jungwon's mom entered the kitchen and began making soup for everyone. Jay walked in, placing two bags of fruit on the countertop.
"Ayo, why all these formalities, dear? You're students; you could have used that money for something else," Jungwon's mom said, shaking her head. "It's okay, Aunty," Jay replied, taking out the fruits and asking where to put them.
"Just rest, dear. I'll arrange them," she insisted.
"It's fine, Aunty. Let me help you," Jay said, determined to assist. He arranged all the fruits, and while she was busy making soup, Jay insisted on cleaning the house. They chatted about life at university, their room, friends, part-time jobs, and the bonds they shared. After taking a bath in Jungwon's room, Jay emerged wearing some of Jungwon's old clothes, a towel draped around his neck, his hair still slightly damp. "Umm, I'm sorry. These are all old clothes since he isn't living here anymore," Jungwon's mom said apologetically. "It's fine, Aunty. They're so comfortable," Jay replied with a smile.
They both sat down to eat a bit of food. Afterward, Jay returned to Jungwon's room and took a nap. A few hours later, they woke up and packed soup and food for Jungwon and his dad. As Jay poured the soup slowly into a hot box, he noticed Jungwon's mom standing in silence, which made him uneasy. Out of the blue, breaking the silence, Jungwon's mom asked, "You both are in a relationship, right?" "Who, Aunty?" Jay asked, trying to maintain his composure.
"You and Jungwon—" she began, but just then, Jungwon's call interrupted their conversation.
Jay quickly excused himself to answer the phone.
"Hello!" he said, lifting the call immediately.
"Don't forget to bring a T-shirt and towel," Jungwon reminded him.
"Okay. Want anything else?" Jay asked.
"No. Drive safely," Jungwon replied.
"Okay. Bye," Jay said before hanging up.
Jungwon's mom packed the bag, placing the hot box Jay had filled into the bags while he was on the call, and then they headed to the car.