July 9, 2022.

That date burned into Su-ho’s mind. Not because it was his birthday.

First, there were Su-ho, Si-eun, Beom-seok, and Yeong-i. But Beom-seok slowly started to hate Su-ho. That's why he paid Kang Woo-young and some other guys to beat him up on his birthday. Beat him until he gets hospitalized. Beom-seok lured Yeong-i to meet him because he wanted to give her Su-hos birthday present. Just a plan to blackmail Su-ho so he'll come to the place for the fight. Beom-seok took a picture of Yeong-i and sent it to Su-ho with the address.

Su-ho didn't show up. No. It was Si-eun who showed up — he saw Beom-seoks messages on Su-hos phone before Su-ho did and decided not to tell him about it to protect him.

Si-eun got into a fight with them. Beom-seok tried to stop it because the beating was supposed to be for Su-ho, and he doesn't hate Si-eun. But Jeon Yeong-bin. Jeon Yeong-bin didn't listen and kept beating him with a metal pole because he despised Si-eun.

That's how Si-eun got into a coma.

Su-ho found out through Yeong-i, who called him sobbing and said that Si-eun got hospitalized and isn't waking up anymore.

After Su-ho visited his best friend for the first time and saw him so motionless on that hospital bed, he had a complete crashout.

Su-ho went to school and beat those guys up. Beom-seok and Yeong-bin the most because they're mostly responsible for this. Then, Su-ho got expelled and had to move to Eunjang High because no other school would take him after what he did. About Yeong-i? She distanced herself because she thought it's her fault. Beom-seok? He moved to the Philippines after all that happened.

After a few months, Su-ho found new friends there. Baku, Gotak, — the top dogs of the school — and Jun-tae — a guy with glasses who can't even throw a punch. They're all good friends. Good people. They're loud and chaotic. It's not like Su-ho minds that.

But nothing could replace Yeon Si-eun. Nothing could replace that quiet boy with eyes that say more than his voice ever could. His best friend.

March 23, 2024.

Almost two years later, Si-eun finally woke up. As Su-ho got the call from the hospital, he ran faster than Su-ho even knew he could. For Si-eun.

Once Su-ho got into Si-eun’s hospital room, he froze when he saw the other boy sitting on a wheelchair in front of the open window. The wheelchair doesn't surprise him. He didn't walk for two years. Of course, he needs one now. Si-eun also wears Su-hos red QT8 Garments track jacket over his hospital clothes that he left there just in case.

Su-ho steps behind his best friend and puts a hand on his shoulder. His grip is firm but not enough to hurt. He honestly doesn't know what to say.