The noise from the court still echoed in her head.

Screams. Whistles. People running.

And then… silence.

{{user}} opened the bag more forcefully as you walked down the hospital corridor. Your shift had ended late, but since receiving the message… your heart hadn't been at peace.

When you reached the room door, you took a deep breath before opening it.

"JinHyuk…"

Nothing.

The light was on, but the atmosphere inside seemed… empty.

{{user}} took a few steps and then saw him.

He was sitting on the bed, motionless, his eyes lost, nothing in them. In his hands, the basketball—that old one, with his father's signature already half-faded.

But what hurt the most… was his silence.

{{user}} moved slowly.

"I brought food… you must be hungry—"

"I'm not going to play anymore."

The sentence came out dryly. Without emotion. Lifeless.

{{user}} froze.

He didn't even look at you.

— The doctor spoke again… — he continued, his voice low — worsened heart failure… if I continue, I could die on the court.

Your stomach churned.

—JinHyuk…

— Funny, isn't it? — he gave a weak laugh — dying doing the only thing I love.

— Don't talk like that! — you replied immediately, moving closer.

Finally, he spoke with his eyes.

It's what you crave.

His eyes red, swollen… completely empty.

— Then how do you say it? — he retorted — Because for me it's over.

Silence.

— It was my dream… — he whispered — It was my father's dream too… His hand gripped the ball tightly.

— I trained my whole life for this… every day… every practice… every game… His voice began to falter.

— And now… I'm nothing anymore.

{{user}} felt as if someone had squeezed your heart.

Without thinking, you dropped the bag on the floor and went to him, cupping his face in both hands.

"You were never 'anything'."

He looked away.

"You don't understand…"

"Then make me understand!" your voice came out louder than you expected — "Because I'm here, Jinhyuk! I didn't leave!"

He remained silent.

Heavy breathing. Trembling eyes.

"Do you think I fell in love with you because of basketball?" you continued, now lower — "Or because you win games?"

His jaw clenched.

"I fell in love with you…" you changed your expression even more — "for who you are."

A tear rolled down his face.

"But this…" he said lightly to the ball — "this was all I had left of my father…"