Chapter 28
The hospital staff clearly wanted to run a full diagnostic on my body, which had shown the exact same symptoms as Choi Kang-min. But I refused flat-out.
No way in hell!
I had zero interest in wasting my precious time on that guy.
"Jeez..."
Even when I made my disgust crystal clear, Seo Hye-ju was relentlessly persistent. She kept tempting me with free high-end scans! But I played the "I'm busy" card, got only the bare-minimum checkup, and checked out.
"Hyung~!"
Choi Kang-hun had bought a mountain of toilet paper rolls for his dorm move-in. That stash would probably last him until he graduated a year from now.
"What?"
"Just calling 'cause you're awesome."
"......"
It was a fourth-dimensional reason, but whatever. Right now, it didn't matter.
Praise. A casual word I'd always brushed off before—this one had saved me in ways I never imagined.
"But hyung."
"What now?"
"Do you think hyung can recover?"
"......"
I answered with silence.
It's gonna be tough.
Choi Kang-min had no desire to wake from his dream. Unless reality could force him out, his death was all but inevitable.
Pity? Not a shred. Even stripping away my personal grudges, objectively speaking, he'd meet his end blissfully happy. For him, the dream was reality.
"...Kang-hun."
"Yeah?"
"How much do you trust me?"
"Hmm... Ah! I'd even believe you if you said you were an alien!"
"Gotcha!"
Way too much trust!
"But why ask out of the blue?"
"I had a dream at the hospital. You got thrown in prison unjustly."
"Me?!"
"And I became a lawyer to save you from becoming the world's enemy."
Another tale of "me."
"......"
"......"
"...Hyung? What happened after that?"
"The culprit who framed you got me assassinated."
"Ahh...!"
"I'll tell you the rest after we finish unpacking."
"Okay!"
Even edited down, it'd make for a pretty long story.
* * *
Choi Kang-hun was the cautious type. He hated being seen as less than a brave man for it, but everyone around him viewed it positively. Meticulous. Thorough. His father, who ran a tangled web of conglomerates, felt the same.
"Drive safe."
"Yeah! I'll come visit again!"
After sorting out his dorm room, we grabbed a bite at a restaurant near the Sports University main gate and parted ways. A few seconds later,
"Young master. Have you finished your business?"
"The car's ready."
A man and woman in everyday clothes bowed politely to Choi Kang-hun. They looked like a perfectly matched young couple, but they were actually elite special forces bodyguards—hired with his pocket money.
"To the hospital."
"Yes, sir."
There was something fishy he wanted to check right away.
The car looked like your standard sedan on the outside. But it was a custom job packed with bulletproof glass, safety features, and luxury amenities.
Sinking into the plush back seat, Choi Kang-hun stared out the window and murmured softly to himself.
"I trust hyung. Always, forever..."
Kang Moon-soo, his one-year-older neighborhood hyung he'd leaned on since childhood, was someone he could trust unconditionally. Why? Their first meeting stemmed from elementary-school Kang Moon-soo's fearless sense of justice. He'd spotted Choi Kang-hun getting teased as a "girly boy" by kids his age and stepped in without hesitation.
'It's the inside that matters, not the outside,' he'd said.
Too young back then to explain intuitively, he'd shown it through action instead. How? Extinguishing a candle flame with his bare hand! Anyone could do it regardless of gender if they weren't scared, but hesitating made it burn hotter until you couldn't touch it... To snot-nosed kids taught only that fire was dangerous by parents and teachers, bare-handed flame-snuffing Kang Moon-soo was the ultimate manly man! And among those awestruck kids was Choi Kang-hun.
In other words, "Something's off."
The hyung he'd idolized since childhood had suddenly brought up a dream. And that dream featured "Choi Kang-hun."
So, this isn't just any dream.
Warning. That word hit first in his mind. Logically, there was no need to share a "you go to prison" story with him specifically. And it was so detailed.
"Young master. We've arrived."
"Thank you. It won't take long."
"We'll wait in the lobby."
Instead of heading to the reception desk at Elmolrans Hospital, Choi Kang-hun pulled out his smartphone.
(Hello?)
The saved number picked up instantly.
"This is Choi Kang-hun. Sorry to call during work hours."
(Hello. What brings the little brother to me...?) Seo Hye-ju, chief physician for his half-brother Choi Kang-min, sounded puzzled as she asked.
"I'd like to consult."
(I'm busy now, so keep questions short.)
"It's sensitive—could we meet in person instead of talking? I'm on the first floor right now."
(That's even harder...)
"It's about Moon-soo hyung."
(...An offer I can't refuse. I'll send someone to guide you.)
"Thank you for indulging my rude request."
(No trouble. It's an extension of what I'm doing anyway. Mind giving me a preview?)
"A dream."
(A dream?)
"I think I met Choi Kang-min hyung in the dream."
This little brother was no pushover, just as Kang Moon-soo suspected.
* * *
"This is weird."
Was I just oblivious? Even after that horrific ordeal of having my limbs severed, with stable meals and sleep guaranteed at my job(?), I felt my usual self bubbling up an hour before heading out, heart light and ready.
Knock knock.
Deep breath. I lightly rapped on the door of the office on the second floor of the Sports University Swimming Pool building—our agreed meeting spot.
"It's Kang Moon-soo."
"Come in."
The swimming coach's voice came from inside, oddly agitated for some reason.
Something up?
I cautiously opened the door, stepped in, and greeted her.
"Hello."
"Oh! Right on time."
"Dorm's right next door—being late would be ridiculous."
"From coaching tons of athletes, I've learned tardiness has zilch to do with distance. It's all about the drive to learn. Anyway, good on you for being punctual."
The coach welcomed me with a bright smile.
"What first?"
"Haha! Great enthusiasm, but before training, we need to kit you out with essentials. Let's start by buying a swimsuit for you to use temporarily, Kang Moon-soo athlete."
"Athlete..."
That title felt premature... Maybe "candidate" was more fitting?
"From now on, you're a full-fledged swimmer. Keep that in mind. For example, smoking—which tanks lung capacity—is banned. Secondhand included."
"Ah, got it."
Her enthusiasm outpaced mine? Promising sign.
"I'd love to get you a custom suit, but your body's not fully built yet, so we'll hold off."
"My body?"
"You need a bit—okay, a ton—more muscle. Got any protein supplements at home?"
"Nope."
"Figured... I'd buy you meat myself if I could, but my salary's tight."
"It's fine."
I knew from experience. Squeezing a broke household dry led to breakdowns fast.
"Use this locker room. Memorize the spot."
"Yes."
I'd figured athlete facilities were special, but it was the same locker room I'd worn out dragging Song Seon-yeong here.
Wonder how she's doing...
I was a little curious about her.
"Kang Moon-soo athlete?"
"...Ah! Yes."
"Focus on my explanation."
"Sorry."
"No official records yet, so you're third squad. First is national team candidates, second is university reps, third is reserves."
"Understood."
"Earn your spot in first or second, and facilities upgrade."
"......"
If I'd met the national coach who taught Choi Kang-hun swimming, I'd have top facilities from the jump, right?
Who to blame?
My karma for doubting my dongsaeng.
* * *
Thus began my full-on athlete life. Mornings, I'd wake, leave the dorm, and run the Sports University perimeter.
Because I loved exercise? Hell no. Given time, I'd sleep off my deficit sans sweat.
"Huff! Huff!"
So why force my sleepy eyes open and run? Simple.
I need power.
How pathetic was I, toyed with one-sidedly by Magic Boy Choi Kang-min?
That humiliation burned fresh.
"Just a bit more...!"
Running wouldn't make me fly, but Magic Boy couldn't either. Reality had no light-speed humans. Boost stamina, and I wouldn't fold so easy.
Power! My new core pursuit.
Exercise and will alone wouldn't cut it. Meaning,
"Lots, please!"
"Hehe! Eat up, student."
I needed diverse nutrients exceeding daily recommendations.
Lucky break.
This was Sports University. With health-focused students and athletes, the cafeteria served balanced, nutrition-optimized meals.
Finally,
"Kang Moon-soo athlete."
"Yes."
"Ever learned swimming from another coach?"
"No."
Well, a bit from that long-legged swimming-apt girl! Not taekwondo or fighting, but still coaching from a sports pro.
"...Your form's shockingly solid. Better focus on building body over fine tweaks for now."
"Yes."
"I'll arrange gym access by day after tomorrow at latest. Next few days, I'll tag along to teach swim-specific muscles and equipment."
"Got it."
Things I'd sidelined for part-time gigs were falling into place. Routine workouts. Healthy eats. Solid sleep.
Weekends, cafeteria closed, no cash—needed food sources. Hence,
"Hello, Seo Hye-ju ma'am!"
My first non-work weekend, I hit the hospital at dawn.
"I recall Kang Moon-soo hating exams. Didn't expect you'd reach out first."
"Haha! It's the weekend—plenty of time!"
All three meals covered? I'd scan all day!
"Anyway..."
Seo Hye-ju squinted, scanning me top to bottom.
"Problem?"
"Nah. Just a few days, but you've bulked up nicely since last."
"Haha! Thanks."
I was soaking up gains like a sponge in water. Mostly muscle! I'd heard sudden overkill could wreck your back, but so far, smooth sailing.
"Smart move. Collapsing twice in short span."
"You looked into it."
"Ah! Don't take it bad. Just doctor checking patient records."
"I know."
Didn't bug me. Far from it—like Choi Kang-hun's praise, her interest made me feel respected as a full person.
"Which sparked a question."
"What?"
"Your two collapses had a common thread. A prior patient with identical symptoms: Song Seon-yeong, Choi Kang-min."
"...Coincidence."
The warm vibe turned dead serious.
"Really just coincidence?"
"......"
"Your aptitude's shaman. Anything ring a bell?"
"Nothing."
No words to give.
"A man's life hangs in balance. Be straight with me."
"Ma'am. What answer do you want from me?"
"Treatment fees."
"I have nothing to—wait, what?"
"If Choi Kang-min recovers, I'll give every penny of his fees to you, Kang Moon-soo."
"......"
"......"
"How much?"
Suddenly, I had words!