The gates of Seoul University Hospital were completely surrounded.
The press surged in from every direction.
Camera lights made the place look like broad daylight, even though the sky was leaning toward dusk.
Questions collided in the air without pause, voices overlapping in chaos.
"Mr. Park Minseo!" "Did you see the face of your attacker?" "When will you return to your activities?" "Please look here!" "Over here—take a picture!"
Minseo stood at the entrance.
Bodyguards surrounded him on all sides, forming a human barrier that barely held back the storm.
He let out a slow breath.
Then lifted his head.
And removed his glasses.
He bowed deeply.
"I… thank you…"
He paused for a second.
"Everyone who supported me… and everyone who wished for my recovery in silence."
He raised his head again, his voice steady despite the chaos around him.
"I will recover… and return soon."
He didn't wait for more questions.
He moved with difficulty through the guards until he reached the car.
But even after the door closed, the world didn't stop pounding against the windows.
"We want to know the attacker's identity!" "This is our right!" "Tell us the truth!"
The car moved forward slowly, cutting through the chaos.
Minseo leaned his head back and closed his eyes.
The outside noise gradually faded… but the silence inside him grew heavier.
Somewhere in his mind, there were no cameras or shouting.
Only one image.
Unsteady footsteps.
And white sports shoes… stained with small spots of blood.
"Again…"
He whispered without sound.
"That shoe… I don't know where I've seen it."
"Are you still thinking about it?"
His manager's voice cut through the silence.
Minseo slowly opened his eyes.
He was lying in the back seat, head slightly tilted toward the window.
"Yes."
He answered calmly.
"Whatever I do… I can't."
A brief pause.
Then he added, in a quieter voice:
"I'm helpless."
The manager looked at him through the rearview mirror.
His eyes were full of concern, but his voice remained steady.
"Leave it to me."
"Just clear your mind for now."
Minseo closed his eyes again.
"Alright…"
"As always."
The car finally stopped in front of the house.
The garage gate opened automatically.
The car slid inside quietly.
Minseo opened the door slowly and carefully stepped out.
But before he could fully stand—
"Wait."
His manager's voice came quickly.
"Minseo, don't strain yourself, let me help—"
But another voice interrupted first.
A calm voice… very close.
"Hold my hand."
Minseo lifted his head.
And froze for a moment.
It was her.
Hee-mi.
Standing directly in front of him.
Her hand was extended toward him without hesitation.
Her expression was calmer than in previous days, but her eyes were hiding something deeper… something she could no longer fully conceal.
"You're here…"
he said softly.
She smiled faintly.
"Hurry… stop pretending to be strong."
He hesitated for a moment.
Then took her hand.
And the moment he did—
she gently pulled it, but didn't let go.
Instead, she placed his hand on her shoulder.
Then looked at him.
And smiled.
A clear smile… brighter than usual.
Minseo's eyes widened slightly.
"What is it? Hee-mi… you look really happy."
She suddenly laughed, a light, innocent sound, closing her eyes briefly.
"Yes… more than you'd expect."
She thought to herself:
More than you'd expect…
You're okay… and that's all I want.
Minseo entered the house.
The first thing he noticed was silence.
Not the silence of emptiness…
but the silence of order.
Everything was in its place.
Shoes neatly aligned at the entrance.
Soft, warm lighting.
A faint scent of cleanliness filled the space.
He paused.
"Your presence is in everything…"
he murmured without realizing.
He raised his eyes toward her.
"Hee-mi… did you arrange all this yourself?"
She quickly turned away.
Her cheeks turned slightly red.
"What are you talking about?"
"Me? No."
"I didn't do anything."
"The housekeeper did it."
Then she quickly added:
"You should increase her salary."
Minseo stared at her for a moment.
Then smiled faintly, as if he didn't believe a single word.
But he didn't press further.
"Go take a shower."
she said, picking up his coat gently.
He didn't refuse this time.
He headed toward the bathroom with slow steps.
And she remained behind.
In the room…
Hee-mi began arranging the bed with exaggerated care.
She straightened the blanket.
Pulled it once.
Then adjusted it again.
As if searching for a "perfect" form she herself didn't understand.
She picked up the coat he had left behind.
Paused.
Looked at it for a long moment.
Then lifted it slightly…
and brought it close to her face.
She closed her eyes.
And inhaled deeply.
A long breath… longer than necessary.
Then suddenly opened her eyes.
As if realizing what she had done.
"What am I doing…"
she whispered to herself.
But she didn't put it away immediately.
Instead, she gave a small smile—barely formed.
Then placed the coat neatly in the closet and patted it gently.
The sound of water came from the bathroom.
Minseo was inside.
But outside…
Hee-mi was trying to convince herself that everything had returned to normal.
Even if it hadn't.
A few moments later…
She stood near the bathroom door.
Looked toward it for a long time.
Then took a soft breath.
As if confirming he was safe… that he was there… just there.
But inside the bathroom…
Warm water flowed over Minseo's body.
He closed his eyes in silence.
His hands trembled slightly.
His fingers moved toward the old wound beneath the fabric.
He pressed lightly.
Then whispered inside himself, for the first time without defense:
"What did I do… to deserve this?"
Silence lingered within him for a moment.
Then…
A small memory flickered in his mind.
White sports shoes.
Stained with blood.
But this time…
they no longer felt strange.
He froze.
Then his eyes widened slightly.
"That shoe…"
He stopped.
Then the thought finally formed, slowly:
"It wasn't strange at all."
"It was my shoe…"
And outside…
Hee-mi had no idea that something inside Minseo had begun to move again.
Something no longer just a memory…
but the beginning of realization.