Chapter 17

“The rain’s really coming down.”

“Yeah…”

The rainy season in Jeju was intense. It felt like it should have stopped by now, but it kept pouring as if trying to break a record. Because of that, the site conditions weren’t good. Construction was temporarily halted, and the only ones left in the space were the three from the architecture office.

The site manager hurried over and told Wooseok’s group to finish up and head back. There was a risk that materials could fall because of the wind. Accidents happened unexpectedly.

“…It’s definitely different from the drawings.”

“Right. If we mess up here, we’ll have to start over, so check carefully.”

“Yes, I’ll keep that in mind.”

After checking the second floor space that had bothered Wooseok, he came down to see Eunjae and Minhyuk gathered at the entrance. Minhyuk was sticking close to Eunjae under the pretense of learning from her. Even though he told himself it was unavoidable, Wooseok couldn’t hide his irritation.

He thought it might be better not to see it and went upstairs again, but when he came down, he felt the same way. He started to feel like this Jeju Island trip was a disaster.

“Ah, Team Leader? Did you see everything?”

Minhyuk spotted Wooseok on the second floor stairs and called out. Eunjae’s gaze also turned to him. She started to walk over to ask about the second floor when suddenly a loud crash of thunder sounded. Startled, she flinched, and someone pulled her close, causing her to fall.

“Ugh…”

When Eunjae looked up, she saw Wooseok’s face right in front of her. He groaned briefly, frowning. What just happened? Before she could process it, she saw blood flowing from Wooseok’s shoulder.

“What? Are you hurt? Are you okay? Wooseok! You’re bleeding!”

Seeing the wound on his shoulder, her heart dropped. It felt like all the blood in her body drained at once. Next to her and Wooseok, some construction material had shattered. She didn’t even know where it had fallen from. And Wooseok, who had instinctively shielded her. Everything was confusing.

“Team Leader! Are you okay?”

Minhyuk, who had been frozen in shock, rushed over and grabbed Wooseok. Fortunately, the material had just grazed his shoulder and fallen. He was wearing a helmet, so it missed his head. It was a relief, but the cut on his shoulder looked worse than she’d thought.

“You’re bleeding a lot. Let’s go to the hospital, okay? Wooseok, hurry.”

Eunjae, her face pale, helped Wooseok up. He just smiled calmly. Eunjae wanted to shout, asking how he could laugh right now.

“I’m fine… It just grazed me.”

He slowly stood up. Who could stop Jung Wooseok’s stoicism? He’d once had his appendix burst and gone into surgery without a single complaint. Sometimes she wondered if his pain sensors were broken.

Knowing him so well, Eunjae couldn’t just stand by. She quickly took a handkerchief from her bag and wrapped it around his torn shoulder. The bleeding had stopped, but the wound still needed treatment.

“Let’s go to the nearest ER. Minhyuk, you can drive, right?”

“Ah, yes.”

As Eunjae hurriedly supported Wooseok, Minhyuk grabbed the car keys and ran outside. He said he’d bring the car up to the café entrance. Eunjae waited at the door with Wooseok.

It felt like a typhoon had hit—outside was a mess. The site had become dangerous. The site manager had said they could check things tomorrow, but Eunjae blamed herself for not stopping them.

“Does it hurt? Anywhere else? Besides your shoulder…”

“Shin Eunjae.”

Wooseok stopped her, holding her hand tightly. Only then did Eunjae meet his gaze. She didn’t even realize her hands were shaking. Wooseok’s calm words reached her, as if to quiet her nerves.

“Don’t worry. It’s nothing. Just a little cut.”

“How can a cut be nothing!”

She burst out, her voice trembling with tears. She was so shocked, but what hurt more was that Wooseok had gotten hurt protecting her.

“Better me than you getting hurt.”

“…….”

Eunjae was at a loss for words at Wooseok’s remark. Just how far did he want to make someone suffer with guilt? He was always like this. That’s why… her heart could never be light.

“How do you think I feel?”

Eunjae retorted, her voice trembling.

“You think I’d be happy if you got hurt instead of me?”

“…….”

Her eyes were tinged red, and Wooseok had nothing to say. It wasn’t about someone else getting hurt in their place. From the start, this situation shouldn’t have happened. He hadn’t properly assessed things either. He knew all too well that Shin Eunjae would blame herself for this, too.

“Assistant Manager, Team Leader! Get in quickly!”

Just then, the car arrived in front of the café. Minhyuk, getting out of the driver’s seat without even an umbrella in the rain, hurriedly opened the back door. Eunjae, without looking at Wooseok, guided his body toward the car. She slowly helped him in, then got into the back seat herself. Minhyuk joined them, and the car quickly sped out of the café yard, slicing through the rain.

As soon as they arrived at the hospital, Wooseok received simple treatment. Just as he’d said, the wound wasn’t deep. It needed a few stitches, but despite the bleeding, it wasn’t something to worry about too much. Eunjae, acting as Wooseok’s guardian, sat beside him, while Minhyuk waited outside the ER.

Just in case, Eunjae tried to persuade Wooseok to get a painkiller shot before leaving. The only way she got him to lie back down, despite his insistence that he was fine, was with her eyes, now turning red. When he finally agreed, saying he’d get the shot, Eunjae sat on the edge of his bed with a sigh of relief.

As the painkiller began to flow in, Eunjae’s phone buzzed in her pocket. When she checked, she saw Jiyeon’s name on the screen. Wooseok glanced down at it too.

“Go take the call.”

Only after hearing his words did Eunjae step out into the ER hallway. Minhyuk, who’d been sitting on the waiting bench, jumped to his feet. She tried to send him back first, but Minhyuk insisted he’d wait with her since there was nothing to do anyway. After all, they needed someone to drive Wooseok home. Eunjae couldn’t argue with that and nodded.

“I’ll just make a quick call.”

“Oh, okay.”

Eunjae walked outside the ER. The heavy rain had stopped at some point. She took a moment to herself, then pressed the call button on her phone, which had been set to silent.

“Yes, Unnie.”

—Are you really busy?

Since Eunjae hadn’t answered right away, Jiyeon asked first.

“No, it’s fine. What’s up?”

—I just arrived at your hotel.

“What?”

Eunjae asked again in surprise. With the weather like this, she’d thought Jiyeon might not be able to catch her flight. She’d assumed the call was to let her know about that. But Jiyeon was already in Jeju. Her unpredictable sister, as always.

“When did you get here?”

—A few hours after you left? I didn’t say anything on purpose. Didn’t want to bother you while you were working.

It seemed she’d avoided flying together to give Eunjae and Wooseok time to make up.

“How did you get around in the rain?”

—I thought I was going to die. Didn’t even rent a car on purpose. Wanted to ride the bus and wander around alone. Anyway, I’m exhausted, so just tell me your room number. Where are you, anyway?

Eunjae hesitated for a moment. But it was something Jiyeon would find out anyway.

“I’m at the hospital.”

—What?

Jiyeon’s voice rose in surprise.

“Wooseok… got hurt at the site. We’re in the ER.”

—Seriously? Oh my, what happened? Which hospital?

Her sister sounded ready to rush over immediately. Eunjae took a breath, realizing something she hadn’t considered. Kiwon was also in Jeju now, and likely at the hotel. She’d told Minhyuk not to contact him, worried he’d come running.

“Unnie, listen. Don’t be startled…”

—I just saw a ghost.

Jiyeon’s tone became serious.

“What?”

—Why is that guy… Eunjae, hang up for now.

The call ended abruptly. Eunjae stared at her phone for a moment, then closed her eyes tightly.