episode_0130

Sunil’s younger sister, Yujin, was just like a princess.

​

A princess wearing a patient gown instead of a dress.

​

Like Sunil, she had a high nose bridge, but her head was small.

​

And the chair resembling a throne was so high that Yujin’s feet, resting on her thighs, didn’t even touch the ground.

​

At her feet, gifts were piled high.

​

Clothes, beautifully wrapped snacks, dolls…

​

Elements that made Yujin look like a true princess. But the girl herself was clutching only a very old teddy bear.

​

‘Still, it’s a relief.’

​

Sua felt relieved.

​

Because even while Yujin seemed lost and unsure, she didn’t try to leave her spot. The way she was looking at the screen was proof.

​

It was good news indeed. It meant she was willing to watch episode 8.

​

Just then, Seo Yeonju said,

“I was so worried because they said her condition was serious. I thought she had completely collapsed and couldn’t even watch the drama.”

“It is serious. When you close your heart, your body doesn’t move either. By the way, Sunil, what were you planning to do if Sua hadn’t used her quick thinking?”

“That’s right. Now that I think about it.”

​

Seo Yeonju nodded at Kim Iseo’s words.

​

Persuading Yujin, who had closed her heart, was quite difficult.

​

Yeonju alone wouldn’t have been enough. It was fortunate that other actors joined in one after another; in the worst case, Yujin wouldn’t have even come out of her hospital room today.

​

Of course, Sua’s contribution was significant.

​

“Well, I might have prayed.”

​

Sunil said calmly.

​

Sua suddenly recalled the past. For a brief moment, Sunil had knelt before Sua.

​

At the time, she thought, ‘Would he go this far?’ but now she knew for sure. Sunil was simply someone who would do anything for what he valued.

​

Sua scratched her head.

“I thought only good things would happen if the drama did well. I never even imagined something like this would happen.”

“She must have been heartbroken because I didn’t mention her much. She must have also thought I lied to her.”

“My mind is getting complicated.”

​

Of course, she knew she hadn’t done anything wrong, but it still felt a bit strange. It was the first time for Sua to realize that success and happiness weren’t directly linked.

​

Kim Sunil said,

“There’s no need to feel sorry. If you hadn’t done your best, I wouldn’t have gained enlightenment, and then I wouldn’t have been able to film episode 8. The drama wouldn’t have been completed.”

​

Suddenly, Mystic realized that even though Sunil looked haggard, he was different from before. She quickly recognized the difference. Sunil no longer had the thorn-like sharpness.

​

Feeling the gaze, Kim Sunil continued,

“You guys should also think carefully about happiness.”

“Happiness?”

“Yeah. It seems to have made a huge difference. First of all, I have a goal, and it’s clear what I need to do.”

​

Perhaps thinking he had said something a bit embarrassing, Sunil belatedly added a few words as an excuse.

​

“…I wanted to tell someone at least once. So much so that I feel like I was just born now.”

​

“Oh, you can even say things like that now?”

​

Seo Yeonju chuckled.

“And you don’t have to be so careful around us, you know? Stop filtering your words so much. You should say what comes to mind.”

​

Then Kim Sunil smiled too.

“I guess so. I’m not a special guy in the first place.”

“I knew that from the start. So from now on, don’t be so prickly. Play well with your sister, too. Be happy.”

​

“Yeah. I will…”

​

Even though Kim Sunil was smiling, his voice lacked strength. After all, it was only possible if his sister was satisfied with episode 8.

​

Kim Iseo changed the subject tactfully.

​

“It’s starting soon. I believe it. Once the broadcast is over, we’ll definitely be able to give her Sunil’s gift.”

​

Sunil was holding a new teddy bear. It was something he hadn’t been able to give to Yujin, even with all the other gifts directed at her.

​

Sua and Yeonju nodded simultaneously.

​

“Yeah, let’s watch episode 8 first.”

“Let’s look forward to it. It’s the climax, isn’t it?”

​

At the same time, the staff shouted one by one.

​

“Episode 8 broadcast starting now!”

​

“The community and official website are already going crazy!”

“The real-time viewership rating is already at 29%!”

​

No, Sua thought the real-time viewership rating was 100%.

​

Because Yujin, the only audience member, along with the entire Special Task Force 808 production team, had started to sparkle with excitement.

​

At least for now, it meant that Sua’s entire world was together.

​

The climax broadcast started like that. Stealing the attention of everyone Sua cherished.

​

◈◈◈◈◈

​

『Kim Yuhan, can you hear me?』

​

Episode 8 started by scratching the itchy spot that people had been wanting for a week.

​

The situation where Lee Kangcheol couldn’t check the archives and things went awry. The walkie-talkie was connected while he was driving.

​

『Kim Yuhan! Respond!』

​

Lee Kangcheol shouted, sensing something ominous.

​

『I’m sorry, sunbae.』

​

But only a calm voice returned.

​

『I couldn’t catch him with my own hands. I should have been more meticulous and cautious, but like an idiot, I was swayed by emotions. I made a mistake. I’m sorry.』

​

『…Kim Yuhan?』

​

Eventually, Lee Kangcheol reaches the truth.

​

『Kim Yuhan, what happened? What’s the current situation?』

​

Sensing that something serious had happened, he asks questions, but Kim Yuhan steadfastly utters only what he has to say.

​

It’s not a will or anything.

​

It’s just a few words of request. There is nothing other than telling Lee Kangcheol to focus on his mission as usual.

​

『Catch him this time, too. Like always. Cleanly.』

​

『Kim Yuhan! Answer me! Kim Yuhan! That’s an order!』

​

That’s when the production team whispered to each other.

​

“It seems like she’s focusing on watching, right?”

“Yeah. I was worried she wouldn’t even pay attention.”

Yujin was fortunately focused on the drama.

​

In fact, the environment is quite poor.

​

It’s natural since it was hastily put together.

Everyone except Yujin had to stand, and their legs and backs hurt. Meanwhile, they had to be careful not to make any noise so as not to break the immersion.

​

But no one complained.

​

No, rather, everyone was happy.

​

It started just for Kim Yujin, Sunil’s younger sister, but when they actually experienced it, they realized. This was for everyone. The warmth they had forgotten in their busy lives filled their hearts.

​

Meanwhile, the drama progresses relentlessly.

​

『Kim Yuhan!』

​

There is no answer. The walkie-talkie has also been completely cut off.

​

Whoosh─!

​

Lee Kangcheol’s vehicle enters a long tunnel.

​

“….”

​

The production team all swallowed hard. Kim Sunil’s face was covered in sweat. It was understandable. The real highlight starts now.

​

That’s when it happened.

“Ah…?”

​

Sua was the first to notice the problem.

​

Those who followed Sua’s gaze soon turned serious. The younger sister’s condition was somehow strange.

​

Seo Yeonju immediately ran over and checked on Yujin.

​

The way she was listlessly swaying her head was unsettling. It looked like she was forcibly holding back her collapsing body.

“Are you okay?”

“I’m fine.”

But it was a listless voice as if she were talking in her sleep, and as expected, when Yeonju touched her forehead, it was as hot as a furnace.

​

“This…”

​

Seo Yeonju said, biting her lip.

​

“…We need to take her to the hospital right away. It doesn’t seem like she should be watching the drama.”

“No.”

​

Surprisingly, it was Yujin who said that.

​

“I want to watch it until the end.”

​

Yujin spoke with strength in her small voice.

​

Normally, they would have ignored her and lifted her up to take her inside the hospital, but everyone couldn’t easily step forward. Because Yujin was speaking each word very deliberately and carefully.

​

As if it were more precious than her own life.

​

“I wanted my oppa to do better and be happier. But I couldn’t do anything for him. I didn’t know how to do anything, and I didn’t even believe in oppa sometimes.”

​

“Yujin, it’s best to go up…”

​

Yujin shakes her head despite Kim Iseo’s dissuasion.

“So I have to watch it until the end. It’s nothing special, but that’s why I want to do it even more. Because this is the only thing I can do for oppa.”

​

The way she’s putting so much effort into not slurring her pronunciation.

​

That’s how strong the girl’s will is right now.

​

The production team was lost in thought.

​

Her desire to watch until the end for her oppa is admirable, but in the end, the most important thing is her health. Can Yujin continue to endure in this condition?

​

Just then, Yujin’s body swayed. At the same time, everyone had the same thought. It’s impossible after all.

​

Someone couldn’t hide their disappointment and muttered.

“…It’s almost over, just 10 more minutes, of all times.”

​

But then, something unexpected happened.

​

Nurses and patients using the same floor as Yujin started to appear one by one.

​

There is no doctor, but it’s okay.

​

In the first place, Yujin is suffering from a mental illness, and the measure of injecting a fever reducer IV drip every time her fever rises was sufficient. This time was no different. The nurses held stands and IV bags in their hands.

“….”

The production team gaped blankly.

​

The nurses quickly finished taking care of Yujin and didn’t leave even after that. Rather, they subtly stayed by her side and said.

​

“Yujin, let’s watch together for the first time in a while!”

​

“I don’t know how disappointed I was because I couldn’t see Yujin these days. Well, it was our fault, wasn’t it? We were so engrossed in the drama.”

“We came out after watching it just now too. It’s mostly about Sunil-ssi today, right? Our Yujin’s precious oppa.”

​

“….”

​

Yujin didn’t give any answers.

​

However, she once again turned her gaze to the screen.

​

Drip. Drip. Drip.

​

The fever reducer IV drop falls at regular intervals. At the same time, Special Task Force 808 was also moving forward relentlessly.

​

『Lee Kangcheol! Can you hear me now?』

​

Ha Yoonjin’s (Seo Yeonju) voice spread.

​

『I hear you! Currently chasing the criminal! More than that, I can’t get in contact with Kim Yuhan. Do you perhaps know the situation?』

​

『Kim Yuhan is currently trapped in a warehouse that’s on fire.』

​

『…Yes? In that case!』

​

Everyone held their breath.

​

『Forget about Kim Yuhan. We’ll send people on our side, so don’t worry. Just focus on catching the criminal!』

​

The situation in the play reaches its climax.

​

Yujin tightly hugs the old teddy bear. She takes in the events unfolding on the screen without a hint of movement.

​

At the same time, Sua felt the warm affection from the people in the hospital ward, and from Yujin’s eyes, she felt an anticipation like the sparkle of stars.

​

It was a bizarre sight.

​

It’s the highlight of Special Task Force 808, the most important scene, but only one person is actually looking at the screen. Everyone else was only looking at Yujin. Only at one girl watching the drama.

​

And eventually.

​

Slowly.

​

『Got it? That bastard! You can’t catch him forever if it’s not now!』

​

Very slowly.

​

The girl’s vision turned white.

​

.

​

.

​

.

​

.

​

.

​

The girl felt a sense of unease.

​

A pure white space, only herself and the screen exist.

​

It was strange. How could she suddenly fall into a place like this amidst so many people? It’s ambiguous whether it’s a dream or reality.

​

『Got it? That bastard! You can’t catch him forever if it’s not now!』

​

…Has time stopped?

​

The screen is stopped at the scene of Seo Yeonju shouting.

​

Whoosh─

​

Instead, something else soon moved. The pure white space surrounding Yujin began to take on a background.

​

Yujin quickly recognized it.

​

“A playground?”

​

There’s no way she wouldn’t recognize it. It was a place she went to play every day, and at the same time, a place she never got to mingle with.

​

But the scene she saw was quite awkward.

​

Because the part that Yujin had forgotten in her memory was being recreated. Kim Sunil was forcibly holding onto her, who was all teary-eyed, and moving forward. With the most steadfast face.

​

A much younger Yujin sobbed.

​

─Oppa…. Those people are so scary….

─Oppa can’t beat them even if you go…. There are so many of them….

─I’m okay….

​

That’s when the screen started playing again.

​

At the same time, Yujin received a strange sensation.

​

Because the face of Lee Kangcheol holding the walkie-talkie after making a decision, and the face of young Sunil grabbing her wrist were exactly the same.

​

There was a clear commonality between them.

​

The two of them had something they wanted very clearly.

​

『I will keep that in mind.』 ─I know too.

​

『However.』 ─But.

​

『I’m going to Kim Yuhan.』 ─I’m going. I can’t stand the fact that they hit my sister.

​

Yujin realized it only then.

​

Come to think of it, before she was abandoned by her mother, in the happy days, her oppa always had something he wanted to do. And after he did it, he always laughed heartily with Yujin.

​

Yeah, even on the day he set out for revenge and got beaten up instead, he was like that. He was just happy even with swollen eyes.

​

Sunil had finally regained that expression.

​

This was also the face that Yujin had so wanted at the same time.

​

“Oppa.”

​

One step.

​

Two steps.

​

The girl approached the screen.

“Yeah. That’s right. It’s my oppa.”

​

Light movements, she wasn’t staggering anymore.

​

Yujin quietly pulled out the IV drip from her arm.

​

She didn’t need the fever reducer anymore. Because the hope that her oppa had changed was already circulating through every nook and cranny of her blood vessels.