BA Ch 3

 

“Doctor!”

With a bright exclamation, the boy jumped up and ran over, just like a puppy rushing to greet its owner. A smile spread across Yeo-jin’s lips.

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Despite his large build—standing more than a handspan taller than Yeo-jin—Hae-joo’s demeanor was as innocent as a child’s.

“Did you have a good day? Did you eat properly?”

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“Yes! They served bulgogi today, which I love, so I finished my whole meal.”

“Good job.”

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When Yeo-jin patted his head in praise, Hae-joo grinned widely, showing his teeth.

The facilities in the quarantine ward were terrible, but at least the meals were relatively decent.

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That, too, was a hard-won victory—one Yeo-jin had achieved by staging a sit-in protest in front of Director Im Su-hyang’s house, demanding better conditions.

“People become violent when they’re hungry. If you don’t feed the detainees properly and they turn aggressive, who’s going to suffer more? Me, with a headache, or you, Director?”

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At first, Director Im had snapped at Yeo-jin, calling the protest ridiculous. But after some thought, she must have realized Yeo-jin had a point.

In the end, thanks to their sit-in, the quarantine ward’s meal menu was completely revamped.

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Director Im was someone who valued her position above all else, and the last thing she wanted was trouble within the facility.

“Doctor Min, what’s that?”

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Hae-joo glanced at the box in Yeo-jin’s hands.

“A cake. It’s your birthday today.”

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“Is it?”

Having lost his memory, there was no way he could remember his own birthday. Yeo-jin smiled and took Hae-joo’s arm, pulling him along.

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“Let’s go to your room. I got you a strawberry cake. It’s really good here.”

“Really?”

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“And I got you a present, too.”

“What is it? What is it?”

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“I’ll show you when we get to your room.”

Seo Hae-joo was excited. He had no idea what decisions he would have to make once he legally became an adult after his birthday.

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The weight of guilt made Yeo-jin’s chest feel heavy, but he forced a smile and led Hae-joo to his room.

The two entered Room 13, where Hae-joo had been living for the past few months, and sat across from each other at the round table.

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Detainees were not allowed to have any personal belongings, so the room was not just empty—it was utterly desolate.

Yeo-jin took out the cake he had bought during lunch, placed candles on it, and lit them.

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Hae-joo’s face brightened as he gazed at the candle flames. When Yeo-jin sang the birthday song and clapped, Hae-joo blew out the candles in one breath.

“Happy birthday, Hae-joo.”

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Yeo-jin also set off a small firework he had received when buying the cake. Hae-joo beamed with joy.

It was the kind of smile that made anyone watching feel good.

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Yeo-jin took out a small box from his pocket and handed it to him. Hae-joo eagerly accepted it, unwrapped it, and grinned from ear to ear.

“I thought you might need a wristwatch.”

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Yeo-jin reached out, took the watch from the box, and fastened it around Hae-joo’s wrist.

A thick scar was visible on the inside of Hae-joo’s right wrist—undeniably a mark from self-harm.

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In truth, Yeo-jin had also bought the watch to cover that scar.

“Do you like it?”

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As Yeo-jin asked after securing the watch, Hae-joo vigorously nodded with a bright smile.

“Yes, I love it!”

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“It’s not expensive. I’ll get you a better one later.”

“No, no. I really love it. It’s amazing.”

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Hae-joo grinned widely and lifted his hand to admire the watch from different angles. Seeing him so happy was a relief.

“doctor, you’re the best. You’re my favorite person.”

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Hae-joo smiled as if he had the whole world in his hands.

Was he really that happy?

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Even though this lonely birthday party had no one else to celebrate with him, he seemed genuinely overjoyed.

His childlike delight was so pure that Yeo-jin couldn’t bring himself to say what needed to be said.

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“Now that you’re legally an adult, you have to decide what to do next. Starting today, you and I will part ways.”

Hae-joo had always kept to himself, never speaking to others, but around Min Yeo-jin, he never stopped talking.

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Few words. Emotionless, Lacking social skills. An introverted personality.

Neither emotions nor abilities manifest externally. Among Zero-class detainees, individuals of this type have a high risk of sudden ability outbursts. Extreme caution advised.

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That was what was written in Seo Hae-joo’s record. Yet in front of Yeo-jin, he was nothing but a bright, cheerful boy. Only Yeo-jin got to see this side of him.

After suffering a severe accident and suddenly being classified as a transcendent being, the boy was locked away in a detention facility. It was only natural that he would cling to and trust the first adult who had reached out to him.

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Seo Hae-joo chattered endlessly, his lips smeared with whipped cream. But Yeo-jin couldn’t shake the unease settling in his chest.

A persistent sting pricked at his heart.

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“Hae-joo,”

he called out after much hesitation.

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Hae-joo widened his eyes and answered, “Yes?”

When Yeo-jin hesitated, unable to say what was on his mind, Hae-joo scooped up a bite of cake and held it out in front of Yeo-jin’s mouth.

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“Why aren’t you eating, doctor? It’s super, super delicious.”

With no other choice, Yeo-jin opened his mouth slightly and accepted the cake.

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Seok-hyun used to do the same—whenever he had something tasty, he would always make sure Yeo-jin had a bite.

The rich whipped cream and soft sponge melted in his mouth, the fresh strawberry pieces adding a burst of sweetness and tang.

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“It’s good, right?”

“Yeah. It tastes even better because you gave it to me.”

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Hae-joo’s smile stretched so wide it looked like it might split his face. His cheeks flushed as he grinned and scooped up another bite, feeding it to Yeo-jin again.

After taking another bite, Yeo-jin finally picked up his own fork.

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“Hae-joo, what do you want for your birthday next year? I’ll buy you anything you want.”

In the end, that was the only thing he could bring himself to say. At least for this moment, he didn’t want to disappoint the child basking in happiness.

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He wanted to let him stay in that warmth for just a little longer.

“Something I want?”

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“Yeah. What do you want?”

Hae-joo stared straight at Yeo-jin with his pitch-black eyes, his cream-streaked lips parting slightly.

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“You.”

The unexpected answer caught Yeo-jin off guard.

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“Huh? Me? Not something else? You’re an adult now, so I can even buy you a car. I’ve saved up a lot of money.”

Of course, Hae-joo didn’t even have a driver’s license yet, but Yeo-jin said it anyway.

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“I don’t want anything. I don’t need anything.”

“Come on, think of something.”

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“I mean it. As long as you stay by my side, that’s enough. I only need you, doctor Min.”

Hae-joo spoke shyly, his smile soft and bashful. Yeo-jin was at a loss for words.

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How could he respond without disappointing him?

He wasn’t Hae-joo’s guardian. After today, they were supposed to part ways. Eventually, he had no choice but to say it.

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“Hae-joo, actually… after today, you—”

“You’re the only one I have. I like you, doctor Min.”

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Hae-joo cut him off, blurting out his thoughts with a firm finality.

Something about him felt unfamiliar today. His usually bright and lively demeanor was absent, replaced by an unsettling intensity.

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His dark pupils, too clear and too deep, bore into Yeo-jin with an almost suffocating presence. His expression, void of its usual warmth, carried a maturity that unsettled Yeo-jin.

Yeo-jin tried to hide his unease, forcing a smile as he spoke.

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“Hae-joo, I like you too. But we can’t always stay together like this.”

“Don’t you feel your heart race when you think about me too?”

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Once again, Yeo-jin was left speechless.

“W-what?”

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“When I think about you, my heart pounds, my breath catches, and I feel like I’m going crazy.”

Hae-joo’s face flushed as he panted, his excitement evident. He fidgeted, twisting his legs together, biting his lips, and letting out quiet groans as if in distress.

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His dark eyes shimmered with unshed tears, and the pale skin of his face turned a soft pink, heat spreading from his cheeks.

Yeo-jin couldn’t look away from that strikingly beautiful face. Those black, glossy eyes, like a crow’s feathers, locked him in place.

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It wasn’t just his imagination—something unseen was truly holding him down, wrapping around his body like invisible chains.

“you said you liked me too, doctor.”

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“Hae-joo.”

Hae-joo slowly reached out and rose to his feet.

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Clatter.

The chair scraped against the floor, and the fork he had been holding slipped from his grasp, the sound ringing in Yeo-jin’s ears like an eerie echo.

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He wanted to move—he needed to move—but his body refused to obey. He sat frozen in his chair, bound by something he couldn’t see, watching as Hae-joo’s large hand reached toward him.

Hae-joo’s hand touched Yeo-jin’s cheek. The unfamiliar sensation against his skin made Yeo-jin flinch.

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“doctor Min.”

“Hae-joo.”

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Pathetically, his voice trembled.
Hae-joo’s fingers, which had been softly stroking Yeo-jin’s cheek, slowly slid down.

They traced over his neck, glided past his collarbone, brushed against his chest, and continued downward.

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Summoning all his strength, Yeo-jin grabbed Hae-joo’s wrist.

“Seo Hae-joo.”

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His grip firm, he called the boy’s name in a stern voice.

Locking eyes with those glossy black pupils, Yeo-jin finally managed to speak.

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“Cut it out. I’m serious.”

He still cared for Hae-joo—he still liked him—but he couldn’t allow this kind of reckless behavior.

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Hae-joo’s lips, smeared with white whipped cream, curled into a smirk.
Between them, his perfect white teeth gleamed.