Outside Aki's hospital room, Akira stood still, his hand trembling slightly as it hovered over the door handle. Through the glass window, he could see Aki sitting up inside, staring right at him with a puzzled expression—his eyes asking a silent, innocent "Who is he?"
Akira's breath caught in his throat.
"I... I can't do this," he whispered under his breath. "I still don't have the courage to face him..."
Behind him, Yuke stepped forward and suddenly gave him a firm push.
"Come on, big brother. Be strong."
The door opened with a soft creak, and just like that, Akira found himself standing inside the room, Yuke beside him, his hand resting gently on Akira's shoulder.
Yuke gave a hopeful smile and turned to Aki.
"So, Aki... do you remember him?"
Aki stared at Akira, confused, his brows furrowing slightly.
"You don't?" Yuke asked again, this time with a softer voice.
Aki tried—tried hard to remember. Something about this man tugged at his chest, like a memory too distant to grasp, yet too strong to ignore.
Watching the struggle in Aki's expression, Akira's own heart ached. He stepped closer and gave a faint, sad smile.
"I'm your boss, Aki. That's all."
With that, he gently reached out, brushing Aki's cheek with his fingers.
Aki's lips trembled as he looked up at him.
"Then... why are you crying?"
Akira's eyes widened. He hadn't even noticed the wetness until Aki spoke. He touched his cheek—his fingertips came away damp.
"I'm sorry..." he murmured, before abruptly turning and rushing out of the room, hiding his tears behind hurried footsteps.
"Brother, where are you going?!" Yuke called after him, but Akira didn't answer.
Inside the room, Aki looked down, sorrow clouding his gaze. His mother gently hugged him, trying to comfort his trembling shoulders.
"I don't like it... when he cries..." Aki said, voice barely above a whisper, tears pooling in his eyes.
Yuke knelt beside him, placing a hand on his back.
"Don't stress too much, Aki. It's alright," he muttered, then added under his breath, "Stupid brother..."
Meanwhile, Akira had found a quiet corner in the hospital—a shadowed hallway where no one passed. There, he leaned against the wall, knees drawn up slightly, his hand covering his eyes as tears escaped unchecked.
"It's best if he forgets me," he whispered, voice shaking. "But... why these tears...?"
As the ache sat heavy in his chest, a familiar voice approached—Lily.
She stood near him, her tone firm.
"Why did you do that? You're crying, but not in front of Aki? He was literally crying watching you! You're making him stress out more. Do you even know... it was your fault he ended up in this condition for five years?"
Akira's head shot up, stunned.
"He... was crying?"
"Yes," Lily said sharply. "And I want you to never meet him again."
Akira lowered his gaze, his voice hollow.
"You're right, Lily... this is best for him. I promise... I'll never meet him again."
She hesitated a moment before speaking again.
"And... about the job?"
Akira exhaled.
"Oh, don't worry. He's free to go. He hasn't been in the gang for five years. He was never my guard... He can do whatever he wants now."
"Good then." Lily turned away and left without another word.
Akira quietly descended the hospital steps, the world feeling colder with each step. As he reached the hospital gates, his guards were already waiting by the car. But as he approached, they all bowed their heads low in respect.
Startled, Akira frowned.
"What are you guys doing?"
K raised his head, eyes filled with admiration.
"We're really amazed by your love, boss. Truly... we saw how you let go of your love just to keep him safe, even though it's killing you inside. We're proud of you."
Akira rubbed the back of his head, his voice quiet.
"It's not that big... Please, raise your heads."
With that, they all got into the car in silence, and the vehicle rolled away from the hospital, carrying Akira into the next chapter of his pain—quiet, loyal, and full of the kind of love that chooses to disappear.