“Hyung is here!”

J folded his wide-open arms and, after closing the door behind him, strode quickly towards the bed. The stagnant air swirled around him as he entered. With a slight bend of his waist, J asked softly,

“What were you doing?”

“……”

No answer came. Only the faintest reaction—a slight curve of the pale lips beneath the bandages and tired eyes that barely opened. Even that hint of expression soon faded. Under the boy’s emotionless face, his fingers twitched slightly atop the blanket. J had come to understand most of the meanings behind these small gestures by now.