The days passed like petals drifting in spring wind—light, soft, full of laughter.

Min-kyu and Ha-jun started planning again. Little trips. Quiet moments. A future.

Min-kyu almost forgot to be scared. Almost.

One rainy morning, Ha-jun didn’t wake up on time.

Min-kyu stood by the window, watching the gray sky, and when he turned, something felt wrong.

Ha-jun’s breath was shallow. His skin pale. There was blood on the pillow.

“Ha-jun?” his voice cracked. “Hey… wake up. Please.”

Ha-jun stirred, groaned, then smiled weakly. “Sorry… I guess… I pushed too hard yesterday.”

Min-kyu called the nurse, heart racing, hands shaking.

That night, Min-kyu cried in the bathroom.

He stuffed a towel in his mouth to keep the sound in.

He hated himself for feeling afraid again. Hated himself for believing it was over.

But mostly, he hated the way Ha-jun had smiled.

That tired, fading smile—like he was already saying goodbye.

The next morning, the doctor spoke slower than usual. More careful. More quiet.

Min-kyu heard the words, but they didn’t register.

“There’s… a chance it’s spreading again.”

His legs went numb. His heart turned to glass.

That night, Ha-jun looked at Min-kyu’s tear-filled eyes and whispered, “You’re crying again.”

“Because I don’t know what I’ll do if I lose you.”

Ha-jun touched his cheek. “Then don’t lose me yet.”

“I’ll fight harder.”

Min-kyu kissed him like he could kiss the sickness away.

Like love could be a cure.

But that night, the rain didn’t stop.

And Min-kyu didn’t sleep.

End of Episode 5