Flash!
As if the heavy eyelids, like a chunk of iron, became lighter, they opened at the same time.
"Ah...!"
And then I saw the white ceiling of the building.
It was the scene I saw right before I entered Choi Kang-min's dream.
Beep, beep, beep...
I heard the sound of medical equipment monitoring my pulse, and there were many suction cup-like devices attached to my skin.
'Did they dissect me while I was asleep...?'
It was suspiciously strange.
Thud!
"You're awake!"
How did she know I woke up?
Manager Seo Hye-joo rushed into the hospital room without waiting for the automatic door to open completely.
"Hyung~!"
And behind her, I could see the figure of Choi Kang-hoon.
I was very glad to see them, but,
"Where's Choi Kang-min?"
There's no point in me waking up from the dream alone. I wanted to check on him first.
"He opened his eyes! My goodness! The patient who hadn't moved for 7 years finally woke up! He's not in good enough health to speak yet, but he's alive now."
"That's a relief."
It's a relief that Choi Kang-min's medical expenses, which I was promised to receive, didn't evaporate!
Tap, tap...
As I tried to sit up in bed, the suction cups attached to my body got in the way.
"Just wait a moment. I'll remove them."
"I'll do it myself."
"It's okay if you do it yourself, but if it breaks, the repair cost..."
"Please remove them!"
I waited patiently for Manager Seo Hye-joo to remove all the medical devices from my body.
"I'll leave the IV. Compared to the patient Choi Kang-min, your condition is just a cute level, but you've still lost a lot of energy. And it's a very expensive fluid, too."
"You won't charge me, right?"
"Of course not."
Thump, thump, thump...
With the help of Manager Seo Hye-joo, I quickly removed the suction cups and headed towards the bed where Choi Kang-min was lying.
"Brother. It's me, Kang-hoon. Do you recognize me?"
Choi Kang-hoon was already talking, holding the bony hand of his half-brother.
A heartwarming scene filled with brotherly love!
'It would be nice if their true feelings were the same...'
It's amazing how they are completely opposite in reality.
"......"
In response to his half-brother's tender question, Choi Kang-min blinked his eyes, showing a very surprised atmosphere.
Of course, he couldn't help but be surprised.
During the 7 years that Choi Kang-min had lost, his younger brother Choi Kang-hoon had grown from a boy who was teased for looking like a girl to a handsome young man who is popular with girls.
On the other hand,
"Patient Choi Kang-min, nice to meet you for the first time. I'm Manager Seo Hye-joo, who has been in charge of your primary care for the past 7 years, and this is the special room of Elmorangs Hospital. It's fortunate that you've woken up safely, but your body is not in a condition to be at ease."
"......"
Listening to the primary care doctor's explanation, Choi Kang-min could do nothing but roll his eyes back and forth.
No, did he also seem to slightly furrow his brow as if to express pain?
"Mr. Kang Moon-soo."
"Yes."
"I have a lot of questions, but since the patient is the priority, please wait outside the room. Choi Kang-hoon, the family member, too. I'll send someone to guide you."
"Yes."
In the hospital, the doctor's word is the law!
We left the room without interfering, and soon after, many doctors and nurses entered the room.
"Moon-soo, hyung."
"Don't thank me. I'm getting paid for this too."
"Still, thank you. It could have been dangerous because of my stubbornness."
"I promised to help you, didn't I?"
I slightly regret it now, but when I impulsively promised at the time, it was sincere.
The old single-room commercial building.
My embarrassing home.
That's why I tried so hard not to let anyone find out. Checking if there was a friend spying on me before entering the house was a daily routine.
Despite all this, I prepared more than 10 scenarios and excuses in case someone found out that it wasn't my house.
Such a secret I wanted to hide.
'I really...'
When I revealed it to Choi Kang-hoon right before moving out, I thought he would laugh at me. For him, a rich young master, the fact that someone lives in such a place would be a culture shock.
But this guy showed the opposite reaction.
He was surprised, but it was not ridicule but admiration mixed with amazement.
At first, I felt the same way. I doubted if I could live in a place like this warehouse - no, a place that was used as a warehouse, and at some point, I was both proud and surprised to find myself getting used to it.
So,
"I know you promised, but risking your life-"
"Enough with this talk! It's over! It was my choice and decision."
"But still...
"Kang-hoon. You've heard it too, right? A man shouldn't speak with two tongues. A true man doesn't break a promise just because it's difficult."
"Ah! Yes!"
As soon as the phrase 'true man' was mentioned, which worked like a cure-all for Choi Kang-hoon, the conversation was settled.
Of course,
'What promise! Money is the best!'
My true feelings were different.
If I hadn't been offered a large sum of money that I couldn't touch even if I worked part-time for five years without spending a penny, it would have taken me a long time to make a decision.
"But Kang-hoon."
"Yes. Ask me anything!"
"What's today's date?"
"April 25th."
"Really? I woke up earlier than I expected."
It was because I was discovered by Choi Kang-min earlier than I thought.
If I had known it would turn out like this from the beginning, I wouldn't have needed the support fund from Vice President Seo Hye-joo or the long vacation I asked for from the swimming coach.
And that's not all.
The materials and plans I prepared in addition to the uncle's video ended without even starting.
'Because of that witch in the wizard's costume...'
There's no clear evidence, but there's no doubt that the witch entered Choi Kang-min's dream like me and did something.
She had a grasp of Choi Kang-min's exact location and movements at the speed of light.
It was so convincing that I could even believe she controlled it...
"Ah! That's right!"
"What is it?"
"Quickly, paper! Paper and pen! This is not the time to be like this!"
"I have a pen..."
Choi Kang-hoon took out a fountain pen that shone like gold from his pocket.
It's not real gold, is it?
Scolding myself for having such a ridiculous thought,
"Let me borrow it!"
"Yes."
After borrowing the fountain pen, I took a sheet of paper from the stack of questionnaires hanging on the wall of the hospital corridor.
"If only..."
It would have been better if the back of the questionnaire was blank, but there's nothing I can do about it now.
Swoosh-
I started drawing the chemical formula that I had memorized for a whopping 8 hours in the dream.
The birth and death of a planet.
I represented the chemical formula in order like that process.
Expression, combination, division, circulation, harmony...
It wasn't easy to cram the whole thing, full of unfamiliar terms, into my head, and if I made even a small mistake, I would have to verify everything from one to ten, so it was no different from a blank sheet.
"Hyung?"
"......"
I was so focused that I couldn't answer Choi Kang-hoon, who was watching over my shoulder.
'It's dangerous.'
People who have dreams must have had similar experiences.
When you wake up, the dream you vividly remembered quickly fades away as soon as you wash your face.
I was no exception.
The chemical formula I memorized for 8 hours began to blur as if it was covered in fog.
Swoosh- stop.
"Done!"
I was so excited that I shouted in joy, forgetting that I should be quiet in the hospital.
The completed chemical formula.
It was so close that I couldn't draw it again if asked.
"Hyung, what's that chemical formula?"
"The dream of extending life."
"Probiotics?"
"I don't know. I haven't seen the result of this chemical formula either."
That's right.
At that time, I couldn't have imagined it.
* * *
The news that the eldest son of one of the leading chaebol families in Korea had woken up was quickly introduced through various media outlets.
The son of a certain group's chairman woke up after 7 years.
...Although it only showed a photo of him lying in bed for about 5 seconds with a one-line explanation.
"I'm proud."
As someone who was directly involved in the incident, I couldn't help but feel proud.
Especially my bank account that has become plump!
Lying on my bed in the dormitory of the sports college, counting the zeros of the deposit amount became my hobby.
"Hehehehe..."
No matter how many times I look at it, I never get tired of it.
Where should I spend this money?
Various options came to mind, and I was able to envision a truly optimistic future for the first time in a long time.
'With the loan money added, I could open a convenience store in the countryside... No, there's no chance with my current credit rating.'
I didn't even think about indulging in luxuries like buying good quality items or going to a fancy restaurant.
The conclusion?
"...Let's save."
Before the job revolution, when P's aptitude test was popularized, and the whole society changed efficiently, ordinary people also jumped into stocks, I learned at school.
However, now it's only for those with an aptitude for 'investor'!
If a civilian enters the stock market?
Due to the stock geniuses who don't give a chance, you'll either lose money on short-term trades or break even at best.
That's common sense.
So, instead of doing it themselves, most people entrust their money to stock investment companies, expecting a slightly higher return than bank interest.
Then what about me?
'I'll spend it right away.'
I plan to save a little more money and try a fail-proof business.
Currently, my top choice is being a convenience store owner, thanks to my part-time job experience!
...There's no second choice.
"Hmm. To save money, I should look for a part-time job cleaning the swimming pool..."
Ding-dong♪
While I was lying in bed, drawing the blueprint for my future, I got up at the sound of the doorbell ringing in my dorm room.
"Who is it-"
"Hyung! It's me!"
"Kang-hoon?"
"Yes! I came with my brother!"
"...I see."
Choi Kang-min came with him?
Although I wasn't thrilled, I couldn't turn away a guest who had come all the way, so I unlocked the front door.
Creak-
In front of the cautiously opened front door were Choi Kang-min in a wheelchair and Choi Kang-hoon pushing it.
They looked like affectionate siblings.
But they didn't come alone.
"Mr. Kang Moon-soo, how have you been?"
Behind the siblings was Manager Seo Hye-joo, who had brought medical equipment in case of an emergency.
It's evidence that his body is still not well.
But I couldn't understand why Choi Kang-min came to see me.
"You didn't have to come all the way here. You could have called me to the hospital..."
I was willing to provide that much after-service because the treatment fees I received were not small.
As he pushed the wheelchair with his half-brother into the room, Choi Kang-hoon answered.
"Dad said it's wrong to call the benefactor of life like a servant. It's like putting the cart before the horse."
"I see."
He could have been more flexible in this regard.
The old man had a surprisingly stubborn side in unexpected areas.
"Brother wanted that too."
"......"
Choi Kang-min looked straight at my face as if to affirm.
"Brother can't speak yet because his airways are severely damaged by asthma. Instead, he prepared a hand-written letter."
"Really?"
It was true.
A folded letter was wedged between the wheelchair's handle and Choi Kang-min's right arm.
"Brother spent 3 hours writing it."
"......"
Choi Kang-min struggled to slightly raise his right arm as if to tell me to take the letter.
I quickly caught the letter that was about to fall, losing its support.
And I immediately unfolded it.
'He spent 3 hours on this...?'
The content of the letter, which I thought was long, was much shorter than I expected.
「I am confident because I have seen it. You can become the world's best lawyer. Please protect my brother with that talent. I ask you.」
A lawyer.
A blueprint I never thought of.
However, I couldn't ignore and pass it because Choi Kang-min's eyes, which suggested it, were very serious.
"I am currently active as a swimmer. I'll think about it later."
"......"
Choi Kang-min seemed satisfied with my answer and closed his eyes comfortably.
"Choi Kang-hoon, please go to the parking lot with your brother first. I'll follow you shortly."
Manager Seo Hye-joo, who had been silent, spoke as if taking over the baton.
"Why? Can't I listen?"
"...It's a business matter."
"Let me in on it too!"
Choi Kang-hoon's eyes sparkled with anticipation and curiosity.
At this, Manager Seo Hye-joo pointed to the letter with a troubled face and said,
"It's a sensitive business."
"Ah..."
It means that if I accept this business, I won't be able to become a lawyer as Choi Kang-min suggested.
Both I and Choi Kang-hoon understood it right away.
"Manager, I'll listen and judge. The decision is entirely up to me."
I still have the chemical formula from the future in my possession.
"...Mr. Kang Moon-soo, I have a proposal for you as well."
"A business?"
"Yes. Would you like to partner with me?"
"What?"
A lawyer, then a doctor?
It was a series of absurd proposals.
Flash!
As if the heavy eyelids, like a chunk of iron, became lighter, they opened at the same time.
"Ah...!"
And then I saw the white ceiling of the building.
It was the scene I saw right before I entered Choi Kang-min's dream.
Beep, beep, beep...
I heard the sound of medical equipment monitoring my pulse, and there were many suction cup-like devices attached to my skin.
'Did they dissect me while I was asleep...?'
It was suspiciously strange.
Thud!
"You're awake!"
How did she know I woke up?
Manager Seo Hye-joo rushed into the hospital room without waiting for the automatic door to open completely.
"Hyung~!"
And behind her, I could see the figure of Choi Kang-hoon.
I was very glad to see them, but,
"Where's Choi Kang-min?"
There's no point in me waking up from the dream alone. I wanted to check on him first.
"He opened his eyes! My goodness! The patient who hadn't moved for 7 years finally woke up! He's not in good enough health to speak yet, but he's alive now."
"That's a relief."
It's a relief that Choi Kang-min's medical expenses, which I was promised to receive, didn't evaporate!
Tap, tap...
As I tried to sit up in bed, the suction cups attached to my body got in the way.
"Just wait a moment. I'll remove them."
"I'll do it myself."
"It's okay if you do it yourself, but if it breaks, the repair cost..."
"Please remove them!"
I waited patiently for Manager Seo Hye-joo to remove all the medical devices from my body.
"I'll leave the IV. Compared to the patient Choi Kang-min, your condition is just a cute level, but you've still lost a lot of energy. And it's a very expensive fluid, too."
"You won't charge me, right?"
"Of course not."
Thump, thump, thump...
With the help of Manager Seo Hye-joo, I quickly removed the suction cups and headed towards the bed where Choi Kang-min was lying.
"Brother. It's me, Kang-hoon. Do you recognize me?"
Choi Kang-hoon was already talking, holding the bony hand of his half-brother.
A heartwarming scene filled with brotherly love!
'It would be nice if their true feelings were the same...'
It's amazing how they are completely opposite in reality.
"......"
In response to his half-brother's tender question, Choi Kang-min blinked his eyes, showing a very surprised atmosphere.
Of course, he couldn't help but be surprised.
During the 7 years that Choi Kang-min had lost, his younger brother Choi Kang-hoon had grown from a boy who was teased for looking like a girl to a handsome young man who is popular with girls.
On the other hand,
"Patient Choi Kang-min, nice to meet you for the first time. I'm Manager Seo Hye-joo, who has been in charge of your primary care for the past 7 years, and this is the special room of Elmorangs Hospital. It's fortunate that you've woken up safely, but your body is not in a condition to be at ease."
"......"
Listening to the primary care doctor's explanation, Choi Kang-min could do nothing but roll his eyes back and forth.
No, did he also seem to slightly furrow his brow as if to express pain?
"Mr. Kang Moon-soo."
"Yes."
"I have a lot of questions, but since the patient is the priority, please wait outside the room. Choi Kang-hoon, the family member, too. I'll send someone to guide you."
"Yes."
In the hospital, the doctor's word is the law!
We left the room without interfering, and soon after, many doctors and nurses entered the room.
"Moon-soo, hyung."
"Don't thank me. I'm getting paid for this too."
"Still, thank you. It could have been dangerous because of my stubbornness."
"I promised to help you, didn't I?"
I slightly regret it now, but when I impulsively promised at the time, it was sincere.
The old single-room commercial building.
My embarrassing home.
That's why I tried so hard not to let anyone find out. Checking if there was a friend spying on me before entering the house was a daily routine.
Despite all this, I prepared more than 10 scenarios and excuses in case someone found out that it wasn't my house.
Such a secret I wanted to hide.
'I really...'
When I revealed it to Choi Kang-hoon right before moving out, I thought he would laugh at me. For him, a rich young master, the fact that someone lives in such a place would be a culture shock.
But this guy showed the opposite reaction.
He was surprised, but it was not ridicule but admiration mixed with amazement.
At first, I felt the same way. I doubted if I could live in a place like this warehouse - no, a place that was used as a warehouse, and at some point, I was both proud and surprised to find myself getting used to it.
So,
"I know you promised, but risking your life-"
"Enough with this talk! It's over! It was my choice and decision."
"But still...
"Kang-hoon. You've heard it too, right? A man shouldn't speak with two tongues. A true man doesn't break a promise just because it's difficult."
"Ah! Yes!"
As soon as the phrase 'true man' was mentioned, which worked like a cure-all for Choi Kang-hoon, the conversation was settled.
Of course,
'What promise! Money is the best!'
My true feelings were different.
If I hadn't been offered a large sum of money that I couldn't touch even if I worked part-time for five years without spending a penny, it would have taken me a long time to make a decision.
"But Kang-hoon."
"Yes. Ask me anything!"
"What's today's date?"
"April 25th."
"Really? I woke up earlier than I expected."
It was because I was discovered by Choi Kang-min earlier than I thought.
If I had known it would turn out like this from the beginning, I wouldn't have needed the support fund from Vice President Seo Hye-joo or the long vacation I asked for from the swimming coach.
And that's not all.
The materials and plans I prepared in addition to the uncle's video ended without even starting.
'Because of that witch in the wizard's costume...'
There's no clear evidence, but there's no doubt that the witch entered Choi Kang-min's dream like me and did something.
She had a grasp of Choi Kang-min's exact location and movements at the speed of light.
It was so convincing that I could even believe she controlled it...
"Ah! That's right!"
"What is it?"
"Quickly, paper! Paper and pen! This is not the time to be like this!"
"I have a pen..."
Choi Kang-hoon took out a fountain pen that shone like gold from his pocket.
It's not real gold, is it?
Scolding myself for having such a ridiculous thought,
"Let me borrow it!"
"Yes."
After borrowing the fountain pen, I took a sheet of paper from the stack of questionnaires hanging on the wall of the hospital corridor.
"If only..."
It would have been better if the back of the questionnaire was blank, but there's nothing I can do about it now.
Swoosh-
I started drawing the chemical formula that I had memorized for a whopping 8 hours in the dream.
The birth and death of a planet.
I represented the chemical formula in order like that process.
Expression, combination, division, circulation, harmony...
It wasn't easy to cram the whole thing, full of unfamiliar terms, into my head, and if I made even a small mistake, I would have to verify everything from one to ten, so it was no different from a blank sheet.
"Hyung?"
"......"
I was so focused that I couldn't answer Choi Kang-hoon, who was watching over my shoulder.
'It's dangerous.'
People who have dreams must have had similar experiences.
When you wake up, the dream you vividly remembered quickly fades away as soon as you wash your face.
I was no exception.
The chemical formula I memorized for 8 hours began to blur as if it was covered in fog.
Swoosh- stop.
"Done!"
I was so excited that I shouted in joy, forgetting that I should be quiet in the hospital.
The completed chemical formula.
It was so close that I couldn't draw it again if asked.
"Hyung, what's that chemical formula?"
"The dream of extending life."
"Probiotics?"
"I don't know. I haven't seen the result of this chemical formula either."
That's right.
At that time, I couldn't have imagined it.
* * *
The news that the eldest son of one of the leading chaebol families in Korea had woken up was quickly introduced through various media outlets.
The son of a certain group's chairman woke up after 7 years.
...Although it only showed a photo of him lying in bed for about 5 seconds with a one-line explanation.
"I'm proud."
As someone who was directly involved in the incident, I couldn't help but feel proud.
Especially my bank account that has become plump!
Lying on my bed in the dormitory of the sports college, counting the zeros of the deposit amount became my hobby.
"Hehehehe..."
No matter how many times I look at it, I never get tired of it.
Where should I spend this money?
Various options came to mind, and I was able to envision a truly optimistic future for the first time in a long time.
'With the loan money added, I could open a convenience store in the countryside... No, there's no chance with my current credit rating.'
I didn't even think about indulging in luxuries like buying good quality items or going to a fancy restaurant.
The conclusion?
"...Let's save."
Before the job revolution, when P's aptitude test was popularized, and the whole society changed efficiently, ordinary people also jumped into stocks, I learned at school.
However, now it's only for those with an aptitude for 'investor'!
If a civilian enters the stock market?
Due to the stock geniuses who don't give a chance, you'll either lose money on short-term trades or break even at best.
That's common sense.
So, instead of doing it themselves, most people entrust their money to stock investment companies, expecting a slightly higher return than bank interest.
Then what about me?
'I'll spend it right away.'
I plan to save a little more money and try a fail-proof business.
Currently, my top choice is being a convenience store owner, thanks to my part-time job experience!
...There's no second choice.
"Hmm. To save money, I should look for a part-time job cleaning the swimming pool..."
Ding-dong♪
While I was lying in bed, drawing the blueprint for my future, I got up at the sound of the doorbell ringing in my dorm room.
"Who is it-"
"Hyung! It's me!"
"Kang-hoon?"
"Yes! I came with my brother!"
"...I see."
Choi Kang-min came with him?
Although I wasn't thrilled, I couldn't turn away a guest who had come all the way, so I unlocked the front door.
Creak-
In front of the cautiously opened front door were Choi Kang-min in a wheelchair and Choi Kang-hoon pushing it.
They looked like affectionate siblings.
But they didn't come alone.
"Mr. Kang Moon-soo, how have you been?"
Behind the siblings was Manager Seo Hye-joo, who had brought medical equipment in case of an emergency.
It's evidence that his body is still not well.
But I couldn't understand why Choi Kang-min came to see me.
"You didn't have to come all the way here. You could have called me to the hospital..."
I was willing to provide that much after-service because the treatment fees I received were not small.
As he pushed the wheelchair with his half-brother into the room, Choi Kang-hoon answered.
"Dad said it's wrong to call the benefactor of life like a servant. It's like putting the cart before the horse."
"I see."
He could have been more flexible in this regard.
The old man had a surprisingly stubborn side in unexpected areas.
"Brother wanted that too."
"......"
Choi Kang-min looked straight at my face as if to affirm.
"Brother can't speak yet because his airways are severely damaged by asthma. Instead, he prepared a hand-written letter."
"Really?"
It was true.
A folded letter was wedged between the wheelchair's handle and Choi Kang-min's right arm.
"Brother spent 3 hours writing it."
"......"
Choi Kang-min struggled to slightly raise his right arm as if to tell me to take the letter.
I quickly caught the letter that was about to fall, losing its support.
And I immediately unfolded it.
'He spent 3 hours on this...?'
The content of the letter, which I thought was long, was much shorter than I expected.
「I am confident because I have seen it. You can become the world's best lawyer. Please protect my brother with that talent. I ask you.」
A lawyer.
A blueprint I never thought of.
However, I couldn't ignore and pass it because Choi Kang-min's eyes, which suggested it, were very serious.
"I am currently active as a swimmer. I'll think about it later."
"......"
Choi Kang-min seemed satisfied with my answer and closed his eyes comfortably.
"Choi Kang-hoon, please go to the parking lot with your brother first. I'll follow you shortly."
Manager Seo Hye-joo, who had been silent, spoke as if taking over the baton.
"Why? Can't I listen?"
"...It's a business matter."
"Let me in on it too!"
Choi Kang-hoon's eyes sparkled with anticipation and curiosity.
At this, Manager Seo Hye-joo pointed to the letter with a troubled face and said,
"It's a sensitive business."
"Ah..."
It means that if I accept this business, I won't be able to become a lawyer as Choi Kang-min suggested.
Both I and Choi Kang-hoon understood it right away.
"Manager, I'll listen and judge. The decision is entirely up to me."
I still have the chemical formula from the future in my possession.
"...Mr. Kang Moon-soo, I have a proposal for you as well."
"A business?"
"Yes. Would you like to partner with me?"
"What?"
A lawyer, then a doctor?
It was a series of absurd proposals.
