Correction Chapter 65

His heart wasn’t beating. His heart had already stopped.

“Shin….”

His voice wouldn’t come out. Something was caught in his throat, choking him so that no words could escape. Still, fearing he might lose his hyung right then and there, Jungmin ran and grabbed the hem of his clothes.

“Hm?”

Then slowly… very slowly, a man turned around. My gosh. It really was Yoo Shinwoo. So much time had passed, yet he still had the same handsome and gentle face.

The man looked at Jungmin, and then, startled, he grabbed Jungmin’s shoulders.

“My gosh. Shin Jungmin?!”

“…Hyung… Shinwoo hyung…. Is it really you, Shinwoo hyung?”

“…Thank you. Have you been well? I’m glad you still remember me.”

“Hyung….”

He thought he had forgotten him. He had put him in that box of memories and wrapped it in chains over and over, trying to keep it from opening. But the moment he saw Yoo Shinwoo, that box opened far too easily. The memories he had forgotten and the things he had turned away from all came pouring out like a broken dam. He felt like he was going to cry.

“Wow, you’ve completely become an Alpha. I never thought you’d grow up like this. You’ve grown up really handsomely, Shin Jungmin.”

“Hyung… how have you been?”

“I’ve been….”

Shinwoo trailed off at Jungmin’s question. He smiled a little bitterly. Why that expression? He thought that after going to America, he would surely be smiling more and flying freely….

“Shinwoo. Who is this gentleman?”

“Ah, Uncle.”

According to Shinwoo, he was here today for a family gathering. It was an incredible coincidence. So much so that it felt like fate.

Shinwoo introduced Jungmin to his uncle.

“Oh, so you’re the young Shin Jungmin. I’ve heard a lot about you.”

“Hello. It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m Shin Jungmin.”

“Ah, you’re so handsome, I’d want you as a son-in-law if I had an Omega child.”

“Thank… you.”

He wanted to talk more. He wanted to hear every single story of his day-to-day life, how he had been all this time, but the atmosphere wasn’t right for it now.

“Uncle, please go on inside for a moment. I’ll be there shortly.”

“Alright, take your time.”

“Yes.”

Yoo Shinwoo’s uncle went inside, and Shinwoo, with a troubled expression, apologized to Jungmin. Jungmin shook his head.

“Hyung….”

“Shinwoo sunbae?”

Just as Jungmin was about to say something to Yoo Shinwoo, another voice cut in. It was a voice Yoo Shinwoo also remembered clearly, though it had been a long time, so he turned his head in that direction to see Kim Joohwan approaching.

“Wow, what’s with today? It’s Joohwan, isn’t it?”

“It really is Shinwoo sunbae. It’s been a long time.”

The two men smiled warmly and shook hands.

“I heard about you even in America. It was incredible, wasn’t it? I wouldn’t be surprised if you end up dominating the entire medical field.”

“Haha, no way. I don’t wish for that much.”

“You’ve become really handsome too. I guess dominant Alphas really are different. Have you been well?”

“Yes, I’ve been well.”

“But how are you two here together?”

“Ah, I suggested we have a meal together since it’s Jungmin sunbae’s birthday today.”

“Ah! That’s right. It’s the twins’ birthday today. Happy birthday, Jungmin. I’ll treat you to a meal next time.”

Ever since they were young, the twins had always received a ‘happy birthday’ wish from Yoo Shinwoo. Jungmin loved that greeting. So even now, hearing that greeting after so long felt so good. No matter what gift the world could give, it wouldn’t compare to that greeting.

“No, hyung. Don’t say that.”

“What, are you saying you won’t eat a meal I buy you anymore?”

“That’s not it. It’s just….”

Yoo Shinwoo smiled and patted Jungmin on the shoulder.

“I would’ve stroked your hair like in the old days, but now you’re a grown man, so I can’t. I should probably get going now, too. Do you happen to have a business card?”

“Ah, yes.”

Jungmin quickly took out his wallet and gave his business card to Yoo Shinwoo.

“Looks like you’ve become a fine doctor. Your business card is so shiny.”

“Shinwoo hyung….”

“I’ll contact you. Let’s have a meal together.”

“Okay.”

“It was good to see you too, Joohwan. Get home safe, and let’s see each other again next time.”

“Yes. Take care.”

Yoo Shinwoo waved and then went into the private room. Jungmin stared at the spot for a long time. Soon, a waiter came over and handed jackets to Jungmin and Joohwan.

“It seems like you’re not in the mood to eat anymore, sunbae, so shall we call it a night?”

“…Yes.”

Jungmin took the jacket, put it on, and left the restaurant. The elevator reached the first floor, but Jungmin just stood there blankly without getting off. Kim Joohwan clicked his tongue.

“Sunbae. Get off.”

“Ah, oh.”

Jungmin got out of the car and walked straight ahead without any sense of direction. Kim Joohwan grabbed him again and led him to the main entrance. Kim Joohwan called his own driver, had Jungmin get in, and sat in the seat next to him. Normally, he was the type to say, ‘I’m definitely not getting in your car,’ but his mind seemed to have flown to the sky, as he got into the car quietly without a word.

Kim Joohwan gave the driver Shin Jungmin’s home address. For the roughly 40-minute drive, Jungmin said nothing and was just dazed. He was replaying the pasts he had sealed away, and everything up to the moment he met Yoo Shinwoo again flowed by quickly like a dream.

“Sunbae.”

No, was it really not a dream? Or a fantasy?

“Shin Jungmin sunbae.”

A firm voice calling him snapped him back to his senses. Jungmin looked around. He had definitely been in the restaurant, but now he was in someone’s car, and that car was parked in front of his house. And next to him, Kim Joohwan was so close that their noses were almost touching.

“What?”

“Are you back to your senses now?”

“This is….”

“In front of your house, sunbae. You don’t even remember getting in my car? No way?”

Kim Joohwan said, sounding incredulous. He vaguely remembered leaving the hotel, but he was so lost in thought that he didn’t even realize he had come all this way.

“Sorry. I was a little… lost.”

“Because of Yoo Shinwoo?”

“Why do you call him that? Is he your friend?”

“Well, he’s not here right now, is he.”

Kim Joohwan shrugged, got out of the car, walked around to the other side, and opened the door for Jungmin. A cool breeze entered the car. Jungmin flinched slightly and then slowly got out of the car.

“I owe you one.”

“Thank you for your time today. But I was disappointed, you know? You were so happy to see Yoo Shinwoo sunbae, so why weren’t you that happy to see me?”

Jungmin said nothing and just looked at Kim Joohwan. At that, Kim Joohwan nodded.

“Yes. Yes… I know very well. What I did and how I acted. I know very well.”

The playfulness disappeared from Kim Joohwan’s voice. He stood up straight and looked at Jungmin.

“I regret it. Why I did such a thing. So the reason I arranged this meeting today was actually to apologize to you, sunbae. I didn’t have the courage to contact you myself, so I borrowed Chairman Shin’s influence.”

Jungmin was flustered by Kim Joohwan’s sudden change in attitude.

“What are you talking about all of a sudden?”

“The past events, it was all my fault. I shouldn’t have done that. I was too immature. So, sunbae, can’t you forgive me just once?”

He didn’t know why he was suddenly acting like this. But it was too serious to be a joke. That was even scarier and more awkward.

“No matter what you say, it already happened, and it’s not something to be forgiven or not. It’s already over. As I said before, I don’t want to think about the past anymore. So, what happens from now on… will depend on what you do.”

That was the same as saying he had no intention of ever forgiving the past. Kim Joohwan smiled faintly and sighed.

“Yes, I understand. Then you’ll accept my contact information, right?”

Kim Joohwan held out his business card.

“Please give me a chance to make amends.”

If he didn’t accept this business card after saying it would depend on what he did from now on, the situation would become strange. Jungmin had no choice but to take the business card.

“I’ll take it. And I’ll be honest. I… still don’t want to get involved with you.”

“I always liked that you were honest, sunbae. Even if you don’t say it out loud, whatever you’re thinking is visible in your eyes. Yes. As you said, sunbae, I will try not to get involved if possible. But as I mentioned earlier, if you need me for anything, please let me know anytime. I can do everything you want.”

“…….”

“Happy birthday again, sunbae.”

Kim Joohwan said that, got back in his car, and drove off. Watching Shin Jungmin’s figure in the rearview mirror, Kim Joohwan smiled.

Buzz buzz-

His phone vibrated. It was a text from Yoo Shinwoo.

Don’t tell Jungmin anything about me. I’m begging you.

No way. Would I tell him? He’ll find out eventually anyway. Even that process is enjoyable, so I’ll just watch. Kim Joohwan tapped his phone.

Time, which had been stopped for a very short while, begins to flow again. Slowly, starting with the second hand….