"Mr. Jeon, it's nice to see you!" Dr. Choi greets Jeongguk as soon as he steps inside his clinic. The room is cozy and really comforting so it isn't hard for Jeongguk to relax the moment he sits down in front of the old man who had been helping him since the accident.

"Likewise, Dr. Choi," Jeongguk greets back, trying to sound cheerful without wincing at his own voice. The doctor looks at him warmly.

"How are you? Have you experienced headaches for the past few weeks?" Dr. Choi starts interrogating him with basic questions, just like what he always did for the past sessions. Jeongguk pauses for a while before shaking his head in a slow manner.

"Not that I could think of, no. But I sometimes have weird dreams..." Jeongguk mumbles but the doctor was quick enough to catch on.

"Really? What dreams are we talking about here?" Jeongguk knew it piqued Dr. Choi's interest. Their past sessions would always consist of Jeongguk refusing to relax and remember even the smallest details of his life before the accident. So telling Dr. Choi about his dreams is definitely a progress.

"Dreams about me living in the city with Storm... and then sometimes there's this man who would suddenly appear beside me. His face is always a blur but the way he'd always hold my hand in my dreams, the way he whispers something to me despite me forgetting everything when I wake up... I know, deep inside, that he's someone dear to me," Jeongguk explains. He takes a deep breath before continuing.

"I know I've been a very stubborn patient, resisting every single thing you did to help me recover. I know it was my choice to set things at a slow pace even though all of you wanted for me to recover fast by letting me reconnect with the people I left behind, but it was because I wasn't ready. Now, I..."

Dr. Choi straightens up on his seat, his body now leaning a bit forward, and he has that determined look on his face that is encouraging Jeongguk to continue talking. He's been waiting for this, actually, and Jeongguk knows.

"I think I'm ready to reach out to them now."

Jeongguk goes home that day with an anxious mind, along with a small piece of paper that Dr. Choi handed him before he ended their session. "Let's start with someone whom you're very close with ever since you were little," was what he said, bidding him goodbye afterwards.

With shaky hands, he unfolds it, and he releases a breath he didn't realize he was holding back for too long.

Park Jimin
+82-x-xxx-xxxx

Park Jimin

iMessage

Today at 20:04

Hello, is this Park Jimin?

Yes. And who're you?

Jeon Jeongguk

Nice joke. Try again.

It's really me...

Look. Stop with the whole Jeon Jeongguk fiasco thing. That guy is as good as dead to me so better fuck off or I'm blocking.

I'm sorry...

You better be.

I'm sorry I couldn't remember you...

What kind of bullshit is this
Please stop texting me

I'm so sorry.

[Delivered.]

Dr. Choi

iMessage

Today at 20:09

Dr. Choi? I'm sorry for disturbing you,
but I really have to ask you something.

You're not disturbing me at all, Mr. Jeon. Sure, I'd be more than willing to answer your question.

It's just that
I already messaged Park Jimin and the moment I introduced myself to him he just shut me off
He told me he'd block me if I say my name one more time because I'm as good as dead to him
He thought I was playing a prank on him

Dr. Choi, do you have any idea why he's like that towards me?
I know I've been gone for months but I really think there's something else that made them hate me...
Do you, perhaps, know something?

Mr. Jeon, as much as I really want to help you on that one, unfortunately, I can't answer your questions.

Your mother never really told me a thing aside from Park Jimin being your best friend
That's why I got hold of his contact number and wanted you to reach out to him
I didn't expect for him to be like that towards you. I'm so sorry.

No you don't have to apologize
I'm just frustrated because it really feels like I've done something bad to him
I'm thinking that it's because I left them behind and ever since the accident, they had no communication with me anymore.
I'm convincing myself to believe that but I know there's something more to it than just that.

Do you want to schedule another session this week, Mr. Jeon?
I can feel your stress from here.

No need, Dr. I think I'm just gonna go and figure things out for myself.

I'll fix this mess, whatever this is.

Don't hesitate to tell me if things go out of hand, okay?

Thank you, Dr. Have a good night.

You too, Mr. Jeon.

[read 20:18]

Jeongguk is tempted to message Jimin again, but after the conversation he had with the latter, to say that he's scared would be an understatement. It doesn't change the fact, however, that the way Jimin reacted when he introduced himself was kinda disturbing, and it's making him curious as to why his 'best friend' out of all people would react that way to him.

Deciding not to think about it too much, Jeongguk rolls out of his bed and goes inside the bathroom to take a quick cold shower. Once he's done and all set for bed, he rereads his conversation with Jimin plenty of times before even closing his eyes and drifting off to sleep.

Tomorrow is another day. He will be spending the day with Storm, probably bringing the little boy to a nearby amusement park and take him out to eat and go shopping for toys.

'I can do this,' he thinks to himself. But at the back of his mind, the words where more of a question than a statement.