It has been almost two weeks since Joon-suh fell into a coma. His parents and Tae-sok have been praying for Joon-suh to wake up and recover. Sadly, there haven't been any positive changes. Just two days ago, he experienced a mild seizure. The doctor warned that if it happened again, he might not wake up, and he could be declared brain dead. Joon-suh's mother spent the whole night crying, terrified of losing another child. She wasn't close to Shin-ae; only Joon-suh truly understood the pain of being separated from Eun-suh. "Joon-suh, please open your eyes and look at me," his mother pleaded, tears streaming down her cheeks. "You can't leave me now," she said as she held his hand. Suddenly, the sound of the machines flatlining shocked her. She was frozen in place as the nurses and doctor rushed in. She only snapped out of it when a nurse touched her and escorted her outside to allow the doctor to do his job. Despite her initial resistance, she followed her husband outside. "Joon-suh, please be strong," she prayed silently. Her husband held her tightly, reassuring her, "Joon-suh will be fine."

The medical team sprang into action, with the doctor leading the frantic effort to save Joon-suh's life. He tirelessly administered electric shocks to jolt Joon-suh's heart back to life, urging, "Come on, Joon-suh! Come back to us." The tension in the room was palpable as the doctor continued the life-saving CPR procedure, hoping for a sign of life. Finally, the monitor indicated a faint but steady pulse, and relief filled the room.

After commending the nurses for assistance, the doctor quickly updated the status board and stepped out to meet Joon-suh's anxious parents. Tae-sok, a family friend, was the first to rise and ask about Joon-suh's condition. The doctor nodded reassuringly, "Yes, we managed to restart his heart. He's still in critical condition, but he's fighting." The news wasn't optimistic, but there was a glimmer of hope that Joon-suh would pull through.

Tae-sok graciously thanked the doctor and urged Joon-suh's parents to go home and rest, assuring them he would stay by Joon-suh's side through the night. Knowing that they had not been home since yesterday, Tae-sok insisted, and after initial reluctance, Joon-suh's mother agreed to return home, as her health was suffering and she needed rest.

After seeing Joon-suh's parents off, Tae-sok entered the room and sat next to the bed. "Hey buddy, Tae-sok here. I kept my promise and came back. Stay strong. I'm here for you," he said as he gently held Joon-suh's hand. Joon-suh still relied on the breathing machine. Tae-sok glanced at the machine, unable to understand its readings, but as long as it wasn't a flatline, he felt grateful. Leaning back in his chair, he still felt the pain of losing Eun-suh, the woman who had shown him true love and made him a better person. Gripping Joon-suh's hand, he reflected on their almost broken friendship over Eun-suh, but he understood their challenges. He found peace in knowing that Eun-suh had passed away content, having been with Joon-suh, her true love.

Tae-sok was about to head out for a meal when he heard Joon-suh coughing uncontrollably. Concerned, he quickly summoned the doctor. It seemed like Joon-suh was struggling with the breathing tube. Tae-sok reassured him, "Stay calm, Joon-suh. The doctor will be here soon." Joon-suh was distressed, struggling to breathe. Tae-sok allowed the medical team to do their work and paced anxiously outside. His hunger was forgotten. Before long, the doctor emerged. "How is he? Is he okay?" Tae-sok asked. The doctor smiled and nodded, "Yes, he's waking up. We've removed the tube, but he'll find it hard to talk for a while due to the breathing tube." Tae-sok nodded understandingly, relieved. "Will this be permanent? His difficulty in speaking, I mean," he inquired. The doctor shook his head gently, "Just for a few days. Don't worry." After the doctor left and the nurses followed, Tae-sok entered the room to find Joon-suh resting. He must have been given medication. Tae-sok sat by his side, grateful that the breathing machine was no longer needed, only the nasal cannula.

Joon-suh slowly opened his eyes and saw Tae-sok standing by his bedside. Tae-sok noticed him waking up and greeted him with a warm smile. "Good morning, sleepy head," he said gently. "How are you feeling?" Joon-suh struggled to speak as if his voice was caught in his throat. "Sore," he managed to say. Tae-sok nodded understandingly. "You need to rest more. You're going to be okay," he reassured Joon-suh, taking his hand in a comforting gesture. As Joon-suh tried to convey something about Eun-suh, Tae-sok struggled to understand. "What did you say?" Tae-sok inquired, concerned that Joon-suh might need something urgent. "Eun-suh... met her," Joon-suh muttered faintly. Tae-sok was taken aback when he finally grasped Joon-suh's words. "We can talk about that later. Rest for now. I need to inform your parents that you've woken up," Tae-sok said, gently urging Joon-suh to relax as he closed his eyes, feeling the fatigue washing over him, and drifted back to sleep.

"Take good care of Appa and Omma," Joon-suh heard Eun-suh's voice. "Eun-suh," he called her name. "Don't leave me." His parents listened to his weak voice calling for Eun-suh. "Joon-suh, Omma's here," she said, gently touching his cheek to wake him up. Joon-suh opened his eyes in shock and saw his mother and then his father. "It's okay. Omma's here. You are okay," she said, crying tears of joy to see her son awake. She carefully hugged him. "I was really worried that you might leave me. Please don't scare me like that again," she said, and Joon-suh touched his mother's back. "I'm sorry," he said in a whisper. She drew back from the hug and shook her head softly. "It's okay. I'm just glad that you're awake," she said, and then his father held his hand. "That's what matters. You've woken up and you're with us," he said, smiling a little. "Yoo Mi?" he asked, looking at them both. "You've been in a coma for almost two weeks. She thought you'd be better off without her. She's already gone back to the States," his father said, and Joon-suh nodded. At least she'll be fine now. She can still paint. "Don't think too much. You still need to recover. Get some rest," his mother said, tenderly kissing his forehead.

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As Joon-suh stood before Eun-suh's grave in the serene afternoon, the gentle breeze carried the fragrance of the flowers he had brought. With utmost care, he knelt and placed the delicate blossoms on the ground, the vibrant hues standing out against the somber setting. Using his crutches for support, he straightened up, the weight of his emotions palpable as he looked upon the tranquil resting place of his beloved Eun-suh.

A sudden realization washed over him - what he had once believed to be a fleeting dream, a mere figment of his imagination, was, in fact, a poignant, real encounter with her. A bittersweet smile graced his face as he spoke softly, "I love you so much, Eun-suh." His heartfelt words hung in the air, carrying the weight of his unwavering devotion. "I promise to care for our parents and live the life you would have wanted for me."

Tears welled in his eyes, slipping past his lashes and tracing glistening paths down his cheeks. With each tender drop, he expressed his undying love for her. "Once I'm fully recovered, I'll return to the States," he murmured, his voice tinged with sorrow and determination. "Rest in peace, knowing you're free from pain and at peace." It was a plea, a reassurance, and a testament to their enduring bond.

A deep breath filled his lungs, infusing him with quiet strength. "We'll meet again soon," he whispered to the breezy stillness, his words carrying a profound conviction. Though the ache of her absence bore heavily upon him, he found solace in the belief that their spirits would intertwine once more.

As he slowly walked away, a resolve flickered in his eyes. Though the journey ahead would be fraught with the pangs of her absence, he was committed to honoring her heartfelt wish. "I will come back," he vowed, each word an unbreakable pledge to himself and Eun-suh. With each measured step, he embarked on the path she had envisioned for him, his unwavering determination a testament to the enduring power of their love.

Tears welled in his eyes, slipping past his lashes and tracing glistening paths down his cheeks. With each tender drop, he expressed his undying love for her. "Once I'm fully recovered, I'll return to the States," he murmured, his voice tinged with sorrow and determination. "Rest in peace, knowing you're free from pain and at peace." It was a plea, a reassurance, and a testament to their enduring bond.

A deep breath filled his lungs, infusing him with quiet strength. "We'll meet again soon," he whispered to the breezy stillness, his words carrying a profound conviction. Though the ache of her absence bore heavily upon him, he found solace in the belief that their spirits would intertwine once more.

As he slowly walked away, a resolve flickered in his eyes. Though the journey ahead would be fraught with the pangs of her absence, he was committed to honoring her heartfelt wish. "I will come back," he vowed, each word an unbreakable pledge to himself and Eun-suh. With each measured step, he embarked on the path she had envisioned for him, his unwavering determination a testament to the enduring power of their love.

                    -THE END-