jaewon woke up punctually at 6:00 am like he always did and would always do. apparently he didn't even know why he did that, but he assumed, that it was something left from the time when he hadn't lived at the hospital.

despite being awake jaewon remained in bed, since there wasn't anything to do for him. the small hospital room was the only place where he could feel save and wasn't pressured by the outside world; not that anyone was left, who cared about his well being. jaewon's family had stopped visiting him years ago.

when the sun started rising he regarded his hands covered in plasters and band aids in the dim light. if it  wasn't for the nurse, his hand wouldn't look like it had been taken care of and although he didn't really care about his own health, he felt thankful that she did; especially since she was the first one to do so in years.

but... what was her name again? he could ask her today, but what if she was scared by him?

apparently he had tried to read her name tag before, but the letters just didn't seem to form proper words in his head; so he would have to ask her.

jaewon sat up in his bed and stared at the white blank wall on the opposite of his bed.

when the door opened for the first time that day, he turned his head with an awaiting expression, but it was just another nurse, who brought him breakfast.

for the whole day he sat on his bed with a straight back, hoping to see the nurse with the short hair, small nose and serious expression; she never came.

in the evening he layed down again, tears in his eyes. did she quit working at the hospital? was it because of him?

so he cried like a child, the first slight feeling of safety and consistency after years being taken away from him so suddenly again.

later that night a nurse checked on the patients like they did every night. at first jaewon ignored her, since he had already given up, but some sensation made him raise his gaze at the nurse besides his bed.

it was indeed the person he had been waiting for all day. he tried to speak and ask his question, before she would leave again, but due to not speaking in years, his voice only cracked.

unlike everyone else the woman remained at his bedside, waiting for what he had to say.

it infinitely pressured jaewon, but he really wanted to know the answer. after a few stutters he finally managed to say it out loud. "wh-what's your name?"

"i'm min hyunjoo." she said slowly, so he could understand all of it.

min hyunjoo... hyunjoo...

"joo?" jaewon asked. "it's cute."

hyunjoo smiled. "thanks for giving me a nickname." quietly she took a tissue from the nightstand and wiped the tears from his cheeks softly. she felt the urge to stay until he had fallen asleep, but she had other duty and he'd probably be scared.

meanwhile jaewon wanted her to stay so badly, because her small act of wiping his tears suddenly felt like his whole world.

to hyunjoo jaewon was the first person in years to give her a nickname and to jaewon hyunjoo was the first person to answer his questions.