When the Clock Strikes|Pi Han Ul x Reader|

(S02) Chapter 26

Ye Na frowned. “Is she responding well to the treatment?”

He hesitated before answering, “It’s complicated. The doctors said there’s still hope if she can get a bone marrow transplant, but finding a perfect match has been difficult.”

They turned a corner, the hallway quieter here, save for the distant hum of machines and the occasional footsteps of passing nurses.

“She’s still fighting, though,” Tae Sung added, his voice softer now. “That’s all that matters.”

Ye Na nodded, offering a small, encouraging smile. “She’s lucky to have you.”

Tae Sung huffed a quiet laugh. “She says I’m annoying.”

They walked in comfortable silence for a moment before she spoke again. “Is she in the oncology ward?”

“Yeah,” Tae Sung said, glancing at his watch. “I should head up now. Visiting hours won’t last much longer.”

Ye Na nodded. “I hope she gets better.”

He smiled, a real one this time. “Thanks, Ye Na.”

She hesitated before adding, “If you need any medical advice or a second opinion… you can always ask me.”

Tae Sung’s eyes softened. “I’ll remember that.”

With a small wave, he turned in the opposite direction, heading toward his sister’s room.

Ye Na had seen many cases like So Min’s before, but it never got easier.

Tae Sung had only taken a few steps before he suddenly stopped in his tracks. He turned back toward Ye Na, his expression thoughtful, as if debating something. Then, with a small shrug, he walked back to her, pulling his phone out of his pocket.

“Actually…” He stretched his phone out toward her. “Can I get your number?”

Ye Na blinked, taken aback. “Hm? My number?”

Tae Sung nodded. “Yeah.”

She narrowed her eyes slightly. “Why?”

He chuckled at her suspicion. “Relax, I’m not trying to hit on you. It’s just… in case I have any questions about my sister’s condition. And besides”—he tilted his head with a smile—“we were classmates at least, right? It wouldn’t hurt to stay in touch.”

Ye Na pursed her lips, staring at him for a moment before sighing. “Fine.”

Taking his phone, she quickly typed in her number and handed it back to him. Tae Sung glanced at the screen, then grinned. “Thanks, Dr. Ye Na.”

She rolled her eyes. “Don’t call me that.”

“Alright, alright.” He slid his phone back into his pocket, then gave her a small salute. “I’ll text you later. Don’t ignore me.”

“No promises,” she teased.

He chuckled before finally turning back down the hall, heading toward the oncology ward.

Ye Na sank into her chair with a sigh, stretching her neck from side to side. The meeting had drained the last bit of energy she had, and all she wanted was a moment of quiet.

As she reached for a file on her desk, her phone screen lit up with a notification. She lazily picked it up, but the moment she saw the sender’s name, her lips twitched into a small smile.

Han Wool: Are you okay? Does it hurt?

Ye Na chuckled softly, shaking her head. Of course, he would ask that for nth time.

Ye Na: I’m fine. Stop worrying.

A response came almost instantly.

Han Wool: How can I not? You were literally wincing after that.

Ye Na: I said I’m fine! It’s just a little sore.

Han Wool: So you’re admitting it hurts.

She rolled her eyes, but the warmth in her chest didn’t fade.

Ye Na: It’s normal, okay? Now stop acting like an overprotective grandma.

Han Wool: Excuse me?? Did you just call me a grandma??

Ye Na bit her lip, stifling a laugh.

Ye Na: If the shoe fits…

Han Wool: Unbelievable. I was worried about you, and this is what I get?

Ye Na: Oh, so you admit you’re a grandma?

Han Wool: Beak Ye Na.

She giggled at the way he typed her full name like a warning.

Ye Na: Relax, Han Wool. I promise I’m okay. Focus on whatever you are doing, yeah?

There was a pause before her phone vibrated again.

Han Wool: Can’t focus.

Her eyebrows raised.

Ye Na: Why?

Han Wool: Because I miss you.

Her heart did a little flip.

Ye Na: …You just saw me this morning.

Han Wool: And? I miss you already.

She covered her mouth, feeling a sudden urge to scream into her hands. Why was he like this?

Ye Na: Stop being dramatic.

Han Wool: I wish you were here with me.

Ye Na: I’m literally at work.

Han Wool: So? You could quit and just be with me all day.

Ye Na: That’s the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard.

Han Wool: Dumb, but tempting, right?

She rolled her eyes, but her fingers hovered over the keyboard for a moment before she finally typed back.

Ye Na: Maybe.

There was a longer pause this time before Han Wool finally sent another message.

Han Wool: You really wanna kill me, huh?

She laughed, shaking her head.

Ye Na: Just go, idiot.

Han Wool: Fine, fine. But don’t ignore me for too long, okay?

Ye Na: No promises.

Han Wool: Beak Ye Na—

She locked her phone with a smirk, tossing it onto her desk.

The truth was, she missed him too. But he didn’t need to know that just yet.