When the Clock Strikes|Pi Han Ul x Reader|

(S02) Chapter 35

I didn’t answer. I didn’t smile.

But I didn’t walk away either.

He leaned forward, resting his arms on his knees. “I know you’re not the hugging type, so don’t worry. I won’t try to cry on your shoulder or anything. Just thought I’d say thanks. For not spitting in my face the second you saw me.”

“I’m not fifteen,” I said quietly.

“Still could’ve gone dramatic,” he chuckled. “You had flair.”

“Min Hwan,” I said, cutting through the banter. “You lost seven years. You went to prison for something you didn’t do. Why are you acting like this doesn’t matter?”

His eyes flicked up to mine. Still smiling. But quieter now.

“Because if I let it matter,” he said, “I’d fall apart. And honestly, I don’t think I’d know how to put myself back together.”

I swallowed.

We sat in silence. Just breathing. Just existing.

Then, softly, he added, “I really am sorry, Ye Na. For all of it. Even if I wasn’t the one who did it. I should’ve fought harder to prove it.”

I didn’t know what to say. So I just nodded.

Han Wool’s voice floated from the kitchen. “You two okay out there?”

Min Hwan leaned back, grin returning like armor. “We’re fine. Ye Na’s just trying not to murder me. Progress.”

I sighed. “You’re impossible.”

He winked. “And yet… here I am.”

And for the first time in days, I felt something close to stillness. Not peace. Not yet.

But maybe… something like beginning again.

I said, voice quieter. “Han Wool told me the truth.”

Min Hwan’s expression didn’t change much, but his fingers tightened slightly around the can.

“That you were supposed to send a letter,” I said. “That you refused. And they locked you away for it.”

He took a breath, like that admission still hurt to hear out loud. But his voice was as calm as ever. “It wasn’t some heroic stand. I just… couldn’t do it. They wanted me to write some garbage".

A pause.

“So they took me,” he went on. “White room. No windows. No clocks. Just me, the ceiling, and silence for seven years. They said it was for my own protection. From what, I still don’t know.”

I could barely breathe.

“And no one knew,” I whispered.

“Han Wool found out,” Min Hwan said with a small nod. “Eventually. He pulled strings. Got me out.”

“And all this time…” My voice cracked, but I forced it steady. “You were alone.”

“Yeah.” He shrugged. “But it’s okay. Solitude builds character, right?”

“Min Hwan, that’s not—”

“Look,” he interrupted, still wearing that ridiculous grin, “I’m not saying I didn’t scream at the wall a few times. But I’m fine now. I’m back. We’re all older, slightly more traumatized, and this drink tastes like expired syrup, but we’re alive. That’s something.”

I stared at him. “You don’t have to pretend like it didn’t break you.”

“I do,” he said gently. “Because if I don’t, I’ll never stop being angry.”