Chapter: 37

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The sound of the ball hitting the hardwood floor echoed through the suddenly quiet gym, followed by the booming voice of the announcer.

"Pristine High wins by 2 points against Hankuk University!"

But for Miyeon's friends, the announcement barely registered. All their attention was locked on her. They had watched in horror as the ball slipped from her hand before she could properly release it, her movements slow and unsteady. Her legs swayed, and her eyes seemed distant, unfocused. Something was terribly wrong.

"Something's not right with her," Nari whispered, her voice breaking the silence around them, though it echoed loudly in the concerned circle of friends.

Wonwoo's eyes narrowed as he adjusted his glasses, staring at Miyeon with a growing sense of dread. His gut told him something was horribly off.

Her unfocused gaze, the tremor in her hands-there was a familiarity to it that gnawed at him. He had seen this before. She was visibly struggling, yet she ignored her teammates' calls, her body visibly shaking, even as the gym erupted into a mix of victorious cheers and defeated groans.

Before Wonwoo could react, someone else bolted past him, dashing through the crowd with urgency. He didn't need to look twice to know who it was- Jeonghan, cutting through the sea of people to reach Miyeon. Wonwoo's heart sank as he watched, the unsettling feeling in his chest growing stronger with concern.

Jeonghan hadn't missed a single detail. From the way Miyeon stumbled, to the moment her energy faltered, he could sense something was wrong. And he had a suspicion it was tied to the protein drink she'd consumed before the game. Without a second thought, he surged forward, pushing through the throng of spectators, ignoring the calls of his friends, and determined not to leave her alone.

As they neared her, they saw Miyeon dart towards the gym exit, her movements frantic, almost as if she was running from something. Jeonghan quickened his pace, not wasting a second, sprinting after her.

Back in the stands, Nari turned to Sohee, her face filled with worry. "What's going on with Miyeon? She didn't look right at all."

Sohee frowned, her gaze lingering on the door where Miyeon had disappeared. "I don't know, but she didn't look fine at all," she murmured, her voice laced with concern.

"What do you mean 'didn't look fine'?" Dokyeom chimed in, equally anxious, while Jun and Minghao broke off to congratulate Jun's sister.

"She was pale, and... her hands. They were shaking," Hara added softly, concern deepening in her voice as her eyes remained on the exit door.

That was all Wonwoo needed to hear. His eyes widened, realization striking him like lightning. "Did she eat or drink anything before the match?" he asked urgently, his tone sharp.

The others stared at him, confused. "What does that have to do with her health?" Hoshi asked, frowning.

"Everything," Wonwoo muttered, his mind racing. "What did she drink?"

"Just the protein drink," Sohee replied after thinking for a moment, before Yejin handed the now nearly empty bottle to him.

Wonwoo carefully examined the inside of the bottle. As he peered closely, something caught his eye-small, almost imperceptible pieces of peanuts, crushed but still visible to a keen eye. Anyone in a rush would have missed it. His heart sank.

"What is it?" Nari asked, her voice trembling with worry as her hand unknowingly reached to touch his arm, an electricity followed making the two quickly avert their gazes.

Wonwoo cleared his throat, gaze darkening as he looked at her again, anger and fear mixing in his expression, "Peanuts," he muttered grimly, his voice low but heavy with meaning.

What he didn't let anyone know was his suspicion of it not just being limited to Peanuts. The small residue of white substance stuck at a corner without being mixed properly spoke of it.

"Peanuts?" Mingyu echoed, confused looking around to see Taehyung mirroring his expressions while Joshua and Seungcheol looked composed yet their eyes wavered in concern. Hoshi, Seungkwan and Hoshi stood few steps back from the group yet their eyes stayed on them. One could easily see the worry in them as their fists clenched and eyes discreetly glared at Jiyang across the court.

Nari's face paled as the realization hit her like a fast train. "No-No... Miyeon- she is allergic to peanuts. Deadly allergic," she said, her voice cracking as panic began to set in. Her hands trembled as she grabbed Mingyu's arm for support, fear coursing through her.

As if on cue, Seungcheol's phone rang, cutting through the rising tension. He quickly pulled it out and saw Jeonghan's name flashing on the screen. His face tightened with worry as he answered.

"Jeonghan?" Seungcheol's voice was filled with apprehension and question.

"Seungcheol... Miyeon-," Jeonghan's voice was ragged, his breathing uneven as if he had been running while Seungcheol turned the phone to speaker. "I'm at the infirmary with Miyeon."

The room seemed to freeze. Seungcheol's grip on his phone tightened as everyone leaned in, waiting for more.

"How is she? What happened?" Seungcheol asked, trying to keep his voice steady but failing to mask the growing fear.

"She's unconscious," Jeonghan's voice cracked slightly. "She passed out before I could get her here. It's bad. She... she's coughed up blood." The silence that followed was suffocating and was only broken as Wonwoo followed by Nari dashed out without waiting to listen further.

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Jeonghan wasn't someone who acted on impulse-he always listened to his mind, weighing his options before making any decision. But today was different.

Today, his heart overpowered every logical thought screaming at him to give Miyeon space. He had seen it all, from her scrunched-up face at the strange taste of the drink to her sudden dash toward the washroom. Something was terribly wrong.

He didn't care about the warning signs his brain sent him; his instincts kicked in, and he ran after her. She wasn't okay, and his heart told him he needed to be there for her.

As he rounded the corner, his pulse quickened. The door to the washroom slammed shut, right in his face. For a brief second, Jeonghan hesitated. The sign read, Girls Washroom. Should he wait outside? His heart hammered in his chest, torn between respecting her privacy and his overwhelming worry.

Just then, a violent coughing sound erupted from inside.

"Fuck it!" Jeonghan muttered to himself, pushing the door open without a second thought.

The sight that greeted him made his blood run cold. Miyeon stumbled away from the sink, her body swaying dangerously. Her knees buckled, her eyes fluttering closed as she collapsed toward the hard, tiled floor. Without a second to spare, Jeonghan lunged forward.

"Miyeon!"

Her name left his lips, but it was as if the world had already slipped away from her. He caught her just before she hit the ground, his arms wrapping around her limp body. Her head lolled against his shoulder, her breath shallow and uneven.

Jeonghan's heart pounded wildly, his calm facade shattered. He lowered her gently to the floor, his hands trembling as he checked her pulse. It was faint, too faint. His gaze flicked toward the sink, and his stomach twisted when he saw streaks of blood staining the porcelain.

Blood. How much had she coughed up?

"Miyeon, hey, stay with me!", Jeonghan's voice wavered, his calm facade cracking as he leaned closer to her.

His mind raced, but there was no time to think. Every second counted. Without hesitation, he scooped Miyeon up into his arms, holding her close as he rushed out of the washroom and into the long, echoing corridors of the gym. Every step he took felt heavier than the last, the weight of both her body and the dread settling deep in his chest as he ran to the infirmary meant for such severe cases.

The weight of Miyeon in his arms felt heavier than it should, not because of her body, but because of the dread settling deep in his chest. Her breaths were faint, shallow, and her skin was alarmingly cold. He could feel her ponytail loosening, her hair spilling down as he ran. He took a shortcut through the back corridors, ones he knew would be empty since most of the students were still in the gym.

"Almost there, Miyeon," he whispered, more to himself than to her, as he approached the university infirmary. His voice wavered with every breath.

Her skin was turning pale and Jeonghan's worry grew, "Just a moment, Miyeon, we're about to reach.", he said, his voice wavering.

Finally, he reached the infirmary door and shoved it open with his shoulder. The nurse, startled by the abrupt entrance, turned to face him, her eyes widening at the sight of Miyeon's unconscious form in his arms.

"Jeonghan!" she exclaimed, rushing toward him.

"She fainted," Jeonghan hurriedly let out, his voice shaky. "She was coughing up blood."

The nurse's face hardened with focus as she immediately began examining Miyeon, checking her pulse, breathing, and asking rapid-fire questions that Jeonghan barely processed.

His eyes stayed fixed on Miyeon's pale face, her once fierce expression now softened in unconsciousness. He couldn't stand seeing her like this- so vulnerable, so unlike the determined girl who had faced Jiyang with unflinching resolve just moments ago.

"She seems to have had some kind of allergic reaction. Go sit. I'll take a look at her," the nurse instructed, her voice calm but laced with urgency as she furrowed her brows, focusing intently on Miyeon's condition.

Jeonghan stood frozen, his eyes fixed on Miyeon's pale face, struggling to move from where he stood. He couldn't bring himself to leave her side, not when every fiber of his being screamed that she needed him. His reluctance was clear, and the nurse, noticing his hesitation, shot him a pointed look that left no room for argument.

"Jeonghan, go," she said firmly, her tone making it clear that this was not a suggestion but an order. Her eyes softened briefly as she added, "You can stay close, but I need space to work."

Jeonghan finally gave in, his shoulders sagging as he backed away. His heart ached with every step he took toward the bed across from Miyeon's. Sitting down, he still felt on edge, unable to tear his eyes away from her still figure. She looked so fragile, a stark contrast to the strong-willed, fiery girl he knew.

Sighing deeply, he pulled out his phone, his fingers trembling slightly as he scrolled to the top of his contact list dialing the number he talked to last. Seungcheol. The one person he could count on in a crisis. He pressed the call button, bringing the phone to his ear, and waited as the line rang. It rang for far too long, each unanswered buzz adding to the weight pressing on his chest.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Seungcheol picked up. "Jeonghan?" his voice came through the line, sounding confused but alert. "What's going on?"

Jeonghan swallowed hard, his throat dry. "Seungcheol... I'm at the infirmary with Miyeon," he said, his voice rough, the adrenaline from earlier still running through him. "She... she passed out. It's serious. I think she had an allergic reaction. She was coughing up blood."

There was a pause on the other end of the line, and Jeonghan could practically hear the tension rising. Seungcheol's voice, when it came, was tight with concern. "Is she okay? How is she?"

"She's unconscious," Jeonghan's voice cracked slightly. "She passed out before I could get her here to the infirmary. It's bad. She... she's coughed up blood." The silence that followed was suffocating.

"We'll be there.", Seungcheol said and cut the call.

Minutes passed in agonizing silence as the nurse administered an epinephrine shot to counter the allergic reaction and placed an oxygen mask over Miyeon's face to help her breathing.

Jeonghan sat by, feeling helpless, his hands clenched into tight fists. Finally, the nurse turned to him, her expression softening just slightly. "She's stable for now, but we'll need to monitor her closely. The allergic reaction was severe."

Jeonghan exhaled a shaky breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding, relief flooding his body as he watched Miyeon’s chest rise and fall steadily beneath the oxygen mask. The immediate danger had passed, but guilt gnawed at him, sharp and relentless. How had he not noticed the signs earlier? How had they all missed it?

He clenched his fists, his thoughts spiraling. The moments leading up to this felt like a blur, but in the stillness of the infirmary, everything came crashing back in sharp detail—the strange look on Miyeon’s face during the game, her unsteady steps, the way she had bolted from the gym. His gut twisted with regret.

Just as he was sinking deeper into his thoughts, the door swung open with a bang, slamming against the wall. The nurse turned, ready to reprimand whoever was responsible for the disturbance, but her irritation was short-lived.

Wonwoo, Nari, and the rest of their friends flooded into the room, their faces etched with worry. There was a frantic energy about them, their movements hurried, eyes scanning the room until they landed on Miyeon lying pale and still in the hospital bed.

Jeonghan met their eyes, still shaken but relieved to see them. He had been holding it together for so long, but now that his friends were here, a part of him felt a little lighter—like he wasn’t carrying the weight of the situation alone anymore.

"Jeonghan, what happened?" Wonwoo was the first to speak, his voice tight with concern as he strode toward Miyeon’s bed. He barely waited for an answer as his eyes flickered over her still form, taking in the oxygen mask and the IV drip attached to her arm. "Is she...?"

"She’s stable," Jeonghan replied, his voice rough from earlier. "The nurse says she had an allergic reaction. It was bad, but she’s breathing okay now." He ran a hand through his hair, the tension still gripping him. "She passed out before I could get her here. Coughing up blood. I... I think someone did this to her."

Wonwoo’s gaze sharpened as he took in the sight of his best friend lying motionless on the infirmary bed. Miyeon looked far too peaceful, her complexion pale under the harsh fluorescent lights.

The contrast between her stillness and the turmoil raging within him felt unbearable. His fists clenched at his sides, nails digging into his palms, but the pain did little to calm the storm of emotions swirling in his chest.

The nurse approached them, her expression serious, brows drawn together in concentration. She had already done what she could for Miyeon for now, but her posture suggested that more answers were needed— and fast.

Wonwoo glanced at her, his eyes filled with barely controlled frustration. "What’s happening? Is she going to be okay?"

The nurse gave a curt nod, her voice measured but firm, "She’s stable now. The allergic reaction was severe, but I managed to stabilize her breathing. However, she’ll need further care and monitoring once we identify exactly what triggered this reaction."

Wonwoo’s jaw tightened, his thoughts running wild. It was a rare sight—Miyeon, usually so full of life, was now so vulnerable. He couldn’t shake the feeling that he should have noticed sooner, should have done something to prevent this. His fingers tightened into a fist again, the tension radiating through his body.

“Peanuts,” Wonwoo said, his voice low but determined, cutting through the nurse’s explanation. “She’s allergic to peanuts."

“What happened?” Nari asked, her voice sharp with concern as she caught the nurse’s exasperated sigh, a knowing look flashing across the nurse’s face.

The nurse met Nari’s gaze and shook her head. “We’re out of the medicine she needs for her treatment,” she said, her tone flat but frustrated.

“Out of stock?” Seungcheol repeated, disbelief etched in his features. His brows furrowed deeply. “How could it be out of stock today, of all days? This doesn’t seem right.”

The nurse sighed again, rubbing the back of her neck. “I know. Someone claimed there was an emergency earlier and took the last of it. I’ve already put in a request to restock, but it’ll take time.” She glanced over at Miyeon’s unconscious form. “She’ll need the medication when she wakes up. It’s critical.”

A heavy silence settled over the room. The group exchanged uneasy glances, the weight of the situation sinking in. This wasn’t just bad timing—it felt deliberate, like someone had orchestrated this.

Joshua, who had been unusually quiet, suddenly lifted his head, a determined look in his eyes. He stood abruptly and faced the nurse. “I’ll get it,” he said firmly, his voice leaving no room for argument.

Before anyone could respond, Joshua had already turned on his heel and dashed out of the infirmary, the door swinging shut behind him with a decisive thud.

“Where’s he going?” Hoshi asked, bewildered, but no one had an answer. They just hoped he could find what they so desperately needed.

Seungcheol ran a hand through his hair, clearly agitated. “This feels too planned. Someone took that stock on purpose.”, he said turning to his friends.

Nari’s face was pale, her lips pressed into a thin line. “We need to figure out who,” she muttered, her gaze never leaving Miyeon’s still figure.

Jeonghan, sitting quietly nearby, clenched his fists in frustration. They were being cornered, and Miyeon was paying the price. It was all too big for just to be Jiyang's doing and they all knew there was more to it than some petty basketball rivalry.

As the group murmured anxiously, Wonwoo quietly made his way to Miyeon’s bedside. He pulled a stool closer and sat down, his heart heavy as his eyes took in the sight of his best friend lying motionless.

Her normally bright and fiery face was now pale, her chest rising and falling with shallow breaths. The room’s cool air only seemed to amplify how cold her hand felt in his— cold, but still, it provided him with the warmth of familiarity and connection.

Wonwoo’s mind raced with worry, swirling with an uncomfortable sense of déjà vu. He had been here before.

Miyeon lying lifeless.

Daehan lying lifeless.

The images overlapped in his mind, both haunting and suffocating. Daehan had been their best friend, too, but when he had needed them the most, they couldn’t save him.

And now, the same dread crept up on Wonwoo as he watched Miyeon fight a battle she hadn’t even seen coming. He felt helpless, like history was repeating itself, and the fear of losing someone important again was too much to bear.

He closed his eyes for a moment, taking a deep, shaky breath to steady his thudding heart. Then, he leaned closer to Miyeon and whispered, his voice tight with emotion, “Please be okay, sweetheart. Just... be okay. I need you here.”

A soft touch on his shoulder pulled him from his thoughts. Wonwoo turned to see Jeonghan standing behind him, his face tense but his eyes calm, offering a quiet reassurance. Jeonghan, who always seemed so composed, looked like he was holding back his own fears, though he tried to mask it with a small smile.

“She’s strong,” Jeonghan said softly, his voice carrying more conviction than his expression. “She’ll be okay. Don’t worry, Wonwoo.”

Wonwoo searched Jeonghan’s face for a moment, then gave a faint smile in return, though his heart still ached with concern. “I know,” he replied, his voice barely above a whisper. “She’s always been strong.”

For a moment, the two stood in silence, their shared worry hanging in the air as they both looked at Miyeon. Despite the gravity of the situation, there was an undeniable sense of unity between them.

Even now, in her most vulnerable state, Miyeon was still bringing them all together, reminding them of the bonds they were starting to build and she was their pillar.

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I was genuinely surprised to see the target I set being completed. Thank you all 🤍

Any guesses where Joshua went? Hint: A new character to be introduced.

How was this longgg chapter? Any Requests?

A question for you all: Who is your bias or your bias line?

Mine is Joshua with the rest being just behind by one percent lol... because having one bias in seventeen? Impossible!

Happy Reading! 📚🤍