A Crisis Arrives?

I got into the car, started the engine, and drove straight to the hospital. I had no idea what she had brought up during counseling that had made her sniffle, but it was hard to see it as anything positive. Someone who was always cheerful and quick to smile had cried while bringing something up, which probably meant something sad—or something... bad—had happened.

The sound of Jia's sniffling... It stirred a protective instinct in me, making me want to hug and comfort her. Of course, Jiyeon would be the one to hold Jia warmly, not me, but I wanted to protect her just as much.

"Oppa! Over here!"

I had driven recklessly without thinking, and before I knew it, I had arrived at the hospital. After parking and entering, I found Jia waiting on the first floor. Thankfully, she was waving at me with a bright expression.

"How have you been?"

"Yes! I've been well."

Fortunately, Jia looked to be in a very good mood, so I erased all the pointless worries from my mind and headed to the hospital cafeteria with her.

"Oh my, Mr. Minsu?"

"Ms. Jiyeon?"

Was Jiyeon with her too? Counseling was usually conducted one-on-one with the counselor... I suppose Jia had been anxious, so Jiyeon had stayed by her side. Since she was the person Jia felt most comfortable with, simply having her there would have helped her feel at ease...