Youngsoo stood in front of Daewon’s room. He glued his eyes to room number 167. He would try to knock on it, but his fingers would freeze. Then he would put his hands on his waist and drop his gaze to the floor. After five seconds, he would look up and sigh. He has been going on like that for an hour.
It startled him when the door opened.
“Oppa. How long have you been there?” Mee Yoon asked as she examined him from head to foot. His office uniform was ironed without a single scratch and folds.
“Oh. Um. Just now,” Youngsoo said while avoiding eye contact.
“Are you alright?”
“Yes. I am not the patient here. How is Daewon?”
“He is recovering fast. He’ll be out of the hospital soon.”
Youngsoo nodded.
“That’s great. Are you leaving?”
“For a while.” Mee Yoon held the sling of her bag on her shoulder.
“Perfect timing. I’ll entertain him. It’s been a long time since we had chitchat.”
Mee Yoon tapped his arm and left. Youngsoo pounded his chest before entering the room and displayed a fake smile.
“What’s up?” Daewon greeted him with a wide grin as he sat up.
“Hey, don’t move. You are still not fine,” Youngsoo said.
“It’s okay. I miss you, hyung.” Daewon gazed his weary eyes at him. Youngsoo blinked as his lips formed a straight line.
“I… I miss you too, brother.”
Daewon’s eyes sparkled as a memory popped into his head.
“Do you remember when we used to play video games at your house? Your mom cooks delicious food! Oh, I’m craving,” Daewon said and rubbed his stomach.
“And we love bathing under the rain naked,” Youngsoo added.
“You are so smart, yet you never win against me in every game we play.”
Youngsoo folded his arms.
“You were competitive, and I got no luck.”
Daewon stared blankly into space.
“Your parents were so good to me. They invited me over for lunch. Your mother sent me some snacks together with Mee Yoon. She always wears a radiant smile like I am her biological son,” Daewon said.
“My mother was fond of you. She knew I needed a little brother.”
“She knew my parents neglected me…” Daewon’s smile turned bitter. At that moment, Youngsoo ran out of words to say.
“When they got a divorce, I was astray. No one wanted me while they were having an affair with random people.” Youngsoo caressed Daewon’s back.
“If I were to choose a family, I would choose your family.”
“Then you and Mee Yoon would become siblings. Isn’t it complicated?” Youngsoo said.
“Yeah. You’re right. That’s a bad idea.” Daewon chuckled.
“Do you remember when we used to ride a bike?” Youngsoo said.
“Yes! I climbed up the railings of our school while you were waiting outside. You drove the bike while I rode behind you. You were tolerating me as I cut classes.” Daewon’s face lit up.
“Oh, come on. Don’t remind me of my bad influence.” Daewon looked at him with admiration.
“Hyung, I want you to know that you are the best brother in the world.”
“Of course, I am. You have no one else.” Daewon shook his head.
“No. I will still choose you as a brother in another life. Because of you, I never felt alone.”
“Did you say the same thing to Mee Yoon?” Youngsoo teased.
“I’m serious! You were my protector. You stood against my bullies even when you ended up with bruises. You bought me ice cream whenever I’m sad when you don’t have enough money for yourself.” Youngsoo messed up Daewon’s hair and plucked a strand of his hair for the DNA testing.
“But now that you are a grown-up, you don’t need me anymore.”
“I still need you, hyung.”
Youngsoo’s ringtone interrupted their conversation. He walked out of the room and answered the call from Detective Dan.
“Hey. I have news for you,” the detective said.
“Have you found a lead?”
“This isn’t about the faceless murderer case. This is about the favor you asked me for. I investigated Mee Yoon and Daewon’s accident. I got a piece of information from the truck driver. It wasn’t an accident. Someone ordered him to crash the truck towards her.” Youngsoo gulped.
“Also, they caught the person who stabbed Daewon. I interrogated him before the police did.” Detective Dan paused.
“Then? What did you discover?” Youngsoo asked.
“I don’t think you’re ready to hear it.”
“God damn it, Dan. I’m dying to know.” His voice was deep and croaky.
“It’s Daewon. He paid the driver to make it happen. He also ordered someone to attack Mee Yoon. He did it to make himself look like a hero.”
Youngsoo landed his back against the wall and put down the phone in slow motion.
“Youngsoo? Hello?”
Youngsoo turned deaf as he released the phone from his hand, and it fell to the floor.
***
A week later, a police car stopped at the hospital. Three officers came out with their heads up. The one in the middle was a fleshy man chewing a piece of bubble gum. On his right was a tall man with a mustache, and on his left was a thin man with a fair complexion. The nurses looked at them in astonishment while whispering inaudible words.
The police arrived at Daewon’s room and knocked at the door before stepping inside. Mee Yoon and Daewon were preparing his things because they discharged him.
“Mr. Do Daewon, you are under arrest for murder,” the cop said while showing him the warrant of arrest.
“You have the right to remain silent. If you say anything, it can be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to consult a lawyer and have that lawyer present during any questioning. If you cannot afford a lawyer, one will be appointed to you if you desire. If you choose to talk to the police officer, you have the right to stop the interview at any time.”
Mee Yoon had a dazed look of bewilderment.
“What’s going on?” she asked and held Daewon’s arm.
“I don’t know,” he replied.
The police cuffed his hands and pulled him out. They crossed paths with Youngsoo in the hallway.
“Prosecutor Seo. You did a great job of finally catching the criminal,” an officer said.
“We aren’t sure yet.”
Daewon gazed at him. His eyes were watery.
“Hyung… You…”
“I’m sorry,” Youngsoo said and walked past them. He stopped at Daewon’s room and smashed the door with his clenched fist. He gritted his teeth as tears flowed down his cheeks.
In every game they used to play, Daewon always wins not because Youngsoo was weak. He was good at everything, but he let him win because Daewon’s innocent smile was all he ever wanted to see. Daewon was the last person he’d wanted to put in jail.
Youngsoo harshly brushed his hair through his fingers, wondering if he did the right thing. He wasn’t the one who was arrested, but he felt like a criminal when he betrayed his beloved brother.