???????? || Pi Hanwool ?

Hana paced back and forth in front of Hanwool's bed, her arms crossed, brows furrowed. "Will he accept it?" she muttered under her breath.

She stopped for half a second, then scoffed. "From what I remember, he was a classic asshole who only cared about himself."

She resumed her pacing, muttering to herself like a storm brewing.

Across the room, Hanwool leaned back in his hospital bed, watching her with a mix of amusement and mild annoyance. The disciplinary meeting was only a day away—not that he was particularly worried. Losing to the study group stung more than anything else. His pride had taken a hit, and that irritated him to no end.

"You're talking about Vincenzo, right?" Hanwool finally said, breaking the silence.

"Who else?" Hana shot back, throwing her hands in the air. Hana remembered all too well—Vincenzo Cassano was a money-minded, benefit-oriented shark. The kind of man who could dismantle an entire organization if he so much as decided it was worth his time. He didn't play fair, and he certainly didn't do favors out of kindness.

And yet, he was their best shot.

Hanwool shifted on the hospital bed, watching her pace like a caged animal. "Calm down, Hana. It's going to be alright," he said, though even he wasn't convinced of his own words.

Hana snapped her head toward him, eyes flashing. "Oh, really? Because from where I'm standing, you're about to get your ass expelled."

Hanwool sighed, leaning back against the pillow. "I know."

Hana scoffed, crossing her arms. "Of course, you do. And yet, here we are." She threw her hands up dramatically. "This is why I tell you to listen to me. But no! You always have to do whatever the hell you want."

Hanwool smirked lazily, tilting his head. "You love that about me."

Hana pointed at him accusingly. "No, I tolerate it. There's a difference."

His smirk widened. "Mhm. Keep telling yourself that."

She groaned, dragging a hand down her face. "I swear, Hanwool, if I have to clean up your mess one more time—"

"You'll what?" he cut in, amusement dancing in his tired eyes. "Yell at me? Throw a shoe? Call me an idiot?"

Hana exhaled sharply, shaking her head. "No," she said, her voice quieter now. "I'll stop saving you."

That wiped the smirk off his face.

For a moment, there was only silence between them. Hanwool studied her—really studied her. The exhaustion in her stance, the frustration in her clenched jaw, and beneath it all, the worry she refused to voice.

"...You don't mean that," he finally said.

Hana swallowed, looking away. "I don't know," she admitted. "Maybe I do."