checkmate. | pi hanwool

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CHECKMATE

It had been three days since Gaeun last visited the hospital with Hanwool.

Her stitches were healing slowly, the wound on her side no longer throbbing with every movement. The nurses told her she’d need to keep taking her medication for another week, but at least she could breathe easier now—literally and emotionally.

Today was Friday, and as agreed, she and Gamin would be spending the night at the hospital to keep watch over their mom. It had become a routine—a quiet sort of hope. Every visit, every check-in, every time they saw the slow rise and fall of their mom’s chest—it grounded them.

After the final bell rang that afternoon, Gaeun and Gamin went straight home. They didn’t talk much on the way, each lost in their own thoughts. At home, Gaeun changed into a comfy sweatshirt and leggings, brushed her hair into a loose braid, and grabbed a book to read at the hospital.

The twins arrived just before sunset. The golden hue of the light spilled into the hallway of the hospital as they entered their mother’s room. The nurses had cleaned her up earlier, changed her bandages, and adjusted her IV.

Gamin sat on the chair beside the bed, leaning forward with his arms resting on his knees. Gaeun took the sofa near the window, tucking her legs beneath her as she flipped through her book.

"You okay?" Gamin asked after a while, glancing at her.

"Yeah," she replied. "Just… thinking."

He nodded in understanding. "Me too."

They lapsed into silence again—comfortable silence, for once. The kind that only came with people who knew each other too well.

"I’m gonna grab something from the vending machine," Gamin said suddenly, standing up. "You want anything?"

"No, I’m good," Gaeun said without looking up.

As he stepped out, her phone buzzed on the nearby desk. Gaeun reached for it and saw Hanwool’s name flash on the screen.

Hanwool:
You’re at the hospital now?

Gaeun:
Yeah. Gamin and I are
staying here tonight.

Hanwool:
How’s your mom? Any change?

Gaeun:
Still asleep. The doctors
said it might take time.

There was a pause before his next reply came through.

Hanwool:
I see. Let me know if you need anything, Gaeun. I mean it.

Gaeun:
Thanks. Just having you
check in… it helps.

She stared at the screen for a second, biting her lower lip, then added:

Gaeun:
How are you though? You okay?

His response came quickly.

Hanwool:
Trying to be. Things are… complicated with my father.

Gaeun:
I figured. But thank you—for standing up to him. For coming with me the other day.

Hanwool:
You don’t have to thank me. I’ll always show up for you.

Her heart skipped a beat. She exhaled slowly, her thumb hovering over the keyboard, unsure how to respond, but before she could type anything back, she glanced at the clock—and frowned.