UAI Chapter 20

 Episode 20

Two days after Sejin and B-Ones live broadcast, on Saturday, the B-One members, who hadn’t been able to visit due to their personal schedules, finally came to see Sejin in the hospital room.

"We're here!"

"Sejin! Uncle is here!"

"Hello? We've come!"

The caregiver burst into laughter as the members entered the room with cheerful greetings.

"Oh my! Welcome. The hospital room felt so empty without you all visiting... Hoho."

"Right? Auntie, you missed us too, didn’t you? Ahaha!"

"It's been a while, Auntie."

The members placed the snacks and gifts they had brought for Sejin on the table while looking around for Sejin and Hajin, who weren’t immediately visible.

"By the way, where are Sejin and Hajin?"

"Oh, they went for a short walk in the rooftop garden. They’ll be back soon."

Just as those words were spoken, the hospital room door opened, and Sejin and Hajin walked in.

"Oh? Uncle!!"

Seeing the members, Sejin ran toward them excitedly.

"Oh wow! Sejin, you're running so well now. You’ve really gotten healthier."

Joomin quickly caught Sejin, worried he might trip, and held him up.

"Yeah! I’m healthy now!"

"Indeed. Your voice is getting louder, and you look much better. Haha."

"Sejin, didn’t you miss your uncles?"

"I missed you. Why didn't you come sooner?"

Hearing Sejin’s words, Roy couldn’t resist and started rubbing his face against Sejin’s.

"Kyaaha! No! Stop it!"

"I don’t want to! Who told you to be so cute? Huh? Uncle is going to keep doing this."

As Sejin laughed uncontrollably, Roy continued to play around. Watching them, Hajin smiled and spoke.

"You guys are here? No schedules today?"

"Yeah, we had an interview earlier, but after that, we're free for the weekend."

"There were so many interview requests, but we filtered through them and only accepted a few. Phew…."

Hwan sighed and collapsed onto the sofa, as if the mere thought of it exhausted him.

"Seriously, every interview kept asking about Sejin. It was chaos."

"Even though we told them in advance that we wouldn’t take questions about Sejin, they still tried to dig for information. It was like dealing with hyenas."

Other members nodded in agreement, expressing their frustration.

Feeling guilty, Hajin apologized, 

"Sorry. Because of me and Sejin, you guys had a tough time for the past two days."

"Ah, don’t worry about it. Why are you apologizing for something like this?"

"Yeah, it's nothing to stress over."

"Exactly. The public's attention was on us because it’s been a while since we appeared together as a full group. Sejin just added to the interest."

"Still, Sejin is definitely getting more attention than we expected. Hahaha!"

As Hajin still looked apologetic, the members reassured him, acting as if it was no big deal.

As their conversation continued, the caregiver returned, carrying a tray filled with fruits and the snacks the members had brought.

"Let's talk while eating. I'm going out for lunch and will be back later."

"Oh, Auntie! Please enjoy your meal!"

"Wait, you really don’t have to do this for us. We can manage on our own, but thank you."

"Auntie, last time we visited, we found a great sushi restaurant in the alley next to the convenience store at the intersection in front of the hospital. Here’s my card—please go there and order something delicious and expensive."

Jaewon handed his card over as he spoke.

"Oh no, it's fine! I can take care of myself, so don’t worry about me."

The caregiver waved her hands, refusing the card.

"No, please take it. Sejin is getting discharged next Monday, and we’re truly grateful for how well you’ve taken care of him. We wanted to take you out for a proper meal, but since we can’t, this is the least we can do. I know it might seem a bit forward, but please accept it as a small token of our appreciation."

"Come on, I was just doing my job. You really don’t have to."

As Jaewon and the caregiver debated, Hajin chimed in.

"Hyung, if anyone should be treating Auntie, it should be me, not you. Is Minsu downstairs?"

"Yeah, why?"

"If he hasn’t eaten yet, let’s ask him to take Auntie out for a meal. We could just get a sushi bento box, but food always tastes better when eaten fresh at the restaurant. Plus, the weather is surprisingly warm today, so bringing it back might not be the best idea."

"Oh! That’s a great idea. We already ate at the dorm, so Minsu probably hasn’t had lunch yet."

Jaewon quickly called Minsu and explained the plan.

Seeing this, the caregiver tried to protest again.

"No, really, I’m fine! I can eat on my own, so don’t worry about me."

"Auntie, Jaewon-hyung may have brought it up first, but I also really want to treat you to a meal. I can’t leave the hospital because of Sejin, so please go with our road manager and enjoy your lunch. For the past three weeks, you’ve taken care of Sejin like he was your own grandchild, and I’m incredibly grateful. Please don’t refuse—it would mean a lot to me."

Hearing Hajin’s sincere words, the caregiver sighed.

"Oh dear, I didn’t do much. Sejin is such a sweet boy, always listening well and never causing trouble. But since you’re insisting, I’ll enjoy a good meal. Thank you for thinking of me."

"Yes, please eat well. That’s all I ask."

A little while later, Minsu arrived at the hospital room.

"Oh, Minsu! You haven’t eaten yet, right? Take Auntie to the sushi place and order the A-course set—it’s really good."

Jaewon instructed him carefully.

"Yeah, don’t worry about the cost. Order whatever you and Auntie want. This isn't just for her—we’re grateful to you as well, so think of it as our treat. We’d love to take you ourselves, but since we can’t, this is the best we can do."

Minsu chuckled at Hajin’s words.

"No problem! It’s been a while since I had sushi, so I feel like I hit the jackpot today. Your card limit might be maxed out after this meal. Hahaha!"

Jaewon laughed. 

"That’s fine! Eat as much as you want, just take good care of Auntie."

"Of course, don’t worry. Auntie, thanks to you, I’m getting a nice meal today too. Let’s go and enjoy some sushi!"

"Oh my… this really isn’t necessary, but thank you. I’ll eat well."

"Yes! Enjoy your meal!"

As they left, one of the members called out, 

"Minsu! Don’t forget to stop by a café for dessert too!"

With the members cheering them on, Minsu and the caregiver left the hospital room for their meal.

Sejin, who had been watching the scene, suddenly called out to Hajin.

"Uncle!!"

"Hmm? What is it?"

"What about Mr. Bodyguard?"

"Oh! Right, I should ask Minsu to bring him some food."

While Hajin called Minsu to request a meal for the bodyguard, the members marveled at Sejin’s thoughtfulness.

"Wow, our Sejin is so considerate."

"Yeah, he even thinks about the bodyguard."

Seeing how Sejin was caring for those around him, the members couldn't help but be impressed.

After Hajin finished his call, everyone gathered around the sofa and began eating snacks.

At that moment, Jaewon brought up a topic.

"I heard the CEO visited yesterday?"

"Yeah, he dropped by for a bit."

"Really? He must be really busy. I’m surprised he made time."

"Yeah, he wanted to see Sejin before he got discharged... and also to update us on some business matters while he was here."

The members nodded at Hajin’s words, when suddenly, Hajin seemed to remember something.

"Oh! By the way, guys... the CEO asked about our contract renewals."

"Oh! Right, I totally forgot about that."

"Yeah, me too. I completely forgot we even had to renew. Haha."

"I guess we all just assumed we'd be renewing, so none of us really thought about it."

Jaewon looked around at the group, confirming their thoughts.

"So, everyone agrees on extending the contract, right?"

"Yeah."

"Of course."

"I mean, we don’t have any complaints about the agency."

"Exactly. Not just the CEO, but all the staff members are great people too."

Hearing this, Jaewon nodded in agreement, reassured by the unanimous decision.

"Alright, I’ll inform the company that we’re renewing our contracts. If there’s anything specific you want to add or adjust, let me know. Or you can talk directly to the company."

"Got it."

"Alright."

As the conversation continued, Hajin hesitated before speaking cautiously.

"But… guys, I’m sorry, but even if I renew my contract, I might not be able to participate as much in group activities."

Everyone turned to Hajin in surprise.

"Huh? What do you mean?"

"Yeah, what’s going on?"

Seeing their worried expressions, Hajin smiled and explained.

"I have to take care of Sejin now. I don’t think I can handle schedules that require long overseas tours or being away from home for too long. I just wanted to let you know in advance. So… if it becomes too much of a burden on the team, I think it might be best if I leave."

As soon as Hajin finished speaking, the members erupted in protest.

"What?! What are you talking about? Leave?!"

"Yeah! How can you even say that so easily? That’s really upsetting, Hajin."

"Hajin, we understand your situation better than anyone. So don’t say things like that. We and the company will figure out a way to make it work."

"Exactly! We have more control over our schedules now, so don’t stress too much about it."

Hajin fell silent at his members' reassurances.

Meanwhile, Sejin, who had been listening, was completely shocked.

‘What?! Is this uncle crazy? Leaving the group? What nonsense is that?! Just because he has to take care of me? I may look like a kid, but I’m not a baby who needs constant care! He could just hire a babysitter and manage his schedules properly. Why is he worrying so much on his own? Does he want his nephew to get attacked by fans for making him leave the group?!’

Sejin put down the snack he was eating and turned to Hajin.

"Uncle!! I can stay alone! When you and the uncles are working, I can stay with Grandma! So go work!! I eat a lot, so go earn money for my food!!"

The members, who had been feeling tense, burst into laughter at Sejin’s words.

"Hahaha! Sejin is the best!"

"Pfft! Hahahaha!"

"Did you hear that, Hajin? Sejin says you have to go earn his meal money!"

"He’s right! So stop talking about leaving and focus on making money!"

Hajin stared at Sejin in disbelief and asked, 

"So, Uncle has to work to earn money for Sejin’s food?"

"Yes!!"

"But Uncle already has enough money for your food right now."

"No!! I'm going to grow bigger and eat even more, so you need to make more money! That’s why you have to work hard!!"

At that, Hajin couldn't hold back his laughter anymore.

"Hahaha! Lee Sejin, what kind of logic is that? I don’t even know if you’re saying this for my sake or not. Ah, seriously."

Jaewon laughed and teased Hajin.

"Looks like you’ll have to work even harder. Sejin wants you to make a lot of money. Hahaha!"

"Wait, hyungs, am I supposed to be happy about this or not?" 

Hajin asked, baffled.

"It means he cares about you! Our Sejin is such a filial nephew. Look at him already thinking about his uncle’s future."

Joomin ruffled Sejin’s hair affectionately.

"Yup! I’m a good nephew! I’ll take care of Uncle and all of you in the future!"

Sejin’s declaration made everyone burst into laughter again.

"Hahaha! You’ll take care of us too? Really?"

"Wait, is this his way of telling us to make a lot of money too? Right, Jaewon hyung?"

"Yeah, I think so. If we want Sejin to take care of us in the future, we’d better start earning a lot now. Hahaha!"

"Phew! Not just Hajin, but all of us need to work hard on our schedules now!"

Sejin grinned, satisfied that he had lightened the mood. Then, he picked up a fork, speared a strawberry from his plate, and held it out to Jaewon.

"Uncle! Say ahh~~"

"Huh? Is this for me?"

"Yup! Filial duty!"

Laughing, Jaewon accepted the strawberry and ate it.

"Wow~~! It tastes even better because Sejin gave it to me! Thank you for taking care of me."

"Yup!"

The others watched the scene, trying to hold back their laughter.

Sejin then picked up another strawberry and fed it to Joomin.

One by one, he made sure each of his uncles got a strawberry, before finally sitting back down and continuing to eat his snacks.

Before they knew it, the heavy atmosphere had completely disappeared.

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