Uncle and I

Chapter 03 –

A few days after Sejin woke up, he was moved to a private room.

The doctors had run detailed tests and confirmed that there were no serious problems.

Originally, they planned to move him to a normal hospital room, but because Hajin was so famous, word somehow leaked that his nephew had miraculously woken up. Soon, reporters swarmed the hospital, and in the end, they had to move Sejin to a secure VIP room.

For an ordinary person, the hospital fees would have been enormous, but Hajin had been a top idol for several years, so he willingly decided to move his nephew to the VIP room.

He also planned to stay at the hospital as much as possible, and since friends and coworkers might visit, it was more convenient this way.

“Hey, did you find a caregiver?”

“Yeah, I did. She’s very experienced. But wait—if you’re planning to stay with Sejin most of the time, why did you even hire one?”

“I’ll be by his side as much as I can, but sometimes I might have to leave for urgent work. I don’t want to leave him alone, even for a short time. No matter how much it costs, Sejin will never be left alone. I’m the only family he has left now, so I want him to grow up never feeling lonely. And honestly, even if I care for him myself, I’m not a professional. Having a caregiver’s help seems best.”

“Yeah, makes sense. The caregiver should arrive soon. By the way, is that all your stuff? Do you need me to bring anything else from the dorm?”

“It’s fine. I just packed the essentials. The others said they’d bring the rest when they come.”

“Oh, the members are coming?”

“Yeah! They’ve been so excited. They kept saying they’d visit once Sejin moved rooms. Haha.”

Chulhwan laughed at that.

Their group was already in its seventh year, and because everyone had such good personalities, they rarely fought. They might bicker occasionally, but never seriously.

They all cared deeply about one another, so Hajin’s tragedy had felt like their own. Everyone wanted to help somehow.

They were overjoyed when they heard Sejin had woken up.

When Sejin was in the ICU, they visited whenever they could, but strict visitation rules made it difficult. Now that those restrictions were lifted, the members would definitely spend a lot of time at the hospital.

The room was large, so space wouldn’t be an issue. Still, with people coming and going, the reporters outside would likely become even more aggressive.

Some of them weren’t even real journalists—just people who’d do anything to get a story.

Hajin hadn’t thought that far, but as his manager, Chulhwan had to prepare for every possibility.

“Hajin, stay here for a bit. I need to make a call.”

“Okay.”

Chulhwan stepped out to call the agency about hiring security guards to stand outside the room. Meanwhile, Hajin looked quietly at his sleeping nephew.

Just a few days ago, the child had been clinging to life, surrounded by machines and tubes. Now, all the devices were gone, and he was lying peacefully, breathing on his own.

Hajin felt a lump in his throat and tilted his head back to keep from crying.

After a long silence, he whispered softly,

‘Sister, brother-in-law… thank you so much for not taking Sejin with you. If he had died too, I don’t think I could’ve endured it. You must have known that. That’s why you sent him back to me, right? You both knew how weak I am. You wanted me to live on with Sejin—to take care of each other. Don’t worry. I’ll protect him just like you protected me. I’ll try my best so that your absence won’t feel too painful. Please watch over us from heaven. We’ll live happily, I promise.’

After silently repeating his promise, Hajin held Sejin’s tiny hand for a long time.

Just then—

Knock knock.

“Oh! Yes, come in.”

The door opened, and a woman in her fifties with a warm smile entered.

“Hello. I’m Cho Young-sook, and I’ll be taking care of patient Lee Sejin.”

“Oh! Hello. I’m Sejin’s uncle, Seo Hajin. Please, have a seat.”

Hajin greeted her cheerfully.

The woman stepped closer to Sejin’s bed and smiled.

“Oh my, what a beautiful child! I heard he’s three years old, though he seems a bit small. Still—goodness, he’s adorable! I’ve cared for many children, but I’ve never seen one this cute. Haha.”

“Yes, isn’t he? I know I’m biased, but he’s really cute. He was always small for his age, but maybe because he’s been in bed for so long, he hasn’t grown much.”

While smiling, Hajin’s voice trembled slightly. The long illness had clearly taken a toll on Sejin’s little body.

Seeing Hajin’s sadness, the caregiver gently reassured him.

“Children grow fast once they recover. Don’t worry too much. Before you know it, he’ll be taller than you.”

“I really hope so.”

“Of course. I’ll take good care of him, so please don’t worry too much. But you, Uncle—you should eat better. You’ve gotten so thin.”

“Ah, yes. Thank you. I’ll do my best. Please look after Sejin from now on.”

Hajin bowed deeply.

Just then, Chulhwan returned.

“Oh, hyung! This is the caregiver. Please say hello.”

“Nice to meet you. I’m Kim Chulhwan, Hajin’s manager. Can we talk for a moment in the sitting room? We don’t want to disturb Sejin.”

“Sure.”

The three went into the small sitting room attached to the VIP suite.

“I’m Hajin’s manager. If you can’t reach him or if anything urgent happens, please contact me. Here’s my card.”

The caregiver blinked in surprise.

“Manager? You mean, like for celebrities?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“Oh my! So Sejin’s uncle is a celebrity? I thought he looked too handsome to be an ordinary person. Is he an actor?”

Chulhwan chuckled. “He’s an idol singer. You might not know him since you mostly watch dramas.”

“Oh my! How interesting. Don’t worry—I’ve worked with famous people before. Reporters sometimes sneak around, but we caregivers here are trained well. I won’t talk to anyone about what happens here. Especially not about the child. Don’t worry.”

Both Hajin and Chulhwan smiled gratefully. The woman seemed not only kind but also trustworthy.

Then Hajin added carefully,

“Thank you. And, about Sejin—because of the accident, his memory isn’t clear. He hasn’t talked about his parents at all since he woke up. The doctors say it might be trauma. So please, don’t mention his mother or father. We’re being very careful right now.”

“Oh dear… yes, I heard about what happened. Poor little thing. Don’t worry, I’ll be extra gentle with him.”

“Thank you so much.”

While they were talking, Sejin—or rather, Doyoung—began to regain consciousness.

Since his soul had entered a child’s body, he often got tired easily. Speaking was hard too, maybe because his body was still developing.

He had practiced secretly, but his words still came out short and unclear.

It was natural—after all, his body was that of a three-year-old.

“Ugh…”

From inside the room, a soft sound came.

“Oh? Sejin? You’re awake?” Hajin rushed over.

“Samchun…” (uncle…)

“I’m here! Are you in pain? Do you want something?”

Hajin’s voice was full of worry and excitement.

Inside Sejin’s small body, Doyoung smiled faintly.

It’s been so long since I saw this side of him…
I don’t know why I was sent back to this time or how I ended up in this body, but maybe it’s to save him—to keep him alive this time.
Calling him ‘uncle’ feels strange, but I’ll get used to it. I’ll make sure he lives. I’ll never let him die again.
I had no one before… but now I have family. Sister, brother-in-law, real Sejin—please watch over me. I’ll make Hajin happy. I’ll live as Sejin from now on. Thank you.

Doyoung—now Sejin—had made up his mind.

He would live on as Lee Sejin, and he would never let Hajin’s life end in tragedy again.

“Wung… water.”

“Oh! You’re thirsty? Wait a sec!”

Hajin hurried to pour some water from the fridge.

The caregiver quickly took out a child’s cup with a straw.

“Use this, Uncle. It’s safer for kids. And mix some warm water in—it shouldn’t be too cold.”

“Ah, thank you! I’ve never taken care of a child before. Please tell me if I’m doing something wrong.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll scold you if you do. Haha.”

Hajin lifted Sejin gently and held the straw to his lips.

“There you go, Sejin. Drink slowly, okay?”

“Mm.”