THE BLOOM DISEASE

[Five years ago…]

"KIM GYURI, you're awake?"

Gyuri was greeted by the least person she wanted to see when she opened her eyes. "President Lim."

"I know I'm not the person you wish to see, but please bear with me."

President Lim Hojin, seated on the chair next to Gyuri's bed, looked as neat as he did in the photos of him that she had seen before.

But Gyuri could see the melancholic look on the president despite his huge sunglasses.

"My grandma," Gyuri said, gulping nervously. "Please say my grandma is safe, sir."

"Mrs. Kim Miran is safe and sound," President Lim assured her. "She never left your side ever since you fell into a coma. Your grandma just left you today to cook seaweed soup for you. And she only left because I told her I saw you waking up in my prophetic vision."

"I was in a coma?"

"You've been in a comatose state for five months, Kim Gyuri."

She let out a soft gasp. "That long…?"