I had planned to go see the cherry blossoms with Han-gyeol this weekend.
I was really looking forward to it, but I was feeling incredibly under the weather today.
I had a slight fever, and even going to school felt like a struggle, but I decided to go anyway.
As soon as I opened the classroom door, Han-gyeol cheerfully waved at .
I mustered enough energy to wave back, my expression strained.
But upon seeing my weakened state, Han-gyeol imdiately stood up from his seat.
“Eun-ha, are you not feeling well?”
Han-gyeol approached , looking genuinely concerned.
I didn’t want to worry him, but I was too drained to put on a fake smile.
“Mmm... I’m not feeling too great today.”
“Shouldn’t you take the day off? How about telling the teacher and going ho to rest?”
“Hmm... it’s not that bad. I took so dicine in the morning, and I think I’ll be okay after so rest.”
Even after hearing that, Han-gyeol looked at with a concerned expression.
“If you’re really sick, leave early. Got it?”
“Mmm, don’t worry.”
“It’s hard not to worry when you look like that... Have a seat. If you need anything, just tell .”
“Mmm, thanks. I won’t push myself, so don’t worry.”
I sank into my seat and imdiately slumped over my desk.
Ugh... I haven’t felt this heavy in a long ti.
Today, the wind blowing in through the cracks of the window felt even more chilling than usual.
I considered closing the window, but I was too drained to move.
Then, with a ‘thud,’ I heard the sound of the window closing.
Since Han-gyeol was the only one in the classroom, he must have done it for .
I should have lifted my head and thanked him, but I didn’t even have the energy for that.
Just when I thought I’d thank him later, sothing was placed on my back.
“It looks like you might be cold, so I’m covering you with my jacket. Get so rest. If you need anything, call . I’ll be right here until Jeong Harim arrives.”
“O-okay..”
I spoke while still slumped over my desk.
Han-gyeol remained silently by my side until Harim arrived.
“Why are you sitting on my seat?”
Eventually, Harim ca in and we exchanged a few words to update her on the situation.
Han-gyeol continued the conversation with Harim in a very soft voice.
“Eun-ha’s not feeling well. If she needs anything, call .”
“Hmm, shouldn’t she leave early?”
“She said it’s not that bad. She’ll leave if it gets too severe.”
“Alright.”
“Yep. I’m going back to my seat now.”
I felt Han-gyeol get up from his seat.
I decided to thank him later.
And then, Harim sat down and spoke quietly.
“Eun-ha, if you need help, let know.”
“Yes...”
During the morning announcents, I barely lifted my head, and throughout the class, I couldn’t focus on the lectures.
By the ti lunch rolled around, all I could think about was resting in the infirmary.
No, should I leave early instead? I’m really not feeling well.
Noticing my pale complexion, Harim spoke up.
“Eun-ha, you really don’t look good. Why don’t you leave early?”
“Mmm... should I? I feel even worse than I did this morning.”
“Let’s tell the teacher and head ho. Take a taxi.”
“I guess I should... I was going to stay, but...”
“Let’s go quickly. The teacher might be out for lunch.”
I stood up, accompanied by Harim.
Han-gyeol, who seed to have been watching , quickly approached.
“Why? Heading to the infirmary?”
“I think it’s better for Eun-ha to leave early, so we’re going to inform the teacher.”
“Mmm, that sounds like a good idea. Rest up at ho. Is anyone there?”
“Yes, my brother will be there.”
“Okay. Head to the faculty office.”
“Right. Han-gyeol, you should go eat. Don’t worry about .”
“Don’t worry about , either.”
“See you tomorrow then.”
After briefly greeting Han-gyeol, I headed to the faculty office to inform my teacher.
Harim called a taxi for in front of the school, and I arrived ho a little earlier than usual.
My brother, who was watching TV in the living room, looked up, startled.
“Left early?”
“Yeah, I’m not feeling well.”
“Have you been to the doctor? Want to go with you?”
“I have so over-the-counter dicine. I think that should do.”
“Did you eat lunch?”
“No appetite. I’m going to rest a bit.”
“Alright. If you need anything, send a ssage.”
“Mm...”
As soon as I entered my room, I changed my clothes.
Even on an empty stomach, I took so dicine and imdiately crawled into bed.
I pulled the blanket up to my chin and quickly fell asleep.
My head was throbbing, but perhaps due to the dicine, sleep overtook .
Strangely enough, Han-gyeol kept popping up in my thoughts, even though I was sick.
He was not my guardian, and he was the last person I should be thinking about when I was struggling...
But... I missed him.
***
I wondered how long I slept. It didn’t feel like a deep sleep.
Even after waking up, I kept my eyes closed for quite a while.
My headache was better than in the morning, but it was still there.
I was thirsty but didn’t have the strength to walk to the fridge.
I ended up sending my brother a ssage from the phone on my bedside table.
I sent a brief ssage saying, “Bring so water?”
The ssage was sent instantly, but I heard noises from outside my room much later.
What is he doing? His younger sibling is sick.
Nevertheless, I decided to be grateful that he was taking care of .
Eventually, there were two soft knocks on my door.
“Co in...”
My voice was so faint that it probably didn’t carry beyond the door.
Normally, my brother would have co in without hesitation, but today he didn’t.
I finally dragged my heavy body to the door and opened it.
“When did you get so good at knocking...?”
My eyes were half-closed, so I didn’t get a clear look.
But as soon as I opened the door, the person standing there looked like Han-gyeol, not my brother.
No matter how unwell I felt, mistaking my brother for Han-gyeol was... quite serious.
I rubbed my eyes and looked again, but it still looked like Han-gyeol.
“Huh?”
“Ah—Eunwoo Hyung said he has to go out tonight. He left about 15 minutes ago after staying with .”
“What...?”
“Eunwoo Hyung called and asked to bring you a bottle of water.”
Thud!
The mont I realized the person in front of was Han-gyeol, I shut the door.
I crawled back into bed and dialed my brother’s number.
Click—
My brother answered the call.
“Why is Han-gyeol at our house...?”
- Han-gyeol? He called to check on you, so I told him if he’s worried, he could co over.
“How can you just call him over like that? He’s busy!”
- He seed really concerned, so I thought it’d be better if he ca to see you himself. Besides, I have to go out tonight, and I didn’t want to leave you alone.
“You should have called Mom or Dad. Or Hyun-joo Unni.”
- You think I’m an idiot? Of course, I did. Mom and Dad said they couldn’t make it today, and Hyun-joo also said she was busy. There was no other option, little sis.
“Ugh, fine. I’m hanging up now.”
- Alright. If you need anything, leave a ssage. I’ll pick it up on my way ho.
“Haa...”
I put down my phone and headed back to the door.
With a sigh, I gently opened it.
Han-gyeol was still standing there, holding a bottle of water.
“I keep troubling you... I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay. It happens between friends. Here’s the water.”
“Ah- thanks.”
“So... should I stay in the living room?”
“No... co in...”
I opened the door wider, inviting Han-gyeol inside.
“How are you feeling?”
“Better than this morning... but I didn’t tidy up, so the room’s a bit ssy. It’s embarrassing.”
“Not at all. It’s really neat. And it slls nice.”
“Haha... Ah- don’t stand, sit down. You can use the chair.”
Ugh... My hair was disheveled, and here I was, utterly vulnerable, facing Han-gyeol. But seeing his face sohow made feel reassured and incredibly happy. The thought that he cared enough about to contact my brother gave butterflies.
“Then, I will sit down without hesitation.”
Han-gyeol dragged the chair next to the bed and sat down.
I gingerly perched myself on the edge of the bed.
Seeing the water bottle I was holding, Han-gyeol imdiately reached out.
“Give the bottle. I’ll open it for you.”
“Nah, I can manage this much on my own.”
I opened the bottle myself and took a sip.
After closing the lid, I placed it on the nightstand beside the bed.
“Have you eaten?”
“Not yet.”
“Do you want to eat first? I can go buy so porridge or sothing.”
As Han-gyeol subtly began to rise from his chair, I delicately grasped the hem of his clothes.
And in a strained voice, I spoke.
“I’m not hungry... just stay with ...”
Hearing my voice, Han-gyeol sat back down.
“Were you... really worried?”
It was a rather awkward question.
I knew he had no choice but to answer when soone was sick.
Even though his expression could say it all, I wanted to hear it from Han-gyeol himself.
I hoped that even when I wasn’t around, his daily life was infused with thoughts of .
To my question, Han-gyeol answered with a faint smile.
“Yes.”
“Really?”
“I was so worried I couldn’t even play basketball.”
A laugh burst forth at Han-gyeol’s playful smile.
“Pfft-! So you were really worried, huh?”
“Yes. I was extrely worried. All I thought about all day was you, Eun-ha.”
Honestly... as ti went on, it felt like I was going to like Han-gyeol even more.
“To tell the truth... all I could think about was you, Han-gyeol.”
--- The End OF The Chapter ---
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