Chapter 76: The Price of Lies

 

I can’t say I don’t understand Han-gyeol’s feelings at all.

 

He’s not one to lie without reason, after all.

 

Perhaps he lied to avoid worrying me or because he was concerned I might come looking for him like this. While I understand that might be the case, I can’t deny feeling a bit hurt by it.

 

But it seems wrong to burden a sick person with feelings of being let down.

 

Yet, I didn’t want to force a smile and pretend everything was fine with Han-gyeol.

 

I’ve always wanted to be honest with him.

 

What’s the right way to act here?

 

Should I confront him about why he lied? Or should I just accept it as is?

 

I definitely can’t just accept it.

 

Just like Han-gyeol did for me, I want to do the same for him. I wanted to return the favor, to be there for him when he’s suffering alone.

 

Thinking about it made me feel even more upset.

 

I chopped the green onions on the cutting board a bit faster.

 

After finishing the porridge and letting it cool for a bit, I headed to Han-gyeol’s room.

 

I fed him the porridge myself before handing him the tray.

 

Without any conversation, Han-gyeol quietly ate the porridge, and then I gave him his medicine.

 

“Hey, Eun-ha.”

 

“Yeah, Han-gyeol?”

 

“I’m sorry for lying earlier.”

 

Although Han-gyeol apologized, that couldn’t be the end of it.

 

I wanted to talk about it in more detail.

 

“Let’s have your medicine first. We can talk about this later.”

 

I decided to wait until Han-gyeol was feeling a bit better before bringing up the conversation.

 

After taking his medicine and water, Han-gyeol placed the cup on the bedside table.

 

“Where’s the thermometer? Let’s check your temperature.”

 

I asked Han-gyeol after he had taken his medicine.

 

“It’s on the desk, but I think my fever might have gone down now.”

 

“Let’s check to be sure. Just a moment- oh, here it is.”

 

I found the thermometer on Han-gyeol’s neatly organized desk.

 

When I took his temperature, it read 36.9°C.

 

“What was it this morning?”

 

“It was 37.6°C. What’s it now?”

 

“36.9°C. It’s definitely lower than this morning.”

 

“Maybe it’s because of the porridge Eun-ha made for me.”

 

Han-gyeol managed a weak smile, but I didn’t respond.

 

His smile and voice were fading.

 

“Sorry...”

 

Hearing Han-gyeol’s apology, I cautiously started the conversation.

 

“I’m not mad. But I am hurt. Why didn’t you tell me?”

 

I had a rough idea why Han-gyeol did what he did, but I wanted to hear it from him.

 

“The college entrance exam is only about a hundred days away, and I didn’t want to worry you. More than anything, I thought you might come to take care of me if I said I was alone. And I was worried I might pass the cold on to you.”

 

It was just as I had expected.

 

“I understand. I can see why you’d think that. But how do you think you would have felt if I were sick and alone at home and didn’t tell you anything? Be honest with me.”

 

Faced with my question, Han-gyeol pondered for a moment before speaking softly.

 

“I would have felt a bit hurt.”

 

“Right. I feel the same way. I’m hurt by you, Han-gyeol.”

 

“Yeah.”

 

I organized my thoughts before speaking.

 

“I don’t intend to force you to talk about something you’re uncomfortable with. As your girlfriend, there might be issues I can’t solve, and even if I knew about them, I might not be able to help. If you’re dealing with something, I won’t ask what it is and will just quietly stand by your side until it’s resolved. You’re wise and capable of handling things on your own.”

 

I continued, looking Han-gyeol directly in the eyes.

 

“But this time is different. You were sick and alone at home. It might seem like an overstatement, but what if your fever had spiked or you’d needed to rush to the emergency room before your mom got back? At the very least, you should have reached out for help when you needed it.”

 

My disappointment began to show.

 

“Just as you want to be there for me, I want to do the same for you. I could have helped. Why did you suffer alone? I understand your feelings to some extent, but it still hurts. Just like you were there for me, I want to hold your hand, take care of you, and be by your side when you’re sick. I don’t want to be someone who only takes from you. I want to give back and take care of you too. It’s not just you who feels this way.”

 

Han-gyeol seemed a bit surprised by my words.

 

“Will you do this again...? Suffer alone because you’re worried about me?”

 

“No, I’m sorry. I think I was too selfish.”

 

“Right. Don’t do it again. You understand? I’ll be really hurt if it happens again.”

 

“Yeah... I’m sorry.”

 

“Enough with the apologies... can you thank me for taking care of you instead?”

 

“Thank you.”

 

“Good. Is that a promise?”

 

“Yes.”

 

Only after hearing Han-gyeol’s response did I feel somewhat relieved. I sighed deeply and looked at him.

 

“Are you in a lot of pain?”

 

“No, not much. Eun-ha, can you smile now? I’ve been a bit scared up till now.”

 

“I won’t smile. I’m still hurt.”

 

“I’m really thankful you came. I’ll recover faster thanks to my girlfriend.”

 

Han-gyeol’s words made the corners of my mouth rise slightly.

 

I have to resist. I can’t just start smiling all of a sudden.

 

“It’s so nice to see Eun-ha.”

 

“...”

 

My lips kept curling upwards.

 

‘Come on, go down. Please go down!’

 

“Being with Eun-ha makes all the pain fly away.”

 

“Hehe...”

 

I ended up smiling without realizing it.

 

“You’re finally smiling.”

 

“Ah, really-! Stop with the compliments and go to sleep.”

 

“I want to enjoy the rare occasion of Eun-ha being here a bit longer.”

 

“What’s a patient doing talking about enjoying? You’ve taken your medicine, so go to sleep.”

 

“I’m not even sleepy.”

 

“I’ll hold your hand, so just go to sleep.”

 

I carefully took Han-gyeol’s hand in mine.

 

“But I want to spend time with Eun-ha.”

 

“No, you need to get better. Close your eyes and sleep.”

 

“Who can sleep with a beast beside them?”

 

“I won’t bite, so just go to sleep, will you?”

 

“It’s because I’m thankful.”

 

“Just close your eyes for 10 minutes.”

 

“Can I get up after 10 minutes?”

 

“Yes. So keep them closed.”

 

“Okay.”

 

Han-gyeol closed his eyes.

 

I took in the sight of him, his handsome face.

 

“Eun-ha, have you eaten?”

 

“I was so worried about Han-gyeol that I couldn’t eat.”

 

“Really? You must be hungry.”

 

“I managed to force something down. The side dish was meat.”

 

“That doesn’t mean you ate it all, does it...?”

 

“It was just hard to swallow.”

 

Han-gyeol chuckled at my words.

 

“What will Eun-ha do if I fall asleep?”

 

“Watch over Han-gyeol while he sleeps?”

 

“That’s embarrassing.”

 

“Just stop talking and fall asleep already.”

 

“It feels like I’m making myself vulnerable to being devoured.”

 

Han-gyeol seemed to have no intention of falling asleep anytime soon.

 

Eventually, I quietly got up and lay down beside him.

 

“Eun-ha? It feels like someone’s lying next to me.”

 

“Yes, that’s right. Since Han-gyeol isn’t falling asleep, I thought I’d join you for a nap.”

 

“My heart is racing too much to fall asleep.”

 

“Just endure it. I want to sleep.”

 

Despite feeling shy, I snuggled into Han-gyeol’s arms.

 

He kept scooting towards the wall, but I kept burrowing in closer.

 

Finally, Han-gyeol’s back hit the wall, and I was fully enveloped in his embrace.

 

“Eun-ha, sharing a bed... and covering with the same blanket for a nap is a bit-!”

 

“We’ll just hold hands and sleep.”

 

“Isn’t that an incredibly dangerous statement that’s been around for ages? And we’re already in an embrace. We’re already past the point of no return.”

 

“Since Han-gyeol lied today, isn’t it fair to receive this much of a punishment? Even if it’s uncomfortable, endure it. It’s a punishment.”

 

“Isn’t that a reward?”

 

“Nope. It’s a punishment.”

 

I closed my eyes and tried to sleep.

 

Reluctantly, Han-gyeol held me in his arms.

 

“I don’t think I can sleep like this.”

 

“Then Han-gyeol can provide an arm pillow.”

 

“Can I move it if it gets numb?”

 

“No.”

 

I slipped out from Han-gyeol’s arm and placed it under my head.

 

“Eun-ha, it feels like 10 minutes have passed. Can I open my eyes now?”

 

“Yeah~ You can open them now.”

 

Han-gyeol opened his eyes and looked at my face.

 

“Why are you staring like that?”

 

“Because I like lying here with you.”

 

“It’s just for today since Han-gyeol is sick.”

 

“Did you use that as an excuse to climb into bed?”

 

Han-gyeol is really quick-witted, isn’t he? Or is it that he knows me too well?

 

“...Was it that obvious?”

 

“Extremely.”

 

“But I wanted to try napping together with Han-gyeol.”

 

“Truth be told, me too. Shall we sleep for just three hours?”

 

“That sounds amazing.”

 

“But cuddling while sleeping is too much.”

 

“No, I’ll just cuddle.”

 

“I thought we were just going to hold hands.”

 

“That was a lie.”

 

I burrowed into Han-gyeol’s arms with a smile. Eventually, he gave in and wrapped his arms around me.

 

“I give up..”

 

“Thanks for letting me win~”

 

“Sleep well, Eun-ha.”

 

“Sleep well, Han-gyeol.”

--- The End OF The Chapter ---

 

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