Chapter 34: Vulnerable

 

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 me.

 

I mustered enough energy to wave back, my expression strained.

 

But upon seeing my weakened state, Han-gyeol immediately stood up from his seat.

 

“Eun-ha, are you not feeling well?”

 

Han-gyeol approached me, 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 home to rest?”

 

“Hmm... it’s not that bad. I took some medicine in the morning, and I think I’ll be okay after some rest.”

 

Even after hearing that, Han-gyeol looked at me 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 me.”

 

“Mmm, thanks. I won’t push myself, so don’t worry.”

 

I sank into my seat and immediately slumped over my desk.

 

Ugh... I haven’t felt this heavy in a long time.

 

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 me.

 

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, something was placed on my back.

 

“It looks like you might be cold, so I’m covering you with my jacket. Get some rest. If you need anything, call me. 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 came 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 me.”

 

“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 me know.”

 

“Yes...”

 

During the morning announcements, I barely lifted my head, and throughout the class, I couldn’t focus on the lectures.

 

By the time 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 home. 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 seemed to have been watching me, 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 home. 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 me.”

 

“Don’t worry about me, 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 me in front of the school, and I arrived home 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 me to go with you?”

 

“I have some over-the-counter medicine. I think that should do.”

 

“Did you eat lunch?”

 

“No appetite. I’m going to rest a bit.”

 

“Alright. If you need anything, send me a message.”

 

“Mm...”

 

As soon as I entered my room, I changed my clothes.

 

Even on an empty stomach, I took some medicine and immediately crawled into bed.

 

I pulled the blanket up to my chin and quickly fell asleep.

 

My head was throbbing, but perhaps due to the medicine, sleep overtook me.

 

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 message from the phone on my bedside table.

 

I sent a brief message saying, “Bring me some water?”

 

The message 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 me.

 

Eventually, there were two soft knocks on my door.

 

“Come in...”

 

My voice was so faint that it probably didn’t carry beyond the door.

 

Normally, my brother would have come 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 me.”

 

“What...?”

 

“Eunwoo Hyung called me and asked me to bring you a bottle of water.”

 

Thud!

 

The moment I realized the person in front of me 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 come over.

 

“How can you just call him over like that? He’s busy!”

 

- He seemed really concerned, so I thought it’d be better if he came 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 me a message. I’ll pick it up on my way home.

 

“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... come 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 messy. It’s embarrassing.”

 

“Not at all. It’s really neat. And it smells 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 somehow made me feel reassured and incredibly happy. The thought that he cared enough about me to contact my brother gave me 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 immediately reached out.

 

“Give me 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 some porridge or something.”

 

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 me...”

 

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 someone 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 me.

 

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 extremely worried. All I thought about all day was you, Eun-ha.”

 

Honestly... as time 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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