I Hate Colds [9:45 AM]
The next day after Ul Eonni told me to call Mom and Dad, I hadn't even seen her head off to work. I was still lying there in bed, staring blankly at the ceiling.
Normally, I'd have gotten up after reading her text, scarfed down some brunch, and checked the gallery or cafe posts. But I felt so listless, not wanting to do a thing... which could only mean one thing.
"I've got a cold."
Maybe it was from crying and staying tense for hours during that horror game. I'd expected something like this, but it hit harder than I thought. Especially my throat—it stung like hell, probably from all the screaming.
"Ugh... wonder if I can even stream today."
Before doing anything else, I figured I'd head to the clinic near campus. I fumbled around near my head for my phone. The screen showed the text Ul Eonni had left before leaving for work.
Yoon-ah? Guess you're still sleeping. Text me when you wake up!
Seeing Ul Eonni's texts made me chuckle a little. Maybe it was the cold, but her emoticons looked extra cute today.
"No way, half-day off for a little cold? And she's still a newbie at work."
It was ridiculous, but a warm fuzziness bloomed in my chest anyway.
I finished texting Ul Eonni and tossed my phone to the edge of the bed before finally getting up. My head was starting to throb a bit now, and my body felt heavy all over. No doubt about it—I'd caught a full-blown cold. Guess staying home in just a tank top and shorts all winter wasn't smart... Gotta bundle up better from now on.
"Can't do this..."
I muttered as I pulled on a thick hoodie and fleece pants from the rack. I'd really wanted to stream, but going live like this would be a disaster. Better to rest up today and do a long survival check-in stream tomorrow.
The second I decided to go dark, I grabbed my phone from the bed and typed up the notice.
The cafe comments were always so wholesome, unlike the gallery. They'd say sweet stuff here, then drop the filthiest jokes there? That gap moe was kinda cute.
I chuckled softly, grabbed my earbuds and wallet, pulled on a hat and mask, and headed to the door. Come to think of it, this was my first time going out alone since turning into a girl without Ul Eonni. Kinda nervous.
*Click*
The cold winter wind hit me the second I opened the door, making me shiver.
"Brr, freezing."
I grumbled, shoving my hands in my puffer pockets and zipping up tight as I slowly descended the stairs. Was it being alone, or just feeling crappy? Either way, I felt kinda sentimental.
"Haa... *cough*!"
I hadn't noticed when walking with Ul Eonni, but being shorter made everything take forever, and with the cold sapping my strength, my legs felt like jelly. On top of that, my coughs came out all dainty and fragile—super annoying in my grumpy state.
Before I knew it, I was at the crosswalk opposite the clinic. I stared blankly at the red light, fidgeting with my fingers in my pockets.
"Hurry up and change already..."
I muttered under my breath from the cold, and I felt a group of high school girls nearby glancing at me. They looked like post-exam seniors, smirking. To avoid any weird misunderstandings, I pulled my hat low, but one approached cautiously.
"Um... unni, you look really cold. If it's okay, take this at least..."
She shyly offered a steaming hand warmer. Was it because I looked that sick, or was she just super friendly? Either way, I took it.
"*Cough!* ...Thanks."
"N-no, really! Unni, you're so pretty!"
She nodded bashfully and scurried back to her group. Back when I was a guy, no one would've batted an eye if I'd coughed or tripped on the street. This was a first—wild.
"She's insanely gorgeous!"
"Fr? Shoulda gone over too."
Hearing their whispers up close made my face heat up. Just as it felt hotter than the hand warmer, the light mercifully turned green.
I bolted across the crosswalk, clutching the warmer tight in my pocket. It was embarrassing but kinda nice... yeah, I must really be sick.
*Ding-a-ling*
The clinic was pretty quiet for a weekday morning, just a few kids around. I approached the reception desk, and the nurse looked up slowly.
"First time here? Enter your name and resident registration number on the tablet, please."
"Ah, sure."
Suppressing a cough, I tapped the tablet on the desk and started entering my number.
[02XXXX-3XXXXXX | Seo Ha-yoon]
Wait, that's not right anymore. I hurriedly deleted it.
"Um, miss?"
"Ah, y-yes! One sec!"
At the nurse's voice, I squeezed my eyes shut, recalled the right number, and re-entered it.
[07XXXX-4XXXXXX | Seo Ha-yoon]
[Registration Complete]
Whew, almost put down a guy's number and gotten labeled crazy. With my current look, a '3' in the back would be true horror. Just imagining it was creepy.
"All set. What's the issue?"
"My throat hurts, and my head's pounding a bit."
"Got it. Have a seat over there and wait a moment?"
I nodded and took a seat in the middle row. The clinic was toasty, so I took off my hat and set it aside, glancing around. That's when...
"Unni!"
A little girl, maybe first grade, stared right at me.
"Huh?"
"Unni looks just like my mom—super pretty!"
"Uh... thanks? But who are you?"
"Ji-on-i's Mom's daughter!"
Her bright, innocent grin made me smile too. Drawn in, I gently patted her head.
"Really? Where's your mom then? Lost?"
"Nope! Mom's with Dad, unni, oppa, baby sis, and baby bro over there!"
She pointed to reception—a massive family. Dad held two babies; unni and oppa each gripped a kid's hand. Including her, that was seven! Insanely patriotic. Must be exhausting, yet they looked blissful. Impressive. I looked down, and she'd plopped right next to me.
"Uh, so... why'd Ji-on-i come here?"
"Ji-on-i was bored, so I came to see the pretty unni!"
So bold—flattering but awkward. Are all kids and high schoolers this friendly these days? As I pondered a reply, hurried footsteps approached—her mom, I figured.
"Oh dear, Ji-on! Don't bother strangers! Sorry, she loves pretty people since she takes after her unni..."
"No, it's fine. Ji-on-i was adorable."
Ji-on-i's mom nodded at my raspy voice and took her hand.
"Thank you. Ji-on? Unni's sick, so say bye quick."
"Okay! Pretty unni, be brave for the shot and get better fast!"
"Thanks, Ji-on-i."
Ji-on-i waved cutely and scampered back.
"Seo Ji-on, who do you get liking pretty girls from?"
"From unni! Unni said Mom and Dad met thanks to her!"
The fading voices kept making me grin. Wasn't that the dream family? And if unni set them up... shotgun wedding? Explains why mom looked young. Smiling warmly at the big family...
"Patient Seo Ha-yoon? Room 3, please."
The nurse finally called me. No way I'd actually get a shot, right? Kinda scary... Heart pounding, I grabbed my hat and headed to the exam room, opening the door.