Chapter 10
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 10
Chapter Title: My Ligament
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Thankfully, it didn't seem to be anything serious.
"Your ligament's a bit stretched out~ This happens sometimes when you're playing dodgeball."
"That's a relief..."
"It is, but it'll probably hurt for about two or three weeks. You should still see a doctor at the hospital and wear a brace. It doesn't look like a full tear to the naked eye, but you never know."
"Got it."
To sum up what the school nurse said: You're not totally screwed, but just in case, go to the hospital.
"Hey, sorry about that..."
The boy who'd chucked the dodgeball at me like a fastball was apologizing beside me.
I shook my head and glanced at Im Rua, who was pouting sullenly next to me.
"Nah, it's fine. If you're gonna apologize... do it to Im Rua."
"...Sorry."
"I'm okay."
The reason I'd made him apologize to Im Rua—and why she'd accepted it—was because he'd aimed poorly, and the ball had been headed straight for her head.
There's an unwritten rule in dodgeball: No matter how heated things get, don't throw at someone's head.
That guy had shattered the rule while yelling something crude, and that was the root cause of all this mess.
"...Uh, is there anything I can do to help?"
"I'm good, go eat lunch first."
"...Alright, seriously, sorry."
The boy bowed his head to us one more time and slipped out of the nurse's office.
Watching him go, the nurse gave us a warm smile.
"He's a good kid, though. Most boys just ignore stuff like this and pretend it never happened."
"Yeah, he seems like that type."
Thinking about it, he really was a decent guy.
It was just an accident during dodgeball, and honestly, part of it was my fault anyway. We barely knew each other beyond names and faces, but he'd still come to apologize like this.
...Did I just make a friend? Or was I overthinking it?
I had no idea. Honestly, I didn't want to think about it at all. Complicated stuff like this was the last thing I needed.
And...
"......"
First things first, I needed to calm down Im Rua, who was glaring at my finger like she was furious.
"Hey, Im Rua."
"What."
"Shouldn't you go eat lunch...?"
"...I will. Eventually."
Oh, so she was going, just late.
"And I'm taking you with me to eat."
"Huh?"
"...Your finger got hurt trying to protect me. The least I can do is feed you."
Her words were so overwhelmingly burdensome that I shook my head vigorously in protest.
"No, absolutely not. I don't need that at all."
"Why? Embarrassed?"
"That's part of it, but it's just my middle finger that's hurt."
Im Rua shot me an irritated look and started grumbling.
"...Why'd you block that ball?"
"Huh?"
"If you hadn't, I would've just gotten a little hurt, that's all."
Classic Im Rua stubbornness kicking in.
What could I say? She'd always been smart, but she had this weird streak of obstinacy in the strangest places.
Even she knew it wasn't normal stubbornness, but she dug her heels in anyway.
Right now was one of those times. She wasn't thinking rationally.
"...If I hadn't blocked it, that ball would've hit your head. Right in your face."
"So?"
"You're wearing glasses now. Unlike when we were kids."
"Ugh...!"
Im Rua had started wearing glasses in high school.
Probably from all the studying wrecking her eyesight.
The key point was that she still wasn't used to them. Far from it—she found them uncomfortable and didn't fully grasp what she needed to watch out for.
Or more precisely, her body hadn't learned yet just how dangerous they could be or how careful she had to be.
"What if the ball hit your glasses and they broke? Or the lenses shattered? It wouldn't have ended with just some pain for you."
"Ughhh..."
Im Rua stared at me with intense, competitive eyes—like she was burning with some rivalry—before finally hanging her head.
"...I know that. I just feel bad."
Thankfully, she didn't throw a full-blown tantrum like she used to. She knew when to back down now.
"You don't need to feel bad."
"No, I do. Absolutely."
"It was my choice in the end."
That's how I saw it.
No matter who caused it, that didn't matter. What mattered was that I'd chosen to block the ball heading for her face.
Whether it was a conscious decision or pure reflex, the action started with me.
So the responsibility... the responsibility for my stretched ligament... was mine to bear.
"...Thanks, Jinwoo."
"Yeah."
Thanks. Maybe that simple word could end all the petty conflicts and arguments in this moment—like some kind of magic spell.
I felt good hearing her gratitude, and she could ease her guilt after saying it. You know how that goes.
Having those sappy thoughts made my stomach growl all of a sudden.
Right on cue, the end-of-lunch bell rang.
-Ding~dong~ding~dong~
As the chime echoed through the school, the nurse spoke to us in a playful tone.
"You two lovebirds up front, take your lovers' quarrels somewhere I can't see~"
"......Huh?"
"What?"
"Oh? You're not together?"
A bit flustered, we protested in unison, loud and clear.
"No!!"
"Absolutely not!"
"Okay, okay, got it. Sorry~"
The nurse raised both hands in apology, and we bolted out of the nurse's office right after.
From there, we headed back to class without much talk, then to the cafeteria.
Honestly, there wasn't anything to say.
Any conversation would've just reminded us of the nurse's parting shot, leaving us both embarrassed.
*
Since I had the chance, I decided to head home early.
'Had to leave early after spraining my ligament protecting a classmate.' How cool did that sound?
Anyway, off to the hospital...
"Hmm~ Your ligament's got a slight tear."
"What?"
Contrary to my expectations, it was a partial tear.
"Even a light touch right now would have you screaming in pain."
"Yeah..."
"See here? Normally, this part should be tucked in like this, but it's sticking out. Protruding."
"Ah... yeah..."
I'd been relieved after the visual check at school, but this was a sneak attack.
"And it's the middle finger, of all things... Ugh. It'll make daily life tricky, but at this level, meds and natural healing should do it. Just tough it out for a bit."
'Tough it out for a bit' sent a chill down my spine. It could've been way worse.
"You should be able to get the cast off by the end of next month. Let's get it on."
"Okay..."
I'd figured a brace would suffice, not a full cast. Never saw that coming.
My middle and ring fingers were now bound together, and staring at them, I was certain of one thing.
I could still do editing.
If it'd been my index finger, editing would've been impossible—just game over. Lucky it was the middle one. Really lucky.
"No computers or anything, absolutely. I know kids your age love games—lay off for a while."
Don't worry, doc. It's not gaming; it's video editing, and editing doesn't need much right-clicking.
Though a few habits I'd handled with right-clicks would need shortcut memorization now.
I'd gotten lazy with some shortcuts, defaulting to right-click. Time to learn them properly.
With those thoughts, I got my meds and headed home, proudly(?) showing off my injured finger to my parents.
Dad, fresh off vacation mode, praised me: "Good job protecting the girl."
Mom had a different reaction.
"...That's so you."
She wanted to praise me but was clearly upset too.
Feeling their concern, I nodded and retreated to my room.
...Now what?
If Lulu was streaming, I'd watch, but she only does evenings.
Guess I'll nap.
As I dozed off...
-Ding-dong~
"Coming~ ...Oh? Rua?"
...An unexpected name came from outside.
I jolted awake and stumbled out of bed, opening the door still half-asleep.
There stood Im Rua.
With fruits and snacks in hand.