Chapter 13
Chapter 13
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 13
Chapter Title: Nursing
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There are times when something nags at your heart, but you can't quite pinpoint what it is.
That was exactly how I felt right now.
After lectures ended and I got home, evening greeted me.
Tonight's menu was fried rice. Si-eun's cooking skills were, as always, top-notch. I usually prefer meat over veggies, but with fried rice like this, I could eat bowl after bowl.
Yet today, something felt off.
I'd forced my eyes open like always, attended lectures (well, not really listening), come home like always, and eaten the meal Si-eun made like always.
So what was this inexplicable discomfort?
Like playing spot-the-difference, I scanned around until I figured it out.
"Not hungry?"
Si-eun's shoulders twitched at my sudden question.
She looked up and asked,
"What're you talking about all of a sudden?"
"Hmm, just seems like you're not eating much."
As I mumbled my response, I glanced at Si-eun's bowl. More than half the fried rice was still left.
Si-eun has a hearty appetite. Normally, she'd have inhaled every last grain and started on the dishes by now. But today, for some reason, her bowl was barely emptying.
And that wasn't all.
"Usually, you'd be beaming, going 'Mmm~ so good~' and looking all happy. But not today."
"When have I ever done that?"
"You do it all the time..."
We've lived together long enough that denying it won't fly.
Anyway, maybe she just didn't have much appetite today. Urging her with my eyes, she dropped her gaze.
"It's nothing."
With that, she set down her spoon.
"Just... the seasoning's off today or something. Yeah, it doesn't taste good."
"Doesn't taste good?"
"Yeah. So don't worry about it."
I was just trying to show concern, but her response was icy. Si-eun isn't the warm-and-fuzzy type, I know that. Still, she's not one to snap like this.
As I shot her a protesting look, her eyes seemed a bit bloodshot.
Come to think of it, her cheeks were slightly flushed, and her body looked tense, lacking energy.
"Are you sick?"
"I told you not to worry."
"How can I not, when we live together?"
"I can handle being a little under the weather myself, so leave me alone."
"Sounds like you are sick."
Si-eun let out a small "ugh" and clamped her mouth shut. She shook her head, like she was scolding herself.
Falling for such a simple trap. She really must be sick. If she's unwell, she could just say so—why act tough?
I stood and moved beside her.
"Where does it hurt?"
"...I'm fine."
Without even turning to me, she tossed out the reply.
But her voice lacked strength. Had she been edgy earlier, telling me not to worry, just to hide this?
"It's not bad enough to need help. No need to fuss."
Then, as if she couldn't stand hearing me, she abruptly turned and stood.
"I'm heading in. When you're done eating, leave the dishes by the sink..."
Mid-sentence, Si-eun swayed.
Her black hair whipped around as her body tilted. Reacting on instinct, I reached out and caught her before she could collapse. Luckily, I steadied her just in time.
She ended up leaning into my chest, my hands on her shoulders. It was an awkward, embarrassing position, but that wasn't the point.
Her skin felt burning hot through my palms.
"Hmph."
Thankfully, she hadn't passed out. She shrugged off my hands.
"Don't touch people without permission. Pervert?"
"Don't try to brush it off. You've got a fever."
"I'm fine."
"Fine people don't collapse."
"That was..."
She trailed off. She couldn't argue; she'd nearly fallen moments ago.
Seizing the opening, I said,
"Come on, go rest."
Si-eun sighed and grumbled, "Fine." But even that breath felt hot against me.
◎
"So?"
"What?"
"Why'd you follow me to my room?"
Si-eun, sitting on her bed, eyed me curiously.
She'd seemed unsteady earlier, but walking was fine. No need to support her—I'd just trailed alongside.
"What if you collapse again?"
"I just felt weak for a second."
"What if it happens again?"
She opened her mouth like she had a retort, then silently lay back.
Her black hair splayed messily on the pillow. Her cheeks glowed red, eyes slightly glazed. Unlike her usual self, she looked fragile.
"There, you're lying down now—no collapsing from weakness. Don't worry."
She grabbed the electronic thermometer from her bedside. She'd tidied everything up, yet this was handy. Maybe she gets fevers often.
She popped it in her mouth, waited for the beep, and checked.
"How much?"
"38.4 degrees."
"Isn't that high? You sure no hospital?"
I asked worriedly, but she shook her head vigorously while lying down.
"Usually a night's sleep fixes it. Always has. And even if I go, they'd just give me fever meds—waste of money."
Still, moving with a fever must be tough. Meds might help.
But if she won't go, nothing I can do. I'm not her guardian, can't carry her in a basket.
As I watched quietly, she rolled to face the wall.
"I'll lie here a bit, then get up and do the dishes. You can go."
"Mm."
I let out a noncommittal sound instead of answering.
Feels wrong to just do my own thing while she's sick in bed.
Besides, since I assign her chores, don't I bear some responsibility?
I slipped quietly out of her room.
Heading to the bathroom, I opened the drawer. Neatly folded towels from Si-eun. I took one, soaked it, and wrung it hard.
Then back to her room.
"Why're you back?"
She'd heard the door and spoke without turning.
"Got a hobby of peeking at girls sleeping?"
"No."
Ridiculous suspicion. I don't have that hobby—and if I did, I could've anytime before she got sick.
Carefully, I placed the damp towel on her forehead as she rambled.
She flinched in surprise. Then, touching it, she turned to me.
"What's this?"
"Wet towel. Helps with fever."
"I know that, but..."
She didn't finish.
I could guess what she wanted to ask, but no intention of answering. Instead, I addressed her housekeeper duties.
"Rest until you're better. Even companies have sick leave—think of it that way. Dishes can wait. Tomorrow, I'll order porridge from Bonjuk for you."
"..."
"Laundry and cleaning are done anyway. Nothing urgent for tomorrow. Stay in bed while you're sick."
"Hold on."
"What?"
She cut in suddenly, asking softly,
"Why are you fussing over me like this?"
Her gaze was probing, demanding an explanation. I didn't dodge.
Our eyes met for a moment.
Hmm.
Guess I have to bring this up.
"It's..."
I looked away and spoke.
"...like seeing my younger self."
Out of the corner of my eye, Si-eun tilted her head.
"Your younger self?"
"Yeah. Reminds me of how I used to be. We weren't well-off back then."
She looked skeptical. Makes sense—no one'd guess from my current life.
Not a thrilling story. Dull, even. But it's the only way to explain. Have to share my past.
"When I was a kid,"
I began, reminiscing.
"Mom and Dad both worked late. I'd eat alone or boil instant ramen."
"Yeah..."
"Even playing—kids gamed on computers, but I'd sketch game screens in notebooks and imagine. Ours was junk."
Probably why I cling to computers now—making up for it.
"No birthday parties or gifts. No Santa on Christmas."
Thinking back, it must've hurt my parents too. Tough times.
I took a deep breath and said what I wanted.
"But worst was being sick with no one around. That loneliness."
If I pick my loneliest memory, it's that.
Feverish, nauseous, miserable—no one to care. No one even knew. I'd pretend to be fine so parents wouldn't worry.
Si-eun probably went through something similar.
She grew into someone everyone envies. I veered off-track, ending up a loner with friends countable on one hand.
Opposite outcomes, but the feelings? Likely the same.
I'd dragged on a mundane tale. Waved it off with, "Anyway."
"So yeah, it bugs me a bit."
Get it now?
I looked at her. Her big eyes met mine.
"Surprising."
"Yeah?"
"Yeah. Especially how you splash cash after that life."
"...Fair point."
Ouch, hit the nail on the head.
"Well, I get it now. Why you're worried about me."
"Good."
"But since I know why I'm sick, no big deal. Really nothing."
Even after spilling my guts, she downplays it. Guess it's minor. Relieving.
"So why are you sick?"
I gave her a concerned look; she smiled faintly.
"Happens every few months since I was little. Doc says I'm prone to bad colds. But after good sleep, I'm fine in a couple days. Not serious."
"Oh, just a cold..."
Everyone gets those. Maybe I overreacted. Felt a tad embarrassed.
As I scratched my head, she pressed the towel to her forehead and closed her eyes.
"Anyway, thanks."
"Wetting a towel's no biggie."
"Not that."
"...The Bonjuk?"
"You think?"
She let out a soft laugh.
"Thanks for caring in all sorts of ways."
"You were telling me not to earlier."
Seeming a bit sorry, she hummed,
"It's my fault for not taking care of myself. Making you worry is a nuisance."
"Not a nuisance."
"Plus, it's contagious."
"Well, yeah."
"But having someone care when I'm sick... first time."
Her voice faded slowly.
"Feels really nice..."
With that, her lips stilled.
Her steady breathing said she'd drifted off.
Really nice, huh.
Finally admitting it. Made me chuckle. Could've just said so.
"You told me not to worry just now."
I muttered so sleeping Si-eun wouldn't hear, then quietly left the room.