Chapter 34
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 34
Chapter Title: I Don't Like You
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"Eat up~."
""We'll eat well!!""
The kids from Class 1 took their hamburgers, thanked Chaewon, and tore into the wrappers to chow down.
Celebrities really are on another level. I'd been picturing some chain burger joint, but what pulled up in front of the school was a food truck specializing in burgers.
Thanks to that, not only did we get to watch them being made, but we also scored some fresh-out-of-the-fryer french fries. For the kids, it was the perfect treat.
After Chaewon and I finished waving them off, the cameras were pulled out of the classroom for a bit...
"You okay, Chaewon?"
"I brought some medicine at least..."
"You don't have to push yourself."
No sooner had the classroom door closed than the crew swarmed Chaewon, checking on her.
It was Ever's leader who was under the weather, after all.
Of course, Chaewon hadn't mentioned having a cold or shown any sign of discomfort.
But the crew knew Ever was still slammed with world tour prep, so they couldn't help being extra sensitive to her condition.
"I'm fine. Siyun PD brought me some meds earlier, and I already feel a lot better."
Chaewon knew exactly how to brush off their worries with a smile.
"You all should go grab some lunch too. You got here so early this morning you probably skipped breakfast."
"More importantly, you should head to the hospital right now."
"I'll rest a bit in the nurse's office, and it'll pass. Don't worry—just eat and come back."
Even as Chaewon kept smiling, the crew hesitated to leave.
And for good reason: her temperature was already pushing late 37s.
A little more strain, and it could've spiked into a full-blown fever.
I wanted to call off the shoot and drag her to the hospital myself...
"Let's push as far as we can for now. Cutting it short here would disappoint the Class 1 kids, and more than that, Chaewon says she's okay."
You'd asked me to trust you.
You said you'd earned my trust.
I want to believe in you too.
"I'll stick with Chaewon. If it gets bad, I'll call from the nurse's office, PD."
"......"
"And if you feel even a little off, tell us right away."
I alternated between the PD and Chaewon as I spoke.
Both looked stunned, but time was ticking.
"Yeah, got it..."
"...I'll call your agency and cancel the afternoon shoot. We'll wrap after school today."
They nodded and wrapped it up quick.
"Whoa, how many years has it been since I last saw the nurse's office?"
"Lie down. Don't overheat yourself."
I scolded Chaewon as she glanced around, then busied myself wringing out a fresh damp cloth for her forehead.
"Don't close the window. The rain sounds nice."
"...You're cold—get properly under the blanket."
"Okaay~."
I stepped away from the window and approached the bed where you'd settled in.
Dragged a nearby chair right up beside you and squeezed the water out of the cloth.
As I carefully shook off the excess and went to lay it on your forehead...
"......What’s with that look?"
You had this inexplicably smug expression.
That infuriating grin, like everything was going exactly your way. I flicked water from my fingers right onto your face.
"Ah, it's cold?!"
"Being sick isn't something to brag about."
"...I was just thinking, am I dreaming? Min taking care of me like this."
"Anyone overhearing would think you're some heartless type who leaves sick kids to fend for themselves."
"Gasp. Not true?"
You wiped the water from your face, beaming.
I smirked back at you, then gently placed the cool cloth on your forehead.
A satisfied look washed over your face at the chill.
"You sure you don't want a burger?"
"I can eat later—no worries. Who are you to fret right now anyway?"
"Isn't this what good friends are for?"
"Always got something to say."
A faint smile tugged at my lips as I pulled your phone from my pocket—the one I'd grabbed along with mine.
"I'll text your manager ahead of time. Tell them to prep for a hospital run right after the shoot."
"You know my passcode?"
"Like this—what's the problem?"
I held the phone to your face, unlocking it effortlessly with face ID.
You blinked in surprise at how easy it was...
"My passcode's your eight-digit military number."
"...What?"
Our expressions flipped in an instant.
No way, I thought, but my fingers shut the screen off and punched in the code anyway.
...What the hell? It actually worked.
"You're kidding."
"Why? Guys use their service numbers for everything—certificates, whatever. Why can't I?"
"So why use mine?"
"You're the only guy I know who's been in the army."
"...Ha. How am I supposed to take that?"
"Han Chaewon belongs to Min?"
"......Looks like you can tough out the full shoot. Doesn't seem that bad."
I pinched the nose of my babbling brat and leaned back comfortably.
Rain pattered through the slightly open window, cool breeze drifting in.
I soaked it all in quietly, refreshed the cloth with water, wrung it out, and laid it back on your forehead.
I averted my eyes from your bright, staring gaze.
"Take a nap. I'll wake you in ten minutes."
"What'll you do while I'm out?"
"Watch over you, obviously. I told the PD that, but if your symptoms worsen even a bit..."
"Pervert."
"......Pervert?"
"How do you just admit to staring at a sleeping girl's face?"
"Should I go?"
"Sorry."
You grabbed my hand quick, shaking your head slightly.
Why say stuff like that if you're just gonna backpedal?
"Your hand's hot."
"Yeah. But yours is cool—feels nice."
"Up to something?"
"I'm sick—can't I hold on at least this much?"
"......"
"Am I the patient? Gotta take care of me?"
"...Being sick isn't a promotion."
I sighed deeply, feeling the warmth in our clasped hands.
Keep holding like this, and it'll go from cold hands to lukewarm, Raynaud's or not.
The old me would've yanked away before even accusing you of tricks...
"Close your eyes and rest easy. You've got music class later—gotta power through."
I don't want to let go.
I know this half-assed "heart" of mine best, but I don't want to drop this hard-won grip a second time.
"Always the same—lie down in the nurse's office, and sleep just sneaks up on you..."
You murmured softly, eyes drifting shut slow.
I closed mine too, letting your fading voice lull me.
"Yumin."
"Yeah."
"Thanks for believing in me."
"......"
"Honestly, I was half-doubting. What if you said no? I was worried. But you came through so strong, it's embarrassing now."
"...Promised, didn't I?"
You grinned, squeezing my hand tighter.
No escaping now even if you relaxed; our hot-and-cold hands had warmed to tepid.
"Wanna stroll campus with you someday."
"...Nothing stopping us."
"Oh, and an amusement park. Get in at open, leave at close."
"...Might depend on my stamina."
"And kill time wandering a huge department store or mall. Clothes for me, interiors for you?"
"We can do both. No big deal."
I pictured it as you listed dream spots like a cheat sheet, murmuring replies.
You rattled them off smooth as running water, and etching each one in, one thought hit:
I'm the only one still holding back now.
And that you like me—a lot.
"Nice. Gotta get sick periodically so you hold my hand and listen like this?"
"Don't be ridiculous."
"Means this time means the world to me. Enough to spout nonsense."
"......"
"Still grateful. For trusting me..."
Your grip slackened in mine.
Your soft breaths turned ragged, endless words to halting gaps.
Couldn't fight the sleep crashing down mere minutes after lying back.
How exhausted, how sleepy must you be?
"Sleep well. See you soon."
I gave a faint squeeze and cracked my eyes.
Your face, slightly furrowed, came into view.
I gazed at it endlessly, time slipping by.
Only when your hand went fully limp did I swap the lukewarm cloth.
I murmured low.
"I don't like you."
I hope you don't get hurt.
I hope you're never sick, never upset over nothing.
"I don't like you."
Like all those places you wanna go together, I've got spots I crave with you.
Unlike you, not crowded ones—guess our tastes differ as ever...
"I don't like you."
No one else could take me there but you.
"I don't lo—."
Can't lie.
Chant it a thousand times, my answer's still you—how's that a lie?
"Taking your time. Throwing a tantrum too..."
My slow, firm chant shattered in the rain.
I reached out, hooked our pinkies ever so carefully.
"Don't get sick. Chaewon."
Even if it ends the same as before.
I've completely forgotten how not to love you.