Chapter 35
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 35
Chapter Title: It's Because You Told Me To
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“Now get up already.”
“...Ugh, five more minutes.”
“Get up before I splash water on your face.”
“No water. A kiss.”
Rubbing her eyes while pursing her lips like that, I was so taken aback that a dry chuckle escaped me.
She probably hadn't recovered much, but at least she seemed somewhat better.
I tidied up the towel on her forehead and picked up the basin full of water...
“Here.”
“Ahh, it's cold!!!!”
I flicked water droplets from my fingers at you as you spouted nonsense.
Your reaction told me you'd definitely woken up fully now.
“How're you feeling?”
“Nothing beats a nap as the ultimate cure. Good.”
You flashed me a thumbs-up and a smile.
After dumping the water, I took your temperature again. The result: 37.1 degrees.
You still had a slight fever, but it was clearly much better than before.
“Your temperature's down some, but not enough to ignore it, so don't push yourself.”
“Okaay~.”
“Also, I called your manager earlier, so head straight to the hospital once we're done.”
“Okaay~.”
“First things first, let's change your clothes. The kids'll think something's weird if you go out like that.”
“Minah.”
“Yeah?”
“Change them for me.”
“Pfft—?!”
Your out-of-nowhere request made me burst into involuntary laughter.
If I'd had anything in my mouth, it would've been a total disaster—I hadn't seen that coming at all.
I took a deep breath and shot you an exasperated look.
“...Let me check your temperature again. It can't be 37.”
“If you're gonna take care of me, might as well do it right.”
“Why stop at clothes? Is this some Judy costume coordination gig?”
“Whoa. How'd you know about that?”
“Anyway. Do it yourself.”
I piled on the stern warnings as I handed over your change of clothes.
You took them with a furrowed brow, shooting me dissatisfied glares, and I fired right back with a 'what do you want me to do about it?' stare.
In the midst of our tense stare-down, you threw a curveball.
“We're childhood friends. You've seen everything there is to see, so what's changing clothes?”
“Wow. That's so cliché.”
Instant one-point hit.
“Don't tell me next you're gonna say, 'Do I look like a girl to you?'”
“......”
“I'll answer clean and simple. Then are you a girl or a guy?”
I clicked my tongue and put away the used items.
Seemingly miffed that I'd stolen your line, you puffed out your cheeks to emphasize my lack of consideration, but...
“I'll wait outside, so change and come out.”
I left the nurse's office without sparing you a glance.
Whoa, that was close.
I stepped out and plopped down right there.
Normally, I'd brush off any prank with a scoff and a smooth comeback, but now that I'd admitted I liked you, it was a problem.
“...How did I used to brush that off?”
Just respond normally?
How the hell do you do that?
Haa.
I let out a long sigh and crouched down.
Once I stopped hiding, holding back, and pretending not to know my feelings, my mindset simplified uncontrollably.
And why not? It'd been a full 15 years, after all.
Sure, I didn't like you every single moment, but accepting the desire built up over those 15 years wasn't easy.
I wanted to hold your hand for no reason, hug you gently from behind, rub my cheek against yours, and...
“A kiss. How do you even do that...?”
I muttered softly, scratching the back of my head.
『Confess with a kiss. That's my romance.』
What dramas and movies did she watch to demand a confession with a kiss?
Was it that one? 'Shall we kiss first?'
“Did I play it too cool earlier...?”
I wanted attention from the girl I liked, but I didn't know how to get it, so I instinctively pulled childish pranks.
I'd wondered why boys teased girls when we were kids, and now, 23 years later, I finally got it a little.
“...This is driving me crazy.”
A confession. I wanted to do it really cool, but how?
For the first time in my life, being a lifelong single was frustrating.
“Did everyone enjoy lunch?”
“Yes!!”
Music room.
This time, I was sitting while Chaewon stood up front to lead the class.
A thunderous response echoed like in a concert hall, and Chaewon smoothly continued with the mic in hand.
“I was thinking about how to make music time fun, and singing together seems best, right?”
It sounded like she just wanted to sing, so she'd knock out one song first...
“And who am I? Ever. Idols. So let's dive right into killing parts from our debut song.”
My prediction was spot on, as expected.
She flashed a grin and expertly operated the laptop she'd brought, starting the backing track.
Her voice was crystal clear, unbelievable for someone with a cold; her expressions were vibrant, and her occasional dance moves and engaging ad-libs oozed confidence.
She never got seriously sick, but when she did, she'd groan for days—that was my childhood friend.
Watching her sing so effortlessly made me worry she was overdoing it.
As everyone sang along, beaming and enjoying Chaewon's performance, was I the only one holding my breath?
I couldn't relax and enjoy, so I forced a smile and silently watched from the back.
“Phew. Singing solo is tough after all.”
The 15-minute hit song medley finally ended, and Chaewon took a sip of lukewarm water before steering the talk.
“It's music time for once, so I can't be the only one singing. From now on, I'll teach you how to sing great in super short karaoke sessions. Assistant, up front.”
So she was sharing some vocal tips, at least.
Makes sense—she sang like a pro, better than most vocal trainers—
“Assistant, up front.”
“......Huh?”
Suddenly, all eyes were on me.
“Oh, right. I'm the assistant.”
I finally realized I was the one I'd been looking for.
What could I do? I stood and headed to the podium.
“You're the student here for vocal training. I'm a top-tier vocal trainer. Got the roles?”
“...Roleplay too?”
This wasn't a shopping channel—why such a packed, one-time-only script?
I couldn't fathom why we'd do roleplay in music class, but Class 1's excited eyes and the production crew's satisfied anticipation...
“Yes, come on in.”
And now the brat kicked off the roleplay without warning.
“Hello, teacher...”
Suppressing a laugh, I dove into the role.
“I hope everyone in Class 1 today works hard to achieve what they want and becomes someone who accomplishes it.”
“Thanks for joining us today. Studies matter, but figuring out what you love during school is important too.”
The final period finally ended.
I stood amid Class 1's goodbyes and moved next door for wrap-up interviews.
“You okay?”
“...So far? I'll probably pass out right after.”
“Then why dance during talk time? You were already sweating buckets in PE.”
“And full-on belting in music.”
“...You think that's bragging?”
She'd finally overdone it.
Her fever was visibly up, even at a glance.
I'd told her not to push, but she hadn't eaten properly and went all out all afternoon.
I said we could do the rest of the interviews elsewhere and to go to the hospital first, but her stubbornness insisted on finishing the shoot here.
She clung to my arm, stumbling.
“Haa... Han Chaewon, you really...”
I hurriedly opened the door and draped the blanket the production team had prepped over her.
Even amid her exhaustion, she seemed pleased by my actions and gazed at me with crinkled eyes.
“But the kids loved it. I exist because fans like the Class 1 kids today love me.”
“......Keep saying stuff like that, and I won't have anything to say back.”
“But you can give a tight hug to someone shivering like me.”
Chaewon spread her arms with that classic Bingoo grin.
I stared at her closing her eyes expectantly.
“......You say that so casually.”
A strange mix of emotions swirled inside me.
“I'm going crazy worrying about you, and here you are saying that.”
I tried to hold back the overwhelming feeling, but something was off.
“...Minah?”
“Did I give you too much trust, or not enough?”
“Huh?”
“Thinking about what I've done... probably not enough, right...?”
You tilted your head, not understanding my mutter, and slowly opened your eyes.
I stood right in front of you, bending my knees to meet your gaze.
Like that.
“It's because you told me to.”
I hugged you with all my strength.