Chapter 36
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 36
Chapter Title: How Will You Take Responsibility?
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That's exactly what happened.
Should I say I suddenly felt wronged and annoyed?
A girl who says she likes me has no clue about my inner turmoil and drives me crazy with frustration, so in a surge of impulsive emotion, I just went for it.
In my entire life, the times I've acted purely on anger and emotion could be counted on one hand.
Of course. I know.
I know full well that even now, it's the selfish desire of the one who farted first getting mad—like, go ahead, waste some emotions on me too—that made me hug her...
But whatever. I like you.
I do. Kang Yumin likes Han Chaewon.
You wanted it too, didn't you? I was just giving you what you asked for.
So what are you gonna do about it? What can you...
"You told me to do it."
Whoa, am I insane?
One hand on her waist, the other sliding up her back to her shoulders.
"...Warm?"
I hugged her, murmuring as calmly as I could.
I could feel my heart pounding.
Not anyone else's—mine.
Hugging you made me realize my own heart was racing.
I never knew that having your heart race for someone, feeling alive because of another person, could be this thrilling and ecstatic.
I squeezed a little tighter, as much as I dared.
"Still cold?"
I wanted to savor this heartbeat a bit longer.
"...Huh? Oh, no. But this."
"I'm working hard at it. You think I'd be on my knees hugging you if I didn't care if you got sick."
Your hand, hovering in the air, dropped limply to your side.
It was a perfectly predictable reaction, really.
Our 15 years have always been consistent and one-sided—you tease, I take it.
I was doing something I'd never done in my life, and every word felt like emotions bubbling over in rejection...
But in this moment, I wanted to be true to those feelings.
"Don't make me worry again, Han Chaewon."
I just wanted to say it.
"I usually do what you ask, but you're always like this."
"...".
"Just taking it all the time—it's not fair."
I loosened my grip and pulled back slightly.
Now my knees were on the ground, looking up at you from below...
"Hey, your turn to take it."
I smirked and gazed leisurely at your dazed face.
It's not like I was just taking your teasing because I didn't know better.
I just liked seeing you smile, so I let it happen.
Fine. You always end up smiling anyway.
'Feel the frustration for once.'
Not the nicest thing to do to a sick girl, but you're in big trouble now.
With me appealing like this without confessing outright, what can you even do?
I was counting down the days until you'd crack, basking in victory...
"...Your face looks especially red?"
Your face was flushing endlessly.
Realizing something had gone terribly, horribly wrong, I quickly touched your forehead with the back of my hand.
"—Nya hat?!"
The bratty one startled with a weird yelp.
"...You're burning up?"
And somehow, it felt even hotter than before...
"W-wait. Hey, why are you collapsing? Han Chaewon? Hey...?!"
Thud.
You pitched forward and collapsed into me.
...Is this my fault?
"Even anime these days doesn't have scenes like this..."
In the absurdity, I scooped you up and bolted to the car.
How many people in the world wake up in a hospital?
Sure, plenty, but the problem is this.
"Crazy."
Did I faint because I was totally smitten?
Does that even make sense?
I let out a hollow laugh thinking even flower boy dramas from back then didn't use tropes like this, but that faded quickly.
"This is so unfair...?"
A bitter chuckle twisted my face from sheer exasperation.
Hugging someone out of nowhere when I'm already feverish and vulnerable...
"It could happen, I guess."
But seriously, who faints from a fever spiking just because of a hug?
I'm probably the only one among all humanity.
...Thinking that makes it even more embarrassing.
"Ugh, whatever. It's all that fox-like Kang Yumin's fault—I couldn't even finish filming..."
But I failed at managing my condition, yeah. Can't blame him for that either.
I stared blankly at the ceiling, wondering who to blame, but there was no one.
The fever was from my poor self-care, and the hug was just him doing what I asked.
"Handsome looks are the real problem."
That hard-won flaw of his—his killer looks. The kind of heart-fluttering defeat otakus rave about.
"...But realizing that makes it even more humiliating."
I muttered, replaying that dizzying moment.
Kyaaaaah!!!
Can't scream loud in a hospital, so I yelled internally.
I handle most dark histories coolly, but this one had me surrendering before the fight even started.
Han Chaewon fainting from a hug? The greatest humiliation of my life.
What am I supposed to dooooo?!?!?
Another internal scream.
In a huff, I kicked at the blanket with my innocent toes, but even that lacked strength.
I sighed lightly and turned to check the IV drip.
Judging by how much was left, I'd been hooked up for a while.
I scanned around for my phone when the manager unnie parted the curtain and appeared.
She looked down at me, half worried, half mocking.
"...Hey, unnie."
"Hey? Lucky there's no schedule next week, or else you'd be..."
"Sorry for real. ...Will this leak to the press?"
I glanced at her slyly, and she shook her head.
"No way. As you can see, it's private here."
I peeked beyond the curtain.
True to her word, the small space on the other side had nothing but my bed.
"Yumin brought you here. Said he got help from someone he knows—no leaks to the outside. I saw him greeting that person earlier."
"...Really?"
"Count your blessings. No one rags on you for being sick, but otherwise, you'd be headline news."
She snorted, eyeing my state.
"How are you feeling now? Okay?"
Then she asked casually, but with concern in her eyes.
I smiled faintly and nodded.
"Yeah. Unnie, got my phone? Need to text the production team I'm fine."
"Yumin already handled that. Said you collapsed from a sudden fever spike, but you're okay now and will recover with a few days' rest. Even explained neatly."
"...He did that too?"
"At this point, he's not just your childhood friend—he's your guardian. Anyway, just text simply today and call tomorrow. It's already 7."
"...7 o'clock?"
My eyes widened at "7."
Exactly 3:10 PM when 6th period ended, so four hours had passed already.
Thinking of everyone who must've worried made me feel nothing but sorry.
"...Sorry, unnie."
"You've all been busy lately. The others were coughing too. Rest up till you're better—no schedule anyway. I'll get the doctor."
"Okay."
She handed me my phone, smiled, and left.
I watched her go, then shifted uncomfortably to sit up with effort.
While texting the production team with my free right hand...
"You're awake."
"Eek—?!"
Stealth mode or what?
Your voice came out of nowhere, startling me into dropping my phone on the blanket.
You smirked at my freaked-out face.
"Dumb bear, sleep well?"
"...Dumb bear? Can't you say I gave it my all?"
"Sure, whatever."
"You don't get idols—people collapse after shows all the time."
"Yeah, sure."
"...That pisses me off? Whose fault is this—."
That problematic scene flashed in my mind.
I managed to cut off the instinctive blame game, but you weren't letting it slide.
"What? Wanna argue who did what?"
You grinned smugly, like you'd caught me red-handed.
"...N-no, not arguing."
Why play a game I'm 100% losing?
I tucked tail, whipped my head away...
"However! You gotta take responsibility!"
Super special move: declare victory by confrontation.
To overcome the sudden shame, I yelled first.
You tilted your head, meeting my eyes.
"Responsibility?"
"You made me collapse...!!"
"Me? What does that mean?"
"...Oh my?"
I covered my gaping mouth, realizing too late what I'd blurted.
If there was a heart monitor, it'd be spiking past 160 easy—my eyes darted everywhere.
"A-anyway, take responsibility...!!"
No room left to retreat.
I just screamed, consequences be damned.
I knew best it was nonsense.
But I said it for one reason.
Kang Yumin hates baseless, contextless bullshit.
Expected replies: 'Stop talking crap and sleep more' or 'Still delirious?'
I'd patted myself on the back for the best move in a worst-case scenario and waited boldly.
"How should I take responsibility?"
Your casual response left me dumbfounded.
Excuse me, Kang Yumin?
This ain't our 15-year curriculum.
"...Huh?"
"Fine. If the one who fainted says it's my fault, who am I to argue? I'll take responsibility. Just tell me."
You shrugged and approached.
I'd sensed it from your tone.
The faint smile, arched brow, slightly excited voice—bingo.
He's enjoying this.
'...Me getting owned by Kang Yumin?'
A role reversal I'd never imagined left my head blank.
It's undeniable he likes me now, but this isn't the development I wanted.
A bit selfish, but you should be embarrassed and take it from me forever!!
A pyrrhic victory?
Hard pass.
"Tell me. How should I make it up to you?"
Your cocky, assured swagger.
Your smug face made me want to claw it off, stirring an inexplicable surge of frustration.
No good. For future dominance, I had to seize control somehow.
I racked my feverish brain for a divine counter...
"Nurse me."
"...Pardon?"
"At your place, till I recover."
Even I laughed hollowly at my own absurdity.
But I, Han Chaewon,
award-winning actress from the Baeksang Arts Awards.
What, got a problem? I mixed nonchalant tone with casual expression to maintain dignity—yeah right, I couldn't hold back the shame and toed the blanket petulantly.
"...W-what did you say?"
Your face flushed bright red instantly.
Still effective...!
"Oh dear? You're not backing out after saying you'd take responsibility, are you? That's total loser guy move."
Embarrassed? Big deal.
He's reacting so funnily.
'Yeah, Yumin. You're cutest when you're flustered.'
Seizing the chance, I smirked triumphantly.
Top it off with a 'easy peasy lol' chuckle to rile him more.
'How's that? Can't handle it? I win!'
No matter how you fly, you're always in my palm.
Savoring the thrilling reversal, I snorted smugly...
"F-fine, whatever...? What, like I can't...? I was the guardian angel in the army, you punk...!"
Your eyes shook visibly, voice trembling.
What the—.
He countered.
"Y-yeah, sure. Whatever, I'll do it. D-do it...?!"
Hey, you think stubborn grit makes this workable? Can you handle the aftermath?!
Your arrogant bid to one-up a patient pissed me off.
"...Deal. Th-thanks...?!"
Ah, I'm done for too.