Episode 25. Fastening 2
Episode 25. Fastening 2
First period passed by in a flash. Not because the class was interesting, but because I dozed off thoroughly.
My physical condition was terrible. My body kept sagging downward as if heavy weights were attached to my wrists and ankles.
I wanted to just stay face down on my desk the whole time, but since I was late, I had to go to the staff room to see my homeroom teacher, so I eventually struggled to lift myself up.
I lied to my homeroom teacher when she asked why I was late, saying I just overslept, went through the tardy procedures, and returned to class.
"Ugh, seriously......"
I plopped face down with a textbook against my abdomen. This way, my flesh doesn't get pressed against the desk edge, so it's more comfortable.
I emptied my thoughts and just kept repeating deep breathing.
"Huuuu......"
My breath fogged up the desk, forming little droplets of water.
Since I had no energy left in my body, I didn't even want to move a single finger.
Next period is probably science... and that teacher is the type who leaves students alone as long as they don't disrupt class, whether they're fooling around or sleeping...... so maybe......... I can just............ sleep.....................
"Yubin-ah...?"
Just as my mind was becoming hazy and I was about to sink into a sticky sleep, Seyeon's voice echoed in my ear.
'Ah, why now of all times......'
I forcefully erased the thought that unconsciously came to mind and turned my head to the right where Seyeon sits.
"Gasp......"
Then I immediately saw Seyeon's pretty face. I gasped in surprise.
She must have been leaning over like me to talk. Her crimson red eyes were clearly reflecting the white light of the fluorescent lamp.
"Are you okay?"
"Mmhmm......"
"You don't seem okay......"
I almost asked why she bothered asking if she was going to answer like that, but I held back.
"Is it bad?"
"What is......?"
"That... period cramps. Are they bad?"
Seyeon asked worriedly while tucking the wildly tangled hair above my right cheek behind my ear.
"A little......"
"You've been suffering all through first period, so I asked because you seemed to be in so much pain."
"Yeah."
"If you can't bear it, let's go to the infirmary. It would be better to lie down comfortably there."
"No, I'm fine......"
I answered in a sluggish voice.
Was there really any need to go all the way to the infirmary?
Anyway, thanks to shortened classes today, we only have four periods before going home. That means if I just stay like this, the school day will be over.
And most importantly, I don't want to take a single step right now.
I just want to rest quietly in this position.
But.
"Still, it must be uncomfortable sleeping face down like that."
"Don't worry. I think it'll hurt more if I move."
Seyeon wouldn't stop talking.
Even though I said I was fine several times, she kept insisting we go to the infirmary... I just kept repeating what I'd already said.
"Please, just......"
I muttered in a small voice with my nose pressed against the desk.
Annoyance was slowly bubbling up. I don't know why she's making such a fuss when I said I'm fine. My head was already throbbing, and her whispering in my ear was making me dizzy enough to go crazy.
Of course, I understand that Seyeon has a persistent side even normally, but I wasn't in a mental state to easily overlook it right now.
Finally.
"You really look like you're in pain. I can even carry you on my back if I have to-"
"Ah shit, I said I'm really fine!"
As my emotions surged up, I suddenly sat upright and shouted irritably.
"......"
At that moment, Seyeon's body flinched. Her eyes widened, and she silently stared at me. I could see her transparent, clear pupils shaking precariously like water droplets.
'Ah, fuck.'
My heart sank instantly. I was surprised by my own voice, and Seyeon was surprised too.
The noisy voices of classmates talking became muffled as if coming from somewhere far away, then eventually became inaudible. A cool, sharp silence like a blade hung in the air.
I unconsciously squeezed my eyes shut then opened them. But Seyeon's expression remained the same. As if looking at a photograph.
Time seemed to flow slowly.
In the end, I was the one who spoke first.
"......Sorry."
"No. You must be really sensitive right now, I was being too bothersome."
"I'm really sorry. This is... well, you know. I suddenly got upset......"
"Yeah, I know what you mean. I understand everything, so it's okay."
Seyeon's expression had returned to normal, but was she really okay...?
She was worried about her friend and tried to help in her own way, but instead got yelled at.
Even though Seyeon is really, really kind, she might be a little angry.
I glanced at Seyeon while pretending to prepare for the next class. To check how she seemed to be feeling.
Seyeon was expressionlessly staring at the empty edge of her desk.
'I'm in big trouble.'
What should I do.
Should I beg for forgiveness even now? Say sorry for taking my frustration out on her.
But before I could decide whether to apologize again, Seyeon quietly got up from her seat and went outside. Even though it was just one minute before class started.
"Huu......"
Somehow deflated, I lay face down on my desk again.
'Idiot.'
Why did I get angry at poor Seyeon?
It's not like she caused my period.
I barely resist the urge to tear at my hair. I felt so, so terrible.
I just didn't like this situation. I hated everything - the abdominal pain that showed no signs of stopping, the depression that wouldn't lift, and even myself.
What would Seyeon think of me? Wouldn't she be completely sick of seeing me get irritated over something trivial like fucking period cramps after she took such good care of me?
Or maybe she really understood everything with a heart as vast as the ocean. Just like she said earlier.
Or maybe, also......
"Ah."
...I don't know. Really, I don't know.
My throat area felt itchy. After staring at the floor with my eyes open, I closed my eyelids again. The lump in my heart turned into moist droplets and flowed out.
The bell signaling class time rang.
Fortunately, no one woke me up.
♡♥♡♥♡♥♡♥♡♥♡♥♡♥
At some point, I opened my eyes.
I felt the area around my lips was sticky with some unknown liquid. Maybe a mix of drool and tears.
Since I used my wrist as a pillow, my entire arm was tingling with pins and needles, and I felt a warm, damp sensation in my underwear.
I kept my eyes closed for a moment, took several breaths in and out, then slowly sat up.
My vision, which had been whitish as if I'd focused wrong from sleeping too much, gradually became clear.
Seeing that several seats were empty and kids were moving around freely, it must be break time.
I clearly fell asleep during break time, and now it's break time again.
I must have slept soundly through the entire second period. And just yesterday I was determined to study hard.
This is driving me crazy.
'But since I'm in pain today, there's room for consideration......'
Pushing aside my random thoughts, I stretched fully and checked the time.
[AM 11:56]
?
What.
Why is it already noon...?
'Don't tell me......'
Did I sleep straight through for two hours from 10 o'clock until now?
"Heh......"
Third period vanished.
Having just experienced time slip, I stared blankly at the clock in disbelief.
It felt good to sleep soundly, but my conscience hurt terribly.
Tap tap.
'......?'
Someone poked my right shoulder.
When I turned around, it was Eunbyeol sitting there... not Seyeon.
"Sleep well? You look like a mess."
"......"
I asked in a hoarse voice.
"Where's Seyeon...?"
"Looking for Seyeon as soon as you wake up?"
Eunbyeol said with a giggle.
"No, it's just that you're sitting in Seyeon's seat. So where is she?"
"She left early after second period ended."
"......What?"
"Really. She got up and left right when the break bell rang."
She left early?
But why?
When I asked that, Eunbyeol turned her head slightly as she spoke. Her bob hair swayed to the side, briefly revealing her neckline.
"Don't know. She left right away like I said. But she looked really upset."
As soon as I heard that, I started breaking out in a cold sweat.
Naturally, because I remembered what happened earlier.
The image of Seyeon came to mind - slightly trembling cheeks after I shouted, blankly staring at her desk, then quietly getting up and leaving.
Did she leave early because of that?
'No, this is a bit.'
No matter what, she wouldn't leave early just because of that. Let me think a bit more.
"Hmm......"
Maybe Seyeon had been suffering from emotional distress that I didn't know about until now. So negative emotions had built up to her throat, and my shouting happened to make it all explode.
Thinking like that, guilt washed over me intensely. I ended up making someone who was already struggling feel even worse.
Plus, Seyeon is kind and diligent, so she usually tries to participate in all classes unless there's a good reason, so if I made her leave early......
"Gasp......"
What have I done...!
Just as my heart was aching so much that my hands and feet were trembling, there was a drrrruk sound as the back classroom door opened.
I unconsciously turned to look.
"Oh? Yubin's awake."
There stood Seyeon, no different from usual.
'......?'
???
I stared blankly at Seyeon for a moment, then immediately turned my head toward Eunbyeol.
"You said... she left early."
"Sorry. Just playing a little joke."
"Huu......"
I let out a sigh of relief. I was really worried she left because of me, so I'm glad.
"Don't play jokes like that... you really scared me."
At my words, Eunbyeol just grinned and got up from her seat.
Then Seyeon immediately sat next to me and took something out of her jacket pocket, placing it on the desk.
'Medicine...?'
It was a small box labeled Ibuprofen.
"I got painkillers from the infirmary. Take two at a time."
"Ah, th, thank you......"
Seyeon smiled sweetly at my thanks and handed me a water bottle.
I immediately opened the packaging and, as Seyeon said, swallowed two painkillers with water.
"Yubin-ah, I heard you got really angry at Seyeon earlier? Seyeon told me everything."
"Th, that, rather than telling everything......"
"At that time, something suddenly made my emotions flare up...... I thought 'oh no' right after I shouted."
"When you get sensitive, well. That can happen. Right, Seyeon-ah?"
"Mmhmm......"
Eunbyeol said while playfully stroking Seyeon's hand.
Seyeon just stood beside us with an awkward smile.
"Are you going to sleep through fourth period too?"
"No. Since I took painkillers, I'll try to endure it."
"Okay. Ah, right. Put this on your stomach too."
Eunbyeol unwrapped the light blue blanket she had around her waist and handed it to me.
"Thank you, really."
Hearing my answer, Eunbyeol just smiled and returned to her seat.