A case of Transmigrating as a Sick Villain chapter 84

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Jingyeom added, somewhat shyly, “But… I saw all the pages you were called to earlier.”

He had already noticed the beeper glittering in the pocket of Hoonil’s lab coat while they were disinfecting.

“Daemin-hyung will be here soon, and I’ll be fine alone for a bit. I have lots to do.”

The caregiver had prepared Jingyeom’s lunch and then left to eat, which was when Hoonil had arrived.

Hoonil’s gaze drifted to the portable table by the bed at the mention of having things to do.

Before, even when told to study, Jingyeom would scoff and say he could live just fine without it, not even glancing at any books.

But now it seemed he was studying for a certification.

Following Hoonil’s gaze, Jingyeom awkwardly smiled. It was a certification study book he had yet to open since being hospitalized.

“Good decision. Don’t just play games, study too. What’s so fun about games anyway?”

“They’re fun! …I’ll study too.”

“Good. Make sure you do. Alright, I’m heading out.”

“Yes!”

After Hoonil left, Jingyeom began tidying up his disheveled hair. He ran his fingers through it, then paused and rubbed his hands on his pants.

“…I really need to wash my hair.”

Apologetically, he decided he would ask Jinwoo to help him bathe tonight, even if Jinwoo was tired.

Jingyeom, who had been lying back against the bed playing on his phone, slowly got up with a groan.

His body ached as usual, but the pain that even painkillers couldn’t suppress flared up sporadically.

He straightened his posture and glanced around. He had boldly purchased books online to study for a certification, but he still hadn’t gotten around to actually reading them.

‘Maybe I never liked studying.’

He had also bought some novels to read, but after only skimming the first few pages, he had neatly closed them and stored them in the cabinet.

They hadn’t been touched since.

Although he enjoyed web novels, he found that paper books inexplicably made him drowsy.

Was this the magic of paper books?

Jingyeom found himself chuckling at his own thoughts.

‘Come to think of it… I haven’t read a single web novel since I got here, have I?’

He had read them a lot before, but he couldn’t quite recall the details, which might explain why he had lost interest.

The thought of trying to read one again crossed his mind, but he quickly dismissed it. If he started, he would undoubtedly get hooked and lose focus on studying.

He was immersed in his game again when he noticed that Jinwoo’s off-work time was approaching, so he sent a message of encouragement.

Jinwoo must not have been too busy because he called right away.

“Hey, Jinwoo!”

—What are you doing? Did you have dinner?

“Yeah, I did. I’ve been on my phone.”

—I keep telling you to cut back on YouTube.

“I wasn’t watching it!”

He hadn’t been on YouTube; he had been playing a game. He had downloaded a spot-the-difference game, and once he started, he lost track of time.

At first, he could easily spot the differences between the two pictures, but as the levels got harder, it became more challenging.

Clearing a stage after failing several times, even with hints, was surprisingly satisfying.

When it got too hard, he even asked the caregiver, Daemin, for help.

The two of them would put their heads together, studying the small screen, which had fostered a bit of camaraderie.

—Good job. Let’s gradually cut back. Don’t forget we’re supposed to take a walk today.

“Huh? Aren’t we doing it together?”

—I told you I’m stopping by home today, remember?

“Oh, right.”

Jinwoo had mentioned needing to stop by home since they had been away for too long. Apparently, that was today.

—I’ll be late. Are you sure you don’t want to ask Daemin to stay longer? You’re still not very comfortable on your own.

“It’s fine. He’s already gone.”

—Already? It’s not even six yet.

“I told him he could leave. I’m not in much pain today, and it’s rush hour anyway.”

—Still, you shouldn’t be alone.

Despite Jingyeom’s reasoning, Jinwoo’s voice sounded dissatisfied.

“I said it’s fine! Take your time at home. You can even stay overnight and come back after work tomorrow.”

—But I don’t want to. I’ll just eat dinner and clean up, then come back. If anything happens, call the nurse right away, and if you get bored, call me.

“Okay, if I get bored!”

Though it did get lonely being alone, as long as he had his phone, he could manage.

Jinwoo would be busy cleaning the house, and Jingyeom didn’t want to add to his worries.

“Go on, I’ll see you later!”

After the call ended, the room fell silent.

Previously, the air conditioner would hum in the background, but it wasn’t hot anymore, so there was no need to turn it on.

‘I guess washing by myself… isn’t an option.’

He knew he couldn’t risk getting water on the surgery site, so he decided to tough it out.

He had seen on YouTube that there was something called dry shampoo, which could be sprayed to clean greasy hair without water.

Maybe he should have asked Jinwoo to get some.

‘Should I ask him to buy it after all?’

It would relieve some of Jinwoo’s burden, so maybe it wasn’t such a bad idea.

With a sigh, Jingyeom slowly got up.

His phone, which he had been holding onto all day, was warm.

He plugged it into the charger and exhaled briefly.

“…I really should get started.”

Before even starting, it felt overwhelming. Just seeing the book cover made me want to avoid it. But I couldn’t put it off any longer.

Before the surgery, I kept telling myself, “I’ll start studying after the surgery,” and kept postponing it.

But now, I had no more excuses. I wanted to study seriously, even if it was just to lighten Jinwoo’s burden a little.

Finally, I made up my mind and picked up the book. I had just turned the cover when I heard the hospital room door open.

Jinwoo mentioned he would be stopping by home today, and Hoonil had already come and gone, so there was no one else expected.

Wondering if the caregiver, Daemin, had returned, I turned my head to see who it was.

It was Soohyuk who opened the door.

“Huh?”

“What’s with the ‘huh’ as a greeting?”

“No way. I was just surprised to see you at this hour.”

Jingyeom shook his head with a smile.

It was almost quitting time, and Soohyuk always came with Jinwoo, so it was the first time he had come alone.

Jingyeom peeked out and looked behind Soohyuk, wondering if he had come with Jinwoo or Wonbeom.

“Why? Is there something?”

Soohyuk turned around to check the corridor, but he was indeed alone.

“Did you come by yourself?”

“Yeah. Secretary Baek said he was heading home, so I decided to come.”

Soohyuk closed the door and walked in.

As he approached the bed, he noticed the book Jingyeom was holding and asked, “Were you studying?”

“…Yes.”

Although I had only just turned the cover, I had indeed planned to study, so it wasn’t a lie.

Jingyeom closed the book he had barely started.

He rationalized to himself that he wasn’t avoiding studying, just postponing it because Soohyuk had arrived.

“What’s that?”

Soohyuk always brought something when he came, even though I had told him he didn’t need to bring anything anymore. He never listened, so I had given up.

“It’s a laptop. I heard online lectures are essential for self-study.”

“…That’s expensive! You promised to only buy cheap things if I agreed to accept whatever you brought!”

“Then consider this a week’s worth. It’s already bought, so what can you do?”

“Still, I told you snacks would be enough…”

Jingyeom’s eyebrows and mouth drooped.

Expensive gifts made him uncomfortable, and he had repeatedly told Soohyuk that snacks or drinks would be more than enough if he really wanted to bring something.

Of course, Soohyuk never took that suggestion seriously. Despite their constant bickering, he kept bringing whatever he wanted.

Jingyeom always resisted accepting Soohyuk’s gifts.

It wasn’t until Soohyuk would say that he’d just throw it away if it wasn’t accepted that Jingyeom would reluctantly take it, feeling uneasy.

Every time, he would begrudgingly say thank you with a displeased look, and Soohyuk couldn’t quite understand him.

“It’s not even that expensive. I just wish you’d accept it more easily.”

Soohyuk clicked his tongue lightly and pulled the laptop box out of the shopping bag.

“I’ve done all the basic setup. You can use it right away.”

“…Make it a month.”

“What?”

“Instead of a week’s worth, make it a month’s worth!”

It took a moment for Soohyuk to realize that Jingyeom was talking about the frequency of his gift-giving.

“No way.”

“Then I won’t take it.”

Jingyeom pushed the laptop box away with his hand, causing Soohyuk to sigh lightly.

“Fine, a month it is?”

“Yes.”

“…Alright. Let’s do that.”

Even though he wasn’t thrilled, Soohyuk agreed, thinking it was better to make the promise than risk Jingyeom refusing the laptop.

Not that he intended to keep it.

Despite the agreement, Jingyeom still seemed dissatisfied. He appreciated the gifts, but they made him uneasy.

He was most concerned about the possibility of taking them for granted without even realizing it.

“I’ll be discharged in a month anyway, so it should be fine.”

By then, he figured, there wouldn’t be any reason for Soohyuk to bring gifts to the hospital.

“I’m giving you this so you can study hard and get that certification. When you pass, don’t forget it was thanks to me, okay?”

“…That’s not a very selfless motive.”

“Everything I’ve given you so far has been from the heart, so don’t refuse it. I might be big, but I’m sensitive and get hurt easily.”

Jingyeom fidgeted with his fingers, unsure how to respond. Soohyuk kept saying he was sensitive, but the Soohyuk Jingyeom knew was just as cold-hearted as Wonbeom. He wasn’t the type to be hurt by others.

“And again, I told you to manage your expressions. Your face gives away everything you’re thinking.”

“…I wasn’t thinking anything.”

“Don’t lie. It’s written all over your face.”

Soohyuk chuckled and opened the laptop box. He had personally gone to the store before coming to the hospital to buy it.

It was the latest model, light and high-performing.

He didn’t want to give Jingyeom something heavy that would be difficult to carry around.

Meanwhile, Jingyeom rubbed his face vigorously.

He was more self-conscious after hearing similar comments before.

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