* * *
A few hours ago, my plan to just drop off the porridge and leave was thwarted when Kim Chanyi collapsed.
In my shock, I found myself rushing into Kim Chanyi’s house.
Luckily, Kim Chanyi hadn’t lost consciousness.
He said his stomach hurt and he had no strength in his body.
I couldn’t just leave him there trembling. I told him to get on my back.
Kim Chanyi, in a weak voice, protested.
“No, it’s okay. Hyunoh, really, I’m fine…”
He weakly pushed against my back, which only irritated me more.
“Just shut up and get on!”
I carried the guy, who was bigger than me, to the hospital.
As soon as he was on my back, he nearly passed out.
It would have been a disaster if I had left him.
I could hear him groaning behind me the whole way.
It was a good thing the university hospital was within walking distance.
But it turned out there was a heatwave warning today.
It was five o’clock, but the summer sun hadn’t set yet.
I wanted to take a taxi, but I had left my wallet at the shop.
Damn it.
Walking in the scorching sun was exhausting.
I had to keep readjusting Kim Chanyi because his feet kept dragging on the ground.
By the time we arrived at the emergency room, I was drenched in sweat.
My limbs felt like those of a newborn giraffe.
Kim Chanyi lay there receiving an IV drip.
The doctor said his condition wasn’t serious.
He just needed to eat well and rest, and asked if he’d been under any sudden stress.
Kim Chanyi smiled awkwardly and stayed silent. I frowned, wondering if it was because of me.
Why did the boss have to make me run errands?
We took a taxi home after the IV drip.
If I had known there was a card in Kim Chanyi’s phone case, I would have taken a taxi earlier.
Kim Chanyi looked better but still weak.
Kim Chanyi said, “I can go by myself.”
“Forget it. What if you collapse again?”
I ignored Kim Chanyi and got in the taxi with him.
Kim Chanyi looked around nervously and bit his lip.
“Hyunoh.”
“Don’t talk to me.”
Kim Chanyi hung his head, looking very dejected.
I didn’t want to care, but I kept glancing at him.
Finally, I ran a hand through my hair in frustration and spoke.
“What?”
Kim Chanyi’s face brightened a little as he looked at me.
“Thank you. I wanted to say thank you.”
“You should be thankful.”
“It must have been hard carrying me.”
“I thought I was going to die. I offered to carry you because you looked light. It was a mistake.”
Kim Chanyi chuckled softly at my grumbling. I glanced at him.
“You seem fine now. Are you feeling better?”
“Are you worried about me?”
“Hey. If someone collapses in front of you, of course you worry. It’s not because it’s you or anything. It’s not because I like you or anything. You get what I’m saying, right?”
Why am I making such pathetic excuses? I yelled at myself internally, but my mouth wouldn’t stop.
“Yeah. I know. Thanks.”
“And did you hear what I said before you collapsed? That I came to see you because the boss told me to, not because I wanted to… Ah, forget it. Let’s drop it.”
I turned my head to look out the window.
Nothing could stop Kim Chanyi’s eyes from sparkling.
He looked excited, even though he still looked pale.
I shouldn’t have started this conversation.
I must be really good at digging my own grave.
I felt Kim Chanyi’s gaze on me.
It made my stomach churn.
Kim Chanyi spoke in a soft voice.
“I know everything.”
“…”
“I know you didn’t want to see me, but thank you for coming. And for taking me to the hospital.”
My eyes suddenly felt itchy. I rubbed them with the back of my hand.
“Hyunoh, I didn’t know you disliked me that much. I’m not very perceptive. You know that. That’s why the kids in high school didn’t like me.”
Well, I don’t exactly hate you that much… I felt a sharp pang in my chest.
I worried that I had hurt Kim Chanyi.
I had spoken harshly to push him away, but I didn’t want him to be too hurt.
I know, it’s a selfish wish. If I wanted to be mean, I had to be prepared for the consequences.
“But still, I’m happy to see your face, Hyunoh.”
“…”
“Sorry.”
Kim Chanyi finished speaking and fell silent.
The taxi was filled with heavy silence.
The driver glanced at me through the rearview mirror.
Our eyes met, and I looked away awkwardly.
The taxi soon stopped in front of Kim Chanyi’s apartment.
When we got out, the surroundings were already dark.
I kicked the ground lightly with my shoe.
“Hyunoh. Goodbye. Tell the boss I’ll heat up the porridge and eat it well.”
I nodded silently.
At that moment, my phone beeped with a message from the boss.
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