May 257 min read

That guy is This guy Chapter 82

82.

“What? Yoo Ji-han has a fever?”

Kim Dae-seok, who was looking at me and Chae Yoo-jeong with an expression like “This is amusing,” looked at me in surprise.

“Wow, Yoo Ji-han. What’s wrong with you?”

I was also embarrassed and checked by touching my forehead. I’m not sure.

“I was indoors just now, so my hands wouldn’t be that cold, but seeing your forehead this hot makes me think you’re feverish. You also had a headache.”

...When did you first notice that I had a headache? Strangely, you have a keen eye.

“You had a tough time with your assignment for a few days. It would be better to go home and rest today.”

“It’s not that bad. I’ll just buy medicine at a convenience store and take it.”

“Hyung, I will take you there. I brought my car.”

“Oh! That’s nice. Ask Yoo-jeong to take you there. It’s easier if you take a car.”

“It’s okay... But since when did you start speaking informally to Chae Yoo-jeong?”

“From earlier? He told me I can speak comfortably. Where did you park, Yoo-jeong?”

“It’s a paid parking lot across the street.”

“Yoo Ji-han. Just take the ride and go. Look at how magnanimous he is for giving you a ride. If you’re not in good shape, don’t be stubborn.”

“It’s okay, I…”

“It’s cold. What if your fever worsens due to the temperature? He’ll give you a ride in front of the house. Go home.”

“You just have to finish your assignment anyway. You have to submit it by 5 o’clock tomorrow, so you have plenty of time, right?”

“……”

Both of them talked a lot. I surrendered while holding my throbbing forehead.

“Okay, I’ll go. I’m going, so stop talking. My head hurts.”

“Hmm, does your head hurt? Should I get some painkillers? Can you take the car?”

“When you’re on vacation, let’s start exercising with this Hyung. You’re too weak to watch this.”

Stop talking...

Chae Yoo-jeong left Kim Dae-seok, who was making fun of me, and went to get the car in a huff, but came back less than 5 minutes later.

“Get in, Hyung. Is it okay if we go back to your house right away without buying medicine?”

“It doesn’t matter because the convenience store is right around the corner. Let’s just go so I can take the fever reducer.”

“Rest well and come back healthy, weak Yoo Ji-han. Would you like for me to buy you some vitamins tomorrow?”

“Go away.”

I gave the middle finger to Kim Dae-seok, who was grinning, and sat in the passenger seat and fastened the seat belt. Perhaps because it was already my third time riding in Chae Yoo-jeong’s car, I was quite used to it.

The car started quickly. I turned on the heating function, and the warm sheets warmed my frozen body.

‘Head hurts.......’

As soon as the tension went away, a headache came on in earnest and cold sweat began to break out. I thought I could hold out until I got back home, but I guess I was mistaken.

Unlike usual when he stopped in front of a convenience store, Chae Yoo-jeong listened to my explanation and took me to the front of the building. After parking, he checked my condition.

“Are you okay? Your face is really red right now.”

“It’s not normal...”

Even though I caught a cold, I just coughed a little. Did I definitely overdo it this time?

“Go to the hospital at least. I’m anxious.”

“It’s past 8 p.m. Is there a hospital open? I just want to rest at home.”

I got out of the passenger seat, bent down, and greeted him through the half-open car window.

“But Hyung...”

“Thank you for taking me. I’ll contact you tomorrow, so don’t worry and go back.”

“……Yes.”

Chae Yoo-jeong, who was hesitating as if he had something to say, nodded sullenly when he saw my condition. Why are you listening so well?

When I returned home, leaving Chae Yoo-jeong behind, I exhaled the hot breath that had risen from within my chest. As time passed, I felt that my physical condition was getting worse.

But I couldn’t lie down in bed without washing up, so I crawled like a zombie into the bathroom. I took a cold shower to relieve some of the fever, crawled out of the bathroom again, and was about to take a fever reducer when I stopped.

‘The only thing I ate was Americano. Can I take medicine?’

The two pills on my palm felt a little burdensome. I think it would be better to have porridge delivered and eat it.

“What?”

I picked up my cell phone, which I had left on the bed to take out some porridge, and belatedly discovered that there was a missed call on it. The sender was Chae Yoo-jeong.

15 minutes ago, I was in the middle of washing up. I was debating whether to send a reply or ignore it, but eventually I called Chae Yoo-jeong. The guy received the call right away.

Chae Yoo-jeong hesitated for a while and then carefully continued.

-Hyung?

“I just saw it now since I was washing up. Why did you call?”

-Well, it’s nothing special.

-Actually, I bought some porridge and medicine. Could you come down for a moment?

“What? You bought porridge?”

-I bought it for you because I thought you might have an empty stomach... You don’t have to come if you don’t need it.

“You called 15 minutes ago. “Have you been waiting for 15 minutes?”

-Yeah.

“……”

Suddenly I became dazed. What is this guy really? Why are you doing this for me?

After going through all the agony and conflict while holding my head, I sighed and answered.

“Press 6782 and the star on the building access pad and come up. It’s room No. 302.”

-Can I come in?

“Uh-huh.”

-Yes!

The phone ended with an overly excited voice. After waiting for about a minute, there was a knock on the front door.

“Hyung!”

When I hurried out and opened the front door, Chae Yoo-jeong, with a very flushed face, was standing there panting, holding a paper bag with the bamboo house logo on it.

Did you run up the stairs instead of taking the elevator? Chae Yoo-jeong smiled brightly at me and handed me the paper bag in his hand.

“I didn’t know what you would like, so I bought abalone porridge. I also bought fever reducers, painkillers, and cold medicine.”

Chae Yoo-jeong’s fingertips that barely touched me when receiving the paper bag were extremely cold.

“Did you keep waiting outside? Why didn’t you wait in the car?”

“...Ha, I understand, so come in.”

It’s really driving me crazy. I grabbed Chae Yoo-jeong’s wrist and pulled him by his arm, closing the front door behind him. Chae Yoo-jeong’s shoulders stiffened in an instant.

“C-Can I come in? I just came here to give you the porridge I bought. Because you’re sick…”

“Yes. Stop blabbering and come in.”

I answered politely but jokingly and placed the paper bag on the table. Chae Yoo-jeong’s cheeks and ears dyed pink while he followed me hesitantly.

“I live alone, and it’s cramped. Take off your coat, throw it somewhere and sit comfortably.”

“No. It’s not narrow.”

Those words naturally reminded me of Chae Yoo-jeong’s house. Compared to his place, this place must be very narrow.

“Thank you for buying me porridge. Even if you hadn’t, I would have tried to have it delivered. I need to take medicine, but my stomach is empty so I couldn’t.”

“Well, I thought you’d missed mealtime because you were meeting with Kim Eui-chan. Abalone porridge is okay, right?”

“Yes. But it’s too much. Isn’t this for two people?”

“Put the leftovers in the refrigerator and reheat them later.”

I don’t really want to eat porridge tomorrow either... I’d rather just share it with Chae Yoo-jeong now.

As I was taking out the packaged porridge and medicine boxes in paper bags on the table, I suddenly felt a cold hand on the back of my neck.

“……”

“Oh, I’m sorry. It’s because your hair is wet.”

Chae Yoo-jeong, who was touching my hair as if possessed, was startled by my gaze, and withdrew his hand. His eyes narrowed at that awkward and unfamiliar behavior.

‘This bastard….’

After looking at Chae Yoo-jeong’s embarrassed expression, his lost eyes, and his blood-filled ears, I slowly opened his mouth.

“You eat half of it and sit down. I’ll bring you a spoon.”

I handed over a packed pack of porridge and quietly handed the spoon to Chae Yoo-jeong, who was sitting across from me, and I also took a bite of the porridge.

The fragrant scent and soft texture filled my mouth. After eating the warm porridge, my stomach, which had been so hungry that it hurt, felt relieved.

“Is it delicious?”

“It’s delicious.”

After emptying about half of the porridge, I rested my chin and stared at Chae Yoo-jeong for a moment as he pushed the side dish in front of me.

Chae Yoo-jeong, who could not stand the gaze staring at him, was the first to ask the reason. I didn’t think it was anything to be concerned about, so I spoke honestly.

“Chae Yoo-jeong. I’m asking just in case.”

“Yes.”

“Do you want to date me?”

“Cough!”

As soon as I finished speaking, Chae Yoo-jeong coughed violently and lowered his head.

Chae Yoo-jeong, who had been coughing for a long time as if he heard something ridiculous, cried out with his entire face and neck dyed bright red.

“S-suddenly, why... why...!”

“If you make it obvious like that, how could I not know? I’m not an idiot.”

“...No? I am?”

“That’s right. Does that not mean anything?”

“No, not really!”

“If you’re going to deny it, don’t take care of me like this. Who on earth would make such a fuss just to buy porridge for someone they have no intention of dating?”

Chae Yoo-jeong, who was trembling with a blush on his face, twisted the corners of his eyes when I harshly criticized him. Then, water began to form in both eyes.

‘What.’

Are you crying now? Even I was embarrassed by the reaction, which was more extreme than I expected.

“Hyung, it’s really too much…”

Chae Yoo-jeong covered his mouth with his hand and muttered as he glared at me resentfully. The sight of his hurt expression left me speechless.

No, what did I do?

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