TBE 30

chapter 30

Yoona woke up to the early morning sunlight streaming into the room, not even realizing when she had fallen asleep. It seemed a new day had begun.

After taking the medicine Yeongwon had bought her yesterday, she must have slept for a very long time, but her body didn’t feel light at all. In fact, waking up brought an onslaught of pain she hadn’t noticed while sleeping. Her whole body ached.

Feeling alone in the empty house amidst the pain made her suddenly feel a little lonely. Trying to “bring some comfort” for herself, Yoona moved her body.

“Ugh…”

But she couldn’t even get out of bed—only a groan escaped her lips. Her limbs felt sore and stiff as if they had been beaten. Then, suddenly, a large shadow appeared at the door.

Yoona’s heart nearly stopped in shock, and she couldn’t even scream. Too scared to look directly, she fixed her gaze on the ceiling, her heart pounding wildly, when suddenly Yeongwon’s voice reached her.

“Are you awake? How’s your body feeling?”

“…Yeongwon…?”

Only then did Yoona turn her head. Sure enough, Yeongwon was standing at the doorway, looking down at her. Judging by his clothes, which were the same as yesterday, it seemed he had stayed overnight here.

“Why… didn’t you go home…?”

“You had a high fever all night, so I stayed to keep an eye on you.”

“You… didn’t sleep…?”

“I did. I slept on the sofa. I woke up when I heard sounds.”

Yeongwon’s large hand gently rested on Yoona’s forehead. Lying there, she only blinked slowly; even her eyelids felt heavy.

After roughly checking her temperature, Yeongwon left the room. The clattering sounds from the kitchen indicated he was doing something there.

“….”

Despite her fever being high enough to feel intensely cold, she was fine. Perhaps it was because she wasn’t seriously ill, or maybe it was knowing Yeongwon had stayed by her side all this time. Suddenly, a wave of relief washed over her. Her lips parted, exhaling softly as her fever began rising again.

Soon, Yeongwon entered the room holding a tray with soy milk, water, and medicine. The space between the bed and the clothes hanger was tight, but he knelt down in front of Yoona without hesitation and offered the tray.

“You couldn’t eat while you were sleeping, so you need to take this now. You’ve already missed the recommended dose. Your fever will rise again. There were a few soy milk cartons in the cupboard.”

“…Okay. But I don’t have much of an appetite, so I’ll just take the medicine.”

Helping Yoona sit up, Yeongwon supported her as she obediently followed his instructions. Watching her with concern, he took the cup back and asked:

“Do you think you can go to the hospital? I found a clinic not far from here that’s open Saturday mornings. I can drive you.”

“I… just… want to lie down…”

Her words were honest. She didn’t want to move at all. Yoona simply collapsed back onto the bed. This was clearly a case of the flu. From previous experience, even without going to the hospital, taking her medicine properly would make her fine within a day or two, not requiring nursing care.

Ironically, the one who looked relaxed was the patient herself. Yeongwon, with a slightly darkened expression, straightened the rumpled blanket on the bed. Then, looking her in the eye, he said firmly:

“…If you feel even a little able to move, you must tell me. Going to the hospital will help you recover faster.”

“…Yes.”

Yoona’s eyes, peeking shyly from under the blanket, curved gently. She knew she should tell him to leave, but somehow her lips wouldn’t move. It wasn’t her heart she was happy about—it was simply that Yeongwon was by her side. Since becoming an adult, this was the first time someone had stayed by her side to care for her this way.

Satisfied with her silent reply, Yeongwon left the room with the tray. Yoona, secretly smiling, felt her eyelids grow heavy again.

When Yoona opened her eyes again to the sound of the door unlocking, the sun was already low in the sky. Her body felt lighter than in the morning, but it was likely too late for the Saturday morning clinic.

After the sound of the front door closing, she heard footsteps entering. The only person who could freely come in and out of her house was Yeongwon.

“…Yeongwon?”

As soon as she spoke, his face appeared. Judging by his hair, which wasn’t completely dry, it seemed he had gone home to shower while she slept. His scent filled the room.

“Sorry for using the door card without permission, but I thought it’d be better than waking you up. How’s your body?”

“Thanks to you, I feel better. The medicine must be effective.”

“I brought different kinds, but the first one didn’t seem to work well, so I gave you a stronger one in the morning.”

“Ah…”

“But does your stomach hurt? Taking medicine on an empty stomach…”

“Hm… It just feels empty…”

“Just lie down a bit longer.”

Yeongwon, leaning partially through the doorway, disappeared. Yoona then noticed another smell—food.

She had been surviving on a single triangle kimbap until her exam ended, planning to have some snacks for dinner at the pub, but ended up returning home without eating. And she had refused the soy milk Yeongwon offered in the morning—essentially going almost two days without proper food. Her stomach growled.

Seeing her hunger, it seemed her flu was finally easing. Yoona got out of bed, blanket wrapped around her, and left the room.

“….”

Immediately, she saw Yeongwon in the tiny kitchen, dwarfed by his large frame, preparing something. The items spilling onto the small table suggested he was reheating porridge he had bought outside and transferring it to a bowl.

As he had mentioned, the emergency medicine basket contained various types of medicine, meticulously labeled with their strengths.

A smile escaped Yoona’s lips. Instead of speaking, she quietly walked to the sofa and sat down.

Noticing her presence, Yeongwon turned his gaze toward Yoona wrapped in the blanket.

“I was going to bring it to you—why come out?”

“You found the bowls well.”

“…Sorry for rummaging.”

“No, thank you, Yeongwon.”

Yoona hugged the blanket tighter and chuckled softly. Being cared for so attentively made her chest tingle pleasantly. Even her ex-husband, a doctor, would provide prescription medicine but never stayed by her side to care for her or prepare meals.

While Yoona watched, the meal was prepared. Removing the blanket, she went to the table. The delicious smell wafted through the room. Yeongwon’s portion wasn’t on the table.

“Aren’t you eating, Yeongwon?”

“I’m fine. You eat first.”

He had been so focused on making sure she ate that he forgot about his own portion. But he had recently realized that if she was full, he would feel satisfied as well.

“Then I’ll order something even tastier than porridge for you.”

Blowing on a spoonful of porridge, Yoona smiled. Yeongwon chuckled and nodded.

While finishing her meal, Yoona chattered about her exam. As on the day of the cherry blossom viewing, Yeongwon answered diligently and occasionally asked questions in return. In the small space, their voices and laughter resonated warmly.

After eating, she felt much better. When Yeongwon’s dinner arrived, she stayed by his side. This time, they turned on a popular variety show on a small TV and chatted together.

Watching Yeongwon clean up, darkness fell outside. As the sun set, her condition began to worsen slightly—a phenomenon she recalled her ex-husband once calling “scientifically proven.” Not an emergency, but a natural occurrence. Only Yeongwon seemed anxious.

Lying on the sofa with her flu medicine, Yoona chuckled:

“You don’t need to worry so much. I was just like this the last time I had the flu. By tomorrow, I’ll feel much better.”

“How can you be sure? What if your fever spikes again like last night? Let’s go to the ER now, President.”

“Really, it’s fine.”

“You can move now. I can drive. It’s better to be certain.”

“No, well…”

Touching her forehead, Yeongwon looked utterly shocked. It seemed he couldn’t get over the fact that Yoona, always so strong, was suffering so much. He busied himself around the house, collecting her jacket from yesterday and the hot packs from the convenience store.

She really was fine. Following Yeongwon with her gaze from the sofa, she called him:

“Yeongwon.”

“Yes. Try getting up.”

“It’s cold outside.”

“Now is not the time to be stubborn.”

“…Then will you stay here tonight too?”

Only then did Yeongwon freeze. Like a broken machine, he stopped and turned his head. Their eyes met.

“…Yes?”

Yoona simply stared at him.