Episode 4
So childish. It’s honestly driving me insane.
Her breath came out hot against her lips—maybe she really was running a fever. Junyoung kept trying to get near the ball, but every time she moved, the other kids’ bodies bumped and blocked her, either on purpose or by accident. No matter how much she wished for it, the ball never came her way.
Maybe I should just collapse. Even if I get stepped on or kicked a bit.
Panting, Junyoung paused for a moment. Her vision was blurred. It wasn’t easy to find a spot to drop between the moving players.
She looked around—then suddenly locked eyes with someone ahead of her. Na Seungwoon had just caught the ball and was staring at her.
She opened her mouth to say something, but before she could, he threw the ball. It came flying toward her and hit her shoulder dead-on, with a louder thud than she expected.
Still, it wasn’t hard enough to knock her down. Her legs gave out more from shock than pain.
Feeling dazed and sore, Junyoung let herself fall to the ground. Her body slumped back on its own.
“Junyoung!”
Amid gasps from a few students, Seungwoon’s panicked voice rang out. His pale face rushing toward her burned itself into her blurry vision.
It was the first time she’d heard him call her name. The first time she’d seen him looking so flustered—this close.
As she struggled to breathe, her gaze wandered past his shoulder.
There was no missing the tall, dark figure now standing upright.
He usually sleeps through P.E.—what’s got him awake today?
…I think I’ll need the second floor tonight. Wonder if he’ll give it up.
That was her last thought before her eyelids closed. All sound around her vanished in an instant.
—
The dream was short. She kept walking toward a bright, distant sun. But the distance never shrank. Occasionally, shadows passed and blocked the light.
The sun was too bright, so she just assumed she needed to head that way. Strangely though, the moments of darkness felt warmer, even comforting. Still, she couldn’t sit down. So she kept walking and walking. Eventually, she started wondering—was she even moving?
That’s when she woke up.
Her back was drenched in cold sweat. Maybe it was just the heat. The air in the nurse’s office was sweltering.
Junyoung blinked, trying to gather her scattered thoughts. Her mouth was bone-dry. Slowly, she sat up and turned her head toward the window—then squinted.
What the hell is that?
The bed was near the sunniest window, but something big was stuck right in the center. Not just one thing. There was a world map, a human anatomy chart, and several newspaper pages messily taped across the glass.
Junyoung had spent time in the nurse’s office before, but the nurse never had such odd taste. Her desk was by the door, away from the windows. And she hadn’t cared at all when a student took the curtains at the start of the semester and never brought them back.
Rubbing her throbbing head, Junyoung stared at the papers weakly blocking the sunset. Then she heard the door creak open.
The nurse came in, arms full of files, and immediately scowled.
“Oh my, what is this? Why is it so hot in here? It’s almost summer—who brought a heater in?!”
No wonder it felt like a sauna.
Junyoung’s eyes slowly shifted to the heater at her feet. The nurse’s second shout hit her ears like a whip.
“And what is this?! Who taped all this to the window? Junyoung, was it you?”
Maybe if I had a sleepwalking problem.
Junyoung didn’t respond. She just blinked slowly at the nurse. With a sigh, the nurse walked to the window and began tearing everything down.
Each time she peeled off a sheet, sunlight poured onto Junyoung’s face in blinding waves. She grimaced and shielded her eyes with her hand. Her head still spun.
“How are you feeling? You’re soaked. Let me check.”
Pulling a chair beside the bed, the nurse felt her forehead and muttered:
“Hard to tell if it’s heat or an actual fever. How long have you been feeling off? If it was this bad, you should’ve just told someone and skipped gym.”
“I thought I’d be fine.”
Her voice came out dry and brittle, like crumbling dirt. The nurse clicked her tongue.
“Class is almost over. Just go home and rest for the day.”
People don’t understand—not everyone has a home that lets them rest.
Junyoung didn’t respond. The nurse glanced at her, then stood up.
“I’ve got a meeting, so I’ll leave you to it. If your fever gets worse, take something. And clean up the bed before you leave.”
“Okay.”
She wasn’t one to meddle too much—even when she knew things. Junyoung preferred that.
After shuffling through papers at her desk, the nurse reached the door, then paused.
“Oh, what’s going on? You here because of Junyoung? Go on in.”
Junyoung had just shifted her sticky hair when she felt a dull ache and hunched her shoulders. She quickly looked up.
Someone came to see me?
If she had to guess one person—it would probably be…
“You’re awake?”
But the face that entered wasn’t who she’d imagined. Junyoung couldn’t hide her surprise. Seungwoon cleared his throat awkwardly as he stepped closer.
Of all times…
She probably reeked of sweat, her hair a mess from passing out. Yanking the blanket up to cover herself, she snapped.
“What do you want?”
Worried that her face was still flushed from the fever, Junyoung lowered her head. Maybe sensing her guarded tone, Seungwoon stopped a few steps short.
“I just wanted to check on you. I stopped by during every break, but you were always asleep. I was starting to think you might need to go to the hospital. I’ve never seen someone collapse like that before.”
She almost laughed. I didn’t expect it either. Should I thank him for the nap?
“It’s my fault, right? ’Cause of the ball I threw.”
She glanced up and saw his sheepish, boyish expression. She nearly laughed aloud.
It’s not because of you. If I had to compare… you’re like a guy who accidentally steps on someone already hit by a car. Just bad timing.
Basically—perfect for taking the blame.
She reached up and rubbed her still-sore shoulder. The ache wasn’t from a rubber ball—it was like being hit by a granite ashtray. She’d already noticed the bruise that morning.
Still, the fact you hit the exact spot? That’s your bad luck.
Seungwoon’s eyes filled with guilt as he watched her touch the bruise. She hadn’t meant to make him feel bad, but she didn’t hate it.
“You were really shaken up, huh?”
His voice was gentle, like he was afraid to scare a small animal. Junyoung lowered her eyes and muttered:
“You threw it with everything you had, and now you’re here to see the damage? What, are you a murderer returning to the crime scene?”
“N-No! I’m not a murderer! That’s not what I meant!”
His wide-eyed panic was so sincere it almost made her feel guilty. Looks like the prince type really was raised in a greenhouse.
Figures. Your world’s probably warm and safe—no pests to ruin your peace.
“You looked off even this morning. And during dodgeball, it was like you were trying to get hit. I thought maybe you just wanted an excuse to rest. I was… trying to help.”
Junyoung’s pout slowly faded. Finally, Seungwoon let out a relieved breath and cleared his throat.
“I guess I threw it harder than I meant to. I’m really sorry.”
He even bowed as he apologized. Something inside her stirred.
Can people really be this honest? I can’t even say ‘thanks’ without it getting stuck in my throat.
“It’s fine. Doesn’t feel broken.”
Her gruff reply made him smile in relief. It looked like he’d just taken off a heavy load. Somehow, that made her speak again.
“The bruise’ll fade soon.”
“You got bruised too?”
His friendly eyes widened again. Junyoung didn’t answer—just threw off the blanket and got up. He reached out, like he meant to help, but couldn’t bring himself to touch her. His hand hovered awkwardly.
“Ah.”
Junyoung dusted off her wrinkled shirt, then glanced at the heater.
“That was you, right? It was way too hot.”
Seungwoon blinked nervously.
“Ah, I…”
“Still, thanks. For covering the window, too.”
Even she was surprised. The words had slipped out so easily, when usually she couldn’t say them at all.
But seeing how surprised he looked made her neck flush again. She quickly stepped past him—but the room spun, and she stumbled.
“Junyoung!”
The familiar voice came with strong arms catching her. His hand gripped her wrist tightly—hotter than the heater.
A cool, clean scent reached her nose, and she almost bit her lip. Her heart was pounding hard.
“Are you okay? You probably shouldn’t move so fast.”
His voice was soft—soothing. Junyoung felt like she might disappear into thin air. Wrapped securely in Seungwoon’s arms, she said nothing. He simply looked down at her, silent.
Just as she was trying to compose herself in the strange tension, a loud noise made her turn toward the door.
She locked eyes with a sharp, narrow stare.
“Oh. Kwon Beomjin.”
Thanks for Reading…
Comment