“Do you feel dizzy?”

She tightly embraced Jiho’s shoulders, who slightly furrowed his brow. For a moment, a faint sigh flowed with his breath.

“It probably won’t work out. Let’s go to the hospital quickly.”

“Ms. Lajin.”

“Come on, I’ll help you up.”

She was planning to take him to the hospital even if she had to carry the big man. She rambled on, trying to reassure him with all kinds of promises.

“Could you wait for me outside?”

“If you collapse again, it’s better if I’m with you. Just lean on me.”

“I find that a bit embarrassing.”
He blushed for the first time.

At first, she couldn’t understand what he was saying. At that moment, when she blinked her eyes for a moment.

“!”

Only then did Lajin, who started to grasp the situation, jump in surprise. She had completely forgotten that they were inside the bathtub, so absorbed in the shock. In fact, it was impossible to assess his condition in such an urgent situation.

“The same angle of your face, can you slowly get up?”

Instinctively, Lajin covered her eyes.

“I’m sorry.”

“You don’t have to apologize. It’s because of me.”

“I-I didn’t see anything.”

Shouting ‘nothing,’ Lajin suddenly stood up from the bathtub. A torrent of water poured down under her T-shirt and pants.

“But if it’s still hard to move, let me know.”

Lajin effortlessly leaped over the bathtub and rushed across the gray floor. Already soaked pants smacked against Lajin’s ankles. She stood abruptly in front of the bathroom door without even grabbing a towel.

“Ha. This is crazy.”

Even when she tapped her forehead, the stream of water ran down her heel. She couldn’t flood someone else’s house floor, and she couldn’t go far, worried about the painful guy. Standing in place was the best she could do.

“Why is it so quiet? Is he feeling dizzy?”

Lajin was not relieved.

Wasn’t it okay to be next to him, asking how he felt? She picked at her smooth nails, turned to the tightly closed door, and, finding it inadequate, pressed her ear against it.

Shooo―.

The sound of water pouring from the showerhead was so welcome. A sigh of relief escaped Lajin’s lips through her ingenuity.

The gurgling sound of the bathtub water draining. The sound of opening the drawer of the sink. Lajin couldn’t peel her ears away from the door.

Then, when all the sounds abruptly stopped, Lajin quickly turned around. Like a student who is reflecting, shaking her head.

“Ms. Lajin.”

Not long after, the door opened with a soft clack. Feeling embarrassed and sorry for no reason, Lajin turned her gaze.

“I couldn’t mess up the floor. So, I stood there.”

Conveniently, a drop of water cut across Lajin’s forehead.

“At this rate, Ms. Lajin might catch a cold.”

A gentle voice settled overheard. Then, a large towel was draped warmly over her shoulders.

“Mr. Jiho is sick. I’ll take care of it.”

“I want to do it.”

With a feather-light touch, he dried Lajin’s hair. Ironically, he only had a towel on his own head.

When Lajin raised her gaze gently, a faint smile appeared on the moist man’s face. Even in the dark, he looked refreshing and handsome.

The gentle touch of the affectionate man, his breath tickling her forehead. A fresh mint scent emanated from him. As Lajin softly raised her gaze, a light smile spread on Jiho’s moist face.

‘Oh!’
Every time he moved, firm muscles peeked through the bathrobe. For a moment, the scene from earlier flashed in her mind. Am I going crazy? No, undoubtedly, she had lost her mind from the shock.

Lajin’s face flushed with various thoughts filling her mind.

‘Should I make an excuse for what happened earlier?’

She had contacted him to say she was going home, but regardless, she entered the bathroom without his permission. Even without switching perspectives, he could have felt uncomfortable.

Detailed explanations and a prompt apology. Yes, when an issue arises, those two things are the best. Lajin lightly grasped his fluffy bathrobe while glancing subtly downward.

“I mean, I wasn’t looking at Jiho for any particular reason…um.”

“……. ”

“His face was too pale. I was so shocked that I couldn’t pay attention to anything else.”

She repeatedly emphasized the fact that she was only looking at his face. But why wasn’t he saying it’s okay? Lajin vigorously waved her hands, pleading her innocence.

“Trust me.”

He chuckled. Then, he lightly squeezed Lajin’s cheek.

“If you trust me, will you take care of me?”

“Huh?”

“My head is still heavy, and my chest feels hot.”

Wide-eyed, Lajin touched Jiho’s forehead. Then, as if double-checking, she touched her own forehead.

“Wouldn’t it be uncomfortable?”

“Not at all.”

His large upper body approached Lajin. Tuck! He brought his forehead to rest against her shoulder. His head, still warm with a lingering fever, felt soothing.

“Is it okay if I stay by your side?”

Lajin raised her hand and gently stroked the damp back of the young man. There was no law preventing someone who had fallen once from falling again. They hadn’t even gone to the hospital yet, and if he got sicker while sleeping…

With an uneasy heart, Lajin’s heartbeat started to pound again.

“I won’t be able to see you for a week.”

His warm breath tickled Lajin’s neck.

What should she do? Should she call Ha-eun? What should she say? It was a moment of contemplation about where to start and how to explain.

“Lajin.”

“Yes.”

“Let’s go to sleep. Today.”