Turns out, Ban Hamin was extremely upset that I disappeared without a word.

“Hmph, Jueun, I hate you! So mean! I even skipped classes and stayed in Class 3 just for you!”

…I clearly told him to go back.

Without even asking for it, I became the one in the wrong, making things very uncomfortable.

‘If he sulks, how many days will it take to resolve this again?’

There was a time when Sung Jichan made Ban Hamin upset. Even though the reason was so trivial that I forgot after hearing it, Ban Hamin, with his long-lasting grudge, sulked for quite a while.

In the end, the incident only concluded after Sung Jichan confessed and apologized.

Of course, even if Ban Hamin sulks, it’s to the point where you can ignore him, but… still, it’s better to consider his feelings a bit.

‘Let’s just quickly calm him down and end this.’

I steeled myself and opened my mouth.

“Ban Hamin.”

At my call, Ban Hamin looked at me with a hint of pity. Facing that pitiful face feigning tears, I said,

“Cut it out.”

Ah… this is not right.

I don’t know why, but my true feelings slipped out.

Ban Hamin, looking shocked, widened his eyes, then quickly yelled,

“Chunja idiot!”

After that, like a tragic female lead, he scattered tears and ran out of the classroom.

“Heh.”

I stared blankly at the empty seat left by Ban Hamin, then burst into a bitter laugh.

‘Did I go too far?’

Whenever it comes to Ban Hamin, I lose control… Looking back, I felt a bit sorry for treating him so harshly all this time. I should treat him better next time.

‘Anyway, Ban Hamin is like this now.’

When I tried to suggest going to visit Yu Hina together.

When it was unnecessary, he stuck around like a leech, but now that it’s needed, he’s nowhere to be found. Nothing can be done. I’ll have to call someone else. I took out my phone and sent a text.

“…So you called me for this?”

Seon Woojin looked at me with an expression of disbelief. His eyes were filled with annoyance.

I casually replied, “You wouldn’t have gone anyway, right?”

“Why would I go when it’s not a big deal, and Yu Hina will probably be discharged tomorrow?”

“You’re too much.”

Well, from the perspective of the Three Kings, it might be too bothersome to react to an annual event… But still, since someone is hospitalized, we should go see. I patted Seon Woojin’s back and pushed him forward.

“Come on, let’s go.”

Although Seon Woojin showed clear signs of reluctance, he surprisingly followed me without much resistance.

The hospital where Yu Hina was admitted was the largest hospital in the vicinity.

It’s a 10-minute drive from the school. It was within walking distance, so I intended to go on foot, but Seon Woojin refused adamantly, saying he would never go. In the end, we took a taxi. Of course, Seon Woojin paid for the taxi fare.

“Jueun!”

When we entered the ward, Yu Hina, wearing hospital clothes, welcomed us.
Seeing me, her expression brightened as if she was genuinely pleased to see me. It seems I made the right decision by coming. It felt good to have accomplished something worthwhile after a long time.

After examining me here and there, Yu Hina asked, “Where’s the gift?”

…I wasn’t expecting her to wait for me.

I realized the bitter reality. I calmly replied, “My presence itself is the gift.”

“How shameless.”

“Seon Woojin, just stay quiet.”

Upon my response, Yu Hina chuckled.

“I was kidding. Come in quickly.”

Fortunately, it seems Yu Hina wasn’t really expecting a gift, as she didn’t inquire further about it.

Yu Hina’s hospital room was a single occupancy. There were already a fruit basket and a box of juice in the room, as if someone had visited before.

Moreover, there was a splendid bouquet of flowers. I wondered, who gave her that? While I was looking at the flowers, Yu Hina approached and whispered to me.

“Ryu Taegun sent that. Did you know he sends things like this every time?”

It was the pure side of Haeseong High’s focus. I didn’t know he would go to such lengths. He seemed to have deeper feelings than I thought.

I suddenly became worried; perhaps Ryu Taegun’s happy ending condition isn’t ‘being with Yu Hina.’ It made me anxious.

“But Jini, what brings you here?”

Seon Woojin, who had been sitting quietly in a corner like a potted plant, responded to that remark for the first time.

“I’m just here.”

“You don’t usually visit when someone’s sick.”

Even though he said he wouldn’t visit, it seems he really didn’t come this time.

Right. Seon Woojin wasn’t the type to secretly take care of someone from behind; he was genuinely the type not to do it.

Considering this level of consistency, don’t I have to acknowledge it? I admired him sincerely.

Seon Woojin spoke in a grumbling tone, “Jueun asked me to come.”

“Don’t lie. Who would go just because Jueun says to?”

But it’s true.

Come to think of it, it was quite strange. Seon Woojin followed me so willingly. I didn’t think too deeply about it, just considering it his usual behavior.