Pick Up the Rejected Pure Love

Chapter 76: The Price of Lies

I cant say I dont understand Han-gyeols feelings at all.

Hes not one to lie without reason, after all.

Perhaps he lied to avoid worrying me or because he was concerned I might come looking for him like this. While I understand that might be the case, I cant deny feeling a bit hurt by it.

But it seems wrong to burden a sick person with feelings of being let down.

Yet, I didnt want to force a smile and pretend everything was fine with Han-gyeol.

Ive always wanted to be honest with him.

Whats the right way to act here?

Should I confront him about why he lied? Or should I just accept it as is?

I definitely cant just accept it.

Just like Han-gyeol did for me, I want to do the same for him. I wanted to return the favor, to be there for him when hes suffering alone.

Thinking about it made me feel even more upset.

I chopped the green onions on the cutting board a bit faster.

After finishing the porridge and letting it cool for a bit, I headed to Han-gyeols room.

I fed him the porridge myself before handing him the tray.

Without any conversation, Han-gyeol quietly ate the porridge, and then I gave him his medicine.

Hey, Eun-ha.

Yeah, Han-gyeol?

Im sorry for lying earlier.

Although Han-gyeol apologized, that couldnt be the end of it.

I wanted to talk about it in more detail.

Lets have your medicine first. We can talk about this later.

I decided to wait until Han-gyeol was feeling a bit better before bringing up the conversation.

After taking his medicine and water, Han-gyeol placed the cup on the bedside table.

Wheres the thermometer? Lets check your temperature.

I asked Han-gyeol after he had taken his medicine.

Its on the desk, but I think my fever might have gone down now.

Lets check to be sure. Just a moment- oh, here it is.

I found the thermometer on Han-gyeols neatly organized desk.

When I took his temperature, it read 36.9C.

What was it this morning?

It was 37.6C. Whats it now?

36.9C. Its definitely lower than this morning.

Maybe its because of the porridge Eun-ha made for me.

Han-gyeol managed a weak smile, but I didnt respond.

His smile and voice were fading.

Sorry...

Hearing Han-gyeols apology, I cautiously started the conversation.

Im not mad. But I am hurt. Why didnt you tell me?

I had a rough idea why Han-gyeol did what he did, but I wanted to hear it from him.

The college entrance exam is only about a hundred days away, and I didnt want to worry you. More than anything, I thought you might come to take care of me if I said I was alone. And I was worried I might pass the cold on to you.

It was just as I had expected.

I understand. I can see why youd think that. But how do you think you would have felt if I were sick and alone at home and didnt tell you anything? Be honest with me.

Faced with my question, Han-gyeol pondered for a moment before speaking softly.

I would have felt a bit hurt.

Right. I feel the same way. Im hurt by you, Han-gyeol.

Yeah.

I organized my thoughts before speaking.

I dont intend to force you to talk about something youre uncomfortable with. As your girlfriend, there might be issues I cant solve, and even if I knew about them, I might not be able to help. If youre dealing with something, I wont ask what it is and will just quietly stand by your side until its resolved. Youre wise and capable of handling things on your own.

I continued, looking Han-gyeol directly in the eyes.

But this time is different. You were sick and alone at home. It might seem like an overstatement, but what if your fever had spiked or youd needed to rush to the emergency room before your mom got back? At the very least, you should have reached out for help when you needed it.

My disappointment began to show.

Just as you want to be there for me, I want to do the same for you. I could have helped. Why did you suffer alone? I understand your feelings to some extent, but it still hurts. Just like you were there for me, I want to hold your hand, take care of you, and be by your side when youre sick. I dont want to be someone who only takes from you. I want to give back and take care of you too. Its not just you who feels this way.

Han-gyeol seemed a bit surprised by my words.

Will you do this again...? Suffer alone because youre worried about me?

No, Im sorry. I think I was too selfish.

Right. Dont do it again. You understand? Ill be really hurt if it happens again.

Yeah... Im sorry.

Enough with the apologies... can you thank me for taking care of you instead?

Thank you.

Good. Is that a promise?

Yes.

Only after hearing Han-gyeols response did I feel somewhat relieved. I sighed deeply and looked at him.

Are you in a lot of pain?

No, not much. Eun-ha, can you smile now? Ive been a bit scared up till now.

I wont smile. Im still hurt.

Im really thankful you came. Ill recover faster thanks to my girlfriend.

Han-gyeols words made the corners of my mouth rise slightly.

I have to resist. I cant just start smiling all of a sudden.

Its so nice to see Eun-ha.

...

My lips kept curling upwards.

Come on, go down. Please go down!

Being with Eun-ha makes all the pain fly away.

Hehe...

I ended up smiling without realizing it.

Youre finally smiling.

Ah, really-! Stop with the compliments and go to sleep.

I want to enjoy the rare occasion of Eun-ha being here a bit longer.

Whats a patient doing talking about enjoying? Youve taken your medicine, so go to sleep.

Im not even sleepy.

Ill hold your hand, so just go to sleep.

I carefully took Han-gyeols hand in mine.

But I want to spend time with Eun-ha.

No, you need to get better. Close your eyes and sleep.

Who can sleep with a beast beside them?

I wont bite, so just go to sleep, will you?

Its because Im thankful.

Just close your eyes for 10 minutes.

Can I get up after 10 minutes?

Yes. So keep them closed.

Okay.

Han-gyeol closed his eyes.

I took in the sight of him, his handsome face.

Eun-ha, have you eaten?

I was so worried about Han-gyeol that I couldnt eat.

Really? You must be hungry.

I managed to force something down. The side dish was meat.

That doesnt mean you ate it all, does it...?

It was just hard to swallow.

Han-gyeol chuckled at my words.

What will Eun-ha do if I fall asleep?

Watch over Han-gyeol while he sleeps?

Thats embarrassing.

Just stop talking and fall asleep already.

It feels like Im making myself vulnerable to being devoured.

Han-gyeol seemed to have no intention of falling asleep anytime soon.

Eventually, I quietly got up and lay down beside him.

Eun-ha? It feels like someones lying next to me.

Yes, thats right. Since Han-gyeol isnt falling asleep, I thought Id join you for a nap.

My heart is racing too much to fall asleep.

Just endure it. I want to sleep.

Despite feeling shy, I snuggled into Han-gyeols arms.

He kept scooting towards the wall, but I kept burrowing in closer.

Finally, Han-gyeols back hit the wall, and I was fully enveloped in his embrace.

Eun-ha, sharing a bed... and covering with the same blanket for a nap is a bit-!

Well just hold hands and sleep.

Isnt that an incredibly dangerous statement thats been around for ages? And were already in an embrace. Were already past the point of no return.

Since Han-gyeol lied today, isnt it fair to receive this much of a punishment? Even if its uncomfortable, endure it. Its a punishment.

Isnt that a reward?

Nope. Its a punishment.

I closed my eyes and tried to sleep.

Reluctantly, Han-gyeol held me in his arms.

I dont think I can sleep like this.

Then Han-gyeol can provide an arm pillow.

Can I move it if it gets numb?

No.

I slipped out from Han-gyeols arm and placed it under my head.

Eun-ha, it feels like 10 minutes have passed. Can I open my eyes now?

Yeah~ You can open them now.

Han-gyeol opened his eyes and looked at my face.

Why are you staring like that?

Because I like lying here with you.

Its just for today since Han-gyeol is sick.

Did you use that as an excuse to climb into bed?

Han-gyeol is really quick-witted, isnt he? Or is it that he knows me too well?

...Was it that obvious?

Extremely.

But I wanted to try napping together with Han-gyeol.

Truth be told, me too. Shall we sleep for just three hours?

That sounds amazing.

But cuddling while sleeping is too much.

No, Ill just cuddle.

I thought we were just going to hold hands.

That was a lie.

I burrowed into Han-gyeols arms with a smile. Eventually, he gave in and wrapped his arms around me.

I give up..

Thanks for letting me win~

Sleep well, Eun-ha.

Sleep well, Han-gyeol.

--- The End OF The Chapter ---

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