6.
“Ugh.”
Light filtering in through the window roused me from my sleep.
Was it morning already?
Yesterday, I had comforted Baek Seol and we had talked at length.
Despite her seemingly cold demeanor, Baek Seol possessed a tender heart, a mere child struggling desperately to escape her sister’s shadow.
Immediately upon waking, I rose and moved to take a shower.
If I hurried, I might still catch breakfast.
I turned on the warm water, just a trickle, and laid out my school uniform.
Slowly, I shed my gym clothes, preparing to step into the shower.
Today was the beginning.
Theoretical classes and combat training.
Doing both would be demanding, yet I knew I had to tackle them with vigor.
I turned my head, surveying my surroundings.
Nam In-ju’s photos were plastered everywhere.
Come to think of it, I had put them up last night before going to sleep.
Though these were Ha Eun-ah’s doing, for some reason, a sense of calm washed over me.
Just looking at Nam In-ju’s pictures, I couldn’t help but feel my spirits lift.
I found joy in the sensation that the person I loved was gazing back at me.
Stepping into the shower stall, I prepared to wash.
Gazing at Nam In-ju’s photo, directly above the showerhead, I pressed the button.
Warm water slowly began to envelop my body.
‘I love you, In-ju.’
My body felt cleansed.
****
To eat breakfast, I emerged, already dressed in my uniform.
There was still about an hour before morning classes began.
Straightening my name tag, I looked around.
A few students seemed to be stirring for breakfast, but most appeared to still be fast asleep.
Classes wouldn’t start until nine, so they were undoubtedly still getting ready.
It was just past seven.
This was likely the first time I’d actually be able to have breakfast.
Thump-thump—I walked straight down the corridor, heading for the cafeteria.
Right in front of the cafeteria.
Students were still sparsely spaced, waiting.
I, too, grabbed a tray and joined the line.
Presenting a student ID allowed one to get breakfast.
Glancing at the menu, I saw ‘toast, milk, and salad’ listed.
‘7:30 AM. Sit in the left seat where In-ju can be seen.’
The thought flashed through my mind unbidden.
Did Nam In-ju really come for breakfast at this hour?
I looked up at the clock.
7:30 AM.
It perfectly matched the time Ha Eun-ah had mentioned.
I moved along the line.
It was only the first day, yet I knew Nam In-ju’s routine? It was unbelievable.
Ha Eun-ah.
Just how was she put together?
“Eat plenty, dear.”
The cafeteria lady served salad and toast onto my tray.
I gave a slight nod and entered the dining hall.
Looking around, I saw students gathered in small groups, eating.
“Eun-ah! Over here, over here!”
Turning towards the sound, I saw Nam In-ju waving at me.
He really was here for breakfast, just as Ha Eun-ah had said.
I hesitated for a moment before approaching him.
“Hello, In-ju.”
Nam In-ju responded to my greeting with a smile.
My heart pounded involuntarily.
To think that merely seeing Nam In-ju could make my heart race like this.
Gathering my composure, I sat opposite him.
As I awkwardly tried to eat my salad, Nam In-ju was the first to speak.
“Oh, right.
How did things go with Baek Seol yesterday?”
“Ah, well, we talked it out yesterday, and everything was resolved through conversation.”
I stammered as I explained to him.
Since Baek Seol had run off alone yesterday, everyone must have been worried.
Nam In-ju nodded at my explanation.
Pinch—I pinched the inside of my thigh, trying to endure.
I might not be able to hold back.
To be eating with Nam In-ju, in the same space.
I felt happy.
Yet, deep down, I had something I was curious about.
I wanted to know what he had discussed with the student council president yesterday.
“Um, so what did you decide yesterday?
About the student council work, I mean.”
I had asked it.
Had my curiosity about the student council work made me overstep?
At my words, Nam In-ju hesitated for a moment before speaking.
“I refused.
It just didn’t seem like a good fit for me.”
Nam In-ju considered his words thoughtfully, then continued.
What a relief.
At least he wasn’t joining the student council.
That meant the possibility of him getting involved with other girls had diminished.
“Anyway, today’s first class is combat training, isn’t it?”
I nodded at Nam In-ju’s words.
Combat training, I was indeed worried.
After all, Ha Eun-ah had no combat abilities whatsoever.
Moreover, combat training for non-Awakened and Awakened individuals would be conducted separately, meaning I wouldn’t be able to see Nam In-ju.
“Eun-ah?”
“Ah, ah, sorry.
I was just lost in thought for a moment.”
Nam In-ju’s voice calling my name snapped me back to reality.
It seemed I had unknowingly fallen deep into thoughts of Nam In-ju.
Nam In-ju gazed at me with a smile.
“You seem worried about combat training.
It’ll be fine.”
His words filled me with strength.
Perhaps, I would do well in combat training.
Surely, I would.
-A sharp pang.
What was that, all of a sudden?
An immense pain surged through my head.
Was the pain starting again?
My chopsticks clattered to the floor.
It hurt.
I never wanted to experience this kind of pain again.
“Ugh.”
I bit my lip hard, enduring the agony.
It was excruciating.
This kind of pain was too difficult to bear.
As if he had seen me collapse, Nam In-ju rushed towards me.
Nam In-ju spoke in a panicked tone, looking at me.
The moment he reached me, he began to examine me.
“Eun-ah.
Ha Eun-ah!”
My vision blurred.
Was it the headache?
My consciousness was fading.
Surely, I wasn’t going to faint again like this…
As Nam In-ju’s voice echoed, my eyes slowly closed.
****
“Gasp.”
I gasped, struggling for breath, and pushed myself up.
My body was drenched in sweat.
An IV drip was inserted into my arm.
Fluid dripped steadily from the bag.
The liquid flowing into my body through the tube seemed to be calming me.
Was this the infirmary?
I looked around.
I had no memory after collapsing while eating breakfast.
Did that mean I hadn’t walked to the infirmary on my own?
With a soft rustle, the curtain around my bed was drawn back.
“Oh my, Eun-ah, you’re awake.”
Standing before me was the school nurse.
I lifted my head to look at her name tag.
It was a white plaster name tag, bearing the name Han Se-na.
“What happened to me?”
“It seems you fainted for a moment.”
Han Se-na slowly approached and sat down right beside my bed.
Seated beside the bed, Han Se-na gazed at me.
“Fainted?”
“Nam In-ju found you collapsed in the cafeteria and brought you here.
Hyperventilation, and a fever too.
You looked quite serious.”
Her words made me tense.
Hyperventilation, and a fever.
Ha Eun-ah was certainly a child with an illness, but I had no idea it would be this painful.
“Did you have a pre-existing condition?”
I couldn’t answer Han Se-na’s question.
I had never heard of a pre-existing condition.
To think I didn’t even know what illness I had.
There was a brief character description mentioning occasional attacks of pain, but it was difficult to infer anything from that.
“I don’t know.”
As I stammered my reply, Han Se-na nodded understandingly.
“Still, it’s a great relief that your fever has gone down.”
Han Se-na felt my forehead and smiled.
Even so, the pain in my head had significantly lessened.
“Thank you.”
As I bowed my head and spoke, Han Se-na continued in a reassuring tone.
“You should thank Nam In-ju more than me.
He carried you all the way to the infirmary.”
Nam In-ju carried me to the infirmary?
Han Se-na’s words made my face flush hot.
To think Nam In-ju would do so much for me.
“First and foremost, rest is important, so get plenty of sleep.”
Han Se-na rose from her seat and walked forward.
Rest is important, she said.
Did that mean I needed to rest deeply to avoid feeling this pain again?
“And make sure to take these medicines.”
Han Se-na retrieved some medicine from inside.
Red pills, which she placed before me.
It looked like a week’s supply.
These were the same pills that had reduced my headache last time I took them.
“Thank you.”
I took the medicine packet from Han Se-na and bowed my head.
“Medicine isn’t a complete solution.
Take a small dose and try not to take too much.”
Han Se-na approached my side and removed the IV drip from my arm.
It stung a little, but it was bearable.
“That’s all done.”
I took the packet of medicine with a sense of relief.
I wouldn’t be in pain anymore, would I?
I felt a little hazy, but the headache had vanished, leaving me feeling light.
Creak—
The sound of the door opening.
“Eun-ah!
Eun-ah.”
My eyes met his.
Nam In-ju.
He was gazing at me.
Baek Seol followed closely behind him.
“Eun-ah, you worried me so much!”
Baek Seol started, looking at me.
Her eyes were tearful.
It seemed I had caused her a great deal of worry.
“I’m sorry, everyone.”
As I spoke with a faint smile, Baek Seol quickly approached my side and placed a hand on my forehead.
“Are you okay now?”
“Yes.
I’m much better.”
When I spoke in a calm tone, Baek Seol looked at me with tearful eyes.
Don’t look at me like I’m a child, I thought.
I flinched and glanced at Nam In-ju, who was standing behind her.
“Still, it’s a relief.
It seems you’re okay.”
Nam In-ju began, looking at me.
It seemed I had made him worry.
I hadn’t wanted to show him my vulnerable side.
I ran a hand through my hair and gave him a fleeting glance.
“I’m sorry.
I seem to have worried you all.”
“You idiot.
Don’t make us worry like that!”
Baek Seol cried, her voice choked with emotion.
It seemed Baek Seol had truly become my friend.
Perhaps this was a result of following the player’s guide.
“From now on, make sure to take your medicine…”
“Alright, alright, that’s enough talk.
Isn’t it almost time for class?”
At Han Se-na’s words, Nam In-ju and Baek Seol looked at their watches.
It was almost nine o’clock.
Classes would begin soon.
The practical training, starting at nine, would likely continue until lunchtime.
Han Se-na looked at me and spoke.
“Eun-ah.
You should recover first and then go to class, but you two need to head straight to class.”
Han Se-na addressed Baek Seol and Nam In-ju.
Baek Seol and Nam In-ju nodded at her words.
“See you later, Eun-ah.”
Nam In-ju waved at me and left the infirmary.
Baek Seol followed him out.
Ultimately, both of them left, and I was alone.
My first combat training.
I didn’t want to miss the practical session.
I needed to move quickly if I didn’t want to be late.
I slowly rose from my seat and bowed to Han Se-na.
“I also have class, so…”
“Oh, right, Eun-ah.”
I turned my head at Han Se-na’s words.
Han Se-na was gazing at me.
“Eun-ah, are you taking the non-Awakened class by any chance?”
I nodded at her words.
The non-Awakened class was starting on the very first day.
How did Han Se-na know about it?
“Yes.
How did you know?”
“Because I’m the teacher in charge.
Homunculus.
Combat training for non-Awakened.”
I wore a flustered expression at Han Se-na’s words.
Han Se-na was the teacher in charge of non-Awakened combat training?
“I’ll check your attendance for the first period, so don’t worry.
If you want to rest a little longer before coming, just let me know, okay?”
“Th-thank you.”
I nodded at her words.
What a relief.
At least there was someone who understood my situation, so I could feel at ease.
As I nodded, Han Se-na smiled and spoke.
“Then, let’s check your progress in about an hour, and I’ll see you in the next class.”
At her words, I exited the infirmary.
****
“Indeed, the side effects seem to be getting worse.”
After Eun-ah left, Han Se-na was tidying up some documents.
Seizures.
And hyperventilation and high fever.
It was probably a level of pain too difficult for a young girl’s body to endure.
Yet, Ha Eun-ah endured it calmly.
To the point where Han Se-na wanted to praise her.
At this level, it was nothing short of a cursed ability, but with our corporation’s pills, the side effects could be controlled.
Withdrawal and addiction would be inevitable, of course.
This was all for her.
It would be Ha Eun-ah’s first step towards happiness.
