赤い糸 - Red String of Fate

Chapter 36 - 자기야~

[ School Infirmary]

Jeongyeon sat on the bed while the nurse carefully lifted her shirt, revealing a big purple bruise on her waist.

Sana gasped. "A bruise that dark and you're still laughing!?" She lightly tapped Jeongyeon's back in frustration.

"Aw! Don't hit me, it already hurts there!" Jeongyeon winced but chuckled anyway.

The nurse raised an eyebrow. "Did you get into a fight?"

"I tripped and—"

Smack! Sana flicked Jeongyeon's forehead. "Liar! She got shoved into the table by Taehyung!"

The nurse sighed and pressed a cold pack against the bruise. "Girls, please be careful. There's a big difference in strength between boys and girls. Next time, prioritize your safety first"

"Her safety comes first," Jeongyeon muttered.

(Sana went silent) smiling without them noticing.

The nurse glanced between them, smirking faintly before standing. "I'll grab some bandages for your ankle." She left them alone for a moment.

Sana turned serious. "Jeongyeon-ah... promise me you won't fight anymore, okay?"

Jeongyeon hesitated. "If they come after you again... I can't promise that"

"Let's just run away, I couldn't bear to see my baby get hurt"

Jeongyeon frowned, "Baby!?!? Excuse me? I'm older than you!"

Sana let out a small laugh, "Then what? Jagiyaaaa~"

"Nononono!" Jeongyeon flustered.

"or Honeyy~" Sana grinning at Jeongyeon's funny panic reaction.

"Jagiya and Honey are the same!" Jeongyeon was frustrated but blushed a bit.

Before Sana could tease further, the nurse returned—with Mina in tow.

"Since you're here, could you help me bandage her ankle?" the nurse asked.

Jeongyeon panicked, "Sssh Sana, ssssh"

"Sure," Mina said softly, setting down her bag. She tied her hair into a ponytail and crouched down, carefully wrapping Jeongyeon's foot.

"Uwoah, slow down, it's tender there," Jeongyeon flinched.

"I know," Mina murmured. "It hurts, right? I've treated this before"

Sana crossed her arms. "Try fighting again and see what happens"

Jeongyeon gave an awkward laugh. "Hahaha... no thanks."

Mina started taking some ointment and other stuff, then-

Jeongyeon just stares at Mina who is currently bandaging her leg. She saw something red from Mina's lower neck, not sure what is that thing. Trying to focus on that red thing, she squints her eyes, but it somehow disappears.

Am I seeing things?

The nurse finished treating Jeongyeon's hand. "Okay. Waist bruises like that take time, so use this cold plaster tonight. Tomorrow switch to warm compress. Avoid running or heavy lifting."

"Okay, thanks a lot! By the way, you two know each other?" Jeongyeon curiously asked.

"Yeah, we do know each other. Mina is my junior from back in high school. She and one of her friends volunteered as medics in some events"

Mina is pressing her lips firmly as she gets nostalgic, "Yeah, we did"

Jeongyeon noticed how Mina's expression changed. Her friend? Her ex?

"what a small world" Sana mumbles.

As Mina tied off the bandage, she gave Jeongyeon a small 👌 sign.

Sana smiled. "Thanks a lot, Mina"

"It's nothing," Mina said quietly. "I'll grab your bags after class so you don't need to walk too much"

Before Jeongyeon could argue, Mina was already out the door.

Sana sighed. "Mina is really kind. You're lucky to have a friend like her."

"Yeah," Jeongyeon exhaled, leaning back against the bed.

After a moment of silence, Sana whispered, "Sorry... it's our first day dating, and it ended like this."

"it's not your fault, babe" Jeongyeon immediately cover her own mouth.

Sana grins at her, "sorry but wow? Can I hear it one more time?"

"it's not your fault?" (゜-゜)

"after that?" :D

"nothing comes after that" Jeongyeon said in a monotone.

Sana laughed, "should we have nicknames for each other?"

"that is unnecessary," (゜-゜)

Sana grinned from ear to ear. "Babe, huh? Should we call each other like that from now on?"

Jeongyeon groaned, covering her face. "Nooo..."

"Then it's settled," Sana teased, "Babe or Honey. Choose."

Jeongyeon peeked out between her fingers, cheeks red. "...Both sound awful"

"Too late, honey~" Sana sang with a smug smile.

Jeongyeon pouted, but the corner of her lips twitched upward.