episode_0013

13

It didn’t hurt at all anymore.

Not when I jumped in place—thump, thump—or even when I tried a light jog. My ankle, which had been swollen and puffy from being twisted, had returned to a perfectly healthy state.

Normally, an injury like this would’ve left me immobilized for weeks, forcing me to focus on part-time work instead.

But this time, it took less than three minutes.

…Thanks to Woojin.

Hmph. Ahem.

See? He’s definitely into me.

If he were just a healing-type Transcendent doing his job, he’d charge for his services. So why does he keep fixing me up for free like this?

There’s no plausible reason other than him having feelings for me, right?

Right. Come to think of it, when I casually brought it up in front of the convenience store, he said, “If you’re pretty, everything’s fine.”

He even brought up Jiyoon, who’s more popular than me.

“…Yoon.”

“……”

“Lee Hayoon.”

“…Ah, y-yes?”

“Should we stop here for today? You don’t look well.”

“No. I’m fine. I’ll pull myself together.”

Well, he did save me when I almost got into a car accident, appearing like some kind of hero. It makes sense he’d fall for me at first sight.

I mean, unless it’s someone like Jiyoon, it’s not like I’m lacking in the looks department.

Whenever I read those “I started dating a hero.txt” stories online, they all begin like this, don’t they?

But, Woojin-ah, what am I going to do with you?

Noona isn’t that easy.

You kissed me in such a weird way, making me gulp down my own saliva.

…And then you touched my thighs, making the area below all wet.

Everything you did while Jiyoon was in the bathroom.

Not that I minded or anything.

It was just new to me, that’s all.

…I’ve had guy friends before, but never a boyfriend.

It’s just that no one ever taught me these things.

At most, I’ve only heard bits and pieces from friends—what feels good, what doesn’t—and mentally noted them down.

…Hmm…?

But I’d never heard about thighs feeling good, and yet… it did? Like, really good?

Why? Had my friends never touched theirs? That can’t be.

Or was it because Woojin was the one touching me…?

…….

…Ugh. Why do I keep thinking about this…?

“Let’s see. Then we’ll set the location back to the downtown area…”

As Woojin tapped my healed right foot against the ground, the terrain beneath me rapidly shifted into an asphalt road.

The next moment, the bustling noise of the city filled my ears—honking cars, hurried footsteps, all mingling with exhaust fumes.

Probably some random street in Seoul, I guess.

Not that I’d know. The system just pulls random locations and recreates them identically.

“This time, let’s try subduing the villain without getting hurt, okay?”

“…S-sorry about earlier…”

“It’s fine. Injuries like that are common in this line of work. I was just surprised because it’s been a while.”

…Okay.

This time, I’ll focus and not mess up.

If I get hurt again, I’ll have to face Woojin.

Then I’ll have no choice but to stop by the main building’s infirmary.

Then we’ll have no choice but to be alone together for treatment.

Then the atmosphere will get weird again.

…A kiss.

What if he does it again?

“Starting now. Lee Hayoon. I’ll set the time limit to five minutes.”

“Y-yes…”

Well, I am his noona, right?

If I wanted to, I could take the lead.

But just in case…

“Alright, the alarm will go off in 30 seconds.”

…Hmm.

Maybe I should just pretend I’m not hurt even if I am…

“Has it been 10 minutes already?”

“……”

I’m screwed.

“We meet again, Noona.”

“……”

Seo Woojin.

Sitting on the infirmary chair, typing away on his laptop, he flashed me an amused grin.

Why did my mind have to wander at the very last moment…?

If not for that, I wouldn’t be back here, seeing Woojin again in just 10 minutes.

“What about the teacher? Earlier, I heard he got hit by you and had a huge bruise.”

“This time, I punched a building wall…”

“A building wall?”

“Mhm…”

“Wouldn’t it be better to use a weapon? There aren’t many pure hand-to-hand combat heroes to begin with.”

“…Those cost money too, you know.”

“Ah.”

How am I supposed to just casually drop millions on a weapon?

Must be nice being a healing-type Transcendent who doesn’t have to worry about weapon prices.

Closing the infirmary door carefully with my uninjured hand, I stepped inside.

“Your wrist this time?”

“…Yeah…”

“At least it’s not a bad sprain. Doesn’t look swollen.”

“……”

But Woojin didn’t try anything.

Saying he “tried something” sounds weird, but… he was just quiet.

When he walked toward me earlier, I flinched, wondering if he’d push me onto the bed, but he just sat down beside me.

When he reached out, I squeezed my eyes shut, thinking he’d grab my chest, but he only gently took my slightly swollen wrist.

…I’m the one being overly sensitive.

I’m the only one still hung up on last night.

I cleared my throat awkwardly.

…Could he have forgotten what happened?

No, no. This morning, when I stopped by the infirmary, I asked if he remembered anything from yesterday.

…Ah! Maybe he meant the robbery, not the kiss and thigh-touching?

But the robbery was kind of a big deal, so it’s weird to act like it was nothing.

…Ah! Maybe he’s pretending it never happened to put me at ease?

But I think I already gave a weird answer earlier.

My head feels like it’s about to explode from overthinking.

Someone save me.

“Hold on a little longer. It doesn’t hurt that much, right?”

“…I-It hurts a lot…?”

“If you can talk, it’s not that bad.”

“……”

“Starting now, Noona.”

“…Okay.”

He didn’t do anything when I entered the infirmary.

He didn’t do anything when we sat on the bed.

So now, he’s definitely going to try something, right?

Grab my chest, kiss me like yesterday—whatever!

Guys like that stuff, don’t they…?

As his noona—no, as fan service.

If he likes me, I can play along a little.

Of course, I’ll stop him if he goes too wild.

The quiet infirmary, just the two of us. I’ve mentally prepared myself.

I’ve even thought about how to respond in a noona-like way if he really pounces.

Nodding slightly, I stayed on guard.

“……”

“……”

But.

Nothing happened.

Absolutely nothing.

The atmosphere felt like he was about to do something, just like last night.

Yet he did nothing.

My sprained wrist just gradually returned to normal.

Why isn’t he doing anything?

Not that I want him to, but after last night’s sudden kiss, shouldn’t he at least try some light skinship?

If he touched my chest, I was going to stop him with a cool, “We’re at the academy, save this for later.”

If he kissed me again like last night, I was going to tease, “You like this?” and then take the lead, maybe even try tongue…!

I had it all planned out…!

“Done.”

“……”

“Noona. I said I’m done.”

“…I know. I heard you.”

At the training center infirmary, there were two other teachers, so I get it.

But now, we’re completely alone with the door closed, and he’s still not doing anything…

“……”

Could it be…

Am I the only one feeling this way…?

Was I the only one thinking dirty thoughts…?

Is Woojin not planning anything because we’re at the academy…?

“I’ll go. …Thanks for the treatment.”

“No problem. It’s my job. Feel free to come back if you get hurt again.”

…I want to die.

I must have some kind of delusional disorder.

The time spent guarding the infirmary.

From 9 AM to 6 PM.

Out of that, the number of times I treated Lee Hayoon.

Including removing her cast—four times.

I’m not the type to hum, but today, I found myself quietly whistling a tune.

Not that I’m any good at it, but who cares? There’s no one else here.

The first time Hayoon came to me willingly.

I could tell she was tense, expecting a repeat of last night, so I deliberately did nothing and let her go.

If she’s fully prepared, any reaction I get would be boringly predictable.

But the way she looked utterly bewildered after the treatment, her cheeks flushing bright red before she bolted—that was memorable.

The second time Hayoon came to me willingly.

She showed up again, this time with a sprained ankle, leaning on the combat instructor for support.

The scent of another man on her was unpleasant, but I let it slide.

With the instructor nearby, she let her guard down, thinking I wouldn’t do anything.

But when I got close, she froze like a broken machine, so I teased her—almost touching her before backing off.

After the treatment.

She abandoned the instructor and ran off, but I was satisfied with the result.

The third time, before Hayoon could come to me, I went to her.

Four of her fingers were broken, so I held them gently as I healed her.

After being tricked twice, she thought she was safe—her face said it all.

But having a boy hold her fingers must’ve tickled, because her ears kept turning red.

And then.

I got a promise out of her.

It took her a while to answer, her mind clearly racing with implications.

But her answer was Yes.

A stiff, reluctant nod of Yes.

“Hmm… Hm-hm.”

Coffee always goes through a process called roasting.

Raw beans are rough and simple in flavor, even bitter, so this step is necessary to develop complex aromas and tastes.

In short, it’s a crucial, enjoyable process to make coffee delicious.

What kind of flavor will emerge?

What kind of aroma?

By adjusting the heat, method, and time.

People are the same.

“…L-Let’s go, Woojin.”

“Sure.”

“So, uh… household supplies? You want me to help pick them out?”

“Yeah. I’m not familiar with that stuff. I have a hairdryer, computer, water, and toilet paper, but… I can’t keep relying on deliveries forever.”

“What about your parents? Do you live alone?”

“I’m renting a small studio nearby. Just 10 pyeong, but it’s enough.”

“…S-So you live alone. Hmm…”

Lee Hayoon.

I wonder when she’ll break.

“Budget isn’t an issue, so feel free to pick anything.”

“I’m going somewhere cheap anyway. Daiso, Emart… Maybe Homeplus, though it’s a bit far.”

“Daiso… Oh, should I carry the bags again today?”

“What, you want me to carry them?”

“Just kidding. They’re my things—I’ll carry them.”

“…I-I’ll help a little. Happy?”

“A little?”

“That’s all you’re getting…!”

Click. The infirmary door closed.