If pain has a forecast

12

윤여주

Ugh... what's going on... it's already morning...

윤여주

What's that smell...? Could it be that Curator Kim didn't go?!

It's been a while since I've smelled food in a house I live in alone, and the smell of food tickled my nose from the morning. I headed to the kitchen, assuming Curator Kim would be there, as she hadn't been home until morning.

윤여주

Author... sir?!

김석진

Oh, you're awake? How are you? Are you okay?

윤여주

Author... why are you here...?

김석진

I'm sorry for coming in without permission. I came because I was sick. Please excuse me for a moment.

Suddenly, the author approached me and placed the back of his hand on my forehead. I trembled and froze.

김석진

Fortunately, your fever has gone down. Sit down. I made some porridge for you. Are you okay?

윤여주

No way... you were here all night?

김석진

I had a really high fever last night. I couldn't just leave, so I apologize for the inconvenience. Of course, I didn't sleep next to you, curator, so don't worry.

윤여주

No... why? You said you didn't care about me. Then what does it matter to you whether I'm sick or not?

김석진

How can you ignore someone who is sick, even if you don't care? I can't do that.

윤여주

...Curator Kim contacted you, right? Really...

김석진

First! Calm down and eat first. You said you didn't eat yesterday. I was wrong, so eat first.

윤여주

Ha... I'm not eating it because I forgive you.

It was the first time I'd ever seen porridge look so delicious. It was beef and vegetable porridge, and I took a big spoonful and tasted it. It was much better than I'd expected. I didn't know porridge could taste this good.

Suddenly, I felt a surge of emotion. The porridge was delicious, and it had been a long time since someone had taken care of me so early in the morning. The author silently handed me a tissue.

윤여주

Phew... Oh, I'm sorry. Did something get in my eye... Ha...

김석진

Does it suit your taste···?

윤여주

Absolutely... It's delicious.

김석진

thank god.

윤여주

Don't stare like that. I'll check.

김석진

Oh, I'm sorry.

윤여주

Don't you eat, author?

김석진

I just had a quick meal out earlier. I ran out of ingredients, so I bought some on the way back.

윤여주

Ah... Anyway, thank you. For boiling porridge for someone you don't even like.

김석진

Do you really have to say that?

윤여주

That's right... Did I say something wrong?

김석진

I thought it was my fault that the curator was sick. That's why I did that.

윤여주

I know. I'm truly heartbroken because of you, author. There's no part of me that doesn't hurt.

I hated the author so much, but instead of getting angry, I started to sulk. I'd clearly given up until yesterday, but seeing her face again, staying so affectionately with me all night, even killing me, made it hard for me to calm down.

김석진

Do you still like me?

윤여주

If it wasn't good, would I say this to you, author? Do you still not like me?

I knew she'd say she didn't like it, but I asked again. Why would she nurse me like this when she doesn't even like me? Unless she likes me, it's rare for someone to go this far.

김석진

I will be honest with the curator now.

윤여주

Yeah, tell me.

김석진

It's not that I don't like the curator. I like him too.

윤여주

I know. There's no way the author wouldn't like me.

김석진

Think about it. You're at the age to get married now. I hope you find happiness with another man.

윤여주

Again... That sound again?

김석진

You're not going to marry me.

윤여주

If I asked you to marry me, would you?

김석진

...No. I really hope the curator marries someone better than me.

윤여주

Why do you keep talking about other people? I want to talk to you, author. You, author.

Now, at our age, it's time to start thinking about marriage and dating. But I can't see anyone else. I don't think I can do it without you, author.

윤여주

Author... Can't you love me a little? I don't think I can live without you... Yes...?

I looked the author in the eye and told him my true feelings. He stared at me silently for a moment.

I shed tears in front of the author again, like an idiot. The reason I cried now was because I was afraid of being rejected again. I was afraid that if I was rejected again, the author would never open her heart to me again.

김석진

Don't cry. Don't cry and look at me.

윤여주

no, I do not want···.

김석진

Don't you know what I'm going to say?

윤여주

What does it mean...?

김석진

Okay, let's meet up sometime.

윤여주

Are you serious about that?

김석진

Yes, I'm serious. Instead, just try flirting for now. If it becomes difficult for the curator, you can always end it.

윤여주

There's absolutely nothing that will make it difficult.

김석진

This is my best. Can you listen to me?

윤여주

...Okay. I'm fine with that. Thank you, author...! Oh, by the way, what time is it?!

김석진

It's 12 o'clock. Why?

윤여주

12 o'clock? I'm late!!!

김석진

Hey, sit down. It's the weekend.

윤여주

Huh? Oh... really? I didn't even know it was the weekend... Ha... good...

김석진

Well then, I'll go now. I saw you finish eating. Get some rest.

윤여주

Are you going already?

김석진

Already? I was here all night.

윤여주

don't go···.

MEY메이

We finally met. We didn't plan on meeting. 🤭 Thank you for coming to see me today. I always appreciate your messages. 🫶💙