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“I’ll wash myself, you stay here.”
“What strength do you have, Oppa? You even have an IV in your arm.”
“Ah, right, I forgot.”
Because of the IV needle, he had no choice but to accept Bomi’s help. Jinhan, disheartened, instinctively gripped the buttons of his patient gown and subtly turned his back.
“I’ll take off my clothes myself, so you close your eyes.”
“Oh, come on! I’ve done a lot of volunteer work, I’m good at this!”
“Whoa, whoa, hey!”
Bomi swatted Jinhan’s hand away and began unbuttoning his gown. He tried to stop her, but his strength, weakened from lying down all the time, couldn’t overcome Bomi. Eventually, his sturdy upper body began to be revealed. Seeing him, Bomi flinched for a moment.
“Why are you looking at me like that?”
“Oh, no.”
“Is this the first time you’ve seen a man without a shirt?”
Jinhan clumsily pulled one arm out of his crumpled patient gown. He grunted, trying to take off the top of his gown, when Bomi unexpectedly confessed.
“I only have a younger sister, you know. My dad does walk around the living room without a shirt in the summer, though.”
“What about dating?”
“I haven’t dated.”
“Why?”
“No one really caught my eye. Do you have to date?”
“Not necessarily, but that’s what’s more concerning.”
“Now I’m hearing all sorts of things.”
Undressing in front of Bomi, who had no dating experience, made him feel strangely guilty. After some internal struggle, Jinhan pushed Bomi away again.
“This won’t work. I’m going to briefly take out the IV and wash myself, so you stay here.”
“It’s really fine, I told you.”
“It makes me uncomfortable.”
Since Jinhan was so insistent, Bomi couldn’t argue. He actually called a nurse and had the IV needle temporarily removed.
“After you’re done washing, please call the nursing station.”
After the nurse left, Jinhan, his upper body exposed, moved awkwardly. The headache still lingered, and even small movements made his head throb. It would be comfortable if someone washed his hair, but he couldn’t bring himself to let Bomi do it. Resigned, he entered the bathroom and took off the rest of his patient gown.
“I’m already dizzy.”
He just intended to shower, so he walked past the bathtub. At that moment, his vision turned white, and his body swayed.
Thump!
In the blink of an eye, Jinhan slumped down, his vision turning white. Hearing the commotion from the bathroom, Bomi immediately rushed in.
“Oppa!”
“Get, get out... I don’t... have clothes on.”
Of all times, he had to collapse disgracefully in front of Bomi. And completely naked. This was a humiliation he would never overcome. Jinhan’s body wouldn’t move as he willed. He had been lying down for so long due to his headache that even standing and walking was difficult. A fog seemed to cloud his vision, and dizziness surged over him. Jinhan desperately flailed his hands.
“Just get out!”
Suddenly, his whole body was drenched in cold sweat. At this point, shame was no longer the issue. He just wanted someone to come and help him. He tried to brace himself with his hands on the bathroom floor, but it was no use. Then, something soft covered Jinhan’s entire body.
“Huh?”
“Oppa, I’ve closed my eyes now, so calm down.”
What covered Jinhan’s body was the blanket from the bed. In her hurry, Bomi had brought the entire blanket instead of a shower towel. Her large eyes were tightly shut, making sure no light could enter. She looked so serious that Jinhan found himself staring blankly at her.
“I just threw it, did the blanket cover you well?”
“Quite... yes.”
“Then I’ll open my eyes for a moment.”
Jinhan just averted his gaze and couldn’t say anything more. He just felt too ashamed to hide.
“Are you hurt anywhere?”
“I was just a little dizzy.”
“In this condition, you can’t wash your hair alone, Oppa. I’ll help you.”
“Are you really sure you can do it?”
“I’ve washed countless little kids during volunteer work with my mom.”
“I’m not a little kid. I’m a healthy adult man.”
“So what?”
“Ugh, never mind. Don’t even bother.”
Bomi subtly glared at Jinhan, who kept grumbling. She was about to close her eyes again but pointed at the drawers scattered on the floor.
“Then at least put these on and get in the tub.”
“What?”
“Wouldn’t it be better if you at least wore underwear?”
It seemed Bomi was determined to help him wash. Jinhan seriously debated if this was the best option for a bath. His mother, who had promised to send a new caregiver, had played a strange trick on her son and left him in a difficult situation. Shaving aside, his head was itchy, and he needed to wash it. He pulled the blanket up to his chest and reluctantly made a decision.
“Go out for a moment.”
Bomi left the bathroom. Jinhan, his soul utterly frayed, awkwardly put on his drawers. His pride was hurt by the thought of showing such a sorry state to a girl seven years younger than him. He wanted to die from embarrassment when Bomi asked from beyond the door.
“Should I come in?”
“Yes.”
________________________________________
Unlike the dying Jinhan, Bomi boldly pulled back the blanket. She deliberately averted her gaze from the clearly revealed body of the adult man.
“Hold onto me and stand up.”
She firmly supported Jinhan, who was much taller than her. Thanks to her, he managed to stand and moved his feet towards the bathtub. Why had he resisted so much for this? It was incredibly awkward.
“Lean against the tub wall on my side and tilt your head back.”
“Like this?”
“Yes, like that.”
The warm water in the bathtub gently enveloped the agitated Jinhan. Just as his mind and body began to calm, streams of water permeated Jinhan’s hair.
“How’s the water temperature?”
“Good.”
Jinhan did as Bomi instructed, leaning against the tub wall and tilting his head back. His body, drenched in cold sweat, began to be washed away with the flowing water. Bomi’s touch was gentle. He felt her consideration for his ailing body, and he secretly regretted getting annoyed earlier.
“Anyway... thank you.”
“For what? Does it feel refreshing?”
“Yes, very much.”
“Oppa, your beard looks really strange.”
“Is it that bad?”
“You look like a government official.”
“A government official?”
Jinhan, piqued, tried to sit up. Bomi, as if to say ‘no chance’, pressed down on his broad shoulders.
“Then I’ll make you a magistrate.”
“That’s not good either.”
“A secret royal inspector?”
“I don’t think that suits me well.”
“Ugh, fine. Just be Your Majesty. Alright?”
Looking at the current situation, he didn’t envy a Joseon king. Being alone in the bathroom with a woman he wasn’t even dating was already subtle. He never thought the day would come when he’d entrust Bomi with shampooing his hair. The soft touch on various parts of his skin was both a subtle stimulant and a sedative for Jinhan.
“Your Majesty, how are you feeling?”
“This isn’t the time for jokes.”
“What’s wrong with it when it’s just us?”
In a corner of Jinhan’s mind, he felt relieved that it was Bomi. He wondered if a caregiver would have been as witty as Bomi if they were in her place just now. He hadn’t treated Bomi particularly well all this time, yet... he was grateful.
“Now I’ll put in conditioner.”
“Do you work in the beauty industry, by any chance?”
“No. I do art.”
Given Bomi’s distinct personality, he had expected her to be in the arts or sports. He decided it would be better to ask for details when they became closer, so Jinhan stopped his questions. Then, suddenly, he remembered what Hwang Gyeong-ok had told him. That Bomi had been waiting for his call. Could it be true?
“Your hair is all washed.”
Bomi roughly dried Jinhan’s hair with a towel. He turned around while still sitting in the bathtub.
“Oppa, can I try shaving your beard?”
“No.”
At his blunt refusal, Bomi pouted. Ignoring her, Jinhan firmly pointed to the cabinet.
“The razor and shaving foam are in there.”
Bomi jumped up, took out the razor and shaving foam, and placed them down. She left the bathroom and came back with a hand mirror from beside the bed. As if it were a fascinating spectacle, Bomi held up the mirror and stared at him expectantly.
“What are you looking at so intently?”
“Nothing.”
For the first time in days, Jinhan shaved the beard that had covered his lower face. With a swish swish sound, as the razor blade passed over his skin, he returned to his neat appearance.
“As expected, for a man...”
“Shaving?”
“It’s all about the hair. You look much better after washing your hair, Oppa. And it doesn’t smell anymore.”
Bomi chuckled mischievously, as if delighted by her own words. Jinhan, looking at her in exasperation, also let out a wry laugh. The shave was done, and now it was time to rinse his body. He was about to get out of the tub without thinking, then cleared his throat.
“I’ll shower now and then come out.”
“Will you be okay?”
“Better than before.”
After Bomi left, Jinhan carefully stood up and started showering. He felt a slight dizziness but finished safely.
“Ah, I’m tired.”
After washing, he wanted to lie down. He quickly dried himself to go out, but he had no change of clothes. He felt bad asking Bomi again, but reluctantly called out.
“Hey, Bomi!”
“Open the door.”
He opened the bathroom door slightly as instructed. Through the narrow gap, Bomi quickly handed him his new patient gown and underwear.
“Th-thank you.”
“Don’t mention it. Come out quickly.”
A moment later, he, still wet, came out of the bathroom. Bomi had already placed a table over the bed and set up a warm bowl of porridge.
“Eat this and get some good rest.”
“Why are you being so nice?”
“Should I bother a sick person instead?”
“No, that’s not what I mean... Anyway, thank you.”
He never knew it would be such a comfort to have someone by his side when he was at his weakest. Having been subjected to so much abuse and finger-pointing because of Chairman Yoo, strange feelings for Bomi slowly began to surface.
“Come here and eat with me.”
“I’ve already eaten.”
Jinhan, who had picked up the spoon, was too exhausted to finish the porridge. He collapsed onto the bed and fell into a deep sleep. When he opened his eyes, only the bedside lamp was on, and an IV needle was in his hand. He was alone again. It was a late autumn evening, almost early winter, and the chilly wind pierced Jinhan’s heart.
“What time is it?”
He reached for his phone, intending to send Bomi a message. He saw it was already 7 PM and tapped on the chat window. Jinhan was contemplating what to write. Something stirred on the sofa, then slowly sat up.
“Wh-who’s there!”
“Did you get amnesia already?”
“Bomi?”
“Yes. ...Ah, I slept well.”
“You haven’t gone home yet?”
“I had to see your face before I left. How’s your headache?”
Now that he thought about it, his body felt much lighter than in the morning. The headache, which hadn’t been subdued even with medication, had significantly improved.
“I think it’s much better.”
“Let’s eat dinner.”
He had ordered a meal, which had been postponed because Jinhan was sleeping. Bomi, who had placed the table over the bed as she had earlier in the day, picked up her coat.
“Leaving?”
“Yes, my dad sent a message telling me to come home early.”
“At least eat something before you go.”
“Next time. Take good care of yourself, Oppa.”
He wondered why the girl who had supposedly been waiting for his call was so cool about it. If she really liked Jinhan, it would be normal for her to want to stay by his side no matter what. Bomi had truly only provided care and then turned to leave. At that, Jinhan’s mind was on the verge of snapping. If he hadn’t known from the start, he might have just accepted it, but there were a good number of emotions and comforts that Bomi had brought about. If she was going to leave so heartlessly, she shouldn’t have touched his heart at all! It was truly cruel.
“Bomi!”
“Yes?”
Jinhan almost yelled for her not to go without realizing it. He barely managed to restrain himself and swallowed dryly. He took a long, deep breath and awkwardly raised his hand.
“You worked hard today. Thank you.”
“See you again, hehe.”
The girl habitually touched her round head and left the room. The moment the door closed with a click, Jinhan felt his spirits sink as if the world was ending. This moment was inexplicable. He hadn’t even had a proper date with Bomi, yet a sense of disappointment overwhelmed him.
“Bomi, wait a minute!”
He urgently got out of bed. He threw his shoes aside and went out of the room barefoot.
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