This World is too Cruel to Men – Chapter 100

I nearly lost something like this forever.

What on earth did I do?

If I could, I’d splash a bucket of water on my past self who unjustly raged at Dogun.

However, since that’s not realistically possible, I suppose I’ll have to do better from now on.

To avoid feeling like I was thrown onto a cold floor again like I did these past few days, I needed to.

So, first things first… I should make a proper apology.

But before that, just a little—

‘Just a bit…’

Would it be okay to enjoy this moment?

I’ve had a hard time, after all… Maybe that’s all right.

“Here, ah—”

That’s why I cautiously started to pay attention to Dogun as I gladly accepted what was offered.

“Here’s some braised beef.”

Maybe it was because I was sick, or since this was my first meal, but honestly, I usually didn’t think much of things like porridge. Yet, what was entering my mouth now was delicious enough to make me wonder if porridge could be this tasty.

“Chew slowly and thoroughly. You’re sick, and if you choke, it’ll be a disaster.”

“…Okay.”

Is that why?

It didn’t take long before the rather large bowl of porridge was empty.

For some reason, I felt a bit sad about that, and while I was quietly gazing at the empty bowl being taken away by Dogun—

“Why? Is it not enough? If it’s not enough, should I peel some fruit or something?”

Dogun casually uttered those words, though I couldn’t figure out how he interpreted that.

Honestly, it wasn’t lacking at all, but even so, I quickly nodded my head.

“Alright. Then just for now, just a bit from our house…”

But I didn’t want to make Dogun go through the trouble of fetching it, so I hurriedly grabbed the hem of his clothing as he slowly stood up.

“Huh? Why? Thirsty?”

“No, um… just… we have fruit at our house…”

As I spoke those words to the curious-looking Dogun, a hint of awkwardness washed over his face.

Given the situation, it was okay to handle the bowl, but reaching into the fridge seemed a little too much.

I felt a bit disappointed by that thought but tried not to show it as I attempted to rise from my spot.

If handling it directly was burdensome for him, couldn’t I just bring it out for him?

Of course, going up and down the stairs with this body would be a little tough… but still, it was better than making Dogun go back to my home.

That was the reasoning behind my decision to get up, but as soon as I leaned on the bed to rise, Dogun’s hand pressed firmly down on my shoulder.

“Okay, okay, just lie down.”

And Dogun kept his word.

Then he said he’d fetch some fruit and left the room, only to return a short while later.

“I only saw apples in the fruit compartment, so I brought that for now. Is that okay?”

“…Yeah.”

I nodded in response, and once Dogun confirmed my answer, he sat down again, holding an apple in one hand and a knife in the other, starting to peel the fruit.

The sound of the knife cutting through the apple’s skin resonated in the room.

Somehow, that rhythmic sound put me at ease.

But I couldn’t relax completely.

It was only natural since there were still things that needed doing.

“Here.”

As the comfort of the situation made me almost lose focus, Dogun had peeled the apple and cut it into bite-sized pieces, carefully offering it to me.

Once I accepted that as well, the only thing left to do was glance over at the bag of medicine that had been left beside the bed since we arrived home.

What if I took that too?

Dogun would surely want to leave then.

There was absolutely no reason for him to stay next to someone who needed to rest because they were sick.

So… I needed to start preparing.

Fortunately, I had somewhat prepared myself mentally.

Now all that was left was to wait for the right moment to bring up the topic—

“Hmm… It’s been about 30 minutes since we ate, so it’s about time for medicine.”

Exactly at that moment, Dogun reached for the medicine bag.

“I’ll go get it, so just lie down.”

Then he quickly went to grab the cold medicine and left the room.

Since the medicine needed to be mixed with hot water like tea, it would likely take at least a minute.

In that time, I calmly collected my thoughts.

And when I finally finished that task… I heard the door creak open as Dogun returned to the room.

He was holding a steaming mug in his hand.

“Here, it might be hot, so be careful when you drink it.”

True to Dogun’s words, the mug I received was quite hot.

And the medicine inside, unlike its appearance resembling citron tea, was quite bitter.

So bitter, in fact, that once I swallowed everything in the cup, a tear slipped out of my eye.

“Now that you’ve taken the medicine, lie down and rest.”

With the meal, fruit, and medicine given, was this where Dogun would start considering leaving?

Seemingly realizing this, Dogun let slip a hint of that intention.

Hearing those words, I thought to myself.

This was the moment.

It had to be now.

“I’ll keep looking at my mobile phone, so if anything happens, just call right away…”

As I said that, I carefully reached out my hand to Dogun, who was slowly getting up.

He was surprised when I suddenly grabbed him since he thought he had done everything he needed to do.

Dogun paused mid-rise.

“…Why?”

Then he looked at me, as if to ask if I had more requests…

Hearing that question made me gulp nervously.

Then I said—

“Um… Is it okay to stay with me…? Even just until Dad gets here…”

I constructed the words I had prepared, using the most delicate and fragile voice I could manage.

And then… I prayed inwardly.

‘Please…’

I hoped Dogun would nod his head, agreeing to sit back down.

Perhaps that heartfelt wish reached him.

Or maybe it was simply the power of my voice, but… Dogun, who had seemed a bit troubled for a moment, eventually returned to his chair.

“Well… alright. So you’re saying just to sit here?”

That made me… really happy.

I was so happy that my smile desperately threatened to break out uncontrollably.

But I held it back—

“…Yeah, thank you.”

I slowly nodded my head as I lay on my side.

And then, how much time passed?

An awkward silence settled in the room.

“…If there’s anything uncomfortable, just say it right away.”

Maybe it was hard for him to endure that silence.

“…Okay.”

Dogun was trying to break the silence, but unfortunately, it didn’t quite work.

And as the quiet lengthened further—

“I… I’m sorry.”

I carefully let out the words that had been bottled up inside me these past few days.

And I think that one sentence was pivotal.

Before I spoke that, my mouth had been locked tight, but once I voiced that one thing, it felt like the tension had completely vanished.

“Uh…?”

“…I’m sorry. About getting angry in front of your house last time.”

Seeing Dogun seemingly surprised by the sudden apology helped me speak naturally.

And Dogun… accepted my apology.

“Uh… well, yeah…”

But perhaps due to the abruptness of it all, he seemed a bit dazed, and his expression looked quite vacant as seen through the window.

Etching that expression into my mind, I continued with my unfinished apology.

“And… I’m sorry for prying and interrogating you too much…”

“Ah, no. I didn’t explain properly, so…”

As I continued sharing my apologies, I could sense that awkward atmosphere slowly shifting into something more relaxed.

So now, it felt like my face was getting a little itchy.

Yet, it wasn’t a bad feeling.

At least, it wasn’t for me… but perhaps for Dogun, that tingly sensation was surprisingly unfamiliar.

“Um… Speaking of which! You were sweating a lot earlier, are you feeling alright? It might be a hassle, but I think you should change into clean clothes to sleep… or even take a shower…”

Dogun quickly shifted the topic in a strangely flustered manner.