This World is too Cruel to Men – Chapter 326

“What’s up with that expression?”

What do you mean, ‘What’s up with that expression?’

Are you really asking because you don’t know?

Just a moment ago, I was literally sweating bullets, and now you’re acting all calm like that?

I knew I shouldn’t be feeling this way, but for some reason, I felt a surge of emotion.

Come to think of it, hearing that Dogun was sick was purely by chance, which made it even worse.

What if I hadn’t asked where Dogun went on the way to school this morning?

I probably would have been blissfully unaware that he was sick, just lounging around, satisfied that the exams were over.

However, now that I knew, I couldn’t just sit still, so I ended up ditching class to check on Dogun’s condition.

And the moment I faced Dogun lying on his bed with the blanket pulled up to his neck, what caught my eye was how he was drenched in cold sweat, enough to bead up next to his face.

How did I feel when I first saw that?

I was completely taken aback.

Naturally, I was wondering how sick he could be to be sweating like that.

I even thought about calling an ambulance if it got worse.

Still, despite feeling that way, I could do nothing more than use my talent to wipe his sweat… and that was because of Dogun’s left arm.

If I had just rushed him to the hospital because he was sick, I might have inadvertently revealed the secret regarding his left arm to others.

And because of those thoughts, I realized something anew.

At first glance, Dogun seemed fine, yet he was in really tough circumstances.

Now that I think about it, the only family member he could count on, Auntie, had been out of contact for months after sending a letter saying she was fine, and with his changed left arm, he could hardly go outside because of those targeting him. That was Dogun’s current situation.

Still, Dogun rarely showed his struggles.

Instead of revealing his own pain, he was busy reaching out to help others during that time.

As if he were trying to communicate to those around him that he was okay, even if just in that way.

I had been so easily fooled by Dogun’s demeanor that I hadn’t realized until now.

Just because he looks fine doesn’t mean he is actually okay.

‘There’s no way he’s alright…’

It’s a situation no human could be okay in, so how could he be?

Yet, despite being in such a situation, I thought about how he pushed himself to help those in trouble until he ended up like this… and my heart ached.

Seeing him lying on the floor in pajamas, drenched enough that it soaked through to his T-shirt, made it even more so.

“What’s up with my expression?”

“Well, it’s because you look like you’re in pain for no reason.”

“Then just don’t make a fuss about it.”

“What are you saying… do you think I wanted to feel this way?”

How should I even express how I feel right now?

I’m upset because he didn’t even send me a text saying he was in pain, even though he was sweating cold enough to drown, and I feel guilty like I caused this.

He looked good for a moment, so I thought my wiping his sweat was somewhat effective, but I’m also worried he might get worse later…

All sorts of emotions were mixed together like a dough.

And within it were chocolate chips, nuts, and dried fruits, all together, making me unsure what to call it.

One thing was for sure: I didn’t want to feel this way a second time.

To make that happen?

I’d better do well from now on.

Just because I passed the exam safely doesn’t mean I can relax and laze about.

After all, I owe it to Dogun that I managed to get through the exam by mimicking his arm’s condition.

In terms of contribution, it was at least half?

So what if Dogun hadn’t helped me?

Receiving exam materials from Baeksulhwa and studying them as a priority, or creating strategies while brainstorming with Dogun—none of those things would have happened, and I would have struggled on both the theoretical and practical parts.

Honestly, I wouldn’t be surprised if I ended up with atrocious results that didn’t even need waiting for.

That means it also says I’m still not fully qualified as a hero.

But if I don’t exert effort…

Then just like this time, Dogun would strain himself again.

If it’s Dogun, he would definitely do that.

He has that sense of responsibility.

It must have been at that very moment when my thoughts reached there.

Maybe after lying down for so long, my body felt a little stiff.

“By the way, it feels like I just had a short nap, yet school is already over… Ah, I really haven’t had a deep sleep in forever.”

With a crack, Dogun stretched out as much as he could and said that.

“What are you saying? It’s not even 12 yet?”

“…?”

When I corrected Dogun’s misunderstanding, the look he gave me seemed to ask why I was even there if that was true.

“You didn’t… ditch school, did you?”

“I didn’t! The teacher said it was fine to leave, okay?”

“Leave? Why? Are you feeling sick?”

To hear him panic about me skipping school was amusing.

“It’s not like that…”

“Then what?”

“It’s just that everyone else was being so noisy…”

“Ah…”

Of course, if he wanted to, he could have stuck it out.

Honestly, if he just holed up in the training ground, which only hero candidates could enter, half the noisy people milling about would have left him alone.

Nonetheless, he still went out of his way to tell the homeroom teacher he wanted to leave, obviously because he was worried about how I would do.

But if I told him that directly, I didn’t know how he would react, so I made that excuse instead.

‘Well… it’s not a lie, so…’

And with that, after calming down a startled Dogun successfully—

Grrroooowl—

A sound came from Dogun’s stomach.

Was he embarrassed by that fact?

“Ahem…”

He coughed lightly and turned his head slightly away.

“Why? Are you hungry?”

“Nah, it’s just… it’s lunchtime and… I need to take my medicine…”

This was the first time in a long while that I’d seen Dogun looking flustered to the point his cheeks were flushed.

I wanted to see him a bit longer, but I decided to hold back today.

After all, I couldn’t let a sick person go hungry, right?

“Then… should I make some porridge?”

That was my suggestion, but the reaction I got back was less than delightful.

“…You?”

I was just trying to be nice, so why the shock?

And it wasn’t just a regular surprise.

The short remark “You?” that slipped from Dogun’s lips was loaded with ‘You’re going to cook?’

Of course, I had been the one eating the meals he made all this time, so it made sense for him to react that way…

But his reaction made me feel a surge of emotions I couldn’t help.

Not to mention, I had actually helped out with ingredient prep from time to time.

Sure, a fancy dish might be out of reach, but I figured I could manage a porridge just fine.

‘It’s just chopping some vegetables, tossing in rice and water, and boiling it, right?’

Even adding something like tuna could make it even better.

“Umm… I think Chae-rim’s sister brought some and it should be in the fridge…”

“…But freshly made is always tastier.”

What’s more… I wanted to take this opportunity to change the image buried in Dogun’s head, ‘Yoonseo can’t cook,’ to ‘At least she can make porridge.’

And so I made up my mind to try, even if it was a stretch…

“Then go ahead and make some.”

Fortunately, I got permission quickly.

And with the landlord’s permission granted?

I had nothing to hold me back now.

“Just wait here for a moment. I’ll make it and bring it to you.”

I barely turned the corner to the kitchen when—

“Oh, right. Yoonseo.”

Just as I was about to turn back to Dogun, his voice made me stop in my tracks.

“It’s nothing much, but…”

What on earth did he plan to say with that long buildup?

Before I could dwell too much on that thought, it flowed into my ears—

“By any chance… are you free tomorrow?”