"We need a stretcher!"

Within seconds, two nurses arrived.

One checked his pulse while the other rolled a stretcher beside him.

"Notify the emergency physician."

One of the nurses picked up his phone.

The lock screen displayed an emergency contact.

She quickly dialed the number while the doctor examined him.

A few moments later, they transferred him onto the stretcher and wheeled him toward an examination room.

Meanwhile, the commotion outside the treatment room gradually settled down.

The nurse who had brought Chaerin and Joonho to the hospital glanced through the small window in the door.

Chaerin was still getting stitches.

"I'll tell her once she's done," she said quietly.

Inside the examination room, the nurses helped Joonho onto a bed.

"Blood pressure is a little low."

The doctor examined the sting marks scattered across his neck.

"No airway swelling. That's good."

A cold pack was placed against the worst sting while a nurse connected an IV line.

"We'll keep him under observation for a few hours and give him an antihistamine."

A while later, Chaerin's stitches were finally finished.

The moment she stepped into the corridor, her eyes immediately searched for Joonho.

The bench was empty.

She checked the waiting area.

Then the hallway.

Then the opposite side of the corridor.

Nothing.

She stopped a nearby nurse.

"Have you seen the guy who was sitting over there?" she asked, pointing at the bench.

The nurse shook her head.

Before Chaerin could ask anyone else, the nurse who had accompanied them earlier approached her.

"How are you feeling?"

"I'm okay."

The nurse nodded.

"I've already spoken to your mother. She knows what happened."

Chaerin sighed in relief.

"She said she won't be able to come, but she gave permission for you to leave with your friend."

Chaerin immediately asked,

"Where is he?"

The nurse hesitated.

"I wanted to tell you earlier, but you were in the middle of getting stitches."

A sinking feeling formed in Chaerin's stomach.

"What happened?"

"He was stung by quite a few bees."

"What?"

"Mostly around his chest and stomach area."

Chaerin froze.

Then a memory surfaced.

Joonho rubbing his stomach repeatedly while they walked to the hospital.

Her teasing him.

Asking if he was already hungry again.

Her face immediately crumpled.

"Oh my God."

She covered her mouth.

"That's why he kept rubbing his stomach."

The nurse nodded.

"And I made fun of him," Chaerin whispered.

"I said he was hungry."

She groaned.

"I'm the worst person ever."

The nurse gently patted her shoulder.

"Don't beat yourself up. He's been treated."

Then she smiled.

"Would you like to see him?"

"Yes."

The answer came instantly.

"Please."

The nurse led her down the corridor and opened a door.

Chaerin stepped inside.

Joonho was sitting on the bed with an IV line attached to his arm.

Several ice packs rested against his chest and stomach.

The moment he saw her, he smiled.

Then he pointed toward the medical tape covering her stitches.

"See?"

"I told you."

"You were brave."

"You got through the stitches."

Then he scratched the back of his neck awkwardly.

"Sorry I wasn't waiting outside when you came out."

Chaerin stared at him.

Then exploded.

"Because you fainted and almost got eaten alive by bees!"

Several heads turned in the hallway.

Joonho blinked.

"That's a little dramatic."

"A LITTLE?"

Tears immediately filled her eyes.

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"You could've told me when it started hurting."

"You could've told me when I thought you were hungry."

"You could've told me literally anything!"

The anger quickly dissolved into tears.

She marched over, snatched the ice pack from his hand, and repositioned it properly.

"At least hold this correctly."

Joonho watched her quietly.

The concern in her voice was impossible to miss.

Through tears, she finally asked,

"Does it still hurt?"

His expression softened.

He reached over and gently wiped the tears from her cheeks.

"Not anymore."

Then he smiled.

"I'll be okay."

Chaerin sniffled.

"Good."

She pulled a chair beside his bed.

"I'm staying here until they discharge you."

"Whether you like it or not."

Joonho laughed.

"Fair enough."

A few moments later, he looked at her.

"If you're staying that long, at least get something to eat."

"My phone died and I have no cash."

"Use my phone."

He pointed toward the chair beside the bed where his belongings had been placed.

"Just tap it at the cafeteria."

"I'll pay you back later," she said automatically.

"Don't worry about it."

Then he added,

"The PIN is six times six."

Chaerin blinked.

"Interesting."

"I know."

She grabbed his phone and headed toward the cafeteria.

While waiting in line, she unlocked the phone.

The home screen appeared.

A gallery widget sat near the top.

One of the preview photos instantly caught her attention.

It was a picture of herself petting the stray cat from earlier.

Chaerin froze.

A battle immediately started inside her head.

Should I check?

No.

Maybe just one look?

Absolutely not.

The cashier smiled awkwardly.

"How would you like to pay?"

Chaerin nearly jumped.

She had apparently been staring at the screen for an alarming amount of time.

"Oh."

She fumbled with the phone.

"Online. Sorry."

The cashier nodded.

Then smiled.

"Your skirt is really fashionable."

Chaerin glanced down at the improvised jacket skirt.

"Thank you."

A few minutes later, she returned with banana milk and sandwiches.

On the walk back, she kept thinking about the gallery.

Eventually, she shook her head.

He trusted me with his phone.

I shouldn't snoop.

She locked the screen and continued walking.

Just then, the phone started ringing.

The caller ID displayed one word.

Mom.

Chaerin hurried back to Joonho's room.

While they quietly ate their sandwiches together, she handed his phone back.

Here's your phone. "Your mom called."

Joonho nodded and unlocked the screen.

Out of habit, he swiped across the home screen.

The gallery widget appeared.

And with it—

Several photos of Chaerin.

His soul nearly left his body.

Then another horrifying realization struck him.

Chaerin might have seen them too.

Embarrassed, he immediately blurted out,

"I'll send you the photos I took today."

She looked up.

"You took photos?"

"Don't act innocent."

He turned the screen toward her.

"It's literally right here."

Chaerin glanced at it.

Then shrugged.

"I didn't see anything."

"I never opened the gallery."

Joonho studied her face.

Then nodded.

"I believe you."

Silence settled between them.

A comfortable one.

Then his phone rang again.

Mom.

"I should probably answer this."

"Of course."

He picked up.

"Are you okay?" his mother immediately asked.

"I'm fine."

"I'm sorry," she said. "I'm stuck at work and can't leave right now."

"I already spoke to the nurse."

"Your friend can accompany you home."

"They're discharging you soon."

"The swelling is improving, and your vitals are stable."

"I'm really sorry."

Joonho smiled.

"Don't worry."

"Should I send the car?"

"No need."

"It's nothing serious."

"Just make it home for dinner."

His mother laughed.

"I'll try."

After the call ended, Joonho looked at Chaerin.

"Looks like we're getting discharged."

A few minutes later, after changing back into his clothes, he handed her phone back.

"Can you take a picture for me?"

"Why?"

"You'll see."

Chaerin reluctantly agreed.

Joonho immediately pretended to faint against the bed.

Then made an exaggerated sad face.

Then another.

Then another.

Chaerin couldn't stop laughing.

A few minutes later, he uploaded one of the photos.

Keep me in your prayers. Injured but recovering 😇

Chaerin stared at him.

"You're unbelievable."

"What's wrong with having a little fun?"

Once they were discharged, they slowly walked home together.

As the evening air cooled around them, Joonho glanced over.

"Sorry we never made it to the café."

Chaerin smiled.

"Honestly?"

"Today turned out better than I imagined."

Joonho blinked.

"Better?"

"It was weird."

"Beautiful."

"Painful."

"Chaotic."

She laughed.

"And somehow much more memorable than a normal café date."

Joonho smiled.

"Fair point, but."

Then he nudged her shoulder lightly.

"I'll still take you somewhere nice next time."

"We'll reschedule."

"Deal."

A few moments later, Chaerin looked at him.

"Actually..."

"Hm?"

"Do you want to come with me to Zeon's house on Saturday?"

"The fortune-cookie guy?"

"Yes."

"He invited Aeryun and me to try some experimental batches."

Joonho's eyes lit up.

"That sounds amazing."

Then Chaerin quickly added,

"I'll have to ask him first."

"We're not close enough for me to invite people without asking."

"I get that."

Joonho grinned.

"I hope he says yes."

"I love his fortune cookies."

Eventually, they reached Chaerin's neighborhood.

Her house came first.

She stopped near the gate.

"I'll return the jackets tomorrow."

"Sounds good."

"I'll collect them after school."

Chaerin smiled.

"Thank you for today."

Joonho smiled back.

"Good night, Chaerin."

"Good night, Joonho."

Then they parted ways, both secretly smiling as they walked home.