Chapter 31: Recovery and Revelry

Health Is the Best

“Ugh…”

I’m in pain.

My whole body feels like it’s burning. And freezing.

With trembling hands, I force my weak arms to lift the blanket, pulling it up to my chin.

Cold. And hot. I’m feverish, but why am I so cold? Colds are weird. Pfft.

… Looks like I caught a bad one.

“Urgh…”

I try to get up, but my body won’t budge. When I press my hands against the bed, my strength gives out, and I collapse. It’s like my muscles aren’t listening to me.

No mystery why I’m sick. I was underdressed, got soaked in the rain—not getting sick would’ve been weirder.

I don’t even know how I got home. My last memory is being carried on Junseo’s back.

Groan.

Thinking of Junseo makes my fever spike. Embarrassment, maybe? Getting beaten up and rescued in front of a friend is pretty humiliating. Yeah.

“Ughhh…”

But I’m really hurting.

Even lying still, my muscles ache like they’re tearing, and my fever’s raging. If I poured water on myself, it’d probably boil.

“Pfft, ughhh…”

I let out a weak laugh, only to wince as sharp pain shoots through me. I flop back onto the bed.

“Haah…”

Who cares if I make weird noises? I’m alone at home.

Yeah. Alone.

No family to fuss over me or take care of me when I’m sick.

“Mom…”

Living alone has its perks and downsides.

Normally, it’s great—no family to nag me, so I can do what I want. But when I’m sick like this, having no one to help is a huge downside.

All alone, I have to endure this pain by myself.

It hurts.

It hurts.

And it’s lonely.

Today, the empty room feels hateful. So stupid.

At home, Mom would’ve brought me porridge or something, but here, sick or not, I have to get up.

I need to eat, don’t I?

But as I brace my hands on the bed, I worry. I’m trembling just lying here—can I even stand?

Hoo, deep breath…

“Ugh, cold… ugh.”

The cold air in my lungs makes me shrink. Moving my aching body triggers a jolt of muscle pain, and I collapse back onto the bed.

“Haaahhh…”

I’m like melted gum, oozing on the bed. My will to get up crumbles instantly.

I miss Mom. Dad. My brother.

Or even Junseo.

Speaking of, when’s Junseo coming?

He always shows up in the morning to restock my candy. Someone, anyone, help me. Or at least stay with me…

Mom, Dad, my brother. And…

“Jun… seo…”

“What?”

“Eek?!”

A sudden voice from beside me. I jump, my body convulsing with pain, and collapse back onto the bed.

“Urgh… Junseo?”

Trembling, I turn my head. The cold pillow, my aching neck muscles. And there…

“It’s really you…?”

A big figure. That smug face. Sitting right beside me. My barely open eyes catch a blurry glimpse of him.

“What, is there a fake me?”

“No… When did you get here…?”

“A while ago.”

One, two, three.

I count and try to sit up. Something falls in front of my dizzy vision.

“What’s… this…?”

My foggy brain takes a moment to process. Something damp, neatly folded…

“A wet towel…?”

“Don’t get up. Lie down. You look sick.”

“No, I’m totally fine—ugh!”

Junseo presses me back onto the bed. His cold hand on my shoulder startles me, and the mix of cold touch and pain makes me collapse, groaning.

“Look at your halo. Flickering like it’s about to die. Who’d believe you’re fine?”

“My halo…?”

I lift my eyelids and glance up. My usually bright yellow halo is flickering unsteadily, like it’s about to go out.

It looks not fine at all.

“No way… My precious halo…”

I polish it every day to keep it shiny…

“So lie still.”

Even if I didn’t want to, my body won’t move anyway. Junseo ignores me and starts cleaning.

“You’re cleaning?”

“Yup.”

“Why you? That’s my job…”

“What’re you gonna do in that state? With a sprained ankle, no less.”

“Ankle… Oh.”

I look down and see my ankle wrapped in bandages. I was too out of it to notice earlier.

“Just sleep. I always clean anyway.”

“Not always… Hehe.”

I cleaned once… though I messed up drying my wings…

I close my eyes, relax my muscles, and breathe steadily.

But the occasional muscle pain makes me flinch. I’m exhausted and sleepy, but the pain keeps jolting me awake.

Stuck between sleeping and waking, my mind feels tattered.

I hear Junseo cleaning nearby. The small noises feel like they’re pounding my ears. My face scrunches.

But he’s doing it for me, so I can’t complain. I can endure. I will endure.

My consciousness slips into darkness.

…

…

…

“Ughhh…”

My body shakes. Someone’s shaking me.

“Garam! Wake up—eat.”

I’m dizzy. Exhausted. Stop shaking me.

My heavy eyelids lift. Through my groggy haze, I see…

A spoon?

A spoon with something on it approaches my mouth.

It smells savory, but I have no appetite.

“Ughhh…”

I just want to sleep.

I’m sleepy, dizzy. The world’s spinning.

“Don’t wanna eat…”

“Come on, you have to. Eat and sleep.”

“Ugh…”

Drowsily, I open my mouth slightly. The spoon slips in. It’s probably porridge. I chew once or twice and swallow.

As expected, I’m too weak to taste anything. But the spoon keeps coming.

Chomp chomp.

Gulp.

I force myself to eat, glaring at Junseo, the culprit.

Stare—

Chomp chomp.

Gulp.

Stare—

… Chomp chomp.

After a few more bites, the spoon stops. Hehe. I win.

I close my eyes, lie back, and let sleep take over. Then I hear:

“Want a candy?”

Candy.

I love it, but… I’m not in the mood.

“No… Not now…”

“… Really?”

“Yup…”

No more voices.

Can I sleep now?

My breathing slows. My chest rises and falls steadily. Then, a sweet scent near my nose.

… Candy?

“Mmph!”

Eyes still closed, I lift my head toward the scent, mouth open. Something sweet enters, along with whatever’s holding it.

I suck on the candy, rolling it with my tongue, melting it. Sweetness, mixed with an odd salty taste.

The thing holding the candy pulls away. The candy rolls fully into my mouth.

“Delish…”

Even sick, I can eat candy. A major discovery.

I swallow, savoring the lingering sweetness.

As I drift off, something big and cool touches my forehead. Rough, cold…

“Mmm…”

Feels nice.

I lift my head slightly, rubbing my cheek against it. My burning cheeks cool, and it feels good.

Soon, the big thing pulls away. I sigh, missing its touch.

My consciousness sinks into darkness. My senses fade. The last thing I feel is a hand stroking my head.

Cool, big.

Nice.

“More… keep stroking…”

I mumble something, unheard, and fall into sleep.

“Garam Lee, revived!”

The next day, I’m fully recovered. My halo shines brightly, my wings spread energetically.

What happened yesterday?

I was so sick, I barely remember. All I recall is a candy rolling into my mouth.

Hmm.

Nothing major happened, right?

I feel great. Mood’s up. Health is the best.

I swing my arms and legs. Flap, flap. Not sounds from my mouth.

I stretch my arms out, lift one leg, striking a fighting cock pose, ready to soar.

Flap!

“What’re you doing?”

“Wah!!”

My brother’s voice from behind startles me. I lose balance, my pose collapsing. My face flushes with embarrassment.

“W-When did you get here?!”

“This morning. Mom heard you were sick and sent me.”

“You could’ve told me!”

“I did.”

I check my phone—yup, there’s a message.

“Anyway, your big bro came all this way because he was worried. Don’t you think it’s time to call me ‘oppa’?”

“Nope, get out!”

I push him toward the door.

Clunk!*

The door shuts.

…

Anyway.

Health really is the best.

—

Side Story Title: Recovery and Revelry

This concludes the side story. Let me know if you want a different title, edits, or further translation! I’m tracking the characters (Garam Lee, Junseo Kim, Kanghyuk Park, Min-jae Seo, Jimin, Jisoo Moon, Kang-hyeok Woo, Hyeyeon) and adhering to the style guide.

Would you like me to generate a chart summarizing key events or character interactions in this side story? If so, please specify what data to include (e.g., timeline of events, character emotions, etc.).