After school, Yn walked towards Jungkook's place.
Both houses were in the same Busan neighborhood, around ten minutes apart.
I came here before… but I never noticed him properly then, she thought.
When she reached his gate, she hesitated.
Should she ring the bell?
Before she could decide, his older brother opened the door.
"Oh! You're Yn, right? Jungkook's classmate?"
Yn nodded politely.
"Yes. Ma'am asked me to give today's notes."
He smiled warmly.
"He's inside. Come in for a minute."
Yn stepped inside, awkward but composed.
Jungkook was lying on the couch, wrapped in a blanket, hair messy, eyes half closed.
He looked nothing like his usual strong, stubborn self.
He looks… small today, Yn thought, surprised.
He opened his eyes slowly and blinked at her.
"Yn…?"
His voice was rough and tired.
Yn cleared her throat and held out the notebook.
"Here. Class notes. Ma'am told me to bring."
Jungkook struggled to sit up, coughing lightly.
"You didn't have to come all the way…"
"It's fine," she said quickly. "I was coming this side anyway."
(Which was a lie, but she didn't want him to know she actually made effort.)
Jungkook squinted at her.
"You could have given it to Taesung. He lives closer."
Yn folded her arms.
"Ma'am told me to do it. Why are you arguing even when sick?"
He blinked, then softly laughed,
"Because that's… normal for us."
Yn rolled her eyes. "Whatever."
But she didn't leave immediately.
There was a small silence.
Jungkook stared at the notes and sighed.
"Thanks… seriously."
Yn shifted awkwardly.
"No need to thank me. Just get well soon. We have a quiz."
He looked up at her, eyes tired but warm.
"You'll handle it. You always do."
Yn didn't know why, but her heart skipped, just for a second.
Not romantically — more like surprise.
She covered it by changing topic.
"Drink hot water. And take medicine on time. Don't act hero like yesterday."
Jungkook smiled faintly.
"You're scolding me like my mom."
Yn scoffed. "Then listen."
As she reached the door, Jungkook called softly:
"Yn…?"
She turned.
"Hm?"
He hesitated.
"Thanks for… checking on me yesterday. And today."
Yn shrugged.
"I didn't do anything special."
"But it meant something," Jungkook said quietly.
For a second, Yn didn't have a comeback.
She nodded once and stepped out of the house.
Walking home, her mind was full.
Why does he say things like that?
Does he mean it?
Or is he joking again?
She couldn't figure it out.
But one thing was clear:
This rivalry had started turning into something… deeper.
Not romantic — but meaningful.
Jungkook came back to school the next day, still coughing lightly but looking much better.
As soon as he entered the classroom, everyone reacted.
"Yah, Jungkook! You survived?" Taesung joked.
Jungkook rolled his eyes, "Obviously. I'm not that weak."
Yn was writing something in her notebook, pretending not to notice him.
But she did notice.
His voice.
His walk.
His tired eyes.
She didn't show it though.
As soon as Jungkook sat down, Sol Hee rushed to him.
"Omg Jungkook, are you okay now? Are you still having fever?"
Her voice was overly sweet.
Jungkook nodded politely.
"Just cold. I'm fine."
Then Sol Hee opened her bag and took out a small packet.
"This is ginger candy. It helps with coughing. Take it!"
Yn paused.
Ginger candy? Seriously?
Then Sol Hee took out a water bottle and placed it on his desk.
"Drink warm water. You shouldn't drink cold water at all."
Yn's eyebrow twitched.
Is she his personal nurse now?
Jungkook looked a little embarrassed.
"Ah… thanks Sol Hee, but really—"
"No no, take it! You get sick so easily."
Yn muttered under her breath,
"He's not a baby…"
But Jungkook heard her.
He glanced at Yn instantly.
Jungkook turned slightly and asked quietly,
"You said something?"
Yn didn't look up.
"No."
But he kept staring, waiting.
She finally looked at him, annoyed.
"I said nothing. Focus on your ginger candy."
Jungkook raised an eyebrow, half amused.
"Why does it sound like you're irritated?"
Yn scoffed.
"I'm not."
But her tone said the opposite.
Sol Hee, unaware of the tension, kept fussing over him.
"Did you take your medicine in the morning? Did you eat breakfast?"
Yn closed her notebook a little harder than necessary.
Why is she behaving like he's her boyfriend?
Taesung came and sat beside Yn.
"You're unusually quiet today."
Yn replied flatly,
"I'm fine."
Taesung leaned closer.
"You don't seem fine."
Yn stared at her pen.
"Just… noisy morning."
Taesung followed her gaze toward Sol Hee and Jungkook.
He smirked slightly.
"Ah… that type of noise."
Yn shot him a sharp look.
"Don't start."
Taesung chuckled softly,
"I won't say anything. Not my problem."
But he knew the truth.
While the teacher prepared the textbook, Jungkook turned toward Yn and called her in a low voice:
"Yn."
She didn't respond.
"Yn."
She still pretended not to hear.
So he tapped her desk lightly with his pen.
Tok.
Yn glared at him.
"What?"
He handed her the ginger candy Sol Hee gave him.
"Take this."
She blinked.
"What? Why?"
Jungkook shrugged.
"You look like you need it."
Yn narrowed her eyes.
"I don't want it. Keep it."
Jungkook leaned slightly forward.
"So you're angry?"
Yn looked away.
"No."
He smirked softly.
"You're definitely angry."
Yn whispered sharply,
"Why would I be angry? It's not my problem who takes care of you."
Jungkook tilted his head.
"You sound jealous."
Yn choked on her own breath.
"What?! In your dreams."
Jungkook coughed lightly, amused.
"Then why were you staring at us?"
Yn felt heat rise on her face.
"I wasn't staring! I was checking if you were still alive because you cough like a tractor."
Jungkook bit his lip to hide his smile.
"Tractor, really?"
"Yes. You sounded like one."
Sol Hee leaned between them suddenly.
"What happened? Yn, do you also need ginger candy?"
Yn forced a polite smile.
"No thank you. I don't need it."
Sol Hee nodded cheerfully.
"Okay! If Jungkook needs anything, tell me. I'll get it!"
Yn's fake smile dropped the moment Sol Hee walked away.
Jungkook whispered,
"You're definitely annoyed."
Yn glared at him again.
"Focus on your ginger-nurse."
Jungkook laughed silently, shaking his head.