Chapter 3

Chapter 003. This Was My Spot, Right?

“So, Chae Ah will be staying at our place for a while.”

Before leaving the hospital with Chae Ah,

I called Mother and gave her a brief summary of the situation.

– What happened…? Haa… Alright, I understand.

I could picture Mother pressing her temples in frustration.

Her voice carried an undertone of deep fatigue as she continued,

– Let me talk to Chae Ah’s mother. Take good care of her for now. I’ll be returning next month, so we’ll see each other then.

“Yes. Please go ahead.”

Click.

That was it—both sets of parents agreed far too easily.

Even though we’re both adults, living under one roof shouldn’t have been this readily approved.

With that thought in mind, as I returned to the hospital room,

“You’re here?”

Chae Ah turned her head toward Hyun Woo, who had been gazing out the window.

Instead of her usual emotionless expression masking her feelings,

she wore a bright smile, like a puppy greeting its owner.

“Uh… but you…”

“Hm?”

“No, never mind.”

Hyun Woo hesitated to ask why Chae Ah was grinning so widely—it felt a little strange.

“I got your medication, let’s go soon.”

“Ah, thank you.”

As Hyun Woo helped Chae Ah rise slowly,

“Ow…”

An audible groan escaped Chae Ah’s lips.

“Are you okay? Do you want me to carry you?”

Hyun Woo was ready to scoop her up immediately, but…

“No, I think I can walk.”

Chae Ah shook her head firmly while gripping Hyun Woo’s arm tightly.

“…If it hurts, tell me. Don’t hold it in.”

“Mm-hmm. I’m really fine.”

With a worried look on his face, Hyun Woo left the hospital.

On the way home, walking slowly in sync,

‘She seems better than when she first woke up.’

While observing her condition,

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

Chae Ah tilted her head in curiosity.

Judging the moment appropriate, Hyun Woo asked,

“Do you really not remember anything?”

This was something he’d been curious about since earlier. Chae Ah had clearly stated she couldn’t recall events before or after the accident—not even how she woke up this morning.

‘Did she forget everything, including my confession attempt?’

He wanted to know where her memory began and ended.

“Yeah. Everything except you.”

“Do you remember what we did?”

“Not very clearly… but faintly, I think.”

“…I see.”

Hyun Woo barely managed to suppress a bitter sigh. On one hand, they didn’t need to rebuild memories from scratch, which should be a relief. But on the other, it saddened him that such a pivotal moment had been interrupted by the accident.

“When I try to remember… Ugh.”

“Hey! Stop trying so hard!”

Chae Ah swayed, clutching her head.

Hyun Woo quickly stopped her. Though he wished she’d regain her memories sooner rather than later, it wasn’t fair to push someone who just went through an accident today.

“Ugh…”

“Are you alright? Should we go back to the hospital?”

“No, no. Just… hug me.”

“What…?”

“Hurry up.”

Just as Hyun Woo failed to comprehend her sudden request,

Plop.

Chae Ah embraced him.

Their proximity was overwhelming. The warmth radiating from her entire body. The softness that pressed against him—it reminded him of their first meeting, making him freeze in place.

“Phew…”

“What exactly are you doing?”

“It feels like my headache is subsiding a bit…”

And with that, Chae Ah buried her face into Hyun Woo’s chest.

Her warm breath tickled his chest.

“Hey… People are staring.”

Indeed, people had already begun glancing at them. Their striking appearances alone drew attention, and with Chae Ah having a cast on her limbs and clinging onto Hyun Woo, it was only natural.

Though embarrassed by the stares,

“Does this make you feel better?”

“Yeah…”

Her breathing gradually relaxed. If hugging her truly alleviated her headache, then regardless of others’ gazes, he would do it.

‘This must be the first time since elementary school.’

Hyun Woo held Chae Ah close and patted her back gently, waiting until her headache subsided. He thought back to middle school when puberty hit—they had started avoiding physical contact altogether. Back then, even a simple touch would cause them to jump around energetically.

Of course, that didn’t mean things were different now. If anything, being this close after so long made it worse. As he adjusted his posture to avoid involuntary muscle reactions,

“Phew… I’m fine now.”

Chae Ah stepped away from his embrace.

The warmth that had enveloped his entire body dissipated, replaced by the cold winter breeze, which brought a wave of self-reproach.

‘Why am I acting like this toward a wounded person? I’m not some wild animal.’

Shaking his head vigorously to clear his thoughts, Hyun Woo tried to refocus.

“Don’t try to remember anything today. Just rest at home.”

“Alright.”

Chae Ah smiled faintly—an open, unguarded expression she rarely showed anyone but Hyun Woo.

“Shall we head back?”

Hyun Woo quickly supported Chae Ah and resumed walking. Although reacting to every small detail and feeling flustered seemed foolish, he decided to bring her home and let her rest as soon as possible.

“Chae Ah.”

“What?”

“Aren’t we getting too close?”

There was something bothering him. As much as he wanted to ignore it,

“Does it bother you?”

“No, it doesn’t bother me… but…”

The soft fatty mass pressing against his arm since earlier kept drawing his attention despite his efforts to ignore it. The sensation grew more vivid with every passing moment.

“You’ve been touching me since earlier.”

After releasing the hug, Chae Ah naturally stayed close, showing no intention of moving further away.

Blinking innocently, Chae Ah replied,

“I’m just expressing gratitude.”

“Huh?”

“Because I thought you’d like it.”

“…You seem a bit off today. Are you sure you’re alright?”

“Oh, we’re here. Let’s hurry inside. My legs hurt.”

Ignoring Hyun Woo’s question, Chae Ah limped inside ahead of him.

Ding dong ding dong.

Listening to the sound of her effortlessly entering the password, Hyun Woo mulled over her words.

‘Did she do that intentionally?’

Though they both knew they liked each other, Chae Ah wasn’t usually this forward. Had she confessed earlier, they might have already progressed to lovers.

Was this also a result of the accident? He was confused.

“Why aren’t you coming in? Aren’t you going to help me?”

Chae Ah peeked out from behind the door.

“Alright, I’m coming in.”

Even as he entered, Hyun Woo couldn’t untangle his complicated emotions.

‘Does losing her memory mean her feelings remain unchanged?’

* * *

By the time they arrived home, it was already past 8 PM.

Due to Chae Ah’s slow pace, the journey home took longer than expected.

“Hey, dinner’s here.”

“Huh? What did you order?”

Upon entering, Chae Ah sprawled out on the couch, perking up instantly.

“I ordered it earlier. You need to eat before taking your medicine.”

It seemed the delivery timing worked perfectly.

When Hyun Woo brought out the food,

Disappointment clouded Chae Ah’s eyes upon seeing the contents.

“Why porridge when my stomach isn’t upset?”

“You’re a patient. We need to be careful.”

Although visibly dissatisfied, Chae Ah still muttered,

“Thank you. I’ll eat well.”

Gently accepting the vegetable porridge, she didn’t refuse the meal Hyun Woo had thoughtfully ordered for her.

“But I don’t have any dexterity…”

After opening the lid and attempting to grab the spoon,

Chae Ah stared blankly at Hyun Woo.

Then,

“Aahh.”

She opened her mouth instead of picking up the spoon—a clear request.

“Wouldn’t using your left hand work just fine?”

Hyun Woo raised a reasonable question, but…

“…Aahh.”

Chae Ah ignored him, keeping her mouth open.

Though she was usually bold, this level of audacity was new. Since feeding a patient wasn’t overly difficult,

“Phew.”

Hyun Woo blew on the porridge before feeding it to her.

“Hmm…”

Still too hot, Chae Ah rolled it around in her mouth before managing to swallow.

“How is it?”

“It tastes bad.”

“Porridge is like that. Bear with it.”

“Alright…”

After finishing the evening meal where Hyun Woo fed Chae Ah like a baby bird, and ensuring she took all her prescribed medication,

“Hyun Woo.”

“What?”

“What should I do now?”

Chae Ah posed an unexpected question.

“You should wash up and sleep. What else?”

“Already? It’s only 9 PM.”

“You’re a patient. You need to rest.”

“But I’m not tired because I already slept earlier.”

“That wasn’t sleeping; it was unconsciousness.”

“Isn’t that similar?”

Chae Ah continued circling around her point, unwilling to directly state her desires—a habit that remained even with her memory loss.

“What do you want that you’re beating around the bush?”

“I’ll tell you if you promise not to get mad.”

“I’ll get mad, so don’t say it.”

“…”

Chae Ah fell silent momentarily, silently mouthing words,

“Would you scold a patient?”

She suddenly brought up a valid point.

Seeing her revert to her usual shameless yet straightforward demeanor,

Hyun Woo nodded slightly.

“Fine, I’ll listen.”

“I want to play games…”

“No.”

He cut her off sharply.

“But I haven’t finished speaking…”

“How can a patient play games? You can’t even use your right hand. And do you even remember playing games?”

“Not exactly… but I remember playing with you.”

“…This is really strange.”

If she hadn’t completely forgotten her parents, he would’ve suspected her memory loss was fake.

“Anyway, what’s forbidden is forbidden. Wash up and sleep properly.”

“But our vacation is almost over. Isn’t it wasteful to lose a day like this?”

True.

Winter break for second year was nearing its end. Once third year started, free time would become scarce. This was likely their last real chance to have fun.

Hyun Woo prepared his confession for the same reason—timing would only get harder to find otherwise.

“What if you get sick again while gaming? What would I become then? How would I face the aunt who entrusted you to me?”

“What about tomorrow?”

“We’ll see based on your condition. For today, rest.”

“…Alright.”

In the end, Chae Ah backed down first.

“Since the uncle gave us a waterproof cover, use that and take a shower.”

“It’s inconvenient. Can you help me?”

“No. I’m going to shower too.”

“Che…”

Listening to Chae Ah’s muttering,

Hyun Woo maintained his composure and fled to the bathroom in the living room.

‘Why is she acting like this?’

Despite showing no signs of embarrassment, Chae Ah kept getting closer without hesitation. One thing was certain—something had changed since she lost her memory.

* * *

After finishing his shower and returning to the room,

Swoosh.

Hyun Woo accidentally dropped the towel he was holding.

“What are you doing there?”

“Hm?”

Apparently, Chae Ah had just finished her shower too. Her hair was still damp, exuding moisture.

That wasn’t the issue.

“What do you mean ‘what’? That’s my bed.”

Chae Ah sat casually on the bed,

wearing only one of Hyun Woo’s oversized dress shirts that didn’t fit her frame.

“This was my spot, right?”

“…Never?”

At a loss for where to look, Hyun Woo promptly covered Chae Ah’s exposed lower half with a blanket. Seeing his childhood friend, the girl he liked, wearing only his shirt and sitting on the bed was too stimulating.

“And what’s with that outfit? Why are you exposing so much skin?”

“I’m covering what I can.”

Chae Ah flapped the sleeves that extended beyond her hands in protest.

“After showering, I couldn’t find anything to wear, so I just grabbed whatever was visible.”

“Ah.”

Only then did Hyun Woo realize—he had forgotten to bring her a change of clothes in his rush to escape earlier.

“Wait. I’ll bring you something right away.”

“It’s hard to change. Can’t I just sleep like this?”

“Absolutely not.”

How could he stay calm in the same space as a childhood friend wearing nothing but his shirt, especially the girl he intended to confess to today?

Even Buddha himself wouldn’t be able to resist such temptation.

Ding Dong-

“Auntie, Chae Ah doesn’t have a change of clothes because I forgot… “

Without wasting another moment, Hyun Woo rushed to the neighboring house and rang the doorbell.