Because It's You - Hwang Inyeop

Five

Hee-soon woke up feeling thirsty. Even though her body feels heavy from the flu, she decided to change into her pajamas and went out of her room. She smells something and when she went to the kitchen, she saw her pot on top of the stove which is on. Just as when she looks around to check who is in her apartment, In-youp got out of the room he always uses. It seems like he just took a shower for he is drying his hair with a towel.

"You're awake," he said and went to the kitchen to check what he is cooking.

"I thought you already left," Hee-soon said as she followed In-youp to the kitchen. "What are you cooking?" She asked in her husky voice. Her throat starts to hurt now and she thinks she'll have a cough anytime soon.

"Porridge," he simply answered. After stirring the porridge, he turned to look at her and placed his palm on her forehead to check her temperature. "You're still burning up. Have you checked your temperature using a thermometer?" He asked as he got a small bowl from the cabinet. "Sit," he commanded her to sit on the kitchen stool.

She complied with what he said. "I did before going out of my room. Does your manager know you are here?" She asked. He placed the bowl of porridge he prepared in front of her and handed her a spoon.

"I called him earlier and told him I'll be sleeping here tonight," he said as he watches the girl eat. He then got a glass of water and placed it near her bowl of porridge.

"Doesn't your manager get mad whenever you sleep here? I mean you are an actor and if anyone knows you sometimes sleep at a friend's place for sure it will cause a stir," she said as she tries to finish the porridge even though it is hard for her to swallow. She knows In-youp made a lot of effort to prepare the soup knowing that he doesn't cook for himself. "It is actually amazing how no one still caught you going in and out of my apartment."

"You don't have to worry about that. I always make sure to be careful," he said and removed a speck of dirt from the girl's hair. "When was the last time you washed your hair?" He teased as he showed him the dirt he got.

"That did not come from my scalp! I wash my hair every day," she said with irritation. "Don't get me started right now. I don't even have the energy to argue with you." She finished the porridge and drank the water In-youp got for her. When she's done, In-youp cleaned up for her and washed the dishes she used.

"Just leave it there. I'll wash it later," she insisted but In-youp just continued what he is doing. She did not insist anymore and just stood up to get herself another glass of water and medicine. She leaned her back on the kitchen counter near the sink and stared at In-youp with the glass in her hand. She's amazed at how they always find ways to be with each other when they needed each other. She sometimes hates herself for putting meaning into the actions In-youp shows her. She doesn't want to be delusional and always reminds herself that he does those things because she is very close to him, that he is already comfortable around her.

In-youp is almost done with the dishes when he felt Hee-soon staring at her. He placed the bowl he washed on the dish rack, leaned his left hand on the sink facing her, and stared at her as well. He sweetly smiled at her. "What's with that look? Are you touched that I stayed by your side while you're sick?"

Hee-soon did not answer and just continued staring at In-youp. Her heart starts to beat fast with just him staring at her like that. It pains her to think that his actions will never have more meaning than just being friends. It's frustrating for her to admit but yes, Hee-soon has feelings for the guy which she can never let go of even though how hard she tries.

"Since your hands are already wet, wash this as well," she said and placed the glass she used in the sink. She then walked to the living room and turned the television on.

"You, brat!" In-youp said but washed the glass eventually with a smile on his face. Once he is done, he sat beside Hee-soon who is watching a documentary. Since Hee-soon's feelings are unstable right now, her body instantly reacted and moved to the far end of the sofa. That did not escape In-youp's eyes. He mushed his eyebrows, obviously not liking what the girl did.

"You might catch flu as well. It's better to keep our distance for the time being," Hee-soon reasoned out when she noticed the scowl on In-youp's face. To her shock, he pulled her close to him again and wrapped his arm around her shoulder.

"Since when did you distance yourself from me when you are sick?" He said as he focused his eyes on the television. "Also, your flu never affected me. However sick you are and even though I always stick myself to you, I never catch flu. That's how healthy I am," he proudly said. He grabbed the remote and flipped through channels.

"Hey, I was watching," she argued to distract herself from what she is feeling from being this close to the guy. She doesn't know why of all the time she could feel awkward, why now? They are always this close to each other but she never lets her feelings betray her. Tonight is different. She feels different tonight.

In-youp did not answer and just continued changing the channel. She did not argue with him anymore and just focused on how she will stop her heart from beating so fast. After flipping through channels, he decided to watch a drama she had never watched before. He placed the remote down and focused on watching.

"Even though how many times I tried to remind myself not to have feelings for you, I can't. How can I control what I feel when I have already felt this from the start?" The lead lady said in the drama. Dang! Of all the dramas they have to watch right now, why this? What the lead actress said perfectly describes what Hee-soon feels.

"I know we are friends but I can't help it," the lead actress starts to cry. "My heart just starts to feel stuffy and I want to ease the heaviness that I feel. Don't worry, I am not asking for a response from you." The lead actress then started to walk away. The scene from the drama made her reflect on what she feels. Until when can she suppress what she feels for him?

"What will you do if that happens to you?" She doesn't want to ask but she wants to know what he thinks. She starts to feel nervous as she waits for his answer. When In-youp did not respond, she looks up at him and saw him staring at her.

"What if you happen to know that I have feelings for you?" She suddenly blurted out what's in her mind. Both of them looked at each other and did not say anything after. Hee-soon's heart starts to feel heavy when In-youp did not answer. She thought that In-youp's unresponsiveness to the question means he just sees her as his friend and that he doesn't want to hurt her feelings which is the reason why he is not talking.

"What nonsense am I talking about?" Hee-soon let out an awkward laugh and stood up. "It was just a random question, you don't have to answer that," she said as she turned to him.

"Hee-soon," In-youp softly called her name which made her feel more anxious.

"I still feel dizzy. I need to go to the office tomorrow so I have to rest now," she said and went inside her room. She leaned her back on her door as soon as she closed it. She places her hand on her chest where her heart is located, closed her eyes, and tried to calm herself.

"Why do you have to ask that? You're an idiot, Yun Hee-soon," she whispered to herself. She remembers the look on In-youp's face earlier and she feels her heart being squeezed from pain. She felt her tears flow down her cheeks and her knees start to wobble which caused her to sit on the floor. She buried her face in her palms and quietly cried.