"I'm just glad you didn't break your foot." Areum sits on the bed next to you and you sigh, staring at your bandaged foot which is elevated on a few pillows.
The throbbing pain has subsided a bit since you got to the hospital, but the discomfort and frustration still linger.
You hate staying in the hospital and you hate not being able to move freely even more. "I was just trying to learn to skateboard and now I have to hobble around on crutches. We have an important project at work."
Shaking your head in frustration, you can't help but let out a frustrated sigh. You've been looking forward to that project, and now you can't even be there to contribute properly.
"It's okay, we'll figure things out, and your team will understand. Your health comes first."
You lean back against the pillows, running a hand through your hair as you take a deep breath. "I know you're right. It's just frustrating to be sidelined like this."
Areum is silent for a moment before she bursts into laughter, making you stare at her with an are-you-serious expression. "Why were you even trying to learn to skateboard in the first place? Did you suddenly decide you were a rebellious teenager again?"
"You know, midlife crisis and all that." You roll your eyes, knowing very well that this is all because of him. Nishimura Riki, your annoying neighbor. He's been getting under your skin since you moved into the neighborhood, and it was his dare that led you to the skateboard in the first place.
Areum grins, leaning in with curiosity. "Midlife crisis? That's a bit dramatic, don't you think?"
"He's infuriating, okay? When he bet that I couldn't learn to skateboard, my pride got the best of me." You say sulkily, leaning back further into the pillows. "I thought it would be a piece of cake, but well, here I am."
"So, all of this is because of a dare from your charming neighbor?"
"Charming?" You scoff, raising an eyebrow. "That's not exactly the word I would use."
Her laughter is contagious, and soon you find yourself chuckling along with her. It's a relief to have a friend like Areum who can lighten the mood even when you're frustrated and stuck in bed.
Eventually, she decides to leave because she has an early morning meeting the next day. You thank her for dropping by and helping to alleviate your boredom.
And a few minutes later, the annoying neighbor himself decides to make an appearance. Nishimura Riki stands there, leaning against the doorframe, a lopsided grin on his face that you simultaneously find irritating and oddly attractive.
"Hey there, neighbor," He greets with a wink. "How's the ankle?"
You roll your eyes at his nonchalant entrance. "Still attached to my leg. Why are you here?"
He smiles, stepping further into the room as he greets the other occupant. He's annoying but he's still a gentleman when it counts, you suppose.
"Is he your boyfriend?" The patient next to you asks and you stop yourself from rolling your eyes at him because he's an old man.
"He's just-" You try to speak but Niki stands in front of you, hiding you from the old man.
"Yes, I'm her boyfriend. Nice to meet you." He extends his hand and shakes the man's, clearly amused by the whole situation. "You see, my girlfriend was trying to rescue a stray cat from a tree, and she fell. I've been crying for the whole day."
The old man chuckles and nods in satisfaction while you try not to kill Niki right there. "Oh you poor thing, you're lucky to have such a caring boyfriend."
