The World Is Cruel to Us 💎 yungi [▶]

16

On the eighth day of high school, it was the first time Mingi didn't find Yuna when he went to pick her up from her classroom. He asked Yuna's female classmates who usually accompany her in class, and they replied that Yuna had been taken to the health room two hours ago. Mingi was shocked and worried to hear this. What happened to Yuna? He asked them again.

Instead of answering directly, the girls exchanged glances, hesitant to respond. This only increased Mingi's concern. But since he was Yuna's closest friend here, he felt responsible and needed to know the condition of the girl.

"Uh ... Yuna ..." one girl with round glasses seemed hesitant to inform Mingi, yet on the other hand, she was also uncertain.

"Flowering time, you know?" the girl with the dyed blonde hair and somewhat eccentric makeup finally mustered the courage to answer decisively. Her statement earned her a nudge from the other girls. They weren't sure if they should tell Mingi about this. "What? He asked, we should answer, right?" she defended her action.

Mingi didn't understand what the blonde girl was talking about. His forehead furrowed. "What did you say?"

"I said flowering time. Little did I know you have no idea about that, do you?"

"Yeah, what does that mean?"

"It means she's suffering from menstrual cramps," the girl with blue contact lenses said, having previously nudged her friend who answered. She didn't think it was appropriate to discuss a girl's monthly issues with a boy. So she answered that way. She didn't expect Mingi to understand immediately; she just hoped it was enough to answer his question.

"Why is that?"

"Just go and see her there. You'll find out the answer yourself," the girl with glasses said.

"By the way, we offered to stay with her there, but she refused. She asked us to just attend our classes and have lunch peacefully. She also said she would join us later when she feels better."

The blonde girl explained this to clarify, not wanting Mingi to misunderstand and think they were the kind of friends who would leave their sick friend alone in the health room. And indeed, Mingi had thought exactly that if not for the blonde girl explaining.

"Alright. Thank you. I will go to the health room now." After his last sentence, Mingi smiled and hurried away, leaving them and Yuna's classroom.

"Eh, Song Mingi is quite handsome, huh?" the girl with glasses remarked. She smiled to herself, unable to take her eyes off Mingi until the young man had completely disappeared behind the door.

"What are you talking about? Clearly, he’s already taken," the blue-eyed girl reminded, in case her friend forgot that Mingi was with Yuna.

"So what? Does complimenting someone mean wanting to date them?"

"But if you had the chance, wouldn't you?" the blonde girl teased the girl with glasses. She smiled meaningfully at her, with a remarkably annoying expression as if she knew it all. Which, in reality, was true.

"Oh, of course, I would."

"Besides, Yuna herself said that they are just friends," the blonde girl added, provoking.

"True. Well then, I will give him chocolate on Valentine’s Day. Ask him to be my valentine and also invite him out on a date. I could also ask Yuna to set us up."

"That is if Yuna is willing. You know, many people don’t allow their close friends to date just anyone. Because they only want the best for their best friends," the blue-eyed girl said, not intending to be unsupportive but just pointing out that they couldn’t just casually ask someone out.

"Am I just anyone?" The girl with glasses pouted, but then the three of them laughed together. They continued chatting about other things, of course. It was 2015, and a boy band from their country, known as BTS, was rising in popularity. So they spent time fangirling together, discussing the talents of their idols, how handsome they were, and so on.

In the health room, Mingi went straight to find Yuna behind the white curtain that served as a partition, after getting permission from the nurse. He saw Yuna with her eyes closed, seemingly asleep under a thin blanket covering her up to her waist. But Mingi did not see peace on Yuna's face. She seemed to be in pain.

Feeling anxious, Mingi took one of Yuna’s hands and held it. It felt cold and warm at the same time. Her hand was smaller than his, with slender fingers. The surface was somewhat rough; Mingi was sure it was from Yuna helping her mother with household chores. Mingi gently rubbed Yuna’s fingers with his thumb.

The nurse had just informed Mingi that Yuna had fainted in her class a few hours ago. The math teacher, who happened to be teaching Yuna's class at that time, helped carry Yuna to the health room.

During the class change, Yuna's three friends checked if she had regained consciousness. And indeed, she had. They offered to stay with her and watch over her, but Yuna said she would be fine and asked them to study well and have a peaceful lunch.

It turned out that what they told Mingi about what Yuna said to them was true. They were indeed good, honest, sincere, and trustworthy friends.

Feeling someone holding her hand, Yuna opened her eyes. Her breathing sounded unusual. Her forehead furrowed as she felt and endured the pain. She turned to see Mingi sitting on the chair next to her bed, smiling but also worried.

"Mingi ..." the voice that came from Yuna's thin lips sounded weak. As if she had no strength, although Mingi knew Yuna never skipped her breakfast.

"Yes, Yuna. I'm here. How are you feeling now?"

Yuna rubbed the lower part of her abdomen with her other hand that wasn't being held, and suddenly tears started to fall.

"Yuna?!"

"I can't lie about this. It really hurts. It feels like someone is tearing my stomach from the inside."

"Oh my God, that's awful. What actually happened to you? Wait a moment, I'll call the nurse for you." Mingi was about to get up from his chair but hesitated when Yuna's hand grip tightened.

"No, don't. It's okay."

"What's okay? You clearly said that what you're feeling is very painful. Do you think I’m okay seeing you like this?"

"I've taken medicine, but maybe it hasn't kicked in yet. Can I ask you to do something for me? If it’s not too much trouble."

"Oh, of course, Yuna. What do you need? I’ll get it for you."

Yuna unconsciously smiled, momentarily forgetting her pain. Then, when she realized it, she grimaced again. "Please get me a heat pack."

"Wait a minute. Are you cold?"

"No, it's for my stomach."

"Will that make you better?"

"I can’t guarantee it, but it might make me feel a bit better."

"Oh, alright then. Wait a moment. I’ll ask the nurse for it."