Chapter 19: The Constant of Integration

Chapter 19: The Constant of Integration

“The school nurse isn’t here... I’ll go look for some bandages, so you just sit here, Han-gyeol.”

My ankle was actually fine; did I lie for no reason?

But if I had told Eun-ha that my ankle wasn’t hurt, she probably wouldn’t have supported me, so I just went along with it.

I felt a bit guilty for lying to Eun-ha, but it was a necessary evil.

She suddenly grabbed my hand and looked concerned when she heard about it.

At that moment, any pain in my wrist disappeared, and my previously calm heart started pounding like crazy.

Honestly, it was a fairly reasonable lie.

“Here’s a bandage! Han-gyeol, ankles are a bit tricky to bandage well, should we look for an air bandage?”

“Ah- Thanks. But I think my ankle feels better now. I don’t feel any issues walking.”

“Really? Can you walk?”

“Yeah. I’m genuinely fine now. Can you give me the bandage?”

“You hurt your wrist, right? You probably can’t apply it well, so let me do it for you. Give me your wrist.”

“Ah- Sure, please go ahead.”

Eun-ha carefully grabbed my left arm.The roots of this story extend from novell bìn origin.

I was wondering what if I smelled like sweat, but Eun-ha conscientiously applied the bandage.

My heart fluttered again, watching Eun-ha meticulously put the bandage on my wrist.

I was nervous in case she might heard my heart pounding.

“Be a bit more careful next time you play basketball. Though it wasn’t really your fault, Han-gyeol.”

“I should be. Sorry for making you worry, Eun-ha~”

As I spoke with a mischievous tone, Eun-ha playfully slapped my back.

“Ouch! That hurts, Eun-ha! I am technically a patient, you know.”

“I shouldn’t have worried. I thought you had a serious collision, but you’re fine.”

“Now it’s not my wrist, but my back that hurts.”

“Shh...! Want another slap?”

What was this? I felt good even though I was being scolded.

This was a very dangerous emotion.

“Eun-ha, did you see me play basketball?”

“Yeah. I saw the tail end of it.”

“Did you see me make the three-pointer?”

“Yeah. I saw Han-gyeol make a three-pointer and pretend not to be happy about it.”

“Puahaha! Was it that obvious?!”

“You’re laughing even though you’re hurt?”

“I’m all better now.”

Eun-ha looked at me as if she was shocked by my words.

But I was happy that Eun-ha ran over to me without hesitation and even gave me support.

Even though I felt sorry for making her worry, a part of me was glad to be the recipient of Eun-ha’s concern.

“Is your ankle alright? You don’t have any other injuries?”

“Haha. No, I’m fine. When Jeong Harim arrives, let’s grab our bags and go eat.”

“Phew- What a relief.”

Thud-!

“Hey guys, we’re here~”

“Ah! Why is Lee Han-gyeol’s bag so heavy?”

Jeong Harim came in holding Eun-ha’s bag, and Yujin came in holding mine.

“Hey Han-gyeol, are you badly hurt?”

“No, I’m fine. Thanks for bringing my bag.”

“I’m hungry, let’s go eat.”

“Yeah, let’s do that. Oh, Eun-ha, do you want to come too? Jeong Harim should join as well.”

When I asked Eun-ha, she nodded her head in agreement.

“Jeong Harim? You should come too.”

“Wow- I’m invited as well? Thanks. But what are we eating?”

“Good question. Eun-ha, do you have anything in particular you want to eat?”

“Hmm— If I say I don’t have a preference, you’re going to suggest pork cutlet, aren’t you?”

I didn’t want to spoil Eun-ha’s favorite dish just because I couldn’t handle it.

However, that was just my opinion, and Yujin looked at me with wide eyes.

“Hey, are you nuts, Han-gyeol? They’re offering to get the beginner’s level!”

“If we keep eating it, we’ll get used to it. Endure.”

“You make a fair point. Alright, let’s dig in again.”

“Great. Go for it, Yujin. Hey—try the rice balls too. They’re good.”

“Okay, accepted.”

We tried again, but there was no escaping the spiciness.

After finishing our meal, we all went outside to make our separate payments.

It looked like we wouldn’t have time for anything else, so we decided to part ways there and then.

“Han-gyeol and I are walking. Harim is taking the bus, how about you, Jang Yujin?”

“Me? I’m close to school, so I can just walk. But it seems like my path is in opposite directions?”

“Ah, Is that so? Well, see you all tomorrow! Today was fun. Han-gyeol, let’s go.”

Something I needed to do came to mind.

“Ah, Eun-ha, sorry. I’ve got plans to go somewhere with Yujin, so I think we’ll have to part ways for today.”

“What? We do..?”

“Then see you tomorrow, Eun-ha! See you too, Jeong Harim!”

“Huh? Ah—okay. See you tomorrow!”

“Take care.”

I quickly grabbed Yujin’s bag and pulled his back.

Yujin looked puzzled for a moment but played along with my story.

“Ah, right! I almost forgot! See you all tomorrow, then?!”

Once we were far enough away from the girls, Yujin turned to me.

“Hey, what plans do we have? This is the first time I’m hearing about it.”

“We need to create a ’constant of integration.’”

“What the heck are you talking about? You’re not serious, are you?”

“Let’s go make chocolate.”

“Why am I involved in this?”

“I’ll buy you chicken.”

“Just leave it to me. As far as I remember, there’s a store near my house that sells what we need.”

“Lead the way.”

“Hehe! This is hilarious. Anyway, it sounds fun so I’ll help.”

“So, no chicken then?”

“You bastard...!”

“Sorry.”

Together, Yujin and I went to the supermarket to buy everything we’d need for making chocolate.

I was a bit worried since it was my first time making chocolate and we were short on time. I bought extra chocolate just in case we messed up.

“Do you think you can make all of that?”

“Better to have too much than too little.”

“So, where are we making it?”

“We don’t really have an option, do we? At my place.”

“No. We’re going to my place. My parents run a business, so they’ll be coming home late.”

“Isn’t that too much of a bother?”

“Why would you care about that? Let’s go.”

I felt like I’d made a reliable friend after all.

“By the way, my younger sister will be back from school soon.”

“Should we need to tell her?”

“I’m the older brother.”

“Isn't this too much?”

--- The End OF The Chapter ---

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