Seol was plagued by nightmares.
But when she woke up, she was in someone's arms.
It was either Jean or Leon.
With a soothing voice, a loving touch, and a firm embrace, she fell asleep again. After a few days of this, she woke up.
"The drugs have worn off, and I'm fine." Seol nodded.
No more dizziness, no more hallucinations, no more loud voices.
Seol looked down at her hands. She hadn't realized it, but she'd lost a few nails from scratching the floor. But thanks to the therapeutic nanomachines, her nails were already in place.
Seol rolled out of bed and someone quickly opened the door. It was Leon. He rushed over, wondering if she was having a nightmare.
Seol looked back at her bed and asked.
"Did you set the sensor to go off when I woke up?"
Leon stared at her blankly, then wiped his face with both hands and stayed where he was.
"Thank God."
"Leon?"
"I didn't know what to do if you kept sleeping."
He rubbed his hand over his distorted face a few times, as if to wipe his expression, and laughed.
"How are you feeling?"
"I'm fine."
"Good," Leon replied. Suddenly, his expression darkened, and Seol realized that.
"Leon?" She called him back.
"No, I'll get Jean. Wait here."
Leon walked out of the room. Seol felt a strange sensation at Leon's reaction but soon laughed when Jean came in panting from the running.
Why did he react the same way as Leon?
As he stood in the doorway and watched her laugh, Jean ran up to her and hugged her. Seol turned to face him and hugged him back.
A slight tremor made her look up in surprise, and when she saw his wet blue eyes, something inside her felt like it was crumbling. Tears formed and fell from her own eyes.
"Thank you for coming back."
At Jean's words, Seol shook her head. Jean ruffled her hair and blinked a few times. He asked low.
"Would you like something to eat, soup or something?"
Seol nodded, though she wasn't that hungry.
"How long have I been out of it?" She asked.
"A week."
"What happened to the others? Lieutenant General Pantin and-"
"I'll tell you later."
Seol nodded at Jean's words. She continued cautiously.
"None of our team members are hurt, right?"
"They're all strong."
Seol nodded, relieved.
She took Jean's hand and carefully climbed out of bed. Now that she thought about it, this was Jean's house. Where Leon's house had been white and slightly stark, Jean's was unexpectedly warm and fabric-rich.
Seol walked into the living room and saw a large fluffy rug in a warm cream color, and the furniture and cushions were all in cozy tones.
She could see why Jean was barefoot at home.
'So much fabric and wool.'
Seol was surprised.
'It's like we've switched houses.'
She looked around the house and asked.
"Did Jean do this?"
"Don't you like it?"
"No, I like it."
Seol said quickly, shaking her head, and Jean slightly smiled and nodded.
"I decorated it myself. I wanted the house to be a place for you to relax."
Aha. Seol nodded. Jean sat her down on the couch and covered her with a fluffy blanket.
"I'll be right back."
"Okay."
She replied and clutched the blanket tighter. For a moment, she felt uneasy, even as she watched Jean disappear before her eyes.
'No, no. She can't be this weak.' Seol curled up into a ball.
'Speaking of which, where did Leon go? I wish he were here with me. I miss his laughing voice, and his lighthearted way of talking.'
As if reading her mind, Jean quickly returned.
In his hand was a bowl of soup. Seol cautiously took the bowl. Jean asked.
"Do you want me to feed you?"
"No."
Seol blushed and shook her head. It wasn't necessary. Jean nodded and handed her a spoon.
Seol cautiously took a mouthful of soup. It wasn't that hot. It was just the right temperature to drink. The sweet, red corn soup slid down her throat.
"Another serving?" asked Jean, taking Seol's bowl, which was quickly emptied. Seol nodded despite her reservations. With a satisfied look on his face, Jean quickly brought her another bowl of soup.
Seol sipped it at a slower pace than before.
"What about Leon~?"
Jean didn't answer; he looked into Seol's eyes, pondering something. Her blue and gold eyes were as clear and unclouded as they had been the first time he'd seen them.
It was adorable, and Jean stopped himself from kissing them.
Seol, who had closed her eyes, slowly opened them when he did not approach her. Jean slowly lays down on the sofa.
"You should ask Leon yourself. He might want to break up with you."
"Leon?" Seol's eyes widened. But she soon shook her head helplessly.
'Does he hate people who've been through that...?'
Her eyes flicked to Jean's arm. She could see the scratch marks on his arm. Noticing Seol's stare, Jean lowered his sleeve.
"I was feeding a stray cat."
"Am I that cat?"
"..."
Jean whispered when he saw the look on Seol's face. "This is nothing."
It was really nothing that caused her to bite and scratch themselves. Those cries and pleas.
It was driving them crazy.
The medical staff said there was nothing they could do until the medication wore off.
'We can forcibly remove the medication, but the process will be more painful for her.'
It was better to let the medicine wear off slowly.
They also said that her body's functions will return to normal.
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T/N: Just curiosity on my part but how many readers here know/play the game 'What in hell is bad?' 👀
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