Chapter: 38

The warmth of the afternoon sun streamed through the infirmary windows, too intense against Miyeon's closed eyelids. She hesitated to open them, the comfort of the soft bed beneath her and the steady, warm hand clasped in hers keeping her grounded.

But her mind was racing, pulling together fragments of memories from the past hour.

Losing their first match.

Running out of the gymnasium, her chest tight with frustration and something else- something far worse.

The violent coughing. The metallic taste of blood.

Her legs giving out beneath her.

Someone catching her just before she hit the floor, and then... darkness.

Now, as the world slowly filtered back into focus, she could hear voices murmuring nearby. Were they whispers, or was it just her head making them seem distant? Miyeon tried to open her eyes, the brightness of the sun hitting her too harshly, making her flinch and close them again. But the slight movement alerted the person beside her.

"Miya?" a voice she recognized instantly spoke, full of relief. The sound seemed to silence the other murmurs in the room.

Slowly, Miyeon blinked her eyes open, the light still too bright but bearable this time. The first thing she saw was Wonwoo's face, etched with worry. His usually composed expression was filled with visible relief when she smiled at him, albeit weakly.

"Hey," she croaked, her throat dry and scratchy.

Wonwoo exhaled, helping her sit up gently, adjusting the pillows behind her back. "You're okay," he said, though it sounded more like he was reassuring himself. He handed her a glass of water, which she took gratefully, the cool liquid soothing her throat.

As she finished drinking, she looked around the room, taking in her surroundings. She was in the infirmary. That part made sense. What didn't make sense was the number of people gathered. Jeonghan stood at the foot of her bed, his arms crossed but his expression soft, filled with concern. Behind him was Nari, eyes glassy with unshed tears. Seungkwan and Taehyung stood near the door, offering her small, relieved smiles.

Her attention was brought back to Wonwoo, who took the glass from her. "The others had to leave for some work. The left just a few moments back." he explained softly.

Miyeon nodded slowly, her voice still hoarse, heart warming knowing that others cared enough to stay for her, "What happened? How long was I out for?" she asked, though she already had pieces of the answer floating in her mind.

Wonwoo hesitated before answering, his eyes flicking briefly toward Jeonghan, who stepped forward seeing the hesitation in his eyes. Miyeon saw it too and she knew it must've been hard for him to see another of his friends in this situation.

"You fainted," Jeonghan said, his tone gentle but firm, "In the washroom. I found you just before... before it got worse. You've been out for half an hour." His voice faltered slightly, and Miyeon could see the tension in his posture, the concern that hadn't fully left his eyes. There was something more there, something deeper, almost like fear and worry.

Her heart thudded uncomfortably in her chest at the thought of him seeing her like that. 'What's wrong with me?' she wondered, feeling the strange rhythm of her heart quicken under his gaze.

"Thank you," she whispered, her voice barely audible yet her smile genuine. Jeonghan's expression softened even more as he nodded, offering a small smile.

"I'm just glad you're okay now," he replied quietly, though his eyes still held the weight of what had happened.

Miyeon's gaze then drifted to Nari, who looked like she was on the verge of tears. As soon as their eyes met, Nari rushed forward and enveloped Miyeon in a tight hug, causing Miyeon to chuckle softly despite the situation.

"Why are you all acting like I died?" Miyeon teased, only to receive a light slap on the head from Nari, who pulled back just enough to glare at her.

"Don't say things like that, idiot!" Nari scolded, her voice thick with emotion. "We were all so worried about you! I was so worried! If Jeonghan hadn't followed you, we wouldn't have known where you went! Or it would've been too late..."

At that, Miyeon cast another quick glance at Jeonghan, who was now speaking quietly with the nurse while Wonwoo hovered nearby.

"I'm sorry," Miyeon muttered, giving Nari a apologetic smile. Then, her expression turned more serious as she asked, "Do you know what caused it? I was fine before, but then... this," she trailed off, gesturing vaguely to herself.

Nari sighed deeply, her brows furrowing. "It was the energy drink you had in the gymnasium," she revealed. "Someone crushed peanuts into it."

Miyeon's eyes widened as the realization hit her. "Peanuts?" she echoed. Her mind raced. The taste had felt strange, off, yet familiar in a way she couldn't place earlier. Now, it all made sense. Someone had tampered with her drink, the bottle that had her name clearly written on it. Yet peanuts causing her to cough up blood? It made her confused.

She felt a wave of anger and worry wash over her. "But... that drink was mine. It had my name on it. I brought it from the changing room." Her voice cracked slightly as she tried to process the implication that someone had intentionally targeted her.

"Who could have done this?" she muttered, more to herself than anyone else.

Before anyone could answer, the nurse stepped closer, her voice soft but firm. "I need to check her now," she said, and Nari reluctantly stepped back to give the nurse space.

As the curtains closed around her bed, Miyeon felt the weight of the situation settle even more heavily on her chest. The nurse, a calm woman with graying hair pulled into a bun, approached with a kind but professional expression.

"Just relax, sweetie," she said gently, as she adjusted Miyeon's pillow and pulled out a stethoscope. "Let me check your vitals first."

Miyeon nodded, trying to still her racing thoughts as the nurse placed the cool metal disk against her chest. The steady thump of her heart filled the quiet space, but her mind was elsewhere, replaying the events of the day. Someone did this on purpose. The thought echoed in her head.

Her mind went back to the notes she had been receiving till few months back until one day they stopped. Could this be connected to it? Even the thought of it sent chills down her spine.

"Your heart rate is a bit elevated, but given the circumstances, that's normal," the nurse commented, moving on to check Miyeon's blood pressure. She worked in silence for a few more moments, the professional nature of her actions somewhat calming Miyeon's nerves.

"How are you feeling now? Any dizziness or nausea?" the nurse asked, her eyes full of concern as she gently placed a hand on Miyeon's wrist.

Miyeon shook her head. "No, just a little weak... and my throat is sore," she admitted, her voice still raspy.

The nurse nodded knowingly. "That's to be expected after a reaction like the one you had. You're lucky it didn't escalate further, but it's still important to rest and recover."

Miyeon swallowed, her throat aching slightly at the reminder. "How serious was it? I mean just peanuts causing me to cough up blood seems a little illogical. The reactions have never been this serious. So could there be something else...", she trailed off not wanting to speak further.

The nurse sighed softly, sitting down on the edge of the bed. "You experienced an allergic reaction to the peanuts. If Jeonghan hadn't found you in time, it could have been much worse.", she paused and look she offered was enough to answer her suspicion.

"But also the initial symptoms- coughing up blood and fainting- were dangerous signs that your body was struggling. It all sums up to being food poisoning as well but since there are two reasons it's hard for me to say surely. Luckily, we got you stabilized quickly, but you'll need to be careful for a while."

Miyeon nodded slowly, the gravity of what had happened sinking in. It wasn't just the physical toll it had taken on her- it was the knowledge that someone had done this intentionally. It made some unwanted past memories resurface and she hated it.

As the nurse finished her check-up, she gave Miyeon a soft pat on the hand. "I'll be back in a little while to check on you again. For now, just rest."

"Wait!" Miyeon's voice came out in a rush, halting the nurse just as she was about to open the curtains and step out. The older woman paused, turning back with a questioning look.

"Do you need something, sweetie?" the nurse asked gently, walking back over to the bed with concern in her eyes.

Miyeon hesitated, her fingers fidgeting with the edge of the blanket. "No, not exactly," she replied softly, her voice barely above a whisper. She swallowed hard, gathering the courage to ask. "But... can you please not tell them about the bed rest?"

The nurse blinked, surprised by the request. Most students begged for a chance to stay in the infirmary, using it as an excuse to avoid practice or classes. But here was Miyeon, practically pleading to avoid it. "Why would you want to keep that a secret?" the nurse asked, her tone gentle but curious.

Miyeon let out a sigh, her gaze dropping to her lap as she tried to find the right words. "I... I need to practice for the next match," she began, her voice a mix of determination and desperation. "Our captain, Hana, is injured and out of the tournament. Without her, the team is depending on me to step up. I have to be there for them. Please, I can't let them down."

The nurse watched her, her expression softening as understanding flickered in her eyes. She admired the girl's sense of responsibility, the fire that burned within her despite the fragile state she was currently in. It wasn't often she saw such determination in someone so young.

After a few moments of silent contemplation, the nurse sighed, a small smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "Alright," she said finally, causing Miyeon to look up, hope shining in her eyes. "But only on one condition."

Miyeon's face lit up with relief, her heart racing with anticipation. "What is it? I'll do anything," she said eagerly, her words tumbling out in her excitement.

The nurse chuckled at her enthusiasm, shaking her head. "You rest here for today," she said firmly, holding Miyeon's gaze. "No wandering around, no sneaking off to the gym. Just rest. If you follow that, I'll clear you to leave tomorrow morning."

Miyeon's face broke into a wide, grateful smile. "Deal! I promise, I'll rest. No roaming around, I swear," she said, nodding vigorously as if her eagerness alone would convince the nurse.

The nurse patted her on the head affectionately, her smile growing softer. "You remind me so much of my daughter," she said fondly, her voice tinged with warmth. "Always pushing herself to her limits."

Miyeon felt her cheeks flush slightly at the unexpected compliment, but her smile remained. "Thank you... for understanding."

"Just take care of yourself, sweetie," the nurse said, giving her hand a final squeeze. "And good luck with your match. But remember, your health comes first."

Miyeon nodded again, her chest swelling with gratitude as she watched the nurse finally pull back the curtain and step out.

As the curtains were drawn back, Miyeon's eyes scanned the room. Everyone was still there, waiting patiently on the vacant infirmary beds, though now they seemed more relaxed, chatting quietly amongst themselves. Her gaze fell on a new face standing beside Joshua, who had arrived a few moments ago.

The boy looked slightly younger than the others, wearing a denim jacket over a simple white t-shirt. His features were a striking mix of softness and sharp lines, giving him an air of casual confidence, but there was an unmistakable warmth in his expression.

He stepped forward towards the nurse with an easy smile on his lips. Miyeon watched curiously as he approached her. The nurse, upon seeing him, smiled back.

"Oh, what brings you here today, dear?" she asked kindly, though a slight frown tugged at her lips. "I'm afraid I'm out of the medicine stock if you're looking for it."

The boy chuckled softly, his smile widening. Joshua, stepping up next to him, grinned as well. "He's not here for the medicine, actually," Joshua explained. "He's here to give you his emergency stock."

With that, the boy pulled out a small, neatly packaged box from the pocket of his jacket and handed it over to the nurse. Miyeon's confusion only deepened as she observed the exchange.

"Oh!" the nurse exclaimed in surprise, her eyes lighting up. She reached out and gently patted his cheek with fondness. "You two are always so thoughtful. Thank you, Vernon."

Miyeon's curiosity only grew as she watched the nurse head to the side of the room to prepare her dosage. Joshua caught the confused look on Miyeon's face and smiled knowingly before walking over to her, pulling the younger boy along with him.

"How are you feeling now?" Joshua asked, his voice soft and gentle as he examined her for any signs of discomfort.

Miyeon chuckled at his concern, shaking her head with a smile. "I'm fine, Shua. I'll be able to leave tomorrow."

"That's good to hear," he exhaled, visibly relieved. Then, gesturing toward the boy standing beside him, Joshua introduced him with a smile. "This is my cousin, Vernon. He's a freshman here."

Vernon smiled, stepping forward to shake Miyeon's hand. "Nice to finally meet you, Miyeon. I saw your game today. You played really well. Don't worry about the loss-I believe you'll win the next one."

Miyeon was touched by his reassuring words. She smiled back, her heart lightened by his kindness. "Thank you, Vernon. That means a lot. And thank you for bringing the medicine as well," she added with a chuckle, trying to ease the tension.

Vernon waved off her thanks with a carefree smile, his demeanor relaxed. "No need to thank me," he shrugged nonchalantly, then gave her a playful wink. "I'll see you around, Miyeon."

With that, Vernon exchanged a final glance with Joshua before making his way out of the infirmary, leaving Miyeon to smile after him.

As the room buzzed with quiet conversations about what had happened and plans to review security footage to find out who had tampered with Miyeon's drink, Taehyung silently slipped over to Miyeon's bedside, pulling a stool up next to her. His expression was softer than usual, his eyes filled with an unspoken concern as he sat down.

"Hey," he greeted quietly.

Miyeon narrowed her eyes slightly, eyeing him with suspicion. "Where have you been these past few days?" she asked, her voice tinged with worry. "Is everything okay?"

Taehyung's smile faltered for the briefest moment, his usual confident demeanor slipping just enough for Miyeon to catch it. But just as quickly, he covered it with a wide grin that didn't quite reach his eyes. "I've just been home for a few days," he answered lightly. "Nothing to worry about. I'm fine."

Miyeon wasn't convinced. She knew him too well to be fooled by the facade. "Taehyung..." she began softly, placing her hand on his, making him glance down at her hand on his with a question in his eyes, "It's okay if you don't want to tell me everything right now. But please, don't lie to me and say you're fine. I can tell you're not. You don't have to carry it all on your own."

Taehyung looked at her, caught off guard by the gentle sincerity in her words. His guard wavered, but before he could respond, Miyeon smiled playfully, adding, "And don't worry, I won't even ask for free coffee this time."

Her lighthearted joke brought a small, genuine laugh from Taehyung. He looked at her with a mix of gratitude and affection, his walls finally cracking just a bit. "Look at you," he said, shaking his head with a small smile. "You're sitting here in the infirmary bed, unwell, and yet you're still the one giving me comfort. You're something else, Miya."

"That's me for you," she replied with a soft laugh. Then, her tone grew more serious. "But I mean what I said. You don't have to suffer alone. Lean on me, okay?"

Taehyung's smile softened, and this time it reached his eyes. He gave her hand a gentle squeeze. "Thank you, Miya," he murmured. "I'll try."

The two of them sat there in a comfortable silence, the weight of unspoken words lingering between them.

But for now, it was enough.

______________

Everyone say 'Hi' to our Vernon.

So we finally have our 'Allergic to Peanuts' duo, lol.

Just to remind you all in case someone missed it.

In the chapter where Wonwoo examines the bottle for any signs of tampering, he notices white substance other than crushed peanuts in it. Though he did not tell about it to anyone else since it was just a suspicion, this information will be vital in future chapters so keep it in mind.

How was the chapter? Upcoming chapters will be fluff before the storm 👀 along with our very own detectives in action as well 😌

I'm in love with seventeen's new album and Wonwoo (Forgive me Shua) has been bias wrecking me so hard throughout the MV 😩

Question: Ship name for Miyeon and Jeonghan?-> Mi-Han?

How is it? I love this ship name what about you?

How many are up for a double update? I am.

Next update will be tomorrow!

Happy Reading! 📚 🤍