I am not Santa Claus

Holding her tightly in his arms, Sin Jeong-Hyuk groans in pain.

"We could have brought the ladder out." Boo Bong-Su turns his head toward Namgung Yeon-Sik. "I totally forgot that we have a ladder."

"It can't be helped." Namgung Yeon-Sik sighs as he walks toward Sin Jeong-Hyuk and Chang Seol. "Which one of you is hurt?"

Chang Seol lifts her head and scans Mister's face. Biting her lower lip, she grapples his chin, and then she turns it right and left to get a clear view of his face. "Professor, his face is okay."

"I can see that." Namgung Yeon-Sik sniggers. "His face is okay for sure."

Lying beneath the little chicken, Sin Jeong-Hyuk glares at Namgung Yeon-Sik before he turns his face toward Chang Seol and utters through clenched teeth, "Get off me!"

"I am sorry." She climbs off him, shifting away. "Are you hurt somewhere?"

His face contorts in pain when he tries to get up. Tears well up in his eyes. "My shoulder…"

"What about your shoulder?" She inches closer, wide-eyed. "Did you break it?"

"Don't say those cursed words." He snaps at her, wincing in pain. "Ow! It hurts. Yeon-Sik, help me. Call a doctor. My shoulder is broken!"

Morning chaos is followed by painful screams as Namgung Yeon-Sik and Boo Bong-Su carry Sin Jeong-Hyuk to his room.

***

It looks like a hundred cavemen jumped around in the room.

Everything in the room -- except for the bed -- is covered with dirty clothes. On the desk, there are a few books and an old laptop.

Chang Seol wrinkles her nose when she steps on the boxers near the foot of the bed. She steps back and hits the keyboard. She grabs it before it could fall. Namgung Yeon-Sik gives her a look. She gives him an apologetic smile.

"No, it isn't broken." The middle-aged doctor tells Namgung Yeon-Sik, "His shoulders are dislocated. He should be fine after two weeks' rest."

She lets out a breath of relief. "Thank goodness."

Lying on his bed, Sin Jeong-Hyuk flares his nostrils and grimaces at Chang Seol. "This happened because of you. I didn't even want to be your launching pad."

She scowls at him. "You told me to jump."

"This brat!" He looks at the doctor and says in a grave tone, "Doctor, give the bill to her. She will pay for it."

The doctor lets out a hearty laugh. "Your friend already paid the bill."

"Yeon-Sik, why did you?" His friend shrugs when Jeong-Hyuk grimaces at him. When there's no answer, he squints his eyes on the Chicken. "I still have to pay him back. You better pay me."

"I will!" She stomps her foot on the ground before she flounces out of the room.

"Youth." The doctor puts some pain relievers on the desk. "Your injury isn't grave but I suggest that you don't do any strenuous activities anytime soon."

Why is his life so difficult? Sin Jeong-Hyuk sighs. "I hate this."

"You aren't supposed to love a dislocation injury." The doctor chuckles. "Make sure to take care of yourself, Mr Sin."

After the doctor is gone, Yeon-Sik sits down on the bed and inquires casually, "Are you okay?"

"I have had worse injuries." Sin Jeong-Hyuk makes a face. "Keep a watch on her. She might try to run away again."

Namgung Yeon-Sik raises his brow. "Why are you interested in her? Let her leave if she wants to leave."

Sin Jeong-Hyuk becomes silent. He stares at the ceiling for a long time. That chicken! What does she think of herself? No apologies. No gratitude. He needs to teach a lesson to that brat. "Tell her that she needs to take care of me as a payment for saving her life."

"Tch!" Namgung Yeon-Sik shakes his head. "You are hopeless. You really want to bully a kid."

"I would need to hire a caretaker anyway." Sin Jeong-Hyuk defends himself. "How do you expect me to cook for myself or continue with other daily activities?"

"Sure, sure." Namgung Yeon-Sik clicks his tongue. "A manchild needs a caretaker, of course."

***

Meanwhile, Chang Seol is feeling a little odd.

"Yes, yes… make that pass, yes." Boo Bong-Su climbs the couch and fists his hands. "You suckers! We are going to make it to the semi-finals for sure."

Sitting on the couch, Chang Seol bites her lower lip, scratching the back of her neck. She eyes the suitcase lying near the door. She doesn't have the strength to drag it back to her room.

Why is she so thirsty?

"GOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAL!" Boo Bong-Su jumps up and down on the couch. "We are winning. Hyung, where are you? Come here! K Country is winning today. We are on Firrrrrrrrrrrre!"

Loud. Chang Seol covers her ears and steps away from the couch, bumping into the doctor. Startled, she turns around and apologizes. "I am sorry, Doctor-nim. I didn't see you."

"It's alright." The doctor lowers his brows, looking at her exposed neck. "Your skin is red. Are you allergic to something?"

"No, I scratched it." She gives him a light smile. "How is Mister?"

"Sin Jeong-Hyuk?" The doctor pauses for a moment. "It's nothing serious, but he does need to care for his injury. If anything happens, call me."

"Thank you, Doctor-nim." Chang Seol gives him a polite bow. "I will look after him."

After advising her to take care of her skin, the doctor leaves the share-house.

"Seol, your nose is redder today." Boo Bong-Su points out. "You know… like that fat man who gifts only good kids…"

"Santa Claus?" Chang Seol covers her nose. "I am not Santa Claus."

"Or was it reindeer? Elves?" Boo Bong-Su's attention is recaptured by the football match. He shouts, "YOSH! ANOTHER GOAL! WE ARE GOING TO WIN."

Her nose is itching again. She goes to the kitchen and washes her face.

"So hot." She takes off her coat and drops it on the floor. "I need cold water."

Chang Seol opens the refrigerator and looks for something cold. She picks up the glass bottle and gulps down. The drink is bitter. Her throat burns, asking for more. She sits down on the floor and grabs another bottle, swallowing it all down.