128 An Old Acquaintance and a New Friend (1/2)

Dr. Hong took Yeo Ri to circle the park once.

Just as she stopped to rest her tired legs from all the walking, her phone buzzed.

”Yes? Oh—I'll be right there—Don't! You'll agitate the patient! Just wait for me—Yes, okay. I'm on my way right now.”

Dr. Hong turned to Yeo Ri, ”Sorry, but there has been an emergency and I need to go now. I'll get a nurse to bring you back, so just wait here, okay?”

”Mm.” Yeo Ri replied disinterestedly to the frantic doctor.

”Just stay here, alright? Someone will come get you soon!” She shouted as she started running towards the ER.

Yeo Ri watched the doctor with half-lidded eyes. Although it was chilly outside, Yeo Ri was wrapped up in several layers of warm clothing and a blanket. She had even received a hand-warmer from the doctor, so she was actually quite comfortable. Added with the slightly stinging feeling on her face, the sleepiness from her earlier nap had been brought back.

Soon enough, she closed her eyes and started to doze off.

”—Hey! Excuse me, are you alright? Excuse me?”

Suddenly, she was shaken awake by someone.

Yeo Ri blinked her eyes open blearily.

A girl's face appeared in front of her. Her forehead scrunched as she examined the other girl's complexion.

Although spring was drawing near, it was still currently winter. It was not good to fall asleep outside. The girl had thought that something was wrong with Yeo Ri and thus came over to see if she was fine.

”I'm fine,” Yeo Ri replied, her eyes silently signalling her discomfort over their close proximity.

The girl drew herself back slowly, heaving a breath of relief. ”That's great. I thought something happened to you. Sorry for being rude.”

Seeing that Yeo Ri was fine, she fell back on the bench next to where Yeo Ri and her wheelchair was parked. She took a deep breath of the cold, crisp air, her tensed shoulders relaxing.

”So what were you doing here all alone?” The girl asked.

”...”

Yeo Ri was unfamiliar with the girl, so she kept her mouth shut.

”Oh, I'm Ra Hee, 16 years old. What about you?” Ra Hee did not mind Yeo Ri's unfriendliness and introduced herself. She held an easygoing smile, looking unperturbed. In any case, it was rare to see someone her age in the hospital so she could not help but want to become friends.

”...Yeo Ri,” Yeo Ri replied. The girl reminded her of Min Chae with her cheerfulness.

”Yeo Ri, huh? Nice to meet you!” Ra Hee stuck out her hand with a grin. ”Wanna be friends?”

”Do whatever you want,” Yeo Ri responded weakly. Her face felt numb after being prickled by the cold for so long. She wondered when the nurse who was supposed to bring her back was coming.

”Yay!” Ra Hee cheered with a large grin. ”You look a little younger than me, so I'll speak casually, okay?” She informed.

”...” Yeo Ri did not reply, thinking that the girl had already been using casual speech (banmal) since the first word they had exchanged.