pulling on cosmic strings ꩜ pi hanwool, study group

8. good friend to lean on

She looked down at her phone to reread Gamin's message, over and over again.

'The surgery went well. Ms. Lee's still unconscious from the anesthesia, now resting in her room.'

Gamin had left with Ms. Lee on the ambulance by the time Minju had turned to check what was going on. With all students being told to go back to their classrooms, she waited anxiously until the last period before heading for the hospital.

Thank God Ms. Lee had been alright, Minju didn't know what she would do without her. If she could even do anything to change the course of events without her.

Fuck, why did she have to get stabbed?

So many things had changed, different compared to Minju's previous life, even things she hadn't tampered with. Was it consequences for her simply going back in time? Because she started messing with the future?

Maybe things were not meant to be changed. But did that mean it was Ms. Lee's destiny to die?

Or maybe the changes were because of something else entirely.

As she stopped in front of one of the hospital room doors, Minju slid it open, revealing Ms. Lee lying on the hospital bed straight and center. Gamin was nowhere to be seen, she was told that he had left to get some food for when Ms. Lee awoke later.

Minju rested the flowers on a nearby table, the parchment lining them crackling. On the other side of the room, Ms. Lee's eyes twitched, before hesitantly opening. Her eyes scrambled around the room and settled on Minju's standing figure.

She used the back of her arms to sit herself up, and Minju rushed to her side to help. She adjusted the bed so that she could sit comfortably.

Ms. Lee spoke in a hoarse voice, "Water."

Minju quickly grabbed a bottle of water atop the bedside drawer and opened it, placing the top onto her dry lips. After a couple sips, Ms. Lee lowered her head, signaling Minju to take the bottle away. Minju screwed the bottle shut and placed it back on the drawer.

After a few silent moments, Minju voiced, "You're awake. How are you feeling? Should I call the doctor?" She started reaching for the call button attached to the hospital bed.

Ms. Lee's cold hand took hold of her wrist before she could press it, "No need, I'm fine for now."

"Oh, okay then."

Ms. Lee smiled up at her, "Kim Minju. Am I right?"

"Yeah, that's me."

"I'm Ms. Lee. Gamin informed me that you've joined the study group. Welcome!"

Minju was utterly bewildered at how the teacher in front of her still had the energy to break into a big smile, after being stabbed and unconscious for hours, only now waking up after an intensive surgery.

"Sorry I haven't been helping out with the study group lately, I've been a bit busy with work," Ms. Lee chuckled.

Minju gave her a hesitant smile, "Don't worry about it, we're doing just fine so far."

"So... You're the girl who helped me during the fight on Saturday, weren't you? I can't thank you enough for that. Although, one should never resort to violence."

She recalled Hyunwoo's face as he laid on the ground, telling her who it was that ordered the hit. "Yeah, that was me. You don't have to thank me, I just happened to be there to help."

"I know, but still, thank you. By the way, I heard rumors that you're friends with Pi Hanwool."

"Hm? Oh. Yeah, we're childhood friends. If this is about the attack at your apartment, let me apologize on his behalf. He's a difficult person, Hanwool."