Anna slowly loosened her embrace, glanced at Jeanne gently, then said, "I was really worried because you didn't reply to my message."
Anna slowly sat down on the edge of the bed, her fingers stroking Jeanne's hand.
"Sorry…" Jeanne replied softly. Anna let out a heavy sigh. "Seriously! I waited for your message until three in the morning. How could you come home so late?" Anna asked in a scolding tone, even though a worried expression was still carved on her face.
Jeanne chuckled softly and scratched her cheek lightly. "I accidentally watched a clown show on the side of the road," Jeanne answered, her eyes not daring to look at her best friend.
Anna puffed out her cheeks, staring at Jeanne. "Then how did you get hit by a car? Were you drunk with your coworkers and came home late?" Anna asked once again, while holding Jeanne's face with both of her hands, forcing Jeanne to look at her.
Jeanne's eyebrows lifted slightly. "So that's the excuse the Special Detectives made to keep this case secret," Jeanne murmured in her heart. She smiled while listening to Anna scold her. "No, I wasn't drunk. Besides, you know I don't like alcohol," Jeanne replied, then continued, "You waited for my reply until three in the morning?" Jeanne glanced at the morning sky. Then she turned her gaze to the wall clock.
"Eight in the morning… I fainted for that long?" Jeanne murmured in her mind, then she grabbed Anna's hands that were holding her cheeks and slowly lowered them. "There's no serious injury, Anna. The important thing is I'm fine now, right?" Jeanne smiled at her best friend.
Just as Anna was about to say something, the sound of the door opening was heard.
Clack!
Selena entered, approaching the two of them while carrying a medicine bag and handing it to Jeanne. "Excuse me, sorry for disturbing you. I've written the medicine schedule inside," she said in a formal tone, while smiling.
"Thank you, Doctor Selena," Jeanne replied.
"You can go home today," Selena adjusted her glasses. Hearing Selena's statement, Anna nodded without suspicion. "Oh, and this. You can take it," Selena said as she handed over a pair of crutches after taking them from the patient's locker.
Anna, who was sitting beside the bed, slowly stood up, then took them. "Thank you very much," Anna said, smiling at Selena.
Selena nodded lightly. "You're welcome," she said, then continued, "If you need anything, you can contact me directly through the red button on the wall near that bed. Well then, goodbye." Selena smiled, then turned around and left the two of them.
Jeanne glanced at the red button Selena meant. But she didn't think about it any further.
"She's a good doctor," Anna praised. Jeanne nodded in agreement. "True," Jeanne replied. Both of them glanced at Selena leaving the room.
"All right… let's go home," Jeanne said, starting to get up from her bed. Anna was surprised. "Huh?" then said, "You want to go home now? What if your wound starts hurting later? You shouldn't go home yet," Anna held Jeanne back when she tried to step down from the bed.
Jeanne laughed at Anna's panic. "It's fine… besides, Doctor Selena said I can go home. So it'll be okay," Jeanne reassured her best friend.
"Are you sure?" Anna asked to make sure, her ruby-red eyes showing worry as she glanced at Jeanne. Jeanne nodded slowly. "I'm sure," she answered, convincing her best friend.
Anna let out a heavy sigh, and began helping Jeanne tidy up her things and change out of the patient pajamas. A few minutes passed, and they left the room after finishing, walking toward the lobby and passing several stairs.
Anna walked while guiding Jeanne, who wasn't used to using crutches. "This is pretty troublesome," Jeanne commented in her mind, limping as she walked, occasionally glancing at the Special Detectives' hospital area. "It's just like a normal hospital," she murmured to herself.
When they arrived at the hospital lobby, a female nurse came over to them. "Excuse me, Miss Weels?" the nurse asked. Jeanne turned her head. "What is it?" she asked, confused.
The nurse's face looked as if it was heavy to say something. "T-The man who hit you has paid your medical bills," she revealed softly while glancing toward Leo Tolstoy, who was standing in front of the reception desk. Beside him were Eugene, Johan, and Isabella.
Hearing that, Anna's eyes immediately shot sharply toward Leo, seeing her best friend's reaction. "I forgot, Anna will definitely scold him." Jeanne slapped her forehead.
Jeanne quickly thanked the female nurse before she could speak. Anna let go of Jeanne's hand and hurriedly walked toward Leo Tolstoy. "Wait, Anna," Jeanne tried to stop her, but Anna only turned her head with a smile and continued walking quickly.
When she arrived in front of Leo, Anna said, "Excuse me, sir." Anna stood in front of Leo with her hands on her waist. Her head lifted as she glanced at Leo Tolstoy, who was taller than her.
Leo, who was smoking his cigar, looked down and smiled. "Yes, is there something I can help you with?" he replied, smiling.
"Were you drunk while driving that you hit my best friend? If you're drunk, don't drive," Anna began scolding him like a mother. Without giving Leo a chance to answer, she continued, "You can be sued and punished!"
Leo's expression froze slightly. "Oh—that… I sincerely apologize," Leo replied, forcing a smile. His fingers scratched the back of his head that didn't itch.
As Leo was being scolded by Anna, Isabella beside him who heard it became irritated. "Hey, what do you mean—" her loud words were cut off by Johan, who stuffed Isabella's mouth with a chocolate candy.
"Calm down!" Johan said softly.
Isabella stared at Anna expressionlessly, but the crease in her brows explained everything: she was annoyed, and she didn't want to bother explaining. "Tch," she responded, clicking her tongue, while crossing her arms over her chest.
Jeanne, who had caught up, patted Anna's shoulder lightly. "It's okay, Anna. I've forgiven him and we don't need to drag this out," she said softly, trying to smile while glancing at Leo and the others.
"But Jeanne…" Anna turned and glanced at her best friend, but Jeanne only smiled.
"All right, all right," Eugene walked and stood in front of Anna. "Don't get so angry, miss…" Eugene slowly crouched down and touched Anna's hand, then said, "Marry me, beautiful miss."
"Your soft hands and your motherly aura make me—" his words were cut off by Anna, who slapped Eugene with her small palm.
"D-Don't mess around!!" Anna quickly pulled her hand away from Eugene's touch, her eyes widening, her face turning red. Her mouth opened wide as if she was about to scream.
"Such a weirdo!" Jeanne commented about Eugene in her mind, while watching her best friend's face turn red.
Anna slowly stepped back closer to Jeanne, lowering her head.
"Please accept this as my apology," Leo glanced at Johan, signaling something.
Johan stepped closer and handed over a black paper bag with a luxurious-looking pattern.
"All right, thank you." Jeanne accepted the paper bag.
"Let's go, Jeanne. Goodbye, sir and ma'am," Anna suddenly urged in a hurried tone, her face still red. Jeanne nodded in agreement. "Let's go," she replied.
Jeanne walked while being guided by Anna. "Your face is red, Anna," Jeanne glanced at her best friend.
"I-It's fine, d-don't mind it," Anna replied, her fingers gripping Jeanne's hand.
"A-Weirdo man!" Anna muttered softly, her breathing slightly uneven, while holding her best friend's hand as they walked out.
"You're right," Jeanne replied softly. She only chuckled hearing her best friend's scolding voice stuttering, then Jeanne turned back once they had passed the hospital exit door.
Eugene smiled while waving his hand, the right side of his cheek slightly red from Anna's slap.
…
On the way to the nearest bus stop.
"Are you tired, Jeanne?" Anna asked while walking toward the bus stop. Jeanne nodded. "Y-Yeah… I'm a little tired," Jeanne answered, glancing at her leg wrapped in a cast and one of her arms.
"Oh, right. I'll be staying at your house for a while," Anna turned and smiled at her.
Jeanne raised her eyebrows. "Why?" she asked, confused.
"Why are you asking? It's obvious I have to take care of you," Anna replied, still holding Jeanne as she struggled to walk.
"No need, Anna. What about your job? You have to go to work tomorrow, right? I don't want to trouble you," Jeanne said. They stopped walking at the red light for pedestrians. Jeanne glanced at the vehicles passing by.
"It's fine, Jeanne. And once again I'm telling you, I don't like it when you say 'I don't want to trouble you.' I don't mind. Besides, you're injured right now," Anna tightened her grip, smiling, and hugged Jeanne's arm that was holding the crutch.
Jeanne stared at her arm wrapped in a cast and her leg supported by the crutch, then glanced at her best friend. Jeanne smiled bitterly. "You're right," she said. "Sorry," she added softly. Her voice seemed to sink under the noise of the vehicles.
After the pedestrian light turned green, they immediately crossed the road, along with the people passing by.
…
After arriving at the bus stop and waiting for a while until the bus came, they got on and sat down side by side. Jeanne sat near the window, glancing at the tall buildings changing as the bus moved.
Ten minutes passed after the bus started moving. The atmosphere was quiet. Anna fell asleep while leaning on Jeanne's shoulder. Jeanne glanced at her with a smile, then took her phone from her coat pocket.
After opening her phone and checking her messages, Jeanne smiled. "She really was worried about me…" she murmured softly when she saw fifteen messages and five missed phone calls from Anna.
Jeanne read the long messages from her best friend, occasionally smiling and chuckling softly, imagining Anna's panicked face when Jeanne disappeared without replying.
"Thank you, Anna," Jeanne whispered softly, then replied to Anna's message.
[[Jeanne: I'm fine, sorry for making you worry]]
After that, she closed her flip phone and put it back into her coat pocket. Jeanne's eyes stared at the luxurious black paper bag on her lap, but she decided not to open it now.
"I want to calm my mind for now… I'll open it later and see what's inside," she murmured, then her gaze fell on the window glass that slowly became wet from drizzling rain.
…
District 4.
After arriving at the bus stop in District Four, Jeanne and Anna took a taxi to the apartment where she lived.
With the roads drenched in rain and District Four's streets becoming jammed, at twelve noon Jeanne and Anna arrived in front of the old building—her apartment.
Jeanne and Anna climbed the stairs while occasionally chatting and joking. Jeanne looked around, the atmosphere was quite quiet for a middle-class apartment. Glancing at the old wall clock in the lobby earlier and the slightly aged hallway of the building made Jeanne feel comfortable and calm.
When they arrived in front of her room door, which looked old but sturdy enough, Jeanne fell silent for a moment. She took a breath and exhaled slowly, then turned the doorknob.
CLICK!
The sound of the lock being released. "I'm home," she said softly. Jeanne glanced at Anna. "Come in, Anna," she called while stepping inside and standing at the doorway, as if welcoming a guest.
Anna nodded. "Excuse me," she added politely as she entered. Jeanne closed the door.
Clack!
Jeanne turned on the light switch, and the dark room became bright.
Anna glanced at Jeanne's novel books scattered messily on the table, the clothes that had fallen from their hangers, then her eyes landed on the sink. Dirty dishes were piled up. Then she looked at Jeanne, who had placed the paper bag on the floor and lay down on the sofa.
Anna, who had visited several times and reminded Jeanne several times to keep things clean, was about to say something but didn't, when she saw Jeanne's exhausted face.
Realizing Anna was staring at her, Jeanne immediately sat up. "I-I forgot to clean it… but I'll do it," she tried to smile awkwardly. She continued, "Sorry, I feel bad that you have to see my place like a storage room."
Anna saw Jeanne's reaction and chuckled softly. "Let's do it together after we rest," she suggested with a smile.
Jeanne nodded. "Okay."
"I'll make warm tea and bread," Anna asked for Jeanne's coat that Jeanne was still wearing. Jeanne stood up and handed it to her. Anna hung both coats in their place.
"Let me help," Jeanne grabbed her crutches.
Anna walked toward the kitchen, then turned back. "Just rest," she ordered with a smile and continued walking.
Jeanne nodded. "O-Okay…" she replied softly while tidying up her novel books and arranging them neatly in the not-too-big bookshelf.
A while later, Anna brought a tray with two glasses of warm tea and toasted bread. Anna placed it on the table.
"Here. There's nothing in the fridge, that's all there is," Anna explained. Jeanne smiled. "Thank you," she replied while taking a piece of bread spread with chocolate jam. "Now you're the host," Jeanne scoffed jokingly.
Anna, who had already taken a bite of her bread, suddenly blushed and covered her mouth with her hand, then cleared her throat. "Ekhm…" Seeing Anna's reaction, Jeanne chuckled softly.
…
5 PM.
After resting for a long time while watching horror movies together, Anna went to shower first and Jeanne sat on the sofa, glancing around her not-too-big apartment, now slightly tidier than before.
Jeanne grabbed her crutches and stood up. She walked toward the display table and looked at her family photo. Jeanne picked it up.
A family photo that looked happy, where her father was carrying Jeanne, who was four years old at the time, and Jeanne's mother was smiling. Then Jeanne's eyes landed on herself in the photo.
Jeanne stared at it for quite a while, but Jeanne's small lips in the photo seemed to move and say a word.
"You hypocrite."
Jeanne's eyes widened and she clenched the wooden photo frame, cracking the glass, then threw it.
CRASH!!
The glass frame shattered and scattered. Jeanne fell down and covered her ears as if she didn't want to hear.
The bathroom door opened quite loudly. Anna, wearing a towel, rushed out.
"What happened, Jeanne?" Anna asked in a worried tone, her eyes fixed on the broken frame glass.
Jeanne looked at Anna. She smiled faintly. But that smile didn't reach her eyes. Her eyes were wide open, empty, while sweat slowly dripped down her cheeks. She slowly stood up with Anna's help. "What happened, Jeanne?" Anna asked again in the same tone.
Jeanne lowered her head, forcing a smile and shaking her head. "It's nothing… just an insect," she replied, lying.
Anna let out a sigh without suspicion. "Alright… I'll clean it up. Now it's your turn to shower. I already prepared warm water. You're okay, right?" Anna asked, making sure about Jeanne's condition. In her ruby-red eyes, Jeanne's face was reflected.
Jeanne nodded slowly. "Yes, I'm fine. My leg can still move," she replied and walked toward the bathroom. Anna glanced at her best friend worriedly.
In the bathroom, Jeanne took off her shirt and all of her clothes, as well as the bandage on her head and fingers. She also removed the cast on her arm because Selena had previously told her that it could be removed easily—just twist the BOA System knob without needing a medical cutting tool, because the injury on her left arm wasn't too severe.
Jeanne walked carefully while holding onto the bathroom wall. The injury on her right leg was quite severe.
Jeanne washed her body under the shower, then soaked in the warm bath that Anna had prepared.
After finishing soaking, using soap, and rinsing her body, Jeanne stood in front of the mirror. Staring at her own face in silence, her mind seemed to become empty.
For a moment, Jeanne remembered Leo Tolstoy's offer and his words. Jeanne bit her lip, slowly took a breath, and closed her eyes. Trying to calm her mind, then after finishing her shower she went to her room to change clothes.
Not long after that, Jeanne came out of her room. Jeanne approached Anna in the kitchen who was washing dishes. Anna glanced at Jeanne. "Why did you remove your cast and bandages?" Anna asked, confused.
Jeanne walked closer and stood beside Anna. "The injury on my hand isn't too serious, and neither is my head, so I removed them because they were bothering me," Jeanne explained to her best friend, while moving her left hand and forcing a smile.
Anna nodded without suspicion. "That's good," she replied with a relieved smile.
Jeanne started washing the dishes and tidying the apartment with Anna. After finishing, they began cooking dinner with the remaining ingredients.
They occasionally laughed and joked, and chatted while cooking together.
About twenty minutes later, after finishing cooking, they sat at the dining table. "Enjoy your meal," Anna said.
Jeanne stared at the food on the table. Toast, an omelet sprinkled with scallions and sauce, and appetizing macaroni.
"Enjoy your meal," Jeanne replied.
…
10 PM.
After finishing dinner and cleaning the dishes, Jeanne and Anna watched several movies until late at night.
"My goodness… I forgot to check my phone," Anna stood up and walked toward her bag, then took her phone.
"Did you forget to tell your father and mother?" Jeanne asked, confused.
Anna shook her head slowly. "No, I already told them about you. At first they also wanted to come, but because of work, they couldn't," she added. "Oh right, I almost forgot, they asked me to apologize because they couldn't visit you," she said.
"It's okay…" Jeanne replied casually.
After opening her phone and checking her messages, Anna glanced at Jeanne. "You replied to my message?" Anna asked.
Jeanne, who was sitting on the sofa, turned off the television with the remote, then grabbed her crutches and stood up. She nodded. "Yes, I think so. I had to reply," Jeanne answered in a slightly awkward tone.
Anna smiled. "I'm glad." Anna walked over and hugged Jeanne. Jeanne blushed slightly, scratching her cheek lightly with her index finger.
…
The night grew late. Jeanne and Anna lay down on the bed under a blanket. Their eyes stared at the ceiling of the old apartment room.
"Anna, what if tomorrow we watch the movie you mentioned in the message," Jeanne suggested suddenly.
"It's not the weekend, and besides your condition isn't good right now," Anna said. Her voice was a whisper.
"I'm fine." Jeanne chuckled.
"Are you sure?" Anna asked, making sure.
Jeanne nodded. "Yes, I'm very sure," Jeanne replied.
Anna lay on her side, looking at Jeanne beside her. "I'm looking forward to it," Anna said with a smile.