ENDING

EP.1 Terminally ill

"At most, 3 months."

"The surgery.."

She had expected the doctor’s words. Still, it was far too sudden a fact. Yeoju had already been struggling with heart disease. On one hand, she was afraid of dying, and she thought maybe this would be better than things were now. But there was someone she couldn’t stop thinking about. 'Kang Taehyun'

"I’m fine."

She had taken care of Yeoju all this time and always suffered more than Yeoju did. Because of me, I want that kid to forget me now. She decided not to get the surgery. And more than anything, she hoped he would be happy.

[Kang Taehyun/17]

[Choi Yeoju/17/terminally ill/heart disease]

[Choi Beomgyu/18/Yeoju’s older brother]

"Yeoju, let’s get the surgery. Please, oppa is begging you.."

"Oppa, I’m fine. I’m not going to die. But the surgery, I’ve just.. already had so many. I’m tired too now,"

"...."

"Fine, okay. Then.. let’s do that,"

"As long as you’re not in pain.."

"Thank you, oppa."

"Please keep this a secret from Kang Taehyun.."

"Okay,"

The next day-

So Yeoju decided to keep her distance from Taehyun.

"Yeoju, you’re here?"

Taehyun asked, but Yeoju answered curtly.

"Yeah."

"How’s your body? Feeling a little better?"

"Yeah."

"..I see"

Taehyun went to his seat.

"Ha.."

A few hours later-

Library

If it were normal, she would have been with Kang Taehyun, but today she wasn’t. It was to make herself lose feelings for him.

"Ugh.."

Her chest suddenly hurt so badly. Her vision blurred, and Yeoju lost consciousness right there.

"Kim Yeoju!!"

Taehyun’s voice frantically calling for Yeoju could be heard faintly.

A few minutes later,

When she opened her eyes, Kang Taehyun was standing in front of her. I pushed Taehyun away like that.

"Yeoju, are you okay?"

"Yeah,"

"You’re kind of making me uncomfortable, could you go out?"

".."

"Okay, get some rest."

"Yeah."

Her chest hurt so much. This wasn’t from the illness—it was truly emotion. I guess I liked Kang Taehyun.

Ring ring-

Yeoju turned on her phone and called someone.

"Hey, Jung Huening."

"Got a minute?"

"I wanted to tell you something face-to-face,"

"Sure,"

[Hueningkai (Jung Huening)/17/Yeoju’s male friend]

"You’re here?"

"Yeah, what do you want to say?"

"The thing is, actually I.."

"I’m terminally ill."

"W, what?"

"How long can you live..?"

"3 months,"

"That’s pretty short, huh?ㅎㅎ.."

"You’re not getting the surgery?"

"Yeah, I guess it’s about time for me to die anyway. My condition’s gotten a little worse lately,"

"If I get surgery, I’m the one who loses."

"..Really?"

"But, can you take care of me a little?"

"My brother is too busy, working and because of me.."

"Sure."

"But, Kang Taehyun.."

"Ah, I was going to tell you."

"I actually really like Kang Taehyun."

"..He probably likes you too?"

"I know, but I don’t want to make him worry,"

"Help me a little, okay?"

"Am I.. not on your mind at all?"

"Huh? What did you say?"

"ㅎㅎ, never mind"

"Take care of yourself, and I won’t tell Kang Taehyun."

"Take care!"

"Thanks,"

"You’re the only friend I can trust, really.."

"A friend? Right. Thanks for thinking of me that way too,"

"ㅋㅋ, see you later."