I went to the hospital, but it didn't help my leg. It was obvious. The doctor said I shouldn't do any sports that involve physical exertion for the time being, but what was more important to me now than the pain in my leg was Kim Ga-on.
The moment Gaon looked into my eyes and said that he liked someone, I wanted to avoid that place. I wish this situation was a dream.Because I realized that the eyes of the girl who spoke of her first love already contained someone else.
The person in that child's eyes was clearly me, but beyond that, someone else was occupying it. I left before he finished talking. I had to be content with just watching Gaon grow happier as time passed. That was my role as a good friend, supporting first love.
Waiting for Gaon at the apartment entrance in the early morning before dawn was quite exciting. Being able to see your face every morning was the reason I continued to play basketball at dawn until now.
On the first day of dawn basketball, I left the apartment with my tired body.
'I wonder if he's out by now...'
I saw Gaon from far away. Well, the atmosphere was strange because we fought the day before, but it was okay because we would make up soon. The moment I was about to call Gaon, I noticed something strange. A man was following Gaon.
'Who is it...'
At first, he just seemed like a neighborhood man trying to walk the same path as me, so I couldn't just approach him and ask him out. I walked while watching Gaon's back. As we were about to pass the convenience store, Gaon noticed something strange and started running. The man also started running, and at that moment, I knew.
'Ah, this person's goal was Kim Ga-on.'
I started running right away too
A few minutes later, Gaon and the man disappeared together.
'Uh...uh, what should I do...'
At that moment, I heard a scream and Gaon came into view. I didn't even know what I had in my hand and just threw it. What I threw was a basketball, and it hit the man's head right in the face. "Eww!" I heard a scream and calmed my startled heart and approached Gaon.
_
No, I tried to approach him. The moment I approached him, an unidentified male student hugged Gaon. Gaon was also holding the male student's waist tightly.. This time too, I could only watch from afar.
I couldn't stand to see my friend cry or get hurt because of her first love. She was clearly excited because it was her first date, but the girl I saw in front of me now wasn't Kim Ga-on. She was just linking arms with a girl her own age.
That person should be with Gaon for a long time now.
My head was full of two thoughts
'If Kim Taehyung were here right now, Gaon would be...'
'I wonder if he's crying alone because he's upset.'
I was about to press the call button to make a call, but I gave up. I just slowly followed Kim Taehyung, turning my boxing bag around. He didn't seem to be close with the female student who was linking arms with him, and they were close enough that if I pushed them away at any moment, their lips would collide. The female student was leaning against Kim Taehyung the whole time. I waited for a long time for Kim Taehyung to disappear into the apartment complex. Dozens of minutes passed, and when the sun was starting to set, I caught Kim Taehyung as he came out of the complex entrance.
Taehyung: Who...
Gaon is my friend
Taehyung: Oh, last time at the park...
I asked questions in a direct and focused manner from the beginning.
Because I didn't have much time_
Is that your girlfriend?
taehyung: ?
Kim Taehyung, who was quietly looking at me
He finally seemed to understand what I meant and chuckled.
I have one favor to ask. Don't confuse Gaon.
Taehyung: Why? It's his heart that likes me, not yours.
Selfish bastard...
I wanted to curse, but this person is the first love of the person I like
That's true, but if I just sit here, you'll keep being selfish, and Gaon will keep liking you without knowing anything.
Kim Taehyung's expression became strange, but it didn't matter. What mattered was that he wanted Kim Gaon to know nothing about this.
Taehyung: So?
I don't know about anything else, but I can't stand seeing Gaon sick.
I turned around and walked away, then headed to the bus stop. She'd probably say I had a great first date, but I'd have to pretend I didn't know anything and just listen to her story with a blank expression.
I was walking to the bus stop when I heard a ding-ding sound.
Touching my phone at the bus stop where Gaon hasn't arrived yet
I just stared into space
'What should I reply so he doesn't get hurt?'
In the distance, a bus was slowly moving toward its destination. I moved to a convenience store with a clear view of the bus stop and bought a bottle of water. Then, sitting on a chair inside the convenience store, I picked up my phone and slowly replied.
After sending the reply, I swallowed the pills the orthopedic surgeon gave me one by one. Then I quietly watched Gaon getting off the bus.
_
On the way to the basketball court at dawn, Gaon asked me
Dong-geul, isn't it hard to wake up at dawn? I find it incredibly difficult to even get up, but you always wake up and wait for me.
The reason I could wake up early in the morning and wait for you was because I could see you from the morning. The reason I wasn't scared of going to the basketball court every day at dawn was because I was with you. I could readily go down any dark road. That's why I did it.
When will the day come when I can express my true feelings like this?
I wish you would come soon!
_End of side story