"I'll just walk down the hallway for a bit."
"Oh, really? Mom, I'll shake out the blanket."
I'm really grateful that I can walk.
I have a weak heart. I've had it since I was born. I could still run a little when I was born. But when I was little, some mischievous boys stole the hairpin my late grandmother had given me. They held the hand holding the hairpin over a drain hole and threatened to drop it if I didn't run to them. I took a deep breath and ran as fast as I could. They were quite far away, and I was getting out of breath and my heart was pounding, but I held it in and ran. As I got closer, they ran away. I kept chasing them.
Suddenly, I felt like my breath was caught in my throat and my heart was strained, and I fell down as if I was running.
When I opened my eyes, I was in a hospital room and I had to spend the rest of my life in the hospital.
I don't blame those mischievous boys for having to spend the rest of my life in the hospital. I was the one who ran, and it was my fault I ended up so weak.
For ten years, since I was eight, I never ventured outside except to the garden in front of the hospital. Now eighteen, I've never been to school. My mother, thinking of me, arranged for a tutor to teach me, but studying alone became tiring, so I quit. I wanted to make friends, eat delicious food, go out for fun, and create small, happy memories.
“Hey, you’re late?”
“I was late because I had to make another lap.”
"I have good news for you, Yeoju."
"What is it?"
Well, I guess it's a little better. It always feels the same.
"I think our heroine will make a new friend."
"..Huh? What is that,"
"A new kid around the same age as Yeoju has moved into the next ward."
"Really?"
This was the first time I'd met someone my age while in the hospital. And since they were in the room next to mine, I wanted to go over and say hello right away. A doctor and what looked like parents came out of the room next door, the doctor said something, and then they left. It seemed like they'd gone home, so I waited a while before knocking on the door. I was afraid they might not want to be my friend.
I decided to approach her naturally.
The next morning, I opened the door to my hospital room and went out for a walk. I heard the door in the next room open, so I turned my head to look. I saw a boy coming out with an IV drip. I stood there, staring at myself, and I felt his gaze. He looked back at me. I stood there blankly for a moment, then came to my senses and waved at him silently. It was a gesture of welcome.
The boy waved back, and I was embarrassed because it had been so long since I had greeted someone my age like this, so I hurried to my feet.
The time I met him was 9:00 AM
It's been a while since I last ventured out to the garden in front of the hospital. The gardener tends to the beautiful flowers each season, so I come out several times each season to feast my eyes on them.
“Would you like a drink?”
".. uh?"
"hi"
It was the boy who had just emerged from the next room. He came over to me, where I was admiring the flowers, and handed me an electrolyte drink. I stared blankly at him, took the drink, and he smiled and spoke to me.
“What is your name?”
“Huh? I’m… Kim Yeo-ju.”
“I am Jeon Jungkook”
"jungkook..?"
"Yeah, I'm 18. How about you?"
"me too!"
I ended up giving my full name and the kid smiled brightly at me.
“Let’s stay close until we get discharged.”
I laughed along and nodded.
That was my first meeting with that kid.