Min-gyu was crying in fear with a cast on his leg.
"What the heck is going on...."
"senior...."
"Are you this patient's guardian?"
I was at a loss as to what to do with Min-gyu, who was crying, and the person who looked like a doctor seemed to see me as his guardian. Since there was no one who looked like Min-gyu's parents, I said I was his guardian.
Min-gyu seemed to have been in a car accident today. A man was driving drunk.
"I think I'll probably have to be hospitalized for about three weeks."
"3 weeks?...Okay."
"...No way."
"uh?"
"I told you not to! There's only one exam left... I have to get good grades to compete!"
As Min-gyu said, the exam is only a few weeks away, and if I get hospitalized, I'll have to miss classes... If I make a mistake, it could affect my participation in the competition.
First, I told the doctor I wanted to talk to him and asked to be admitted. Min-gyu was in despair, as if his world had collapsed.
"Kim Min-gyu..."
"Senior. I want to play volleyball... I want to compete too..."
"Who said you couldn't compete? If you keep practicing like that, it won't be because of your grades, but because of your health."
"...But. While I'm doing this, other players will be practicing, and my senses have dulled over the time I haven't practiced..."
"I have a feeling you have some time before the competition. Just get some rest."
"But the test..."
"You don't trust Hansol?"
"Huh? Suddenly..."
"Hansol has told you so far, and he will tell you more starting tomorrow. What's the problem?"
"..."
"Don't doubt yourself. Even if others doubt your ability, have confidence in your own abilities."
"...."
"And starting tomorrow, Hansol will bring you here every day."
"yes..."
“But shouldn’t you tell your parents first?”
"...You won't answer the phone."
"Huh? What are you talking about?"
"Mom and Dad, you both met for work, so you don't come home often... You both went on a business trip to the US a few days ago."
"...what about other relatives?"
"Everyone can't come."
"under...."
"Honestly, I was anxious. I thought my senior wouldn't come either."
"Why aren't I here? I'm not even busy."
"still..."
"I'm not busy, so if something like this happens again, call me right away."
"...Really?"
"Then fake?"
"Even late at night? Even early in the morning?"
"Oh. I'll come anytime, so don't be anxious."
"..."
"Even if I can't go, there are many people who can come to your side, including your seniors and friends."
It seemed like Min-gyu wasn't used to being taken care of like this yet.
Min-gyu, who always seemed bright and happy, had parents who lived far away and thought that relying on others was harmful to others. Min-gyu seemed to choke up at the words that anyone would come to him... Was there no one to lean on until it was this hard...?
"Cry. If you want to cry... I won't tease you."
"..Huh..Senior...Keuh. Uh, in this situation..are you joking?"
"I'm saying this to make you feel better, Tzasha."
"..senior..."
"uh?"
"I had a hard time... so... hard... sob..."
I patted Min-gyu and told him he'd done well and would continue to do well. It was okay to be honest sometimes...
After a few minutes, Min-gyu calmed down and stopped crying. I was about to go back since it was getting late.
"I'll go, Min-gyu."
"senior!...."
Min-gyu grabbed my wrist as I was about to leave and looked into my eyes as he spoke.
"..Really...Really, tomorrow, the day after, will you come until I'm okay?"
Min-gyu still seemed a little uneasy. It was clearly a question, but his eyes were telling him to come.
"Are you saying that because it's obvious?"
"...Then that's fine."
"I'm not coming alone, I'm bringing Hansol too, you idiot."
"What kind of fool is that to a sick junior... You're going to get hurt."
"Seeing you joking around, everything seems better. Let's go."
As I walked back, I thought... how much had Min-gyu been hiding up until now... how anxious must he have been... how lonely must he have been...
"I'm back... Ah! Why are you hitting me!"
"Hey! What time is it? If you were going to be late, you should have said something! Why did you suddenly go out... Did you go out with your boyfriend or something?"
"...That's not it. My junior got hurt..."
"Then that's right! You're just going out like that without even calling? Hey, come here! Stay right there?"
"Ah! It hurts! Where's the mom who beats me because I don't have a boyfriend?"
"You're hitting me because I didn't contact you?"
"I! I'm sorry, Mom, ah! It hurts..."