[Short Story] A Word That Wakes a Vegetative Man
Bonus 1: Taehyung's Viewpoint (1-2)
Since you didn't come, the day became more lonely and boring than before.
My mom talked to me more, as if she knew how I felt, but still...
Dreuk-
○○○
"Uh..hello..!"
You... came.
It was so good. You're back again. What story will you tell me this time?
○○○
"Today's school lunch was really... ugh.."
It was so good. The voice speaking to me, everything...
Then... one night...
○○○
"I really...like you...a lot...!"
If I could make a face... if I could... I probably would have smiled.
Since when did you like me?
How long have you been waiting?
Why was I so happy when you came?
○○○
"!! Oh..it moved?!"
Did I move... maybe my body wanted to hold you that much.
When you got up from your seat and said you had to go, I wanted to say, "I want to die."
I like it too.
Don't show your back to me...
When the doctor examined me, I was able to move my fingers and was immediately taken to a large general hospital.
Then, you grabbed my hand and started crying.
○○○
"Sigh...huh...I can move now...I'm so glad..."
The hand that held mine was very warm.
It was so good... I thought while looking at you.
If I work hard... if I can move... if I can speak...
I wanted to hold your hand.
But...the joy was short-lived...for several months, you kept coming to my side and talking to me.
But...why...
It suddenly stopped coming again...
김태형
"Uh..uh..um..m..a.."
엄마
"!!!!!!!! Tae..hyung!!!!! Did you say that? Doctor!!!!!"
I can speak...even though I'm not very good at it...so I can talk to you.
Why aren't you coming? You said you'd tell me a story.
I thought.
Even if you don't come, I'll try my best.
I like going to see you too..
But, you... didn't come within a few days like before.
I'll come... I'll come... I'm busy so I'll put that aside...
You never know. He might come at night..!
I waited until dawn and fell asleep thousands of times.
Still, I kept trying. I spent about five hours a day doing rehabilitation, and I kept moving around to keep my body from stiffening.
I didn't know I'd recover this much. That's why newspapers and magazines flocked to me for interviews...
On the first day, when those reporters came,
I was hoping it would be you again, but I was disappointed.
김태형
"Uh..Mom..○..○..Why..isn't..you coming..? Why..?"
엄마
"It's probably because I'm a college student. Mom said she'll go and look for me. She even gave me your home address since we've become close."
I didn't expect it.
I thought it was you again and I was expecting it...
I'm afraid I'll be disappointed again.
간호사
"Okay, patient. Please hold onto the support and walk slowly. Don't push yourself too hard."
김태형
"..n..yes.."
My mom and the doctors said I shouldn't force it if it was difficult. But I wanted to see you, even just for a moment.
Kwadang-
김태형
"!!! Ugh..ouch.."
It had been a while since I'd been able to move my body during rehabilitation, so I kept falling over. The bruises on my legs were getting worse.
간호사
"You shouldn't overdo it..! Your muscles are still weak.. You should stop for today."
When I turned around to go to the hospital room because the nurse kept trying to stop me,
김태형
"!!!!!!!!"
I saw you walking away, turning around from the window. I saw your longed-for back.
I moved my legs to go to you without wiping my sweat or using crutches.
김태형
"eww..."
간호사
"Patient...! Are you okay?"
Even though everyone was staring...even though I kept feeling like I was going to fall, it didn't matter.
김태형
"○..○○..!"
○○○
"...? ah..!!"
When I called your name, you looked at me in shock.
He just blankly stared at me, and tears welled up in my eyes as I felt a sense of relief and resented my legs for not moving as I wanted.
김태형
"Sigh...sob...○..○..!"
Then suddenly I remembered the day you confessed to me and I wanted to respond.
I felt like I wouldn't be able to say anything if I didn't do it now.
김태형
"I.. I.. like.. like.. I wanted.. to.. say.. this.."
When I finally managed to get there and lean on you...
Resentment towards my body
Because of the relief that you are by my side...
I don't know how hard I hugged you and cried because I didn't want to let you go.
○○○
"Thank you. And... I really... like you."
It was so good. That's probably why I cried more. So I quickly said.
김태형
"At that time, Sarah, it would be okay to say, 'I love you.'"
That's what I was going to say next, but you hugged me tighter and said.
○○○
"I really...love...you, Taehyung."
It was so good. You told me first..and came even though it was late..
김태형
"Ugh... I really... love... you..."
Thank you so much for coming back.
And... I really... love you.
From now on, I will go to you first.
therefore..
therefore...
Stay by my side. Talk to me like you used to.
I really love you.