Not Just A Memory | Ko Kyung-jun

Title: The Story of How I Was Forced to Swear Never to Get Involved in Ko Kyung-jun’s Again—Losing My Family, Loved Ones, and Future  

(10/?)  

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I had a feeling something bad would happen.  

And I was right.  

"...You look a little pale."  

"I’m trying not to think about it, so please don’t point it out…"  

"You still noticed, huh?"  

Truthfully, I was just a bit worried.  

It was already 4:50 PM. As the event neared its end, the number of attendees dwindled, and my body gradually relaxed. But at the same time, exhaustion hit me like a wave.  

The event would end at 5:00 PM, and I’d be free to leave by 6:00. I figured I could push through today and then rest during my three-day break. Every time I overexerted myself, I’d end up sick for days afterward.  

But someone as observant as Geum-sul quickly noticed my condition.  

"This isn’t good."  

"It’s fine. I’ll manage until 6:00. I’ll be okay."  

"That’s not the issue."  

"The truck for packing up will arrive at 5:45 at the east gate. I can still help until then."  

"No, that’s not…"  

As I puzzled over his unusually vague response, my head grew heavier. I closed my eyes for a moment, feeling a sharp pain throbbing in my skull. I sighed, and Geum-sul stepped closer.  

"Can you make it to the infirmary on your own?"  

"I can’t ask the care staff for help."  

"I can’t leave my post, and no one else here knows how to handle this…"  

For now, I was forced to sit down in the shade beneath a table.  

"You don’t need this anymore, so just put it away. Instead of standing, crouch down and pretend to work."  

"But…"  

"Don’t push yourself."  

I felt incredibly guilty, but my body hurt more than I expected, so I sat down and closed my eyes.  

After a while, I heard Geum-sul talking to someone. Was it a staff member returning from break? Or a sponsor? If it was the latter, I’d have to greet them. I tried to stand up, but—  

"...I missed you so much."  

A shadow fell over me.  

When I turned around, Ko Kyung-jun was standing there.  

"...Huh?"  

"..."  

Kyung-jun’s sudden appearance left me speechless, my legs numb and unresponsive. Turns out, the saying that people can collapse from shock is real.  

"...Ko… Ky-ung…"  

"!"  

Unsure what to call him, I could only blurt out "Ky-ung"  

His face twisted with sadness. My heart ached as if stabbed when I saw it. Seeing him so upset made me miserable too.  

"Wait, but… why… are you in Eunpyeong…?"