Chapter 41
Chapter 41
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 41
Chapter Title: Going Back (3)
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The highway heading down to Busan.
We glanced over at Myth, who was still glued to her phone screen from the back seat, and asked,
"Sis, everything okay?"
"Huh? Why?"
"No, just... you've been staring at your phone more than usual. Thought something might be up or whatever."
Her expression didn't look great either.
We swallowed those words.
No need to bring the mood down by pointing it out.
"Just sent a message, but no reply."
"Yeah? He's probably busy with something."
"Heard he's at the hospital. Wonder what's going on~."
Should I give him a call?
That's when it happened.
Tap. Tap.
Something started hitting the windshield.
"Ah, it's raining."
"Rain? The forecast said clear skies nationwide."
"Shower on the way down happens all the time. Whatever. What do those science nerds even do? Can't predict the weather right."
Grumbling to ourselves, the car pushed through the rain.
"Tell me about it."
Myth leaned her head against the window, gazing out at the rainy scenery.
At her reflection in the glass, and the downpour beyond.
Ah, something feels worrying.
With all the staff around, it felt awkward to call out loud.
"Yuuri-ya, wanna hit a rest stop?"
"Closest one's thirty minutes away. You good?"
"Yeah. It's stuffy with the rain. Let's grab a ton of snacks and share."
"Ooooh! For real? Feels like thirty years since I had those sweet potatoes from there!"
"Heehee. Jiye-ya, you're still in your twenties."
A while later, we arrived at the rest stop.
Leaving the staff to rush off to the shop with Myth's card, we followed her instead.
"Huh? Yuuri-ya? Why'd you come? Go grab something yummy."
"...Because of Legend? Something wrong?"
"Nah, just felt uneasy leaving you alone."
"Legend by himself? Or you?"
Myth went quiet for a moment, looking up at the sky.
Using the drizzling heavens as her canvas, she pictured Legend's face.
Imagining him fretting anxiously without her, struggling on his own.
She wanted him to lean on her like that, yet hated the idea of him feeling uneasy.
A contradictory mix of emotions welled up.
"Pfft."
"You just imagined something weird again."
"N-no. Anyway, it's me who's uneasy. Me."
More importantly, let's see...
Consultation at the hospital should be wrapping up by now, right?
Please, perfectly timed.
Once we're back in the car, I won't hear your voice.
Myth picked up her phone, pouring her prayers into it.
As the doctor's words wrapped up, the slightly heavier air in the exam room pressed on my shoulders.
Extreme anxiety.
I rolled the words around in my mouth a few times.
I had my suspicions, but "extreme"? Really?
"Nothing to be shocked about. If anything, it's surprising you've been so healthy up till now."
"Pardon?"
"When long-term coma patients wake up, it's rare for them to have no mental issues."
The doctor explained.
"Typically, for those in prolonged comas, muscles atrophy first, then organ functions fail—you can think of the body as completely wrecked. And from that state, mental problems usually follow."
Just yesterday, I'd been walking fine.
Suddenly waking to a gaunt body, limbs without strength.
Digestive system barely functional, surviving on liquid diets or IVs for rehab, enduring hellish physical therapy to regain muscle.
Most people break mentally in that process.
"But you're the exception, Legend. A near-miracle, superhuman physique. Like I said last time, I was seriously considering treating you like a zombie."
"For real?"
"That's how absurd it was. Anyway, healthy body, healthy mind. You're even healthier than average, so you've cleared the first hurdle, thankfully."
Now, moving on—
That's when the doctor's phone buzzed.
"One moment."
"Sure."
The doctor excused himself and took the call.
"Yes, yes. Ah... I see? No helping it then. I'll head over. Oh, it's fine. Consultation's almost done. Yes, yes. Ten minutes."
The doctor listened intently, nodding into the air repeatedly.
Something urgent come up?
He removed his glasses, pinched his nose bridge a few times, then apologized to me.
"Sorry, Legend. Emergency in the ward—I need to step out quickly."
"No worries. I know I've taken up plenty of your time already."
Today's session had already gone over three hours, unlike usual.
Far too long for a busy doctor at a major hospital focused on turnover.
"Thanks for understanding. Lastly, the most important part."
"Yes?"
"Anxiety stems from many causes. As I mentioned, yours seems unrelated to physical factors."
The doctor stood, grabbing his coat.
"Mental then...?"
"More precisely, 'relationships.' Like with friends you've been apart from for seven years... anxiety over being seven years behind."
The doctor's eyes gleamed.
"You probably haven't felt it strongly because someone by your side was easing that anxiety."
"...I think I know who."
Only one person had stuck by me since I woke up.
Myth had been covering my unease with even greater affection.
'So without Myth, the doctor noticed right away?'
What is this?
Not some pup with separation anxiety.
Freaking out so much without her that others pick up on it.
I chuckled at how ridiculous I was.
"Ah, phone keeps buzzing. Legend, walk with me to the ward entrance while we talk?"
"Is that okay?"
"I'd feel bad leaving mid-consult. Come along."
"Sure."
We walked through the hospital together.
Even while moving, the doctor didn't stop explaining.
This is professionalism.
The ward came into view ahead.
Realizing time was short, I asked quickly.
"What should I do?"
"Best way: eliminate the source of anxiety."
His casual words made my lips pout involuntarily.
Fix anxiety by removing its cause? What kind of advice is that, Doc?
Catching my skeptical glare, he turned away and cleared his throat.
"More precisely, face it head-on. That's the best method."
"Face the anxiety...?"
"You have some idea already, but you'll know best. Ask yourself where it comes from, find answers, and confront it directly."
"What if facing it scares me?"
Anxiety.
The word conjured several sources in my mind.
All terrifying to face directly.
Fear of failure's pain? Or worry about what follows?
"Get help."
"Help?"
"Yes. If alone is scary, seek support. If there's someone around who can help with that anxiety, don't hesitate to ask."
Anxiety is like a weight on your heart.
If too heavy alone, sharing it helps plenty.
That's what he said.
"Try counseling. If no one available, come see me anytime."
"...Got it. I'll come if it doesn't work out."
"Haha. As always, I pray patients don't need to return."
After the consult, I paused in the hallway.
The doctor slowed too, looking at me.
"Thank you, Doctor."
"No, thank you for the focused session. Legend. And please, try what I suggested."
"Scary, but I'll give it a shot."
"Best answer. People who admit their fears are cool."
Seeing his smile, I turned and left the hospital.
I looked up at the sky.
February's blue sky blazed clear, not a cloud in sight.
"Spring already."
The breeze was warm, faint chirps of birds in the air.
Spring wind still carrying a winter chill brushed past me.
- Ring ring ring. Ring ring.
Right on cue, my phone rang.
Caller ID? No need to check.
How does she call right as I step out?
"Hello?"
- Legend! Consult over? Everything okay?
It was strange.
So strange.
Just hearing her voice melted the chest-tightening anxiety from moments ago.
"Yeah, no issues."
- Good. Whew. Miss you already~.
Myth acted cute as always.
"Me too."
- Huh? Wha?! Wait, say that again!
Caught off guard by my honesty, her flustered panic came through clearly.
I smirked and said,
"Hanging up."
- Wha?! Wait, one more time!
I ended the call.
Not yet.
Feelings grown stronger since Valentine's.
Time to face the anxiety—to convey this heart properly.