Chapter 20

“If we keep doing this, nothing’s changed.”

Hyun Woo’s words didn’t end there.

“There’ll be another cherry blossom festival next year, but this is the last year for us as third-year high school students. Chae Ah also needs to study with us if she wants to improve her skills.”

“Alright, alright already….”

Eun Bi, who had been excited just moments ago, suddenly lost all her enthusiasm.

She hadn’t given a second thought to exam schedules or anything like that.

The gap in perception between Hyun Woo, who had consistently ranked at the top throughout his life, and herself felt even wider.

Thud, thud.

As Eun Bi, now deflated, turned to go back to her seat—

“I want to go though.”

Chae Ah poked Hyun Woo’s arm.

“Didn’t we ever go see cherry blossoms before?”

“Yeah, we did.”

“Then let’s go this time, Hyun Woo. Maybe it’ll help bring back some memories.”

“That’s true, but still….”

Though Hyun Woo was like an iron wall to Eun Bi, he seemed momentarily swayed by Chae Ah’s suggestion.

The last time they’d gone to see cherry blossoms was in middle school. After entering high school, they never went again. The blossoms always bloomed during exam periods and fell right after exams ended.

While high school memories might not return easily, those from middle school certainly held potential for revival.

“…You’re right! Maybe seeing the cherry blossoms will help Chae Ah’s memories come back.”

Swoosh.

Eun Bi, who had turned around once more, approached Hyun Woo’s desk.

“Isn’t your test score more important than Chae Ah’s?”

Thinking she had found leverage, she slightly tilted her lips upward.

She intended to tease him further while watching him struggle with indecision, but—

“Then let’s go. To the cherry blossom festival.”

“Huh?”

“Why? Let’s go.”

“Oh, um, sure. Good thinking.”

Eun Bi was taken aback by how easily he gave in.

“But.”

Hyun Woo wasn’t one to change his mind so quickly either. No matter how important Chae Ah’s memories were, midterms weren’t something to dismiss lightly.

“Let’s all study together first and then go.”

“What?”

“Since things are going this way, it’d be good to gather and study in the morning, then enjoy ourselves in the afternoon, right?”

“…”

Eun Bi couldn’t immediately respond. In reality, following Hyun Woo’s suggestion wouldn’t cause any problems. They weren’t planning on spending the entire day under the cherry blossoms anyway. If she had to pinpoint the issue, it was simply that Eun Bi didn’t feel like studying.

“Jin Hyuk, what do you think?”

Eun Bi subtly turned her head toward Jin Hyuk.

Blink, blink.

Desperately sending signals through rapid eye blinks for help—

Nod.

Jin Hyuk nodded.

“It’s a good idea. Study together, then cherry blossom festival, go-go.”

“Hey!”

“Isn’t this what you wanted?”

Jin Hyuk tilted his head. He assumed she would quickly agree since they now had an excuse to go together.

“Good thinking. Anyway, I don’t need good grades since I’m heading to art school.”

“Then let’s all meet up at the library?”

Though childhood friends who consistently ranked at the top of their class smiled contentedly, Eun Bi’s expression grew complicated.

“Sigh… This isn’t how I planned it.”

* * *

After agreeing to attend the cherry blossom festival,

time quickly passed, and it was now the following Friday.

After school ended,

Hyun Woo and Chae Ah didn’t head home immediately.

“Ugh… It was really suffocating.”

“Still, it’s good you didn’t get injured during summer.”

“True.”

Because today marked the end of her long, drawn-out cast life.

‘So, does this mean we won’t cling like this anymore?’

He looked at Chae Ah, who was practically leaning into him. Until now, walking like this was justified under the pretense of support. But now that the cast was off, this proximity felt overly intimate.

Feeling the softness and warmth against his arm, he felt a pang of regret…

‘No, it’s better this way; it’s getting warmer anyway.’

He shook his head, trying to convince himself otherwise.

In truth, maintaining such close distance without being in a relationship felt awkward.

“The cast will probably smell awful once it’s removed.”

“I’m going to shower right when I get home.”

As they chatted in the waiting room,

“Patient number 81, please come into the examination room~”

“They’re calling us, Hyun Woo.”

Upon hearing the nurse call out their number, they entered the examination room.

“Hello, Miss Chae Ah.”

A doctor greeted them, adjusting his glasses. He was the same person who had diagnosed Chae Ah in the emergency room, known for his dry, emotionless demeanor.

“Before removing the cast, I’ll conduct a brief checkup. Did you take all the prescribed medication?”

Without wasting time on pleasantries, the doctor got straight to the point.

“Yes. And because of that, I haven’t had headaches unless I tried recalling certain memories.”

“It seems effective, so I’ll prescribe it one more time. If your symptoms don’t worsen, you can stop taking the medicine after this round.”

Tap tap.

Having typed something onto the monitor screen, the doctor turned to Hyun Woo.

“Last time, I asked you to observe and assist her closely. Have there been any unusual occurrences with Miss Chae Ah?”

Too many things came to mind when considering “unusual occurrences”—

Like how she randomly burrowed into his chest whenever possible,

or how her cheerful smiles now openly assaulted his heart, unlike her previous attempts to hide her expressions,

or how she kept kissing his cheek as a gesture of gratitude.

‘And these aren’t things I can say.’

Though her behavior differed from before losing her memory, discussing each instance would be too embarrassing.

“Unusual occurrences… Oh, yes.”

After much deliberation, Hyun Woo finally managed to voice one example.

“When she tries to recall something and ends up with a headache, hugging her makes it better.”

“Is that so? That’s quite peculiar.”

Once again tapping away at the keyboard, the doctor turned to ask Chae Ah directly.

“It seems you find comfort in your friend’s embrace.”

“Yes.”

“You mentioned having headaches when trying to remember something. Do any memories remain after the pain subsides?”

“No… I forget everything again.”

Chae Ah shook her head, looking disheartened.

Even though the school semester had started quite a while ago,

Chae Ah could only recover fragmented memories.

Memories related to family or friendships outside of Hyun Woo remained elusive.

“Understood. We believe the headaches accompanying memory retrieval stem from unconscious resistance.”

“Resistance?”

“Yes. Psychological factors such as compulsions or fears are at play here, which cannot be treated with medication.”

The doctor continued with a brief Q&A session.

Most questions were light inquiries about her current state, but—

“Hmm? You said doing familiar activities helps restore memories?”

Hearing about their efforts to regain memories, the doctor showed interest.

“Though I know you’re busy as a student, try experiencing as much as possible. The fact that memories become clearer through these experiences is a very positive sign.”

Hyun Woo nodded.

Even if he hadn’t planned this initially, with the doctor’s recommendation, there was no reason to hesitate further.

‘Good thing we decided to see the cherry blossoms.’

Secretly grateful for Eun Bi’s suggestion,

“Then let’s move over. A nurse will assist with removing the cast. You can go home after receiving your prescription today.”

The doctor concluded the diagnosis.

“Thank you.”

Hyun Woo and Chae Ah bowed slightly and moved to the side of the examination room.

“Miss Chae Ah, is that you? Please sit here and wait~”

The waiting nurse smiled kindly and pulled out an electric saw.

Chae Ah perked up her ears.

Whispering close to Hyun Woo, she said,

“Gulp. Why is she pulling that out all of a sudden?”

“Well, they need to cut your cast.”

“With that?”

“Yeah.”

Hyun Woo chuckled softly.

‘How is her reaction exactly the same as the first time she saw it?’

Back in elementary school,

Hyun Woo had broken his ankle and needed a cast. When told it would be cut with an electric saw, he had panicked just like this…

“What if it cuts into the skin?”

“Don’t worry. It’s done by professionals, and it won’t hurt even if it touches the skin.”

“Really…?”

“Yeah. I’ll wait outside, so come out when you’re done.”

“Wait, you’re leaving me?”

“Yes, family members should wait outside~”

“Got it? Come out when you’re done.”

“Uh…!”

Though he wished he could hold her hand or offer some form of support,

since they were asked to wait outside, what could he do?

Hyun Woo left the examination room, leaving behind a trembling Chae Ah.

Wheeeeee—

The intimidating sound filled the air.

In reality, the process wasn’t painful at all.

Thinking about Chae Ah shaking nervously made him somewhat amused.

‘I wish I could watch.’

How long had he waited, indulging in pleasant thoughts?

“Hyun Woo! I’m alive!”

Chae Ah emerged, brushing her hands down her chest.

“Would the hospital really let you die?”

“The sound was terrifying.”

Then, as if on cue,

she flung herself into Hyun Woo’s arms.

“…People are passing by. What are you doing?”

“This was the first thing I wanted to do after the cast came off.”

“But you’ve been clinging all along, haven’t you?”

“I couldn’t fully hug you with both arms before, though.”

Chae Ah grinned and tightened her grip around Hyun Woo’s arms.

That day, Hyun Woo realized something.

With the cast gone, the area where their bodies touched increased.

Now that Chae Ah could freely use both arms, she could cling even closer.

Of course, hugging tightly meant—

Boom, boom, boom, boom.

Her heartbeat echoed loudly enough to feel intrusive.

For a moment, it felt like time stood still.

The world narrowed down to just the two of them.

All he could see was Chae Ah.

Her warm breath tickled his neck.

Just as his heart felt ready to burst,

“Hyun Woo, can you help me walk?”

Chae Ah slowly detached herself from his embrace.

“Support?”

Thinking they weren’t removing the leg cast today,

he glanced down to see her legs perfectly healed.

“My foot feels weak. It’s because I haven’t used it much. The nurse said I’ll adapt within a day or so.”

Recalling their past experience, it seemed accurate.

-Ouch… My ankle feels weak!

-Wow, interesting. I thought I’d be able to run around right after the cast came off.

-Can you help me, Chae Ah?

-Sure, sure. This older sister will help you.

Hyun Woo remembered bringing Chae Ah home supported by him the day his own cast was removed.

“Alright. Let’s not stand here and go already.”

Thinking it was his turn this time,

he took Chae Ah outside the hospital, supporting her unsteady steps.

While helping Chae Ah limp along, he casually remarked,

“But if we keep doing this, nothing has changed.”

Even after removing the cast,

Chae Ah was still clinging tightly to Hyun Woo.

“Huh? What hasn’t changed? Now I can….”

Grip tightly.

Chae Ah grabbed both of Hyun Woo’s arms firmly.

“Hug you with both arms.”

“…Why are you thinking about hugging first?”

“Because it makes me happy?”

Looking at Chae Ah dangling off him with her whole body, Hyun Woo thought,

‘This is bad. What am I supposed to do?’

At least the cast provided some minimal sense of distance.

Now, there was nothing left to separate them.