Chapter 15, Section 3: I Am an Elementary School Student (3)

I, a former thoracic surgeon, have now ventured into the realm of private investigation.

After the class ended, it was time to go home.

Shaking off Kim Jisun's invitation to play at her house and the friends who wanted to play spinning tops, I began to tail Kim Yohan.

Kim Yohan was, as usual, alone on his way home.

Although it was spring, Kim Yohan seemed to be still in winter.

'There are too many variables.'

As I followed Kim Yohan, I fell into deep thought.

Kim Yohan had been alone in the classroom during physical education class when he passed away. Finding the cause of a sudden death in an elementary school student was like picking stars from the sky.

If there was one disease that currently seemed the most suspicious, it was anaphylaxis.

Anaphylaxis.

It is an immune disorder characterized by sudden allergic reactions, causing symptoms such as headaches, breathing difficulties, and low blood pressure.

In severe cases, it can be a life-threatening emergency.

"Anaphylaxis occurred in Kim Yohan after he was stung by a bee. Alone in the classroom, Kim Yohan couldn't call for help and eventually passed away."

Among the hypotheses I've formed so far, the anaphylaxis theory seemed the most plausible.

The second hypothesis was domestic violence.

It was possible that the abuse and beatings by his parents had some impact on Kim Yohan's death.

However, finding a direct link between domestic violence and death was not easy.

If it were a shock death due to domestic violence, wouldn't the parents have to come to the school and beat Kim Yohan?

Such a scenario was not easy to imagine, even from a common-sense perspective.

The world is unpredictable, and shocking events do happen from time to time.

'Reflection isn't a panacea, after all.'

I smiled bitterly as I pondered the cause of Kim Yohan's death.

Just because I had reincarnated and traveled back in time didn't mean I remembered everything.

What I remembered was all within my areas of interest.

I couldn't recall anything outside of those interests.

Whether there were bruises on Kim Yohan's face or if his face was swollen, and so on.

If I had remembered even a small clue, preventing Kim Yohan's death wouldn't have been so difficult...

In this second life, I needed to broaden my perspective.

"Mom, I'm here."

Kim Yohan stepped into the traditional market.

He called out to a woman selling vegetables in a basket near the entrance, addressing her as his mother.

I hid behind a pillar and observed their every move.

Kim Yohan's mother, like Kim Yohan, seemed to be struggling.

For a moment, my heart ached.

My past life, filled with poverty, overlapped with Kim Yohan's.

Two worn-out shirts and one pair of pants.

A gaunt face and a life where hunger was a daily occurrence.

One of the reasons Kim Yohan didn't get along well with his classmates was undoubtedly poverty.

Just like I did back then.

'So, being poor means you can't make friends?' someone might argue.

It's not entirely wrong.

But the inferiority complex that comes with poverty is something that those who haven't experienced it can never understand.

Poverty weighs heavily on a child's shoulders and heart.

When your lunchbox only contains rice and kimchi, and your clothes are shabby, how can you have the confidence to make friends?

Especially if you are naturally introverted, it's even harder.

"Buy vegetables. Fresh vegetables."

Kim Yohan shouted loudly beside his mother.

People looked at him as if he were a monkey in a zoo, but Kim Yohan didn't seem to mind.

It was as if he was used to such looks.

"Yohan, I'm fine. Go home."

"There's nothing to do at home. I just want to help Mom."

"What if your friends see you?"

"It's okay. I don't have any friends."

"What?"

Kim Yohan's mother's eyes widened like a frog's.

Realizing he had made a mistake, a look of embarrassment appeared on Kim Yohan's face.

"That is... I don't have any friends who would be embarrassed by me helping Mom. So don't worry."

Kim Yohan showed a surprisingly mature way of speaking for a child.

His already grown-up demeanor made my heart ache once again.

O God of Medicine.

Why did you take the life of such a precious and pitiful child so quickly?

Is this your justice?

As I blamed the heavens, I soon changed my mind.

Perhaps I was reincarnated to save people like Kim Yohan, who left the world unjustly.

I decided to believe that.

It had been a whole hour since I started secretly observing Kim Yohan.

I confirmed that he and his mother closed their stall early and went home.

Although I didn't find any clues related to the cause of Kim Yohan's death, I did make some progress.

My passion to save Kim Yohan only grew stronger.

* * *

"I'm back."

"You're a bit late today. Did you play with your friends?"

When I got home, my mother, who had just returned from work, and my father, who was doing housework, greeted me.

"Yes, we played spinning tops."

"Playing is good, but you should have told us. Your mom and dad were worried."

"I'm sorry. I won't do it again."

"Don't look so down. You must be hungry. Have some snacks first."

Eating fruit snacks with my parents.

I ate two apples in one go, probably because I had expended a lot of energy tailing Kim Yohan.

"By the way, Mom, Dad, how did the health checkup go last time?"

I asked, my eyes shining.

Three weeks ago, my parents had a health checkup at the hospital where my mother worked.

They had the checkup because of my persistent nagging.

I had thrown a tantrum, saying that since a friend's mother was seriously ill, my parents should also check if they had any health issues.

The reason I had them get the checkup, even lying to do so, was because the health of my family was the top priority.

Especially my father, who had died of unstable angina in my previous life when I was in medical school.

It was necessary to check for any health issues early on.

"Mom and Dad are both fine. They said we're very healthy," my mother replied with a smile.

"Does Dad ever have chest pain or feel short of breath?"

"Dad? Dad is so healthy he could walk around the Earth twice," my father joked.

I was somewhat relieved to hear that the checkup results were fine.

Based on my speculation, my father in this life would not develop angina.

Firstly, because he had not fallen into the world of novels but instead had gained recognition through them.

Secondly, because he would not struggle with debt guarantees, manual labor, alcohol, and cigarettes as he did before.

However, I would still need to be vigilant against any potential risks.

"Faith, how was your first class?"

"It was fun. I made a lot of new friends."

"Well, of course. Our Faith is always the best. Whether it's studying or making friends, you're always the best," my mother laughed.

I felt happy too.

My mother's happiness was my happiness.

After chatting with my parents, I soon went to take a shower and entered my room.

Although I was tired, I slapped my cheeks lightly to stay awake.

'I need to start preparing now.'

I opened my English speaking and listening book and started studying.

In my previous life, after completing my public health service and returning to thoracic surgery, I had the opportunity to train at James Hopkins Hospital.

It was a two-year long-term thoracic surgery course, and my seniors and juniors were excited about the chance to train at one of the best hospitals in the United States.

Of course, I was envious too, but I had to give up easily.

My English skills were not good enough, and I lacked the confidence to live alone in a foreign place.

The person who made it to the second interview and was selected was Lee Gi-woo.

He was my junior by a year and was chosen because he could communicate in English with foreigners.

If I could improve my English skills, I could have that opportunity in this life.

If I could train in the United States, I might become an even more excellent thoracic surgeon.

Just thinking about it made my heart race.

"How have you been? What are you up to?"

I followed the pronunciation from the cassette tape step by step.

But why did my face flush every time I repeated the English phrases?

* * *

Time passed quickly.

During this period, my primary task was, of course, to prevent Kim Yohan's death.

Through consistent attention to Kim Yohan, I learned a few additional facts.

Kim Yohan's father had passed away from an illness when he was young.

He lived alone with his mother, who sold vegetables at the traditional market, and had no siblings.

I erased another sentence I had written in my heart.

From what I saw at the market, it didn't seem like Kim Yohan's mother was mistreating him.

As the fateful day, the school anniversary, approached, Kim Yohan started visiting the infirmary more frequently.

He complained of severe headaches.

I secretly visited the infirmary later and asked the nurse about Kim Yohan.

I told her that Kim Yohan seemed to be hiding something and that it was making me, his friend, uncomfortable.

Because the reason seemed plausible, the nurse shared the information she had without suspicion.

-Well, from what I saw, there didn't seem to be anything particularly wrong, but he kept complaining of headaches.

-His temperature, blood pressure, and pulse were all normal.

The fact that a child who might die soon was healthy only added to my confusion.

At this point, I was convinced that the disease that would lead to Kim Yohan's death was anaphylaxis.

After listing possible diseases and eliminating them one by one, anaphylaxis was the only one left.

Although it would be revealed later, at that time, the anaphylaxis theory was the best I could come up with.

Even if Hippocrates were reborn and put in my position, he would probably have reached the same conclusion.

I learned more about Kim Yohan, but the distance between us didn't seem to close.

Kim Yohan pushed me away as much as I tried to get closer.

When I suggested playing together or having lunch together, he firmly refused.

He insisted on living a solitary life.

Finally, the physical education class a week before the school anniversary arrived.

Kim Yohan told the PE teacher that he was feeling unwell and wanted to stay in the classroom.

It was clear that today was the day.

I couldn't leave Kim Yohan alone, so I also stayed in the classroom, pretending to be sick.

As the other students changed into their PE uniforms and left, only Kim Yohan and I remained in the classroom.

The calm before the storm, a feeling only I could sense.

My feet felt cold, and my palms were sweaty.

Thud! Thud! Thud!

I closed the windows first.

I blocked the bees that could potentially cause anaphylaxis from entering the classroom.

"Why are you closing the windows? I want some fresh air."

Kim Yohan snapped at me.

"I don't want fresh air."

"Then open one."

"I don't want to open any."

When I spoke harshly, Kim Yohan glared at me. However, he didn't try to fight me and open the window.

He just huffed and started drawing.

Although I had unintentionally made him angry, I didn't care.

If Kim Yohan could live a healthy life from now on, I was prepared to accept his hatred.

After closing the windows and returning to my seat, I simulated various scenarios in my mind.

I even created algorithms for the appropriate responses.

Only then did my anxiety lessen.

What would be the harbinger of death for Kim Yohan?

It would soon be revealed.