Chapter 19, Section 3: I Am a National Student (7)

The pediatric ward's dedicated inpatient room is located on the 6th floor of the main building.

Kim Yo-han, dressed in a pediatric patient gown, looked awkward and unnatural.

Sitting on the bed, he was busy adjusting the loose fabric and ties of the gown.

The six-bed ward was cramped.

The beds were tightly packed with only a narrow space and curtains separating them.

Despite the dense presence of patients and their guardians, the ward was surprisingly quiet.

There was no sign of the usual vitality and chatter characteristic of children of the same age, whether they were about to undergo surgery or were recovering from it.

Those who have experienced serious illness know how it can erode a person.

In the heavy and somber atmosphere, Kim Yo-han gazed out the window.

Fortunately, Kim Yo-han had secured a window seat.

Being able to look outside and calm his mind instead of focusing on the sick patients in the ward was a blessing.

“...”

“...”

I, too, maintained my silence, gazing at the scenery beyond the window.

I savored the rare moment of peace and tranquility.

After Kim Yo-han collapsed and I performed CPR, we rushed to a general hospital.

After discovering Brugada syndrome, a disease that would affect him in the near future, I managed to find a solution and arranged for him to receive treatment from Professor Kang, leading to his hospitalization—all of which happened in a single day.

Reflecting on it, it was indeed an adrenaline-filled day.

Despite the numerous obstacles, my efforts were not in vain.

Kim Yo-han would finally undergo the pacemaker implantation procedure.

‘Meeting Professor Kang was a stroke of luck.’

I nodded silently.

I was unaware of how fortunate it was that Professor Kang recognized Brugada syndrome and actively recommended the procedure.

If we had met a professor from another university hospital's cardiology department, would they have been as knowledgeable as Professor Kang?

I doubted it.

Even university hospital doctors have varying levels of experience and ability.

‘I can do this because I’m not alone.’

I gained courage from today’s events.

Although I am not omnipotent, I believe that with the help of excellent doctors, I can overcome any challenges that lie ahead.

My gaze, lost in deep thought, soon settled on Kim Yo-han.

“You’re really brave.”

I spoke to Kim Yo-han.

His mother and homeroom teacher had stepped out for a moment.

They had gone to the social services office to buy essential items for his hospital stay.

“What for?”

“If it were me, I would have been so scared that I would have cried my eyes out. But you’re so composed.”

I wasn’t just saying this to make him feel good.

Kim Yo-han really didn’t resist being hospitalized or refuse the surgery; he remained calm.

But I wished he would have cried and thrown a tantrum.

Endurance and patience are not virtues of a child.

“I can’t be scared.”

“Why?”

“Because... my mom would be even more stressed. She works hard to earn money, braving the cold, and then she has to spend the money she earns on the hospital. If I cry, it would be too much for her.”

Seeing Kim Yo-han’s resolute expression, my nose tingled.

My eyes welled up, and my heart ached.

I could vividly imagine how Kim Yo-han had lived up until now.

Forced maturity due to poverty is always heart-wrenching.

“You’re really amazing. I wouldn’t have been able to do that.”

“No, I just know how to endure.”

After a pause, Kim Yo-han continued.

“I didn’t say it before, but thank you. You saved my life.”

“I thought you didn’t know. I thought you were oblivious.”

I said this with a hint of teasing, and Kim Yo-han chuckled.

“You know, I’ve always admired you. You’re handsome, popular, and smart.”

“...”

“That’s why I was surprised when you acted friendly towards me. I thought you were just using me.”

“I never thought that.”

“I just thought that.”

Kim Yo-han’s confession continued.

The main point was that he had misunderstood me.

To put it metaphorically, Kim Yo-han, who lived in the shadow, both admired and envied me, who lived in the light.

I understood that feeling all too well.

Park Tae-jun, whom I would meet in medical school years later, was someone I felt the same way about as Kim Yo-han felt about me.

Being around someone who shines can be surprisingly painful.

It makes you constantly aware of your own limitations, erodes your self-esteem, and makes you blame yourself.

In my past life, I doubt Kim Yo-han would have envied me.

I, too, was a child who lived in the shadow.

“Why did you try to be friends with me?”

“You’re good at drawing. I envy people who can draw well. I can’t draw like you.”

“It’s just doodling.”

“If your doodles are this cool, imagine how amazing they’ll be when you really try.”

Complimented, Kim Yo-han blushed and scratched his cheek.

It was clear that he was not only economically deprived but also starved for praise.

After all, no one in the class paid attention to Kim Yo-han’s drawings.

“You could become a painter or a cartoonist when you grow up.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. If you work hard, you can. My dad said that to live in this world, you need a spoonful of trust, a spoonful of doubt, and then another spoonful of trust.”

“...”

“First, believe in your dream and work hard. Then, if you doubt it for a moment, believe in it again, and you can achieve anything.”

I shared my father’s magic formula with Kim Yo-han.

Though it was a difficult concept for a national student to understand, I felt the essence of it was conveyed.

“Thank you. I’ll try my best.”

“Good. I believe you can do it. Let’s make a promise. You’ll become a great painter when you grow up.”

I hooked pinkies with Kim Yo-han, pressed our thumbs together, and slapped our palms.

The warmth of Kim Yo-han’s palm as we made the promise was reassuring.

Life doesn’t need a grand definition.

Life is simply being warm.

A short while later, Kim Yo-han’s mother and homeroom teacher returned to the ward.

I soon took a taxi with the homeroom teacher to go home.

“The hospital fees seem to be mostly resolved. Thirty percent of the costs can be covered by government support, and the rest will be paid off gradually through the administrative office.”

“Wow, that’s great.”

I sighed in relief.

I knew of several patients who couldn’t afford surgery and disappeared without a trace.

In a capitalist society, there is a certain characteristic of the poor being sick and the sick being poor.

Since Kim Yo-han would undergo surgery without any issues,

my role was essentially complete.

The tension from the past few weeks, during which I had struggled to save Kim Yo-han, dissipated, and I felt a sense of relief.

“After hearing that Yo-han collapsed, I can’t imagine how anxious you must have been. In any case, you’ve done a lot for me today. You saved Yo-han in the classroom and brought him to the university hospital.”

“...”

“Today, you were more of a teacher than I was.”

“Hehe, no, teacher.”

As the conversation wound down, the taxi arrived at the apartment complex.

The homeroom teacher offered to take me home and chat with my parents for a bit.

“Do you know what time it is, Belief...”

My mother, who was about to scold me, was startled when she saw the homeroom teacher behind me.

“Hello, Mrs. Belief.”

“Oh! Teacher, what brings you to our home? Did Belief cause trouble?”

“Trouble? That’s absurd.”

“Please come in.”

Soon, my parents, the homeroom teacher, and I sat at the dining table and had a pleasant conversation.

The homeroom teacher did most of the talking.

He recounted in detail what had happened to Kim Yo-han that afternoon and praised my actions, almost to the point of exhaustion.

After the homeroom teacher left, I had a longer conversation with my parents.

They were clearly impressed by my brave actions.

Especially my mother, who is a nurse, was even more impressed.

It’s extremely rare for an elementary school student to save a cardiac arrest patient with CPR.

“That was the call I received earlier.”

My father nodded meaningfully.

“What call?”

“A reporter from the Morning Star newspaper wanted to meet you. He said to contact him as soon as you returned.”

Recalling the paramedic’s words from when we transported Kim Yo-han:

-Your actions were so commendable that I wish they would be featured in the news. I know a journalist. If you’re uncomfortable, you don’t have to tell me.

While I didn’t particularly want to be in the media,

I saw this as a good opportunity.

What would happen if this incident was reported in the news or newspapers?

When I visit my grandparents soon, my parents will have something to boast about.

The matter I’m planning will also proceed smoothly.

It seems that the god of medicine is rewarding me for doing a good deed.

“Dad, I want to talk to that journalist. Now.”

* * *

The next morning.

Yoon Chi-hwan entered the faculty office and sat at his desk.

“Mr. Yoon, I heard a student collapsed yesterday. Did you handle it well?”

Imi Hyun, sitting next to him, asked with a worried look.

“Oh, don’t even mention it. When I first heard the story, I was so scared I thought I was going to die.”

Yoon Chi-hwan shook his head and recounted the events of yesterday in detail.

It was a tale of heroism, albeit a modest one.

“You must have had a tough time, but Belief did a great job again, didn’t he?”

“You know Belief?”

“I was his homeroom teacher last year. His future aspiration is to be a doctor. He’s a very sharp kid. He’s articulate, smart, and popular among his friends.”

“...”

“If there were 50 Beliefs in one class, we wouldn’t need a homeroom teacher.”

“Indeed, he is quite extraordinary. When the other teacher was at a loss, this young boy performed CPR on his friend...”

Yoon Chi-hwan nodded, recalling Belief from yesterday.

His attentiveness to a terrified friend.

His decisiveness in suggesting a trip to the university hospital.

Belief seemed more like a grown adult than a national student.

Without Belief, Yoon Chi-hwan might have lost a precious student early in the school year.

The thought was chilling.

The door to the faculty office opened, and Belief appeared.

“Hello, teacher.”

“Oh! Belief, you’re here? Do you have something to say?”

“Yes, teacher. I have a question.”

“What is it?”

“Yo-han is scheduled to have surgery in two days. Can we organize a fundraising campaign at our school for his surgery?”

“A fundraising campaign?”

“Yes, the surgery costs haven’t been fully covered yet. If we all contribute a little, it would be great to give the money to Yo-han’s mother.”

Yoon Chi-hwan felt as if he had been hit in the back of the head.

He thought he had done his part by accompanying the student yesterday.

He had spent almost half a day with Kim Yo-han and offered sincere words of comfort.

But Belief was thinking on a different level.

This kid really seemed like an adult in a national student’s body.

‘A fundraising campaign...’

Yoon Chi-hwan felt that Belief’s suggestion had merit.

While they wouldn’t raise a huge amount, if the entire school worked together, it would make a significant difference.

“I’ll propose it at the faculty meeting. The fundraising campaign will likely proceed smoothly.”

“By the way, teacher, what about a nationwide fundraising campaign?”

“A nationwide campaign?”

Yoon Chi-hwan’s eyes widened in surprise.

From a school-wide to a nationwide campaign, it felt like a sudden expansion of scale.

Was this small kid already thinking on a national level?

“I heard a journalist wants to interview me because of my actions. If Yo-han’s story becomes widely known, it could help him and his mother.”

“...”

“Please come to the interview and talk about Yo-han.”

Yoon Chi-hwan was completely taken aback by Belief’s well-thought-out fundraising plan.

With such strong drive, he had no choice but to go along with it.

...At this point, who’s the teacher and who’s the student?