Chapter 3

"Oh my goodness.

What have I done?

'Are you okay?'

I hurriedly approached the policeman groaning on the marble floor.

'I'm sorry! I didn't mean to…'

'It's, it's okay.'

'Hold my hand and get up.'

As the young man helped me up, my mind was in turmoil.

What's going on here?

It was unbelievable.

Without realizing it, my body had moved and thrown a stranger to the ground.

The other person seemed just as bewildered as I was.

The move I had performed was the exact one I had just seen in a movie on TV.

'Hello.'

After moving to a cafe in the hospital, the man introduced himself.

'I'm from Eunpyeong Police Station. I'm the investigator in charge of this case.'

'Yes, hello.'

A short sports cut.

With a tanned complexion and a rugged appearance, he had a face that reminded me of a detective.

His business card read 'Sergeant Jang Kyung-il, Traffic Investigation Division.'

'By the way, are you hurt anywhere?'

'I'm fine.'

Sergeant Jang laughed coolly.

'Even though I look like this, I used to be on the judo team. This kind of thing is nothing, ah…!'

'Are you okay?'

'Ah… I'm not.'

It seemed to be very painful, but I decided to let it go.

'Your tackle was impressive. It wasn't something you learned in a day or two. It must have been a reflex, like you were a pro, right?'

'Ah, yes…'

'Wow, I see.'

It was a lie, but I couldn't say, 'I unknowingly imitated a move from a movie, hahaha.'

Soon, he took out a notebook and started asking questions.

I answered faithfully.

After a short Q&A, I asked a question I was curious about.

'Was it a drunk driver? The car was swerving all over the place.'

'It wasn't drunk driving. The driver has epilepsy. According to the information I gathered, he had a seizure while dropping off his daughter at the exam site.'

'Can people with epilepsy have a driver's license?'

'It's possible.'

The police officer nodded.

'Well, the details are complicated, but there were no legal issues with obtaining the license.'

'…I see.'

Thinking that the reason I couldn't take the exam was due to a fellow examinee's family member made me feel a bit bitter.

'What happens now?'

'We have to file a case. Regardless of the circumstances, two people were almost killed.'

I almost died.

Only now did I realize how reckless it was to jump in front of a speeding car.

If the same situation happened again, would I do the same thing?

Honestly, I can't guarantee it.

My life is precious, but there's one person in this world who lives for me.

'Have you contacted your family?'

'I have a grandmother in Gunsan. I tried to call her, but my phone keeps turning off. She must still be praying for the exam at the temple.'

'Ah…'

The young police officer, who had a hard-to-describe expression, awkwardly changed the subject.

'Well, it's a bit awkward to say, but you did a great thing.'

'Yes, thank you.'

How many times have I heard that today?

Probably the 26th time.

But the police officer said something different.

'You must feel wronged and frustrated now. But life isn't free. What you give comes back to you.'

'What?'

'It won't be bad for a while.'

As he picked up his notebook and smiled, I asked him.

'What do you mean?'

'Do you know what hospitals and police stations have in common?'

'I don't know.'

'Rumors spread incredibly fast.'

He shook my hand.

What did he mean by rumors spreading?

I was about to leave the hospital cafe when I realized what he meant.

'Oh, you're out.'

A group of people surrounded me.

They were of different genders and dressed in various ways, so I didn't realize it at first.

But when I saw someone with a camera on their shoulder, I got a sense of what was happening.

Someone handed me a business card.

'Hello, Mr. Seon Woo-ju. I'm reporter No Yong-gi from KTN. Do you have a moment?'

I blinked in surprise and then understood.

That's what he meant.

The story had clearly spread through people working at the hospital and police station.

Well, it was a good story, even to me.

-On the day of the college entrance exam, a student heading to the exam site threw himself to save an old man pulling a cart.

I smiled at the business cards the reporters handed me.

'Sure, I have time.'

While studying for the exam, I read an English textbook that had a proverb.

'When God gives you lemons, make lemonade.'

A proverb meaning to turn a crisis into an opportunity.

Right. If it's going to happen, I might as well enjoy it.

I was ready to make lemonade.

* * *

KTN Evening News.

A middle-aged anchor with neatly combed hair appeared on the TV screen.

[2014 College Entrance Exam]

With that screen as the background, the anchor began speaking.

-This is the 'Issue Talk' segment, where we look at trending topics on the internet, with anchor Hong Ara.

-Yes.

On the right side of the screen, another anchor appeared.

She stood in front of a screen displaying internet search rankings.

-While the college entrance exam was taking place today, a heartwarming yet sad story emerged.

-Yes, that's right.

When Hong Ara touched the screen, the number one internet search term was enlarged.

-The internet search term we'll be discussing today on 'Issue Talk' is 'Gallhyeon-dong Hero.' The protagonist has been at the top of real-time search rankings since this morning. Let's take a look at a related video.

A blurry video clip appeared with the source noted.

It was footage from a dashboard camera of a nearby parked car.

The video started with an elderly man struggling to pull a cart.

A young man in a yellow padded jacket appeared and started pushing the handle.

The scene then switched to CCTV footage.

A car began speeding, and the young man ran over to push the elderly man away.

Bang!

Although there was no sound, the cart was instantly destroyed, and the paper inside flew everywhere.

The car spun out of control and then stopped.

The scene returned to the briefing room.

-This incident occurred this morning at around 6:00 AM in front of a high school in Gallhyeon-dong, Eunpyeong-gu. The car caused an accident while speeding. According to the police investigation, the driver has been suffering from epilepsy since last year. The police believe that the driver pressed the accelerator while having a seizure.

-That's a sad story. Were there any victims?

-Yes, as you can see, a 70-year-old man, Mr. Choi, who was pushing the cart, narrowly escaped a tragedy but was fortunately rescued by a passerby.

-The rescuer's identity has been a hot topic today.

-Yes, that's right.

When Hong Ara touched the screen, a video thumbnail appeared.

A young man in a yellow padded jacket.

-The hero who saved the 70-year-old man was a student on his way to take the college entrance exam. Let's watch the first interview conducted by reporter No Yong-gi this afternoon.

A young man sitting in a cafe.

He had taken off his yellow padded jacket and was wearing a black sweater.

His slightly tired but handsome face was clearly visible.

[Seon Woo-ju / Gallhyeon-dong Hero]: Do you think it was a waste?

The young man smiled wistfully and continued.

[Seon Woo-ju / Gallhyeon-dong Hero]: It's a bit disappointing, but a human life comes first. It can't be compared to an exam that can be taken again next year.

[Reporter]: What were you thinking when you went to save him?

[Seon Woo-ju / Gallhyeon-dong Hero]: Ah, at that moment? I don't really remember. My body moved before I could think.

After showing a short clip from the interview, the scene returned to the briefing room.

Hong Ara looked straight at the screen and continued.

-That was an interview with Mr. Seon, the Gallhyeon-dong Hero. Fortunately, Mr. Seon only suffered a mild concussion despite rolling down a hill. Meanwhile, it has been revealed that the hero scored an average of grade 1 in multiple mock exams, which makes the situation even more regrettable.

-A heartwarming but sad story. How about the other victim?

-The victim, Mr. Choi, was taken to the hospital. Apart from a broken rib, he only suffered minor bruises.

-That's a relief.

-Yes, it is.

-This incident has brought the poor management of driver's licenses by the Korea Road Traffic Authority into the spotlight.

I turned off the DMB screen at that point.

When I checked the internet portal, my name was prominently displayed on the news and social pages.

-On the day of the college entrance exam, a student saved the life of a 70-year-old man…

-'Gallhyeon-dong Hero' Seon Woo-ju, 'The attention is overwhelming compared to the act.'

-Seoul Police Headquarters considering commendation for Gallhyeon-dong Hero

I took a deep breath of the cold air and looked up at the night sky.

What a world.

When I was an idol trainee, I used to imagine this every day.

How would it feel to be famous, to be recognized by people just by hearing my name?

Ironically, that's how I feel now.

Of course.

I know better than anyone that this attention is temporary.

But today, I was more famous than any trainee in the world.

Moreover, besides the grand title of 'hero,' other aspects of my story were trending on the internet.

Screenshots of my interview were circulating on internet communities.

-Wow, so cool ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

-But he really looks young… I thought he was a high school student.

-If I were the director of a cram school, I'd immediately offer him a year's tuition and hire him.

Praise for my appearance was endless and a bit embarrassing.

I cautiously read through the comments.

It feels good to be noticed, but the feeling is strange.

After all, it's true that two years of studying have gone to waste.

"Phew…"

I looked up at the night sky in the cold wind and then looked at my smartphone.

Notifications kept popping up.

Countless notifications.

From close friends to acquaintances I rarely contacted, and even people whose names I barely remembered.

My usually quiet phone was now buzzing with messages.

They must have been checking on me after seeing the news or internet.

But I wasn't in a position to reply to all of them.

There was something more important to do.

I looked at the baseball in my hand.

The empty playground.

All the lights in the school were off because it was the night of the college entrance exam.

I held the ball where no one could see.

I needed to verify what happened today.

Just as I was about to throw the baseball at the playground fence for the experiment, my smartphone suddenly vibrated.

I couldn't help but flinch when I saw the name on the screen.

What's going on? Why is he contacting me suddenly?

I pressed the call button.

"Hello."

-Oh, you picked up?

His tone suggested surprise, and I pouted.

"What do you mean, 'picked up,' bro?"

-Well, at least you still call me 'bro.' I see you haven't forgotten my name yet.

"Of course I remember."

-As expected, my networking skills haven't died.

"Judging by your strange talk, I guess you're feeling better."

The caller's name was Yun Seok-hwan.

He was the manager who took care of me during my trainee days.

"Are you okay, bro? I heard you quit because of a herniated disc not long after I left."

-How did you know?

"I heard from Tae-hyun."

Han Tae-hyun was a trainee who debuted with me in TNT.

We kept in touch for a while after he quit, but I've been following his updates through TV since he returned from the military.

"Are you feeling better?"

-Completely. I started working again while you were in the military.

"TJ Entertainment?"

-I tried to go back, but my position was already filled. That's how it is in big companies.

"That company is a bit problematic."

We shared a moment of camaraderie while bad-mouthing the company.

"Anyway, what's up?"

-Do we only contact each other when we have something to ask?

"Yes."

-...

"I know you called for a reason. I'm not thinking badly of it."

-I have a proposal.

"Can't you tell me over the phone?"

-You know, in this industry, it's customary to talk face-to-face. Do you have plans today?

"No, I don't."

-Then come on, man. Let's meet up and catch up. I'll buy you dinner.

Swallow.

I realized I hadn't eaten dinner because of all the commotion.

I cleared my throat as my stomach growled.

"Only if it's not too expensive."

-I have a corporate card ready. Name the place.

"Flower beef."

-Flower beef?

"Yes, not just flower beef, but snow beef."

-Aren't you a pork guy?

That was true.

Even now, it is.

But the last memory from the early morning when I rolled on the ice was particularly vivid.

Three servings of beef at 45,000 won.

If it weren't for that memory, I would have suggested pork belly.

-Anyway, I know you like free stuff. How about a great steakhouse I know? You're in Eunpyeong-gu, right?

"How did you know?"

-How did I know? Your face is all over internet communities.

Is it that obvious?

-I'll send you the address via text.

"Bro, it might take me a while."

-How long?

I fiddled with the baseball as I answered.

"I have something to do."

-Okay. Let me know when you're on your way.

I ended the call and stood up.

I brushed the sand off my butt with one hand and searched for a video on MiTube with the other.

[MLB Top Plays]

Clips of the best plays by Major League Baseball players were edited and uploaded.

As I clicked the video, the games started playing with background music.

I watched the videos intently, holding my breath.

After some time, when the video ended and an ad started, I was certain.

A strange feeling.

Throughout the video, I felt a sensation that was hard to describe.

If I had to put it into words...

It was like a sixth sense beyond the five senses.

The experiment I was conducting was to test this.

After watching a few play videos, I set my smartphone to recording mode and placed it on the fence.

I then stepped back, creating some distance, and got into a pitching stance.

Just as I was about to throw the ball...

My body moved on its own.

Just like when I threw the police officer this morning.

My body moved involuntarily.

Whoosh-

The angle exceeded my flexibility, causing a moment of pain, but it was brief.

My right arm drew a powerful arc.

Bang!

The baseball hit the fence, bounced a few times, and rolled away.

Instead of picking it up, I immediately grabbed my smartphone.

I then checked the first video I had recorded for comparison before watching the MLB videos.

As the video started, I shuddered in embarrassment.

The me in the video was awkward in every movement.

The nickname 'Robot' I had during my trainee days wasn't given for nothing.

From the jerky movements to the awkward positioning of my limbs.

Thud.

The ball flew poorly.

I watched a few more throws, but there was no need to continue.

I went back to the previous video and clicked on the next one.

[Second Video]

A few seconds into the video, I involuntarily gasped.

Is that really me?

It's different.

The way I handled my gaze was different from the first video.

It was clumsy, but good enough to make people say, "You must have played baseball before."

The interval between the two videos was only five minutes.

Yet, in just five minutes, my form had changed so much that even I, the person in the video, found it hard to believe.

The only factor that could explain the enormous gap between the two movements was that I had watched the pros' pitching motions.

My suspicion turned into a hunch, and my hunch turned into certainty.

Can I replicate a move I've seen once?

I didn't know why.

Maybe it was due to a change in my brain cells from the concussion, or maybe it was a reward from the heavens for doing a good deed.

But two things were certain.

"Ouch!"

My thigh ached.

It was because the leg I raised to mimic the pro's pitching motion exceeded my flexibility.

I rubbed my sore thigh and frowned.

My body couldn't keep up with the movements.

The first certainty was that there's no such thing as a perfect freebie in this world.

And the second was...

A new path had opened up for me.