After the drawing story broadcast, I often spent my time doing live streams.

On March 31st, I registered the "Empty Story" for the exhibition.

As more time passed, I also took care of my sister's memorial day, and day by day, that moment finally approached.

"Alright then! Let's pick who will participate in the sports festival events!"

Even though school had finished, my exit was canceled by Teacher Lee Ah-Reum.

However, most of the students seemed to be excited about the sports festival, so there weren’t many complaints. Well, maybe except for people like me—outsiders.

As Teacher Lee Ah-Reum had mentioned, the sports festival was approaching. On April 15th.

The funny thing is, the very next week is the mid-term exams.

In other words, after the sports festival, the students will have to take exams.

'The exams don’t bother me, but it’s different for the other kids.'

Up until middle school, I had never fallen out of the top spot in the entire school.

I wasn’t sure how midterms worked here at the art school, but I assumed they’d go smoothly.

But the real problem was the upcoming sports festival.

Today was April 8th, and in just one week, the sports festival would be here. Is it really okay to pick the event participants now?

Those worries disappeared when Teacher Lee Ah-Reum continued her explanation.

"The main events, like the relay race, soccer, basketball, and sepak takraw, have already picked their participants. The rest, like group jump rope and the color card flip game, are still available..."

There were a variety of events, but I spotted a "Lucky OX Golden Bell" event. I could probably just stand there and barely move.

"By the way! Golden Bell is mandatory for all students, so it’s excluded. Too bad for you, Ha-Eun, huh?"

She giggled, and I wondered why she was calling me out specifically. I nodded, trying to hide my displeasure.

As if it were a conspiracy, Teacher Lee Ah-Reum was tempting the students to join. I thought carefully.

'Pass on jump rope. It’s better not to try when I can’t even jump. The color card game involves physical contact...'

What is a sports festival anyway? It’s a game created using physical performance, isn’t it?

What could I possibly do there?

Ah, I have one thing I can do.

The marble game. One of the events from the recent drama Squid Game.

The objective is simple but brutal—just take your opponent’s marbles.

But this isn’t a drama, it’s reality. It would probably turn into a game with several extra rules.

'Was it a coincidence, or was it intentional?'

That’s probably why Teacher Lee Ah-Reum thought of including me.

No, maybe this is a special event for students like me who are somewhat disconnected from the rest of the school.

'I don’t need that!'

As an outsider, I prefer being alone. Group activities are actually poison for us...

Since the marble game was the only event I could manage, I was automatically placed into it.

Oh, and our school’s sports festival is a bit... unique.

We have a physical education department. What happens then? It causes an imbalance, and the games don’t even take place.

There are many proposed solutions, but the most common one is this:

• "Let’s distribute the physical education students into other departments."

Such a simple suggestion. And now...

"...Get lost."

"Ugh... This is comfortable."

This was the reason Ha Soo-Yul ended up sticking to my back.

Of course, Ha Soo-Yul wasn’t the only one who switched to another department from physical education. There were four more from our class.

Each department has four classes. One class from physical education was split and assigned to each of the other departments, including art. So, about 20 students from physical education joined the art department.

It wasn’t exactly 20, but about that number. In other words, 20 students from physical education were placed in each of our art classes.

But why is Ha Soo-Yul in my class?

It’s no surprise that everyone’s eyes are on us. The fact that my seat is next to Hong Yea-Hwa only intensified the attention.

Why is Hong Yea-Hwa sitting next to me? Because of a seat reassignment.

They said we had to draw lots every month for seating, and it just so happened that I ended up sitting next to Hong Yea-Hwa.

"So, what event are you participating in?"

I turned my head towards her, feeling the weight of her presence on my shoulder. Ha Soo-Yul, who had her chin resting on my shoulder, lazily opened one eye.

"Hmm. Relay race, group jump rope, and... tug of war?"

"Why are you doing three events alone?"

"Physical education students are exceptions."

Usually, you can only participate in up to two events, but I guess physical education students are different.

"You should stick with your friends."

Well... don’t they have to at least coordinate with the art department?

"I don’t care. I’ll win anyway."

"Wow, that’s so cool. Did you feel that?"

"Good."

I gave Ha Soo-Yul’s head a comforting pat as she closed her eyes again, and I turned my attention elsewhere.

"Why are you looking at me, Teacher?"

"Oh, it’s nothing."

She said, with eyes glinting mischievously, but it was nothing?

Afterward, the students began signing up, and the remaining events were automatically assigned.

Shy students like me weren’t excited about the sports festival.

But most of the others were so enthusiastic that we couldn’t even complain.

Unfortunately, I couldn’t help in this situation.

"Alright, I’ll print out the list of participants tomorrow and post it on the bulletin board. Sorry for keeping you so long, and please head home safely."

Teacher Lee Ah-Reum spun her hand around and waved goodbye.

I also stood up, took care of Ha Soo-Yul, and headed home.

Since we lived in the same apartment, we usually went home together, but this stray cat of a person could go anywhere, so I had to keep an eye on her.

"Bye!"

"See you tomorrow."

I waved and tried to end the day, when suddenly...

Bzzzt.

My phone vibrated, and a text message appeared.

[Ha-Eun, your appointment is at 6:00 PM on April 8th. There might be some wait time even with a reservation.]

'Ah, right. Today’s the day I’m supposed to go to the hospital.'

Another tiring day, and I had to turn back again.

One week later.

April 15th. The opening ceremony of the sports festival at the private comprehensive arts high school.

When the faces of the students and staff gathered at the school were full of excitement, my expression wasn’t very good.

I didn’t think the sports festival would be boring.

It should be fun. After all, this event is an important part of the original story.

Thanks to Lee Do-Yoon, my dopamine had been steadily increasing.

There were a few strange things, but I ignored them. The pure love line with Baek Yoo-Seol seemed worth watching too.

But no, the real reason for my bad mood was because of the hospital visit I had last week.

• "...They’ve increased your medication again? I feel like I’m going to become a drug addict at this rate."

• "Yeah, I’d like to reduce it somehow, but this isn’t something that can be done easily."

That conversation with my specialist. This time, they added another medication to my treatment.

• "Ha-ha-ha, there’s no need to worry too much. We’re just switching your injection to a pill."

• "Really? Is there a difference?"

• "...Honestly, I don’t want to tell you. It’s not good news. But since you’re the patient, I’ll tell you. This pill is a compressed version of the Zolair injection, but it’s a bit stronger."

• "I see."

• "You’re still calm."

• "Well... nothing changes even if I freak out here. I just have to accept it and live."

• "...Take it with dinner every day, 30 minutes after. Got it?"

• "Yep. Thanks as always. I’ll try to come back healthier next time."

To be honest, I didn’t want to accept it. But what else could I do?

I’m not a doctor, and I don’t have much medical knowledge.

I just have to roll with it.

But still, I wasn’t happy about it. When your body feels like it’s in a coffin, who could be happy?

'If only I could get some ginseng, maybe it’ll help.'

Asthma, which has always been a problem for me, seemed to have gotten worse. But I didn’t feel much of a difference.

My specialist probably knows better than I do.

If only ginseng could fix my asthma and even my anemia, I’d be happy.

I just want some universal medicine. It’d be great if something worked.

'If I find anything like that, I’ll give it to Mom right away.'

Maybe that would be enough to repay her.

"Sigh..."

I couldn’t stop myself from sighing, and Ha Soo-Yul, who was clinging to my back, tilted her head.

Get off already. She’s been hanging on since earlier.

Her typical scent tickled my nose. If this goes on, I might cough again.

I pulled my head forward a bit and opened my mouth.

"Aren’t you going to the physical education section for the opening ceremony?"

"I got permission. Don’t worry about it."

Ha Soo-Yul, always full of action, I hope her energy helps our art class win first place.

I turned my eyes to look at Choi Ye-Seo.

"You too?"

"Of course! Our entertainment department will probably already be on the field."

Each department has its celebrities. These two are prime examples.

They must have received special treatment because of their celebrity status. Not sure if that’s okay, though.

It’s not my problem, so I don’t care.

"But! Yul, get off me!"

Choi Ye-Seo grabbed Ha Soo-Yul’s waist and pulled her away. As if that would work, with 'that' Ha Soo-Yul.

Even Hong Yea-Hwa, who had been quiet, gently tugged at Ha Soo-Yul’s sleeve.

This sitcom-like situation was unreal.

"Didn’t the entertainment department prepare anything? What about the music department?"

"Oh right! There’s a performance!"

"...Aren’t you going?"

"I have some time left."

We barely had 10 minutes before the opening ceremony, and they were still wasting time like this. What were they going to do if they were late?

Since all the other class members had gone out, we could talk freely. I was planning to leave as late as possible because of the heat.

But my plan was ruined by Choi Ye-Seo’s actions.

Well, the performance had to be done properly.

I had no choice but to get up from my seat, rush outside, and scold Choi Ye-Seo.

"See? If we had waited any longer, we would’ve been late."

"Ah! Sorry! I’ll go first! Make sure to watch the performance!"

I checked the time and waved at the hastily disappearing Choi Ye-Seo.

Ha Soo-Yul yawned loudly, still clinging to my back.

Hong Yea-Hwa was still pulling on Ha Soo-Yul’s sleeve.

"My life is tragic..."

It was an absurd start to the sports festival.