The next day, Ji Hoon woke up lazily. His head didn't really hurt, but he felt the need to escape again, this time from the responsibilities of school. He lay on the bed, squeezing the blanket as he complained in a hoarse, made-up voice.
"Mom... I'm not feeling well. I think I have a fever," he said as he placed the back of his hand on his forehead, mimicking a drama scene.
Her mother glanced sharply from the bedroom door. "Hence, karma for running away from dinner last night! See now, your body must be protesting!"
Ji Hoon just grimaced. "I'm serious, Mom. It really hurts."
His mother, who had memorized Ji Hoon's behavior, shook her head and said, "Then let's go to the hospital. Let the doctor take a look."
Hearing that, Ji Hoon immediately panicked. Hospital? This wasn't part of my plan! He thought. However, he couldn't refuse because his mom immediately pulled the blanket and told him to get ready.
On the way to the hospital, Ji Hoon tries to think of a way to continue his lie. He wasn't really sick, but now he had to convince the doctor to pretend to support him.
Upon arriving at the hospital, Ji Hoon and his mother are met by a middle-aged doctor who looks stern but friendly. After examining Ji Hoon for a while, the doctor asks, "What are the symptoms?"
Ji Hoon answered before his mother could speak, "Doc, I have a headache, itchy throat, and my body feels very weak. Maybe I need to rest completely... maybe two or three days?" Ji Hoon gives a hopeful look, trying to make the doctor believe him.
The doctor looked at Ji Hoon for a moment, then smiled slightly as if he understood something. "Hmm, alright. I'll do a further examination," he said as he wrote something down on paper. Ji Hoon feels relieved, but it doesn't last long.
After finishing writing, the doctor handed the paper to his mother. "I suggest we do some tests to make sure it's nothing serious. Maybe start with a blood test?"
Ji Hoon immediately jumped. "Blood test? Doc, that's not necessary! I think I feel better already. Maybe I just need some vitamins?"
His mom looked at Ji Hoon suspiciously. "Ji Hoon, you're not afraid of needles, are you?"
Ji Hoon could only laugh nervously. "N-no, of course not, mom. But... it feels like I'm recovering. Look, I can already stand up straight!"
The doctor, who seemed to be enjoying this situation, finally said with a smile, "Alright, then I'll give you a two-day rest letter. But remember, Young Master, don't use this time for anything other than rest, okay?"
Ji Hoon just nodded quickly. After leaving the doctor's office, he breathed a sigh of relief. It's a good thing that the doctor didn't force me to take a blood test, he thought.
However, his mother was still looking at him with a suspicious gaze. "Ji Hoon, are you sure this isn't your trick again?"
Ji Hoon smiled widely, putting on an innocent face. "Mom, do I look like someone who likes to trick? I'm an honest boy, you know!"
His mom just sighed, while Ji Hoon was already thinking of ways to utilize his two days off without his mom knowing.
After being discharged from the hospital, Ji Hoon and his mother return home. However, along the way, his mother keeps glancing at Ji Hoon with a suspicious look, while Ji Hoon just sits quietly, trying to look "sick".
Once at home, his mother said firmly, "Ji Hoon, if you're really sick, you need to rest completely. No games, no dramas, and no leaving the room!"
Ji Hoon just nodded obediently, but in his heart he was already planning something else. After his mother left the room, he immediately opened his cell phone and started texting his friends.
Ji Hoon: "Guys, I have two days off. Any ideas for fun?"
A few minutes later, a message from his close friend Dong Min came in.
Dong Min: "Vacation? Are you really sick or acting again?"
Ji Hoon: "Acting, bro. Did you really think I'd get sick? Haha."
Dong Min: "Basic. But I have an idea. Why don't we hang out at the arcade or eat at a normal place?"
Ji Hoon: "That's fine. But we'll find a time at night, so we won't get caught by my mom."
The plan was made. Ji Hoon lay in bed, pretending to be asleep while his mom checked on him every now and then. Once he was sure she was asleep for the night, Ji Hoon snuck out of his room.
He wore a black hoodie, put on a hat, and carried the pocket money he had hidden inside his sneakers. He exited through his bedroom window like a ninja, then ran to where Dong Min was waiting for him on his motorcycle down the street.
"You're really desperate, huh," Dong Min said as he handed Ji Hoon his helmet.
"If you're not desperate, you're not Ji Hoon," Ji Hoon replied with a big smile.
The two of them headed to an arcade they used to visit. It was crowded, full of young people playing games and relaxing. Ji Hoon goes straight to his favorite game machine, trying to forget the pressure from his family.
However, while he was playing, Ji Hoon heard a familiar voice from behind. A girl's voice.
"Ji Hoon?"
Ji Hoon turned his head and was immediately surprised. It was Soo Jin, standing behind him holding a small gift box in her hands. She was wearing a work uniform from one of the shops near the arcade.
"Why are you here? Didn't you say you were sick?" Soo Jin looked at him suspiciously.
Ji Hoon was silent for a few seconds, trying to come up with an excuse. "I... uh... it's therapy. Yes, therapy to cure my stress."
Soo Jin raised an eyebrow, clearly disbelieving. "Therapy? By playing games at the arcade?"
Ji Hoon smiled nervously. "Y-yes, my doctor said I need relaxation. It's part of the healing process."
Soo Jin chuckled, then said, "You're weird, Ji Hoon. But, I won't tell your mom... if you treat me to ice cream."
Ji Hoon breathed a sigh of relief, then nodded. "Deal. Choose whatever ice cream you want, Miss."
That night, Ji Hoon spent his time playing games and joking around with Soo Jin and Dong Min. Although the day started with a lie, Ji Hoon felt that the night was one of the most enjoyable moments of his life.
That night, Ji Hoon, Soo Jin, and Dong Min spend time at the arcade. Ji Hoon feels lighter, even though his lies are still hanging over his head. Together with his friends and Soo Jin, all the anxiety that usually haunts him seemed to disappear.
"Ji Hoon, you're really good at playing games. I didn't expect that!" Dong Min said while looking at Ji Hoon who was enjoying his ice cream.
"Huh? I just need a little practice. You guys lost, right?" Ji Hoon replied with a big smile. Soo Jin who was sitting next to him just chuckled.
"Uh, but seriously, Ji Hoon. Are you really sick? You don't look like a sick person. Are you really faking it?" Soo Jin asked curiously.
Ji Hoon just chuckled while stirring his ice cream, trying to avoid Soo Jin's suspicious gaze. "You know, I need to relax my mind. Sometimes, playing games can make me forget my headache. So, this is the therapy I need."
Dong Min, who was well aware of Ji Hoon's nature, just nodded in agreement. "Yes, right? I told you what too. Ji Hoon is more stressed than someone who's really sick."
Soo Jin just shook her head, looking incredulous at Ji Hoon's casual lie. "You two are weird," she said with a laugh.
However, the relaxed atmosphere was suddenly cut short. Ji Hoon feels his cell phone vibrate. He quickly checks it and sees his mom's name pop up on the screen. Anxiety set in, but Ji Hoon tried to stay calm.
"I have to pick up," he muttered as he picked up the phone. "Hello, ma'am?" his voice sounded a little anxious.
On the other side, his mother's voice sounded a little worried. "Ji Hoon, where are you? I've been looking for you everywhere. You're not in your room and not at the hospital. What are you doing?"
Ji Hoon sighed softly and tried to stay calm. "Mom, I... uh, I went out with my friends for a while. I had something to think about. But I'm fine. Don't worry."
"Ji Hoon, you know how worried mom gets when it's like this. You go home right now!" his mother said firmly, but her worried voice could still be heard.
Soo Jin, who heard the conversation, just smiled a little, understanding that Ji Hoon must be in a dilemma. "You must be scared, huh? Running away from the hospital, and then calling your mom?"
Ji Hoon looked at Soo Jin and shrugged his shoulders, trying to look relaxed even though he was starting to feel uneasy inside. "Yes, that's how it is. But I'm sure mom will understand that I need a little time to myself. Besides, you know I can't be under constant surveillance, right?"
Dong Min laughed at that. "You're really reckless, Ji Hoon. But okay, let's just enjoy this night. Back home, you'll definitely be able to get your mom."
Ji Hoon turned off the phone and looked at Soo Jin with an awkward smile. "Well, let's make the most of the time we have left, shall we? I don't want to waste my two days off."
That night, they laughed, joked, and momentarily forgot about all their problems. Ji Hoon felt that even though his lies would be exposed, tonight was the perfect escape from a world full of expectations and pressure. He even feels a little freer than usual, even though he knows that tomorrow he will have to face reality again.
After the night is over, Ji Hoon goes home with a bit of guilt, but also a sense of relief. He knew that, eventually, he would have to face the consequences of his lies. But for that night, he was able to enjoy a freedom that he rarely felt.