You Promised Me, Mr. Lee San-ha - Chapter 68



Only Noblemtl

Episode 68 Not all weak people are weak (3)

It’s been a few weeks since I made my promise with Im Se-yeol.

I got up from my seat, clutching my pounding head.

‘… … This headache doesn’t seem to be going away anytime soon.’

The hellish pain continues every single day.

Since concentration was low, work efficiency was bound to be poor.

My current social level has risen by leaps and bounds since the sexual harassment incident involving actor Lee Seung-won.

And while keeping his promise with Im Se-yeol, he continued to meet other people and gain experience.

However, the level of the ‘former nation’s little brother’ was not something that could be easily surpassed.

While preparing to leave work with a sigh.

chin-

A thick hand came up onto my shoulder.

This is Team Leader Yoon Yeo-gam.

“Are you sure you’re okay? What did the hospital say?”

His expression and tone of voice showed genuine concern.

It makes sense, people have been moving like zombies for weeks now.

I waved my hand.

“There’s nothing wrong. It’s just… normal stress.”

“Why is that young guy so stressed… … Did Manager Kim get upset about the lack of results? I’ll just beat that old lady up… … .”

Team Leader Yoon pretends to be strong even though he doesn’t have the strength to take it.

He continued with a serious face.

“Anyway, don’t stress out because it’s so exclusive and scoop-worthy. You’ve done well so far and you’ll continue to do well in the future. Don’t feel pressured and keep up the good work.”

He is a truly great person, both as a senior at work and as a senior in life.

* * *

On the way out of the office and to the elevator.

Tadak-

Someone barged into the elevator as the doors were about to close.

“Are you leaving work early again?”

The person who threw a snack while greeting was Hong Jeong-hwa.

She will have to work late today as she has to write an article about foreign games.

I said with a sheepish expression.

“I’m sorry for this. I feel like I’m the only one who gets off work too early these days.”

“That’s right. Who wouldn’t be bored to death at night alone?”

Even though he was grumbling, he kept putting something in my hand.

From nuts like ‘One Pack a Day’ to ‘BCD’ chocolates and even peppermint tea bags.

“Sister, do you do things like robbing convenience stores as a side job?”

“Since I quit smoking, I’ve been craving snacks so much that I’ve been spending more on snacks than on food lately. … … I just grabbed something, and thinking about it, they’re all good for headaches.”

“thank you.”

By the way, you were trying to quit smoking.

I think it’s really great that you’re continuing to make those attempts of your own free will.

‘It would be nice if Im Se-yeol could do that on his own will… … .’

It is not known how long the treatment will last.

I was looking down at my snack with a blank expression, feeling vague.

“Ahem.”

Hong Jeong-hwa said, coughing in vain.

“Hey, by any chance… … Are you going to leave early because you have a girlfriend?”

“Who would you like to meet in this state?”

“He definitely doesn’t look like a living person… … Anyway, that’s fine. Have a nice day.”

By then the elevator had arrived at the first floor.

Hong Jeong-hwa waves her hand without getting off the elevator.

And then it just went back up again.

‘Why did you have to come down?’

He is still a truly enigmatic person.

* * *

Lim Hyeon-ji’s house, arrived at in Kim Tae-kyung’s car.

Perhaps because we are entering fall, the plants in the yard are slowly turning different colors.

7 weeks.

It was a long time, long enough for the leaves to change color.

It must have felt even longer for Lim Se-yeol, who was steadily walking on the treadmill in the living room.

He greeted me as soon as he saw me.

“Hey, bro! You’re here? I’ll do this for 20 more minutes, and then I’ll go down.”

A slightly brighter tone of voice.

Pronunciation that is clearly noticeable.

Maybe it’s because I gained a little weight, but my impression has improved.

It was a huge improvement compared to the loser-like appearance I had when I first met him.

Beep-

The treadmill stops and displays the words [60:00].

Only then did Im Se-yeol get off the treadmill.

“Why are you here so early?”

He tries to look as bright as possible, but… … there is still a shadow on his face.

I thought.

‘Different hormones are probably fighting inside the body.’

Irritability and depression resulting from withdrawal symptoms.

And the antidepressant effects of serotonin that surge after exercise.

Even in the midst of all that, he looks admirable for trying his best to appear bright.

‘All you promised me was that you wouldn’t do drugs anymore.’

In other words, it meant that showing this attitude was entirely of one’s own free will.

‘You were really working hard… … .’

I didn’t notice it because of the headache.

The fact that he too is changing little by little.

I tapped Im Se-yeol on the shoulder and said.

“Are you able to exercise a little? You said you couldn’t even walk the first day?”

“Who said that…? My brother-in-law?! Oh seriously, you’re going too far!”

Lim Se-yeol smiled awkwardly.

I laughed as I watched him laugh.

‘You can even joke now. That’s good. You’ve improved a lot.’

Basically, all forms of stimulants destroy the brain.

Methamphetamine in particular is a dangerous drug that destroys all sensory receptors related to dopamine.

That’s why most people who use drugs have their emotional control organs destroyed.

The fact that Im Se-yeol can joke and laugh now means that his damaged brain is gradually returning to its original state.

Lim Se-yeol answered while scratching the back of his neck.

“Just, I’m doing it consistently. Oh, even without that… … I have something to tell you about that… … .”

At that moment, Kim Tae-kyung intervened.

“The cooking is done! Let’s talk while eating! This is my brother-in-law’s favorite kimchi stew!”

Kim Tae-kyung pushes food in front of Im Se-yeol.

Lim Se-yeol laughed.

“Originally, my favorite thing was kimchi stew. Even after filming ended, we always said we should go eat kimchi stew for a company dinner. But… … Well, you probably saw the article. The controversy over Im Se-yeol’s restaurant bullying… … .”

I know.

This happened early this year, when the dispute between him and his agency’s CEO was in full swing.

An article about Im Se-yeol verbally abusing a restaurant owner because the food there was “tasteless.”

“It wasn’t that it didn’t taste good, it was that I couldn’t taste it. It was only then that I realized how much I had been ruined.”

He started eating with a sad expression.

And then.

“……it’s good.”

He started to cry.

“Ugh!”

Even Kim Tae-kyung in front is about to cry.

I felt like the headache was worth it.

The process of retrieving something precious.

And losing your sight.

And losing your hearing.

Losing your sense of taste.

It would be an incomprehensible sensation to someone who was enjoying them normally.

Who else can understand the feelings of Lim Se-yeol who has regained his sense of taste at this moment?

I ate with a happy heart.

‘I guess I’ll have to renew my promise again after I finish eating.’

It was time to make another appointment.

It was a chronic disease of promise that required constant management.

I have arbitrarily called this type of promise a ‘durable promise’.

For continuous promises, they must be renewed every 24 hours.

This is something I learned when I had no choice but to extend my smoking cessation promise with Kim Tae-kyung by one day.

Finally, the meal was over.

I said to Im Se-yeol.

“Let’s make a new promise today. Do as I say… … ”

“Oh, I was going to talk about that earlier on the sofa. Starting tomorrow, I, I’m going to go swimming a bit… … .”

“!”

I opened my eyes wide.

Kim Tae-kyung, who was washing the dishes, also looked this way with wide eyes.

Lim Se-yeol said with an awkward smile.

“This time, I, I wanted to speak first. Haha… … .”

Lim Se-yeol is shy, unlike someone who is a top star.

In that skinny smile, somehow, it seemed like a memory from the past was flashing by.

I took his hand.

“I thought about it carefully. I’m so proud of you… … Thank you.”

“I appreciate it. Always.”

It seems like there isn’t much ground left now.

* * *

The steps returning home were light.

‘A life without headaches is truly a wonderful thing!’

A sense of liberation after almost 7 weeks.

I don’t even know how to express this joy.

I was suffering from headaches, was depressed, and felt like I was going to die.

I also felt sorry for unintentionally causing worry to my family and coworkers.

But now it’s different.

For both Im Se-yeol and I, the only thing left to do is to throw off the shackles of pain.

‘Should we have a drink together after a long time? Um, no. Eunji contacted me to ask me to have a drink, but I forgot to reply. I’ll reply now… ‘

At that very moment.

Wheeeeeeeeing-

Suddenly the cell phone rings.

The name [Lim Hyeon-ji] was floating on the screen.

It’s the first time she’s called me directly without going through Kim Tae-kyung.

“… … !”

An unknown ominous feeling creeps in.

I picked up the phone without relaxing.

And the ominous feeling, without fail, comes true.

Kim Tae-kyung’s voice was heard on the other end of the phone.

[Sanhaya! We’re in big trouble!]

After that, various sounds come in mixed together.

The shrill sound of a siren.

The sound of a stretcher rolling carrying something.

But what was louder than that was Lim Hyeon-ji’s crying.

Kim Tae-kyung said.

[My brother-in-law attempted suicide!]

I immediately turned around.

‘I was overthinking the situation. I guess it won’t work with the normal methods.’

It was a time when special measures were needed.