After dinner, I went back quickly. Shi-u wanted to train. I was sad, but I understood Shi-u's heart, so I returned to the hotel.
"You can do it alone, right?"
"Yes, Mom, you should go back and rest too."
There was nothing I could do at this late hour, so I returned to the hotel. The expensive hotel was worth every penny. I was a little tired, but I could rest comfortably and enjoy room service. It would have been great if Saet-byeol and Jae-won, and Shi-hyun were here too, but that part was really disappointing.
After a good rest, I left early in the morning and joined the team, helping with light tasks. I used my Awakener's strength to handle physical labor, and the others felt sorry. I thought of it all as work for Shi-u and smiled as I worked. If I just stayed still, I'd be bored anyway! I don't know anything in Japan, and there's nothing to do, and if I stay in the hotel, I'll only sleep, so it's better to move around like this.
Athletes with games went to the stadium, and athletes without games did simple training at nearby training grounds, watching the results of other athletes through live broadcasts.
All I could say was it was a disaster. Most of the athletes were eliminated in the preliminaries, and they lost in the second chance round as well. The results were so terrible that only five athletes, including Shi-u, made it to the finals. Is that why? Many athletes returned to Korea on the third day of the opening.
Today, Shi-u's 400m final was in the morning. Shi-u seemed calmer than I thought. If he survives here, he'll go to the finals. As the number of athletes decreased, association officials and coaches began to pay more attention to Shi-u. Strangely, the coaches seemed more nervous. Is it because there are so few athletes left?
"Shi-u, fighting."
Shi-u was shy and didn't react much. The result of the 400m race was 3rd place, barely making it to the finals. His record was worse than in the preliminaries. Something doesn't seem to be working.
"The record isn't good, but he still made it to the finals."
The coaches immediately encouraged Shi-u.
"Yeah, the finals are something."
I couldn't say anything there and just watched. When it was time for Shi-u to rest in the waiting room, I immediately asked about his condition.
"Shi-u, are you not feeling well?"
"Is it because of the record?"
"A little? I'm worried."
Shi-u suddenly rubbed the bridge of his nose.
"I just, couldn't sleep well."
"Was the bed uncomfortable?"
Shi-u avoided my eyes. It seems he didn't just not sleep well.
"Can you tell me?"
"Everyone else was eliminated and depressed."
Ah... Shi-u must have been worried about that too. Even though they trained and lived together, he must have been worried about them being eliminated.
"Will you be okay today?"
Shi-u didn't say anything. What can I do for him?
"Should we sleep together tonight?"
"Can we?"
"Of course."
I stroked Shi-u's hair. He's big, but still a kid. He hasn't even gone through puberty yet. And the 200m final wasn't today, but tomorrow. Shi-u had enough time to recover. I told the coaches that Shi-u hadn't slept well and that I wanted to be by his side today if possible.
"We just want Shi-u to be in perfect condition."
I decided to go to the hotel where the athletes were staying. Whether it was good luck or bad luck, all of Shi-u's roommates were eliminated in the preliminaries. And because of cost issues, the athletes who were eliminated in the preliminaries were returning home today.
I asked an association employee why they were returning home so quickly.
"Because their results weren't good. They need to leave before it becomes an issue and they get less criticism."
It's especially worse for large and popular competitions like the Olympics.
"The athletes tried their best, but it's painful to be criticized."
It was a small consideration, but I understood.
"Anyway, please take care of Shi-u."
"It's nothing."
I'm worried about Shi-u too, so it's not something to ask for. Anyway, I spent time with Shi-u in the same room at night. Shi-u definitely looked lonely. It was even worse because some of the athletes returned home earlier in the evening.
He's still young and under pressure. He seems to feel the pressure that he has to do something.
"Shi-u, don't feel pressured."
"Yes..."
I held Shi-u and slept for the first time in a while. Shi-u couldn't fall asleep easily and kept tossing and turning, but he eventually fell asleep as I continued to pat him.
*
In the morning, Shi-u seemed to be in good condition after sleeping well.
"You look good?"
"Um... yes."
Shi-u seems embarrassed to have slept with his mom at that age. But I was relieved to see that he had recovered. In fact, Shi-u succeeded in coming in first place in the 200m final. A foreign reporter asked for an interview, asking for his thoughts on advancing to the finals at a young age, but he couldn't respond properly because he didn't speak English.
More than that, the finals have progressed a lot... It's already been over 6 days since I came to Japan. Honestly, I didn't like the local Japanese food. And most of all, I was lonely.
I really missed my family after not seeing them for a week. I'm enduring it because of Shi-u, but if Shi-u wasn't here, I would have gone back already.
As if Shi-hyun knew how I felt, he called. With a video call!
-"Are you doing well?"
"Yeah, of course."
-"You don't seem like it?"
As expected, I was easily caught because it was a video call where my face could be seen.
"I'm just, a little tired. I don't like Japanese food."
It's the same East Asian region, and the food looks similar, but the difference was more significant than I thought. I even went to a Korean product store and bought cup ramen, instant rice, and kimchi to eat.
-"Is it that hard?"
"Shi-u must feel the same way, but I can't complain."
-"Oh, right, how did Shi-u do?"
"He made it to the finals in both the 200m and 400m."
-"Really? That's amazing, I should praise him when he comes home?"
"Just praise?"
-"Well, if he wins a medal, I'll definitely do something for him."
But Shi-u doesn't have much greed, so I don't know if he wants anything.
-"Mom! I miss you!"
-"Me too!"
Then Jae-won and Saet-byeol barged in.
"Mom misses Jae-won and Saet-byeol too."
-"When are you coming?"
"When your brother comes back?"
-"What about hyung-ah?"
Unfortunately, Shi-u was training.
"Your brother is training."
-"I want to see him soon..."
"Your brother must think so too."
I felt energized seeing the children's faces, even though it was a video call.
-"Kids? Dad wants to talk to Mom too?"
-"No! Dad can do it later."
Oh my... Even though I'm roaming, it's an international call, so the charges will be high... What should I do? Talking to the kids passed by so quickly.
-"Phew, I barely got it back."
"Did you really get it back? Or did the kids just say everything they wanted to say and drop it?"
-"...Ahem, you should go sightseeing somewhere."
"No, I have to watch Shi-u..."
I talked to Shi-hyun for a long time too.
-"Rest well, I love you."
"Yeah, I want to see you soon too."
="I'll be waiting."
"Yeah..."
I hung up and checked the time, and it was such a long time that I wondered if it was real. An hour and a half? I was afraid of how much the call charges would be.
"Shi, Shi-hyun made the call, so it's not my fault..."
Yeah, I was trying to hold back, but Shi-hyun made the call. That's right! It's definitely not my fault! I took up a lot of time talking to the kids, but it's not my fault!
"Ah, I should have let Shi-u talk too..."
Should I let him talk before the finals? He might be able to concentrate more with the support of his family, but he might also feel pressured.
"It's a headache."
I should just ask Shi-u directly. I rested well and watched Shi-u train. Is it because the facilities are small? There wasn't a proper place to train. The coaches said that since he had already advanced to the finals, they would focus on warming up and conserving energy rather than overtraining.
"Good job."
I handed water to Shi-u, who had warmed up lightly.
"Thank you."
Shi-u took a long breath and drank the water. The athletes who advanced to the finals and the other athletes preparing for the preliminaries also began to rest.
"Shi-u."
"Yes?"
"Do you miss your siblings or dad?"
Shi-u tilted his head.
"Why suddenly?"
"Yeah, actually, your dad called yesterday. I was wondering if Shi-u wanted to talk too."
Shi-u thought for a moment and gave a light answer.
"It's okay, I want to concentrate now."
"Is that so? I understand."
Is he feeling pressured? Could it be that me being here is also pressuring him? I quietly moved away so Shi-u could rest.
*
On the 9th day of the competition, the finals of several events were finally held. Athletes who were happy to receive medals and athletes who were frustrated by mistakes and defeats. I could see the extremes.
"I want to see Shi-u happy too."
Right now, Korea's score was only one bronze medal.
And today, Shi-u's 400m final is being held. Looking at the faces of the 8 athletes who advanced to the finals, I was very worried. They were all over 20 years old, and the youngest athlete was 19 years old. Shi-u, who came here at 13, was out of place.
Is that why? He received a lot of attention. The excessive attention was affecting Shi-u's condition. The coaches and association employees worked hard to stop it, but it was amazing how they broke through the barrier.
I deliberately didn't go next to Shi-u during the finals. I kept my distance because I was worried that my presence would put pressure on him. But I wanted to see him up close, so I got a ticket and took a seat.
The ticket was a bit expensive because it was a black market ticket... Watching the competition from the stands felt different.
The moment the game started, I was so nervous that I forgot to breathe. The final began, and Shi-u quickly took the lead.
"Shi-u...!"
The game went unexpectedly. Shi-u quickly took the lead, and the other athletes chased after Shi-u.
That was only for a moment. As the game passed the halfway point, Shi-u's speed decreased significantly, and he began to be caught up. Since he hadn't created much distance in the first place, it was even more noticeable.
"Hold on! Just hold on!"
I clasped my hands together and prayed. Please! God didn't seem to want to listen to my prayers, and Shi-u was helplessly caught up. The game was coming to an end, and Shi-u moved forward with all his might. Two athletes were already ahead of Shi-u. It was already impossible to hope for Shi-u's victory. I just prayed that he would hold on and get at least 3rd place.Was it because my wish came true? Or was it the result of Shi-u's efforts? Shi-u succeeded in arriving in 3rd place. The coaches below were cheering. A bronze medal is a good result.
"Good job, really good job!"
I was happy that Shi-u's efforts seemed to be rewarded.
Ah, I was sad that I couldn't share this joy with Shi-hyun. Is Shi-hyun watching on TV? Good job, Shi-u!