The national team was in an uproar over Shi-u's bronze medal. Korea's second bronze medal... As expected, my son was the best.
Since it was the finals, it led directly to the awards ceremony, and I teared up a little watching the medal being placed around Shi-u's neck. I was so happy because it felt like Shi-u's efforts were being rewarded.
I wanted to go down and see Shi-u right away, but I couldn't. After the simple awards ceremony ended and I saw the coaches and Shi-u heading to the waiting room, I moved discreetly. Showing the card that proved I was a supporter allowed me to enter the athlete's waiting room, and when I went to where Shi-u was, I could see the coaches making a fuss and rejoicing.
"Shi-u-ya, congratulations!"
Congratulating him in person made my heart swell even more. Shi-u seemed calm, but the corners of his lips were twitching. He seemed to have achieved a result that he was somewhat satisfied with, even though there was some disappointment.
I hugged Shi-u.
"Oh, Mom."
Shi-u tried to break away from me, but due to the difference in strength, the others watched with smiles.
You could really see that the coaches and supporters were excited.
I was the same. I was prepared to comfort him, saying that just reaching the finals was a good job, but he even won a medal?
"There's a race tomorrow too, you know."
When Shi-u spoke, everyone suddenly came to their senses. Come to think of it, Shi-u also made it to the finals for the 200m, right?
"Oh, right."
I was separated from Shi-u for the time being, and the coaches' expressions changed.
"Right, there's a race tomorrow, it's too early to have a party."
The people who had been relaxed until just now changed. Certainly, I couldn't put pressure on Shi-u, who had a race tomorrow.
The quickly calmed-down people coordinated Shi-u's next schedule. There wasn't much time left to be in Japan now. That night, Shi-u couldn't fall asleep easily and kept contacting me with messages. He still seemed to be excited. And the next day, an unexpected thing happened at the 200m final. Shi-u was disqualified for a false start.
"Was he too nervous?"
It was more surprising that he got a result in the 400m. Shi-u, returning to his seat, had his head down. Of course, he would be upset. It's natural to be upset. Still, seeing Shi-u with his head down made my heart ache.
I immediately went to the waiting room to check on Shi-u's condition. When I went to the waiting room, the coaches and supporters were standing in front.
"You've come?"
"Um, why is everyone outside?"
The coach didn't say anything and avoided eye contact.
"...It's painful for someone to be next to you in this kind of situation."
Ah... the coach had experience with a false start at a national competition. So he knows Shi-u's feelings well right now. That's why he's giving him space.
"Then...."
"Mother, why don't you go in? We're worried too."
"Yes...."
I felt like I was holding a bomb. Still, he's my son, so of course I have to go. I knocked on the waiting room door and called Shi-u.
"Shi-u-ya?"
There was no response from the waiting room. Could it be that Shi-u...? I didn't wait and opened the door and went in.
"Shi-u-ya, Mom's coming in."
I heard the sound of the door creaking open, and Shi-u had a towel on his head.
"Shi-u-ya?"
I was worried, so I went straight to him. And I removed the towel covering his face. Shi-u slightly lifted his face so I could see his expression, and his eyes were red and swollen as if he had been crying.
"You cried."
"It's frustrating."
I think I know that feeling a little. If he had lost due to skill, it wouldn't have been like this. He was disqualified without even being able to compete properly due to his own mistake. It would be strange if he wasn't frustrated.
I hugged Shi-u.
"It's okay, there's a next time. Shi-u is still young."
"Still, it's frustrating. It was a chance I barely got."
"No one blames you."
Seeing Shi-u blaming himself made my heart ache. I was disappointed that all I could do was talk.
"Mom...."
Shi-u looked at me and cried sadly. Was he that frustrated? I patted Shi-u on the back and comforted him. After about 30 minutes, Shi-u seemed to have calmed down and changed his clothes.
"Are you okay?"
"What can I do? It's over now."
Seeing Shi-u still looking dazed really broke my heart. I told the people waiting outside that he was okay now for the time being.
The coaches just patted Shi-u on the back lightly. Saying anything more would only be poking at a sore spot. Since there were no more races for our country's athletes, we quietly returned to the accommodation. On the way back, one of our country's reporters came to interview Shi-u, but the coach blocked him well. No matter how friendly the reporter was, we didn't know how he would ask questions, so we couldn't let him approach carelessly.
I was relieved to see Shi-u resting after arriving at the accommodation. Since I had nothing to do, I searched for news articles on my phone, and sure enough, an article with bad words written in it was uploaded.
Young genius, careless and disqualified due to a false start.... It was a really sensational article. The detailed content was nothing special, just that Shi-u was disqualified from the final due to a false start, without any context or background.
"Without even knowing!"
I got angry and raised my phone, but I suppressed my anger and gently put it down. I can't believe such an article would come out... So that's why they're sending him back home before it becomes an issue. Should Shi-u go back home right away too?
I was worried.
What's the point of worrying alone? I should properly discuss it with someone else. I immediately looked for an association employee and asked about Shi-u's return home.
"Return home?"
"Yes."
"Of course, he has to go with everyone, he won a medal too."
Ah, he did win a bronze medal yesterday.
"Is there something wrong?"
"Well...."
Should I say this? I also felt like I was tattling. The hesitation didn't last long. I immediately showed the article I had been looking at on my phone.
The association employee sighed right away after seeing it.
"You were worried."
"Yes...."
I don't know what that little kid did so wrong that such an article came out.
"Still, he has to go back with everyone. There's also the closing ceremony."
I see....
"Since it's like this, how about going sightseeing with your son tomorrow?"
"Sightseeing?"
"Yes, Shi-u-gun also needs to clear his mind."
That was a very tempting suggestion. Anyway, the closing ceremony isn't far away, and it seems like it would be okay?
"I guess I should."
"Yes, don't pay attention to those articles."
I understood what the employee was saying too. When have reporters ever written proper articles? They were trying to get views and traffic with clickbait articles.
Having made up my mind, I went to the room where Shi-u was resting.
"Shi-u-ya."
"Did you call me?"
Shi-u was lying on the bed playing with his phone.
"What were you doing?"
"Ah, games."
If he's playing games, it seems like Shi-u has sorted out his thoughts.
"Do you want to go out and play tomorrow?"
"Suddenly?"
"Yeah, there are no more races now, and we have to stay until the closing ceremony."
"Ah, can't I go home?"
"Do you want to go home?"
"A little...."
Well, he's already been in Japan for over a week. It's been long enough to miss home.
"Do you miss your siblings?"
"Not really."
He was so sick of the word "siblings" that he shook his head.
"They're annoying."
"Shi-u-ya?"
To say such things to his siblings!
"More than that, sightseeing?"
"Yeah, there are no more races anyway."
"Okay."
Shi-u and I discussed where to go play. We decided not to go too far and just play nearby.
I spent the whole day playing with Shi-u. Is it because the race is over? Shi-u showed a childlike side and played happily. I was worried that he would keep dwelling on that incident, but it seemed like he shook it off faster than I thought. The closing ceremony was simple. From the start, there was nothing for the athletes to do. On the long-awaited return home, Shi-u slept soundly on the plane, probably because he was very tired. I... still haven't gotten used to flying, so I suffered for two hours. While picking up our luggage, I talked to the association employees in advance and parted ways there. The association employee seemed to want to do a simple interview with the athletes since they had won a medal, but I didn't like the reporter, so I refused. The employee was disappointed, but didn't hold us back. Thanks to that, we were able to part ways comfortably.
When we came out of the airport gate, Shi-hyun and the two kids were there to greet us.
"Mom!"
Jae-won was the first to recognize me and ran over.
"Jae-won-ah!"
I also ran towards Jae-won when I saw him.
"I missed you."
"Mom missed our youngest too."
When I hugged him tightly, Jae-won smiled happily, as if he was pleased. Saet-byeol, who seemed jealous after seeing that, also came over.
"Me too!"
"Okay, I'll hug our daughter too."
Shi-hyun was standing in front of them with a disappointed look. Could it be that he's jealous of the kids?
"Okay, hug your hyung too."
I let go of Jae-won and Saet-byeol and had them go to Shi-u, who was next to me.
"Why? Do you want a hug too?"
I provoked Shi-hyun with a smile. He's getting older, but somehow he's becoming more like a child, so his actions are really cute. Shi-hyun's reaction was different from what I expected.
"You worked hard."
After saying that, Shi-hyun hugged me tightly. It was so tight that I couldn't breathe, which was embarrassing.
"Ugh, hey."
Shi-hyun said in a small voice.
"Next time Shi-u goes abroad, don't go with him."
"What?"
"Just do that."
Was it that hard watching Saet-byeol and Jae-won?
"I don't know."
Barely separating from Shi-hyun, Shi-u took the kids and headed to the car first.
"It's always like this, the kids are never around when something like this happens."
"They're probably avoiding us, being considerate."
"More than that, was it hard watching the kids?"
"No?"
"Then why are you telling me not to go?"
I should support Shi-u and cheer him on.
"I missed you, so it was hard."
Shi-hyun, that guy, is amazing for saying such embarrassing things so easily at the airport.
"Ahem, I don't know about that, let's go quickly."
"I'll carry the bag."
"It's okay, you just drive."
I chased after the kids who were walking ahead.
"Ah, and I missed you too."
I said it nonchalantly without looking at Shi-hyun's face and ran off.
"What!? Say it again!"
Shi-hyun chased after me, asking me to say it again because he didn't hear properly, but I ignored him.
Asking me to say it again, embarrassing me? I'll never do it. A strange smile came out.
It's good to be all together after all!
"Kids! Do you even know where the car is?"
"Yeah! I know!"
Jae-won confidently went ahead.
"Hey!"
Shi-hyun seemed disappointed and kept trying to catch me. Even if I get caught, I'll never say it!