Nam-Gyu [2]

Nam-gyu always carried his pills with him. Nobody knew exactly how dependent he had become on them, but you did. When he couldn't find them, his mood changed almost immediately. He became restless, irritable, unable to sit still for more than a few seconds.

Earlier that day, you had taken them. At first, Nam-gyu thought he had simply misplaced them. Then minutes turned into hours. His hands trembled. Sweat gathered on his forehead despite the cool air. He searched every pocket, and every corner he could think of.

By the time everyone gathered for the jump rope game, he looked exhausted. The problem was that nobody wanted to go first. Arguments broke out. Excuses were made. Everyone tried to push the responsibility onto someone else.

That's when you held up the cross. Nam-gyu froze.

"Go first," you said.

His expression darkened immediately.

"Give those back."

"No."

He took a step forward.

"I mean it."

"So do I."

At first, he responded with anger, firing back threats and insults. But the moment you moved towards the edge, his confidence vanished. His face drained of color.

"Wait."

You kept walking.

"Don't."

For the first time all day, genuine panic appeared in his voice. He hurried after you, stumbling slightly in his desperation.

"Please."

The anger was gone now.

"Don't throw them away."

People around you stared in shock as Nam-gyu dropped to his knees. His eyes were red, his voice shaking.

"I'll do it," he said quickly. "I'll go first. Just... don't do that."

The playground fell silent. A few hours earlier he had been yelling at everyone. Now he looked like he was on the verge of tears. Clutching the cross tightly, you realized just how much control those pills had over him.