Cheat day

Walking (5)

He chewed slowly, then crammed the remaining donut into his mouth and silently moved his jaw again.

Looking into his eyes, it seemed like he was concentrating all his attention on the Old Fashioned donut rather than on us.

In my experience, that state is more dangerous than dancing around excitedly because something tastes good.

Sure enough.

He stood up and came back with another one of the same donut.

“Are you sure it’s okay? You said you were preparing for a competition,” Joo Ji-seung asked Cha Ji-chan.

Cha Ji-chan has been preparing for a competition scheduled for September since the beginning of the year.

Even though it’s a special event, it’s a place where many famous bodybuilders from around the world participate, so he’s been looking forward to it.

“It’s just one,” Cha Ji-chan said without hesitation as he tore open the bag.

***

On the third day, we welcomed the morning in Dongtan and arrived in Ansung around 2 AM the next day.

Since it rained heavily yesterday and the accumulated fatigue took its toll, everyone in the group went straight to their rooms without saying goodbye as soon as we entered the accommodation.

I charged my external battery first, and when I checked my smartphone, Muk-ji had sent a KakaoTalk message just five minutes ago.

I immediately called him.

“Hello?”

“Were you not sleeping?”

“How is your body feeling?”

“I’m tired. I’m starting to feel overwhelmed.”

“Wash up and get some rest.”

“Let’s talk a bit more.”

It’s only been a few days since I last saw him, but I miss him.

I want to hear about his day, whether he ate well, and what he’s been up to.

“Did you have a good dinner?”

“I’m managing well. Please wash up and sleep.”

“……”

He’s probably trying to be considerate of me because I arrived late today.

“I miss you.”

“I’m fine.”

“Excuse me?”

“Because I’m watching you on the broadcast. Don’t say anything, just go to sleep.”

I feel a strange sense of defiance.

“Okay. I love you too.”

“……”

There’s no response.

“I’ll just hear what I want to hear and go to bed.”

“……I love you.”

“Hehe.”

“Why are you laughing?”

“I’m happy. You don’t have to monitor for too long tonight. You worked hard today. Sleep well.”

After ending the call, I headed to the shower.

It was a struggle to move my heavy body. After somehow washing up, I lay down on the bed, already worrying about tomorrow.

While Joo Ji-seung and Cha Ji-chan, who have been training for a long time, still seemed to have energy left,

I was quite exhausted, and Baek Woo-jin was almost in a state of collapse.

The blisters on my feet from the past two days had grown larger, and he was complaining of back pain, making me wonder if it was really right to continue this way together.

I almost forgot, but I have to take him to the hospital no matter what when we wake up in the morning.

“Hmm.”

I was definitely thinking about what I needed to do when I woke up in the morning.

Suddenly, my morning alarm went off.

When I came to my senses, it was 8 AM.

I must have really fallen asleep like I fainted.

I got out of bed to go have breakfast without even washing my face, and my feet hurt.

“Ah.”

I noticed some discoloration yesterday, and it ended up forming blisters.

Even though I carefully applied the powder that Baek Woo-jin gave me, it seems I couldn’t prevent the blisters from appearing after all.

I gently popped them with a sterilized needle, applied some ointment, and put on a blister bandage.

There was no one in the accommodation’s dining area.

Yesterday was really tough, so it’s no surprise.

As I was getting my tray and utensils and filling my plate, Joo Ji-seung came down.

“Did you sleep well?”

“Ugh. I passed out. Just passed out.”

“Me too.”

Joo Ji-seung looked around.

“Is Woo-jin okay?”

“I think we need to take him to the hospital today.”

“Hmm.”

Although the buffet was simple with not many food options, it had everything necessary.

There was black rice, sausages, scrambled eggs, pork bulgogi, kimchi, bean sprouts, and toast available.

After putting a bit of everything on my plate, Cha Ji-chan came in carrying a white bag.

“Uh?”

“Here.”

Cha Ji-chan took a seat at the table where Joo Ji-seung and I were sitting.

“Did you go to the convenience store?”

The bag had the convenience store logo on it.

“Yeah.”

Cha Ji-chan pulled out donuts from the bag.

Not just one or two, but eight of them, which surprised both me and Joo Ji-seung.

“Wow, you couldn’t stop thinking about them since yesterday?”

“Bro, this is a big deal. You shouldn’t start eating sweets.”

“I know, man. But if we’re going to be walking a lot, we need to replenish our energy. Otherwise, we’ll lose muscle.”

“…Is that really true?”

I asked Joo Ji-seung.

“Yeah. Walking for long periods requires a lot of energy. If we’re walking close to ten hours a day for several days, our muscles or fat get used up. The only way to reduce that is to eat well.”

“Isn’t that going to affect the competition?”

“It’s fine.”

“It doesn’t sound fine to me.”

“Yeah, you’re right. I really can’t resist this.”

Cha Ji-chan pulled out a new donut.

This is ridiculous.

“Did you know all the places we stayed had gyms?”

Joo Ji-seung asked.

“I didn’t know.”

“He’s been working out every morning. I think he only booked hotels with gyms on purpose.”

Joo Ji-seung shook his head as he spooned some seaweed soup.

“Even now?”

When I asked in surprise, Cha Ji-chan swallowed what he had in his mouth.

“I don’t do it like usual. Just a light workout.”

I knew he was crazy, but this was next-level insanity.

“Woo-jin is coming.”

At Joo Ji-seung’s words, I turned to see Baek Woo-jin approaching, dragging his legs.

His shoulders were slumped, and his eyes were half-closed as he picked up food; it was clear he wasn’t in good shape.

“Hey.”

Cha Ji-chan called out to Baek Woo-jin.

“Stop being stubborn and go back up.”

Baek Woo-jin started eating without replying.

“You’re really going to get hurt like this. It’s already a big deal that you made it this far without working out. Just go back.”

Baek Woo-jin, who had been silently listening, finally looked up.

“I want a donut too.”

It seemed he was craving one.

“No way.”

“Just one.”

When Cha Ji-chan shook his head, Baek Woo-jin buried his face back into his food.

“Woo-jin, are you really okay?”

“I heard your back hurts too.”

Joo Ji-seung and I both chimed in, making Baek Woo-jin annoyed.

“Ah, seriously! I’m fine!”

“You’re not fine.”

Baek Woo-jin sat quietly for a moment before touching his forehead.

“How can I stop now?”

“If it’s for the broadcast, you can manage on your own.”

“……”

It’s frustrating, but it’s the reality.

Even healthy people struggle to do what we’re doing in this terrible weather.

If he keeps pushing himself and his immunity drops, who knows what illness he might catch next?

Putting aside all those concerns, simply walking is already a huge challenge for Baek Woo-jin, who has avoided exercise.

“If you’re hesitant to stop now because of how far we’ve come, think about it. We’ve barely made it halfway.”

“That’s why. We shouldn’t have even started in the first place.”

Baek Woo-jin was being stubborn.

“Woo-jin.”

“How can I quit after seeing the others?”

I tried to reason with him, but I was momentarily at a loss for words.

Then I burst into laughter.

“What’s so funny?”

“Nothing. You’re just exactly like Ji-chan hyung.”

Baek Woo-jin frowned.

“Wow, Baek Woo-jin, you’re finally starting to understand how your hyung feels.”

“Don’t joke around. Seriously. It’s annoying.”

“Let’s stop by the hospital. You need to get your feet and back checked.”

When Joo Ji-seung said that, Baek Woo-jin nodded without arguing.

***

Dinner.

After arriving at the accommodation, we decided to unpack our things and gather in Cha Ji-chan’s room.

We told Baek Woo-jin to rest, and the three of us came together. While waiting for Joo Ji-seung, I checked the viewer count on my smartphone, and about 20,000 people were connected.

Usually, around dinner time, other broadcasts start, leading to a peak in viewership during the afternoon, which gradually declines as the night goes on.

└What’s this?

└Why is everyone here?

└Is Baek Woo-jin okay?

└Are they at the hospital now?

└Is everything okay after going to the hospital earlier?

The viewers started asking various questions, so it seemed best to provide a straightforward explanation of the situation.

“Should I talk?” I asked as Joo Ji-seung entered the room, and both of them nodded.

“We’re currently in Jincheon, Chungbuk, and we gathered to inform you all about something. For those who have been watching the broadcast, you may know that Woo-jin isn’t in good condition.”

We had gone to the hospital in the morning, but it didn’t help.

Accumulated fatigue and blisters need to be addressed with proper rest, but after walking for ten hours in that condition, it’s not surprising that Baek Woo-jin could collapse.

“We tried to convince him a lot, but his determination is incredibly strong. He feels he can’t give up, thinking about those who are waiting for his help. It’s not that either Ji-seung, Ji-chan, or I don’t understand that feeling, so we didn’t press him further. Instead, we decided that he will rest tomorrow. If his condition doesn’t improve, we’ll talk about going back.”

└Sounds like he’s not doing well.
└Wow.
└It seems like he’s really pushing himself.
└What’s going to happen with the WH sponsorship?
└We’ve been walking in the rain for four days.
└How is he feeling unwell?

“The WH sponsorship issue is something we’re discussing now, so I can’t provide an immediate answer. If we reach a decision, I’ll let you know right away. This will be the end of today’s broadcast.”

I ended the broadcast.

“What did WH say?”

“Sang-kyu has mentioned it, but he doesn’t seem optimistic. The situation was originally supposed to be dropped, but Kim Ki-tae stepped in to proceed, and it seems challenging to continue without meeting conditions.”

I completely understand Kim Ki-tae’s position.

“This is a bigger problem than WH.”

Joo Ji-seung showed me his smartphone.

Several communities, which had been overwhelmingly supportive, had started posting some negative comments.

└I knew this would happen.
└It’s unreasonable for someone who doesn’t usually exercise to take on a national trek, especially in the rain.
└If he says he’ll do it and then drops out, what will happen to WH and the orphanage?

Amidst all the support and concern, it’s strange how only these types of comments stand out.

Cha Ji-chan brushed his hair back, trying to calm his anger, while I let out a sigh of frustration.

“……Do you think Woo-jin will keep going?”

“Knowing his personality, would he just sit back after reading these comments?”

When Joo Ji-seung asked, Cha Ji-chan answered.

It’s true he hates to lose and is quite emotional.

To prove the haters wrong and for those waiting for help, he wouldn’t give up no matter what.

“Hyung! Open up!”

It was Baek Woo-jin’s voice.

After arriving at the accommodation, we unpacked our bags and decided to gather in Cha Ji-chan’s room.

I told Baek Woo-jin to rest, so it was just the three of us. While we waited for Joo Ji-seung, I checked the viewer count on my smartphone, which showed over 20,000 people were online.

Typically, by dinner time, other broadcasts start, and the number of viewers peaks in the afternoon before gradually declining as the night goes on.

└What’s this?

└Why is everyone here?

└Is Baek Woo-jin okay?

└Are they at the hospital now?

└Was the hospital visit okay?

As viewers began asking questions, I felt it was better to explain the situation directly without beating around the bush.

“Should I say something?”

As soon as Joo Ji-seung walked into the room, I asked, and both of them nodded.

“We’re currently in Jincheon, Chungbuk, and we gathered here to share some news. Those of you who have been watching the broadcast know that Woo-jin is not doing very well.”

We had gone to the hospital in the morning, but it didn’t help.

With the accumulated fatigue and blisters, he really needed some rest. After walking for 10 hours in that state, it wouldn’t be surprising if Baek Woo-jin collapsed.

“We tried to persuade him a lot, but his determination is really strong. He feels he can’t give up, considering the people who are waiting for his help. I understand how he feels, so we decided not to push him further. Instead, we agreed that he would take a rest tomorrow. If his condition doesn’t improve even after resting, we’ll discuss going back.”

└Sounds like he’s really not doing well.

└Oh no.

└He does seem to be overdoing it.

└What’s going to happen with the WH sponsorship?

└After walking for four days in the rain, how is he even still standing?

“The issue with the WH sponsorship is something we’re discussing right now, so I can’t give you an answer right away. If there’s a decision, I’ll let you know immediately. That’ll be all for today’s broadcast.”

We ended the broadcast.

“What did WH say?”

“Seong-kyu mentioned it, but he didn’t seem optimistic. Originally, Kim Ki-tae was supposed to stop it, but it seems like it would be awkward to proceed while ignoring the conditions.”

I could fully understand Kim Ki-tae’s position.

“This is a bigger problem than WH.”

Joo Ji-seung showed me his smartphone.

In various communities that had been filled with support, some negative reactions were starting to appear.

└I figured that would happen.

└It’s unreasonable for someone who doesn’t usually exercise to attempt a national trek, especially in the rain.

└If he says he’ll do it but then backs out, what happens to WH and the orphanage?

With so much support and concern, it was puzzling how only these negative comments stood out.

Cha Ji-chan ran his fingers through his hair, trying to calm his anger, while I just sighed in frustration.

“……Do you think Woo-jin will keep going?”

“Knowing his personality, would he just let it slide after seeing comments like that?”

Cha Ji-chan replied when Joo Ji-seung asked.

He definitely hates to lose and has a lot of pride.

He wouldn’t give up for anything, whether it’s to prove something to those who left negative comments or for the people waiting for his help.

“Hyung! Open up!”

It was Baek Woo-jin’s voice.