Chapter 3

In the end, all my results were wiped out, and they made an example out of me.

I kept getting weaker, coughing up blood all the time, but I had no choice but to tough it out.

A few days later, the school held the coming-of-age ceremony.

Everyone was dressed in clean uniforms, lined up under the national flag, solemnly reciting their oath.

Parents stood by their children, clapping and smiling with pride.

I stood in the crowd, quietly reciting the oath. Watching them, all full of dreams about what was ahead, I felt nothing but emptiness inside.

Adulthood and…