Chapter 152: Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (7)

Chapter 152: Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (7)

Song Jong-Ho was diagnosed with schizophrenia in the third year of middle school[1] and started taking medication since then. For the first six months, what Song Ji-Hyun said was true; they had caught his symptoms early on and treated it well. They got his auditory and visual hallucinations under control quickly, and he was able to be lucid until he graduated.

However, not all of his life had returned to the way it was before his illness.

Whats wrong with Jong-Ho?

ThatsJong-Ho?

What happened to him?

He gained a lot of weight due to the side effects of the medication. This time, he wasnt hearing things; students were actually whispering about him. His handsome and charming looks were quickly ruined. It was difficult for him to be active as he gained forty kilograms in an instant. He lost his confidence and strength, and he felt an overwhelming sense of helplessness and depression from the medication. Ordinary people usually had a reserve of extra cognitive resources in their head, and they could tap into that reserve when they felt stress. However, people with schizophrenia did not have that line of defense.

Song Jong-Hos fall from the peak of popularity at school during his sensitive adolescence: the whispers from his friends pierced his heart like thorns.

Hes schizophrenic

My god

He hears things and stuff like that?

So hes basically crazy?

Ive never seen a schizophrenic before.

Maybe hes possessed or something.

Friends left his side one by one out of fear. Even those who had suppressed their aversion to schizophrenia and remained friends with him could not endure how much Song Jong-Ho had changed. Students began to distance themselves from him, as they also felt depressed around him.

I want to go to your high school, Song Jong-Ho said.

He was almost finished with middle school.

My school? Song Ji-Hyun said.

Yeah

All Song Jong-Ho had left was Song Ji-Hyun. She was the only person he could trust and the only person who understood him. He thought that he would be less lonely and it would be less painful if he went to Song Ji-Hyuns high school.

... Okay.

Song Ji-Hyun told him to in a calm voice, but she felt different about it. She too was only in her first year of high school, and it was too much pressure to take care of a younger brother with a mental disorder.

Jong-Ho said hes coming to my school.

That night, Song Ji-Hyun locked her door and called her friends.

Jong-Ho? Your little brother?

Yeah.

Isnt your brother super cute?

He was before, but Hes sick now, so not anymore. Dont get your hopes up.

Why is he sick?

...

Song Ji-Hyun had never told anyone around her that her younger brother had schizophrenia; she was scared of how they would react.

Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia?

It was too shocking for students, who thought being sick just meant something like the flu.

Oh my god! Is that contagious?

...

Song Ji-Hyun stared at Young-Joon. As there was a tense silence between them

Click.

That was when the door opened, and Song Jong-Ho and Rosaline came out into the living room.

* * *

Why is your heart rate so high? What did you do here while I was going through Song Jong-Hos head?

Rosaline asked after returning to Young-Joons body.

W-what do you mean?!

What?

Nothing. All I did was listen to Doctor Song.

Suspicious.

Rosaline said with her eyes squinted.

Im not sure about this, but if you have children, I think I will be able to go into your childs body as well.

What?

Its like a country house. And your body is the main house.

What are you talking about?

Im always open to it.

Ugh. I dont have anything with Doctor Song. Dont do this to me.

While Young-Joon was talking to Rosaline in his head, Song Jong-Ho spoke to him.

Um I know a little bit about you, Doctor Ryu. What brings you here to our house?

Young-Joon was going to say that it was because of the schizophrenia cure, but he stopped. The fact that he came here because of that would mean that he knew that Song Jong-Ho suffered from schizophrenia. No matter how he got that information, it could be a little uncomfortable from Song Jong-Hos perspective. As there was an awkward silence, Song Ji-Hyun spoke up.

Its because he is developing a drug.

A drug?

Hes developing a cure for schizophrenia. Thats why I requested a meeting.

I see.

Song Jong-Ho glanced at Young-Joon.

When is that drug coming out?

There is still a long way to go because it is still in its early stages.

Will I be able to take the drug if I participate in the clinical trial?

If you sign up, we will randomly select volunteers for the clinical trial. You may get it.

This was only possible if the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety even approved of it. This was going to be their largest crisis.

1. Middle school in Korea is from grade seven to nine, so the third grade of middle school is the ninth grade.

Clara's Thoughts

OMG! Young-Joon and Ji-Hyun finally had physical contact! Do you think they are right for each other? I think they complement each other well, and I hope they start dating!