novelraw Chapter 110 : Stand on Your Own Two Feet with Courage
Chapter 110 : Stand on Your Own Two Feet with Courage
Chapter 110 - Stand on Your Own Two Feet with Courage
From the moment he first saw Yuri at the airport, Baek Hyeon-woo noticed that her condition appeared different from typical ankle patients.
‘It was a different pattern from patients who cannot bear weight due to ankle ligament pain.’
If there is a problem with the ankle, it is difficult to walk while bearing weight.
Whether the ligament is ruptured or a bone is fractured, it is the same.
However, the way Yuri walked using crutches was different from those patients.
‘Because she had foot drop.’
Foot drop is also referred to as ‘jokhasu’ (foot hanging down).
Just like gastroptosis where the stomach droops, it is a condition where the foot droops downward.
To be more precise, one cannot lift the foot toward the instep.
When humans walk on two legs, they move their ankle joints to lift their feet up and down.
However, if foot drop occurs, the foot continues to droop toward the sole, causing the toes to repeatedly catch on the ground.
Then what happens? You end up falling as if you tripped over a stone, even when there is nothing there.
Therefore, people with foot drop walk by lifting their knees high so that their toes do not catch on the ground.
Yuri was walking using crutches, but she maintained a posture of lifting her knees to prevent her toes from dragging on the ground.
It is likely because she has experienced falling while attempting to walk on two feet without crutches.
‘Foot drop can occur due to various causes.’
First, foot drop can occur due to problems in the central nervous system, such as the brain or spinal cord.
It is similar to muscle weakness caused by a stroke or a herniated disc.
However, issues of that nature would have already been fully examined at the hospital.
‘It is highly likely that Yuri-ssi has a problem with the peroneal nerve.’
The peroneal nerve is the nerve that functions when lifting the foot upward.
If the peroneal nerve was directly damaged during the injury, foot drop can occur.
However, if there had been nerve damage, the hospital would have noticed this as well.
‘Then... there must be something impairing the peroneal nerve even if it isn't damaged.’
Baek Hyeon-woo checked Yuri's status window once again.
————
[Yuri]
Vocal: A-
Dance: S-
Visual: S-
Potential: A
Body Condition: 35%
Mental Condition: 35%
————
– Muscle weakness is occurring due to problems with the tibialis anterior and extensor digitorum longus muscles in the lower limb.
– Pain and movement disorders are occurring due to problems with the peroneus tertius muscle in the lower limb.
– Body Condition is drastically lowered.
– Mental Condition is drastically lowered.
– Negative adjustments are applied to Vocal, Dance, and Visual.
The part worth noting was, ‘Muscle weakness is occurring due to problems with the tibialis anterior and extensor digitorum longus muscles in the lower limb.’
The muscle weakness mentioned here refers to foot drop.
The strength to lift the foot upward weakens, causing it to droop downward.
‘Actually, foot drop appears when there are problems with the tibialis anterior and extensor digitorum longus, too.’
If you lift your foot toward the instep, a muscle bulges out from the front of the shin; this muscle is the tibialis anterior.
In that state, if you curl and extend your toes, you can feel another muscle moving near the tibialis anterior; this is the extensor digitorum longus.
Since the tibialis anterior and extensor digitorum longus perform the dorsiflexion action of lifting the foot toward the instep, if a problem arises here, foot drop occurs.
Also, because the deep peroneal nerve, a branch of the peroneal nerve, passes through this area, if the deep peroneal nerve is compressed by the muscles, strength is not properly applied to the tibialis anterior and extensor digitorum longus, which likewise results in foot drop.
‘So, if I properly release the tibialis anterior and extensor digitorum longus, I can resolve the foot drop.’
Due to being careful for several months after the anterior talofibular ligament in the ankle was damaged, the muscles in her right leg must have all become stiff.
So it is highly likely that foot drop occurred because the tibialis anterior and extensor digitorum longus could not function properly.
‘Since it is not very common for such symptoms to appear after an ankle sprain, the hospital probably failed to grasp it either.’
And in the status window, there was also a sentence stating that pain and movement disorders were occurring due to problems with the peroneus tertius muscle in the lower limb.
The peroneus tertius is one of the muscles that hold the ankle, playing a similar role to the peroneus longus and peroneus brevis, which caused problems for Seo Na-eun in the past.
Just like the peroneus longus and peroneus brevis, if there is a problem with the peroneus tertius, it is difficult to move the ankle properly and pain occurs.
However, since it is a much smaller muscle compared to the peroneus longus and peroneus brevis, it tended to be relatively overlooked.
‘But... if I check through the status window, I won't miss even a problem in the smallest area.’
Tibialis anterior, extensor digitorum longus, peroneus tertius.
If he releases these three muscles, it is highly likely that strength will return to the foot and the pain will be alleviated.
Thinking that, Baek Hyeon-woo held Yuri’s right leg.
“Yuri-ssi, I’m sorry, but I’d like you to cover your mouth a bit.”
“Excuse me?”
“Because it might hurt a lot.”
Hearing Baek Hyeon-woo’s words, Yuri widened her eyes.
“It-It’s going to hurt a lot?”
“Yes, if your scream is too loud, the other rooms might find it noisy.”
Saying that, Baek Hyeon-woo added.
“They might misunderstand, too.”
“What kind of misunderstanding... Ah!”
Yuri blushed and nodded.
“O-Okay. I’ll keep my mouth covered.”
“Thank you.”
If the broadcasting station people staying in the same hotel were to hear, a troublesome misunderstanding could arise.
Considering the location, it would be best to be as careful as possible.
“Then I’ll begin.”
“Yes... Mmph!”
As Baek Hyeon-woo started massaging the tibialis anterior at the front of the shin, Yuri hurriedly covered her mouth with both hands.
“T-This hurts so... Mmph!”
The tibialis anterior is quite a painful area.
Even in the case of injection treatment, a stiff pain often lingers for a long time.
However, he couldn't treat it gently just because of that.
Although Yuri’s face, covering her mouth, was turning redder and redder, Baek Hyeon-woo pressed the tibialis anterior strongly without minding it.
‘Next is the extensor digitorum longus.’
The extensor digitorum longus is behind the tibialis anterior, and it is considerably thinner compared to the tibialis anterior.
Therefore, more delicate and precise treatment is required.
‘Here it is.’
Having found a lumpy trigger point behind the tibialis anterior, Baek Hyeon-woo massaged it as if rubbing in the vertical direction of the muscle fibers.
“Mmph...!”
Yuri flailed her left leg.
She was struggling, unable to endure the pain.
Still, it was commendable that she was trying her best not to move her right leg.
“We are almost done now.”
“R-Really... Mmph!”
Yuri, who had worn a relieved expression, clamped her mouth shut tight once again.
It was because Baek Hyeon-woo applied strong pressure to the peroneus tertius this time.
Using the fibula beneath the muscle as a base, he performed the massage, pressing firmly to release the trigger point.
“Yuri-ssi.”
Moving back up to the tibialis anterior, Baek Hyeon-woo spoke in a calm voice.
“Actually, your condition wasn't serious enough to warrant using crutches, Yuri-ssi.”
“Pardon?”
“If you had walked with care, you could have just walked on your own two feet.”
Fundamentally, foot drop is not a symptom that requires the use of crutches.
However, Yuri had continued to rely on crutches.
What could be the reason? Baek Hyeon-woo could easily guess.
“You used crutches because you were afraid of falling and injuring your ankle again, right?”
“……!”
Yuri had already been injured twice.
After spraining her ankle the first time, she didn't take proper care of it and got hurt once more, and as a result, the ligament ruptured.
She kept being overprotective of herself, fearing that such a thing might happen again.
She was worried she would suffer a greater injury if she tripped because her toe caught the ground due to foot drop.
“But that was the wrong approach. If you rely on crutches, your leg cannot regain its normal function.”
“……!”
It is correct to rest as much as possible for a damaged ligament to recover.
However, the more you rest, the stiffer and weaker the human body becomes.
Even if the injured area recovers, the motor function deteriorates.
Therefore, once recovered to a certain extent, one must resume daily activities even if there is pain or discomfort.
“Doing rehabilitation exercises in the hospital treatment room alone is not enough. You should have made an effort to walk on your own two legs in your daily life as well.”
“T-Team Leader Baek...”
“Only by gradually increasing the intensity of your activity like that... can you recover to a state where you can dance on stage.”
“Ah……!”
As Baek Hyeon-woo started massaging from the tibialis anterior again, Yuri covered her mouth once more.
“Yuri-ssi, do not be afraid.”
While releasing the tibialis anterior, extensor digitorum longus, and peroneus tertius one after another again, Baek Hyeon-woo spoke.
“You must have the courage to stand on your own two feet. Only then can you rise to the stage again.”
“……!”
Upon the leg of Yuri, who shut her eyes tight, Baek Hyeon-woo’s relentless fingers danced.
……
After the treatment was over.
Yuri took a taxi and headed to her original accommodation.
“Ma'am, we have arrived.”
“Thank you.”
As she paid the fare while conversing in Japanese, the taxi driver got out of the driver's seat to help Yuri disembark.
However, Yuri got out of the car before the driver could help.
“I’m fine.”
“Ah, excuse me.”
Yuri was still holding her crutches.
However, she was no longer putting her weight on the crutches.
She was walking properly, bearing her weight on both feet.
‘Yeah, I can walk.’
There was still a sense of discomfort in her ankle.
Her leg muscles were also still tingling from the massage.
But right now, Yuri was able to walk properly on her own two legs.
The fear that her toe would catch on the ground and she would fall... was no longer there, either.
“Huh? Yuri-ssi!”
When she reached the front of the hotel room, Manager Kim and the other managers were gathered, talking with serious expressions.
It seemed they had belatedly realized Yuri had secretly slipped out of the hotel and gathered hurriedly.
“Where on earth...”
“I’m sorry. I went out for a brief change of mood. Don’t worry about it and go rest now.”
As she said that and tried to go back into her room, Manager Kim spoke with a surprised expression.
“Yuri-ssi, right now, without using crutches, on your two feet...”
She closed the room door without answering.
And after leaning the crutches against the wall, Yuri swept up her sweat-drenched hair.
Her entire body was damp because she had broken into a cold sweat during the treatment.
“I should shower and sleep.”
Muttering to herself, she took off her clothes piece by piece.
However, halfway through, tears began to fall drop by drop.
“Sob...”
Until now, she had been afraid even to take off her clothes to shower.
Because she felt like she would trip and fall while moving to undress.
It was the same while showering. Everything in her daily life was anxiety-inducing and scary.
The one who liberated her from those days... was none other than Baek Hyeon-woo.
“Team Leader Baek...”
Yuri called Baek Hyeon-woo while shedding tears alone.
Although he wasn't in front of her right now, Yuri spoke words of gratitude with sincerity.
“Thank you. Thank you so much.”
If she had her way, she wanted to say thank you all night long.
But Baek Hyeon-woo sent her back immediately, reasoning that her managers would worry.
So Yuri couldn't properly express her gratitude.
“I will definitely repay this favor. Thank you really, Team Leader Baek.”
Baek Hyeon-woo, who pulled her out of the abyss of fear.
Thinking of that special manager, Yuri expressed her gratitude alone, over and over again.
……
The next morning.
Baek Hyeon-woo ate breakfast with Kanade at the hotel restaurant.
“Kanade, do you know how to eat natto?”
“Why would I eat something sticky like that?”
What Kanade brought a heap of from the buffet breakfast were sweet desserts like various cakes and pudding.
“How do you eat only things like that from the morning...”
“You usually don't let me eat much of this stuff. At least at a buffet, I'm going to eat whatever I want.”
“Just do it today, and from next time, eat properly and healthily.”
“Ugh, nag, nag, nag.”
When they finished breakfast while having such a conversation and tried to return to their room.
PD Yoon Young-chan came running up in a hurry.
“T-Team Leader Baek!”
“What’s the matter?”
“You know that person in charge at BBB Production who was giving us a hard time yesterday.”
“Ah... the one who said no to everything we suggested?”
BBB Production is a small-to-medium entertainment agency active in Saitama.
While most Korean entertainment agencies are based in the capital area, Japan has large and small agencies scattered throughout the regions.
This is because each region has its own local broadcasting stations and substantial infrastructure like concert venues; BBB Production was also a company that produced local idols active in these local venues.
They were supposed to cover local idols in the Saitama area with the cooperation of BBB Production this time... but contrary to what was coordinated in advance, there was friction because they kept refusing requests, saying this isn't allowed and that isn't allowed.
“They called a little while ago and said they would do everything we asked for?”
“What?”
“BBB Production is actually a subsidiary of the large agency AA Production. It seems AA Production put in a word.”
“Why did that happen all of a sudden?”
“That’s what I should be asking you, Team Leader Baek.”
Yoon Young-chan asked while looking at Baek Hyeon-woo.
“They said they were told to cooperate fully with you, Team Leader Baek. What on earth did you do last night?”
“Huh?”
Last night.
He did mention BBB Production while talking at the cafe bar.
“……?”
Just then, a message arrived on Baek Hyeon-woo’s phone.
The sender was Yuri.
“Don't tell me?”