Chapter Text
Flashback
Seokhyeong and Minha bumped their coffee cups lightly together to celebrate their achievements in a small antique shop downtown. Earlier today, they participated in their doctorate degree acceptance as Seokhyeong begins his fellowship whereas Minha continues her journey to become a doctor as a residency after completing the internship at the same hospital as Seokhyeong in.
“Congratulations on being validated as a resident Minha ya. From working at the lab, then beginning your intern life, and now continuing your path to become a great OBGYN doctor in the future. You’ve worked hard Chu Minha Seonsaeng” Seokhyeong invites another toast to their cups.
“Thank you very much for guiding me even though you are also busy on your own, Oppa. I can’t do it without Oppa’s help. Congratulations to you too Oppa. Can’t believe you continue your fellowship here Yang Seokhyeong Seonsaeng” Minha joins her cup against Seokhyeong, smiling brightly.
“Thank you, Minha ya. It’s ok though, I like helping you. Seeing you succeed after balancing your work and studying hard also makes me happy.” Seokhyeong exudes a pleasant and proud face. They both quietly enjoy the moment while sipping their favorite coffee and listening to the lazy jazz that is served at the cafe. Minha looks out the window and gasps as the snow starts to fall.
“Wow, it’s snowing!” Minha squeals softly. “Wow, you’re right. I’m lucky to see snow falling now. I thought that I’ll miss it all this season.” Seokhyeong is also looking seriously at the snow on the window beside them.
“Me too Oppa. Too busy working and studying, basically locking myself either inside in the hospital or apartment makes me unaware of the snow” Minha watches closely and follows the snowflakes safely land on the window. She then hears Seokhyeong chuckle which makes Minha turn her toward him.
“Is there something funny, Oppa?” Minha asked while tilting her head. “You look so cute like a child just by watching the snowfall”. Seokhyeong's comment makes Minha bring out a red blush on her cheeks from feeling shy.
“Oppa, let’s play in the snow at the playground” Minha requested as they have been at the store for a while now. “Ok… Let’s do that. Hurry up and finish your coffee then. I’ll go pay first” Seokhyeong gets up and walks his way to the cashier.
They swiftly exit their favorite relaxed shop and head to the park that is just around the corner. Both of them go on a spree in the snow for a long time from snowball fights to making mini snowmen and crafting dozens of snow angels until the sky turns dark. After playing their hearts out, they slowly walk together to Minha’s apartment. Throughout the journey, they hardly speak to each other since the route is going upwards, and saving up the remaining energy after spending most of it playing in the snow, in the end talking is the last thing they wanted to do.
“From now on… I am going to exercise… every day. I’m almost… dying here” Seokhyeong pants harshly, feeling his body become heavier each time he takes a step. “Aigoo~ old man, let’s hurry up before the weather gets colder for your body.” Minha tries to walk faster, creating a visible distance to avoid him after teasing. “What? Me, old man? You… get back here” Seokhyeong starts chasing Minha, causing her to run as well. However, her stamina drops drastically from the impromptu flee, allowing Seokhyeong to easily grasp Minha into his arms.
“Looks like you also need to exercise, old lady. Come on now, we better hurry. It’s getting cold here.” Seokhyeong checks on Minha, making sure she’s warm enough then takes her hand pulling her closer or more likely dragging Minha to reach her apartment sooner.
They finally arrive at the front of her apartment building after walking steadily. They don’t realize they are still holding hands as they become more aware of catching their breaths instead. After a good minute of recovery, Seokhyeong looks at Minha and suddenly catches the small details on her face. Her cheeks and tip of her nose radiate a pinkish color effect from the coldness, her eyes sparkle from the reflection of the light above them, and her lips parts away puffing out a thin mist of air to catch her breaths. He feels his heart starting to pump rapidly yet calms him down seeing her beauty up close.
Minha doesn’t realize that Seokhyeong is looking at her so deeply until he steps forward, narrowing the distance between them. Minha looks up at Seokhyeong and admires his shiny aura that sometimes Minha gets awestruck by, his gazes soften whenever they stare at each other or talk privately. These days Minha realizes how Seokhyeong is meant to her, feeling blessed to have met him and able to stay side by side together.
“Minha ya… do you want to be my girlfriend?” Seokhyeong startles at himself, confessing spontaneously in soft volume, causing her to wake up from her daydreaming.
“Ehh.. what? Can’t hear you Oppa” Minha opens her left ear protector, making Seokhyeong even more nervous, failing his sudden confession in one go. He carefully removes the ear protector from her ears, puts it around her neck, and moves his hand to hold both of her hands.
“Do you know something Minha ya? Your presence turns out had a big impact on me every day since the day we met. I realize that we are holding on to each other as we are far away from our family and friends. As days went by, I started to see you as more than a friend. 3 years, it took me that long to realize that you colored my life filled with happiness and warmth. If you have the same feelings as me, should we date?” Seokhyeong says his feelings again and then closes his eyes to calm down his nervousness.
He reopens his eyes, as Seokhyeong feels her hands tighten around his. He looks down at Minha and sees her eyes start to become moist and she lets out a faint smile and nods her head firmly. Seokhyeong releases shy chuckles, which makes Minha giggle. He quickly hugs her so tightly, giving her the warmest bear hug he can give until there are no spaces between them. Day 1 of their dating starts now.
Things turn out to be like a miracle after they become a couple, especially when they are in the same department. They are able to be professionals when they begin their shifts, receiving high praise and even becoming the best combination in their work environment and creating a balanced life between work and love life. When the shifts are over, they act like lovers either going out on a simple date or respecting each other's day offs. Life couldn’t be any better than now.
One year passed in a blink of an eye for the couple who were able to keep a strong and healthy relationship. To celebrate it, they were ready to continue their relationship to the next stage by introducing Minha to Seokhyeong’s family as they plan to visit him this week. By quick summary from his boyfriend, Minha can predict they are a high-class family compared to hers. Seokhyeong could feel how nervous she is, and ready to be beside her whatever happens at the gathering, knowing how hard his parents are on approving their children's relationship. Good thing that Jieun is here as well, his sister's presence might help this couple and the atmosphere from danger.
“I'm so happy that I finally got to meet you Mr. and Mrs. Yang” Minha finally speaks up after complete silence at the table. From the first impression, Minha can see how strict and formal they are so she needs a good strategy to win their hearts.
“Ahh… What's your name? Chu Minha, correct?” Younghye, Seokhyeong’s mother asks instead while cutting her steak and eating it elegantly.
“Yes, Omonim” Minha nods her head while smiling lightly. She continues cutting her meat into small bites, however, her hands freeze from Younghye's next question, able to make her dumbfounded.
“And you said you just began your residency last year? At this age?”
“Yes, I became a laboratorian after I graduated, but now I’m able to continue to become a doctor specialist in…”
“From what?”
“Nae?” Minha becomes a bit lost after Younghye cuts off her words. Younghye’s tone is also unfriendly for Minha to hear, making her even more nervous than before.
“I was working at the laboratory before I continued my studies” Minha can swear that she hears a soft yet audible snort coming out of her boyfriend’s mother. Does she just underestimate her work experience? She quickly looks at Jieun who is also uncomfortable with her mother’s behavior.
“She came to the US after getting a fellowship at the laboratory, Omma. Her performance and enthusiasm to continue studying as a doctor specialist are also being approved all the way to the president of the hospital, Omma” Minha looks at Seokhyeong who explains further details of her hard work this far with a stern and brave voice. It’s a good thing that her boyfriend is able to step in as she’s running out of words. Younghye just nods her head carelessly.
“How about your parents? Are they in the medical field as well?” For the first time, Seokhyeong’s father speaks up after being mute since the beginning. Not far from Younghye’s tone, her boyfriend’s father has an arrogant voice, or is it a prestigious one? Minha can hardly differentiate anything right now.
“Minha’s parents are living at Sokcho and managing a pension from her grandfather near Seorak Mountain, and the location is quite strategic for it. She also has a younger brother and lives in Seoul working in an infrastructure environment” Seokhyeong replies instead before Minha is able to use her voice.
“So you don’t have a lot of income and investment then? Haha oh my…” Younghye bashes in her sensitive question in a mocking way, making her children and Minha snap their heads toward her.
“Omma, I think you went too far with that one” Jieun finally steps in to defend against such satirical questions or remarks. She knows her mother wants to dig out sensitive topics, especially with a different background as her, which is one of the ugliness her mother has. But she stops before things get ugly, as Jieun likes Minha as her sister.
“Is wealth and family background still your top priority?” Seokhyeong asks, pressing each word hard with anger. It’s the first time Minha sees Seokhyeong this emotional as he usually controls his temper easily. However, Younghye’s defense shocked her the most and the only question that popped into Minha's head is when will this dinner end?
“Of course, since I don’t want anyone sucking our money that easily. I need to protect those people from my family. That’s including choosing my future in-laws”
After a disastrous dinner with Seokhyeong’s parents, their relationship suddenly goes downhill. Everything turns into chaos ever since Seokhyeong’s parents show disapproval signs of their relationship, giving the couple to experience difficulties along the way. Seokhyeong is in a cold war with his parents since he fought back with them on the day they head back home, and Minha somehow received bad rumors and threats in the hospital, causing her to become stressed and get sick easily.
Even though they are facing many hurdles, Seokhyeong and Minha try to stay as one. But day by day, arguing and feeling pressured is something common for them every day, particularly for Seokhyeong, who is ordered to go on a blind date planned by his parents constantly. They decide to break up on good terms for their own good and try to return as friends again after nearly two years together. But they promise to work things out finding ways for getting Yang's approval. However, at one sentence changes their relationship and they tragically hate and lose contact with each other.
Present
Seokhyeong closes his eyes after turning off the car engine, trying to cool down his sudden headache. He's still trying to adapt to the time difference between the US and South Korea. He arrives 1 hour early before the appointment time with his professor to avoid the traffic jam that he hates the most, but he also regrets arriving too early. It’s his first day at work yet he grumbles about so many things already such as working at his best friend’s hospital and his body is still unable to adapt to the time.
He tries to look on the bright side though, he takes this opportunity since the one who offers him the job is one of his professors whom he adores and respects during college, his closest friends are all here working as Jeongwon’s slaves and he needs a job to continue become a specialist in OBGYN. The most motivating one is spending time with his sister, Jieun. But then again, meeting the other Lacking 5 almost every day can sometimes be a little too much now compared to college days.
He tries to call Songhwa if she’s already in her office so he can kill the time there rather than sleeping in his car, but his luck is not showing up. He tries calling Jeongwon, his second-best option but he quickly ends the call as he remembers that his childhood friend is undergoing morning surgery. He avoids calling Ikjun or Junwan, meeting either of them in the morning sometimes makes his energy drain instantly. So in the end, he chooses to sleep in his car to hibernate a little more. In the middle of peaceful sleep, he hears a knock at his window and it turns out its Songhwa smiling brightly who parks her car right next to him.
“Seokhyeong ah, you’re here early” Songhwa greets Seokhyeong as he locks his white car. “You know me, I hate being stuck in the morning traffic. Besides, it’s my first day, how can I be late today.'' Seokhyeong pat Songhwa’s shoulder, happy to see Songhwa rather than the rest of the guys.
“Oi Songhwa ya!” A voice echoes in the parking lot. Seokhyeong sighs deeply, already knowing who the owner of the voice is without looking at the person. The one that he tries to avoid seeing at this time of the day.
“Hmm, I’m starting to regret this.'' Seokhyeong softly mumbles, feeling his energy starting to decrease. “Hey… it’s your first day and yet you’re already feeling down. Welcome to Yulje Hospital Seokhyeong ah. Finally, all of us are here.” Songhwa welcomes Seokhyeong, giving him some new spirit and cheering him up. Seokhyeong smiles faintly back.
“Oh? Uri Gomdulie is already here!? Your fun days are over Seokhyeong ah… What could I do to help you?” Ikjun, the one that shouts at Songhwa earlier, is surprised to see this bear friend in person. “Being away from me every morning will help me a lot, Ikjun ah. Wait, what are you even wearing now? Signing up for a stand-up comedy performance?” Seokhyeong looks at Ikjun from head to toe strangely. Ikjun wears tight black almost like one-piece clothes that almost show all of his body parts, a white helmet that firmly places on his head, and slit-eyed colorful sunglasses which are too eye-catching for Seokhyeong.
“This is an outfit for cycling you freak. Sometimes I bike here to catch up on some exercise. You should do that too, you know, doing some sports. So you can be in a good shape and probably seduce someone here” Ikjun teases, making Seokhyeong and Songhwa disgusted by Ikjun’s remarks.
“You should get ready Ikjun ah, you don’t want to miss the acceptance ceremony of our friend here, do you? Or you’ll be there as a comedy performer, that’s no problem at all” Songhwa tries to end their small conversation, knowing that they are unable to stop talking. By looking at the time, they need to be out of the parking lot soon, especially Ikjun.
“Arraseo, see you guys later then” Ikjun bids his goodbye and runs off first, making Songhwa chuckle seeing him moving away in a goofy mood. “Come on Seokhyeong ah, let’s go to my office then” Songhwa suggests. “Hmm nice, a place where I can wait peacefully before meeting Professor Yeom'' Seokhyeong smiles as he follows Songhwa to her office.
At the same time, a taxi stops in the middle of Yulje's lobby. A young-looking yet mature lady hops off the vehicle and inhales a good amount of air, filling herself with the scent of her home country's atmosphere. She is 100% ready to start a new chapter and leave all the bad memories in the US. She turns her head to scan her surroundings and then walks quickly to someone that she looks familiar.
“Minha Unnie!” The person being called runs faster to someone not too far from where she's standing. “Unnie! Finally to see you in person” Gyeoul squeals as she opens her arms. They crash and hug tightly without caring about people's stares. The hug is so tight that Minha is struggling to breathe. “Gyeoul ah, I think I need oxygen here. Can’t breathe…”
“Oh, sorry Unnie. I just want to hug that hard” Gyeoul released her hug, smiling at Minha who she only sees via online chats and calls. While Minha, gasped a ton of air into her lungs. “I still can’t believe that Unnie will be doing the fellowship here together with me. What happened in the US?” Gyeoul asks while looking at her friend, still intaking some air.
“I miss being here rather than in other countries. Although it is a rare experience there with cool technologies and fabulous professors, it’s way better being here close to my hometown and surrounded by my favorite people and foods that make me cheer up. Didn’t I tell you a few weeks ago? Have you forgotten already?” Minha asks back, sulking at Gyeoul.
“You did? I don’t think so Unnie, perhaps you told someone else'' Gyeoul replies as she tries to remember their previous conversations on the video calls. “Did I? Hehehe… I think I told the story to everyone a million times then. Come on now, I need to see the Chief of OB-GYN first before the acceptance ceremony starts. Please, lead the way Jang Gyeoul Seonsaeng” Minha starts pushing Gyeoul to lead her way.
They keep on talking as they walk toward the lift, trying to catch up on their recent news. “So, is there any news about other OB-GYN staff coming to Yulje?” Minha asks as they walk into the lift. “Well, I heard that there is a dozen new staff this time, but I’m not sure from which department exactly” Gyeoul answers quietly.
“You didn’t get any spills from your boyfriend then?” Minha whispers back, and she earns a nudge on her ribs in return. “Our topics don't discuss work or gossip. Besides please keep it down, there are people here” Gyeoul whispers firmly, worried other people might hear their dialog. “Ahh… sorry” Minha apologizes as she rubs her ribs that were being attacked by Gyeoul’s pointy elbow.
They arrive on the OB-GYN floor at the same time as Gyeoul receives an emergency call. Minha looks around the interior of her new workplace. She thinks that this hospital is twice as big but quieter than the one she works in the US. “I’m sorry Unnie, looks like I have to go now. A TA patient coming in. I assume that the OB-GYN Chief’s office is on the farthest one on this corridor. See you later Unnie. Good luck!” Gyeoul heads to the emergency staircase before Minha can say her gratitude.
Minha breathes in and confidently walks towards her destination while gazing from left to right. She still can’t believe she’s here to work and dedicating her time to the area where she feels safe and cozy. She admits that it’s actually hard to survive in a foreign country, copping and studying not only medical cases but also language to minimize misunderstanding between herself and the other staff. Although she’s grateful for the experience, she doesn't want to do it all over again.
In no time, Minha reaches her professor's office. She checks her appearance first, making sure it’s presentable to meet the professor that she adores throughout her study in Korea. Afterward, She looks at the name on the signboard to make sure it is her professor's name. She takes a deep breath in and then knocks on the door. She hears a response and comes in confidently. As she opens the door, she's surprised and puzzled to see an unexpected figure sitting on the sofa.
“Ahh… finally my other favorite students are here. Come inside Chu Minha, nice to see you again my dear.” The Chief walks toward Minha to give her a warm hug. Minha somehow loses her ability to blink or move her sight, as her eyes keep on staring at the other person in shock. As for her opponent stare, completely confused, and shakes its head several times. A name that hasn’t been heard in a while echoing in his brain. Chu Minha… Chu Minha… Chu Minha is here!!??
“I would like you to say hello to Yang Seokhyeong, my dearest student as well. He’s the one that I always mentioned during your school days. Do you remember?” Minha is stunned to hear the name that slips out of the Chief's mouth. Name that she prays to not hear his name into her ears or see him ever again, even when the afterlife begins. Minha never thought in a million possibilities that she would meet Seokhyeong here in Yulje as she barely steps out from her miserable past and tries to start a new chapter here. She then remembers that Seokhyeong is also Professor Yeom’s favorite student since both of them are apparently fellow alumni at the same university so her professor talks about him during her class from time to time.
‘What on earth is he here?’ She tries to hide the confusion on her face and spontaneously introduces herself as the Chief pushes her closer to the sofa. “Hello, I’m Chu Minha. Nice to meet you” Minha bows awkwardly at Seokhyeong.
“Ahh yes, I’m Yang Seokhyeong. Nice to meet you too” Seokhyeong quickly stands up and replies, returning the same awkwardness to her. Seokhyeong is still amazed to interact with Minha, in person. He thought that coming back to Korea will never meet Minha again, and yet here they are in the same room.
He tries to remember the last time they socialized, probably more than two years ago. He’s quite unsure as he remembered trying so hard to avoid being in the same room or activities back in the US, except for emergency calls or being incapable of exchanging shifts since it's an unavoidable situation as they work in the same environment. And now, he must do all that again? He should’ve declined his professor’s offer in some such way.
“Please have a seat here my dear, while I continue to make some drinks. Would you like to have coffee or tea?” Professor Yeom heads off to her coffee area in the corner of her office. “Tea, please. Should I make it instead Gyosunim?” Minha offers her services to make it instead, not wanting to be alone with Seokhyeong.
“No need to. Just think of it as my gratitude for accepting my offer to work here Chu Minha Seonsaeng.” The Chief smiles at her then turn her body and continue to make the drinks, leaving the other two alone on the sofa area. The atmosphere between Seokhyeong and Minha is surrounded by invisible strange and cold clouds above them. Their eyes are busy scanning around the Chief’s office and accidentally meet each other, which breaks away instantly. The silence is too obvious for both of them, as they can clearly hear the sound of a spoon the Chief uses hitting the cup as it’s stirring the liquid. Luckily she returns to the sofa at the perfect time, breaking the cold war between her students.
“Before we head to the conference room, I would like to say thank you to both of you for accepting my offer to work here. Even though you two came from the US and I am sure that you two already have excellent careers there. However, I hope that you two can adapt well and help out here. I also want to work with my favorite students before I resign soon in the future. My hopes are to improve the hospital's reputation and ourselves of course” Professor Yeom says as she carefully takes a sip of coffee. Seokhyeong and Minha give an understanding nod to their professor's purpose for recruiting them both.
“By the way, have you ever met or worked together in the US? I know it’s a big country there, maybe you two pass by each other or something? I didn’t check your resumes carefully, so let’s check them now. Where is it?”
Professor Yeom starts looking for a folder of their resume on her desk full of paper everywhere whereas Seokhyeong and Minha instantaneously look at each other. In some way, they are able to telepath through each other's eyes, a sign of surprise and worry.
Just before the Chief finds the document, her phone rings and echoes her quiet office. Seokhyeong takes a deep relief, feeling safe from the worst scenario today. On the other hand, Minha is still staring at Seokhyeong, sending a signal to tell the Chief the truth now but Seokhyeong didn’t pick it up. “Come on, the ceremony is about to begin” The Chief calls both of them and leads them to the conference room.
“Where is that Gom, he should be here by now” Junwan looked around the conference room full of people. “He went to his Chief’s office earlier, probably for a small catch-up or something” Songhwa replies while checking the patient's x-rays on her phone.
“Andrea, I heard that in OB-GYN there’s a new fellow coming in from the US as well, did you know that?” Ikjun asks, taking a quick glance at Jeongwon and then scans the hall as well. “I heard that info too, but don’t know who,” Jeongwon replies lightly while looking for Seokhyeong.
“Aish… you should know that one, this is your hospital, you bastard” Junwan hisses to his officemate “Ya… it’s not mine you know, stop saying that” Jeongwon talks back aggressively. “Oh... there he is,” Songhwa cuts the tension between her friends, making others turn their heads to the person who they have been searching for. “Is that… Chu Minha?” Ikjun is trying to sharpen his vision by adjusting the position of his glasses.
“Chu who?” Junwan tries to look in the direction Ikjun and Songhwa are. “Chu Minha… Chu Minha… ahh! The one that Seokhyeong dated back in the US” Jeongwon simply explains to Junwan, then he realizes what he just said and immediately looks at the main character of their discussion. Indeed, Minha and Seokhyeong stand side by side, allowing the Lacking 5 to witness the eye-opening scene. “Heol… this could be an interesting one.” Ikjun suddenly feels hyped, sensing his new project as a matchmaker is in front of him.
Without knowing Lacking 5’s presence, Seokhyeong and Minha obediently follow Professor Yeom entering the conference room and greeting other doctors and professors, including the president of Yulje Hospital who Seokhyeong knew since he was a child. “Welcome back Seokhyeong ah, how are you?” Jeongwon’s dad, Ahn Byeongu greets Seokhyeong shaking their hands firmly. “I’m fine sir. Thank you for allowing me to work here, sir.” Seokhyeong answered politely, although feeling a little awkward calling his childhood friend’s dad formally since he usually calls him uncle.
“Aigoo~ No need to be formal with me Seokhyeong ah. We’ve known each other for a long time. Please call me comfortably” Director Ahn pats Seokhyeong’s shoulder roughly, causing him to startle a little. After a little chat with the no.1 person in the hospital, Seokhyeong hurriedly moves as he aims to sit beside the Chief. Unfortunately, it’s already been taken by some other staff who initiate a talk to his head department before he takes a step. Seokhyeong looks for another vacant seat and exhales silently, he has no choice but to sit beside Minha since it’s only available left near him. As Seokhyeong sits down, Minha tries to scoop away from him. She feels strange sitting beside Seokhyeong after all these years that have happened between them. Being close to him like this, makes Minha want to slap and punch Seokhyeong hard.
Minha glanced at Seokhyeong who keeps moving around and turning his head from left to right looking behind him. She hears Seokhyeong sigh deeply, not sure whether it is a relief or a burden. Since she becomes curious, she turns her head and spots some familiar faces. It’s Seokhyeong’s best friends that he introduced to her many years ago, sitting a couple of rows back from where she sits. She quickly turns away to the podium, exhaling the burden of feeling that this is going to be a bumpy ride ahead. ‘Great, just great. Someone knew me here’
Director Ahn opens the ceremony, with a couple of pieces of information and an announcement about Yulje Hospital, one of which is introducing the new staff. “From the OB-GYN Department, we received the most staff in this term. 4 residents, 2 fellows, and 1 assistant professor. Please come up onto the podium” The new staff of OB GYNs walks into the stage and receives a greeting from the light stage and claps from the audience. Minha and Seokhyeong are standing next to each other with a visible awkward distance between them. They are given their own doctor jackets and ID cards by the Chief department and continue taking photos together. Seokhyeong tries to keep a gap between himself and Minha, still feeling awkward with each other.
“Please get closer Seonsaengnim” The photographer instructs the doctors so they can take a perfect frame. The photographer continues to direct Seokhyeong to come closer to Minha. Seokhyeong softly apologizes first before reducing the length between the two of them with his most natural yet awkward voice. Minha can feel her left arm touch Seokhyeong slightly, sending shivers around her body. Seokhyeong also feels his arm is electrocuted by the light contact with Minha. The tremendous effect of the small connection lingers even after they sit down again.
“Did you get that Songhwa?” Ikjun whispers to her. “Every moment of it. Look at how awkward they are” Songhwa giggles at the video she has taken. “Send it to me, I want to use this to threaten him later” Junwan feeling excited by his idea. “Me too, send it to me Songhwa ya” Jeongwon joins in.
“Arghh” Songhwa gasps.
“What’s wrong?” The boys ask. “I accidentally just sent it to the group chat. Oh no” Songhwa sees a notification that someone has already read it, then she looks at the others but no one opens their group chat yet.
“Seokhyeong saw it'' The others quickly check the group chat and see Seokhyeong sending all kinds of stickers to the group. On the other hand, Seokhyeong starts to feel dizzy from his friend's silliness, sending a video and a couple of photos of him and Minha standing side by side stiffly. He swiftly turns off his phone, not wanting anyone to see these pictures, especially the person that sits beside him.
After the ceremony ends, Seokhyeong has no time to meet his friends as the OB-GYN department immediately carries on their day by holding a meeting to introduce the staff in more detail and shuffle responsibilities between staff.
‘I can’t believe this. There’s no way I’m doing this’
Seokhyeong is assigned as a thesis assistant for 2 residents and a mentor for 2 fellows, one of them is Minha herself. Before the meeting starts, he hopes and prays not involving anything or minimum interaction with Minha in any way for his work tasks except for emergency surgeries. Seokhyeong sighed heavily, as the Chief was not in accordance with the informed beforehand of being a mentor for residents only, not with the fellows as well. But now, he feels his luck probably ran out already when the Chief asked about their past during their time working in the US this morning.
The meeting continues by explaining how the systems work there and the current patients they are taking care of. Seokhyeong has hardly paid close attention to the other information ever since he pointed as Minha’s mentor. Finally, the meeting is over, and Seokhyeong instantly packs up his belongings, ready to head outside but he gets called by the Chief, and with Minha as well.
The staff rapidly evacuates the meeting room leaving only 3 people left. Seokhyeong sitting on the chair he used before. Whereas Minha hasn't moved as she tries to tidy her notes earlier. “I trust you two to work together in the VIP Lounge since you two perhaps encountered various cases and I already know that Seokhyeong is already assigned to handle VIP patients, a special request from Ahn Jeongwon Gyosunim the pediatric surgeon. He's your friend, right?” Seokhyeong nods firmly to the Chief’s confirmation. The Chief seems to trust them, helping her with a huge responsibility. “Alright then, I will sort out some patients to transfer under your name Yang Seokhyeong Gyosunim and get you two started quickly to participate in the scheduled surgeries for both of you. Good luck”
Seokhyeong and Minha stand together at the same time to greet their professor. As soon as she leaves the room, Seokhyeong takes a big yawn, lets out a wide stretch, and sits back down on the chair at the same time. But then he quickly stops his movement, completely forgetting that there’s still someone in this room. He looks at the other person across from him, still dumbfounded seeing her in person.
“Ya, we need to talk,” Seokhyeong says while surfing on his phone, feeling awkward talking to the only person left to interact sanely. Minha completely ignores Seokhyeong’s call, as she continues meddling in her own stuff. “I said we need to talk, now” Seokhyeong raise his voice and suppressed the words.
“Who are you?” Minha answered bluntly with an annoyed face. She is confident to be this impolite since it’s only both of them at the moment. Seokhyeong just closes his eyes, composing himself from resentment towards her response. Minha stands up after cleaning her belongings and heads to the door quickly. Suddenly, Seokhyeong pulls her arm and drags her to the emergency staircase.
“Ya! Are you crazy? Let go of me!” Minha snaps at Seokhyeong, feeling his grip tighten around her arms, sure that it will leave a bruise there. “Be quiet!” Seokhyeong pulls Minha to the middle of the staircase so he can talk with her eye to eye.
“Gosh! Get off me! Are you that crazy?” Minha pulls back her arms, feeling pain from Seokhyeong’s harsh grip. Seokhyeong checks the down and upstairs, not wanting anyone to know they are there or eavesdropping on their conversation.
“What are you doing?” Seokhyeong hisses.
“What do you mean?” Minha hiss back.
“Why, how… How did you become a fellow here?” Seokhyeong asks her again.
“You should’ve stayed in the US and just lived a good life there. Why did you come to Korea? Why do you have to be here?” Minha starts her quick talk.
“I’m here because Professor Yeom offers me,” Seokhyeong replies.
“I’m also being offered by Professor Yeom” Minha also stated her reason, making Seokhyeong scoff at her reply. “You’re being ridiculous right now” Seokhyeong mocked her. “What?” Minha is surprised by Seokhyeong’s attitude.
“I don’t know what and why made you come here, but you can’t work here. Just leave while you can” Seokhyeong starts shooing away Minha.
“Who do you think you are to tell me to leave or not?” Minha replies back, offended by his words. “Then are you going to stay here?” Seokhyeong asked. ”Of course, I’m qualified as an OB-GYN doctor here,” Minha replied.
“I work here, you know that”
“I don’t care”
Seokhyeong is disbelieving Minha. He let out a heavy breath while closing his eyes, starting to feel a light headache. “1, you still have feelings for me. 2, you are here for revenge. 3, this whole thing is a coincidence” Seokhyeong points out his self-assumptions, as he is still unable to accept seeing Minha today.
“I also don’t want to be with you either. The unbelievable and horrifying part is that you're the mentor for my fellowship. Just the thought of it makes me sick already” Minha is also unable to accept her destiny that Seokhyeong is her mentor for her fellowship. “Then why don’t you just leave?” Seokhyeong asks again. “Why should I? You should leave instead if you hate me so much” Minha fights back.
“You said you don’t want to run into me by accident or even the world ends. This isn’t just a day or month project. We’re going to see each other and spend years working at this hospital. Throughout the time, we have to meet personally for lectures or consultations and stuff. Auhh… just thinking of it makes me fed up already” Seokhyeong faced up with his disgusted expression.
“And I’m going to do it” Minha replies while suppressing every word confidently.
“Don’t do it”
“Yes, I can!”
“You can’t!” Their tongue-lashing fights abruptly stop when Seokhyeong feels his phone vibrate.
“Ya… Where are you? We have been looking for you since the ceremony. Did you go back home? Do you want me to show you around? Or do you want to have lunch at the cafeteria first” Ikjun throws questions loudly, and even Minha can hear Ikjun’s voice.
“Aishh… slow down, will you. I’m still in the hospital, not in my bedroom. I don’t want you to be my tour guide and yes I want to have lunch. Are the others free right now?” Seokhyeong answered Ikjun’s long-listed questions. “You bet, I’m here with the rest. You better be here right now, people are starting to fill up the seats, and these goblin fooders are already halfway through their food” Ikjun replies, feeling horrified by the goblin fooders eating pace.
“Hmm… arraseo, see you in a bit” Seokhyeong ends the call, and is ready to head out but turns again toward Minha. “We’re not done talking here” Seokhyeong points his finger to Minha and heads out from the emergency staircase. “Ahhh… that crazy bastard” Minha mumbles and starts taking the stairs to the OB-GYN office.
"No... no... Does this make any sense? This can't be" Minha mumbles to herself while wandering around the hospital rooftop area. She needs some space to digest what has happened today. Meeting Seokhyeong in person is like her worst nightmare of all time, it gets worse as they have a slim chance to separate from each other.
"Even if time has passed... how could that arrogant, that... that... selfish... Aaughh! This doesn't make any sense" She continues the monologue, and starts slapping her face hoping to wake up from her sleep.
"It's a dream. It's a dream. Ya... Chu Minha, wake up! wake up! Hurry and wake up!" She can feel her cheeks slightly burn from her own violence as the strength increases with each slap. In the end, she screams out loud, letting out her furious explodes. After the melting wrathful session on the rooftop, Minha is able to gain calmness and is ready to head back to work. Her feet stop as a phone call comes in from Gyeoul.