24ES | Chapter 7.1

After coming down from the rooftop, where he’d gone to lighten his burdens, only to return with an even heavier load, life carried on without much change. The days remained as hectic and unrelenting as ever.

“How’s Yeonseung’s drain output looking?”

“It’s reduced compared to eight hours ago, and the color has lightened from bright red.”

“That’s good. And did Soyeong switch the antibiotics to a second-generation cephalosporin¹?”

“Yes, it was Dr. Seol’s prescription.”

“Hmm… It seems the patient is adapting well to the change. No major issues, either. Got it. Then, how about Chanyeong’s Foley catheter? Is it draining well?”

“Yes, it’s functioning normally without any issues.”

Standing in front of the station, flipping through the charts and checking each patient’s condition one by one, Yesung let out a faint smile.

“Everyone seems to be doing fine. Any other notable updates?”

“No, nothing else.”

Finally, Yesung closed the chart he was holding and looked up.

“That’s a relief. Well, if anything comes up, call me immediately.”

“Don’t worry, Dr. Han.”

After finishing his rounds in the PICU², the next stop was the general pediatric ward. Just as Yesung was about to leave the station, the tightly shut PICU doors opened, and someone walked in. It was Jung Hageon, wearing a doctor’s gown over his scrubs.

Their gazes met as Yesung turned to leave and Hageon stepped inside. Without sparing a glance elsewhere, Hageon walked straight toward him.

“Sunbae.”

He came directly toward Yesung with such single-minded determination that it made Yesung frown slightly in disbelief.

“Don’t tell me you came here just to—”

“Did you eat?”

The words Yesung was about to say—that surely Hageon didn’t come here just to find him—were cut short by Hageon’s question.

His expressionless face, as usual, betrayed only the slightest hint of joy that couldn’t be completely hidden. Yesung sighed inwardly.

“Yeah, I ate.”

“Oh. Then… did you get any sleep? Have you been resting?”

This time, Yesung shook his head. Sleep? How could he possibly have had time to sleep? And surely Hageon wasn’t much better off. He looked up at him with that thought in mind, and Hageon let out a small, almost sheepish exclamation of “Ah.”

His jet-black eyes gleamed as they caught Yesung’s gaze. His lips parted as if to say something else, but before he could, a nurse inside the PICU’s intensive care zone, where they were monitoring a critical patient, spotted Hageon and called out to him.

“Dr. Jung!”

Even as the nurse called out urgently, Hageon’s eyes didn’t leave Yesung.

“Didn’t you hear me? Dr. Jung! Over here!”

It was clear he didn’t want to go. Seeing his reluctance, Yesung sighed and gave him a shove on the back.

“She’s calling you so desperately—why are you pretending not to hear? Go on.”

“Just a moment… I’ll be right back, Sunbae.”

Despite being nudged toward the nurse, Hageon still made sure to seek Yesung’s permission before responding to her call.

“Tsk.”

“A moment,” he says. Who knows how much work there is to do? Watching Hageon’s retreating back, Yesung turned and resumed his steps toward the general pediatric ward.

However, as he turned, his eyes met those of a nurse standing beyond the station. Her gaze sparkled with an overwhelming amount of curiosity.

“Dr. Han!”

“Yes?”

Her intense stare was so penetrating it made his voice tremble slightly in response. But the nurse didn’t seem fazed by his reaction.

“Dr. Han, you must be really close with Dr. Jung, huh?”

“Uh… does it look that way? Haha.”

Yesung and Hageon had a relationship that couldn’t exactly be called close, nor distant. There was always a subtle gap that prevented them from being outright friendly, but they were also roommates who shared the same living space.

Trying to dodge the question, he gave an ambiguous answer, but the nurse tilted her head in confusion.

“So… you’re not close? Hmm… That doesn’t seem right, judging by Dr. Jung’s reactions.”

“Pardon? Dr. Jung’s reactions?”

“I’ve never seen him talk to anyone first! Even when someone greets him, he’s always so cold. We all thought he had no interest in socializing with us.”

“Ah…”

“But with you, he approached first, and he even smiled a little! Did you see that? I’ve never seen him smile like that before. And he calls you sunbae so naturally. Honestly, you seemed a bit different when talking to him, too… So, I figured you two must be really close. Are you not?”

Her head tilted again, curiosity brimming in her expression. Yesung fought to keep his face from freezing. His cheeks felt slightly warm.

He hadn’t imagined anyone else would notice the peculiar atmosphere between himself and Hageon. He’d tried to ignore it, but it was clear now that the difference in how Hageon treated him and others was blatantly obvious.

It wasn’t news to him that Hageon acted differently toward him compared to others. His behavior toward Seong Yugang in the resuscitation room was evidence enough. But for others to interpret their dynamic as positive? That was shocking.

All this was because of Hageon. No matter how many times Yesung warned him to be more discreet, it seemed to fall on deaf ears. If Hageon wasn’t going to hide his feelings, then Yesung had no choice but to be the one to control the situation.

He needed to treat him as he would anyone else—to ensure nothing about their interaction seemed special.

It was exhausting enough already, but this made it even more so. If only Hageon would just give up. Or maybe it was time to be more firm in rejecting him again.

Yesung sighed as his gaze turned toward the intensive care area where Hageon had gone.

Why does he like me, anyway?

That was the real problem. Not knowing the reason made it all the more troubling. His expression clouded with unease.

Meanwhile, the nurse continued to chatter away beside him.

“Remember that other time, too? Dr. Han, you know Dr. Seong Yugang, right? He’s practically glued to Dr. Jung.”

She must have been referring to Yugang. Yesung nodded slowly, signaling he was listening, and the nurse launched into her story with excitement.

“Even with him, Dr. Jung only speaks about work—nothing else! But with you? He actually talks! Are you really not close? Seriously?”

Her relentless questioning made it clear she wasn’t going to let this go. However, Yesung wasn’t about to let the misunderstanding deepen.

“I think you’ve misunderstood. We’re not that close.”

“Really? Are you sure? Because it doesn’t seem that way…”

What could she possibly mean by that? Rather than argue, Yesung forced a smile and prepared to excuse himself. Fortunately, his phone buzzed with a call from the ward, giving him a perfect escape.

“I’m sorry doctor, I have to take this.”

He showed her his phone screen as he turned away. After a quick glance at the intensive care area where Hageon had gone, Yesung left the PICU.

***

“Ah.”

The pediatric surgery fellows’ exclusive on-call room, a space used only by Yesung and Seol Dahoon. Right now, it was just Yesung there, having returned from an emergency surgery.

Since he was already at the on-call room, he decided to prepare the journal he would be presenting at the weekly pediatric surgery case conference. Sitting at the computer, he quickly realized his eyes felt dry from staring at the monitor for so long. To rest a bit, he removed his glasses and leaned back against the chair, massaging his eyelids with his fingers.

“Phew.”

He was exhausted. A sigh escaped on its own. But he couldn’t rest yet—there was still a mountain of work waiting for him.

After a short break, Yesung straightened his back and reached for his glasses. Just as he was about to put them on, there was a polite knock at the door behind him. Without turning around, Yesung rotated his chair slightly and called out.

“Yes, come in.”

Was it a surgical resident? Or maybe an intern? Occasionally, juniors who had questions would stop by the pediatric surgery fellows’ on-call room.

As soon as he gave his permission, the door opened. However, the person stepping through the gap wasn’t who he expected.

Someone completely unexpected.

“…Why are you here…?”

Well, maybe not completely unexpected. After all, the person in question was still one of his juniors. Seeing Jung Hageon step into the room, Yesung frowned and let out a long sigh.

“What is it this time? What do you want now?”

“Can I come in?”

Hageon’s question followed right after Yesung’s annoyed tone. He had to suppress a laugh of disbelief. Asking permission after already entering? Clicking his tongue, Yesung spun his chair around.

“Come in or don’t. Just make it quick. I’m busy.”

He put his glasses back on and turned his attention to the monitor. Moments later, he heard the scraping sound of a chair being pulled closer. He didn’t need to look to know it was Hageon, sitting right next to him.

Let him sit, whatever. Why should he care?

Focusing intently on the monitor, Yesung tried to ignore Hageon’s presence. But then, there was a rustling sound, followed by something being placed on the desk in front of him.

A delicious aroma wafted up, hitting his nose hard. His gaze naturally drifted downward to see a bag from a familiar fast-food chain, its large logo staring back at him.

“…What’s this?”

“You probably haven’t eaten dinner yet, sunbae. After the surgery, this was the only place still open. Please eat.”

“You…”

Yesung couldn’t help but wonder what went on in Hageon’s head. How could someone consistently pull stunts like this? It’s not like anyone would appreciate it. He was making it very clear that he didn’t.

Before he could erupt, Yesung swallowed his irritation. No point in wasting energy on emotions. Hageon didn’t seem fazed no matter how angry he got, and he wasn’t about to waste his breath.

Adjusting his glasses, Yesung stared at him.

“…What about yours? Did you already eat?”

“Oh, I’m fine. I don’t need any. Please, just eat, sunbae.”

That casual declaration—“I’m fine”—was oddly irritating. With a deep frown, Yesung opened the bag to check its contents.

…Damn it, the kid had good taste.

It wasn’t just a burger; it was a full set with fries and a drink. Pulling out the fries, Yesung handed them to Hageon.

“‘Fine,’ my ass. You want me to sit here and eat alone while you watch? That’s just awkward. Eat this, at least. If you’re going to buy food, buy enough for yourself too.”

What a frustratingly thoughtful kid, yet missing the mark by just a little. Muttering under his breath, Yesung grumbled. Hageon, staring quietly at the fries, lifted his gaze.

“…Thank you.”