Chapter 51, Part 1: The Birth of a Show-Off (1)

"Why are you so late? Did you have a life consultation with the professor or something?"

When I returned to the assigned dormitory, Shin Cheol-woo was making a displeased face.

While other students had gone out on time for the orientation, Shin Cheol-woo had stayed in his seat.

If that was the case, he must have been waiting for me all this time.

I stored this new side of Shin Cheol-woo, which I hadn't noticed in my previous life, in my mind.

One, Shin Cheol-woo has a sense of loyalty.

This is the most important quality when we, as partners, deal with the core organs of the brain and heart of patients.

What else could be more important than loyalty?

It doesn't matter if his personality is four-dimensional; as long as he has loyalty, that's enough.

"Sorry, the conversation took longer. I couldn't just cut it off when the professor was talking."

"Whatever, let's go quickly."

"Thanks, and I'm sorry."

I took out the secret item from my backpack that would save Nam Chorong's life today and left the dormitory.

The name of the secret item was... Gelpos suspension.

It was an antacid and over-the-counter medicine with excellent efficacy for gastritis and excessive stomach acid.

Tap, tap, tap, tap.

Shin Cheol-woo and I, who were late for the assembly, started running noisily down the quiet corridor.

"Cheol-woo, can you drink well?"

"Why are you suddenly asking about my drinking capacity?"

Shin Cheol-woo tilted his head, not understanding.

"Just curious. Is there some great reason for my curiosity?"

"I can drink moderately, about one and a half bottles of soju."

"That's enough. That's all I needed to know."

Having obtained the information I wanted, I quickened my steps towards the underground auditorium.

* * *

The grand curtain of the second dormitory orientation was raised.

A total of over 100 new students were divided into ten groups to prepare for a talent show.

Shin Cheol-woo and I were assigned to Group 5, which included the tragic protagonist Nam Chorong and Bae Tae-sub, the right-hand man of the self-proclaimed genius Lee Min-ho.

The overall atmosphere of Group 5 wasn't too bad.

This was because at least one of the classmates had become close during the orientation.

While the other group members were discussing the content of the talent show, I was lost in thought.

I was complaining about why new students needed to do a talent show during the orientation.

Shouldn't it be the seniors, who have already experienced school life, who should do the talent show?

I thought the new students' talent show was nothing more than a forced performance.

"Lee Min, are you daydreaming? Don't you see your teammates are discussing enthusiastically? Are you saying that as the top student, you can ignore the talent show?"

Bae Tae-sub glared at me with his narrow eyes.

If he had just suggested we talk, it would have been fine...

But he jumped to conclusions, associating the word 'top student' with 'ignoring,' and attacked me, which I couldn't tolerate.

Who said I wasn't Lee Min-ho's right-hand man?

He was already picking a fight with me.

"Looks like your inferiority complex is about to explode. Why don't you calm down?"

"What? Inferiority complex?"

"Just because I was thinking to myself and mentioned being the top student. Isn't that coming from your inferiority complex?"

"You little brat. Let's see what you've got."

Bae Tae-sub's eyes were burning with anger at my provocation.

But I didn't back down and met his gaze.

If I didn't join Lee Min-ho's gang, a fight with them was inevitable.

Lee Min-ho considered everyone who wasn't by his side as an enemy.

So, it was right to crush his close associates now.

I would have to cut off his limbs one by one and eventually deal with Lee Min-ho himself.

"Hey, why are you already fighting? This isn't a place for you to fight."

Just as the atmosphere became tense due to the argument between Bae Tae-sub and me, a second-year senior joined our group.

The senior introduced himself as Yoo Dong-hoon.

He was a character I couldn't remember from my previous life.

With Yoo Dong-hoon's appearance, the icy atmosphere finally thawed.

"We only have 40 minutes left. We need to decide what to do for the talent show and practice in advance. If anyone has a talent, speak up."

"I'll do it."

I raised my hand confidently.

Suddenly, the eyes of the senior and my classmates all turned to me.

No one had expected me to step forward.

"Lee Min, you? That's a bit surprising. What are you going to do?"

"I'll sing. I'm good at singing. I think the other group members can do some simple dance moves in the background."

"Singing with dance moves... That sounds safe. Of course, it will depend on Lee Min's singing skills."

The senior's gaze was filled with doubt.

Top student = bookworm = incompetent in recreational activities.

He must have been skeptical of me based on this formula.

But in this life, I didn't bet everything on the college entrance exam.

I trained at a boxing gym 2-3 times a week and sang whenever I had a chance.

Singing was the only tool that helped me relieve stress in both my previous and current lives.

So, I was quite good at singing.

'If the water is already spilled, let's run with it.'

I resolved to do so in my mind.

Top student in the entire university.

Handling the traffic accident this morning.

These two things alone had already drawn a lot of attention from people around me.

But this attention wouldn't be a one-time thing; it would continue wherever I went.

As a thoracic surgeon who had regressed 40 years in time, my performance couldn't be the same as my peers.

So, the conclusion was clear.

The show-off term that would emerge in the distant future.

I decided to live as a righteous show-off.

I was tired of hiding my abilities since I was a child; now I wanted to reveal everything without reservation.

The beginning would be singing at the talent show today.

"Can you sing a line for us?"

"Sure, ahem."

I cleared my throat and started singing the highlight of my favorite song.

It was Bank's "Can't Have You."

After showcasing my clear and powerful singing, the looks from those around me changed 180 degrees.

Admiration?

Surprise?

Freshness?

But why did I feel relieved rather than embarrassed by those looks?

Perhaps I had been desperately craving the attention of others even in my previous life.

* * *

When Group 5's talent show ended, thunderous applause erupted.

As I walked off the stage, I wiped the cold sweat from my forehead.

It was a side effect of the passionate performance.

"Hey, I see you differently now. Did you not study and just sing all the time?"

Shin Cheol-woo playfully nudged my side.

"Maybe."

"Who would have thought there's a character as unique as me in this world. The world is indeed vast."

"You know you're not ordinary. I thought you didn't realize it."

"Huh? Are you mocking me?"

I returned to my seat, bickering with Shin Cheol-woo.

In my previous life, the orientation was just a formality, but in this life, I received a lot of attention at the orientation.

And being in the spotlight wasn't as bad as I thought.

I would have to get used to this feeling.

While watching the other group members' talent shows, I suddenly turned my gaze to Nam Chorong.

Nam Chorong, chosen as the tragic heroine for tonight.

'I need to prepare.'

I briefly left the auditorium and went to the bathroom, where I swallowed two packets of Gelpos suspension.

The reason for Nam Chorong's death was very different from the traffic accident this morning.

While the traffic accident was an irresistible force, Nam Chorong's death was due to human error.

After the orientation, a wild drinking party would take place.

Nam Chorong would get drunk from the alcohol forced upon her by the seniors.

Even in a drunken state, she would be pressured to drink more and more, eventually dying outside the condo.

She would leave the world tragically and unjustly due to a drinking accident.

While such bad habits would be somewhat corrected in the distant future, it was 1999 now.

At that time, such bad habits were even considered a part of the culture.

Every year, there were alcohol-related deaths during the orientation, causing a stir in the media.

'I'll try to hold out as much as I can.'

I rubbed my chest with one hand.

Inheriting the genes of my mother, who was a good drinker, I was quite good at drinking.

My capacity was about three bottles of soju.

With the help of Gelpos suspension, I thought I could push myself a bit more.

"I'll drink the alcohol that Nam Chorong is supposed to drink."

That was my plan.

It might seem crude and childish, but I couldn't come up with a better strategy even in this regressed life.

I couldn't afford to make enemies with the seniors I would see for the rest of my life as a doctor at Shinwon University.

The medical field is so narrow that everyone knows each other after just a few connections.

If I were branded as a troublemaker, my future would be tough.

After making all the necessary preparations, I returned to the auditorium.

Soon, after the talent show ended, the real drinking party began.

About three seniors were assigned to each group to liven up the party.

"During the pre-med years, especially the first year, don't worry about your grades and just have fun. You need to compensate for all the studying you've done."

"Yeah, that's right. Join at least one club."

"Filter out what these two say. They're the ones who got F's in their major and general education and are struggling."

The seniors shared their experiences, making the party lively.

My classmates, including Shin Cheol-woo, also seemed to be in high spirits.

But I didn't hear a word of what the drunk seniors and classmates were saying.

My eyes and ears were focused solely on Nam Chorong.

Attending the orientation for the medical school she had dreamed of entering.

To die from a drinking accident at such an event...

Could there be a more ironic and tragic fate?

Not only Nam Chorong herself, but her parents must be heartbroken.

I couldn't stand to watch the same tragedy from my previous life repeat itself.

"Chorong, your glass isn't emptying?"

A senior checked Nam Chorong's glass and frowned.

When he scolded her, Nam Chorong bit her lip and bowed her head.

Her face was already as red as it could be.

"Hand over your glass. You can't refuse the alcohol offered by your senior. Empty your glass now, and it will be easier for you in the future."

"...Yes."

Unable to resist the pressure, Nam Chorong took the glass.

Seeing her expression, which was already on the verge of collapse, made me angry.

If the seniors were really like the sky, the whole world would be covered in dark clouds.

Is it the act of a senior to force alcohol on a new student who can't drink?

"Smile and drink it down. This is just for today."

"...Yes."

"Senior, I have something to say."

Finally, I, who had been silent, spoke up.

"Wow, the top student and singer Lee Min. What is it?"

"Can I be Chorong's white knight?"

"White knight?"

My unexpected action made the senior who had poured alcohol for Nam Chorong blink.

The other seniors and classmates also seemed surprised.

"Well... it's not impossible. Just empty the glass."

"Nam Chorong, give me your glass."

"No... I'll drink it. I don't want to cause you any trouble."

Nam Chorong, who refused my offer, was a kind-hearted girl.

That's why I wanted to save her even more.

I wanted to see her become a great doctor in the future.

"Wow, what a sweet atmosphere. Are you already in a love line before the classes start?"

"New students are really passionate."

The clueless seniors were trying to create a romantic atmosphere, but I found them pitiful.

You stupid people.

Do you know that I'm saving your lives right now?

Ignoring the reactions around me, I boldly moved to sit next to Nam Chorong.

"You might die if you force yourself to drink the alcohol the seniors give you. Don't be stubborn."

I whispered in Nam Chorong's ear.

Then, I took the glass from her hand and drank it in one go.