Chapter 58, Part 2: The Crossroads of Choice (3)

While returning to the classroom after parting ways with Eumjin,

Lee Minho felt a sense of discomfort, no, a sense of humiliation that went beyond mere discomfort.

This was because Eumjin had dared to suspect him of being a lowly criminal.

Lee Minho's father was an executive at a large corporation, and his mother was a high-ranking civil servant.

Having inherited excellent genes and coming from a wealthy family that others envied, he had entered medical school with outstanding academic achievements. To be questioned as a mere criminal...

Could there be a more humiliating day than yesterday and today?

‘Is he so arrogant just because he’s the top student?’

Lee Minho frowned as he thought of Eumjin.

The situation just now could only be interpreted as Eumjin looking down on him.

Refusing his invitation to join his group on the opening ceremony day was also in the same vein.

Disdain, contempt, and rejection.

To Lee Minho, who was unaccustomed to such things, Eumjin was an annoying, uncomfortable, and unpleasant presence.

Moreover, Lee Minho was also displeased that his classmates' attention, which should have been directed at him, was instead focused on Eumjin.

Top student.

His outstanding performance during the traffic accident at the orientation.

His talent show at the orientation.

The stabbing incident that happened yesterday.

Eumjin had always been ahead of him, showcasing his presence.

It wouldn't be strange to think that Eumjin had stolen what should have been Lee Minho's.

Was that why?

Despite knowing Eumjin for only a short time, Lee Minho's animosity towards him grew day by day.

Clunk!

Lee Minho took a carbonated drink from the vending machine and drank it.

The sharp, tingling sensation of the carbonation as it went down his throat slightly improved his mood.

He enjoyed carbonated drinks whenever he felt bad.

He finished the can in one go and returned to the classroom.

“What did Eumjin say?”

One of his group, Bae Tae-sub, asked.

Bae Tae-sub had narrow eyes and a pointed chin, and his personality was cold and sharp.

“He questioned me about the incident at the bar yesterday.”

“Eumjin, that guy is really something. Why would he think someone like you would stab someone with a knife?”

“...”

“Clearly, there’s something wrong with him. I think he got lucky to be the top student. He just happened to guess the right answers.”

Bae Tae-sub's aggressive words pleased Lee Minho.

It wouldn't make sense if Bae Tae-sub was wrong and Lee Minho's college entrance exam scores were lower than Eumjin's.

“I think I understand Eumjin.”

Kang Ji-ho, who had a weak appearance and wore glasses, interjected in the conversation.

“What do you mean by that?”

Lee Minho asked, his voice tinged with dissatisfaction, as if Kang Ji-ho was defending Eumjin.

“I think... Eumjin might have found your behavior suspicious during the incident yesterday.”

“...”

“Usually, when someone is stabbed, people would be shocked, frozen in place, or call for help, but you just left the scene without any reaction.”

“...”

“That’s not a normal response...”

“You’re saying the same thing Eumjin did.”

Lee Minho shook his head in exasperation.

Why!

It was frustrating that both Eumjin and Kang Ji-ho were repeating the same thing.

Why should he feel sympathy for someone he had never even seen before?

What did it matter to him if that person was dying?

Unless he was a doctor treating emergency patients in a hospital, he couldn't understand Eumjin and Kang Ji-ho's logic.

“But Eumjin is really impressive. I watched him treat the patient, and he was incredibly calm. He even treated the patient like a doctor using the medical supplies he bought from the pharmacy.”

“...”

“The paramedics were very grateful and said that the patient might have survived thanks to him.”

“Kang Ji-ho, are you on Eumjin’s side? Then go to him.”

“Don’t say that. I just thought he was impressive at the time.”

Kang Ji-ho defended himself against Bae Tae-sub's accusation.

Kang Ji-ho fell silent after noticing Lee Minho's expression.

Kang Ji-ho's actions momentarily annoyed Lee Minho.

But even Kang Ji-ho, in the end, read Lee Minho's mood and followed him.

Lee Minho found this process satisfying.

It was proof that no matter how much Eumjin struggled, people would ultimately follow him.

The root of it all lay with Lee Minho himself.

“Is Nam Chorong not saying anything?”

“I kept telling her to talk to you, but she keeps brushing me off.”

“...”

“She must think she’s so great.”

“Foolish... That’s why she hangs out with someone like Eumjin.”

Lee Minho had recently shown interest in Nam Chorong.

Naturally, this interest was not out of affection.

It was because he thought Eumjin liked Nam Chorong, and he wanted to make Eumjin suffer by making Nam Chorong his girlfriend.

“From now on, there’s no need to pay attention to Nam Chorong. Let her hang out with her own kind.”

After giving the order, Lee Minho watched Eumjin return to the classroom.

Even the fact that he was breathing the same air as Eumjin was unpleasant.

* * *

“Do you... not remember me?”

The middle-aged woman smiled and continued.

“It was raining heavily, and there was a traffic accident on the road, right? I was one of the people whose lives were saved by a student’s help that day.”

“Oh... I think I remember now.”

I finally understood the situation and nodded.

On the first day of the orientation, while moving to the accommodation.

A traffic accident occurred, and I treated the patients with Yang Sun-jae.

One of the patients with relatively minor injuries had recovered and come to the department office.

It was probably one of the patients for whom I had only provided recovery posture.

In my previous life, the lack of this recovery posture likely led to death by airway obstruction.

Seeing her healthy and well, I felt a weight lift off my chest.

Indeed, my reincarnation was not in vain.

To be having a conversation with someone who tragically passed away in my previous life...

“My husband is still hospitalized, so I came alone. I was less injured...”

“No, it’s fine. I’m grateful that you came to thank us.”

I spoke calmly.

“Is there anything that still bothers you?”

“Thanks to you.”

“Do you know how the others who were in the accident are doing?”

“They are also hospitalized but are recovering well. They asked me to thank the student on their behalf.”

The middle-aged woman handed me a business card.

“I run an animal hospital in Seocho.”

“You’re a senior in veterinary medicine.”

“Well, not exactly a senior... If you need any help, feel free to contact me. It doesn’t have to be about animals.”

“...”

“And here’s a small token of appreciation.”

Kim Ae-ran took a white envelope from her bag and handed it to me.

I could guess what was inside without looking.

“There’s no need for this. Your health and safety are enough of a reward for me.”

“No, I can’t bear not doing something. Please take it.”

Kim Ae-ran insisted, so I reluctantly accepted the envelope.

The envelope contained more than just money; it also held her gratitude.

I felt it would be rude to keep refusing.

“Thank you. Thanks to you, my husband and I, and the others, were saved.”

“...”

“I pray that you will complete your medical studies and become a great doctor.”

“I’m the one who should be grateful.”

I bowed deeply.

After the conversation, Kim Ae-ran left the department office, and I watched her go from the hallway.

- Saving one person is like saving dozens. It’s about rescuing their families, friends, and those around them from sorrow.

I suddenly remembered Professor Seo's famous quote from my thoracic surgery days.

But strictly speaking, Professor Seo's words were a double-edged sword.

If saving one person is like saving dozens,

Then the death of one person is like causing dozens to suffer.

When performing surgery, feel the weight of dozens of lives and maintain your focus.

When the surgery is complete, feel the pride of saving dozens of lives to boost your spirit.

Perhaps that was the core of what Professor Seo wanted to convey.

‘Professor, this time, you will be happy.’

I looked forward to the day I would meet Professor Seo in the future.

I was no longer the same person, so I would stand up to Kang Tae-sub and help Professor Seo revive the struggling thoracic surgery department.

I now had the strength, knowledge, and connections to do so.

I put the thick envelope in my pocket.

I wasn't particularly interested in the money.

My family's financial situation was comfortable, and I had saved a considerable amount over the years.

Most importantly, I didn't choose thoracic surgery to make money.

If I wanted to make a lot of money, I could have chosen dermatology or plastic surgery.

If I wanted a field that would become increasingly bleak over time, I could have chosen obstetrics and gynecology, thoracic surgery, or urology.

‘In any case, thoracic surgery is the path given to me, so I have no choice but to follow it...’

I returned to the classroom, rekindling the初心 I had when I reincarnated.

My steps were light, as if I had successfully completed a surgery.

* * *

After the afternoon general education class, I immediately went to Professor Yang Sun-jae's office.

During the four days I tried to clear my mind, I had already made a firm decision about the trip to the United States that Professor Yang Sun-jae recommended.

Choice is about gaining one thing and losing another.

To make a choice without suffering or regret, three reflections are necessary.

First, knowing what you will gain from the choice.

Second, knowing what you will lose from the choice.

Finally, judging which of the two has more value to you.

While I hesitated to make the choice, I unknowingly went through all three processes.

The conclusion I reached was very satisfying.

I also had the opportunity to reflect on the values I could not give up and wanted to hold onto until the day I die.

Humans are thinking animals, Homo sapiens.

Humans are playing animals, Homo ludens, and so on.

There are many words to define humans, but I want to say that humans are choosing animals.

A person is the result of the choices they have made so far.

Knock. Knock. Knock.

When I knocked, a voice told me to come in.

I bowed to Professor Yang Sun-jae and sat on the sofa he offered.

Professor Yang Sun-jae, who was working at his desk, sat opposite me.

We talked about college life, club activities, and class content, among other things.

It was like a ritual before addressing the most important topic.

“From your expression, it seems you’ve made a decision.”

Professor Yang Sun-jae finally brought up the topic of the trip to the United States.

He was probably curious about my decision.

His eyes sparkled with curiosity.

“Have you thought it through?”

“Contrary to what you might think, I didn’t think about it much. It turned out to be a satisfactory result.”

“Ha ha. Perhaps that’s a method too. Thinking too much and too deeply can sometimes lead to a wrong judgment.”

“...”

“Good. I want to hear your answer now.”

I met Professor Yang Sun-jae's deep gaze.

Now that I was resolved, all I had to do was speak my mind, and everything would be decided.

“Professor, I...”