Chapter 74

Chapter 5, Episode 74: Performance (4)

Wheee.

Wheee.

A police car arrived with the sound of sirens.

"Hey. Wake up. Where's your home?"

"Ninunaeoninaeol…."

"Ha… It's really stuffy. I don't even know how many drunk people I've reported today."

Wrinkles formed on the forehead of the police officer who had responded to the report. He sighed deeply and said, "Students should go home."

Then, along with his colleague, he loaded the drunk person into the car and disappeared.

Once they brought the drunk person to the police station, they would wait for the alcohol to wear off before sending them home.

"Thank goodness. Nothing serious happened."

"Indeed. I thought my heart would stop."

At Nam Chorong's words, I placed my hand on my startled heart.

Perhaps it was because I had recently provided emergency care to a patient who had been stabbed.

When I saw the person lying on the ground in the residential area, my spine tingled.

I was worried that another horrific incident had occurred.

But upon approaching and checking the person, it turned out to be just a drunk person.

A stroke of luck in an unfortunate situation, perhaps.

"Do you think I already have the makings of a 'hanta'?"

Nam Chorong chuckled and asked.

"Do you know what 'hanta' means? It's usually a term you learn once you start your training…"

I asked, surprised.

'Hanta' is a shortened term for a doctor who attracts patients. A 'hanta' always has patients around them, as if they have a magnetic force that draws patients to them.

"I heard it from a senior in the club. But you also know what 'hanta' means?"

"Well… I heard it from a senior in the club too."

"I might be wrong, but it seems like a lot of different incidents happen around you, Belief."

"…"

"During the orientation, at the bar the other day, and today too."

"I don't want to admit it, but I can't deny it."

I nodded in agreement.

In my past life, I wasn't a 'hanta,' but in this life, I seem to be one.

While I often find myself at the scene to prevent tragedies that occurred in the future, I also frequently deal with unexpected incidents.

A typical example is the stabbing incident at the bar.

The anaphylactic shock incident involving Ahn Tae-hwan.

Even now, as a medical student, absurd things happen everywhere. I can only imagine what kind of major incidents will occur once I start working in a hospital.

I'm already afraid of my 'hanta' tendencies.

"Still, you have the ability to handle such incidents. They say God only gives us trials we can handle."

"Chorong, do you have a religion?"

I momentarily veered off topic.

"I don't have a specific religion, but I believe there might be a transcendent being."

"…"

"Do you have a religion, Belief?"

"Not really."

I don't have a specific religion, probably because my parents don't either.

Without a religious background, my chances of getting closer to religion while working in a hospital are even slimmer.

Patients who can't afford treatment.

Patients who suffer from rare diseases and pass away at a young age.

Patients who die suddenly and unexpectedly.

Facing various tragedies and misfortunes in the hospital, I naturally drifted away from religion.

Although my thoughts have changed somewhat after experiencing the miracle of regression.

We started walking again, chatting casually.

From the orientation, I observed that Nam Chorong has a calm and gentle personality.

She often smiles and considers others.

However, she rarely opens up about her inner thoughts.

During today's drinking session, she was the one who shared the least personal stories.

-Nam Chorong might have some secrets hidden away.

I had a vague feeling about this.

We had the same direction to the subway station, but our lines were opposite, so we had to part ways.

"Here, take this."

Just before parting, I received a gift box from Nam Chorong.

"What's this?"

"It's White Day today. I made some homemade candies at home. I wanted to thank you for being my 'Black Knight' during the orientation."

Only then did I realize it was White Day.

Whether in my past life or this one, I've always been insensitive to dates.

"Isn't White Day when men give candy to women?"

"It's not a strict rule. I have to go."

"Thanks. I'll enjoy them."

After parting with Nam Chorong, I opened the paper box to find neatly arranged, colorful candies.

The orderly arrangement of the candies gave me a sense of Nam Chorong's personality.

While waiting for the subway, I read the enclosed letter, which contained her pretty handwriting and even prettier sentiments.

If things had gone as they did in my past life, Yang Sun-jae would have been disheartened by Kang Tae-sub's schemes.

Ahn Tae-hwan would have been weeping over the loss of his younger brother.

Nam Chorong might have been erased from existence.

Thinking about the new connections I've made and the lives I've saved since entering medical school, I felt a sense of pride.

With these people by my side, I believe I can face even more challenging, higher, and longer paths ahead.

* * *

After finishing my morning classes, I headed to the kindergarten.

My father had a lunch appointment with publishing company representatives, and my mother was working at the hospital.

Since there was no one to look after Sarang, I had to step in.

When I arrived at the kindergarten, Sarang came out of the entrance with a weak expression.

Usually, she would shout "Brother!" and run towards me, but not today.

From her listless appearance, I felt an unpleasant sense of unease.

"Did something happen at the kindergarten today?"

I asked the teacher standing next to Sarang.

"No, she didn't get into any fights with other students. It's the changing season, and a few students have caught a cold since yesterday."

"…"

"Probably a cold. I'm sorry, we couldn't manage it better."

"It can't be helped. Sarang, aren't you going to greet your brother?"

I bent down to meet Sarang's eyes. She finally looked at me and nodded.

"Is… is it you, Brother?"

"Yes, I came because I missed you. How are you feeling?"

"I have a fever and my head hurts."

Sarang, my precious little sister who didn't exist in my past life, saying she's sick made my heart ache.

I now understand the sentiment of parents who say they would rather suffer in their children's place.

Perhaps true love is about sharing pain.

"Still, you can bear it. If I give you a 'ho,' you'll feel better. Teacher, my brother is studying to be a doctor."

"…"

"If I give you a 'ho,' you'll get better. Envious, right?"

Despite being sick, Sarang was still boasting about me, which made me feel oddly touched.

"Envious. If I get sick, I'll ask your brother for a 'ho.'"

"If you give me snacks, I'll do it."

"Let's go now. The teacher has to work. Thank you."

After saying goodbye to the teacher, I carried Sarang on my back and left the kindergarten.

Usually, I would hold her hand, but I didn't want her to walk while she was sick.

"Sarang, do you want to put your forehead on my cheek for a moment?"

"Why?"

"To check if you have a fever."

"Okay."

Sarang obediently placed her forehead on my cheek. The heat from her forehead was intense, like a hand warmer.

Actually, having a fever is common in young children.

Their immune responses are more active when they are younger.

Fever can rise and fall quickly, and it can suddenly appear even when they are resting.

However, the teacher's comment about the cold spreading at the kindergarten was concerning.

So, instead of going home directly, I took her to a nearby clinic.

After a simple temperature check and consultation, Sarang was diagnosed with a cold, as expected.

We received three days' worth of fever and pain medication from the clinic and pharmacy.

Though it was a predictable result, getting the diagnosis and medication made me feel much better.

"Brother, I don't want to take the medicine."

Sarang resisted when I tried to give her the medicine.

"If you're this sick, will you become a Pokémon Master or not?"

"…"

"And if you're sick, the Pokémon will worry about you. Do you like that?"

"No."

"I'll buy you some juice. Let's take the medicine together. You need to get better quickly."

Using this sweet talk, I bought juice from a nearby convenience store and gave it to her with the medicine.

"Good. You swallowed it well."

"Did I do well?"

"Of course."

"But Brother, give me a 'ho' quickly. I haven't received one yet."

Unable to resist Sarang's insistence, I gave her a 'ho.'

I wonder why she likes 'ho' so much.

After entering the house, I stuck to Sarang like glue to monitor her condition.

For a while, she seemed to be doing better after taking the medicine.

She enjoyed watching Pokémon and Weeding Pitch on TV.

The problem arose a few hours later.

Beep.

Using an ear thermometer, I checked Sarang's temperature and frowned.

Despite taking the fever and pain medication, her temperature was close to 38 degrees.

The bright eyes that had been watching TV were now losing their strength.

A pitiful moan escaped from her parted lips.

Perhaps Sarang might have more than just a simple cold.

This scary thought suddenly crossed my mind.

'In situations like this, you need to stay calm.'

I approached Sarang, who was lying on the sofa.

I gently held her neck and tried to bend it forward.

However, her neck was stiff, as if her muscles were bunched up. It didn't bend easily.

This was a unique symptom that wouldn't appear in a common cold.

Instantly, I suspected a specific disease that Sarang might be suffering from.

If my suspicion (Rule out) is correct, Sarang is in an emergency situation.

Not just Sarang, but other students at the kindergarten as well.

I quickly called the kindergarten.

I suggested that the kindergarten recommend that students with similar symptoms visit a large hospital.

"Brother, my head hurts so much. I'm so cold."

After ending the call, Sarang started shivering pitifully.

The pain in my body and the pain of someone I love are not much different.

"Let's go to a large hospital with Brother. Just hang in there a little longer."

I carried Sarang in my arms and hurried out of the house.

We caught a taxi and headed to the nearest general hospital.

For the first time, a 10-minute drive to the hospital felt so long.

"It's okay, Sarang."

Until we arrived at the hospital, I continuously gave her a 'ho,' the only thing I could do for her at the moment.

Without waiting for change, I rushed into the hospital's emergency room like the wind.

I registered at the emergency room's administrative office and waited anxiously for treatment in the waiting room.

If I had chosen to go to the United States and left my position, or if I had no medical knowledge, Sarang might have died or suffered severe aftereffects.

The disease Sarang is suffering from is…