Dr. Shin Seonhan: The Doctor Who Sees The Future [EN]: Chapter 8

#8 Intern Shin Sun-han (7)

A few days later.

My intern life has changed ever so slightly.

Since the CPR incident, the nurses and attending physicians in the ward have been treating me a little better.

Should I say I’ve finally been upgraded from a worker to a doctor?

Of course, that doesn’t mean the work I have to do as an intern has changed.

“Shin Sun-han!”

“Yes!”

“Sun-han, Doctor!”

“Coming!”

Third week of March.

I’m having another busy day, running around being called here and there.

I didn’t even have time for lunch because there were two bone marrow aspirations that had to be done in the next ward before noon.

Bone marrow aspirations, which must be done in pairs, are a major task that takes up the entire morning.

Around 2 p.m., Kim Viper said.

“Go get some rest.”

“Is it okay to do that?”

“You need to eat to work. Don’t forget about the enema in an hour. You’re dead if you’re late.”

“Yes.”

I smiled slightly.

Kim Viper’s tone has softened a bit.

If his old tone was as spicy as nuclear fire chicken noodles, these days it’s more like spicy ramen.

Both are spicy, but now it’s a bit more palatable.

“What are you looking at?”

“Nothing. I’ll be back!”

After being temporarily freed from work, I recited with a Hamlet-like solemn expression.

“To eat, or to sleep…….”

As I was pondering, I remembered that I had to do an enema in an hour.

“Ugh.”

I’m already feeling dizzy.

Even though it’s part of patient care, enemas are a chore.

Especially finger enemas, where you have to put your finger inside the anus and remove hardened feces like pebbles…….

Even with five layers of medical gloves, the smell doesn’t leave my hands for a while.

“I shouldn’t eat and then do an enema, or I’ll throw up.”

I made a decision after much deliberation.

I’d rather choose sleep.

It seems like what I need right now is sleep.

‘If I just hold on for half a day, it’s off!’

I felt energized when I thought about it.

I should go out with my classmates outside the hospital today. To clear my complicated head.

#The Future is Visible (1)

“Ugh, I feel like I’m going to live.”

“The outside air is so good!”

That evening, Geun-wook and I went outside the hospital.

‘Off’ is a time when interns are temporarily freed from their duties.

Of course, there are many times when we just crash in the dorm, but today I decided to go out no matter what.

“I’m glad we came out.”

“Me too.”

We stretched with all our might in front of the main gate.

Was rest this sweet?

It feels good just to breathe.

It’s only been three weeks since I started my internship, but it feels like half a year has passed.

It’s a day with not much fine dust due to the cold snap. I felt much fresher than when I was trapped inside the hospital.

“Sun-han oppa!” [Oppa is a Korean term used by females to address older brothers or close male friends.]

Slap!

Then Yeon-seo, dressed in her going-out clothes, appeared and playfully hit me on the back.

Wow…….

I’m impressed again.

It’s a completely different atmosphere than when she’s wearing her doctor’s gown.

Even though she’s only wearing a knit and jeans, it’s like she jumped out of a photo shoot.

I could feel the eyes of passersby glancing around.

“Are you enemies with Sun-han’s back?”

“Oppa’s back is wide, so it feels good to hit.”

“I’m wider. Hit me too.”

“Ew, gross. Go away.”

Yeon-seo laughs and retorts as Geun-wook playfully pushes his body forward.

They look full of energy, like puppies out for a walk after a long time.

I chuckled and suddenly remembered something, so I asked.

“Oh, right, Yeon-seo.”

“Why?”

“How’s that patient doing?”

“Who…… Oh, you mean patient Kim Jeong-soo?”

Yeon-seo said with a smile.

“You’ve been keeping an eye on him? He had surgery in the thoracic surgery department and will be discharged soon.”

“CABG surgery (coronary artery bypass graft)?”

“Yes. It seems to have gone well without any major issues. I think he’ll be able to be discharged soon. Don’t worry about it anymore.”

“Okay, that’s a relief.”

I let out a sigh of relief.

Since that day, it’s been on my mind like a thorn in my throat.

To be honest, I still don’t know exactly what happened to me that day.

In any case, I haven’t had a dream that could be called a ‘precognitive dream’ since then.

‘……Well, anyway, it’s a relief that the patient is safe.’

As I was thinking that, I suddenly turned to the side and saw Geun-wook with a sulky expression.

“Hey, are you guys going to talk about work even when you’re outside? Let’s talk about something else!”

I changed the subject.

“Okay. Where should we go?”

“What should we eat? I really want to eat something delicious when I’m off.”

“Should we go somewhere expensive?”

“Expensive is good. We’re adults now.”

“Yeah, that’s right, what’s the point of working so hard to earn money! We’re adults, so let’s spend some money at times like this!”

.

The moment I heard those words, my heart felt ticklish for some reason.

Isn’t that how all early career professionals feel?

Even though it’s still a few days until my first payday, I’m already feeling like I’m on cloud nine.

“Should we go to a pub? There’s a famous one nearby.”

“Go go! Should we call the other classmates too?”

“Good! Let’s take a taxi and go ahead.”

“Not taking the bus?”

“Come on. We’re adults, adults! I told you to spend some money!”

I laughed at Geun-wook’s playful banter.

As I laughed and chatted with my classmates, my complicated worries gradually faded from my mind.

* * *

The place we arrived at was a fusion pub with a good atmosphere.

It’s a place we couldn’t have imagined when we were students, but it’s just right for us now.

Drinking delicious food with a pleasant atmosphere made me feel a little tipsy.

In the meantime, people are gradually increasing.

“Hey, Yeon-seo, long time no see!”

“Welcome, everyone!”

When Yeon-seo made a call, more than 10 intern classmates gathered in an instant.

Maybe they wouldn’t have gathered like this if someone else had called.

As expected, it’s Yeon-seo Lee, the most popular person at Yonsei University.

Among them, Joong-won hyung [Hyung is a Korean term used by males to address older brothers or close male friends.], who is skinny and has a receding hairline, started to lead the atmosphere.

He is from a medical school after serving in the military, and he is the oldest among us because he failed a year.

“Guys, please feel sorry for me. It’s the first time I’ve been out since I started my internship.”

“Wow, can’t NS (Neurosurgery) go out even when it’s off?”

“When I prepare for pre-op and dress patients during off hours, it’s always past 10 p.m. So I just crashed in the dorm.”

“Hehe. You’re having a hard time being an intern over thirty.”

“But! I had to come out today no matter what. Because it’s a place Yeon-seo is calling!”

When he shouted with exaggerated gestures, boos echoed around him.

“Seduction on.”

“Hey, seduction. It’s an expression of affection from a senior to a junior!”

“If you look closely, this hyung didn’t even wash his hair. Did you just come out wearing a surgical cap?”

“Hey, man, it’s a waste of time to wash my hair! I have to enjoy my off.”

Everyone is having a lively and enjoyable time.

As expected, people from Yonsei University seem to be close to each other.

Well, they must have known each other for years in a small university…… I’m a little envious at times like this.

I feel like a stranger again.

“By the way, what’s your name over there? Shin Sun-han?”

“Yes. Please speak comfortably.”

“Okay, okay. I’m finally having a drink with the most handsome guy among our interns. Nice to meet you!”

I smiled and received Joong-won hyung’s glass.

In any case, it’s good to get to know the people you’ll be running into for a year.

If you don’t get close to people in the beginning, you can be alienated.

“By the way, it might be a little difficult to adapt if you’re from another school. How is it?”

Joong-won hyung asks.

Just as I was about to answer, Yeon-seo quickly cut me off.

“Oh, don’t even mention it. He’s a complete ace!”

“Really?”

“Of course. Didn’t you hear about him giving Kim Beom-soo senior a hard time last week?”

“What? To Kim Viper?”

“No, this oppa, you know…….”

Yeon-seo’s eloquence continues.

She tells the story of how I rebelled against Kim Viper and saved patient Kim Jeong-soo, adding a few spoons of exaggeration.

After going through Yeon-seo’s mouth, the things I did sound like great heroic deeds.

“Wow, that happened?”

“That’s amazing.”

“This guy was amazing! Let’s have a drink!”

Soon my glass is full.

Thanks to that, I don’t think I’ll be alienated among the Yonsei University interns today.

* * *

The drinking party was in full swing.

“By the way, what department are you guys thinking of?”

It’s a topic that always comes up when interns get together.

Choosing a major is very important, so when we get together, we exchange information with each other.

Joong-won hyung, who was quite drunk, spoke first.

“Yeon-seo, are you still thinking about pediatrics?”

“I don’t know.”

Yeon-seo says with a sigh.

“I loved seeing kids when I was a student…… But I heard from a friend who is currently doing pediatrics that it’s hard.”

“Well, pediatric guardians are said to be the scariest in the world.”

“So I have to go around once and decide. I’ve got a pediatrics rotation scheduled!”

As soon as Yeon-seo finished speaking, unsolicited advice poured in from all directions.

“Hey. It’s a waste of Yeon-seo’s grades to go to pediatrics.”

“Don’t you think about dermatology? Originally, pretty and smart female seniors went to dermatology.”

“Hehe, I’m thinking about it in many ways.”

Yeon-seo smiled and raised her glass.

It’s natural, but popular departments are somewhat fixed.

PIA (dermatology, ophthalmology, plastic surgery).

Jeong Jae-yeong (psychiatry, rehabilitation medicine, radiology).

Etc…….

Departments that can hit the jackpot by opening a business, or departments that are relatively less physically demanding, are popular.

Of course, the preferred department varies depending on individual preferences.

“I’m just big, but I’m actually an academic type. Rehabilitation medicine or radiology?”

“Radiology…… Do you want to spend your whole life looking at CT scans in that dark room? I’m going to anesthesiology.”

“Anesthesiology is a trend these days. You know there are a lot of pain clinics opening in the city, right?”

As everyone was talking, Yeon-seo asked.

“Sun-han oppa, what department are you thinking of?”

“Huh? Me?”

“If Sun-han oppa was at his alma mater, he would have been able to go to any department he wanted.”

“My alma mater is gone.”

“Oh, that’s right.”

Everyone burst out laughing at my answer.

It seems like it was funny because I said it like a self-deprecating gag. Geun-wook is even shedding tears while giggling.

Well, I think it’s funny too.

Damn it.

“I see, I’m most curious about Sun-han. I’m also curious about what department students from other schools are thinking of when they come here…….”

At Joong-won hyung’s words, everyone’s eyes are on me.

I filled my glass and said.

“I’m thinking about surgery for now.”

“Ooh.”

“I applied to Yonsei University Hospital thinking about GS (General Surgery) or NS (Neurosurgery). When I saw it last time, the TS (Thoracic Surgery) people were cool too.”

“Ooooooh~!”

Everyone is enthusiastic.

There is a reason for their reaction.

The departments I listed are all unpopular departments.

Because it’s hard!

They are known as so-called tough places.

But I had been thinking about surgery from the beginning.

Surgeon Shin Sun-han.

Isn’t it cool?

Why, you’ve seen a lot of that. Going into the operating room and shouting “Scalpel!” in front of the patient.

I wanted to be such a cool doctor since I was a kid.

“Okay, okay. When was PIA? These days, everyone does what they want to do!”

“That’s right.”

“Cool!”

Everyone said that and raised their glasses.

At that time, someone shattered the atmosphere.

“Cool my ass. That’s the only option he has.”

The atmosphere suddenly turns cold.

I looked at the guy sitting at the end of the table.

Jo Jin-gi.

A consistently annoying guy.

He’s been sitting at the end of the table since earlier, his face flushed and completely drunk.

His mouth slowly opens.

“The surgery side is worth aiming for…… That’s what he’s thinking. Because he can’t even dream of other departments with his local university background.”

“Hey, why are you saying that to Sun-han?”

“Why, am I wrong? Honestly, everyone is thinking that way. Aren’t you?”

“Haha, this bastard is drunk.”

“Ace my ass…… What’s so great about coming out of a crappy university, fuck.”

“Hey, hey! Someone shut him up!”

Joong-won hyung hurriedly tries to fix the atmosphere.

I raised my glass to hide my hardened mouth.

And, I said bluntly.

“Why are you so angry?”

“What?”

“I only said one thing that I would apply to the surgery side. Do you have any ill feelings towards me?”

“…….”

Jo Jin-gi, who lost his words, couldn’t even make eye contact properly because he was drunk, and kept muttering to himself with a slurred pronunciation.

I can’t believe it.

I didn’t feel the need to respond and just watched quietly.

I’m curious. Why is he spewing so much animosity towards me?

“Hey, take Jo Jin-gi to the bathroom and sober him up!”

When the atmosphere flowed strangely, Joong-won hyung said urgently.

After a while, the people around took the drunk Jo Jin-gi out.

“Sun-han, don’t pay too much attention to him because he’s drunk. Huh?”

“I don’t care.”

I answered with a smile.

Because it’s not like I’ll only meet good people while living in the hospital.

Of course, there will be many strange guys among them.

But, anyway, I didn’t think he would say such a thing in front of my face.

He was drunk, but that’s when people’s true nature comes out.

‘Jo Jin-gi?’

I smiled and filled my glass.

Even if I don’t know anything else, I have to remember that bastard’s name.

As I was thinking that and trying to drink.

“……!”

Suddenly, my vision darkens.

And the second future began to appear before my eyes.