Dr. Shin Seonhan: The Doctor Who Sees The Future [EN]: Chapter 87

#87 Breath (18)

“You’re contacting Ban Jin-ho?”

I looked at her, a bit doubtful. Sodam, looking slightly embarrassed, said,

“Oh, it’s not a big deal… we exchanged DMs [direct messages] before.”

Sodam pulled out her smartphone and showed me. Surprisingly, there was a short conversation with Ban Jin-ho in her SNS messages.

―Hello. How are you feeling?

―Gasp… Are you the doctor from Yeonguk University Hospital?

―Yes. I was worried about you after what happened, so I contacted you.

―I’m so sorry about that day, Doctor ㅠㅠ My body wouldn’t cooperate 흑흑
―No, it’s okay, it happens. I’m more sorry ㅠㅠ

There were several messages like that.

I looked at Sodam, surprised.

“You’ve been messaging Ban Jin-ho?”

“I sent a message on a whim, and he replied.”

Sodam’s face flushed.

Sometimes, unexpected events create connections. It seems such an absurd and intense incident forged an unexpected bond between them.

“Anyway, that’s not the important part. Look at the bottom of the message.”

Sodam scrolled down.

―I often hear about Ban Jin-ho from the kids when I’m in the pediatrics ward.

―Oh, really?

―Yes.

―I actually dreamed of doing that when I debuted ㅋㅋㅋ Like a surprise live performance for the children in the hospital!

―Our hospital loves that kind of thing. You should visit sometime.

―ㅋㅋㅋ Okay, I’ll make a surprise visit and perform sometime. Please come watch, Doctor!

“We talked about this before… Should I message him about it? We’re having a charity performance at the hospital on Wednesday.”

It’s tempting.

It started as a joke, but now it feels like a real possibility.

If Ban Jin-ho actually came to the hospital that day…

Could we use that as bait to lure Song-yi?

I said without thinking too much,

“Let’s send a message. It can’t hurt to try.”

“What should I say?”

“Just a moment.”

Sodam and I put our heads together and crafted a message to send to Ban Jin-ho.

Of course, the probability is low.

But it’s worth throwing out the line.

Will he take the bait?

I hope so.

Because right now, we need to seize every opportunity, no matter how small.

“Thanks, Sodam.”

“No problem. You covered for me last time. I owe you one.”

Sodam said, then added with a soft smile,

“It’s just a feeling, but… if Seon-han is worried, there must be a good reason.”

It’s heartwarming.

It’s reassuring to have a friend who trusts me unconditionally.

But we didn’t know then that this small change would snowball into something much bigger.

* * *

Ban Jin-ho.

A charismatic rapper with flower-boy looks.

He’s known among fans for his mysterious persona.

But behind the camera, he was a complete goofball [someone with a quirky or eccentric personality].

“CEO, I finally pooped after five days!”

*Thud!*

The CEO’s office door burst open.

The CEO, who was eating a simple bowl of jajangmyeon [Korean black bean noodles] at his desk, sighed.

“Jin-ho, please try to keep your mouth shut… You don’t do that in front of the fans, do you?”

The Gorilla CEO pleaded.

Ban Jin-ho was both a blessing and a curse for the agency.

If he just kept quiet, he’d be the coolest guy ever…

But the moment he opened his mouth, his image shattered.

Plus, he was moody.

You could say he was like a bouncy ball – you never knew where he’d land.

Even during this concert, he made the staff nervous with his unpredictable remarks.

“Hey, I just have to be careful in front of the fans.”

“Be careful what you say all the time! Things always leak out!”

*Tak!*

The CEO put down his chopsticks and started to nag.

“Come to think of it, I heard you said something weird at the concert this time too?”

“What did I do?”

“‘Can’t I just take off my pants and show you?’ What do you think you are, Nohuna senior [a term of endearment for older female fans], you punk!”

*Roar!*

The gorilla roared.

Ban Jin-ho shrugged and retorted,

“What’s wrong with that? It’s better to take them off coolly than to be misunderstood as a eunuch.”

“You crazy bastard… Do you want to see our company’s stock price plummet?”

“Why would it plummet? If I take them off once, the stock price will go up.”

“Ugh, that’s it. I shouldn’t have said anything.”

The giant of the entertainment industry, CEO Gorilla, sighed deeply.

How did I end up with such a crazy person, entrusting him with the fate of the company…

He’s too popular to fire.

“But what brings you here, anyway?”

“CEO, I want to participate in the charity concert.”

“Ah, what nonsense are you spouting now?”

“I’m going to Yeonguk University Hospital this Wednesday!”

Ban Jin-ho held out his smartphone.

The screen showed a poster for the Yeonguk University Hospital event.

What? A small event?

Where did he even hear about this?

CEO Gorilla looked dumbfounded.

“What’s gotten into you? Did you suddenly develop a soft spot for Yeonguk University Hospital? Stop going to useless events and start working on a new song.”

As the gorilla frowned, Ban Jin-ho cut him off, getting angry.

“CEO, what do you mean useless? Are you saying that performing for children with cancer is useless?”

“No, that’s not what I meant…”

“I’m disappointed in you, CEO!”

“No…”

“Even though I’ve made so much money for the company, how can you be so heartless!”

Once Ban Jin-ho got fixated on something, no one could stop him.

Not even the agency’s CEO.

And that day, a new schedule was secretly added as quickly as lightning.

* * *

The next morning.

I was heading to the radiology department on the first floor to review a CT scan for another patient scheduled for surgery.

*Ding―*

The elevator doors opened on the 3rd floor.

Someone hurried on.

A familiar face.

It was the PR team leader.

I bowed politely, and his face lit up as soon as he saw me, returning the salute.

“Oh, honey, long time no see!”

Honey…….

It’s always an awkward nickname.

He calls me honey every time he sees me.

He seemed to have enjoyed using my face to promote the hospital’s image in the past.

It’s a little strange that an older man keeps calling me that, but I’ve decided to just take it as a sign of friendliness.

“PR Team Leader, you seem to be in a good mood.”

“Does it show?”

“Did something good happen?”

I asked, even though I already knew.

The PR team leader smiled brightly and whispered,

“This is a secret… I’m only telling you.”

He looked around and leaned in closer.

“Actually, Tansan Boy [Ban Jin-ho’s stage name] Ban Jin-ho has been invited to make a surprise appearance at our hospital’s cancer center performance next week.”

“Ban Jin-ho?”

“Do you know him?”

Of course, I know him.

I laughed inwardly.

The PR team leader smiled, his mouth practically reaching his ears.

“Hehe. He’s an idol my daughter really likes.”

“He’s quite famous.”

“The hottest star right now is doing a surprise performance at our hospital, so it’s going to be huge.”

“That’s great.”

I matched his tone and asked slyly,

“But how did you manage to invite him?”

“I have no idea! The agency contacted us out of the blue. We’re incredibly grateful.”

The plan is this:

The performance will proceed as originally scheduled.

Musicians from the municipal symphony orchestra will play songs that children enjoy.

There will also be entertainment like magic shows performed by volunteers.

And the volunteer a cappella group will finish by singing Tansan Boy’s song…

It’s the same up to that point.

But then…

While they’re singing the rap part, Ban Jin-ho will make a surprise appearance.

Ban Jin-ho, the number one idol among elementary and middle school students!

It’s going to be chaotic.

The whole thing will be broadcast live online.

The hospital is scrambling because the event suddenly got so much bigger.

They’re re-evaluating everything from filming equipment to lighting.

The PR team leader is running around like crazy.

“Oh, and this is confidential. Don’t go spreading it around!”

I nodded.

If he knew how Ban Jin-ho was invited, he’d be shocked, right?

Actually, I’m surprised too.

I didn’t expect things to go so smoothly.

That afternoon, I received a text message from the hospital.

===

[PR Team]

Wednesday, June 27th.

A charity concert for children with cancer will be held in the lobby on the first floor of the main building.

Mr. Jo Se-oh will be the MC, and there will be a surprise guest performance, so please show your support.

===

To get one patient to come to the hospital, I’m going to this extreme…

But it’s worth it.

Because Song-yi will never come to the hospital otherwise.

Now all I have to do is call her.

‘Please come to the hospital, Song-yi. Let’s just get an X-ray.’

* * *

*Beep beep―*

The door lock opened.

“I’m home.”

“Our daughter’s home?”

*Click―*

Song-yi’s mother, who was in the kitchen, rushed to the entrance.

It was an old two-room apartment.

Song-yi’s family had been living there on a lease for four years for her studies.

It was 9 p.m., but Song-yi’s father wasn’t home.

He was commuting two and a half hours to work because they had moved.

“Our daughter worked hard today.”

“Yeah.”

“Did you pay attention in your academy class today? It must be hard to adjust after being in the hospital.”

Song-yi’s mother massaged her daughter’s shoulders.

Her tone was gentle.

She was an infinitely angelic mother when her daughter listened well and studied hard.

“You know you have to finish up to chapter 8 of Korean history today, right? You have to catch up on what you missed while you were hospitalized.”

“Okay.”

Song-yi put down her bag.

Her mother continued to follow her around, saying,

“Other than the surgery site being a little sore, you’re okay, right?”

“Yeah. It hurts a little, but I can handle it.”

“Okay, since there are no major problems right now, let’s go to Yeonguk University Hospital after the exam. We can postpone it for a week.”

She seemed more concerned about Song-yi, perhaps because she felt guilty about not taking her to the hospital sooner.

“Shall I cut some fruit for you?”

“No, it’s okay.”

“Is there anything you want to eat?”

“I’m okay. I’m going to study now, Mom.”

“Our daughter, fighting! You know Mom loves you, right?”

After cheering Song-yi in a gentle tone, her mother left the room.

“Hoo.”

Song-yi took a deep breath, relieved to be away from her mother.

Then, she suddenly felt sweat on her forehead.

When she touched it, she realized she had a slight fever.

She couldn’t bring herself to tell her mother, who was only worried about the exam, but there were signs of something wrong appearing in her body, little by little.

‘That’s strange… Why has my body been like this since yesterday?’