Fifth Vital [EN]: Chapter 309

310. Who is it? Ms. Choi? Mr. Lee? Or together?

“I came because I have something urgent to say.”

“Something to say? What are you talking about?”

“Choi Mona! I have feelings for you. So, don’t go on this blind date.”

Lee Chan-hee, having mustered his courage, clearly stated the reason he came. It wasn’t a lie; his heart felt like it was about to explode, but he was relieved to have said it safely.

Unlike the relieved Lee Chan-hee, Choi Mona’s expression was far from it.

“……!”

Upon hearing those words, Choi Mona was so surprised that she couldn’t say anything, as if time had stopped. Soon after, a mist-like spray of water soaked Lee Chan-hee’s hand.

“Puh-ha!”

It was the sound of the man sitting across from her spitting out water. Lee Chan-hee thought the man’s reaction was somewhat understandable.

It was a blind date he had been looking forward to, but someone he didn’t expect suddenly appeared and ruined everything. He must have been very embarrassed.

So, he thought he should apologize.

“I’m sorry for surprising you so suddenly because of me.”

He bowed appropriately and apologized as politely as possible. However, beyond his bowed head, he could hear bursts of laughter returning.

“Keuk!”

The laughter he had been trying to hold back burst out continuously.

“Keu-heuk! Keu-heuk-heuk!”

Lee Chan-hee, thinking that it was too much to laugh so unpleasantly, raised his head to look at the man and was startled.

“……!”

“Long time no see, Mr. Lee?”

The person who he naturally thought was 100%, no, 10000% Kim Mal-soon’s younger brother and the blind date partner was none other than Choi Mona’s older brother, Captain Choi Tae-shik.

“I have feelings for you. So, don’t go on this blind date.”

Choi Tae-shik recited the words Lee Chan-hee had said a little while ago, without missing a single word, and then exclaimed in admiration.

“Wow! This is the first time in my life I’ve heard such a touching and sincere confession. Our Mr. Lee is quite the man.”

“……!”

Lee Chan-hee, who couldn’t understand how this situation had come about, couldn’t open his mouth, like he had swallowed honey [meaning he was speechless].

“You must have rushed over thinking Mona was on a blind date.”

“Oppa! Stop it, please.”

Choi Mona stepped in to resolve the situation instead of the surprised Lee Chan-hee.

“You were going to go on a blind date today? Really?”

“No, I wasn’t. Don’t say nonsense and just go.”

“Ah, why! Little sister, how can I just leave in such a fun situation? Right, Mr. Lee Chan-hee?”

Choi Tae-shik, who could roughly see what kind of story was between Choi Mona and Lee Chan-hee, seemed quite excited, like a fish in water [meaning he was in his element].

In other words, he had no intention of leaving right now.

“How about this older brother helps you out a bit?”

“No, thanks! I have to go back to the hospital, so hurry up and leave.”

“You said you got permission from the director to come out. Mr. Lee also got permission, right?”

“…….”

Unlike Choi Tae-shik, who was just amused by the situation, Lee Chan-hee was still frozen. His expression remained stiff, and he couldn’t say anything.

“Mr. Lee, say something.”

“Seriously, stop it.”

“Tae-shik?”

While Choi Mona and Choi Tae-shik were bickering over Lee Chan-hee, a woman approached the table, calling Choi Tae-shik affectionately.

“Shouldn’t we be going now? Mona also has to go back to the hospital.”

“Honey, the hospital isn’t the problem right now.”

The woman who suddenly approached was Choi Tae-shik’s girlfriend, who was returning from the restroom.

“But who is this?”

“Ah! This person, well, who is he…”

Just as Choi Tae-shik, who looked like he was about to burst out laughing just by looking at Lee Chan-hee’s face, was about to explain the situation,

“Unnie!” [Korean term for older sister, used by females]

Choi Mona quickly cut off her brother’s words and spoke first.

“This person here is a colleague who works at the same hospital as me.”

“Ah, I see.”

“I think I have an urgent matter to attend to, so I have to go back to the hospital.”

“Really? Then you should go quickly.”

“Hey! What urgent matter? It’s obvious that you two…”

As Choi Tae-shik, who was still serious about teasing the two, was about to make another mischievous remark, his quick-witted girlfriend grabbed his hand tightly and smoothed things over.

“It seems like it’s very urgent if your colleague came in person. Mona, let’s go quickly.”

“Yes, I’ll be going now. See you next time.”

“Okay. It was nice meeting you today.”

“Mr. Lee, let’s see each other soon.”

Choi Mona took Lee Chan-hee, who was silently bowing, and hurried out of the coffee shop.

“Are you okay?”

Choi Mona, who had strode up to Lee Chan-hee, who was walking a step ahead, asked.

“No. I feel like I want to drown myself in a dish of water, so don’t ask.”

“What! You’re saying things you’ll get scolded for.”

Choi Mona lightly hit Lee Chan-hee’s arm, making a big gesture.

“How can a doctor say they want to die so easily?”

“Why would I die? It just means I’m that embarrassed. Ah! Never mind! Hey, Choi Mona, you!”

Lee Chan-hee, who had been grumbling as he walked, turned to Choi Mona and raised his voice.

“Weren’t you going on a blind date?”

“I guess your mind is back to normal now that you’re calling me ‘Choi Mona.’ It wasn’t a blind date; I just came out to meet my brother, like you saw earlier.”

“Then why did you dress up so much today?”

“Ah… this?”

Choi Mona, wearing a slightly awkward expression, explained what had happened.

The reason she had dressed up so much today, enough to surprise everyone, was for her parents’ remarriage wedding photos and family photos.

Choi Mona’s mother, who had lived her whole life as a soldier’s wife and mother, had a small dream, which was to take wedding photos and family photos.

When she got married, she had a traditional Korean wedding because of her stubborn father, so she couldn’t wear a wedding dress.

So, she always wanted to wear a wedding dress. Knowing this, her children prepared a remarriage wedding to fulfill her dream.

At first, her father, saying it was nonsense to do such a thing at their age, absolutely refused, but he decided to follow his wife’s wishes, who desperately wanted it.

When her father, whose stubbornness was as strong as steel, agreed to do it, Choi Mona’s mother pushed for family photos as well.

She wanted to take ordinary photos like other families, not family photos in military uniforms.

So, Choi Mona wore the two-piece suit her mother had bought her and went to work after taking her parents’ remarriage wedding photos and family photos.

And when the staff saw her, who never dressed up, dressed up with a purpose, they all thought she was going on a blind date.

In particular, Tae-kyung was convinced that Choi Mona was going on a blind date because she had never left during work hours and even asked for permission to go out.

Choi Mona herself had only gone out to return the USB that Choi Tae-shik had briefly left in her bag and forgotten about.

“Was your brother wearing a suit because of the family photos earlier?”

“That’s right.”

“You and your brother are amazing.”

“Amazing? It’s not a big deal to wear a skirt and put on makeup when my mom wants it so much. It’s just a little uncomfortable for a day, and then it’s over.”

“So, you’re not going to go on that blind date after all, right?”

“No, I’m going on the blind date tomorrow?”

Lee Chan-hee, who had been relieved, was startled again by Choi Mona’s words and reacted.

“Pfft! Just kidding. Just kidding.”

“My heart already dropped once. Stop teasing me. So, are you going or not?”

“I’m not going. Why would I go on that blind date?”

“But why did you take the photo?”

“Who took the photo? The patient put it in my gown pocket, saying he just wanted me to see his face once. I didn’t think it was right, so I politely told him, and he came earlier to pick up the photo.”

“Really? That’s a relief.”

“Is it a relief for you that I’m not going on a blind date?”

“Yeah. To be honest, I was really nervous that you might go on a blind date. You might laugh if you hear this, but we’re always bickering and teasing each other, but from some point on, I kept thinking about you. So, I thought about it carefully, and…”

“And?”

“I realized I like you, Choi Mona. I thought about telling you, but I was worried it would be awkward since we work at the same hospital, so I just kept it to myself. But when you said you were going on a blind date, I thought I couldn’t let that happen.”

“So, that’s why you came to find me earlier? Because you thought I’d be on a blind date?”

Lee Chan-hee nodded instead of answering.

“Actually, I was secretly happy earlier, even though I was managing my expression because of my brother.”

“Really? Is that true?”

“Yeah. I also have… feelings for Mr. Lee.”

“What! Hey! Choi Mona!”

Lee Chan-hee, who had not expected to hear Choi Mona’s true feelings, suddenly hugged Choi Mona with a bright expression, then was surprised and stepped back.

“Oh. Sorry. Sorry. I was just too happy.”

“I-It’s okay. It’s fine.”

In fact, Choi Mona had known to some extent that Lee Chan-hee had feelings for her.

The way he used to casually throw out jokes gradually decreased and became gentler, and from some point on, he even often brought her favorite jellies.

Seeing Lee Chan-hee’s words and actions changing little by little and subtly taking care of her, Choi Mona also gradually started to pay attention to him and developed feelings for him.

“Choi Mona? From now on…”

“Why are you suddenly calling me Choi Mona? You always called me ‘Gae-Mona’ [a playful, teasing nickname]. Just do what you used to do.”

“Right? That’s more comfortable for me. Gae-Mona! I’ll treat you well from now on. Let’s get along well.”

“Okay. Let’s get along well.”

That’s how the blind date incident that had been stirring up Lee Chan-hee’s heart for a while was resolved, and the two promised to have a good relationship.

“But how am I going to face your brother from now on?”

Lee Chan-hee subtly grabbed Choi Mona’s hand as they walked side by side and continued.

“He’s going to tease me every time he sees me, right?”

“Of course. Did you see my brother’s expression earlier? He couldn’t stop laughing until we left.”

“Ha! What should I do?”

“It’s okay. You won’t see each other anyway, so what are you worried about?”

“Why won’t we see each other? I might have a drink with your brother later.”

“What are you talking about? You can’t even drink as well as me, so how are you going to drink with my brother? That guy is a complete alcoholic.”

“Gae-Mona! You don’t know me well enough yet. I can drink quite a bit if I set my mind to it.”

“My brother can drink 10 bottles of soju [Korean distilled rice liquor] and still be fine. Are you sure you’ll be okay? If you’re okay, I won’t stop you.”

“10 bottles is a bit much… I should have a meal with your brother. Koreans get strength from rice.”

“Okay. Good thinking. But how did you come during work hours?”

“The director gave me some time.”

“What! So, the director knows about us?”

“Since he knows I like you, wouldn’t he roughly guess if we go in together?”

“Is that true? No. I don’t think we should go in together.”

“What! Why?”

“Think about it. If we go in together like this, we’ll be teased for at least a month. Can you handle that?”

“……!”

After thinking for a moment after hearing Choi Mona’s words, Lee Chan-hee immediately agreed. The thought of the mischievous medical staff teasing them was no small matter.

“That’s true. It might be subtly tiring if the whole hospital finds out.”

“It might not be subtly tiring, it might be openly tiring.”

“It’s better to be careful for the time being.”

“That’s what I’m saying. Then how about this?”

“What is it? What, do you have a good idea?”

“Yeah.”

Meanwhile, while Lee Chan-hee and Choi Mona were racking their brains near the hospital’s main gate, the staff at our hospital were having a late-night snack betting match about the two of them.

“Okay! So, the team leader and Jang Security are saying they’ll come in together, and everyone else is saying they’ll come in separately, right?”

“Yes. But the director hasn’t made a bet yet?”

“Oh! There he is. Director?”

Nurse Im Jeong-sook called Tae-kyung, who had just come out of the emergency room.

“We’re having a late-night snack betting match right now. Ms. Choi and Mr. Lee are coming together. Coming separately. Which side are you betting on?”

“It’s obviously the latter.”

“Hey! Our director doesn’t know anything. It’ll be more obvious if they come separately. Of course, they’ll come together.”

Team Leader Choi, who was next to her, shook his head.

“That’s usually right, but those two probably didn’t think that far. They’ll think it’s stranger if they come together, so they’ll definitely come in separately. Our cute juniors have a surprisingly innocent side.”

“They’re coming! Everyone, focus on the main gate.”

A nurse who was looking out the window while getting a drink from the break room ran to the waiting area and said, drawing the staff’s attention.

“Who is it? Ms. Choi? Mr. Lee? Or together?”

“It’s time for them to come in, so see for yourself.”

The staff naturally scattered around as if they were doing their jobs, with only their eyes directed towards the entrance.