A competent doctor can cure everything

After lunch break, while I was busily working around the ward.

Someone tapped me lightly on the shoulder, and I instinctively turned around.

Tap.

A white index finger then poked my cheek.

‘What’s this…’

I shifted my gaze toward the owner of the finger with a sullen expression.

A woman wearing a bucket hat pulled down low, her face completely covered by sunglasses and a mask, giggled.

“Guess who it is~?”

“…Moon Deok-soon?”

“Oh, really. I told you not to call me by that name!”

“What brings you here?”

“What brings me here? I just came by the ward after visiting the Oriental Medicine outpatient clinic due to facial paralysis.”

Now that I think about it, it’s been less than two weeks since Mika was discharged, yet it felt like a very long time ago.

“Let me see.”

“Ta-da~. I’m almost fully recovered, right?”

Mika took off her sunglasses and winked with her right eye.

It was indeed no longer too awkward to squint her eyes.

“The neurologist said I’m a really fast and good recovery case. I don’t need to take any more Western medicine and should continue with acupuncture treatments.”

“That’s great news.”

“It’s thanks to the intern who worked hard on my treatment. Our members think the thread lifting was amazing and so interesting. We decided that if we get wrinkles later, we’ll all get thread lifting from you!”

As Mika chattered away, I couldn’t help but smile and joked.

“Maybe I should open a cosmetic acupuncture clinic in Gangnam?”

“Oh, really? Should I be the promotional model?”

But was it okay for Mika to be here, chatting casually like this?

I suddenly became aware of my surroundings and asked.

“Busy as you must be, why did you come here?”

“Ah, I thought the intern must be busier than I am. So, I had to come by. What can I do?”

Mika said with a hint of sarcasm but without any bitterness.

It was clear she was referring to the fact that I couldn’t attend the concert.

“…I’m really sorry about that.”

“If you’re sorry, you’ll come to the next concert, right?”

“The next concert?”

“Yes. It’s even at this hospital, so if you don’t come, I’ll really be upset.”

Mika having a concert at our hospital?

For a moment, I recalled the poster that Dal-nim had put up.

“Are you talking about the “Cancer Patients Healing Concert”?”

“Ding ding ding! I saw the poster and liked the idea, so I’m going to make a special appearance. I’ve already talked to the organizers.”

The organizers must be thrilled to have such a big-name appearance.

A top-tier idol is donating their talent.

‘It’s almost like a famous metal band playing guitar at their daughter’s school recital.’

“That’s really generous of you.”

“So you’ll definitely come this time, right?”

Seeing my stunned reaction, Mika insisted.

This is truly an event you can’t miss.

“Got it.”

As I nodded in agreement, an anxious voice suddenly interrupted the conversation.

“Mika! We need to go now!”

“Okay, see you in two weeks at the concert~. Oh, and remember, this is still a secret! We don’t want it getting too noisy.”

A manager who had suddenly appeared dragged Mika away.

Even as she was being pulled along, Mika cheerfully called out.

‘You’re being even louder right now…’

I waved my hand to indicate that I understood and that she should hurry up.

* * *

Meanwhile, at that time, in Professor Ko’s outpatient office.

When a patient dressed in a white coat entered, Professor Ko slightly raised his eyebrows.

“Ah, you’re a staff member.”

“Hello, Professor. I’m currently a fellow in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology.”

“What brings you here?”

“I’ve been having persistent abdominal pain and diarrhea, but after taking this medicine, the results were so good. I came to continue the treatment.”

The fellow took out a packet of powder medicine given by Seon Joon from his pocket.

‘This is Bu Hwan Geum Jeong Gi-san.’

Professor Ko examined the medicine packaging and asked.

“Hmm, where did you get this prescription?”

“From the intern Seon Joon, who is currently here.”

Intern Seon Joon?

This was the same intern that Professor Kim had mentioned as an exceptional talent.

Hearing this name again from another fellow was surprising.

‘It seems that intern really does have skills.’

Professor Ko thought with curiosity.

“Professor, actually, I have a question.”

The fellow suddenly showed signs of hesitation.

“There is a patient who had endometrial cancer surgery and is now hospitalized in the Department of Hematology and Oncology. Is it possible to collaborate with traditional medicine?”

“It is possible. Why do you ask?”

Professor Ko found the fellow’s hesitation strange.

“Well… actually, the patient has specified a particular doctor.”

“Hmm, who is it?”

It wasn’t unusual for a university hospital to have a designated doctor.

Professor Ko was puzzled by the fellow’s hesitation.

“The patient wants the intern I just mentioned.”

“An intern? Why?”

Not a professor, but an intern?

Even Professor Ko, who was usually calm, couldn’t help but be surprised.

“Well, it’s a bit… Actually, that intern is my patient. During our conversation, the intern mentioned how they were amazed that a chronic illness was quickly cured by a traditional medicine prescription.”

Seeing Professor Ko’s reaction, the fellow quickly continued.

“I think I might have piqued your interest with something I said without much thought. The patient, who has been feeling unwell, is now asking if they can see that acupuncturist.”

“To see that specific acupuncturist?”

“Yes… Actually, this patient used to refuse any traditional medicine collaboration, having heard rumors that taking traditional medicine would make their cancer worse. Now, they say they won’t consider collaboration unless it’s with that acupuncturist.”

“……”

As Professor Ko remained silent, the fellow awkwardly added an explanation.

“This patient tends to believe in rumors or recommendations a lot… For now, I’ve just said I’ll look into it. Is collaboration possible?”

A unique situation where an intern was designated for collaboration.

Professor Ko had no choice but to respond:

“I’ll give you an answer by tomorrow.”

“Yes, Professor. Please let me know.”

The fellow bowed deeply, their disheveled lion-like hair falling forward.

* * *

Knock knock.

“Professor Kim.”

“Oh, Professor Ko. Please come in.”

Professor Ko from the Department of Internal Medicine knocked on the door of Professor Kim from the Department of Acupuncture and Pain Medicine.

Professor Kim guided Professor Ko to the guest sofa and asked pleasantly,

“You’re not here just for a chat, are you? What’s the matter?”

“Hmm. It’s about that intern you mentioned last time.”

“Oh, Seon Joon? It’s been almost a week since he joined the internal medicine department. How’s it going?”

“He’s already a headache.”

Professor Kim was genuinely surprised by Professor Ko’s serious tone.

“A headache? He was one of the most outstanding interns I’ve seen during my teaching career. Has he caused some sort of trouble?”

“Trouble? Yes, indeed. He’s already receiving collaboration requests by being designated for them as an intern.”

“Really? How curious.”

Only then did Professor Kim understand the situation and chuckled.

“So what’s the issue? Even if it’s a collaboration, it still requires your confirmation, doesn’t it?”

“Hmm, usually that’s the responsibility of the residents, and it’s still June. I wonder if it’s too early…”

According to the convention, interns typically started taking on resident duties around September or October.

Starting with simpler tasks first.

Understanding the implication of Professor Ko’s words, Professor Kim smiled broadly.

“Professor Ko, the training system at a university hospital is not just a job but also an educational opportunity for young doctors, isn’t it?”

“Hmm. That’s true.”

“Then wouldn’t it be necessary to have an educational curriculum suited to each individual’s level? For instance, if a quick learner only receives easy problems, what a waste of time that would be!”

“……”

“We should promote them to the next level. Before being doctors, we are educators, too.”

“Hmm, Professor Kim, you’re right. But… won’t other trainees object?”

“Oh, I see this as a great opportunity.”

As Professor Kim smiled, Professor Ko raised his eyebrows.

“Let me tell you something. There was an intern who discovered gout coincidentally with a car accident, something even an orthopedic doctor or a third-year acupuncture resident missed. Also, they detected angina in a patient’s guardian in advance.”

“……!”

“Moreover, considering the nutritional status and meal quantity of a facial paralysis patient, the intern prescribed herbal medicine and even cleverly used thread lifting due to the urgent treatment timeline.”

Professor Ko’s eyes widened further.

“And other doctors from different departments have been coming to the outpatient clinic saying they received treatment from that intern and it worked well.”

“Hmm? Could it be that all of this is about Dr. Seon Joon?”

“That’s right. All of this happened within a month of his joining.”

Professor Ko realized that his mouth was hanging open in surprise.

“Our department’s third-year residents, inspired by that intern, have greatly improved their attitudes. You can now see them pondering and carefully examining patients. And it’s not just our department. Do you know Dr. Shim Ji-seop from the Department of Oriental Rehabilitation?”

“Ah… The intern who came from another hospital? Yes, I remember. There was a lot of buzz about a genius joining back then.”

“That doctor also had a sharp gaze, but now he seems to have lost his focus, which is unfortunate.”

“Hmm, so the good opportunity you mentioned, Professor Kim…”

“Yes. Fellow trainees will be motivated, and residents will engage in friendly competition.”

Professor Kim made a serious suggestion.

“If I were to take charge of this collaboration and if it goes well, I would assign him to resident positions continuously.”

“Hmm. That’s very helpful.”

Professor Ko nodded, having made up his mind.

“I’m also looking forward to the results of this collaboration. It’s been a long time since I’ve been excited about a trainee with such potential.”

For a professor, there’s no greater joy than recognizing promising talent.

Professor Kim smiled contentedly.

* * *

“Madam, the resident doctor didn’t mention anything unusual today, right?”

On the way out of Kang Eun-jeong’s hospital room, I subtly probed the caregiver who happened to be following me.

“Huh? What do you mean?”

“Ah, never mind.”

From Kim Pyeong-hwa’s resolute attitude this morning, it seemed unlikely he would change his mind easily.

Sigh. It’s frustrating.

“Well, I don’t know about the attending physician. But something strange did happen earlier.”

Unexpectedly, the caregiver began to speak.

“The patient was mumbling in her sleep while taking a nap. Normally, she’s not the type to do that.”

Mumbling in her sleep?

“But when you listen closely, she keeps calling out someone’s name. I think it was… Gyeong-su?”

“So I woke Eun-jeong up and asked her about the dream. I joked, ‘Did you dream about a hidden lover or something?’ and she just laughed and didn’t say anything.”

“I see.”

I decided to remember the name Gyeong-su. I had a hunch that it might be the person in the pendant’s photo.

At that moment, the caregiver suddenly grabbed the edge of my gown.

“Excuse me, what’s going to happen to Eun-jeong now? Sigh. Well, she’s in such a bad state that it wouldn’t be strange if she went anytime.”

“…I’m sorry.”

My heart ached with the thought of the patient.

“Huh? What’s wrong, intern?”

“I want to make sure she gets to go out, if possible.”

“Is that even possible? Sigh. Maybe it’s time for me to quit this job. Every time I have to say goodbye to the patients I’ve grown attached to, it feels like I’m dying too.”

The caregiver pounded their chest in frustration.

Rumbling—

At that moment, my phone in the gown pocket vibrated.

The caller was Professor Ko.

I headed to the end of the hallway where no one was around.

‘Professor Ko is calling the intern directly?’

I answered the call with curiosity.

“Yes, Professor.”

And I was stunned by the professor’s following words.