Chapter 12 - Missing Discharges and Twin Diversions

The bright overhead fluorescent lights of the hospital surgical locker room glared down mercilessly against the sterile tiles. The heavy iron security door opened with a sharp, echoing click, and Dr. Choi Hyun-woo stepped inside with exceptionally slow, dragging steps. His shoulders were completely slumped under the weight of raw physical exhaustion after just completing a grueling and highly complex five-hour cardiovascular surgery.He pulled off his tight blue surgical mask, letting out a long, cold breath as he marched over to his personal metal locker. He pulled out his smartphone device from his coat pocket, rapidly tapping the screen to turn it on. He anxiously, frantically checked his messages, notifications, and incoming call logs, deeply hoping for even a single digital response from Kim Seo-ah. Looking down at the completely blank, empty notification panel, a look of profound disappointment and heavy sadness washed over his handsome features."Nothing..." Hyun-woo muttered to himself in pure frustration, his voice dropping into a very soft, defeated whisper in the quiet room. "Not a single word of response from her. She didn't even reply a single line to that heartfelt confession letter. She must mandatory be absolutely furious with my name about what happened inside the apartment last night."Suddenly, the heavy locker door handle rattled, and Nurse Han Ga-on stepped straight inside the private room, holding a plastic clipboard against her chest. The exact microsecond Hyun-woo looked up from his bench and his eyes spotted her face, he let out a sharp gasp of shock, completely startled."Ah! You?!" Hyun-woo flustered, his voice cracking as he quickly turned his phone screen face-down against his knee, frantically trying to compose his professional demeanor.Nurse Ga-on stopped in her tracks, looking thoroughly puzzled. "Sir? Is there a particular problem? Why on earth do you look so incredibly shocked and startled to see my face inside the staff room?"Hyun-woo cleared his throat loudly, sliding his device securely into his pocket. "Oh, nothing... absolutely nothing happened! Don't worry about it."Internally, his mind was spinning in deep irritation. 'Why on earth does this nurse always magically show up right behind my back every single shift?' Hyun-woo thought fiercely to himself, running a hand over his collar. 'It genuinely feels like she is secretly tracking my coordinates and stalking my build! Huh!'Trying to regain his professional authority, he straightened his posture. "Anyway... what exactly brings your shift to the locker room at this late hour?"Nurse Ga-on offered a very sweet, gentle smile, speaking in a soft voice. "Well, Sir... I came down to officially update your charts about your orthopedic patient. Kim Do-jung—the cafe owner with the broken leg cast. He has successfully come into the clinic for his routine final check-up before his formal discharge procedure can be cleared. However, the front desk reports that absolutely no legal family guardian has arrived at the hospital lobby yet to pick his build up.""I see. Alright, I understand the situation," Hyun-woo nodded, a sudden spark hitting his eyes. "I will go ahead and personally check on his bone scans myself. You may return straight to your assigned floor desk now."[Scene: INT. Hospital – Junu's Ward – Evening]Dr. Hyun-woo walked firmly into the softly lit room where Kim Do-jung was sitting comfortably on the edge of the mattress, his heavy plaster cast resting steadily on the footboard. Hyun-woo approached the bedside, carefully examining the alignment of the fracture with his professional fingers while making casual conversation to trace his family's whereabouts."The bone layers are recovering exceptionally well, Junu," Dr. Hyun-woo explained smoothly, tapping the medical chart tablet. "But you still mandatory need to be a bit careful for the next two weeks. Do not put too much physical weight or sharp pressure on this leg cast under any circumstances."Junu smiled respectfully, leaning back against his pillows with a relaxed sigh. "Thank you so much, Dr. Hyun-woo. I'll take full, thorough care of the alignment. By the way... I noticed you didn't call my face 'Mr. Jung' with that terrifying, rigid smile today."Hyun-woo's fingers froze against the bandage lines. "Oh, I... well, that was strictly—""It's completely okay, Doctor, I was just playfully teasing your posture," Junu interrupted with a light laugh, waving his hand. "I know for a fact you were a bit disturbed and flustered that day. Ma Ha-rin explicitly told my ears all about your heavy work stress.""Oh, I see..." Hyun-woo murmured, a massive wave of absolute relief washing over his chest as he thought to himself, 'Thank goodness Ma Ha-rin stepped in and saved my medical reputation with that brother alibi!'The two men talked a bit more regarding the physical recovery timeline and café logistics."Anyway, while the desk is finalizing the official discharge paperwork layout," Hyun-woo added casually, trying to sound professional as his heart pounded. "Go ahead and call your sister to come down to the lobby and pick your build up immediately.""Yes, alright Doctor, I'll place the call right now," Junu nodded, grabbing his phone.After finishing the physical check-up, Dr. Hyun-woo stepped out of the ward, adjusting his dark shirt as he walked down the quiet corridor straight toward his cabin, his mind entirely consumed by the thought of seeing her face.[Scene: INT. Hanseong Architecture Company – Creative Department – Evening]It was official closing time at the corporate headquarters. The loud, constant clicking sounds of mechanical keyboards were slowly dying down across the open floor as employees packed up their belongings and blueprint files to head home. Kim Seo-ah was busy clearing the project papers from her desk station when suddenly her smartphone buzzed violently on the wood panel. She picked up the line immediately, seeing her brother's ID."Kim Seo-ah!" Junu shouted angrily over the speaker, his voice thick with pure frustration. "Did your brain completely forget the fact that I am getting formally discharged from the university hospital today?! When on earth are you coming down to pick up my build? I have been sitting here waiting forever!"Seo-ah snapped her head up in a total panic, her eyes locking straight onto the digital clock glowing in the corner of her computer monitor. Her jaw dropped as she realized she had completely lost track of time due to the desk chaos."Ah! I am so incredibly sorry, Junu!" Seo-ah flustered, her voice shaking as she grabbed her handbag. "I got completely buried under a mountain of project blueprints and forgot the hour! I'm on my way right now, just wait for me at the counter!""Fine, just hurry up your pace!" Junu snapped, hanging up the line with a sharp click.Seo-ah dropped her phone into her purse, her chest heaving as a wave of pure panic hit her neck. 'Oh no!' she thought frantically to herself, her mind spinning into a whirlwind of anxiety. 'Junu is waiting for my car! But if I personally go down to the hospital wing right now, I will run straight into Dr. Hyun-woo's face! After the absolute madness that happened inside his bedroom last night... I mandatory cannot face his eyes under any circumstances today!'She quickly spun her rolling chair around, her eyes locking onto Ma Ha-rin, who was just wrapping up her final design files and closing her laptop screen. Seo-ah's eyes narrowed as she rapidly hatched a tactical plan to send her roommate instead, successfully avoiding the medical encounter."Ha-rin!" Seo-ah pleaded, rushing over to her cubicle with a desperate face. "Please, I beg you, save my life right now! Junu just called from the clinic, his discharge is cleared and he's waiting."Ha-rin blinked, startled by the sudden energy. "Oh! I completely forgot about that timeline myself! Come on, gather your coat, let's go pick him up together. But wait... why on earth do you need saving from a hospital?""Yeah, that's the core issue..." Seo-ah stammered, avoiding her gaze as she cooked up a transparent cover-up layout. "I... I can't come to the campus myself. The truth is, I just received an emergency online blueprint review meeting invitation with the Director. I mandatory cannot leave this building floor for the next hour. Could you please go to the university hospital alone, handle the paperwork, and take Junu back to his place?"Ha-rin raised a skeptical, highly curious eyebrow. "An unexpected executive meeting at this late hour? How on earth did that happen?""I just saw the corporate digital notice on my terminal myself!" Seo-ah lied frantically, pushing her friend toward the elevator lobby. "So please, just go move fast! I'll head straight back to our apartment the exact second the meeting stream ends!""Alright, fine, I'm going," Ha-rin sighed, grabbing her luxury leather purse from the hook. "But make sure you come home early tonight!"The exact microsecond Ma Ha-rin stepped past the glass sliding doors, Kim Seo-ah let out a massive, breathing-heavy sigh of absolute relief that she didn't have to face Dr. Hyun-woo's eyes. She packed her remaining things, her vision catching the massive, bulky bouquet of roses resting under her desk. Deciding to take the arrangement with her build to clear the space, she left the office to catch a public transit bus home.[Scene: INT. Hanseong Architecture Company – Sun-woo's Cabin – Evening]Meanwhile, inside the quiet executive suite, Mr. Choi Sun-woo was also wrapping up his corporate day, packing his leather laptop bag to head back to the penthouse. As he opened his executive desk drawer to file away his personal signature stamps, his intense eyes fell upon a stunning, premium luxury wristwatch resting inside the velvet box—the exact twin matching watch Ma Ha-rin had gifted his hands.A rare, exceptionally warm, and beautiful grin spread completely across his strict features. He cracked a huge smile, lifting the timepiece into the evening light before putting it on his left wrist with immense care, pride, and executive dignity."This is the absolute first thing Ma Ha-rin has ever given to my life..." Sun-woo whispered to himself, a soft chuckle escaping his lips as his fingers adjusted the metallic strap. "No matter what the discount situation was when her hands handed it over... she is still the exact one who gave it to me! I am going to wear this watch every single day on this floor."Completely happy and full of fresh energy, Sun-woo locked his private glass cabin and headed firmly toward the subterranean parking lot.[Scene: INT. International Daehan University Hospital – Reception Lobby – Night]The grand glass lobby of the hospital complex was quiet, lit by modern neon pillars as Ma Ha-rin walked inside with brisk, clicking steps.Meanwhile, Dr. Choi Hyun-woo stepped out of his private medical cabin, standing right beside the marble reception counter. His eyes were looking anxiously toward the grand sliding glass entrance gates every single second, deeply hoping that Kim Seo-ah's beautiful figure would walk through the doors to handle the family. But the exact microsecond his vision took in the floor and he spotted only Ma Ha-rin walking through the threshold alone, a look of deep disappointment, deflation, and profound sadness washed entirely over his handsome face.Hyun-woo let out a heavy, slumped sigh, his posture drooping as she approached the counter. "Oh... Ha-rin. It's just you."Ma Ha-rin noticed his dramatic, rapid shift in energy the exact second her boots touched the marble. Her inner detective instincts immediately went on absolute high alert, a mischievous smirk touching her lips."Hello, Doctor!" Ha-rin announced cheerfully, leaning against the counter panel. "Yes, Kim Seo-ah got heavily stuck with a massive, emergency deadline project blueprint at the architecture office floor tonight, so she explicitly sent my build to pick up Junu instead. By the way... why on earth did your handsome face fall so hard to the floor the second your eyes saw me, Brother-in-law?"Hyun-woo turned terribly embarrassed, his cheeks turning bright pink as he cleared his throat loudly to hide his flustered feelings. "What?! No, noway! It's absolutely, completely nothing like that, Ha-rin. I am not disappointed at all... it's just been a very long, exhausting cardiovascular surgery today, so my system is fatigued.""Yeah, sure, surgery," Ha-rin winked playfully, leaning closer. "Anyway, I must tell you, your secret apology letter and that massive bouquet of roses were absolutely beautiful. I personally read every single word of the letter this morning. You have really taken your romance games to the next elite level, Doctor!"Hyun-woo's jaw dropped in absolute horror. "Oh my god... I was heavily drunk last night, so the words—""It's completely okay, I understand the alcohol loops," Ha-rin interrupted with a loud laugh. "But hey, your dramatic move actually worked out completely in your favor on our office floor!"Hyun-woo blinked, thoroughly confused. "What favor?""When you were standing close with Kim Seo-ah at the lounge party yesterday, the entire department staff saw your builds together," Ha-rin explained, bursting with gossip files. "Now, thanks to those morning flowers, every single employee in our creative department thinks you are her secret, hidden boyfriend!""Oh no..." Hyun-woo groaned heavily, burying his face in his hands in absolute, pure panic. "She is going to be even more furious and angry with my name about this office rumor. Now she will never, ever agree to meet my face. And now that Junu is officially discharged from this ward too...""Oh, relax, Doctor, her temper will pass eventually," Ha-rin reassured him, patting his arm. "Though to be perfectly fair, Kim Seo-ah didn't want to meet your eyes in the first place today, and then you ran into her number exchange anyway. The romantic chances look slim right now, but hey, you've got me completely on your side of the board!""Right, okay... thank you, Ha-rin," Hyun-woo sighed, forcing a small smile. "Anyway, let's go ahead and finalize Junu's remaining discharge papers right now so you can take his build back home safely."Ma Ha-rin noticed his nervous, flustered behavior with a highly mischievous, detective-like smirk as she signed the ledger. She knew with absolute certainty that Dr. Choi Hyun-woo was completely, helplessly smitten and thinking about her roommate.After the paperwork was successfully completed, the ward door clicked open, and Kim Do-jung—Junu—came rolling out into the main corridor sitting inside a stainless-steel hospital wheelchair, his leg cast resting flat. But just as they prepared to head toward the exit gates, Dr. Hyun-woo stepped forward, raising his hand to stop their movement to deliver the final, critical medical instructions."It's great that Junu is heading home," Dr. Choi Hyun-woo said, stepping closer to the stainless-steel wheelchair to inspect the bandage alignment one last time. He adjusted his stance, his medical tone turning thoroughly clinical and serious as he delivered the critical recovery instructions. "But please remember—his thick plaster splint isn't off yet. To keep the deep skin wound completely clean and free from any hospital infections, his dressing mandatory needs to be changed once a week. So make sure to bring his build back here to my ward next week for a follow-up check."Ma Ha-rin gave a firm nod, offering a dazzling, highly reassuring office smile as she locked her hands around the handles of the wheelchair. "Understood, Doctor. Don't worry about the timeline at all, I'll take full, thorough care of his leg alignment. Let's go move right now, Junu!"Dr. Hyun-woo bid them a polite goodbye with a faint, slightly disappointed smile, his eyes trailing her steps for a brief microsecond before he turned on his heel. He walked away with slow, weary strides down the quiet corridor straight toward his private cabin, his thoughts entirely consumed by his unrequited love."Thank God, finally out of that sterile hospital prison!" Kim Do-jung—Junu—cheered loudly, waving his arms in pure, unadulterated relief as Ha-rin wheeled his frame past the sliding glass doors into the cool evening air. He looked around the empty circular driveway, wrinkling his forehead in total confusion. "By the way... why on earth didn't Kim Seo-ah come down to pick up my build today?""Oh, she got heavily stuck with a sudden, unexpected meeting at the headquarters," Ha-rin explained smoothly, throwing a quick, protective look toward the main road to cover her friend's panic. "Don't worry about it.""Alright, let's get a move on," Junu muttered, leaning his full weight onto his heavy crutches as he began moving exceptionally slowly and clumsily toward her parked vehicle. He let out a miserable groan, shaking his head. "I am absolutely starving to death right now! That awful, tasteless hospital food completely ruined my taste buds over the past week. I need a real meal immediately."Ha-rin giggled loudly at his dramatic whined, rushing ahead to help him balance his heavy frame against the concrete. She pulled out her keys and unlocked the doors, opening the front passenger door with a warm, beautiful smile. "Haha, alright, alright, stop crying, let's go. Get inside the cabin."Ma Ha-rin carefully and meticulously helped Junu slide his body onto the plush leather passenger seat, placing his plastered leg comfortably across the footboard before shutting the heavy metal door with a soft click. Moving quickly, she lifted the empty wheelchair, folded it flat, and stored the wheelchair securely inside the rear trunk. Satisfied with the arrangements, she hopped into the driver's seat, buckled her seatbelt, and smoothly pulled out of the hospital parking lot into the heavy night traffic of Seoul.[Scene: INT. Public Bus – Moving – Night Continuous]Meanwhile, across the bustling city lines, Kim Seo-ah was sitting completely alone near the back window of a dimly lit, moving public transit bus. The vehicle hummed loudly, navigating past the flashing neon signs and towering skyscrapers of the commercial district.A cool night breeze blew softly through a slight crack in the glass pane, brushing gently against her flushed face and messing her dark hair. Seo-ah didn't even notice the chill. She sat huddled in her seat, her fingers wrapped tightly around the handles of her bag as she hugged the massive, bulky bouquet of roses fiercely against her chest to shield the secret note from the world.The constant, rhythmic swaying of the heavy bus against the empty asphalt began to act like a soothing melody, dulling the sharp edge of her intense office fatigue. Her eyelids slowly grew exceptionally heavy, her breathing deep and steady under the dim interior light.As her eyes fully closed and her head rested gently against the cool window pane, her mind began to drift away entirely from the stress of her corporate deadlines and the flustered terror of her apartment arguments, falling deep into a vivid, nostalgic dream of her long-lost childhood playground days...