The hospital was not an easy place for doctor couples to date comfortably.

Recently, due to frequent traffic accidents, possibly from the aftermath of flower-viewing, the hospital had an unusual influx of emergency patients. As a result, Hyun Woo had been practically living in the operating room for a while.

It had been several days of hectic routine, each passing with the wish for a relaxed meal together.

Today, Sori, who was on duty, sent a message to Hyun Woo during a quiet moment in the emergency room.

[Sori: Have you finished your shift?] [Hyun Woo: Yes]

You’re off work then…….

Even though it was past midnight and naturally expected, there was an inexplicable feeling of disappointment.

But here I am in the hospital, and I wonder if you’re comfortably stretching out and sleeping at home?

It belatedly occurred to me that he hadn’t slept properly for days, virtually living at the hospital.

It must have been one of his rare early returns home in a long time.

As I pondered over what to reply, a new message bubble appeared.

[Hyun Woo: Is there something happening at the hospital?] [Sori: No. Nothing. And not many emergency patients either.]

Despite his concerned message, Sori’s expression as she looked at her phone screen was gloomy.

I missed him terribly.

[Hyun Woo: Try to sneak in some naps.]

“…….”

I found myself longing for the days when we studied together under his supervision in his office.

Human emotions are indeed fickle.

Sori hesitated to send the five words “I miss you” she had typed out.

I mean, even if I say I miss him, it’s not like he would come back to the hospital.

Sori pressed send and quickly followed it with a goodnight emoticon.

We’ll meet in a few hours anyway.

Without waiting for his response, she stashed her phone deep in her pocket, trying to shake off her lingering feelings.

Tonight, the emergency room was the quietest it had been in recent times.

Should I go up to the on-call room and catch some sleep?

As I stretched lazily, Hye Young, a first-year emergency medicine resident, approached and struck up a conversation.

“Do you want to join me for a cup of instant coffee?”

“Yes, I’d like that.”

I readily agreed, having often glanced at my colleague with the notable crew cut.

Hye Young, with her androgynous image, was quite the opposite of Sori.

From what Sori had observed, Hye Young’s cheerful manner and personality were generally well-received.

Hye Young handed Sori a paper cup of instant coffee she had prepared herself.

It was right in front of the emergency room, on a bench.

“Do you have a boyfriend, Sori?”

“What?”

Sori was startled by the abrupt question, wondering where she might have given anything away.

“No, I just thought… seeing your sullen face while looking at your phone. Maybe you’re in a cold war like me.”

I wish I could say we’re just a budding couple and I’m just missing him.

But I couldn’t say that.

Our relationship was strictly a secret. Whether it was a marriage or a relationship, it didn’t make a difference.

Smiling awkwardly, Sori shook her head.

“I see……. It’s tough maintaining a relationship during the first year of residency. Maybe it’s better to avoid dating until becoming a specialist.”
Hye Young’s voice sounded self-deprecating, as if she was hoping someone would ask about her pent-up feelings. So, Sori cautiously inquired.

“Is there something going on with your partner?”

Standing and savoring her coffee, Hye Young approached the bench where Sori was sitting and sat down next to her.

“Not yet, but I feel like I should be preparing myself for it.”

“Why do you feel that way?”

Sori, newly in a relationship herself, was alarmed by what sounded like an impending breakup.

“Well… it might be an excuse, but we’ve naturally drifted apart because we’re both busy.”

“Is your boyfriend also a doctor?”

“Yes. We started dating when we were interns. He’s now a resident at another hospital.”

Hye Young gave a straightforward answer to Sori’s careful question.

“Isn’t it nice not to worry about people around you and still manage to see each other?”

“It’s not always like that. Out of sight, out of mind, as they say.”

Sori began to worry this could be a future problem for herself and her professor.

She felt as though these concerns were already happening to her.

“Maybe the thrill of secretly meeting away from our seniors during our internship made it exciting. But now, we hardly meet at all.”

“…….”

“Whenever we find a brief moment, it’s just to sleep.”

“Sleep?”

Sori, still naive, was taken aback by Hye Young’s candid revelations.

Hye Young chuckled and turned to Sori, who seemed quite innocent in her reactions.

“Sori, you’re just as you appear, aren’t you?”

“What do I look like to you?”

“Naive and innocent are written all over your face.”

“I’m not like that.”

Despite her denial, Sori knew it to be true. Perhaps it was her upbringing.

Growing up carefully between her famous mother and her friend Jiwoo, she was always cautious, having seen many judgmental people.