By Zephyria 
Jeong Seong-won Senior
Me: Senior, about that hospital you recommended. Can I make an anonymous reservation?
Jeong Seong-won Senior: Of course. It’s possible.
Jeong Seong-won Senior: Don’t tell me, Hyun-soo, you convinced Joo-ho Sunbae?
Me: He seems a little interested.
Jeong Seong-won Senior: Wow… Hyun-soo, you’re really amazing.
Jeong Seong-won Senior: Even Director Bang can’t break Joo-ho Sunbae’s stubbornness
Jeong Seong-won Senior: Honestly, I recommended it without much expectation
Jeong Seong-won Senior: He must really trust you, Senior.
Me: I just want him to sleep a little better.
Me: Oh, and I didn’t mention it was your recommendation.
Jeong Seong-won Senior: Good job.
Jeong Seong-won Senior: If I had said that, Senior might have stubbornly refused to go, lol.
Me: It’s so hard to get an adult to go to the hospital.
Jeong Seong-won Senior: I regretted pushing too hard last time, but
Jeong Seong-won Senior: Thank you for contacting me first.
Me: I’m grateful you introduced Joo-ho Sunbae to a good hospital ^^
■■■
Team Leader Jang Soo-hyun, who had finished her shift at the hospital, drove her SUV home. It was the same routine as any other day.
The officetel in Gwacheon, where she had been living since the year before last, was not too far from the hospital and offered a high level of satisfaction due to its lower rent compared to Seoul. It was convenient for daily life with many large apartment complexes nearby, and there were plenty of places to walk or exercise around Yangjaecheon Stream.
She had been considering buying the officetel for residential purposes around next year. However, recently, she felt uncertain.
The hospital’s operations had not been smooth from the start. Recently, salaries had been delayed for two to three months. A few days ago, the director, with a rare bright expression, had paid all the overdue salaries in a lump sum. Apparently, the blocked cash flow had finally opened up… But the anxiety remained.
She found herself visiting job search websites frequently. However, it was difficult to find a suitable hospital that met her standards.
Should I reach out to some acquaintances…?
While thinking this, Jang Soo-hyun, who had parked, turned off the engine and got out of the car.
“Team Leader Jang Soo-hyun?”
As if waiting for her to get out of the car, someone’s voice called out from behind her.
Turning around, she saw a man who appeared to be in his early forties. He was well-maintained for his age, and fundamentally handsome. His neat attire and demeanor did not make him seem suspicious.
“Who… are you?”
However, no matter how pleasant his demeanor, she couldn’t help but be wary of the sudden appearance of a stranger.
As if to reassure her, the man maintained a distance of about twenty steps and replied.
“I apologize for the sudden visit. Please don’t be alarmed. My name is Bang Sang-ho, a patient at the sleep center. Or, more accurately, a patient’s guardian, or perhaps an associate.”
“But why are you here to see me…”
“I have something to discuss regarding the hospital.”
“Not the director, but me?”
“Yes. It’s a matter that absolutely must be discussed with you, Team Leader.”
The man looked at Nurse Jang with earnest eyes.
“I’m sorry, but if it’s about hospital matters, please discuss it inside the hospital. This is my private time. Regardless of the reason, I find it unsettling that you came to an address I never disclosed. I hope this doesn’t happen again. Goodbye.”
The visitor did not try to follow Jang Soo-hyun as she turned to leave. Instead, he raised his voice from behind her.
“Your salary was delayed for several months, and that was resolved recently, wasn’t it?”
“……”
Team Leader Jang had no choice but to stop walking upon hearing that. And after hearing the next words, she had no choice but to turn back around.
“This is a proposal for both of us to survive.”
Now, the man’s face was etched with desperation.
It was the kind of face you sometimes saw on patients who came to the hospital because they were truly, desperately struggling.
“Survive? What do you mean?”
“I apologize for the sudden visit. But it was unavoidable for security reasons.”
The man, still standing in place, continued.
“Both you and we are currently exposed to immense danger. If things go wrong, you could be implicated and used in a crime without even realizing it.”
“……”
“Join hands with us.”
■■■
April 1st, April Fool’s Day.
Like a lie, heavy snow is falling.
Is this the last farewell from the unusually long and cold winter?
The April snowfall, viewed through the window right now, is quite romantic. Although I am a little worried about the commute home.
It may not be Christmas in midsummer, but this April snowfall feels like a small miracle. Where are our listeners watching this snow, and with whom?
Even a very small plan is fine, so after finishing your day’s work, why not create some enjoyable time with your loved ones? Don’t rush on your way home, and don’t forget to be careful.
Then, shall we also listen to a carol to commemorate this April winter? Michael Bublé’s ‘Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas’…
It was a radio channel playing idly. After the DJ’s remarks, the music began. The carol by Michael Bublé, which she had disliked for being sentimental and overly sweet. But now, it wasn’t so unpleasant.
Yoon Joo-ho, waiting at a red light, picked up his pack of cigarettes. He took one out, placed it between his lips, and muttered.
“Where, with whom, and doing what? I’m betting my life on Teheran-ro.”
Yet, despite the weight of the words “betting my life,” his heart wasn’t particularly heavy.
Perhaps it was because of the heavy snow filling the air, disregarding the season.
Perhaps he was uncharacteristically excited by the April snow and Christmas carol.
Yoon Joo-ho exhaled a thin stream of smoke and let out a dry chuckle.
No, that couldn’t be it.
Looking out at the abundant snow falling furiously towards the windshield, he suddenly felt how far he had come.
It was a battle he had prepared for from the start. But without Song Hyun-soo, he wouldn’t have escalated the situation this far. He wouldn’t have felt this at ease while diving into the heart of the battlefield.
It was strange how one could find greater courage when fighting for someone else than when fighting for oneself.
Truly, it was strangely peaceful.
It wasn’t because of the miraculous April snowfall, but because of Song Hyun-soo.
Slowly starting his car forward, following the green light towards Gyodae Station, Yoon Joo-ho attempted a call.
[Why, Senior? Is something wrong?]
His voice was urgent and worried.
Knowing he had left for the hospital and was waiting, Song Hyun-soo answered the call immediately.
“I haven’t arrived yet. I’m on Teheran-ro.”
[Ah… right? But why?]
“Because it’s snowing.”
[…What?]
Yoon Joo-ho suppressed a laugh, his reaction to the absurdity.
[I’m on pins and needles here, and you’re so relaxed. I guess I should be glad.]
“We have a one-bedroom unit in our apartment building.”
[The conversation is all over the place.]
“I had already told the real estate agent that I would be interested in purchasing it if a unit became available.”
[……]
“It seems someone wants to sell.”
[I have a bad feeling about this.]
Turning the steering wheel from the Seocho Station intersection towards the Arts Center, Yoon Joo-ho continued his story with solemnity.
“You have two options.”
[What are they?]
“Either move into the one-bedroom unit and become my neighbor, or…”
[Or?]
“Buy the one-bedroom unit, pretend to live there, and then move back into my place.”
[Either way, you’re buying that one-bedroom unit.]
“That’s right.”
[What kind of idiotic spending is that??]
It was the expected reaction.
“Idiotic spending? How is the money I’m paying to be with you idiotic?”
Sigh. Song Hyun-soo’s sigh could be heard over the phone.
[Senior, right now… the timing is a bit… Do you really need an answer right now?]
“This is the moment of my life. I feel like I have to tell you right now.”
All the cars were crawling along, barely moving, because of the snowflakes falling so hard they blurred his vision. A small child, wearing a beanie and scarf, holding their mother’s hand, tilted their head back so far it almost threw them off balance, gazing up at the sky. As the radio DJ said, perhaps this snow was a little romantic.
“When this is all over, will you live with me again?”
[……]
“Not in the guest room on the second floor. This time, come into my bedroom properly.”
[……]
“Do you understand what I’m saying, Song Hyun-soo?”
[W-what are you saying.]
“I’m saying let’s start our married life, right now.”
[Aaaah! Aack! M-mar… What are you saying at a time like this, really.]
Yoon Joo-ho chuckled and tapped the ashes from his cigarette into the ashtray.
“Anyway, that sexy scream.”
Shaking his head, he stopped the car at the red light.
[I’ve made up my mind. But I’ll give you my answer after everything is resolved.]
Before Yoon Joo-ho could say anything, Song Hyun-soo continued.
[So, Yoon Joo-ho.]
“What? Yoon Joo-ho?”
[If you want to hear my answer, first resolve this matter properly. Got it?]
From the beginning until now, his relationship with Song Hyun-soo had never gone according to his intentions.
Perhaps it was a game he couldn’t win from the start.
Shaking his head in exasperation, Yoon Joo-ho unconsciously turned his head.
Even though he thought he couldn’t win, his reflection in the car window was smiling foolishly. His face, superimposed over the April snowfall, seemed more pleasing than ever before.
■■■