"Penlight...stethoscope...thermometer...notebook." Eun Jae murmured, feeling each of her pockets to make sure all her tools were with her. Satisfied, she closed her locker and pulled her ponytail tightly. Dressed in her brand new white coat, Eun Jae left the interns' locker room and joined the rest of her classmates at the nurses' station. There were five of them, some were rubbing their eyes tiredly while others were eyeing the coffee machine longingly.

They're on the last leg of their internship at Geodae University Hospital, and the pressure of their impending graduation was beginning to take root. Despite the demanding case load, long night shifts, and struggling to finish her thesis during her spare time, Eun Jae found she was enjoying her internship year immensely. She took pleasure in examining patients and trying to figure out their diagnoses. She enjoyed scrubbing in on surgeries to watch senior doctors and residents perform procedures she only read before in her books. Eun Jae even found team meetings interesting, where they discuss a patient's case and how best to treat them. She absorbed everything she learned and tried to apply it to the cases she was assigned to. She observed her mentors as much as she was allowed to and practiced on her own until she felt she got it right. Everyday was a learning experience for her, and she relished every second.

The chief resident, Dr. So, arrived. Eun Jae straightened her eyeglasses and bowed to him, along with everyone else in her group. He nodded back at them, "Good evening," he greeted them, "Tonight is a busy night, so I hope you're all rested. I'll announce where you'll be assisting and you have to immediately report there after this. The resident in charge will brief you about your assignments.As you all know, we only have two months left in this internship, so I'm confident that you all have learned how to make yourself useful in the ward without me watching over you all the time. Don't disappoint me and don't make the residents complain to me that you're not working hard, am I clear?"

"Yes, Dr. So." they replied in unison.

Dr. So nodded, "Cha Eun Jae?" he said, turning to her, "You're going to the Emergency room tonight to assist Dr. Park. and Dr. Lee."

"Understood, Dr. So."

"Off you go then."

Eun Jae bowed and left without another glance, already trying to recall what she knew about Dr. Park and Dr. Lee. Each doctor had their own quirks, and she learned how best to act around them so she doesn't get into trouble. Some residents prefer the interns to stay out of their way until they call for them. Others would challenge their knowledge by having the intern explain a case and why a particular treatment is important, on the spot. All of them were very particular about time, and being late at the beginning of the shift was strictly frowned upon.

When Eun Jae arrived at the Emergency Room, the two nearest beds were occupied. Dr. Park, a second year resident, waved her over. The man on the table in front of her was groaning in pain, while a nurse cut the seams of his trousers to reveal the man's leg. He cried out in agony, trying to reach for his exposed leg, which was caked in dried and fresh blood.

"Are you the intern assigned tonight?" Dr. Park asked her conversationally, her eyes never leaving the patient as she continued her examination.

"Yes, Dr. Park." Eun Jae replied, eyeing the leg with interest, "Is it a broken leg?"

"Maybe. He was on a hit and run incident." Dr. Park answered.

"I'll get the cleaning tray, Dr. Park."

"Yes, thank you."

Eun Jae rushed off to get the cart of medical supplies from the Nurses' Station. As her hand wrapped around the handle, another hand tried to pull the cart away from her. She looked up, irritated, and Woo Jin glared back at her.

"Move Seo Woo Jin," she said through gritted teeth, "I had this first."

"I got here before you." he insisted, attempting to pull the tray away.

"I have a man with a bleeding leg over there, I need this now."

"I have a man with a head wound. Go find another cart."

"We're wasting time arguing like this." Eun Jae said with a sigh.

They let the cart go at the same time, looking at each other in surprise. Eun Jae immediately grabbed the handle and wheeled it away, Woo Jin called out to her but she ignored him, smiling inwardly.

A nurse met her to prepare the gauze and disinfectant while Eun Jae moved across from Dr. Park, who nodded at her to begin cleaning the leg. Eun Jae swiftly removed as much blood as she could while Dr. Park checked the wound. She pressed tenderly down the skin, and the man let out a loud cry. Dr. Park pressed her lips together, "We need to take him for an x-ray immediately. Could you ring Radiology and see if it's free?"

Eun Jae nodded and rushed to phone the Radiology department. After a few minutes, she hanged up and headed back to Dr. Park. Just as she crossed the room, another voice called out to her, "Ya, intern. Come here. Quickly!"

She hurried towards the voice and saw Dr. Lee with his hands covered in blood, his glasses askew as he sutures steadily on someone's arm. "Call Surgery Room 5 and tell them I need ten minutes. Then ring Orthopaedics and ask Dr. Bae to come down here to check this patient."

"Yes, Dr. Lee."

She hurried back to the phone just as Dr. Park called out to her, "What did they say?"

"Ah, we can take the patient there now, Dr. Park!"

"Ok, let's go."

"Y-yes, I'm coming. I just need to call Orthopaedics for Dr. Bae-"

"Hurry up then, I'll meet you there."

"Yes, Dr. Park."

Eun Jae punched the number to call the surgery room and Orthopaedics to leave the message for Dr. Bae. She ran back to tell Dr. Lee his response before hurrying after Dr. Park and their patient. Eun Jae looked at her watch to check the time, grimacing. It's only been thirty minutes since she began her shift and already it felt like she's been working for hours.

***

Woo Jin massaged the back of his neck as he read what he's written on the chart so far, making sure all the instructions his resident told him were written clearly. He put it aside and, flexing his fingers, opened the next one in his pile. It was five o' clock in the morning, and his shift was about to end in an hour. However, he had a mountain of notes to write and he needed to have them ready before the next shift arrives. His stomach grumbled in protest, and he realized that he didn't have time to eat dinner all evening. Shifts in the emergency room were the busiest and most demanding, and Woo Jin had been assigned there all month long.

He spared a glance across his table, Eun Jae's head was buried in her own pile of charts to fill up. She hadn't stopped writing for the last hour, sighing impatiently whenever someone tries to talk to her. It was the first time they were on a shift together on the same department, and he admired the way she worked tirelessly all night. He knew she was smart and capable, but she'd also proven herself to be quick to act. He'd never admit it to anyone, but he was surprised by how she didn't back down when he tried to take the cart from her. Eun Jae was confident enough to assert herself and he couldn't help but admire her tenacity.

"Seo Woo Jin," she said, interrupting his thoughts.

"Hmm?"

"Who was that resident you were shadowing today?"

Woo Jin stopped to think who she meant, "Did you mean Dr. Im?"

She nodded, "Is he a resident? I don't think I've met him before."

"He's a few years ahead of us," Woo Jin answered, "He's in his last residency year in General Surgery. He was called down earlier to check a patient and asked me to help him."

"You always seem to be working with him."

"He only wants to work with the best ones." he said smugly.

Eun Jae made a face and turned back to her chart, "Is it always like that in the Emergency room?"

"More or less. Especially on weekends."

They continued working in silence for the next few minutes, the rustle of paper the only sound in the room.

The door opened a crack. Dr. Im Hyung Joon peaked inside, "Seo Woo Jin, are you finish yet?"

Woo Jin stood up, nodding. "Yes, I'm done. Do you want to check the chart?"

Dr. Im waved it away, "Nah, I'll do it later. Have you been in on a gallbladder removal surgery?"

"No, I don't think so."

"Want to scrub in? I'm assisting at Room Four."

Woo Jin eagerly nodded, "Yeah, I'd be right there."

Dr. Im nodded, "Good." he said, then he turned to Eun Jae, "and you..."

She stood up quickly, causing several charts to fall on the floor. "Cha Eun Jae, Dr. Im." she said breathlessly.

"Right," Dr. Im said, "The next shift will begin soon, make sure you get to the Nurses' Station on time."

Eun Jae's face fell, "Oh. Yes, Dr. Im."

Dr. Im smiled, "Room Four, Seo Woo Jin." he called as he walked away.

"Yes, sir." Woo Jin called back, gathering his charts hurriedly. He could feel Eun Jae's eyes flashing daggers at him as he left the room, and he couldn't help but look back at her, "Could you turn the lights off before you leave? Thanks."

"Ya! Seo Woo Jin!"

He chuckled as he rushed out of the room before she could say anything else.

***

The months flew by quickly, and before she knew it, Eun Jae stood at the podium facing the rest of her class to deliver the graduation message. Her cheeks were pink and her eyes shining brightly. Her parents and siblings sat on the front row, beaming proudly at her. Her mother was wiping her eyes gracefully, as she watched her youngest daughter graduate with the highest honors. Eun Jae was elated, and she looked back at all the time she struggled to get this far: the sleepless nights, shutting herself in her room to study all day, forgetting to take her meals, and being on her feet for more than 24 hours a day in the hospital. Bottles of painkillers and benzodiazepines, along with other miscellaneous medication for all types of illnesses, filled her locker.

You did well for enduring, Eun Jae. she told herself, her eyes brimming with tears.

The auditorium gave her a loud applause as she stepped down to return to her seat. When the ceremony concluded, Eun Jae gave her friends the tightest hug she could muster, as they cried together in happiness.

"I can't believe we did it." Hyorin sobbed, "I'm going to miss you girls, what am I going to do on my own?"

Seulgi shook her head, "We'd still see each other, we still need to study for the exam!"

Eun Jae puts an arm around each girl, grinning widely, "Congratulations, Dr. Lee and Dr. Kim."

"Congratulations, Dr. Cha" Seulgi replied with a wide smile.

"Girls! We did it! Kibum shouted as he joined their group hug, with Jinho following close behind "Time to celebrate!"

"We still need to pass the exam." Eun Jae reminded him.

"Eun Jae ya, this is a happy day. Don't spoil it with a reminder of our upcoming dark, gloomy months of studying." Jinho said cheerfully, "Shall we go for a drink this weekend?"

"Yes!" they all agreed in unison.

"Maybe everyone else wanted to join too, let me ask..." Kibum said as he called out the invitation to everyone.

"I have to go," Eun Jae told her friends, "My parents are waiting for me. Send me the details, okay?"

"I will," Seulgi promised, "See you on the weekend!"

Eun Jae walked away and scanned the crowd for her family. She saw Woo Jin standing with a middle-aged woman by the door, and she wondered if she was his mom. Woo Jin put his arms around her as the woman started to cry. He patted her gently on the back, oblivious to the crowd that surrounded them.

He looked up and caught her eye. She was about to wave at him when her mother blocked her view and squeezed her tightly, then her father joined in, and her brother started to chatter excitedly near her ear she forgot about Woo Jin.

When she looked up to find him again, he was gone.

***

Spring arrived suddenly in Korea, bringing heavy rain interspersed with bouts of sunshine. The world was bathed in colour by the cherry blossoms and rapeseed flowers that bloomed in majestic splendour all across the country. The newly graduates mourned inside the library cubicles as they study for the Korea Medical Licensure Examination, unable to join in the festivities.

Woo Jin didn't care. Since graduation, he took on a number of part time jobs to support himself. He went home to his aunt's house one day to get the rest of his things that were left there when he went to medical school.

"Thank you for everything you've done for me," he said, bowing his head to the floor, "I will pay you back ten-fold."

His aunt placed a hand on his shoulder, "No, Woo Jin. Just live your life well, that is enough for me."

He could tell she was proud of him, but he felt he hadn't proven anything to her just yet. Despite her hesitation and the sacrifices she made for him, she never once tried to blame Woo Jin for any of it. Was it out of love or pity? He wasn't sure. However, she was his only family, and he vowed to try and return the favor.

"I found an apartment. It's closer to the hospital for when I start my residency." he told her as he packed his clothes.

"Do you have money?" she asked him, already reaching for her wallet.

"Yes, don't worry. I have some savings." Woo Jin lied.

He left the house with a backpack and a couple of containers filled with homemade side dishes. Woo Jin rode the subway, gripping his bag tightly.

I'm not coming back here until I made a name for myself.

Woo Jin found his top floor flat in an old apartment unit. The flat had only one room, and the bathroom was no bigger than a closet. The lightbulb wasn't working, so Woo Jin used the light from his phone to study that night. Thankfully, he remembered to pack his sleeping bag from home, so he didn't have to lay on the cold floor to sleep. It wasn't the most comfortable night of his life, but he guessed it could've been worse.

Woo Jin barely noticed the passing of time as he struggled to keep himself afloat. The university library was too far from his workplace, so he studied wherever he could. He replaced the lightbulb and treated himself with a sturdy table and chair. When summer arrived, Woo Jin worked for a small construction company who hired him as a painter. He saved every single won he earned, dividing his income into two ways: his father's debts and for his aunt. Whatever's left he used to buy food and workbooks.

Some nights, Woo Jin would stare at the ceiling numbly, trying to remember why he was living so hard. There were some nights he'd rather forget about his plans and just stay in that dark, damp room forever. Other nights, he'd remember how it felt to be inside the surgery room, watching the doctors operate on a patient. Woo Jin would often close his eyes and visualize how his seniors suture body organs. His hands deftly moving in the air, every motion practiced with precision.

"You know, you are very talented." Dr. Im told him one day after they came out of surgery, "I've never met an intern with as much potential as you."

He placed a hand on Woo Jin's shoulder and smiled, "When you get your license, come with me. Together, we will show them how punks like us could change the course of our destiny."

Woo Jin replayed those words in his head whenever the pressure to keep going became unbearably hard. It helped him refocus, and it gave him something to work for. He desperately held on to that promise that his life will change for the better soon, he just needed to get through this final hurdle.

I can do it, can't I? I deserve to have something good too.

So he worked, and worked. Then he worked some more. He laboured and studied for months, the seasons changing around him. The summer air left as swiftly as it came, and the world around him was gradually painted in autumn colours.

The days were bleak and grey during the KMLE exam, as if an impending storm was approaching and preparing to unleash itself upon them. Woo Jin went through the motions of taking the test without registering the fact that his entire future hangs in a balance at that moment. Four hours later, he left the building feeling empty, yet relieved at the same time.

One day, Woo Jin woke up shivering from the cold, and he realised he missed another turning of the season. He got dressed in the warmest clothes he owned and went to the university.

The hallway was packed full of nervous students. He spotted Eun Jae walking to and fro the length of the room, biting her fingernails anxiously. She paused when she saw him, "Oh? Seo Woo Jin? I haven't seen you for a while."

Woo Jin just shrugged, "No results yet?"

Eun Jae checked her watch, "They said it should come out any minute now." she studied him curiously, "Seriously, where have you been hiding? Did you go to a tutorial school?"

Woo Jin shook his head but didn't answer. There was a sudden buzzing sound, which he realized was the noise of excitement spreading inside the room.

"I think it's here." he said

Eun Jae gasped with surprise and hurried forward, "Ughh, I can't do it. What if my name isn't there?" she groaned.

"Don't be ridiculous." Woo Jin said, giving her a bit of a nudge forward.

Eun Jae inhaled deeply, and they both read the list at the same time.

"First place." Eun Jae said softly, her face brightening into a wide smile. "I got first place."

"Congratulations." Woo Jin said to her, his eyes landing on his name just below hers. It felt like something clicked in place in his brain, and he let out a long, relieved sigh.

"Congratulations Dr. Seo!" she said to him excitedly, "We did it! We're really doctors now. I can't believe it. I need to call my mom."

Woo Jin watched her leave before he turned around and exited the door. He barely made it out of the building when his phone began to ring. "Hello?" he said

"Seo Woo Jin? Is that you?"

"Ah, hello Hyung Joon sunbaenim."

"Yo. I saw the results! Congratulations!" Dr. Im said cheerfully, "I guess I should start calling you Dr. Seo now."

Woo Jin smiled a little, "Thank you."

"So, I know it's quite early but I thought I better get in there now before someone else...have you thought about my offer?"

"Yeah, actually I was thinking of calling you about it too. Do you have time to meet up for a meal?" Woo Jin said as he left the university gate, the day suddenly looking brighter than it did when he arrived.

***

Eun Jae pulled her cardigan tighter around her body, "So...why are we having our farewell party by the beach again? During winter? Could someone just enlighten me?"

"A change of scenery," Jinho supplied, "and its cheaper because it's off season."

"Of course it's off season," Seulgi said, her teeth clattering from the cold, "it's the freaking winter! Who will go swimming at this time of the year?"

"Hey, that's not important." Kibum interrupted breezily, "The hotels are top class. They have a sauna, a spa, and hot jacuzzis, so really you don't need to swim in the ocean to enjoy that view right? Besides, we won't get the chance to see the ocean again once we start our residency. Better enjoy it now!"

"We could have at least gone to Jeju island." Hyorin grumbled, pouting.

Kibum puts an arm around her shoulders, "You know how impossible it is to organise a trip like that for fifty people? Come on, babe. You will love it. I'll show you around!"