“Yes… yes?”
Startled, Gihwan half rose from his seat, then sat back down.
Taeho grinned and said,
“Mr. Gihwan, Hexagen was researching a new TNF-alpha inhibitory protein drug, wasn’t it?”
“Yes. That’s right, but…”
Gihwan’s brows furrowed as if he were dredging up a very old memory.
“Ah? It could be applied in a case like this too, couldn’t it? It was originally a side effect that came out while we were researching another drug, so I’d forgotten about it.”
Only then did Gihwan connect his past research with May’s hidradenitis.
“Can you make that drug again?”
“That…”
Gihwan pondered for a moment before speaking with difficulty.
“The biggest problem is that the research data and formula are stored on the server. It’s Hexagen’s internal server, so it’s my data, but I don’t have access privileges anymore.”
“If that’s the issue, don’t worry. I can somehow access the server and get the data.”
Taeho knew Rema was more than capable of that much.
Gihwan’s face brightened, only to darken again almost immediately.
“The second problem is that it’s hard to produce. Since the new drug is protein-based, we’d need at least a GMP-lite level lab, including a BSL-2 cell culture room, protein purification equipment, and aseptic filling facilities.”
Geumsan Clinic’s current facilities were nowhere near enough.
And it wasn’t as if they could suddenly build a lab of that level…
At that moment, someone suddenly came to Taeho’s mind.
Taeho hurriedly called O Jiwon.
“Is there any chance we could borrow your hospital’s research lab?”
Gilcheon Medical Center, where O Jiwon’s grandfather was the chairman, was on the level of a tertiary general hospital and had a research lab equipped with a state-of-the-art R&D center and GMP pilot facilities.
If they could use it, that would be ideal…
“If it’s not possible, then it can’t be helped.”
“It’s possible. We just need special permission. Also, if we’re only producing a small amount of the new drug for emergency use, approval for administration can be handled internally too.”
O Jiwon spoke confidently.
She was the granddaughter her grandfather treasured most.
O Jiwon was confident she could get permission.
Gihwan said joyfully,
“If that works out, our chances will be much higher.”
At that moment, Taeho recalled Rema’s cold prediction.
-Estimated probability of full recovery within 6 weeks: 3%
But even if there was only a 1% chance, as a doctor, he could not help but challenge it.
Taeho said,
“Good. The patient is standing at the edge of a cliff right now, so we’ll have to mobilize every possible method and try.”
***
That afternoon, when Taeho stopped by May’s hospital room, he quietly opened the door and heard the faint sound of sobbing.
May was lying on the bed with the sheet pulled over her head, crying.
When Taeho approached and made his presence known, the crying abruptly stopped.
“Ms. May, is it because you’re in pain?”
Still under the sheet, May answered tearfully.
“The Seasons unnies contacted me a little while ago. They said the company scheduled the music video shoot without me. I think… they’re going ahead with the debut without me.”
Taeho sat beside May and spoke calmly.
“The company made that decision because they don’t yet know what treatment we’re doing or how quickly you can recover. Your chance hasn’t completely disappeared yet.”
“…”
The sheet lowered, revealing May’s face, her large eyes brimming with tears.
“Is there really a chance? I barely have any time left.”
“It’s true that it won’t be easy. But we’ll use every method available to us.”
May wiped her flowing tears with the back of her hand and murmured,
“Doctor. I… I really want to stand onstage. Ever since I was twelve, all I’ve done is dance and sing. I held back from eating what I wanted, sleeping when I wanted, playing when I wanted. Because I’m the only one who can let my mom and dad live comfortably.”
Looking at the girl’s desperate eyes, Taeho felt the weight of responsibility.
If she truly failed to debut, the psychological shock would be unimaginable. And if that happened, it was obvious the girl’s physical condition would worsen as well.
Among all the patients Rema had diagnosed and analyzed so far, this was the most difficult case.
“The most important thing is for the patient to think positively. That way, you’ll be less stressed, and the results will improve too.”
“Yes, Doctor. Hajun oppa told me to trust only you. He said you would definitely cure me. I’ll believe in you.”
May wiped away her tears and nodded.
Just as Taeho came out of the hospital room, he ran into O Jiwon walking down the hallway.
“Senior. Let’s talk for a bit before I go.”
***
On the rooftop of Geumsan Clinic,
the setting sun cast long shadows across the iron railing.
Jiwon folded her arms and opened her mouth.
“I heard from the new patient, May, earlier that her original attending physician was Kim Haseong from Seyoung Seoul Hospital.”
“…”
“I left because I couldn’t stand the sight of Kim Haseong, that bastard, and now I’m hearing his name here. He pushed all the blame onto you while neatly leaving out his own responsibility… And in the end, that bastard became a professor.”
“Well, he lived diligently.”
Taeho gave a faint laugh.
“You can laugh? Don’t you remember how much that bastard hated you? So many professors wanted you, he was jealous from the start. Pathetic man.”
“It’s all in the past.”
“Don’t you feel wronged, Senior? Back then, you could have gone anywhere you wanted. But they pinned the medical accident on you alone and made sure you couldn’t even complete your residency.”
“It must have been less burdensome for the hospital to frame it as individual negligence rather than have the hospital take responsibility.”
Overcome with emotion, Jiwon bit her lip hard.
“How hard it must have been for you back then… I’m sorry I couldn’t help.”
“I heard you even went on a hunger strike to get me into your hospital…”
“How do you know that?”
Jiwon’s eyes widened.
Taeho smiled and, as if dealing with a child, lightly patted the crown of her head with his palm.
“You did everything you could. Even the other hospitals all found it too burdensome.”
“Wait, so that’s why you cut off contact with me? Seriously? Wow! I swear—”
Jiwon shrieked.
“Look at this. O Jiwonie, there’s that temper again.”
“Ugh, seriously, all you ever do is tease me.”
When Jiwon hopped around like a baby gorilla, Taeho chuckled.
Jiwon ground her teeth and said,
“Anyway, I want to cure our patient completely, right in front of everyone, and flatten Kim Haseong’s nose!”
“What matters to me is the patient, not some guy like Kim Haseong. Stop saying useless things and hurry to Seoul with Mr. Gihwan.”
Taeho turned sharply and went back inside.
Watching Taeho’s back, Jiwon slumped her shoulders and murmured,
“If someone said they’d grant my dying wish… I’d ask to look inside your heart, Senior.”
***
A few days later, Hajun returned from Seoul.
“I got the surgery consent form from May’s parents. May begged me over and over not to tell them how serious it was, so I told her parents it was a relatively simple procedure.”
With a grave expression, Taeho spoke.
“It’s not as simple as you think. Fistulous tracts have formed all over the patient’s body, so there are more areas we need to excise surgically than expected.”
Hajun’s face rapidly darkened.
He had expected it to be difficult, but her condition was far more serious than that.
“Still, if she has the surgery, will she be able to recover enough to dance in about six weeks?”
“In her current condition, I can’t say anything for certain. The more stress accumulates, the more her immune system breaks down, so all I can say is that it’s important for the patient to be mentally stable…”
Hajun’s face grew even darker.
Taeho asked as if something seemed strange.
“Did something happen?”
“Well, actually, I contacted the other Seasons girls. They said the company seems to be trying to put another trainee in May’s position. Apparently, she came to the practice room today and practiced with them.”
Taeho’s mouth hardened.
“The patient can’t find out. She’s already anxious enough… We’ll have to operate first thing tomorrow.”
At seven o’clock the next morning, they decided to proceed with incision and drainage surgery, then administer the new drug afterward.
***
Late that night, Taeho received an emergency call.
Taeho hurried to May’s hospital room.
Lee Hajun was holding May’s hand with an anxious expression.
“Hyung, something’s wrong with May.”
On the bed, May was trembling from a high fever and groaning.
“Doctor… I can’t… breathe properly…”
Rema’s voice sounded.
-Body temperature: 40.8 degrees Celsius.
-Runaway immune response.
The worst-case scenario they had feared had occurred.
Taeho immediately gave instructions to Park Geumja.
“Nurse Park, check her vitals first. Let’s get her pulse, blood pressure, and oxygen saturation. And prepare the blood test kit and IV line.”
“Yes!”
Park Geumja moved quickly.
With a desperate expression, Hajun wiped May’s forehead.
“She looked fine just a little while ago…”
The thermometer Park Geumja used displayed a number that had soared alarmingly high. Her pulse was fast, and her breathing was irregular.
“Let’s set up fluids first. Prepare antipyretics, and we’ll administer intravenous antibiotics.”
As the nurses moved busily, Taeho said to Hajun,
“Hajun, can you wait outside for a moment?”
“I… can’t I just stay here?”
Even in her nearly unconscious state, May was tightly gripping Hajun’s hand.
As if respecting that will, Taeho nodded.
“Then stay on the opposite side of the bed. Be careful of the patient’s movements.”
Park Geumja connected the IV set.
Taeho said,
“Let’s start with 500 mL of normal saline. For antibiotics, give the first dose with broad-spectrum coverage, and for steroids, methylprednisolone at 1 mg/kg.”
Park Geumja inserted the IV needle into May’s arm and connected it.
Since it was an emergency, Taeho personally added the antipyretic and antibiotics to the IV.
“Keep checking her blood pressure monitor, and if the fever doesn’t come down, we’ll need physical cooling as well.”
May’s face was pale from pain and fever, but once the fluids began flowing, she seemed a little more at ease and let out a breath.
Taeho examined her complexion.
“Ms. May, we’re giving you antipyretics and antibiotics now, so your fever should come down soon. If you feel like you can’t breathe, make sure to tell us.”
As if regaining consciousness, May opened her eyes slightly and barely nodded.
About an hour later, fortunately, May’s temperature gradually dropped below 38 degrees. Her pulse also showed signs of stabilizing.
Fortunately, the surgery scheduled for the next morning could proceed as planned.
Geumsan Clinic’s operating room.
It was so small that it was almost embarrassing to call it an operating room, but Taeho’s hands moved with more practiced skill than doctors at any major hospital.
After local anesthesia, May underwent surgery.
After more than an hour of surgery, she was given painkillers and dressed, then moved to the recovery room.
***
From the evening of the day of surgery, May slowly walked down the hospital corridor.
There was pain, but she wanted to begin rehabilitation no matter what. There was only one thought in her mind.
‘I have to stand onstage.’
May tried to move her body any way she could.
Last night, she had been shocked after seeing an entertainment article saying that one of the Seasons members about to debut would be replaced.
One might wonder whether the replacement of a girl group member who had not even debuted yet was worthy of an article, but it was different if the group was being raised by KSY Entertainment.
The article stated in relatively specific detail that the member in charge of visuals and center would be replaced, and even named the candidate for the position.
After seeing the article, she remembered Hajun oppa coming and trying not to show anything, but she could not clearly remember what happened after that.
Even though she had not eaten dinner, she felt nauseous and dazed.
Thanks to the doctor at this hospital doing everything he could, she had recovered. But she knew very well that because of that, the surgery had nearly been delayed.
May pressed her trembling lips tightly together.
‘No matter what it takes, I’m going to stand on that stage.’