Tap. Tap.
Dr. Schmidt tapped the armrest several times, lost in thought.
Then he soon nodded.
"Yes. That would be best."
"Thank you for accepting this sudden request."
"If it's a good choice for the patient, isn't it the right choice for us as well?"
Dr. Schmidt spoke in a generous voice.
He was fully understanding of Taesu’s feelings and considerate toward him.
In fact, he was in a position where he could achieve the same result even if the situation changed.
He could have simply ordered Taesu to do it.
Even so, he listened to Taesu and respected his opinion.
The sight of him showing respect regardless of age, experience, or career was truly admirable.
'I should be like that too.'
Honestly, he was someone with much to learn from.
He pushed aside his inner thoughts for the moment.
Instead, Taesu asked about something that slightly puzzled him.
"But why are we suddenly returning to headquarters?"
"What are you talking about? We were only accompanying you as far as Padum."
Taesu turned his eyes, trying to recall.
He clearly remembered that James had recommended him for medical volunteer work in Padum City.
At that moment, Taesu paused.
The recommendation for medical volunteer work in Padum City.
It was the same as saying it wasn't Cargill.
"It seems you had forgotten."
"I had truly forgotten all about it."
"So, have you given up on the idea of moving around separately now?"
Dr. Schmidt asked subtly.
Taesu answered with a soft smile.
"People are creatures of adaptation, aren't they?"
"That's right."
"It seems I've grown comfortable being part of the herd before I knew it."
"If you're going to stay together, you're welcome to."
Dr. Schmidt attempted to subtly entice him.
But it was already too late.
No, it was never going to happen from the start.
Taesu subtly revealed the reason.
"If you hadn't told me first, I would have said we were leaving."
"Because you're used to moving around on your own?"
"That could be a reason, but there's another one as well."
"What is it?"
Dr. Schmidt was curious.
Taesu hid the real circumstances and gave only the surface reason.
"You probably remember the photo Brad Kim showed you a few days ago."
"Mm. You mean that Korean village."
"I don't think it's right to turn a blind eye when we know there's a patient."
As Taesu spoke calmly, Dr. Schmidt showed slight concern.
"Three of you might not be enough."
"Then will you change our deployment to the Korean village?"
Taesu asked brazenly, straight to his face.
Dr. Schmidt burst into laughter at those words.
"Hahaha. That absurdity always throws me off."
"I think it would be nice if Dr. Schmidt came along."
Taesu continued the suggestion without changing his expression in the slightest.
He had known from the start that it was impossible.
Such wit was useful for lightening the mood.
Dr. Schmidt knew it too, so he smiled gently.
"Dr. Choi, that lighthearted side suits you much better."
"I'm always grateful for your generous opinion of me."
"Then brief me on your plans so it satisfies me completely."
Dr. Schmidt ordered with a generous smile.
Taesu immediately stated his plan.
"First, we transfer the patient to headquarters."
"I said that already. What about after treating the patient?"
"We'll boldly go to the Korean village together with the patient."
Taesu’s briefing was short but substantial.
Dr. Schmidt smiled softly, as if he could imagine it.
"It would be nice if we went together, but we already have treatment plans, you see."
"I understand."
"It's difficult to move a large-scale medical team to a small village. Moreover, headquarters will definitely refuse approval since safety isn't guaranteed."
"That's why we're going."
Dr. Schmidt laughed once again at Taesu’s answer.
"It seems something interesting is going to happen."
"I'm not sure it'll be that interesting."
"Mmm. Your opinions won't be reflected unconditionally."
"If it doesn't work, we have to make it work."
As Taesu spoke decisively, Dr. Schmidt's eyes sparkled as well.
"Another page will be written in the history of you three."
"We might rush to the ending."
"Life is an adventure."
"It's too much of a variety show, that's the problem."
Taesu responded with good humor.
Then Dr. Schmidt, who had been thinking quietly, asked.
"Isn't Brad upset that you're leaving him behind?"
"We belong to different organizations."
"He'll be upset."
Dr. Schmidt seemed worried that he would be hurt.
But Taesu spoke clearly on that matter.
"If he feels wronged, he should raise his profile quickly."
"Cold."
"That's how the world is."
"Haha."
Dr. Schmidt laughed refreshingly.
Then Taesu asked one more thing.
"Can we depart for headquarters a little sooner?"
"What about the party tonight?"
"I don't think I can enjoy it with a clear mind right now."
Taesu stated the reason broadly.
The moment those words ended.
The brightest smile settled on Dr. Schmidt's lips.
"Yes. For us doctors, sometimes one is everything, and everything is one."
"Everything, one."
"Hold onto that one as much as ever going forward."
"Thank you for the advice."
Taesu answered clearly and decisively.
Dr. Schmidt nodded and picked up the receiver.
"I'll arrange for a vehicle right away."
And so the decision to depart was made.
The call was brief.
Dr. Schmidt hung up the receiver and informed Taesu of the schedule.
"We depart in two hours."
"I have no luggage to pack."
"I'll take another look at the patient."
"I was just about to ask you that."
It was just as Taesu showed his usual wit.
*Swish.*
Dr. Schmidt offered a handshake and added a farewell.
"Let's say our goodbyes in advance. You've worked hard this whole time."
"I've truly learned a lot."
"Only in medicine?"
"In other things too."
"What else?"
Dr. Schmidt asked, still holding his hand.
The atmosphere suggested he would decide whether to let go based on the answer.
Taesu did not answer hastily.
He calmly ruminated on the time they had spent together.
The most impressive thing among them?
There was one.
Taesu briefly expressed the thought that had just come to him.
"If you walk your path silently, wonderful colleagues will find you."
"Mm."
"They are friends whom you'll be glad to see again anytime and can lean on."
The moment Taesu’s words ended.
*Squeeze.*
Dr. Schmidt's eyes flashed as he gripped his hand even tighter and asked.
"Are we friends too?"
"Weren't we best friends?"
"What about the age difference?"
"It's merely a number."
"Haha. Good. You pass."
*Swish.*
Dr. Schmidt slowly released his grip.
It was then.
*Tak.*
Taesu grabbed his hand again with both hands and said.
"A sick friend is not charming."
"I'll keep that in mind."
"I'll... be going now."
"Shouldn't I go out and see the patient too?"
Taesu jolted at Dr. Schmidt's words.
"Ah, I was putting on airs for nothing."
"Let's go."
Dr. Schmidt moved while holding Taesu’s hand.
Taesu felt that warmth as well.
They arrived at Lee Changgyu’s hospital room.
Dr. Schmidt called in Dr. Oliver and Nurse Casey to begin a close examination.
In the meantime, Taesu informed Gang Yeonghun of the situation.
"We're going to the NGO headquarters in two hours."
"I heard the withdrawal was decided, but you're moving fast."
"It's not good to leave Changgyu here any longer."
Taesu was firm on that point.
*Swish.*
Gang Yeonghun nodded upon seeing the medical staff mobilize in large numbers.
"Phew. I see."
"Then please prepare."
"Just a moment."
Taesu looked at him curiously as Gang Yeonghun stopped him.
"What is it?"
"I'll go to the village and come back."
"Are you going to persuade them?"
Taesu asked directly.
Gang Yeonghun answered just as honestly.
"I'll tell them everything I saw, heard, and felt."
"You should have made it look pretty."
"..."
Gang Yeonghun simply fell silent.
Taesu calmly opened his mouth again as if nothing had happened.
"I suppose I'll have to ask someone to arrange a vehicle."
"Rajikumar said he'd help."
"Raku?"
"He made an excuse that he had to go again anyway."
Gang Yeonghun seemed to have noticed it was a gesture of goodwill.
Taesu subtly eased the burden of his concern.
"It might actually be better for Raku."
"Why?"
"If we all go to the headquarters together, Raku has no justification to enter."
"What is there?"
"Ask Raku about that. I'll see you at headquarters."
Taesu neatly wrapped up the conversation and bid farewell.
Gang Yeonghun returned the greeting, but his eyes were slightly conflicted.
Shortly after.
A transport vehicle was parked near the medical tent.
Lee Changgyu was lying in the trunk of a large jeep.
Beside him, Jeong Minsu was helping him breathe with an Ambu bag instead of a ventilator.
*Puff. Puff.*
Jeong Minsu, who had been repeatedly assisting his breathing, looked at Taesu standing outside and spoke.
"He's not doing badly."
"We'll take turns, but tell me if it's too hard."
"Oho. I'm tired."
Jeong Minsu immediately groaned jokingly.
Taesu added another jab.
"I heard you."
"Wow, you're a cold one."
"Stop joking and time the breaths properly."
"I got it."
*Puff, puff.*
Having finished joking, Jeong Minsu focused on assisting the breathing.
Meanwhile, Taesu’s gaze didn't fall away easily.
It was because of the sight inside the trunk, which lacked any safety devices.
Thick cushions had been added to the floor to facilitate shock absorption.
Relatively speaking, Lee Changgyu was safe.
But Jeong Minsu couldn't even wear a seatbelt.
That in itself was dangerous.
He knew, but it couldn't be helped.
Lee Changgyu could not breathe on his own.
Someone had to keep helping him breathe with an Ambu bag.
They had to endure the impact with their whole bodies along the way, so there was no choice but to switch frequently.
And the first turn was Jeong Minsu’s.
He only watched for a moment.
He couldn't delay departure out of pity.
He knew full well that dragging it out would only increase the burden on both of them.
*Slam.*
So without further delay, he closed the trunk door.
At that very moment.
A heavy hand was felt on Taesu’s shoulder.
When he looked, Brad Kim was standing there without hiding his disappointment in the slightest.
"Don't worry, the doctor checked it several times himself."
"You joined in later too, Brad."
"Well, me, you know."
Brad Kim was awkward, but Taesu greeted him sincerely.
"Thank you for your hard work."
"Easier said than done. I didn't know you'd leave me behind like this."
Brad Kim sulked, but Taesu wasn't the type to take it lying down.