Tae-soo answered simply.
"We're in a relationship of mutual assistance with the PKO, after all."
"That's beside the point."
"It cannot be viewed separately."
Tae-soo made his firm stance clear on that matter.
Perhaps having reacted too emotionally, Dr. Schmidt changed the direction of the conversation.
"Honestly, I was against the snowy mountain deployment too. But a combat zone is even more out of the question, isn't it?"
"They promised to protect us thoroughly."
Tae-soo said it to reassure him, but it didn't seem to help.
"Dr. Choi, bullets don't have eyes."
"Do you think the PKO would have asked without knowing that?"
"Hmm."
"They must have agonized greatly before making the request."
When Tae-soo added that, Dr. Schmidt glanced at him.
"What good does it do to take their side?"
"I'm not taking sides. That's simply the truth."
"Hmm. So?"
"HQ must have wanted to see the extent of our capabilities."
At those words, Dr. Schmidt scrunched up his face in a frown.
"What's the point of them pushing us around like that when they're not the ones flying out there?"
"I suppose we are easy to push around."
"That's the problem."
"But we can't just keep taking it forever."
Tae-soo said something seemingly out of nowhere.
However, Dr. Schmidt immediately caught the meaning regarding the PKO escort.
Even if it was a matter of mutual agreement, it wasn't something they could take for granted.
"It's true we've received help in many ways."
"Then I think it best to view this as a chance to repay that."
"But I'm against using your lives as collateral."
Dr. Schmidt maintained his position to the end.
Seeing his stubborn attitude, it seemed he wouldn't let them go easily.
In fact, Tae-soo had come expecting this kind of situation.
As the saying goes, it's better to be the first to get hit by the whip.
If they had left on their own accord?
All hell would have broken loose upon their return.
That was why he had come prepared for this clash.
Such thinking showed that Tae-soo had clearly matured compared to before.
He was putting into practice the advice of "harmony" he had heard from James during the day.
But as expected, it wasn't easy following James's advice.
As they were conversing.
Jeong Min-su's voice was heard from another direction.
"Dr. Choi, we're all packed."
Swish.
Turning around immediately, he saw Jeong Min-su and Kim Hyuk-gwon standing near the entrance.
But Tae-soo hadn't finished the conversation yet.
"Just a moment."
"Don't rush; explain properly."
Jeong Min-su showed consideration for the bewildered Dr. Schmidt.
Tae-soo nodded and checked the time again.
He had a little more leeway.
Tae-soo intuitively felt that now was the time to settle things.
And he said to Dr. Schmidt.
"We'll be fine."
"Don't jump to conclusions. No, this isn't something for us to discuss among ourselves."
Dr. Schmidt tried to storm out of his seat.
But then, a low exclamation from Jeong Min-su was heard from over there first.
"Uh."
"Hmm. News travels fast in this neighborhood too."
Kim Hyuk-gwon said something strange.
A weighty voice answered those words.
"It seems someone wanted to leave quietly."
"It's not my thought; it's Dr. Choi's thought over there. James."
The name Kim Hyuk-gwon added went straight into Tae-soo's ears.
Swish.
Turning his head quickly, James was indeed standing there.
He looked slightly disheveled, perhaps having just woken up.
His messy hair was a flaw compared to his usual neat appearance.
But that made him seem all the more human.
Behind such a James, a doctor entering quietly was visible.
When their eyes met Tae-soo's, he flinched in surprise and averted his gaze.
'Let's live with dignity.'
Tae-soo had no intention of blaming him.
He had merely been shooting himself in the foot.
Then something whisked past in front of Tae-soo.
It was Dr. Schmidt.
His face lit up as he approached James.
"Doctor, I'm sorry for the early hour."
"What is it that you're making such a fuss about, saying it's a huge deal?"
"Please try to talk some sense into Dr. Choi."
"So why?"
"Just now……."
Whoosh, whoosh.
Waving both hands widely, Dr. Schmidt explained the situation excitedly.
James's eyes, which had been listening quietly, grew heavily solemn.
Meanwhile, Tae-soo stepped in front of James.
And just then, Dr. Schmidt's explanation ended.
"……That's what happened."
"I see."
"And Dr. Choi has arrived just in time."
Rustle.
Dr. Schmidt quickly moved to James's side.
In that posture, there was a boldness as if a younger brother had called his older brother.
Tae-soo was frustrated by the atmosphere that made it impossible to laugh.
Then James took one step closer.
Clack.
"Is it true?"
"Yes. We must leave soon."
"If this is a decision born from your ties to the PKO, I'll put a stop to it for you."
It was heavily implied that he should think again.
To that extent, it seemed James was reluctant as well.
When Tae-soo met his gaze, his legs felt unnecessarily heavy.
'This is why I tried to just leave.'
James was far too great an existence for Tae-soo to oppose.
But he couldn't cower.
Right now, James was the final hurdle to overcome for the deployment.
Tae-soo answered first.
"I said I would deploy of my own will."
"Then you'll have to give me a reason I can accept."
"Because I don't want to have regrets."
Tae-soo answered calmly.
It was the core of the conversation he had shared with James during the day.
Having answered, Tae-soo met James's eyes clearly.
James responded with a heavy gaze and asked once more.
"Do you think you'll regret it?"
"I want to sleep comfortably."
"Dr. Choi will also have to bear the responsibility for that choice."
"I'm fully prepared."
Tae-soo's answer was bold.
At that moment, James stared intently at Tae-soo.
It was a truly deep gaze.
He seemed to want to read Tae-soo's heart through his eyes.
"……."
"……."
Tae-soo met it without avoiding it.
'Anything.'
Because he was confident in himself, there was no reason or need to avoid it.
After some time passed like that.
Surprisingly, James stepped aside first.
Swoosh.
James, having opened the way, spoke in a low voice.
"You only live once; there should be no regrets."
"I'm sorry for being stubborn."
"See that you don't do anything you'd have to apologize for to the patients waiting."
"How could there be."
Tae-soo smiled faintly.
Meanwhile, Dr. Schmidt looked at James awkwardly at the shifting atmosphere. He was still blocking Tae-soo's way.
With an expression of disbelief, he even posed a question to James.
"Doctor, are you really going to send him off like this?"
"Hmm. Isn't that something Dr. Schmidt shouldn't say?"
"Why are you looking for me again?"
"It's already been quite a while. When you previously……."
As James began to speak, Dr. Schmidt's large eyes shook fiercely from side to side.
It seemed there had been some kind of incident.
Dr. Schmidt jumped in surprise and urgently looked at James.
"Doctor."
"Did you call?"
"Ahem. I wish to say that I was young and full of vigor back then."
"……."
James stared intently at such a Dr. Schmidt.
Dr. Schmidt, wondering why, put on a bitter smile and opened the way.
"You were about Dr. Choi's current age back then."
"Everyone has a lot they want to do at that age."
"You too, Doctor?"
"Of course, me too."
James gently smoothed things over.
It was clearly consideration to make Tae-soo's departing path not feel heavy.
Tae-soo placed his hand on his chest, moved, then paused.
Soft.
Because something soft was caught inside his chest—or rather, in his gown's inner pocket.
Flustered, Tae-soo quickly took it out.
It was a ragged scarf.
It might look that way to someone else, but to Tae-soo's eyes, it was more precious than treasure.
Handing it to James, he spoke.
"This is what the children's mother was wearing."
"Hmm. So this is what you mentioned during the day."
"Yes. Could I ask you to deliver it on my behalf?"
The moment Tae-soo made the polite request.
For an instant, a small glint shimmered in James's calm eyes.
And a faint smile rose to his lips.
"If you say it like that, do you think I'll accept it meekly?"
"Pardon? Oh."
"Hoo hoo."
James let out a meaningful laugh.
Tae-soo quickly tried to gloss over his weak excuse.
"Come to think of it, the children's mother had quite a lot of keepsakes."
"Then it's nothing special, so give it back later."
"No. That's not it, actually……. It truly is the only keepsake."
"Then keep it safe and return it when you come back."
Either way, James's answer was the same.
Tae-soo had an alternative.
Rustle.
He held out the scarf to Dr. Schmidt and asked.
"Dr. Schmidt?"
"You don't think I'll accept it, do you?"
"Can't you?"
"Fat chance."
Swish.
Dr. Schmidt blatantly turned his head away.
With the offered scarf having nowhere to go, Tae-soo turned his gaze to the other medical staff.
"Excuse me."
"Ahem. Ahem."
"Over here. Can't you hear me?"
"Ahem."
Everyone was busy coughing and avoiding Tae-soo's gaze.
In the end, the scarf couldn't escape Tae-soo's hands.
"It can't be helped. I'll have to return it later."
"Personally."
"……Yes. I'll return it directly to the children myself."
"Then go and come back safely."
James smiled warmly and told him to go safely.
Dr. Schmidt added one more thing.
"Shall I escort you to the temporary helipad?"
"Haha. It's alright."
"Then you should hurry and go. Everyone is waiting."
Dr. Schmidt urged Tae-soo with a meaningful smile.
Tae-soo was the type to keep his promises to patients even if a knife were held to his throat.
Everyone knew that, which was why they refused to take the scarf.
Tae-soo knew why everyone was acting this way as well, so he could only smile awkwardly.
Such conversation didn't last long either.
Tae-soo soon approached Jeong Min-su and Kim Hyuk-gwon.
Clack.
He slung his deployment bag over his shoulder and gave the two a signal.
"Attention."
"Ah, attention."
Clack.
Kim Hyuk-gwon stood up straight first, and Jeong Min-su followed a beat later.
Once the atmosphere was set, Tae-soo continued.
"Salute. We'll be back safely."
"We'll take care and be back."
"We'll take good care of the troublemaking doctors, so get some more shut-eye."
Bow.
They exchanged salutations brimming with individuality.