Chapter Text
MAY 2019
As his pace got nearer to the park, Jeong Won noticed that they are now eating together. Did she cook for him? Really? And that smile, what is she smiling about? Nope, none of my business. Abort. Abort. Shit, why did my marathon have to be interrupted today? WHY?
THAT MORNING
Jeong Won was really looking forward to this marathon. The last time he went for a really good run was in March, just a few weeks before his father passed. He remembered the picture perfect scene he saw while he was running but immediately distracted himself from his memory. While he was preparing to run, Jeong Won got an emergency text, and soon enough he was on his way to the hospital. When he went back to his office, he discovered that Ik Jun and Jun Wan already saw his application letter. Wow, so this is happening he thought. He’s going to be a --
“Ow Gyeoul, hi.” Ik Jun said answering his phone.
What? Gyeoul?
“Sure, I collected a lot of those,” said Ik Jun.
How are these two so close already? Seriously. Wait, why do I care?
These were the words running in Jeong Won’s mind while Ik Jun was going to meet up with Gyeoul in the hospital. “Exactly what did he collect to show her, huh?”
Ik Jun ended the call. He then got up and took a selfie with Jeong Won and Jun Wan giving the lamest excuse that it’s because Jeong Won would be leaving and left the room. Now this seems suspicious. Ik Jun out of all people, ask for a selfie?
“Is he having an affair with Jang Gyeoul?” Jun Wan blurted out a question that immediately got Jeong Won’s attention.
“Pfft. Please,” said Jeong Won.
“I’m just saying, she’s a genius right? Ik Jun has a thing for smart girls," said Jun Wan.
“If he wants to be in an affair, that’s his problem. Jang Gyeoul on the other hand…”
“What? What about her?”
“None of my business.”
“Really?”
“Yes, really.”
“All right, then.” Jun Wan slide over to his desk and began to concentrate on his computer.
Jeong Won, being even more curious, started to debate in his head whether or not to follow Ik Jun. I should check right? He’s my best friend, she’s my resident, I’m basically a concerned mentor. After a minute or so, Jeong Won finally got up.
“You know, I think I’m going to get something to eat,” Jeong Won said, exiting the room.
Jun Wan saw his friend leave and responded “Of course you are,” after the door closed and smiled.
As he was walking to the cafeteria, Jeong Won couldn’t ignore the fact he wanted to know where Ik Jun and Gyeoul was. He passed through the walls and to the center of the hospital and spotted them sitting by each other from his floor through the glass windows. Why do they need to be so close? There is a lot of space!
Jeong Won’s mind is starting to talk again. They're just friends, Ik Jun is not having an affair, and I’m just checking up, he is my best friend after all. God, what am I doing? Why am I here?
*pushes button to go down the elevator.
As his pace got nearer to the park, Jeong Won noticed that they are now eating together. Did she cook for him? Really? And that smile, what is she smiling about? Nope, none of my business. Abort. Abort. Shit, why did my marathon have to be interrupted today? WHY?
*Pulls the door anyway.
“Ya, Ik Jun. Give me a cigarette,” Jeong Won demanded.
Gyeoul got up and immediately bowed and walked past him. Somehow, Jeong Won’s eyes and head turned and followed her to the door. Quickly realizing his dumb move, he went straight to Ik Jun.
“Not with Gyeoul out of all people,”
Slowly judging, Ik Jun’s detective mode was on and he slowly examined his best friend eating Yukjeon with his bare hands in a single bite with a concerned look on his face.
“What do you think of Gyeoul?” Ik Jun asked calmly.
“What?”
“Gyeoul, what do you think of her?” Ik Jun repeated.
Jeong Won looked at Ikjun while silently thinking why the hell did he just ask him that? Unconsciously, he took another bite of the Yukjeon with his bare hands and said;
“Why do you care what I think of her?”
“Why do you care if I'm having an affair with her?”
“What?!?”
Hah! Ikjun got his attention. Now, Ikjun can really see that Jeong Won is more interested in this conversation then he expected.
“You said, not with Gyeoul out of all people. Are you implying that I’m having an affair with her? And if I was, as a friend, shouldn’t you say something like “You can’t have an affair. Not you, out of all people,” regardless who it’s with?
“Ik Jun, this conversation is ridiculous.”
“You’re ridiculous”
“So you’re not having an affair?”
“Why would I have an affair with a resident in the same hospital and department as my best friend, huh?”
“That is true. Okay. I’m sorry if I implied something totally ridiculous”.
“You prick, you still haven’t answered my question.”
“You prick, it’s none of your damn business. Besides, we haven’t worked that much for me to really comment.”
“And yet, she’s not your cup of tea,” Ik Jun said teasing.
Jeong Won stopped, and sighed of disbelief.
“You know what I like? These. I’m taking these.”
Jeong Won grabbed Gyeoul’s leftover Yukjeon all to himself and walked away.
Ik Jun watched his friend take Gyeoul’s lunch box, smiling and couldn’t wait to see what happens next. For that, he needs to time his entrance perfectly. Jeong Won walked down the hallway and was headed for the GS room to get some files. When he walked in, the room was empty, so he decided to eat the rest of the Yukjeon there. Besides, there was no way he wanted to share it with Jun Wan.
“It’s empty. Nice!” Jeong Won got himself some chopsticks, and water and began eating all by himself. He was wondering where Gyeoul went after he interrupted her talk with Ik Jun, but gosh, this Yukjeon is really good. Not too many eggs, can taste the garlic and sesame oil and are very soft too. “Wow. I can eat this all day,” he thought.
Suddenly, the door opened, and it made Jeong Won swallow one piece of Yukjeon without chewing. He began to cough. “My Gosh, look who’s having a fiest all to himself?” Ik Jun teased. Entering the room was Ik Jun, Gyeoul, dr. Bae Jin and dr. Ji Hoon.
“Wahh, dr Jeong Won has someone to cook for him I see. She must be very talented,” said Ji Hoon. Jeong Won, recovering from his sudden choke, decided to just smile.
“How is it Jeong Won? The Yukjeon?” Ik Jun asked while giving a “natural” glare at Gyeoul.
“Oh yes, it’s very good,” Jeong Won replied.
“Of course it’s good. It’s free! You like free stuff,” teased Ik Jun.
“Hey Gyeoul, next time you bring Yukjeon, tell him to pay and we’ll see if Jeong Won still says it’s good.”
“No. It’s good. You cooked this?” Jeong Won asked.
“Yes,” Gyeoul replied with a rather embarrassed smile.
“Wait, you made him this and you didn’t make one for me?” demanded Bae Jin.
“Now this is wrong Gyeoul---” said Ji Hun.
“So wrong Gyeoul--” said Ik Jun
“We should have our separate boxes you know, I will not tolerate this,” Bae Jin said like a jealous father.
The whole room burst with laughter that Sunday afternoon. With praises of Gyeoul’s cooking. Both Gyeoul and Jeong Won stole missed glances at each other but at least he got to see her that day and learned a fun fact. She can cook Yukjeon.