The Patient Who Cries Wolf

I opened my eyes to find myself standing at the end of the hallway in Ward 4.

The place where the Sex Counseling Room used to be.

Naturally, it had vanished again today.

There was nothing left but the storage room next to it.

Walking down the hallway, I recalled what had happened just a while ago.

Park Inyeong.

What an incredible woman.

She seemed so inexperienced, yet she transformed into someone so erotic. It felt like I was being milked dry. But is it really possible to change that much in such a short time?

Suddenly, the words I said at the end of the counseling session and what she said in the Room of Lust flashed through my mind.

"There are many helpful things on the internet..."

"I saw on the internet that doing it this way ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠makes it easier to get pregnant..."

Could it be that the things mentioned during the counseling session are pre-learned in the Room of Lust? Perhaps there’s some kind of learning effect.

Ah... my head hurts.

Whew, at least I ate well, so I'm full—

??

I’m not full.

Actually, I’m... hungry.

I’m exactly as I was when I left without eating breakfast!

The ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠manual’s text came to mind: 'Physical traces created in the Room of Lust disappear upon exiting.'

Did the feeling of fullness disappear because of that, too?

...I need to eat something, at least.

I thought about grabbing a quick bite in the commercial district in front of the hospital, but I just headed to the XX Cafe instead.

I’ll just settle for an iced Americano and a slice of cake, then head home. As for Mijin...

I’ll keep trying until her anger subsides.

"Here is your iced Americano and carrot cake."

The carrot cake I couldn't eat last time because they were sold out. Oh man, this looks delicious.

I took a sip of my Americano and watched the people in line. Days off are the best. This is my own little moment of relaxation at the workplace cafe!

...A moment that ended due to someone’s intervention.

"Excuse me."

Huh? The old gentleman I saw talking to Mijin yesterday at closing time?

"Yes? Who are you?"

"I am this person."

The business card he handed me had the words 'XO Company' written on it. XO Company? That’s the biggest corporation in the country.

"I am Park Sinang, the butler who serves the Chairman’s family."

"Oh, I see. But why are you talking to me..."

"May I sit for a moment?"

"Yes, please do."

What business could a man like this have with me?

"Yesterday... what happened between you and our Young Lady?"

"Excuse me? Young Lady?"

My brain started racing at lightning speed.

"Don't tell me, Mijin is the Young Lady..."

"You scoundrel! So you were targeting our Young Lady!"

Just as he was about to shout, Mijin appeared from behind.

"Grandpa!!"

She grabbed our hands and led us to the emergency exit stairs where there were no people.

"Huff, huff, huff..."

"Mijin...?"

When I called her name, she hurriedly let go of my hand. Her face was slightly flushed. Was it because she ran here?

"I saw you and Grandpa together..."

The hospital lobby has an open structure, so she must have seen us from upstairs.

"You scoundrel! How dare you target our Young Lady!!"

"I told you not to call me Grandpa! I’ll explain!"

"Young Lady. Such a shameless person..."

While the two of them were talking, my brain started ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠working again.

"I didn't do anything."

The two stopped talking and looked at me.

"Mijin got drunk yesterday, so I took her to a motel and left immediately. That’s really all there is to it."

"...How are we supposed to believe that..."

"I can even tell you which motel we went to. The owner saw us. He also saw me coming back down right away. It was a Friday night, so it wasn't a short stay; he’ll remember."

I was practically rapping. As I spoke rapidly without pausing, both of them went silent.

The old gentleman looked at Mijin as if to verify, and she nodded, her face turning red.

"And how did you know she was our Young Lady the moment I gave you my card?"

When I explained my deduction, he bowed his head.

"I was hasty. I apologize. The world is so dangerous these days..."

When he put it like that, I couldn't really say anything else.

"But how did you know I was the one who had dinner with Mijin yesterday?"

"I saw you two leaving the hospital together and followed you."

He was so blunt about it...

"But I lost you in the commercial district..."

Since she wasn't answering her phone and stayed out all night, he must have imagined all sorts of things.

"Anyway, we’re done now, right? No more misunderstandings? I’m going now."

"I am truly sorry."

I told him it was fine and slipped away. My energy was drained after all that. I really just want to go home and rest.

"Jeongsu!"

Mijin called out to me from behind.

"I'm really sorry."

"No... I'm the one who should apologize. I shouldn't have just left you at the motel..."

She looked flustered.

"Oh, no. I know you were just being considerate..."

"You were angry at me, so you avoided me today..."

At my words, her face turned red.

"That's... I was just embarrassed... so I avoided you..."

"Oh, really? You weren't angry?"

"...No."

She fidgeted with her fingers and avoided my gaze.

"Ha... that's a relief."

"We’ve cleared up the misunderstanding between us! Let’s see each other with a smile tomorrow!"

She was back to her usual self. She really is cute.

"Yes. Then I’ll head home..."

"Yes. See you tomorrow."

I felt closer to her. And to think Mijin is the heiress of 'XO Company'... It’s absolutely shocking.

I searched for it on my way home, but nothing came up. Don't the owner families of famous companies usually appear in searches? That’s strange. Eh, what does it matter? I’ll just go home and enjoy my day off!

‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

But I feel like I’ve forgotten something important...

...Ah! My carrot cake!!

Ring-a-ling~~ Ring-a-ling~

I woke up to the sound of my morning alarm. I came back yesterday and slept all day... Let’s just say I was catching up on accumulated fatigue.

Wash up. Simple breakfast. Hellish subway commute. A perfect start to the workday.

"Good morning."

"Welcome."

As I entered the 'Nursing Department,' Mijin greeted me. Our eyes met, and we both awkwardly looked away.

"Is Nurse Junsu here?"

"Yes, Head Nurse. Good morning."

After a brief briefing, we went to our respective wards to do our work. I’m one of the few male nurses, but my tasks are limited. There are patients who feel uncomfortable with men, and the perception isn't exactly great, either.

Because of that, male nurses are often assigned to busy, difficult places that everyone else avoids. But I was assigned to general ward duties. I guess I’m lucky.

"There's a call from patient Geum Narae in room 205."

"I'll go."

"Ah..."

Of course, the youngest one has to go to things like this! Mijin seemed like she wanted to say something, but I moved quickly.

When I entered the room, a woman who looked to be in her early 20s stared at me. Purple hair? That’s a rare dye job. Her name is... Geum Narae.

So she’s the patient who called me.

"Yes, is there anything bothering you?"

"I... um..."

"Yes, please go ahead. If I make you uncomfortable, should I call another female nurse?"

Since many female patients dislike male nurses, this has become my go-to line.

"No. Um..."

Why is she hesitating so much?

"Please pick up the remote for me."

"...Excuse me?"

"The. Re.mote. Pick it up for me."

I looked at the remote, which was within arm's reach if she just stretched out her hand. Ha... it wasn't a nurse call, it was a fake call. At such a young age... sigh.

"Here you go. Please call me if you need anything else."

Normally, I should be firm about this. But I’m a male nurse, and I’m the youngest. If I refuse, I’ll get nitpicked over nothing, complaints will be filed, and the Head Nurse will get angry... Sigh... I’ll just be the good guy and endure it.

When I returned, Mijin spoke to me.

"It was another prank, wasn't it?"

"Yes. But again?"

"That patient has been doing that since yesterday."

"What is she even hospitalized for?"

"...I shouldn't really say, but... the doctor in charge says it's malingering..."

As I shook my head, Mijin smiled. Yes, that’s the smile I wanted to keep seeing.

"Stop chatting and get back to work."

Our happy time ended at the sound of the Head Nurse’s voice from behind. Tsk, just you wait.

While working, I ran into Park Inyeong walking with Haeun in the hallway. She bowed her head slightly to greet me. I returned the greeting and passed by. She must remember yesterday’s events as a dream.

"Inyeong."

A man’s voice called her from behind. This voice? It’s the husband from yesterday. Looking back, they both had happy expressions on their faces. That’s what a family is, right?

6:00 PM. The workday is over. But my day isn't over yet. My footsteps headed toward Ward 4.

Sex Counseling Room.

I decided to accept this naturally now. Self-rationalization? No. Seeing Park Inyeong today made me realize it for sure. What I’m doing is helping them. Helping the patients who are suffering because they can’t satisfy their desires and lusts.

I’m used to it now. As soon as I pressed button number 1, a signal sound flowed out.

Beep... static... screech...

??

That patient who pulled the fake call earlier?