Chapter 95
Chapter 95
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: uly
Chapter: 95
Chapter Title: Christmas Eve at the University Hospital (1)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
It was early December, the cusp of winter when even the slightest breath formed a puff of mist in the air.
Professor Do Jeong-ho of the Pediatrics Department at Han Young University Hospital was making his usual rounds in the children's ward, chart in hand.
“How was Jin-ho last night? Did he sleep okay?”
“Yeah, Doctor! There were robots in my dream yesterday, and cats too. But no doctor.”
“Oh dear, is that so? Next time, maybe the doctor will show up too.”
When making rounds in the children's ward, it was crucial to keep an especially bright expression and cheerful tone.
For kids who should be out running around at that age, one of the highlights of their stuffy hospital life was rounds time.
They loved it when the cool doctor came by so kindly to ask if they were hurting anywhere or how yesterday's treatment went. It probably made them feel cared for.
Kids were quick to open up and smile at even a little kindness and warmth like that. Seeing them suffer through illness like this tugged at Do Jeong-ho's heart.
And the last patient of the day: thirteen-year-old Ha Seul-gi, battling leukemia.
Do Jeong-ho knocked twice on the door before entering.
Seul-gi was sitting up in bed, intently watching something on her laptop. She was so absorbed she didn't even notice him come in.
“Hey, Seul-gi. The doctor's here.”
“Hello, our Seul-gi.”
“Oh! Hello, Doctor.”
Only after her mother gave her a nudge and Do Jeong-ho greeted her first did Seul-gi finally turn to him.
Do Jeong-ho smiled warmly at her.
“What were you watching so seriously?”
“Oh, my favorite idol! They're called EverPlanet. They're super handsome, and their singing is amazing. Wanna see, Doctor?”
“Ooh, if Seul-gi likes them this much, now I'm curious too. Show me.”
“Here! Totally handsome, right?”
Do Jeong-ho stared at the laptop screen Seul-gi handed him. A video played of seven incredibly handsome young men dancing and singing on stage.
Seul-gi's mother, sitting in the chair beside the bed, let out a hearty chuckle.
“A while back, Seul-gi saw them on that classic song festival on TV and turned into a total superfan…”
“I see, our Seul-gi. That's great news.”
Having even one thing to love so passionately could strengthen the will to live.
A patient's own drive for life was the greatest force in treatment.
So, developing such an enthusiastic interest was definitely a positive sign.
“Seul-gi, any pain anywhere last night?”
“Nope. I did my treatment like a champ.”
“Wow, good job. I'm so proud of you, our Seul-gi.”
“Once I'm all better, I can go see the EverPlanet oppas! So I'll work hard on my treatments until the surgery.”
With that pure, childlike smile, Seul-gi turned back to her laptop.
Her eyes sparkled brighter than ever as she watched the young man belting out the song.
Do Jeong-ho told her to keep up with today's treatment too, then left the room.
On his way back from rounds to the clinic for appointments.
As he walked silently down the hospital corridor, he suddenly spoke to the nurse following him.
“Nurse Kim.”
“Yes, Professor.”
“Our children's ward Christmas show again this year? You know, like last year and the year before.”
“Yes, it's scheduled for Christmas Eve evening, same as always.”
Do Jeong-ho fell silent at her response. He seemed lost in serious thought.
After a moment, he stroked his chin and spoke.
“At that time, do you think we could invite that idol group Seul-gi likes?”
“Pardon?”
“If possible, even if it costs extra. She's got a bone marrow transplant coming up, and seeing her favorite group perform before surgery could really help her prognosis. We usually invite an idol act anyway.”
Of course, if their schedule didn't allow it, there was nothing to be done… Do Jeong-ho muttered to himself, tapping his chart with his fingers.
The nurse nodded as if she understood.
“I'll mention it to the event organizers, Professor.”
“Thanks, Nurse Kim. Now, off to see patients.”
“Yes, Professor.”
As Do Jeong-ho headed to the clinic, he recalled the day Seul-gi was first diagnosed with leukemia and admitted.
Back then, she'd seemed to have lost all hope in life, just staring silently out the window.
Compared to that, she was so much brighter now.
'I hope we can book them.'
Picturing Seul-gi's beaming face as she watched the idol group's video, Do Jeong-ho smiled faintly.
It would be nice to give a child worn down by long illness even a moment of joy.
* * *
After that real meeting with Lee Jae, EverPlanet—and I—grew even busier.
It was thanks to our appearance on the classic song festival and the OST for the drama *Han-cheol's Winter*.
My days became filled with riding the van around the country, performing at big local events and K-pop concerts hosted in various places.
Manager hyung said that thanks to our rising recognition, invitations were pouring in from all sorts of events.
On the busiest days, we'd do a morning stage in Chuncheon, an afternoon one in Daegu, then rush back to Seoul.
I remember one day being so hectic I couldn't tell if food was going in my mouth or my nose.
'Still, being this insanely busy beats having nothing to do by a mile.'
Getting busy was as good as a green light for group activities.
So none of us—not me, not the members—complained. If anything, we loved it.
Time flowed on like running water, and before I knew it, year-end had snuck up.
We finally had a day off, so we all sat around the table for breakfast.
The menu was Park Su-rim's soybean sprout soup and assorted side dishes.
Park Su-rim's cooking seemed to get better every day. I thought to myself as I savored the perfectly seasoned braised beef. Anyway, delicious is always right. Satisfying.
Then, Han Tae-hee, sitting across from me, stared blankly at the calendar on the wall by the table and muttered.
“Wow. Christmas is next week already.”
“No way.”
“Time flies.”
Yeah. It really does.
Realizing it had been about six months since our debut hit me strangely.
At that moment, Teddy, who was slurping up soybean sprout soup, swallowed a mouthful and asked brightly.
“What are we doing for Christmas?”
“We've probably got a schedule, Teddy.”
“Ugh… But I wanna make Christmas special.”
At Teddy's whiny tone, Han Tae-hee scolded in a stern voice.
“Hey now. For idols, holidays are just workdays.”
“But this is our first Christmas together as EverPlanet. That's why I want it to be special.”
“Give up and feel better, Teddy hyung.”
With Kim Kwang-myeong chiming in, Teddy pouted and picked at a grain of rice.
It was kinda cute, so I couldn't help but chuckle.
That afternoon, though, we heard about a truly special Christmas plan from CEO Oh.
“A performance at Han Young University Hospital?”
“More precisely, a charity show at their children's ward. The hospital reached out first—they've got kids who've been hospitalized long-term for treatment. They want us to perform for them on Christmas Eve evening.”
Whoa. I widened my eyes at CEO Oh's words.
What a meaningful opportunity.
When would we get another chance to perform for kids in a children's hospital?
The others seemed to think the same, looking intrigued as they spoke up.
“Wow, that sounds really meaningful, CEO.”
“Yeah. When else would we get a chance like this?”
“I agree.”
“So we're performing for sick kids on Christmas Eve? That's awesome! We have to do it. It'll be the most special Christmas ever!”
Teddy, who had wanted a special Christmas, shouted with eyes sparkling even brighter.
Seeing everyone's positive response, CEO Oh nodded with a pleased smile.
“Since you're all so willing, it makes me happy too. Alright. I'll let the hospital know we're in.”
And so, we decided to perform at Han Young University Children's Hospital on Christmas Eve.
Next up: deciding what songs to do. We gathered in a circle in the practice room and started brainstorming.
Our leader, Park Su-rim, took charge and steered the discussion.
“The hospital sent over some info—they want us to spend about 20 to 30 minutes with the kids. Songs don't matter much in number, but it'd be great if they're ones the kids can enjoy comfortably. That's what it says here.”
“For kids to enjoy comfortably, maybe kids' songs?”
“Christmas carols would be the safest bet since it's Christmas.”
“I agree with Jae-oh hyung.”
I nodded along with Lee Jae-oh's words, adding my support.
No Christmas show is complete without carols.
Then Kim Kwang-myeong thumped his chest proudly.
“Carol medley it is, then. I'll handle the piano.”
“Ooh! Should I play guitar?”
Teddy on guitar? Surprised by the unexpected suggestion, I tilted my head.
“You know guitar too, Teddy?”
“Of course, Jae. I'm good.”
Huh. I'd never seen him play before, so I had no idea.
Now I was curious about Teddy's guitar skills. Gotta ask him to show me before the show.
While I was thinking that, Park Su-rim wrote 'Carol Medley' on a sheet of paper, tapped it with her pen, and continued.
“Okay. Carol medley confirmed. But we've got our own songs too—we can't just do carols. We should throw in a few of ours.”
“Right. We're idols, after all. Gotta do some. How about *Dye Me*?”
“*Dye Me* is good, but is it okay for the kids? They're sick, so what if it's too loud?”
At Go Eun-young's point, Han Tae-hee clamped his mouth shut, clearly not having considered that.
Sure, *Dye Me* was relatively tame compared to *EverPlanet*, but with its drum beat, it might still sound noisy live.
That's when Teddy spoke up with a big grin.
“Then let's do album tracks! We've got tons of good ones.”
“Yeah.”
“How about this one? That album track…”
With Teddy's idea, everyone started sharing their favorite album tracks.
After about ten minutes of discussion, we settled on the songs for the kids.
From then on, we practiced the carol medley in bits between schedules.
Time flew by, and before long, Christmas Eve was right around the corner.