Chapter 13
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 13
Chapter Title: Monk (2)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
"Burp. Ahh~ That hit the spot."
"..."
He polished off the prepared meal in seconds, then scarfed down two more servings before finally letting out a satisfied belch. Professor Lee clung desperately to his fraying sanity, on the verge of collapse.
No way that tiny body can hold that much food, right? Professor Lee thought. He wasn't well-versed in the digestive system, but wouldn't the stomach rupture if it stretched that far? And those were adult-sized portions of regular food.
In other words, nearly three times what an average adult would eat.
"Surprised? It's because the main personality barely eats anything."
"...I see."
"Any other questions?"
"For now... none."
"Then, could you fetch my prayer beads?"
"Prayer beads?"
"Yeah. I need to at least say a prayer for the main personality."
"Understood."
Arriving at the PICU where A-yeon's room was to retrieve the prayer beads, Professor Lee spotted So-yun bawling her eyes out.
"Where's my little sister!"
"So-yun-ah... A-yeon had to move to another ward for a bit. She'll be back soon."
"...Really? It's not because she's really sick somewhere, right? She will come back?"
Even as tears streamed down her face, So-yun fretted over A-yeon. Her father forced a smile, hiding his awkwardness.
"Of course! Once the new meds you're on start working, she'll be back in no time! No more crying! There!"
"Okay... I'm not crying..."
Professor Lee inwardly sighed, thinking of Director Yu and Department Head Shin. He'd ridden the director's coattails to become a professor himself. How could he even think like that?
Outwardly, he's hailed as the greatest hospital director in Korean university hospital history.
But to Professor Lee, a psychiatrist, no one was more dangerous than Director Yu. His public facade and true nature were polar opposites—someone with astonishingly swift and meticulous judgment.
Still, quickly gauging that personality and riding the right line had been a smart move. Thanks to it, he'd snagged a full professorship, and come the next round of promotions, department head was in the bag.
He had to admit the man's ability. Professors who blindly followed without skill had been culled by Director Yu himself. He'd deemed them useless even if kept around.
That judgment was chillingly cold and precise. He'd flipped public opinion on those who badmouthed him as a politically appointed hack in one fell swoop. He perfectly fit the title of "hospital-first director."
Department Head Shin... looks like he's lost it.
Probably because the patient's original self reminded him of his own son. Coincidentally, Shin's boy had died in a car accident last year. No wonder his eyes were spinning.
Professor Lee understood, but how would he cope with the emotional drain every time he saw a young male patient?
Just focus on work. Time to write up that case report.
"Hm."
The video ended, and Director Yu shot Professor Lee a look. Quick on the uptake, Professor Lee delivered exactly what was expected.
"For now, this is it. It's not DID—more like an entirely new condition. The other personalities aren't attacking the main one, but... the patient needs help regulating those negative emotions. Long-term, once the main personality returns, I'll prescribe anti-anxiety meds."
"...It's because of me, isn't it?"
A-yeon's mother murmured in a trembling voice. Professor Lee flashed a practiced smile and took her hand.
"Ma'am, don't blame yourself too much. You were suffering too. In the end, when the main personality comes back, the only ones who can support her are family."
"Yeah, Mom. Don't beat yourself up. We'll apologize properly once she's back. I'll help."
"Sigh... Honey. The professor's right. Self-blame won't change a thing."
Professor Lee watched the teary family, eyes on Director Yu. What judgment will he make here? Astonishingly precise and cold. From a psychiatrist's view, prime research material.
All living things were selfish to a fault. Humans were no different—most judgments centered on self-interest. But not Director Yu. His calls were clean, impartial third-party verdicts. Sometimes, he seemed more machine than man.
-Bow.
"I'm sorry, ma'am."
"P-Pardon?"
"We misjudged. Even if the patient wanted it, we should've waited until your condition improved. Truly sorry."
"No, Director. Please, lift your head. We all knew she asked for Mom right away when she woke... If anything, we're the sorry ones."
Wow.
Professor Lee marveled inwardly. Meanwhile, Department Head Kim just stared blankly. True to form for someone who'd earned his post on merit, far from politics. If he'd been beside the director, he'd have bowed too.
"Thank you. And again, truly sorry."
Director Yu's eyes reddened slightly, hand half-covering them—a textbook picture of a good doctor. Professor Lee got chills.
How many papers does he want from this patient? He didn't even tear up during his election plea.
"Professor Lee."
"Yes, Director."
"Can the patient and family handle a meeting? Might be tough? Main personality's not back yet."
"Should be fine. This personality acts like a monk, as you saw in the video."
"I see. Professor Lee, you, and Department Head Kim talk to it first. If it says family's okay and you agree, we'll proceed."
"Yes, please. Thank you, doctors."
-Slide.
"Pardon the intrusion."
Director Yu, Professor Lee, and Department Head Kim entered, but the personality before them didn't stir. Hands clasped, eyes shut in prayer, as before.
"Mind if we talk briefly?"
Director Yu ventured cautiously. The golden personality slowly opened his eyes, gazing at him with serene golden irises, then spoke firmly.
"Hm. I'd prefer you leave."
"...Pardon?"
"You don't seem like a good person."
"What do you—"
After chatting smoothly with Professor Lee, this golden personality was giving him the boot. A crack appeared in Director Yu's kindly mask. Professor Lee was impressed. To crack that mask? This monk's no pushover.
"Didn't I say earlier? I was watching everything from inside."
"That..."
"You love setting everything up so you control it all, then watching it play out, right? That's a nasty hobby."
"...What did you say?"
"Got a problem with that?"
"No, you talked fine with Professor Lee. Give me a chance."
"Sheesh, gotta be blunt for you to get it? I just don't like you. Simple as that."
"What..."
"I don't like you. Got a problem? No? Then how about some water?"
"Gasp."
This monk was a tough opponent. Dad jokes targeted at Professor Lee and Department Head Kim's ages bombed them both into silence. The director's mood was off.
"Anyway. I don't like you. If you don't leave, I might just go to sleep myself?"
"...Understood. I'll go. But is Department Head Kim okay?"
His gaze shifted from Director Yu to Department Head Kim, and the monk grinned goofily.
"Aigoo, miss. You've had it rough."
"...Pardon?"
This monk... a flirt?
Director Yu stormed out, visibly fuming. He'd slap that mask back on for the family, no doubt.
"Aigoo, miss. Mind if this old man holds your hand?"
"Uh, sure?"
"Don't like old folks like me? Guess I can't help it... Dying alone it is..."
Department Head Kim's brain stalled. It was bizarre on video, but in person—face, voice, mannerisms—nothing matched.
What kind of monk was he back in Busan to act like this?
"Monk, enough joking? Department Head Kim has kids too."
"Tch, hate sharp ones. Still, miss, you've had it rough."
Professor Lee intervened, and the monk, tiring of the fun, clicked his tongue.
"Pardon? Rough how?"
"Must've been mentally exhausting? You took her to the roof for a mood boost when the main personality was struggling, right?"
"Ah... Yes... That's right."
"Did you save her from jumping off the roof? My awareness cut out when she vaulted the railing, so I don't know what happened after. Didn't sound like your voice."
"Oh, So-yun's dad grabbed her quick. I was... a bit—no, way too late. Sorry."
"Why apologize to me? Main personality owes you one. I tried to stop her, but her will was too strong."
"Sorry to interrupt, but can you restrain the main personality's actions?"
"Not impossible. But only to a limited degree. We're not truly separate personalities. We split from the main, but we're just her subsystems. Can't override a firm will from her. I get her feelings, though. From a monk's view, her actions then would've built bad karma. Wanted to stop it."
"...I see."
"In the end, if the main personality finds happiness, won't it all work out?"
"Easier said than done..."
"I'll try. Truth is, once the sleeping ones wake, even talking like this gets hard."
"Does the main personality's emotions affect which sub-personality takes control?"
"Love sharp ones. Exactly. The more negative emotions or intense impulses she feels, the less we calm, positive types can do. Speaking of, I'm hungry again."
"Already? You ate so much!"
Department Head Kim blurted in shock. Fair enough—that meal was three times an adult portion.
"Full control by a sub like us burns too much energy. Simply put, imagine living lugging a 20kg rice sack. Tough, right? I was gonna nap, but held out since you said you'd return. Closing eyes halves the drain, maybe... Hard to quantify exactly. Energy isn't easy to number."
"...I see."
"So, got any sweet snacks? Chewy ones, ideally."
"Uh, the guardian left some tteokkochi as a gift..."
"Ooh, miss. Mind sharing? Kinda wiped out here."
Department Head Kim pulled the tteokkochi from his coat and handed it over. The golden personality tore open the packaging and popped one in.
"Mmm. Wow~ Spicy-sweet perfection. Delicious!"
"..."
"..."
"Smack. Got another? Kinda lacking..."
"No more..."
"Darn."
"..."
"..."
This bizarre monk. A good personality, but weird. Professor Lee and Department Head Kim sighed in unison.