Chapter 7
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 7
Chapter Title: So-yun
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Heavy silence always comes to an end eventually. Dad and Sis had persistently tried to convince me, but my answer didn't change.
"It's a heart transplant to begin with. There's a high chance of dying during surgery. I just want to spend her last moments together."
"Ha-jin-ah..."
"..."
"Dad, let's drop it. A transplant requires a donor anyway. Mom's awake now, so we should explain the situation to her first."
"...Alright, for now. We'll go together once visiting hours are allowed, Ha-jin-ah."
"...Yeah."
-Rattle.
"Oh, guardians. Visiting hours are over now..."
"Ah, yes, got it. We'll head out."
"...We'll talk later."
"...Go. I want to sleep. I'm tired."
With that, Dad and Sis left the room, and I buried my face in the innocent pillow over and over. Ah, I can't see a thing ahead.
"...What should I do, Monk?"
Can I even live like this?
[NAME - NONE / F / AGE - NONE / RH+ AB]
"...How's that patient doing?"
The hospital director cautiously asked Professor Hwang. Professor Hwang's voice held a hint of hesitation, but he firmly stated that the heart transplant was absolutely necessary.
"Mm, Cardiology agrees as well."
"What about Transplant Surgery? Anyone stepping up to lead?"
"They say pediatric hearts are tricky, so it has to be you, Professor Hwang..."
"I'm turning 60 soon. This is elder abuse. Fine, I'll do it. No one else will."
"What's the table death risk?"
"For a typical pediatric patient with no major issues besides the heart, around 20%. But... I'm not even sure we can call this patient a child. I still can't believe it. I've looped the CCTV footage so many times. In over 30 years as a doctor, this is a first."
"It's fascinating, for sure. World-first case. No related data anywhere, even after searching. A natural gender swap."
"And the body shrank too. Looked like a classic malnourished little girl to me."
"Is that so?"
"Bones had that soft, kid-like feel. Amazing... Full-body photos show everything shrank—bones, organs... Teeth reverted to baby ones too?"
"Mm... We haven't run all the tests yet... Professor Hwang, the nurses don't know the full situation. Only you, me, Professor Lee from Psychiatry, and the department heads."
"Top secret?"
"For now. We might share with a few more during exams, but keeping it to department head level minimum."
"Well, once a donor shows up, we'll schedule. Nominal attending is Head Kim, but not a heart specialist, so call me if issues arise. What do we call the patient? It's listed as 'NONE'?"
"We'll check with the guardians. Take care, Professor Hwang."
"Yeah, you too."
I ate the porridge for lunch and slowly examined my body again. So small, way too small. I still wasn't sure if this was a dream, reality, or some hidden camera prank like in those movies.
If this was a movie set, it might make sense? They told me not to leave the PICU. Step out, and maybe the set reveals itself? Should I try leaving the single room?
-Click.
I slipped on the now tiny slippers and used the IV stand for support to get out of bed. Before the change, I couldn't even sit up without Sis helping. A little reassuring, at least.
No more Sis quitting work to nurse me full-time. I looked around the single room. No different from an isolation ward.
That's when I noticed the ID tag by the bed.
[NAME - NONE / F / AGE - NONE / RH+ AB]
Name and age unknown. Only gender as female and blood type listed. Strangely, no emotions stirred.
Felt like emotions were missing. Alone in this space, a weird sense of isolation crept up, so I hurried to the door like fleeing.
-Rattle.
"Waaah!"
"?"
A skinny girl in a beanie and patient gown appeared as I slid the door open, screaming.
"So-yun-ah! You again!"
"Eek! Witch nurse!"
A middle-aged nurse flew over.
That was my first meeting with So-yun.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa! You're super pretty! Okay, from now on, you're White Princess!"
"...What?"
So-yun had that wild energy typical of her age. Already draining... How does such a tiny body hold this much?
"Snow White? Nah, my friend already claimed that. Nickname clash!"
"...Wait, do you even know me?"
"Nope! No clue!"
"Sigh... Never mind. Why were you waiting outside?"
"'Cause I was watching?"
Tough. Conversation not flowing.
How old is she anyway? Same age as me? She's... shorter.
"Anyway, I'm Jin So-yun! What's your name?"
"...Not sure yet."
"Why? Why don't you know your name?"
"Uh... Mm. Been really sick lately, so they say I need a new one."
Not bad for an on-the-spot excuse.
"Oh? Really? Then I need a new one too!"
"...You sick a lot too?"
"Nah! Not really!"
So-yun answered with a bright smile. Cute smile. Kids that age are all cute, I guess.
"Then I'll call you White Princess!"
"Just... call me Seol. Don't know the first name, but last name's Seol."
"Seol? Snow? Your eyes are pretty like snow... And your hair's all white! How about Milky? Whitey works too!"
"...Huh."
Like I'm some dog. I couldn't help a dumbfounded chuckle. Isn't Whitey the name for some kindergartener's pet?
"Anyway, White Princess! How old are you?"
"...You first?"
"Total Ice Princess! Let's go with Ice Princess!"
Super positive kid, So-yun. Problem is, she's draining my energy! She dodges questions and just rambles, so no real talk.
Brain heating up. The veteran nurse from earlier looked at me pityingly. She's been through it too. I played along to keep chatting.
"Honestly, it's lonely here with no friends. Ward's mostly babies. Even kids my age don't last long."
True, glancing around, mostly under 3. But So-yun, you look like a baby to me too...
So-yun spilled everything she'd held back, rapid-fire. Nurse? Why the refreshed look, like heartburn vanished?
"I'm 12! You?"
"Same age."
"What? You're my little sis, right? Right? Ice Little Sis, call me Big Sis from now on~?"
Big Sis? Word I'd never said in my life.
"We're same age. I'll call you So-yun."
"No! Call me Nickname Heavenly Demon!"
...When did elementary kids start with that? Heavenly Demon is just Heavenly Demon, what's Nickname Heavenly Demon? Coughing blood here.
"Ha... Fine, Nickname Heavenly Demon. Happy?"
"Add Big Sis! Trying to slip by?"
Insane. Accepting this? Her name's So-yun, pretty name, why? Chat kept going.
Mostly her hyped stories, me listening.
12? Fifth grade? How's such a lively kid here? This is ICU?
"Okay, So-yun-ah~ Time for meds~"
"Eek! Witch nurse! Run, Ice Little Sis!"
"So-yun-ah, Dad's coming tomorrow morning~ This witch might tattle if you're bad? Take meds and sleep~?"
The nurse said with a sly grin... not witch. Veteran technique, scratching just right.
"Urk...! Damn it, Nickname Heavenly Demon Jin So-yun like this...! Ice Little Sis! Come tomorrow after breakfast! Or I'll die of boredom!"
Whoever named her that, wanna see their face. Read fake wuxia, not real stuff?
As a true wuxia fan, unforgivable. Real orthodox wuxia? A martial artist possessing a Busan Whales player throwing 160km/h two-seamers and hitting 60 homers. That's it.
Yep. Alias: Busan Heavenly Demon. Perfect novel title. Busan Heavenly Demon Crushes Baseball. 3 million Whales fans couldn't resist buying.
"Our So-yun, good with the doctors? Took meds well?"
"Of course! When's Dad coming?"
"...Can't stay long. Sorry."
"Nuh-uh, it's fine! Dad's busy!"
"...Who's the kid next to you? Uh, hi for now?"
"Ice Little Sis!"
"...Please call her Seol. Transferred to the ward yesterday. Chatted with So-yun a bit."
"Speech is so... Uh, never mind. Chatting with our So-yun?"
Skinny but gentle-eyed dad behind the mask gave a wry smile, trailing off. You know your daughter's energy.
"Yes..."
"Mm... Sorry on her behalf, okay? Hair... rare disease? Ah, sorry, shouldn't ask."
"It's fine. Diagnosed as... albinism, for now."
"You have it rough too..."
Jin So-yun's father looked at me with reddening eyes. Seeing a similar case, emotions stirred. Total dad type.
"Anyway, Dad! She hates Ice Little Sis! What then?"
"Uh? Well? Snow White? Last name's Seol too."
Ah, found the terrible naming culprit. Genes don't lie.
"Aaaah...!"
That instant, So-yun clutched her head, groaning in pain, collapsing forward.
-Grab!
Dad reflexively hugged her and yelled.
"Help our girl!!"
-Yes!!
Staff rushed in, taking So-yun from his arms, hooking up machines. So sudden...?
"Ah...! Ack!! Dad, Dad..."
"So-yun-ah, Dad's here. Hang on a bit, okay?"
"Yeah, I... I'm good at enduring..."
Watching the tearful father-daughter exchange, I spotted So-yun's bed tag.
[NAME Jin So-yun / F / AGE 12 / RH+ AB / Glioblastoma]
What kind of disease is this?