Different World, Jinjoo

Chapter 1 - The Lost Girl

Yujin's POV

"Can you do rounds on those two?"

I looked at the two patients lying on the hospital beds. They have been here since last month.

Coma patients to be exact.

Even with doctors around, no one knows why they're in deep sleep. Heart rate was stable, systems are healthy.

Everything was there but they lacked active brain waves.

I hesitated but said, "Sure." The senior walked out of the area. He's my senior from medical school and I'm currently in his team as a resident.

Here we have to complete a few years before actually getting called doctors.

Took me a while to get here but being here is all that matters.

I walked to the side of the bed, checking on the patient's vitals. Everything looks great, just needs a little more of the magic fluid.

That's what I call the IV drip. It fuels the motionless body anyway.

"Nurse Lee," I called out before asking her to change out the bags.

Once I'm done doing my rounds, I walked out the sliding doors toward where the vending machine is.

Now's a good time for coffee after being on the night shift a few hours ago.

When I was dropping the coins into the slot, I noticed someone in the corner of my eye.

She had hair almost to her waist, fully dressed in a hospital gown. Totally normal since it's the hospital.

But what felt off was how she looked completely lost as if she didn't know where she was.

My thoughts got distracted when I heard a beep. My coffee's done.

I opened the compartment and gently retrieved the hot paper cup, looking back at where the girl or lady was.

She was just aimlessly walking around.

Since I have the time, why not bring her wherever she wants to go?

I walked to her. "Ma'am?" she looked at me instantly, flinching by the close proximity.

"Are you lost?"

She stares at me without saying anything. I looked at her from head to toe, wondering why she was in the hospital despite appearing awfully fine.

Not to be quick to judge, she might have internal difficulties.

She finally nods hesitantly. "Do you remember where you came from?" I pointed around.

She shook her head and looked shocked for some reason.

I nodded. "I'll bring you to the counter to scan your wristband."

I was about to guide her properly but she shifts away. I guess she dislikes physical contact but that's fine with me.

I smiled, not wanting her to feel intimidated. "Well, just follow me."

Before I could even walk one step, she runs the opposite direction.

"Ma'am? Ma'am!" I got confused but didn't chase after her.

There'll be other staff around anyway.

I shrugged and sipped on my piping hot coffee. "Oh, this is good." I then dragged my feet back to the lounge.

My neck hurts. Pretty average on a daily basis. Thank god I didn't get dumped into the emergency room right after my internship ended.

I heard people there don't get sleep.

The moment I entered the lounge, I saw a few other residents doing their own stuff. Some of them were resting and having their lunch.

I took a seat on my desk and settled the cup on the table before dragging a long sigh out of my lungs.

"Just finished your rounds?"

I turned to see Hyewon. She's two years before me. "Yes."

She then looked at me with the intention of asking me to do something. "Do you want to help me chart some graphs? I have a few patients to settle."

"Again?"

She smiles, shaking me. "You're great with graphs."

"They're tedious. You're always leaving me with tedious work." I complained.

This isn't the first time she's asked me to do things for her. But I do learn in the process.

"Please? I'll treat you to hotpot."

I immediately sat up. "You said that yourself." I pointed at her. "Where's the files?"

I stood up, ready to do whatever she tells me to do. "Over there."

I walked to where she pointed and there were only a few. I came back as she instructed me on the specific things to input.

"These are coma patients." she starts.

"Again?"

"Why? Did Kihyun ask you to cover his rounds in that room again?"

I nodded. "Being there gives me chills," I said, shivering.

Sometimes it just feels as if their souls are around me despite their bodies being on the bed. Just a feeling. I don't believe in these things.

"Anyway." She opens the first file. "Just go through these and key in the exact same things."

I nodded while she stands up. "I'm going to go do my rounds."

"Okay."

She left as I start looking through the hospital database for this particular patient I'm about to work on.

"Kim Minju..." I chanted, clicking and scrolling, finally seeing her name pop up.

Oh damn, she's a VIP patient. Don't VIP patients go straight to private doctors here? Why is Hyewon doing all this?

I clicked on the name and got confused the moment I saw what she looked like.

Isn't this the girl I saw earlier?

I took a closer look just to make sure. This Kim Minju is a coma patient, isn't she?

She has the same hair, eyes, nose, and lips. This is practically the same patient I saw earlier.

The girl who looked lost.

Am I seeing things?

I must be too tired. I ignored everything and continued keying in the data.

However, the similarity is uncanny.

But that could just mean they're doppelgängers. There are plenty in this world.

I did only have a brief sight of her earlier.

—

can you guess the plot? 🤔