Jihyo had always known she was cut out for general surgery. Even during med school, while others fawned over specialties like cardiology or pediatrics, she had her sights set on one thing: surgery. She loved the precision, the adrenaline, the idea that with her hands, she could fix what was broken. And today, she was finally getting a chance to prove it.
Assigned to General Surgery for the day, Jihyo was ready to show everyone that she was the best intern they had. She stood in front of the mirror in the scrub room, pulling her hair back into a tight ponytail, her expression determined.
“I’ve waited for this,” she muttered to herself. “Let’s do this.”
---
The general surgery floor buzzed with activity, but Jihyo moved through it like she belonged there—because she did. There was no hesitation in her step as she made her way to the OR board to check the day’s schedule.
"Appendectomy at 10:00 a.m., cholecystectomy at 11:30, bowel resection at 2:00," she read aloud to herself, her fingers lightly tapping on the clipboard. Each case excited her in different ways, the potential for hands-on work and learning was enormous.
"Park," came the familiar voice of Dr. Kim Heechul, the attending surgeon who was something of a legend in the hospital. He was known for his surgical brilliance, his dry wit, and his complete intolerance for incompetence. "You ready?"
Jihyo straightened immediately. "Yes, Dr. Kim. I’ve been ready since I got here."
He smirked slightly, appreciating her confidence. "Good. Today’s your big day. You assist in the appendectomy. If you do well, we’ll see how far we can push you."
Jihyo’s heart leaped in her chest, but she kept her expression cool. This was it. Her chance.
---
In the OR, the bright lights reflected off the surgical tools, and the air was thick with the usual combination of antiseptic and adrenaline. Jihyo stood across from Dr. Kim, eyes sharp, hands steady, absorbing everything. She didn’t miss a beat as they began the appendectomy.
"Scalpel," Dr. Kim said calmly, holding out his hand.
Jihyo was quick to respond, placing the tool in his hand with practiced precision. She watched every movement he made, from the first incision to the careful navigation around the patient’s organs. He moved with the grace of someone who had done this thousands of times, and Jihyo was determined to mimic that same grace.
"Park, do you see where the appendix is here?" Heechul asked, tilting the patient’s abdomen slightly to give her a better view.
"Yes, sir," Jihyo replied immediately, her eyes focused on the inflamed organ.
"Good. I’m going to let you take it from here. Step up."
Jihyo’s heart raced, but she didn’t let it show. She had prepared for this. Months of study, of practice, of dreaming about this exact moment. She stepped forward, taking control of the instruments.
"Careful," Heechul warned, though his voice wasn’t harsh. "One wrong move, and you could puncture something vital."
"I know," Jihyo replied, her voice steady. With her fingers guided by a mix of instinct and training, she began the delicate work of removing the appendix. It was surreal, knowing that a real life was in her hands, but she loved it. This was her element.
"Nice," Heechul commented, watching her work. "You’ve got a good feel for this, Park. Keep it up."
Jihyo didn’t let herself smile. Not yet. There was still work to be done.
