Jihyo's Pov
Being the best isn't always as glorious as people think. It's not just about standing on top-it's the weight of expectations that come with it. The higher you climb, the more people stare, waiting for you to slip, waiting to say, "See, they're not that special after all."
The worst part? Sometimes, it's the people closest to you, the ones you thought would be the happiest for you, who resent you the most. No one ever talks about that. How being at the top can be the loneliest place, especially when all you want is for someone to appreciate what you've worked so hard for, instead of hating you for being above the norm.
But then again, if you're lucky, you find people who see you for more than your achievements-people who value the effort it took to get there, not just the title. When that happens, being the best can be the best thing that ever happened to you.
---
In the interns' lounge, the atmosphere was lighter than usual. It was one of the rare moments between back-to-back cases where the interns could sit and catch their breath. Jihyo sat quietly in the corner, flipping through some notes, while the others engaged in lively conversation. Jungkook was going on about some ridiculous viral video, while Sana and Yoongi debated whether or not to order pizza.
Amid the chatter, Sana shifted gears and leaned forward, bringing up a topic that had been circulating around the hospital for the past few days. "So, you guys heard about the genius kid, right? The one who's going to have brain surgery?"
Jungkook raised an eyebrow. "Genius kid?"
Sana nodded, her eyes wide with curiosity. "Yeah, he's some kind of prodigy. He's only 12 but already taking college-level courses. Apparently, his IQ is through the roof. They say he's on his way to becoming a world-class scientist or something, but now he needs surgery for a brain tumor."
Yoongi frowned. "That's intense. I can't even imagine having that much potential at such a young age... and then having something like this happen."
Jihyo, who had been quiet up until this point, glanced up from her notes. There was something in her expression, a hint of recognition. She knew all too well the weight of being "the genius," the one everyone watched and judged-like the kid Sana was talking about.
"It's not easy," Jihyo murmured, more to herself than to anyone else.
Sana turned to her, curious. "What do you mean?"
Jihyo sighed, setting her notes aside. "Being seen as 'the best,' 'the smartest,' it can feel like a curse sometimes. People don't see the pressure behind it. They don't see how lonely it can get. I'm sure that kid feels it, too. All eyes are on him, waiting to see if he'll live up to the hype-or fall short."
The room grew quiet for a moment. Everyone processed her words, a bit taken aback by the sudden shift in mood.
"Sounds personal," Yoongi noted.
Jihyo offered a faint smile. "It is."
---
~Flashback - Medical School~
Years ago, Jihyo had been in a similar position. She had always been at the top, outshining her peers in high school, and the pattern continued when she entered medical school. Professors praised her, students envied her, and it became a cycle she couldn't escape. The more she excelled, the more isolated she became.
Group study sessions became unbearable. No one wanted to partner with her; they assumed she didn't need help or thought she would overshadow them. Her relationships with her classmates were strained because being the best had become a barrier, not a bridge. The loneliness gnawed at her, but she kept pushing forward, determined to prove herself.
Then, Dahyun entered her life.
Unlike everyone else, Dahyun didn't seem threatened by Jihyo's abilities. She was calm, grounded, and most importantly, kind. Dahyun approached Jihyo one day after a particularly grueling anatomy lab session and asked if she wanted to grab a coffee. It was such a simple gesture, but it meant the world to Jihyo.
Over time, they became study partners, then friends. Dahyun wasn't intimidated by Jihyo's achievements, nor did she make Jihyo feel guilty for being at the top. She appreciated Jihyo for who she was beyond her academic success. For the first time, Jihyo felt like she didn't have to apologize for being good at what she did. She could just be herself.
---
-Present - Interns' Lounge-
Jungkook, who had been silently listening, suddenly spoke up. "Wait a second-if you and Dahyun were in med school together, how could you both be the top of your class?"
Jihyo's eyes softened as she looked over at Dahyun, who was sitting on the other side of the room, flipping through a patient file. A small smile tugged at her lips.
"I wasn't always at the top," Jihyo admitted. "Not after I met Dahyun. We both were competitive, but it wasn't in a cutthroat way. We pushed each other to be better. She helped me become a better version of myself."
"So, who ended up on top?" Sana asked, curious.
Jihyo let out a soft chuckle. "Well, we both did. I had to transfer to another school before graduation. So, we both ended up being the top of our class, our batch."
Jungkook raised an eyebrow. "Transfer? Why?"
Jihyo's smile faded slightly. "My father was participating in a clinical trial for a new treatment. He needed to be closer to a specialized hospital, so I transferred schools to be closer to him."
There was a pause, as the others processed the information. Sana, ever the sensitive one, spoke up. "That must've been hard."
Jihyo nodded. "It was. But it taught me something important. Sometimes, it's not about being at the top or being the best. Sometimes, it's just about being there for the people who matter."
---
Being the best-it can be lonely, frustrating, and sometimes feels like a burden. People expect you to be perfect, to never make mistakes, and they hold you to a standard that seems impossible to maintain. But being the best can also be rewarding, if you have people who appreciate it, who don't see you as competition or a threat, but as someone who worked hard to get there.
In the end, it's not about the title or the accolades. It's about finding people who see you for more than just your success-people who understand that being the best doesn't mean you don't need support, too.
And if you're lucky, you find someone who makes all of that effort worth it.
