CHAPTER 46 - WELCOME TO THE REAL WORLD (KINDA)

290 22 1
                                    

As the last  golden hues of autumn began to blanket the campus, Donghyuck, Haeeun, and Jaemin stood at the threshold of a new chapter in their lives. The trio had shared countless late-night study sessions, laughter, and dreams of their future careers, but nothing could quite prepare them for the reality of their internships.


Donghyuck's first day at City Hall was a whirlwind. As he entered the grand, echoing building, he was struck by its imposing architecture—an ancient structure that seemed to hold decades of stories within its walls. He was excited to delve into local governance, but as he navigated the maze of cubicles, he felt a pang of anxiety.


"Welcome to the real world!" a cheerful receptionist chirped, breaking the silence of his internal thoughts. Donghyuck smiled weakly, clutching his notebook.

His mentor, Mr. Kim, a seasoned bureaucrat, introduced him to the intricacies of public service. "Remember, Donghyuck," Mr. Kim advised, "this isn't just about policy; it's about people."


Initially, Donghyuck was overwhelmed by the sheer volume of paperwork and meetings. The language of bureaucracy felt foreign, filled with acronyms and jargon that flew over his head. Yet, as the days went by, he began to appreciate the complexity of civic engagement. He witnessed firsthand the dedication of public servants, often working long hours to serve their community.


One afternoon, Donghyuck assisted in organizing a town hall meeting. He watched as residents voiced their concerns, ranging from road repairs to community programs. The emotional intensity in the room surprised him. He realized these were not just complaints; they were voices seeking change. That day, he felt a shift within himself. The formalities of bureaucracy melted away as he engaged with the community, asking questions and listening intently.

In a moment of clarity, he understood that his work at City Hall was not merely an internship; it was a chance to contribute to something larger than himself. He learned to balance the weight of formality with the heart of community service, finding purpose in his new role.



Haeeun's experience was starkly different. As she stepped into the psych ward, the sterile smell of antiseptics mingled with an air of quiet tension. She had always been fascinated by psychology, but the reality of her surroundings was daunting. The walls were painted a soft pastel, but they did little to soften the gravity of the environment.

Her supervisor, Nurse Park, was warm and welcoming but straightforward. "This isn't like the textbooks, Haeeun. It's messy and unpredictable," she warned. Haeeun felt a rush of apprehension but nodded, determined to learn.


The first few days were filled with observations. Haeeun sat in on therapy sessions, her heart aching for the patients who shared their struggles. She was especially struck by one young man, Jisoo, who struggled with severe anxiety. He often appeared withdrawn, his eyes darting as if he were constantly searching for an escape.

On a particularly challenging day, Nurse Park encouraged Haeeun to join her for a one-on-one session with Jisoo. Haeeun's hands trembled as she introduced herself.


"I'm here to listen," she said softly, trying to channel the empathy she'd studied.


To her surprise, Jisoo opened up about his fears—his isolation, the suffocating weight of expectations. As he spoke, Haeeun realized that this was not just a clinical case; this was a person with hopes and dreams, trapped by his mind. Their conversation lingered long after the session ended, and for the first time, Haeeun felt the true impact of her chosen path.

TANTIANA UNIVERSITY |  SO, IT'S LOVEWhere stories live. Discover now