The early morning light spilled into the interns' break room, casting long shadows over the exhausted figures sprawled across the chairs and couches. Dahyun looked around, taking in her friends' tired faces, when her gaze landed on Yoongi, who sat in a corner, fidgeting with a pen, his leg bouncing nervously.
Dahyun nudged Jihyo, who was half-asleep beside her. "Why's Yoongi looking like he's about to throw up?"
Jihyo barely opened her eyes, her voice groggy. "Probably another solo surgery. Nayeon's been pushing him harder than anyone lately."
Jungkook, slouched against the wall with a smirk, chimed in, "Yeah, Nayeon's practically grooming him. You think she's actually gonna let him solo something bigger than an appendix?"
"Hey, I'd be nervous too," Sana said, raising her coffee cup, hiding a grin behind the rim. "Solo surgeries mean everyone's watching... and judging."
Yoongi looked over at them, visibly pale. "You guys really know how to inspire confidence."
The group chuckled, breaking the tension for a brief moment. But just then, Nayeon strode into the room, her presence snapping everyone to attention.
"Listen up!" Nayeon's voice rang with authority. "Dr. Min's scheduled for surgery this morning, and I expect each of you to be on your best game. And Yoongi..." Her gaze pinned him down.
Yoongi straightened. "Yes, Dr. Im?"
"This one's on you," she said, holding his stare. "It's an open appendectomy. Try not to let him bleed out on the table."
The other interns stifled laughter, though their looks were encouraging. Yoongi swallowed hard, nodding, hiding his shaking hands behind his back.
"Got it," he said, his voice steady, though his nerves were written across his face.
---
In the operating room, Boo Yong-joo stood beside Yoongi, his eyes following the younger doctor's every move with an intensity that didn't help Yoongi's nerves.
"Take it slow, Yoongi," Boo Yong-joo instructed, his tone firm but reassuring. "This is your time to shine."
Yoongi took a deep breath, forcing himself to focus. He steadied his hands and made the first incision, but soon, his stomach dropped - there was far more bleeding than expected.
"Uh... there's more bleeding than I thought," Yoongi muttered, panic threading into his voice.
"Clamp down," Boo Yong-joo replied, his tone even. "Control it. You're the surgeon. Don't let the surgery control you."
In the observation gallery above, the other interns watched intently, leaning forward as the tension in the OR rose. Dahyun bit her lip, her eyes fixed on Yoongi's shaking hands.
"Why's he hesitating?" she whispered to Jihyo, concern lacing her voice.
Jihyo's gaze was just as focused. "He's freezing up. Look at his hands."
In the operating room, Yoongi reached for the clamp, but his hesitation cost him precious seconds. Boo Yong-joo's voice was sharper this time. "Clamp down now, Yoongi!"
Startled into action, Yoongi managed to stop the bleeding, his face flushed with embarrassment and relief. He finished the surgery, but he knew - everyone knew - that he had hesitated.
---
Afterward, the group gathered in the hallway, exchanging looks as they waited for Yoongi to finish in the OR. When he finally emerged, his face was pale and drained. Nayeon, who had been waiting nearby, approached, her expression unreadable.
