{Minayeon} The Pulse of a Heartbeat

Chapter 1 - Awkward Confrontations (and Unexpected Circumstances)

My name is Im Nayeon. I work in the Cardiology department of Lee-Park Memorial Hospital as a cardiothoracic surgeon. My charm point is my charisma, I guess. Other people say I work well with patients and doctors, too. However, there is someone whom I don't really get along with. Her name is Myoui Mina, and she works in the EMT department. Occasionally we cross paths when our departments do, but other than that, it seems like she stays far away from me. I'll give you an example.

Today, I woke up late, and arrived at work late, therefore I didn't have time to make myself a lunch box like normal. So, during break, I bought a meal from the cafeteria. I look around, and goddammit, not a single table is open. Not one. It's like suddenly the entire hospital decided to drop everything and eat the noon meal together.

Oh, there's one over there. It's fairly unoccupied except for a single person. Dang, it's by that Myoui woman in her dark blue and yellow uniform. Well, I can't eat standing up, and it's my only choice.

"Hi," I say awkwardly, sliding my tray down onto the table, and pulling out my chair. "There's no other table...so uh, sorr—"

"It's fine," she interrupts, glancing briefly before turning her eyes back to her meal.

"O-okay," I chuckle nervously, picking up my chopsticks. I watch her for a moment; she's really pretty actually, with dark hair and fair skin. Then I try to start a conversation. "So how's your day been."

"Fine."

"Did you have any missions?"

"Two," she answers again in her deadpan voice.

"Really? Woah, must've been exciting."
She sighs but doesn't say anything. I guess this is my signal to shut up, eat and get back to work. I double-time my chewing, and manage to finish my entire plate in 5 minutes. Standing, holding my empty tray, I give a simple "bye". As I expect, she barely nods in acknowledgement. That's probably a good thing, as I wouldn't even know what else to say.

Totally unsociable, right? I never get that about Mina. She's so beautiful and elegant, but I don't think even her EMT partner is that close with her. She just does her work. It's not like we're enemies. She just doesn't want to talk or interact with me.

"What is it about her?" I ask out loud in frustration, pulling my doctor's coat back on in the dressing room.

"Who?" A curious voice echoes through the metal and concrete room. I spin around and realize that Jihyo, a doctor who works in the Radiology department adjoining cardiology.

"Oh!" I try to pretend I wasn't startled at all. 'Hi Jihyo. What are you doing here?"

She gives me a quizzical look. "Getting change... What were you mumbling about? You sounded pissed."

Geez, I don't want to sound like an ass complaining about a doctor who doesn't want to be my friend. It sounds petty, and I don't want to be known as "that" woman here in the clinic. But I want to know something to I inquire: "Hey, Jihyo, do you know Myoui? That doctor who works in the EMS station. Do you know her?"

Jihyo pauses, and puts her hands on her hips, thinking hard. "Come to think of it, it does ring a bell. Like, I think she won some sort of newbie award earlier in the year, but other than that," she shook her head. "No clue. Never spoke to her. Why?"

I exhale and swing my locker shut. "It's nothing." I rub a hand over my face tiredly. "Sorry for keeping you." I walk past her, but can tell she's still staring into the back of my head, and I feel bad for brushing off her questions.