Minjun took six years to complete medical school at SNU.

After graduating, there was no time for rest as he dedicated himself to rigorous study for the licensing exam, working even harder than before. The Korean National Medical Licensing Examination proved to be even more grueling and challenging than the CSAT.

When the results were released, Minjun and his family anxiously searched the list of those who had passed.

The moment they found his name, Mrs. Han covered her mouth as tears welled up in her eyes.

Minjun gently embraced her, patting her back. "I did it, eomma."

Her voice trembled with emotion as she held him tightly. "Your father would have been proud."

However, earning his medical license was only the beginning.

Further extensive training was required through a residency program in his chosen specialty.

For a year, Minjun was completely immersed in his internship. Though he had rented a place near the hospital, he often found himself sleeping in the quarters designated for exhausted interns. His friends, Im Sung-ae and Song Hyein, were also busy with their internships in their respective fields, leaving them with little time to meet or even exchange messages.

The most daunting challenge lay ahead: three years of residency, where he would specialize in brain surgery. Knowing that his patients' lives would be in his hands, Minjun pushed himself to study ten times harder. While he felt both excitement and nerves, he was determined to excel.

By his fourth year of residency, he had grown accustomed to his profession. Though a flicker of nervousness remained before every surgery, the moment he became engrossed in the procedure, all hesitation vanished.

After some time, Minjun and his classmates gathered for drinks. Unlike before, he had learned to turn down offers of alcohol. Though it had been difficult to cut back on drinking and smoking, he felt a responsibility to maintain control—after all, he was now a doctor.

As he sipped his drink, listening to his friends' conversation, Song Hyein took the seat beside him.

"Oppa, it's been a while," she said softly, her shyness evident.

Minjun turned to her, lowering his glass. "Yeah, we've both been busy."

"It’s been so long since we last spent time together. I was wondering if you’d like to have dinner with me," she said hesitantly.

Minjun’s eyes widened slightly as he met her gaze. It suddenly crossed his mind how, since their college days, she had always been kind and understanding toward him, standing by his side through everything.

With a sincere smile, he responded, "Of course, Hyein-ah. Let me check my schedule first."

A bright smile spread across her face, and as Minjun noticed her reaction, he couldn’t help but smile himself before returning to his drink.

###

Minjun hurried his steps before he arrived at the restaurant where he and Song Hyein would be having dinner together. He swiftly looked around the table to search for her.

When he spotted her, he rushed to her table.

"Hyein-ah, I am so sorry. I am late," Minjun said.

Song Hyein managed to smile. "It's fine, oppa. Take a seat first and breathe for a moment."

Minjun sat down across from her while Song Hyein called out the waiter.

She handed Minjun the menu before glancing at him with a gentle smile. "You must have been busy. Did you even have time to eat today?"

Minjun exhaled. "Not really. I had back-to-back surgeries, and time just slipped away."

Song Hyein frowned slightly. "You always push yourself too hard. You should at least rest."

Minjun let out a small chuckle. "I know, I know. But it's not that easy."

The waiter arrived, and they both placed their orders.

As they waited for their food, a comfortable silence settled between them.

Song Hyein, said after a moment. "I'm glad we got to do this. It feels like forever since we last had a proper conversation."

Minjun looked at her and nodded. "Yeah, it does. I guess we’ve both been caught up in our worlds."

She hesitated before speaking again. "Oppa… do you ever think about the past? About how things used to be?"

Minjun's gaze lingered on her for a moment before he sighed. "Sometimes. But I try not to dwell on it too much. Life keeps moving forward, and so do we."

Song Hyein smiled wistfully. "You're right. But I still appreciate moments like this—where we can slow down, even just for a little while."

Minjun returned her smile. "Yeah. Me too."

###

Despite her demanding schedule as a cardiologist, Song Hyein made an effort to stay in touch. Minjun, in turn, always made sure to reply to her messages.

Over time, their interactions became more frequent—they started meeting up, even if only for a few minutes. Eventually, these brief encounters turned into lunches together at the hospital cafeteria and later evolved into dinner dates.

One day, Minjun invited Song Hyein on a date to Namsan Tower. He picked her up from her apartment, and they set off together.

Upon arriving, Song Hyein suggested that they walk up to the tower.

Minjun, who had a passion for photography, thoroughly enjoyed the stroll, capturing various moments along the way. At one point, he asked to take a picture of Song Hyein. Her face lit up with excitement, as it was the first time Minjun had ever made such a request.

As they continued walking, Minjun felt a deep sense of peace. He stole a glance at Song Hyein, and for the first time in a long while, being with her felt completely right. Watching her, he couldn’t help but smile.

When they finally reached the top, they saw numerous couples attaching locks to the fence.

Minjun glanced around and spotted a store selling locks. Without Song Hyein noticing, he made his way over and purchased one.

Meanwhile, Song Hyein was engrossed in reading the messages inscribed on the padlocks when Minjun suddenly stood beside her, holding up the lock. Her eyes widened in surprise as she turned to look at him.

Minjun smiled warmly. "How about we put ours?"

Song Hyein parted her lips, seemingly at a loss for words.

After a moment, she simply nodded.

Minjun’s smile deepened at her reaction.