Chapter 3: The Model Son

The week passed in much the same way it always did.

Lectures filled the mornings, laboratory sessions occupied the afternoons, and evenings disappeared beneath towering stacks of textbooks. By the time Friday arrived, Seo Do-hyun could already feel the weight of the semester pressing against his shoulders. Dark circles had begun to settle beneath the eyes of nearly every student in his class, and conversations had gradually shifted from summer vacations to quizzes, assignments, and the ever-growing list of topics they still needed to review.

For Do-hyun, however, Friday carried another routine.

He went home.

Although he lived in a small apartment near the university during the week, his parents insisted that he return home whenever his schedule allowed. His mother would always prepare dinner, and his father believed that eating together as a family was important, no matter how busy they became.

By the time Do-hyun unlocked the front door that evening, the familiar aroma of soybean stew drifted through the house.

"I'm home," he called softly as he removed his shoes.

His mother emerged from the kitchen almost immediately, her face brightening into a warm smile.

"You're here already." She gently brushed imaginary dust from his shoulder before stepping back to admire him. "You look thinner than last week. Are you eating properly?"

"I'm fine, Mom."

"I told you not to skip meals just because you're studying."

"I haven't."

She gave him a skeptical look before sighing.

"Medical school really is exhausting."

Do-hyun smiled faintly. "It's manageable."

Before she could continue, another voice echoed from the living room.

"You're home."

His father didn't look away from the evening news as he spoke. Sitting upright on the sofa with a newspaper folded neatly beside him, he carried the same composed expression he always wore after returning from work.

"Good evening, Father."

"Sit down for a moment."

Do-hyun quietly obeyed.

His father lowered the television volume before folding his arms.

"How are your classes?"

"They're going well."

"And your grades?"

"I haven't received most of them yet."

"You'll remain near the top of your class, I assume."

"I'll do my best."

His father nodded once, seemingly satisfied.

"You've worked too hard to let your performance decline now. Third year is where students begin separating themselves. Hospitals pay attention to academic records, and residency programs certainly do."

"I understand."

"There are thousands of medical students every year," his father continued. "Only those with outstanding records will have the best opportunities. Never become complacent."

"I won't."

His father leaned back slightly.

"Medicine isn't just a respectable profession. It's one of the few careers that offers true stability. No matter how society changes, doctors will always be needed. That's why I encouraged you to pursue this path."

Encouraged.

Do-hyun quietly repeated the word in his mind.

It had always sounded gentler than it really was.

As a child, whenever someone asked what he wanted to become when he grew up, his father had answered before he ever could.

"A doctor."

At first, he had simply repeated it because adults smiled whenever he did.

Eventually, it stopped feeling like an answer and became an expectation.

Then, over time, it became the only future he could imagine.

His mother stepped into the living room, breaking the silence.

"Dinner's ready."

The family gathered around the dining table, where several dishes had already been arranged with careful attention. It looked less like an ordinary meal and more like something prepared for an important occasion.

His mother smiled as she filled his bowl.

"Eat plenty. You need your strength."

"Thank you."

For a while, only the sound of chopsticks and quiet conversation filled the room.

Then, almost predictably, the questions began.

"How difficult are your classes this semester?" his father asked.

"They're more demanding than last semester."

"That's to be expected."

He took another bite before continuing.

"Have you thought about which specialty you'll pursue after graduation?"

"Not yet."

His father frowned almost imperceptibly.

"You should begin considering it soon. Planning ahead is important."

His mother looked at him proudly.

"Whatever specialty you choose, I'm sure you'll do well. You've always been such a hardworking child."

She smiled as though recalling countless pleasant memories.

"You never caused trouble growing up. While other children argued with their parents, you always listened. You studied without being asked, came home on time, and never complained."

She laughed softly.

"I used to tell everyone how lucky we were to have such an obedient son."

Do-hyun lowered his eyes toward his bowl.

"...I see."

His mother seemed not to notice the hesitation in his voice.

"You've always made us proud."

His father nodded in agreement.

"Obedience is one of your greatest strengths. Too many young people today chase unrealistic dreams instead of preparing for the future. You were different."

He set down his chopsticks.

"You understood what truly mattered."

Do-hyun quietly continued eating.

The conversation moved naturally to examination schedules, upcoming hospital rotations, and the importance of maintaining excellent grades throughout the semester.

His father spoke at length about employment prospects and the prestige associated with becoming a physician.

His mother reminded him to take care of his health so he wouldn't become ill before examinations.

Not once did either of them ask whether he enjoyed medical school.

Not once did they ask if he was happy.

The realization came to him with surprising clarity.

Every dinner conversation followed the same pattern.

How were his grades?

Were his professors satisfied?

Was he studying enough?

Had he thought about residency?

Was he staying ahead of his classmates?

It wasn't that his parents were unkind.

On the contrary, they loved him in the only way they knew how.

His father wanted him to have a stable career that would never leave him struggling.

His mother wanted to see him respected and successful.

Everything they did came from genuine concern for his future.

Yet somewhere along the way, concern had quietly become expectation.

Expectation had become pressure.

And pressure had become the foundation upon which his entire life was built.

After dinner, Do-hyun helped wash the dishes before returning to his old bedroom upstairs.

Nothing had changed since he left for university.

The shelves were arranged exactly as they had always been.

His desk remained neatly organized.

Even the curtains were the same pale blue his mother had chosen years ago.

He placed his backpack beside the desk and sat down in the chair.

A stack of medical textbooks waited patiently where he had left them during his previous visit.

Without thinking, he opened the first one and began reviewing tomorrow's lecture.

His eyes moved across the pages, but his thoughts lingered downstairs.

"You've always been such an obedient son."

"You understood what truly mattered."

He wasn't angry.

He didn't resent his parents.

If anything, he was grateful.

They had sacrificed so much to support his education, working tirelessly to give him opportunities they themselves had never had.

They believed they were guiding him toward the best possible future.

Perhaps they were.

Perhaps becoming a doctor really would lead to a stable and fulfilling life.

Then why...

Why did he feel as though he were living someone else's dream?

The question surfaced quietly before disappearing beneath another page of medical notes.

As always, he chose to keep studying.

It was what a model son was supposed to do.