Jennie gently helped Yuki settle into the wheelchair, adjusting the blanket around her shoulders.
Yuki (yawning, weakly):
"...I feel... like lead..."
Jennie:
"Then we'll move slow. No rushing, okay?"
Minjae and Junho hovered nearby, Minjae already holding a clipboard while Junho tapped his phone.
Minjae:
"Okay, I'll go check where we need to line up first. Paperwork, payment... all that fun stuff."
Junho (grinning):
"Fun? You mean the bureaucracy Olympics?"
Yuki (softly, snorting):
"...Sounds about right..."
Jihyo stepped up, holding a small thermos of liquid food and some snacks.
Jihyo:
"Here, Yuki. You'll need this after the blood draw. Don't even think about refusing."
Yuki:
"...Thanks..."
Jennie wheeled her forward while Minjae and Junho went ahead to sort out forms and directions.
Minjae (from the line):
"Okay... first we pay, then they stamp the forms... oh, you need separate slips for blood, urine, and vitals. Got it."
Junho (whispering, smirking):
"You sound like a pro hospital navigator already."
Minjae:
"Experience is pain, my friend. I've suffered enough of this systems."
Back with Yuki, Jennie leaned close.
Jennie:
"You just sit back. We've got everything handled. No speaking, no moving—just breathe."
Yuki (trying to smile):
"...I guess I don't have a choice."
When Minjae returned with the forms stamped and payment slips ready, they wheeled Yuki to the blood draw station.
Jennie:
"One quick pinch. Eyes closed. Done before you know it."
Yuki:
"...I... don't know if I want to..."
Jihyo (handing her the thermos):
"Here, imagine this is a chocolate milkshake. Makes it less scary."
Yuki (muffled laugh):
"...It's... less scary..."
The nurse drew the blood quickly. Yuki flinched slightly but leaned into Jennie, who rubbed her back.
Jennie:
"See? Done. Easy."
Next, they guided her to the vitals station.
Jihyo:
"Up a bit... careful..."
Minjae (checking the screen):
"Blood pressure is really low. Heart rate okay. Oxygen fine."
Yuki:
"...Feels... a lot better than yesterday..."
Jennie:
"I know... almost done. Just a little more."
Finally, they approached the urinalysis station. Jennie whispered instructions while Minjae and Junho handled paperwork, sample containers, and asking the nurses where to go next.
Minjae:
"All done. That's it! No more stations today."
Yuki slumped in the wheelchair, hair damp and sticking to her forehead. Jennie brushed it away and tucked the blanket snugly around her shoulders.
Jennie:
"Reports come tomorrow. For now, your only job is... nothing."
Yuki (grinning faintly):
"...Nothing... the best job ever."
Junho:
"And we've mastered it too, apparently."
Jihyo:
"Yep. Team Yuki: hospital edition. Medal for surviving bureaucracy goes to us."
Minjae (mock bowing):
"I accept on behalf of all of us. And on behalf of Yuki, who did literally nothing but sit in a chair."
Yuki (murmuring, eyes closing):
"...I'm... lucky..."
Jennie:
"Yeah... lucky. And now, we rest. Big hero work done for today."
All of them came back to the cabin and set Yuki on the bed.
The friends settled into chairs nearby, tired themselves but relieved. Jennie kept a careful eye on Yuki while they quietly shared some light food, laughing softly at little things to keep the mood calm.
Yuki stirred, lifting her head slightly.
Yuki (softly, almost stubbornly):
"Jennie... you should go home and rest. You've been here all night... and everyone else too. You don't have to stay every second. I'm... a lot better than yesterday."
Jennie hesitated, eyes scanning her friend's pale but steadier face.
Jennie:
"Yuki... I—"
Yuki:
"Please... just go home for now. I really don't need everyone hovering. I'm... fine. I promise."
Minjae, Junho, and Jihyo exchanged glances, quietly shaking their heads.
Minjae:
"No way, Yuki. We're not leaving yet. Just for a few hours, until Sana arrives. You need us here. Don't argue."
Jihyo:
"Yeah... you were barely conscious yesterday. We're staying. Just sit back and rest. That's all you need to do."
Junho:
"Exactly. You're still fragile. Don't worry about us."
Yuki frowned slightly, blinking up at them, a weak smile tugging at her lips.
Yuki:
"...Really? You don't have to... I'm better..."
Minjae (firmly, but gentle):
"Better than yesterday, yes. But we're staying for a bit. End of discussion."
Jennie let out a small sigh, finally relenting.
Jennie:
"Okay... I'll go eat properly and rest a little, but I'll be back. Just... try to relax until then, Yuki."
Yuki gave a small nod, curling back into her blanket, letting the warmth of her friends' presence settle over her. The cabin grew calm again, a soft bubble of quiet and care, even as Yuki's body slowly reminded her of how close she had come to breaking.
The soft orange light of late afternoon filtered through the hospital blinds.
Yuki sat propped against pillows, blanket pulled over her lap, while Junho and Jihyo sat beside the bed — UNO cards scattered between them.
Junho (placing a card dramatically): "Skip. Jihyo, you can rest now."
Jihyo: "Rest? I haven't even started winning yet— draw two, Junho."
Yuki: laughs weakly, but brighter than this morning "You two really treat this like national competition."
Junho pouted as he picked up cards; Jihyo smirked like a villain finally getting her arc.
The room felt lighter than it had in hours.
Just then, a soft knock — the door slid open.
Momo stepped inside.
Her eyes immediately found Yuki — and everything else faded.
She crossed the room in a heartbeat and leaned down, wrapping Yuki in a warm, careful hug.
Momo (voice gentle, relieved): "I rushed here as soon as I could... How are you feeling now?"
Yuki (smiling tiredly): "Better than yesterday. Still exhausted. But... I'm okay."
Momo exhaled, finally breathing again.
She pulled back, greeting the others with a small smile.
Momo: "Jihyo, Junho."
Jihyo: "Hey, Momo. Good you came."
Junho: "Yeah — she's been doing better."
Momo sat down, hands still half-clinging to Yuki's.
Momo: "Tell me what happened. I heard it was bad this morning."
Jihyo nodded and began explaining, Junho quietly filling in details beside her.
Jihyo: "Doctor observed Yuki, told her to rest properly. They prescribed some tests."
Junho: "And Sana was here all night. She left in the morning to sleep — she'll come back tonight to stay again."
Jihyo: "Jennie and Minjae helped a lot too. We fed Yuki some food — forced her a bit, but she ate."
Junho: "Yeah, then after we all ate together, we took her for the tests."
Jihyo: "Once the tests were done, Jennie and Minjae went home to freshen up. They'll check in later."
Now only Jihyo and Junho remained at her bedside, watching her like guard dogs who refused to blink.
Momo listened quietly — relief and affection softening her features.
Momo: "I'm glad she wasn't alone... thank you both for staying."
Junho: smiling modestly "Of course. No way we'd leave."
Jihyo: "She's stuck with us. Hospital or not."
Yuki laughed under her breath — small but genuine.
The atmosphere in the room softened further, warm but quiet. Yuki leaned her head slightly toward Momo, voice light and worn out.
Yuki (faintly): "How was your exam today, Momo? Was it hard?"
Momo looked down at the edge of the bedsheet, fingers brushing it slowly. Her voice was soft — filled with relief, but also something deeper.
Momo: "Yeah Yuki… it was okay. I wrote really well. Especially for you — so you wouldn't feel like I fell behind just because I came to check on you."Yuki: blinked, touched "You… you wrote thinking of me?"Momo: "Of course. And teacher asked about you too — I told them you're in the hospital. After the exam they explained the makeup exam process. You can give it later, so don't stress."
Yuki's tired smile bloomed fresh and bright.
Yuki: "Thank you… that means so much."
But Momo's gaze drifted — distant.She wasn't in the hospital room anymore.She was back in the exam hall.
FLASHBACK — Earlier That Day
Everyone was bent over their paper, pens scratching, room heavy with silence.The door opened — a teacher entered for attendance, clipboard in hand.
Teacher: "Why is Yuki missing? Anyone knows?"
Momo stood quietly, voice controlled yet anxious.
Momo: "Sir, she's in the hospital… she wasn't able to attend. I stayed with her last night."
The teacher nodded gently.
Teacher: "I see. Sit down, Momo. Write your exam well."
Momo sat — tried to focus.But whispers slid between desks like poison slipping into veins.
Whisper 1: "Did Yuki become sick or something else?"Whisper 2: "She's not like before… lost spark maybe."Whisper 3: "Maybe she couldn't study. That's why she didn't come."
Momo bit her lip, nails pressing into palm.She finished the exam, but heat sat under her ribs.
After the bell, the teacher called her forward.
Teacher: "How bad is her condition? We'll arrange a makeup exam. She'll need documentation, but it's manageable."Momo: "Thank you, sir. I'll inform her parents and bring papers."
Some friends — good ones — rushed to her.
Friend A: "Let's visit Yuki later. She'll be lonely."Friend B: "Tell us which hospital — we can buy snacks too!"
Momo felt comfort — until voices behind them sharpened the air.
Haneul.Yejin.Wongho.Kyungsoo.Hyejin.Junghye.Soyoon.
That group.
Haneul (laughing lightly): "Last two exams she struggled… tried copying Momo. Today was hard — maybe that's why she hid."Yejin: "Should we find out which hospital? Something feels suspicious—"
Junghye: internally thinking about how would he face her after the harsh words he spoke but he is tensed for her a lot. Just can't express himself.
They came towards Momo. Yejin said, " Hey Momo Can you tell us which hospital she is?"
Momo turned — eyes cold.No hesitation.
Momo: "I heard you. Every word. Bad–mouthing her during the exam and now pretending to care?"Haneul: "We were just curious—"Momo: "No. You lost the right to know. Stay away from her."
Silence.Sharp.Cutting.
Momo walked away with the good friends — but she noticed footsteps behind.Following.
Once outside the gate, she lowered her voice.
Momo: "They're tailing us. I don't want them near her. We need to mislead them."
For almost an hour, they walked in circles, changing direction, talking normally as distraction.Eventually the others gave up and disappeared.
The good friends looked at Momo, disappointed but understanding.
Friend C: "You're not coming with us?"Momo: "No… I'll go later. If I head there now, they might track me. I need to protect her first."
So she went home.Showered.Ate quickly.Then left — alone — heading exactly where her heart pulled her.
And now, she was here by Yuki's bedside — the final piece returning.
Momo's eyes were still distant — still in that exam hall, in that heated hallway, in those whispers she couldn't unhear.She didn't realize Yuki was watching her so quietly, so carefully.
Yuki reached out and brushed her sleeve with weak fingers.
Yuki (soft): "Momo… come back. You look like you're still in the exam room."Momo (blinking, small breath): "Ah— sorry. Just… remembering."
Yuki smiled — faint but warm like sunlight finally pushing through clouds.
Yuki: "You always overthink. Don't. You came… that's enough for me."Momo: "Yuki…"Junho: pretending to cough, dramatically loud "Okay, emotional scene over — someone needs to lose at UNO."Jihyo: "Yes, Momo-ssi, please sit. This table requires another victim."
Momo let out a small laugh — the heaviness loosening from her shoulders.She moved closer, pulling up a chair, sleeves rolled like she was entering a battlefield.
Momo: "Victim? You guys have no idea who you invited."
Jihyo shuffled the colorful cards quickly.
Jihyo: "Good. More players — more chaos."Junho: "More chances for me to win."Momo: "You? Win? Cute confidence."
Yuki giggled quietly — breathy and fragile but real.
Junho dealt cards to Momo, and the game resumed with renewed fire.Cards slapped the table.Voices rose.Laughing, joking, competing.
For the first time since morning, the room sounded normal — like friends hanging out, not guarding a fragile body in a hospital ward.
Yuki leaned back, watching them argue about rules,and her heart felt full.
Yuki (thinking): Even after pain, after whispers, after fear… my people stayed.
UNO cards flipped, laughter bounced off the walls,and everything — just for that moment — felt okay.
The soft morning light spilled into the hospital room, illuminating the neatly arranged charts on the table. Yuki sat propped against the pillows, still pale but alert. Around her, Momo, Jennie, Minjae, and Sana quietly waited, the tension in the air thick with anticipation.
The doctor entered, holding Yuki's latest test reports. His expression was calm but focused, as though every word he was about to speak mattered.
Doctor: "Good morning, everyone. I've reviewed Yuki's blood and urine tests, as well as her basic metabolic panel. Overall, there's no acute pathological finding — no infection, no electrolyte crises, no organ dysfunction."
He paused, letting the group breathe, then continued with a measured, analytical tone.
Doctor: "However, there are some minor but notable findings. Her hemoglobin is slightly below normal, ferritin is low, and there's mild vitamin D and B12 deficiency. These are not life-threatening, but they explain part of her fatigue, muscle pain, and cognitive slowing. Essentially, her body is signaling prolonged physical and psychological stress."
Yuki listened quietly, her hands folded in her lap. She didn't interject — she never spoke about emotional fatigue. She had always forced herself to perform, to endure, to appear functional, even when her mind was overtaxed.
Doctor: "Additionally, based on your vitals, history of fainting, brain fog, and panic episodes, your presentation is consistent with what we call masked depression, also referred to as somatic depression. Patients with this condition often do not consciously recognize or admit their depressive state. Instead, the body manifests the psychological strain — fatigue, pain, cognitive impairment, and sometimes autonomic disturbances such as fainting."
Momo's hand rested lightly on Yuki's shoulder, squeezing reassuringly, while Jennie and Minjae exchanged concerned glances.
Doctor: "Now, Yuki, there is another factor we need to consider — your menstrual cycle. Could you tell me about it?"
Yuki shifted slightly, a faint shadow crossing her face.
Yuki: "It's… irregular. For the past six months, some cycles last over twenty days, some months it doesn't come at all."
The doctor nodded thoughtfully, tapping the report folder.
Doctor: "Irregular menstruation over a prolonged period can be a consequence of hormonal imbalance, which may be exacerbated by chronic stress, nutritional deficiencies, and underlying endocrine changes. To evaluate this fully, I recommend a comprehensive hormone profile test — including FSH, LH, prolactin, estradiol, and thyroid function — and a pelvic ultrasonography to rule out structural or ovarian issues."
He leaned slightly forward, looking directly at Yuki with professional warmth.
Doctor: "For now, I can discharge you. I will prescribe medications to correct your deficiencies — iron, vitamin D, and B12 supplementation — and also mild anxiolytic support if needed. But medication alone is insufficient. You must adhere to several rules to support recovery."
He began listing them carefully:
Sleep: Minimum of seven to eight hours per night; maintain consistent sleep-wake times.
Nutrition: Balanced meals with iron, protein, and vitamins; avoid skipping meals.
Hydration: Adequate daily water intake.
Activity: Gentle, regular physical activity — walking, light stretching; avoid excessive strain.
Stress management: Limit academic overload; incorporate relaxation or mindfulness exercises.
Follow-ups: Return for hormone profile and ultrasonography; regular check-ins to monitor mental and physical health.
Social support: Maintain connection with friends, but do not push yourself beyond comfort.
Yuki nodded faintly, absorbing the information. She didn't express relief or distress — she simply processed it with quiet determination, as she always did.
Doctor: "If you follow these guidelines, address the deficiencies, and allow your mind and body to rest, your prognosis is good. But the key is balance — your masked depression will not improve unless both your body and mental state are supported."
Momo squeezed her hand again.
Momo: "We'll make sure she does, Doctor. We'll be with her."
Yuki gave the faintest smile — not joyful, but acknowledging.Her friends understood: she had never admitted weakness, but now, at least, the truth had been named. And a structured path forward had been set — rigorous, intellectual, and compassionate.
Doctor (standing, finalizing notes): "Take the prescriptions, rest today, and we'll schedule your follow-up for the hormone tests and ultrasound. Recovery is gradual, but achievable. Any deviation can prolong fatigue or physical symptoms. Understand?"
Yuki: quietly "Yes, Doctor."
The doctor nodded, confident, and left the room.The quiet that remained was not empty — it was thoughtful, measured, and filled with unspoken commitment.
Yuki leaned back against her pillows. For the first time, she realized: acknowledging her body's limits might be the hardest test yet.
Luckily, Yuki doesn't have chronic physical health....... but mental chronic condition can kill people also do not forget. Will she recover, or will the weight of everything finally shatter her completely? And what secrets might the next round of tests still reveal…?