Igniting the police issued black car to life, Kyungsoo wasted no time. He sped through the night streets of Seoul with great urgency. The police siren blared unashamedly, harmonising with the sound of the ambulance. He glanced through the rear-view mirror, checking in on the tear-stricken wife. Jongin was speaking to her in a comforting voice, fulfilling the task Soonbok had left behind for him.

The car came to an abrupt stop in SNUH’s parking lot, and its passengers tumbled out of the vehicle. Overcome by grief, the restaurant owner was supported by Jongin and Kyungsoo on either side of her. Hurrying into the ER, they ran into Taeyeon. As if expecting them, she quickly guided them towards bay 3 where Sehun was conducting a physical health check.

“Take his bloods and get—”

Soonbok appeared next to him with the FibroScan machine in tow. She glanced at Sehun who gave her a nod. He carefully raised the patient’s shirt and stepped aside, allowing Soonbok to proceed with examining the patient’s liver.

“Aren’t they working well together,” Jongin commented.

Kyungsoo pushed Jongin towards the bay, motioning that he would stay behind with the patient’s next of kin. Without needing to be told what to do, Jongin joined the battle.

“Next of kin confirmed patient is heavy drinker. On average consumes 20 units daily, and has been doing so for the last 10 years. Wife noticed the patient has been gaining weight rapidly as of recent, and has been extremely forgetful.”

“So harmful levels of alcohol consumption as suspected,” Soonbok frowned.

Taeyeon emerged in that moment holding a tablet containing the brain scan results. She handed it over to Sehun who read through the contents.

“Brain scan rules out tumour or .”

“Cirrhosis,” Soonbok announced. “20kPa 7% IQR.”

“Scarring has caused too much pressure inside the liver’s blood vessels. Seems like the increased pressure forced fluids into the abdominal cavity,” Sehun observed.

“It’s still in the early stages though,” Soonbok stated in a calm voice. “Which is why the extended abdomen wasn’t immediately noticeable.”

“What do you think?” Sehun turned towards Soonbok. “Will diuretics suffice? No need to drain?”

“Good old spironolactone will suffice. No need for catheter.” Soonbok smiled softly, though her lips quickly flattened. “I’m more concerned about his behaviour and presentation at the restaurant. Unstable gait, flickering eyes and forgetfulness.”

The nurse and doctor pair fell in silent contemplation. Jongin quietly wiped the gel from the patient’s skin and pushed the FibroScan machine out of the way. Just as he was about to inquire what the next steps of treatment should be, Soonbok and Sehun’s eyes sparked in synchronised realisation.

“Wernicke encephalopathy.”

“Check the thiamine levels in his blood,” Sehun commenced.

“And then get him started on Pabrinex,” Soonbok concluded.

Witnessing the whole ordeal and yet not understanding anything, the wife of the patient could only clutch tightly on the hem of her jacket. Every medical term being thrown around, every number of out context, every senseless explanation, it all simply deepened her fear and worry.

“Cirrhosis? Ascites? Pabrinex?” The distressed wife echoed helplessly.

Sensing her growing unease, Kyungsoo attempted to comfort her.

“Let’s wait outside,” Kyungsoo hushed gently.

The wife however was rooted in place, unwilling and unable to move away from her hu