Fall [A Few Days Later / University Hospital Conference Room]

The investigation began quietly.

At first, radiology and neurosurgery simply reviewed the old records again.

Then it expanded to the surgical notes.

Anesthesia records.

Medication logs.

Tissue transport records.

The list of medical staff who had participated in the operation.

Eventually, the culture records from Taekyung’s laboratory were included too.

Taekyung continued arriving at work at the same time each day.

He reviewed his researchers’ data as usual.

Corrected flawed interpretations as usual.

But the atmosphere in the lab had changed.

People lowered their voices when he walked in.

One afternoon,

the department chair came to the lab in person.

(Department Chair) : “Professor Taekyung.”

Taekyung did not look away from the screen.

(Taekyung) : “Go ahead.”

(Department Chair) : “The hospital has sent a formal request for investigation.”

Taekyung’s hand stopped.

(Department Chair) : “It concerns Hajun’s surgery.”

Only then did Taekyung look up.

The department chair stared at him for a long moment.

(Department Chair) : “Was there something about that operation?”

Taekyung did not answer.

The silence was enough.

[Afternoon / Investigation Room]

Old surgical records and culture logs lay on the table before Taekyung.

An investigator pointed to them one by one.

(Investigator) : “The surgical record contains no mention of transplanting new neural tissue.”

(Taekyung) : “Correct.”

(Investigator) : “But the current imaging shows neural tissue that did not exist before the surgery.”

(Taekyung) : “Yes.”

(Investigator) : “Where did it come from?”

Taekyung said nothing for several seconds.

Then,

(Taekyung) : “I made it.”

The room went silent.

(Investigator) : “What do you mean?”

(Taekyung) : “Neural organoid tissue made from Hajun’s cells.”

Someone put down a pen.

(Investigator) : “Was it approved?”

(Taekyung) : “No.”

(Investigator) : “Was it part of a clinical trial?”

(Taekyung) : “No.”

(Investigator) : “Then what was it?”

Taekyung took a long time before answering.

(Taekyung) : “An unauthorized transplant.”

The questions continued.

Who knew?

Where was it made?

What data did he use?

Who participated in the operation?

Did the researchers in his lab know?

At the last question, Taekyung shook his head immediately.

(Taekyung) : “The researchers knew nothing.”

(Investigator) : “Are you certain?”

(Taekyung) : “I hid it from them.”

Dohyun was questioned separately that evening.

Without ever rehearsing their accounts together,

the two men told the same story in the same way.

There was no longer any way to hide it.

Records already existed.

And most of all,

the result was still alive inside Hajun’s brain.

[One Week Later / University Administration Building]

The disciplinary hearing was short.

Taekyung was dismissed.

His laboratory was shut down.

All related research entered formal review.

The academic society suspended him pending investigation,

then began proceedings for permanent expulsion.

Dohyun also received severe disciplinary action.

The media picked up the story quickly.

‘World-Renowned Brain Organoid Scientist Secretly Transplanted Unapproved Human Neural Tissue Into His Own Son.’

‘The Double Standard of a Scientist Known for Ethical Rigor.’

‘Was His Sick Child Used as a Human Test Subject?’

Taekyung did not read the articles.

Some called him a hypocrite.

Others called him a mad scientist.

He did not defend himself.

Reporters gathered outside his home.

He refused every interview.

Jian asked,

(Jian) : “Shouldn’t you tell them what you discovered?”

Taekyung shook his head.

(Taekyung) : “It doesn’t change what I did.”

(Jian) : “But people think you—”

(Taekyung) : “I know.”

Taekyung looked out the window.

(Taekyung) : “I did cross the line.”

Then Hajun’s voice came from the living room.

(Hajun) : “Dad!”

Taekyung turned.

His seven-year-old son stood in the middle of the room.

Alive.

Taekyung got up.

(Taekyung) : “What is it?”

(Hajun) : “Help me with my homework.”

Taekyung smiled.

(Taekyung) : “All right.”

That day,

Taekyung’s life as a scientist ended.

But as a father,

he still had work to do.