Chapter 28
Matching Yeonwoo’s pace, Sajun walked beside her until they reached the gate of her house.
When she reached out with her slender fingers to press the passcode, she turned her head slightly to avoid eye contact.
Beep-beep.
The door lock disengaged, and Yeonwoo flung the gate open wide.
“You can come in.”
With a slightly proud look, Yeonwoo glanced around the yard, her face full of the desire to show off.
Since her mother had poured effort into maintaining the house, everything was perfectly organized.
Crossing the yard and opening the front door, Yeonwoo stepped inside and waited for him.
Sajun stepped in, pretending to be calm, but it felt awkward—this was his first time stepping into a woman’s house alone.
The house, reflecting Madam Yang’s taste, was charming—like a newlywed couple’s home.
Watching Yeonwoo busily buzzing around it, Sajun thought it looked like the house had always belonged to her; it suited her so well.
He watched Yeonwoo’s bare feet scurry around the kitchen, but quickly averted his eyes as a strange feeling crept up on him.
Her slim ankles looked so delicate, like they might break at a touch, and he pretended not to notice, instead helping her set the table.
At the hospital, she was always efficient, but here at home she fumbled awkwardly, as if she didn’t even know where things were. It made Sajun chuckle silently.
“That’s odd. I’m sure I had some fresh kimchi…”
“Why? Can’t find it?”
“No, I put it in the fridge earlier today, but it’s gone.”
Sajun stepped closer and found the kimchi container almost immediately.
“Isn’t this it?”
“Oh, right! You found it faster than I could.”
“I think you’ve put out enough side dishes already.”
“Well, actually, galbi and kimchi are more than enough. I’ve also got lettuce and peppers.”
“Then come sit down. Let’s eat.”
Something felt chaotic.
Yeonwoo seemed unfamiliar and awkward in a different way than at the hospital.
“Just a second.”
She returned with a plate of galbi ribs, looking quite appetizing.
The scent had been teasing Sajun’s stomach all morning.
“Looks delicious.”
“Yeah, my mom’s a great cook. I guess I didn’t inherit that. Honestly, I prefer bread over rice.”
“Do you like all kinds of bread?”
“Yes.”
Sajun remembered seeing Yeonwoo eating hard bread so enthusiastically back in Sutane. Clearly, she really liked bread.
As they sat across from each other, Yeonwoo slid the food closer to him for convenience.
“Bon appétit.”
“…Thanks.”
Yeonwoo’s expression, as she stared intently at his mouth, was no joke.
She clasped her little hands together, eyes gleaming with anticipation as she watched him.
If I say it tastes bad, I might die.
I’d better choose my words carefully.
Sajun picked up a piece of galbi and took a bite.
As he chewed and swallowed, Yeonwoo gulped too, watching eagerly.
“Isn’t Dr. Ryu Yeonwoo really cute? She’s pretty and adorable and everything. When she’s focused, she seems more like a little sister than an older woman.”
Sajun suddenly remembered something Mr. Gam, known as “Bi” in the physical therapy room, had said yesterday when he briefly visited.
That slightly off-kilter guy had even created a one-man fan club for Yeonwoo, calling himself her biggest fan.
Mr. Gam was a strong, skilled man in his late 20s—popular enough that some elderly patients visited the hospital just to see him.
Anyway, Sajun was now wondering if he should join that fan club too.
“How is it?” she asked.
How is it?
It’s undercooked.
Galbi stew tastes best when fully cooked, but the ribs were still tough and hard to chew.
Not wanting to disappoint Yeonwoo, Sajun quietly stood up.
It needed more time.
“…What? Is it not good?” she asked, startled, following him nervously.
Before picking up the plate, Sajun made a gesture to her.
“Try it.”
“J-just a moment.”
She took a bite, chewed, and grimaced.
“Huh? Why is it so tough?”
Looking confused, she tilted her head.
“It’s chewy, right?”
“Yeah. It wasn’t like this when Segwon made it. What happened?”
“It needs to cook longer. That’s how the meat softens.”
“I thought it was fully cooked…”
Well, no one’s perfect.
As long as she’s good with patients, it’s enough.
Sajun put the plate back into the pot and turned on the induction stove.
Yeonwoo approached, cheeks flushed with embarrassment.
“Sorry. I’m good at cooking ramen, though—ah!”
Still scarred from her “ramen trauma,” Yeonwoo quickly covered her mouth and looked at him nervously.
“Ryu Yeonwoo.”
“Y-yes?”
“Why are you so cute?”
He might just join that fan club.
Watching her flutter around beside him made his chest flutter, too.
It was a feeling Sajun had never experienced before—disorienting and overwhelming.
He wanted to hold her tight, even bite those blushing cheeks.
“Y-you think I’m cute?”
As if hearing it for the first time, she looked up at him with wide eyes. Sajun burst into laughter.
There wasn’t much else he could do but laugh.
Dressed in a cute T-shirt and shorts, unlike her professional hospital look, Yeonwoo seemed like a harmless, lovable little creature.
He thought even if she handed him raw meat, he could eat it happily.
“You didn’t know you were cute? Has no one told you?”
He lightly tapped her blushing cheek with his finger.
Her soft, smooth skin bounced gently under his touch.
Just a single finger had touched her cheek.
Sajun quickly pulled his hand back and stepped away.
Damn.
What the hell is happening to me?
Realizing how his body was reacting, he silently cursed.
He knew he was a healthy, virile man, but this was escalating way too fast.
If things went further, something very obvious might start showing through his sweatpants—and Yeonwoo would definitely notice.
Running a hand down his face, Sajun stared at her.
“Do you have any beer?”
“Beer? Yes. I bought some from the supermarket recently.”
Yeonwoo flapped off to the fridge and began pulling out cans of beer.
“I like dark beer, but they didn’t have any at the store. You know Miranda Super, right? I’m a VVIP customer there. Sometimes the owner gives me free almost-expired bread. He somehow knows I’m obsessed with bread. Haha… Why am I talking so much? I overcooked the meat, too…”
Mid-sentence, she seemed to realize how ridiculous she sounded and clamped her small lips shut.
Did she feel as awkward as he did?
Bubble, bubble…
The galbi stew began to boil again.
Sajun took the can of beer from her small hand and took a refreshing gulp.
His gaze caught the blush on her face as she curled her fingers from where their hands had briefly touched.
Sajun stared at her glowing cheeks for a long time.
His heart was racing unnaturally fast.
…You idiot.
He crushed the empty can in his hand.
The next morning
As Yeonwoo wheeled out her bike and approached the gate, she paused at the sight of Sajun standing there.
“Doctor?”
“Good morning. Riding your bike to work again today?”
“Yes, but… were you waiting for me?”
“Yeah. Thought we’d go together.”
He jerked his chin toward the bicycle leaning against the wall.
Yeonwoo, who always left for work alone, beamed and looked at his bike.
Wherever he’d found it, the thing looked ancient—so worn out it probably wouldn’t sell even at a scrapyard.
