Chapter 10
“I trust my primary physician, so I’m fine,” Jini replied casually.
Junyoung let out a dry chuckle at her indifferent tone.
“What do you want to eat after this?”
Because of the cap pulled low over her face, he couldn’t read her expression. He reached over and lifted the brim slightly, looking at her intently.
“Probably need to refuel with some protein.”
“Of course—coming from the doctor.”
She lowered the cap back down and gave him a thumbs-up.
“But it seems like the staff here really take an interest in you, Junyoung.”
“Why? What did you hear?”
He tensed up slightly but tried to sound nonchalant.
“Just that I keep hearing them say, ‘Dr. Kang this, Dr. Kang that.’”
He exhaled in quiet relief and glanced toward the appointment screen.
“Your turn. Go on in.”
As Jini stood and walked into the examination room, Junyoung shifted his gaze toward the counter.
The moment he did, the cluster of staff members scattered and pretended to busy themselves with other tasks.
Junyoung kept moving pieces of grilled meat onto Jini’s plate whenever they reached the perfect doneness.
Like a baby bird, she chewed slowly, small bites disappearing into her mouth.
“You should eat too, hurry up.”
“Please eat well, patient.”
After reviewing her medical report, Junyoung had brought Jini straight to a nearby Korean beef restaurant.
“Lately, diseases caused by overnutrition are common, but it’s rare to see deficiencies like yours on a report. You really didn’t take the nutritional supplements I prescribed, did you?”
Jini avoided his gaze.
“Set reminders on your phone and take the medicine on time. If you don’t, something serious could happen, Jini.”
“Yes, Dr. Kang.”
“Are you that busy? Are you handling all the work at the company by yourself?”
At the mention of work, Jini slowed her chewing and suddenly lost her appetite.
“I won’t pry—just eat.”
Ever perceptive, Junyoung placed well-grilled meat and onions onto her plate.
But with her appetite gone, she eventually set down her utensils.
“I’ll grill for you—so you eat.”
Jini took the tongs from him, almost snatching them, and placed meat on the grill.
The meat sizzled as it cooked, and she watched it absently.
She clearly looked exhausted, yet she would never voice it.
That was just the kind of person she was—someone who refused to stop once she set her mind on something.
Even if it hurt her, she would push forward.
Annoyed, Junyoung sighed.
“Fine, I was wrong. Give them back.”
When he held out his hand, Jini looked at him for a moment before reluctantly returning the tongs.
Without a word, he moved the cooked meat onto her plate and remained silent until the meal ended.
Sitting by the window, Jini puffed out her lips in a dazed expression.
She looked as if her mind were empty, but in reality countless worries tangled inside like a spider’s web.
From across the café, where he waited for coffee at the counter, Junyoung watched her.
Her phone vibrated on the table, the sound faint even from where he stood.
When she looked at the screen, her expression instantly hardened. It was clearly a call she didn’t want to answer. After hesitating, she picked up the phone, her face dark.
Something was going on, but it didn’t seem like she would tell him.
“Here’s your coffee.”
At the employee’s announcement, Junyoung picked up the tray and approached her table.
Jini noticed him and, excusing herself, stepped outside to take the call.
It was still cold outside, and she hadn’t brought a coat. He worried about her.
He remembered her saying that whipped cream cake helped lift her mood, so he had ordered it on purpose. He placed her coffee and cake on the table, then looked back outside.
She stood there with a furrowed brow, speaking only short replies, pacing in irritation as if the conversation frustrated her.
He wanted to tell her to come inside or at least take the call where it was warmer.
But he knew both suggestions would only make her uncomfortable.
Sometimes he understood her too well—so well that he ended up doing nothing.
At times like that, he even wished he could act a little oblivious.
Finally, she ended the call and returned inside.
Junyoung didn’t ask anything. Instead, he placed a fork on the cake plate.
She sat down and, as if trying to soothe her troubled mood, took a large bite.
Despite whatever thoughts weighed on her, she ate quickly.
“Want another?”
The cake disappeared fast, and when she nodded, he stood up to order more.
While he was at the counter, Jini took a sip of coffee and glanced toward him.
Then she looked down at the empty cake plate.
Even in his quietness, he had been taking care of her—something she had failed to notice before.
A heaviness settled in her chest.
Living alone with her mother, household chores had always been her responsibility.
Since childhood, she had cooked dinner because there was nothing to eat at home. Over time, her mother grew accustomed to the meals she prepared.
Eventually, she ended up handling all the housework and cooking.
Because she had always taken care of everything herself, she wasn’t used to being cared for—and had forgotten what it felt like.
