Illusion Blind Date - Chapter 1

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

#Episode 1

The moment Bom stepped into the Hotel, she squeezed her eyes shut at the sight of herself reflected in the massive mirror.
That crazy girl was probably going to show up looking for me as her sister any day now.
She wasn’t listening to what Choeun was saying.

“Since you’re going on a blind date anyway, you might as well put some effort into it. What fault is it of the man’s if he rejects you? Think about it—if a beautiful, stylish woman rejected him, at least he’d understand. But if you show up looking like that and get rejected? He’d probably curse you out on the spot.”

Swayed by the strange persuasiveness in Choeun’s words, Bom had surrendered herself to nearly an hour of preparation.
Yet contrary to Choeun’s initial boast that she’d make her look beautiful, she’d ended up with an intimidating appearance that was almost difficult to approach.

“Choeun, don’t I look like those girls from the refund warrior squad? Why does my reflection look that way to me?”

When Bom asked, Choeun answered.

“Oh yeah, let’s lean into that concept instead. Why didn’t I think of that? Make the blind date man walk away on his own two feet.”
“Fine, since I’ve already thrown myself away, do whatever you want.”

Passersby moving through the Hotel Lounge kept stealing glances and turning back to look.
Sigh.
Drawing herself up with a deep breath, Bom walked forward, trying not to think about the skirt that kept riding up and the taut stockings.
Click, click.
The blind date was supposedly a talented graduate of the Police Academy.
Short hair, bronze skin, broad shoulders, a height that surpassed models, and a face handsome enough that even Chaeun O would come running calling him brother.
Now she had to find the man her Aunt had praised until her ears rang.
But why did she feel so self-conscious?
If what her Aunt said was true, why would such a handsome, accomplished man be out on blind dates?
A Sunday, no less—his day off.
Unable to resist her Aunt’s earnest plea, she’d come here intending to politely apologize to the man and leave.
Bom entered the Hotel Lounge with her back straight and shoulders squared.
She scanned the interior to find the man her Aunt had described.
“Is there someone you’re looking for?”
A staff member approached and asked when he spotted Bom glancing around the lounge.
That’s when a man caught her eye.
No way… could this be real…?
Absurdly enough, everything her Aunt had said was true.
Short hair, bronze skin, broad shoulders, and a handsome face.
A man matching ninety-nine percent of her Aunt’s description sat by the window near the lounge entrance.
“Oh! I think I found him. Thank you.”
The moment Bom saw the man, she knew instantly he was the blind date.
In the spacious lounge, there was only one man who appeared to be in his early thirties, and he was the only one who looked that handsome.
There was no room for doubt.
She reproached herself for having questioned her Aunt’s eye for beauty and took a step forward.
Here she was, ready to reject him, so why was she trembling like this?
The man radiated a dazzling light as though haloed.
Whew.
After steadying herself with a deep breath, Bom approached him slowly.
This was her first blind date ever.
On top of that, she’d never even been on a regular date, let alone had a relationship, so the trembling was only natural.
Looking at the man’s face, she couldn’t remember a single word she’d prepared, and all she could hear was the thump-thump of her heartbeat in her ears.
When they were about five meters apart, his gaze met hers directly.
The man had the kind of presence that seemed capable of overwhelming with just a look—every inch the officer, viewed from any angle.
Maybe she should have dressed more modestly after all.
Her heart fluttered wildly.
“Um… I…”
As she finally approached the table, Bom called out to the man tentatively.
Oh, she was really nervous.
Her voice came out slightly cracked, and her face flushed with embarrassment.
“……Come slowly. That’s enough for now.”
The man removed a Bluetooth Earphone from his ear as though he’d been on a call, then looked down at Bom with a crooked smile.
The way he tilted his chin at just the right angle—as if perfectly aware of his own handsomeness—drew an involuntary gasp of admiration.
Yun Geon, a fellow resident whose face was praised throughout the hospital, was nothing compared to him.
Unlike the pallid doctors who never saw sunlight, this man with his bronzed skin bore the unmistakable stamp of a specimen of masculine strength—intelligence and wildness fused into a single face.
And yet.
……Aunt, this man doesn’t look like a police officer. He looks like a special forces soldier.
The sharp glint in his eyes, the way his mouth curved upward in something between a smile and a sneer—it was all reminiscent of some special operations captain from a drama she’d seen once, and it was anything but ordinary.
Still, don’t lose your nerve.
My own appearance isn’t exactly something most men would turn their nose up at, is it?
Bom swallowed hard and attempted a formal greeting.
“Hello——.”
Before her greeting could finish, an unexpected sound tumbled from the man’s mouth.
“I’m not interested in the Way.”
“I’m sorry?”
Unbelievable.
Did he just mistake me for a cult recruiter?
Bom wiped her forehead with the back of her hand and let out a bewildered laugh.
“I have no family troubles and my ancestors are at peace, so you can put that concern to rest and be on your way.”
The way he leisurely crossed one leg over the other and gazed up at her with that slanted expression made it seem like he was either teasing her or doing it on purpose—she couldn’t quite tell which.
Flustered, Bom stiffened her face and spoke.
“That’s not it. My name is Han Bom. We were supposed to meet today.”
“……Han Bom?”
He stared at her for a long moment, his handsome brow furrowed as though searching through his memory.
It occurred to her that he might not even know the blind date’s name.
She didn’t know his either, after all.

“Here’s the blind date’s name and contact number. Keep it safe. Your aunt deliberately didn’t give him your number. You have to show some initiative, or he won’t budge.”

That slip of paper, which her aunt had handed over as reverently as if presenting a sacred tablet, had long since been lost.
Which explained, entirely, why he looked like this.
“May I sit down?”
The people around them were staring at Bom and whispering.
She felt like she was dying of embarrassment.
“Excuse me.”
Bom quickly sat across from him, fixing him with an resentful glare.
No matter how much she disliked him, to be treated like some kind of cult member was going too far.
……Look at that ridiculous expression on his face.
Bom bit back the retort about whether good looks forgave everything, keeping her mouth shut.
With that arrogant mouth tilted upward, staring straight at her, the man was objectively, frustratingly beautiful.
It was the kind of face that was positively bad for the heart.
Without meaning to, she felt heat rising in her cheeks and pressed her palms against them, hastily looking away.
She needed to end this conversation and get out of here soon, or she’d actually swoon at the sight of him.
With her eyes lowered, Bom blinked her artificial lashes and spoke.
“I know I came today, but honestly, I have no intention of getting married.”
“…….”
Why wasn’t he saying anything?
When she cautiously lifted her head, the man was staring at her with his brow furrowed, as if utterly baffled.
It was clear he believed he’d been robbed of the chance to reject her first.
She certainly hadn’t meant to hurt his feelings.
After all, she was the one who’d come with every intention of turning him down.
“I apologize. My circumstances simply don’t allow for marriage right now.”
Bom offered the smile she’d perfected over the years as her secret weapon.
It worked on chief residents trying to exploit loopholes, professors about to launch into tirades—one smile and everything just melted away.
“I don’t understand what you’re suddenly going on about.”
The man’s handsome face contorted as though he’d never been turned down before.
“Do you know who I am?”
His voice was equally cold, exhaling chill in every syllable.
“No, I’m afraid I don’t.”
“Ridiculous.”
I imagine I would feel the same way in your position…….
Spring folded her hands carefully in front of her, choosing her words with deliberate care.
“Yes, I understand how rude this must seem. I never intended for a meeting like this to happen, but I felt I had to be honest with you.”
She concentrated on keeping her expression composed, hoping sincerity would shine through.
Yet she couldn’t shake the doubt that it might not.
Because, truthfully, the man had begun to smile—a peculiar, snickering smile.
In that contemptuous gaze, she caught the scent of madness. His dark eyes gleamed with a wild, unhinged light.
Hold it together, Spring. Finish this well.
“As you must already know, I’m a Resident at University Hospital.”
…….
The man’s laughter died instantly. He stared at her with an intensity that froze her in place.
Spring’s eyes dropped. Her throat tightened as she swallowed hard.
What have I done? I think I’ve really stepped in it this time.

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————