Illusion Blind Date - Chapter 31

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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#Episode 31

“When you come and go from work, you don’t have to greet me deliberately. Just think of this place as your own home and make yourself comfortable.”
“Ah, I understand.”
“What about Choi Yun-geon?”
“Oh, he’s probably showering right now. It takes him a while.”
“That so? Then shall we head out?”
“Yes.”
Pretending last night had never happened was slowly killing her inside.
She released a quiet, suppressed breath.
Did the professor always leave for work at this hour?
He straightened his blue necktie and moved toward the entrance.
But now that she looked more closely, something she’d missed in the dim light was plain to see—his complexion was poor, as though he hadn’t slept a wink all night.
What he clearly needed was caffeine.
Whatever churned beneath the surface, she maintained her composure as a conscientious resident, her voice warm and courteous.
“Professor, I know a cafe that makes excellent coffee. Would you like me to grab you a cup on the way?”
“…….”
He walked on without answering, his expression unchanged.
“It’s all because of us, isn’t it? Last night’s barbecue, the bonfire and everything…….”
She’d nearly asked if it was really last night’s kiss that kept him awake, but she’d stopped herself.
This man wouldn’t be bashful about such a thing, and if he were, it might mean he regretted that impulsive moment.
It was possible for adults to lose themselves in the atmosphere and act that way.
Though it had never happened to her before, if he wanted to let it pass without comment, she was willing to do the same.
Tae-moon descended the front steps through the inner gate, slipped on his shoes, and turned to face her.
“Do I look that tired?”
His dark, penetrating gaze fixed on her face.
“……Yes. A little, at least.”
“I didn’t sleep last night.”
The way he said it—his voice low and heavy with exhaustion—made it clear why: she was the reason.
“If it’s about yesterday…….”
“Did you sleep well?”
Tae-moon cut her off with his own question.
She detected a tremor of heat in his dark eyes, and her assumption suddenly crumbled.
He wasn’t regretting it. The odds were high he’d been too thrilled to sleep—just like her.
Actually, she was almost certain of it.
She had no experience with love, but her instincts weren’t entirely gone.
“……I didn’t sleep well either.”
She barely managed to answer, suppressing the laughter that threatened to escape her lips.
“Right, I thought so. But you shouldn’t push yourself so hard this early.”
“I ate too much last night and my face puffed up, so…….”
She felt her cheeks flush as she answered honestly. He studied her face for a moment, then smiled.
“You’re beautiful no matter what, so don’t worry about it.”
As if he truly meant it, he gently brushed the back of his hand across her flushed cheek.
“……!”
“So, is the cafe close to the Hospital?”
He withdrew his hand, his characteristic smile in place.
“Ah, yes. Very close. It’s on the way to the Hospital, and a lot of staff members go there. It’s the best coffee place in this neighborhood.”
“Then lead the way.”
“Yes! I’ll be happy to show you.”
She stepped outside, her breath light and eager.
A cool breeze brushed gently across her flushed cheek.
She still knew so little about this man, yet everything felt right.
Thump-thump.
The two of them crossed the garden side by side and passed through the gate, heading toward the cafe.
It was still early morning.
The empty street lay wrapped in deep sleep.
She glanced up at him as he walked beside her, matching his pace.
His sharp jawline was cleanly shaved with a faint bluish tone, his nose prominent and distinguished, and his deep, unwavering eyes remained fixed ahead.
A person like this and me…….
We were clearly flirting with each other.
He was a charismatic man, yes, but also a mentor worthy of respect.
I found myself looking forward to the time we’d spend together.
“Professor, should I notify you again today if I’m available?”
Though my body ached, the hours I’d spent with him at the Hospital yesterday had felt like a privilege—so good that it made the exhaustion worth it.
“What, did you enjoy working with me?”
Sitting atop my head, he saw right through to what I was really thinking.
“Yes. It was wonderful. Doing first assist for the first time, and I learned so much in the Emergency Room.”
“That’s all work you’ll be doing from now on.”
“Right. So today, will I…….”
“The department head asked me to perform a surgery. I need to bring all the 1st years into the Operating Room to see how much skill you all actually have.”
“Oh, so Choi Yun-geon will be going in?”
“Probably.”
I felt a pang of disappointment, but I smiled anyway.
It wasn’t as if I could only think of my own desires.
I’d only just taken my first step—I’d learn step by step, one thing at a time.
“If you have any questions or don’t understand something, don’t hesitate to come find me.”
His voice, soft but edged with quiet strength, made my chest flutter.
“Thank you.”
“I won’t say a word if you come just because you want to see me.”
He tossed that out half as a joke, half as something he truly meant.
“Oh! Thank you for that too.”
I quickened my pace to hide my cheeks, flushed as red as a ripe persimmon.
“Come on, let’s go together.”
His pleasant voice rang out from behind me.

***

Knock, knock.
The sound of knocking echoed.
Tae-moon stopped changing his clothes and answered.
“Yes. Come in.”
A moment later, the door opened and Hae-il appeared.
His hair was tousled, as if he’d slept at the Hospital.
“Did you have an emergency surgery last night?”
“Yeah. The light was on, so I stopped by just in case—but why are you here so early?”
“Just. Close the door and come in.”
Hae-il scratched his head as he entered, then spotted the coffee on the desk and rushed toward it with a grin.
“How did you know to buy coffee like this?”
Tae-moon had no intention of sharing the coffee that Cho-eun had brought him, so he walked to the refrigerator and took out a nutritional supplement instead.
“Drink this.”
He handed it to Hae-il.
“No, not this. I want the coffee.”
“You can’t have my spit on it.”
“Bastard.”
Hae-il snatched the nutritional supplement and collapsed onto the sofa.
Tae-moon finished changing while watching him.
“Yesterday I operated on a patient with a colon perforation and panperitonitis.”
“That’s rough.”
“Rough doesn’t cut it—I’m dying. There’s a 1st year named Yi Ro-un. You know her?”
“Yeah. Sounds like she lived up to her name and did something beneficial.”
Tae-moon picked up his coffee and settled into the single-seat sofa, remembering Yi Ro-un.
She seemed like the steady, meticulous type—the kind who quietly got her work done.
Though she’d been close to Cho-eun among the other 1st years; he’d noticed her hovering around Cho-eun often.
“She went into the surgery with me yesterday, and she was better than most 2nd years. I think she’s worth cultivating.”
“Already marking her? Take it easy.”
“Everyone tries to avoid colons, so I need to rope her in now and develop her talent.”
As long as I don’t touch Cho-eun, what does it matter.
“Wait—isn’t that girl also one like you? One of the chosen ones?”
Tae-moon smirked at Hae-il, teasing him.
“What? Are you bringing up your intern days nickname right now?”
It was old history, but their cohort had called Hae-il “Perforation” back then.
Every patient he took on seemed to arrive already ruptured, so the nickname had stuck naturally enough.
“Why not? The younger residents don’t know you picked it up as an intern. I saw it myself yesterday—colon perforation, wasn’t it?”
“Where does a phantom get off flaunting my nickname around!”
“It suits your specialty perfectly, though.”
This was one of the good things about having peers. They both chuckled, exchanging a few more jabs.
“Oh, right. Have you seen Cho-eun? She called me yesterday after she saw you—wouldn’t stop going on about it.”
“Yeah. We ran into each other in front of the Cafe yesterday. I wouldn’t have recognized her if you hadn’t introduced us back then.”
“Heaven worked in your favor. That girl’s started at GS now. Must be throwing herself around constantly.”
“She looked good to me.”
“I was going to ask anyway—what do you think of our Cho-eun?”
“What do you mean, what do I think?”
“Whether you’re interested in giving it a shot. The way you’re talking, it sounds like you’re not completely indifferent.”
“You’re insane. A kid like that?”
“A 27-year-old kid? That’s a thing?”
“Stop spouting nonsense and get up. The chief’s got a liver transplant going in today, and I’m handling the Harvest.”

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