Illusion Blind Date - Chapter 40

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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 40

……What in the world.
“I’m grateful for that, Professor. Geon and I will study hard.”
Bom answered with a carefree smile.
Tae Moon couldn’t help but let out a soft laugh at Bom’s shameless composure.
She knew exactly what she was doing.
Well, time was abundant and opportunities were endless, so there was no reason to rush.
“I’ll work hard too!”
“……All right.”
The real question was how to shake off these two who clung like ticks.
But when he heard Bom affectionately shorten Yun Geon’s name to just “Geon,” it grated on his ears enough that he asked.
“Do you shorten everyone’s names like that?”
“Oh, yes. Just among ourselves, we call Ji Moon ‘Moon,’ and Soo Ho ‘Soo.'”
Bom pointed to each of them as she spoke.
“Soo?”
“I’m Bang Soo Ho, after all. ‘Soo’ is cute too, isn’t it? Hehe.”
Bang Soo Ho chuckled and added his piece, all while his eyes hungrily tracked Yun Geon’s bento box.
“Geon, if you’re not going to finish that, can’t I have some?”
Bang Soo Ho referred to himself as Soo and played cute.
“No way. You said we have to eat balanced meals. And you need to stop eating so much. That’s why you’re so short.”
“This guy’s getting out of line.”
Soo Ho, the shortest of the three aside from Bom, hardened his expression.
Not that it mattered—they were all much of a muchness.
Being around these three made Tae Moon feel as though his own mental age were regressing.
“Line or no line, you’re all way out of hand right now. I can’t tell if the rice is going up your noses or into your mouths.”
Ji Moon shouted, watching Tae Moon’s face carefully.
“Right, Moon’s got a point. Let’s eat quietly. Let the Professor have his meal.”
At Bom’s words, Tae Moon’s head tilted slightly to one side.
So she called one of them by a nickname and the other “Professor”?
Tae Moon, who shared the same generational character as Ji Moon, found that arrangement distinctly unsatisfying and fixed Bom with a steady gaze.
But Bom, unaware of his inner discontent, flashed that characteristic smile in her eyes.
So the meal drew to a close amid all the commotion.

***

They all tidied up the Research Lab table together and rose from their seats.
Thinking about what she could do for Tae Moon, who’d worked hard through surgery, she’d prepared the bento box, and she was glad they could eat together like this.
Bom smiled and looked up at Tae Moon.
It had been loud and chaotic and frazzled, but she was grateful he’d eaten with apparent enjoyment.
Now that he must be tired, she ought to take these three and disappear so he could go home and rest.
It had been a time to reconfirm emotions that had thrilled her all day long.
It would be a lie to say she wasn’t afraid, but she wanted to find her courage.
He possessed a powerful force that drew people in, and he was talented enough to plant special feelings in anyone’s heart, but…….
Tae Moon’s dark eyes were fixed solely on Bom.
The three of them, oblivious to the glances exchanged between the two, were about to excuse themselves and leave.
“Well then, Professor, we’ll be going now.”
“Thanks to you, Professor, we ate well!”
Tae Moon, standing at an angle with one hand on his hip, gave a brief nod.
“Will you all be at the Hospital today?”
When Tae Moon asked, answers tumbled out.
“Yes, I’m on Night Shift Duty.”
Soo Ho answered first.
“We’ll all be at the Hospital.”
Ji Moon said, gesturing toward Bom and Yun Geon.
“All right, then go on.”
“Yes, sir!”
As they turned to leave, Tae Moon’s gaze caught Bom’s eye.
“Spring is staying for a while.”
“……!”
Her heart fluttered at those words, wings beating wildly against her ribs.
Everyone exchanged puzzled glances between Spring and Tae Moon before quietly slipping out of the Research Lab.
Click.
The door closed, and alone with Tae Moon, Spring looked up at him with trembling eyes.
Heat rose to her face, her heartbeat quickening.
The keen-eyed man had already seen through her—his gaze sharp enough to discern that her feelings were no different from his own.
Thud, thud.
His broad frame, radiating an overwhelming presence, moved slowly toward the door where she stood.
She had to crane her neck to meet his gaze, and he looked down at her steadily, their eyes locking.
“From now on…….”
“Yes.”
She wanted to hear what he would say, and yet she desperately wanted to say something—anything—to fill this moment.
“D-did the bento box not suit your taste?”
So in the end, she blurted out nonsense.
Her mind screamed that this was wrong, but her nerves were too raw to bear the mounting pressure that threatened to burst from her chest.
“What?”
He let out a low, incredulous laugh.
I’m sorry, Professor.
I’ve never been in love, and this is too difficult for me.
If only she had the grace to respond with elegance in moments like this.
Instead, she could only stammer like a fool, or blurt out something utterly beside the point.
Spring pulled her burning earlobe with her hand, dropping her gaze.
“Spring.”
“……Y-yes?”
“If you come to my Research Lab, come alone. Don’t bring all those others.”
“……!”
“Do you understand what I’m saying?”
His gaze lingered over her face, and where his eyes touched, her skin bloomed with heat.
“Can I come anytime?”
The waves that filled her chest rippled softly.
At her question, his eyes narrowed slightly.
His gaze sharpened, as if trying to read her intention.
“Yes. Anytime.”
Spring met his gaze and smiled brightly.
Maybe I do have a talent for this after all?
“Thank you.”
“I should be thanking you.”
He reached out with one large hand and gently lifted her chin.
His touch was warm and tender, careful not to hurt the wounded spot.
The hand that held a scalpel was just as seductive as the one that held chopsticks.
Gathering her courage, Spring placed her own hand over his large one against her cheek.
Look, I may have never been in love before, but if he comes this close, I certainly have the nerve to meet him halfway.
Tae Moon’s eyes widened slightly, surprised by her boldness.
Not knowing what came next, she only fidgeted with the back of his hand, where tendons stood out beneath the skin, and glanced at his lips—then he exhaled softly.
Should I just go for it and kiss him without thinking?
As she entertained that wicked thought, a shadow fell across her face.
Spring closed her eyes instinctively.
Something soft touched her lips, then withdrew.
When she lifted her trembling eyelashes, Tae Moon’s dark eyes were searching her face.
Are we starting from today?
“Since this morning, I’ve had nothing but this on my mind.”
His low voice, husky with emotion, burrowed into her ears.
“……Me too.”
Spring whispered the words, her voice barely audible. Her heart raced so violently she felt dizzy.
Watching her, he curved his lips into a slight smile.
“Go now. Before I lose control. And if you show up hurt again, a kiss won’t be the end of it.”
Ah, was that not it?
Expecting something deeper, Spring suddenly felt the stakes rising.
Love, it seemed, was not something to be taken lightly.
“Then I’ll be going now.”
With a firm resolve to study properly from this day forward, Bom gave a cheerful bow and slipped away.
Spring had finally come to her life!
She cupped her cheeks with both hands, stifling an internal scream, when from somewhere in the shadows those wretches came thundering out.
They dragged Bom toward the Elevator like she was being kidnapped.
“Hey, let go! What are you doing!”
Ding.
Only after the Elevator doors closed did they finally release her.
Their eyes swept over her from head to toe with unmistakable intensity.
Had they found out?
“Were you waiting for me? Doesn’t anyone have work to do?”
Bom forced a casual tone into her voice.
“We’re nothing without loyalty. Come on, what did the Professor say?”
“Oh, nothing in particular. He just said not to overexert myself going forward. He pointed out what happened in the Emergency Room.”
“See? I told you. I said he was the type to hold a grudge.”
“Now I feel terrible about it.”
Bang Soo Ho, the Emergency Room’s guardian, scratched his head and wore an oddly penitent expression that didn’t suit him.
Bom quietly pressed a hand to her chest with relief.
Whatever lay ahead, it seemed nothing would come easily because of these fools.
Give back my moment of joy.
Before she could even savor the kiss, her soul had been shattered—Bom gazed up at the Elevator ceiling and exhaled a deep sigh.

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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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