Illusion Blind Date - Chapter 50

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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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#Chapter 50

“I’ll handle it.”
At Tae Mun’s cold dismissal, they exchanged glances—the look of people who’d done their part—and stepped back.
“Alright, don’t come crying to me later about your back.”
“She might look light, but she’s heavier than you’d think. Your spine could give out…”
“Go on. Get out of here.”
Unable to bear any more of their fussing, he hurried them away.
Once Ji Mun and Yun Gun had made their way down to the 2nd Floor, Tae Mun found himself alone with Ro Woon, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his mouth as he approached her.
She was remarkably good at pretending to sleep.
Tae Mun checked once more that the others had completely disappeared, then knelt on one knee and brought his face level with hers.
He pulled away the Jumper draped over her head, and Ro Woon’s face emerged.
Closed eyes, long lashes, rosy cheeks, lips full and slightly swollen.
She breathed in slow, steady rhythm, genuinely appearing to be asleep.
“Ro Woon.”
Tae Mun called her name, tracing her soft cheek with his index finger. She didn’t so much as twitch.
“Han Bom.”
He raised his voice slightly.
“They’re all gone now. You can open your eyes.”
Just as Tae Mun leaned close to her ear and whispered, Ro Woon suddenly jerked her head up.
Tae Mun instinctively recoiled—narrowly avoiding a headbutt.
“You’re awake?”
Ro Woon, gazing at him through bleary eyes, promptly collapsed back onto the table.
Tae Mun let out a sigh, running a hand through his hair.
“What am I supposed to do if you keep sleeping?”
He carefully wrapped Ro Woon in his Jumper, then lifted her with deliberate care.
He was mindful not to let her head strike anything.
By the time they reached the Elevator and descended to the 2nd Floor, the others spun around to look at them.
“Open Ro Woon’s door.”
“Uh, she didn’t hit you?”
“Who hit anyone? She’s perfectly docile. Just open the door already.”
Ji Mun bolted toward Ro Woon’s room.
He pushed open the door and stepped inside, then peeled back the blanket on the bed before retreating to the far side.
Tae Mun laid Ro Woon carefully on the mattress and tucked the covers around her with meticulous attention.
“Is that a mosquito bite on her lips?”
Yun Gun, who’d followed them in, let out an incredulous cry.
“Where? Oh, it really is. Since when are mosquitoes already out?”
“There were mosquitoes at the hospital too.”
“Out. Now. Let her sleep.”
Click.
Before they could say anything more, Tae Mun flipped the light switch.
The moment the others filed out, Tae Mun locked the door behind them and made his way upstairs to the 3rd Floor, rubbing his stiff neck.
His mistake today had been nobody’s fault but his own.
He’d been careless, forgetting that doors locked automatically when shut from the outside.
He’d sent them all away and waited for a long night ahead—only to find himself thoroughly deflated, as though he’d swallowed spoonful after spoonful of kimchi broth. His smile was rueful.

***

Tae Mun woke before dawn, showered, and made his way downstairs to the 1st Floor.
He crossed paths with Yun Gun, who was coming down from the 2nd Floor.
Unlike Ji Mun, who had returned to the hospital, Yun Gun appeared to have slept at home.
“Good morning, sir.”
Yun Gun approached him hesitantly.
“Morning. Sleep well?”
“Yes. I was about to head to the Basement Training Room. Wow, sir, your biceps are incredible.”
The black sleeveless shirt Tae Mun wore left his forearms fully exposed. Yun Gun’s eyes gleamed as he gazed at them—with unmistakable hunger.
“Stop staring and head downstairs.”
“Yes, sir! Um, aren’t you going to work out?”
Tae Mun pulled a pristine white apron from the drawer and tied it around his waist.
“As you can see, I won’t have much time today.”
He was planning to make hangover soup for Bom. He’d take out the dried pollack he’d frozen, boil it with an egg, and it should turn out decent enough.
“Has Bom woken up yet?”
“No. It’s quiet, so I think she’s still asleep. But you’re making hangover soup?”
“Yes. For Bom to eat.”
“I’m sorry?”
Yun Gun’s eyes went wide.
“Why would you… I mean, why are you…”
“What, you want me to send the girl to work on an empty stomach? She’d be uncomfortable all morning.”
“Ah…”
“I’m making plenty, so come back after your workout and eat too.”
“I appreciate the thought, sir, but I can’t. Carbs in the morning make my belly bloat. Your kindness alone is more than enough. I’ll head down to the training room now.”
After Yun Gun disappeared into the Basement Training Room, Tae Mun quickly laid out the rice and began preparing the broth.
He wasn’t sure if it would suit her taste, but he put his whole heart into it, hoping Bom would find it delicious.
While the soup was simmering, Bom came down the stairs, disheveled and drowsy.
With eyes half-closed, she descended—then her nose twitched, and her eyes flew open as she looked toward the kitchen.
Their gazes met across the island counter, where he stood with both hands braced against its surface.
Her puffy eyes slowly widened, and her small face flushed crimson.
“You’re up?”
“Ah, good morning to you.”
“Go wash up and come eat.”
Bom shot up the stairs to the 2nd Floor like an arrow.
So endearing.
At the sight of her so adorable he could bite her, laughter escaped him unbidden.

***

What time did he wake up to prepare all this?
As Bom gazed quietly at the carefully arranged table, Tae Mun tapped the surface with his index finger.
“Why are you just looking? Eat.”
…Professor.
A tsunami of emotion rushed through her.
She wasn’t worthy of setting a table for him, yet here he was treating her with such generous hospitality that she didn’t know where to put herself.
“It should be decent enough to eat. I take after my father when it comes to cooking.”
“No, that’s not it. I’m just… so touched.”
“Touched? Come on, eat.”
“Yes, I’ll enjoy it.”
She lifted a spoonful of the steaming broth, and warmth bloomed through her chest.
“Well?”
Bom’s eyes rounded. The taste far exceeded her expectations.
“Wow, it’s so good.”
“Does it suit you?”
“Yes.”
She’d expected things to feel awkward, but they didn’t. He was just as he always was.
Or rather, he was even more considerate than usual.
“Have some rice too.”
She had zero immunity to such kindness.
Her chest felt ticklish, as though she might sneeze.
“Yes!”
Bom answered cheerfully, pushing rice into her mouth.
It was the same rice they always made, yet it tasted so fragrant and sweet.
The rice that never seemed to go down easily slipped right in.
As Bom ate eagerly from both bowl and spoon, she suddenly felt his gaze and lifted her head.
He sat with one arm draped across the table, watching her eat intently.
They were just two people eating together, but something from yesterday needed to be addressed, so Bom spoke first.
“…Professor.”
“Hmm?”
“About yesterday…”
At Bom’s opening words, he loosely crossed his arms and waited, studying her expression.
“You don’t remember what happened yesterday?”
“No, that’s not it. I remember.”
“Then how much do you remember?”
He asked with amusement in his voice, but his eyes were sharp, searching to see if she might have forgotten something after all.
“Well, after I parted with Ro Woon, I remember having Western liquor with you on the 3rd Floor Balcony.”
“And.”
“I cursed my father a bit?”
“Go on.”
At his relentless questioning, Bom sighed and confessed honestly.
“……We kissed, and then I just fell asleep.”
He reached out and gently stroked her face.
Bom tucked her chin down, her face burning with embarrassment.
“I’m sorry.”
She mumbled without quite meeting his eyes, and he spoke in a low voice.
“It happens. There’s nothing to apologize for.”
When she lifted her head to look at him, he was gazing at her with a softer expression and gentler eyes, smiling.
“I’ll do better next time.”
“Yeah, I’m looking forward to it.”
“……Oh, I’m going to be late.”
Bom feigned indifference and began eating her breakfast.
Such an embarrassing conversation first thing in the morning.
It was mortifying and yet wonderful. Her heart fluttered.

***

Tae Mun stepped out of the Elevator and headed straight for the Director’s Office.
After finishing his morning routine surgeries and taking a brief rest in the Research Room, he’d come up after receiving a call from his mother suggesting they have lunch together.
Manager Ha, who had been speaking with the secretary at the desk, recognized Tae Mun and greeted him warmly.

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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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