Illusion Blind Date - Chapter 55

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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 55

“How reassuring. Thank you. But tell me—are you seeing anyone?”
Aunt…!
Her reconnaissance had begun in earnest.
“You only think about work. When do you ever meet women? If you know any nice girls, introduce me to one, will you?”
At the Director’s words, Aunt glanced toward Han Bom, a meaningful smile crossing her face.
Aunt, don’t. Please don’t!
We’re doing just fine together!
He shot her a pleading look, but Aunt pretended not to notice.
“But she’s right there. The way you’re sitting next to our Han Bom—you two look perfect together. Don’t you think so, Eun Kyung?”
Aunt posed the question to Shim Eun Kyung as if testing the waters, but the Director said nothing.
She simply gazed at her son Cha Tae Moon with quiet eyes.
Han Bom began to feel as though she were sitting on pins and needles.
She tried to signal Aunt to stop, but it was useless—she was utterly captivated by Cha Tae Moon.
“Aunt.”
The man, who had been sitting upright and silent, finally opened his mouth to address her fondly.
“Hmm, I suppose I was out of line.”
“Not at all. Thank you for thinking well of us. I’ll do my best to be a good match for her.”
“Oh, my goodness!”
In that instant, the Director bolted from her seat with such surprise that she cried out.
Everyone jumped—it was so unlike her usually stern composure.
“Mother.”
Cha Tae Moon gently chided her with a soft voice.
“I… I couldn’t help myself. I’m just so delighted. Han Bom, I didn’t scare you too badly, did I?”
“Oh, no.”
Though she had been startled, Han Bom waved her hand dismissively.
“Then if we may, we have some matters to attend to. Would it be all right if we took our leave?”
“Yes, of course. Do go ahead.”
Thank goodness—at least they could leave together.
The Director’s gaze lingered on Han Bom, and her eyes seemed to sparkle even more brightly than before.
“Off you go now. I’ve seen Han Bom’s face, so that’s enough. Let’s stay in touch. It was good to see you too, Professor.”
“Yes, please take care on your way in.”
Cha Tae Moon and Han Bom bowed to the two women in turn, then slipped out of the Director’s Office one after the other.
Her mind was reeling. She couldn’t quite piece together what had just happened.
The fact that the two of them were friends had already been shocking, but learning that the Director approved of her was even more so.
Once they had put some distance between themselves and the Director’s Office, Cha Tae Moon approached her gently, as if to soothe her startlement.
“Did we frighten you?”
“Yes, a little.”
“I know. But isn’t it nice to meet my aunt like this?”
“Really?”
“She seems like a charming, impressive woman.”
“Thank you for speaking so kindly of my aunt.”
“No, I should be thanking you. She certainly seemed to think very highly of me.”
“That’s only because you’re such an exceptional professor.”
When Han Bom raised both thumbs, Cha Tae Moon let out a soft laugh.
As they walked side by side down the Corridor toward the elevator, Han Bom’s phone rang.
Zing.
A call from the Ward.
Han Bom turned to look at Cha Tae Moon, knowing she would need to head down to the Ward right away.
He, who had been matching her pace, gave a small nod.
“The Ward?”
“Yes, I need to go down there now. And you know I’m heading to Busan tomorrow, right?”
“I do.”
He gazed at her as his hand gently traced her cheek, his eyes warm.
“I don’t think I’ll be able to go home today. I’ll call you once I arrive in Busan tomorrow.”
“All right.”
“I should get going now.”
Han Bom rose onto her toes to kiss his cheek, then bolted toward the emergency exit like a sprinter breaking from the blocks.
A low sigh followed by warm laughter echoed through the corridor.

***

After arriving at Seoul Station and boarding the train, Han Bom sent a text to Cha Tae Moon.

「Professor, I’m on the train now. I’ll be back safely.」

She felt oddly as if she were going overseas.
They’d said goodbye in front of the Director’s Office yesterday, but Cha Tae Moon had come in early this morning and called her back to bid her farewell again.
The shopping bag he’d pressed into her hands was filled with nutritional supplements and chocolate, along with a stern instruction to eat properly.
He’d gazed at her with warmer eyes than she’d ever seen, then given her a tender kiss.
Not without a light warning against letting her attention wander.
His eyes had held the intensity of a special forces operative.
Han Bom leaned back in her seat, already missing him.
Buzz.
Her phone rang.

「Text me when you arrive. I’ll be in surgery and might not see it, but I’ll check later.」
「Yes.」

She sent a cute rabbit emoji along with it.
The train car, bright with sunlight streaming through the windows, was sparsely populated—being a weekday—and in the quiet, peaceful atmosphere, Han Bom gazed out at the passing landscape.
The cityscape flashed by, bathed in brilliant sunlight.
I’ll complete my time in Busan and come back safely.
Her exhausted body quickly surrendered to sleep.

Cha Tae Moon stared at Han Bom’s text for a long time.
The world had been so full of her, and now sudden emptiness rushed in to fill the space she’d left behind.
He dragged a hand across his face and swallowed a sigh.
At the Hospital and at home, the absence where she’d been would feel immense.
Why had he needlessly created this branch hospital anyway.
Cha Tae Moon glared into empty air, bitter toward his grandfather who’d passed long ago.
This morning, he’d summoned her to the Research Lab on the pretext of giving her the things he’d brought, wanting to see her one more time.
As she’d stepped into the Research Lab bathed in blue light, he’d pulled her close and kissed her.
The sensation against his palms, her soft lips, her breath catching gently against his—it had all been agonizingly vivid.
Suppressing the urge to let his hands roam freely had required superhuman restraint.
For Cha Tae Moon, the soft rise of her breast against his firm chest, her delicate, narrow waist, and the supple curve of her hips below had been pure torture.
Unaware of what lay beneath the surface, Han Bom had simply loved this version of him, her breathing ragged as she buried her face against his chest.
He suspected that when she returned—or perhaps even before then—he’d find himself going to meet her.
Was there any reason to hold back?
They’d already confirmed each other’s feelings. What was the point in waiting?
Perhaps it was only that she was so small and delicate—he wanted to be more careful, afraid she might break.
Ridiculous.
He’d already seen everything, yet here he was, hesitating like a fool.
Cha Tae Moon sank deep into his chair and composed himself.
Afternoon surgery was coming up soon.
Exhale.
His expression, reined in by cold reason, remained as composed and distant as always.
Knock, knock.
The door opened with the knock.
Cha Tae Moon tilted his head slightly as Hae Il entered the Research Lab.
“What is it?”
“You shameless bastard.”
Hae Il approached, pushing his glasses up with a sharp gleam in his eyes, wearing the expression of someone who’d just caught a major case.
“What’s wrong? I’m not in a good mood right now.”
Cha Tae Moon’s voice dropped low of its own accord.
“Yeah, I figured as much. How could you be in a good mood.”

Cha Tae Moon regarded Hae Il in silence. One trait shared by those who buried themselves in studies was their indifference to others.
He’d assumed Hae Il was the same way, oblivious to the world around him — but he’d been wrong.
The man could even sense when something was bothering him.
“You should have just posted it on the hospital bulletin board. ‘Han Bom is my woman.'”
“I’d like to do that too.”
Cha Tae Moon snorted with laughter as he replied.
“Shameless bastard. Han Bom isn’t just any Han Bom. And you just swept her up like that. Insane. God, the more I think about it, the more it pisses me off.”
“Why are you getting worked up? Did you have feelings for her?”
“Don’t talk nonsense. I’m not some shamelessly unprincipled guy like you.”
“You were hell-bent on pairing up your younger sister with someone. Why can’t it be Han Bom?”
“If you married Han Bom, my far-junior colleague would become my sister-in-law. Does an eight-year age gap make sense?”
“She’d be your sister-in-law, then.”
When Cha Tae Moon corrected him, Hae Il burst into laughter as if he’d heard the funniest thing in the world.
“You don’t have any surgeries this afternoon?”
At what amounted to a not-so-subtle request to leave, Hae Il’s laughter died. He looked down at Cha Tae Moon.
“I’m going, I’m going. You lucky bastard. You’ve got everything, don’t you. Everything.”
Hae Il left the Research Lab, finally showing his true feelings — his expression bitter.
The effect was better than expected.
Showing off a bit of performance in Busan might be a good move as well.

***

After the first week of May had passed, rumors spread through the Medical Department about someone.
“God, someone stop Professor Cha, would you.”

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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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