Illusion Blind Date - Chapter 68

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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 68

“Still.”
“Are you all right? Nothing hurts?”
“Well, I’m a bit sore, but otherwise I’m fine.”
“All right then. Shall we go?”
“Yes.”
Bom reached up and brushed his Necktie smooth.
Cha Tae Moon caught her hand as it came to rest against his chest, holding it firmly.
“You excite me when you do that.”
“Your Necktie was crooked.”
Bom withdrew her hand and adjusted it properly, then smiled at him and took his hand as they left the room together.
Outside, deep darkness had already fallen.
It felt as though another period of waiting lay ahead.

***

Cha Tae Moon dropped Bom in front of the Hospital and drove away.
Left alone, Bom gazed up at the darkened Hospital and stepped forward.
It was time to gather her strength and begin work again.
Time would pass quickly enough.
Though she felt as though she’d been cast into harsh reality, she knew it was only because she’d grown too spoiled these past days.
As a lover, Cha Tae Moon was nothing short of thoughtful and tender.
Sometimes he was teasing, but that only made her love him more.
Bom turned her steps toward the dormitory. He had told her she could stay another night at the hotel, but she didn’t want to be alone there without him, so she’d come with him instead.
The lodging was cramped and uncomfortable, yet it was the place she knew best.

After changing into her uniform at the dormitory, Bom came down to the ward and worked through her accumulated tasks while reviewing charts.
Around midnight, she checked her phone, thinking Cha Tae Moon must have arrived in Seoul by now.
There was no message yet.
She was hesitating whether to contact him when her phone vibrated.
Her lips curved upward unbidden.
It was a text from Cha Tae Moon.

「I made it to Seoul safely. Don’t overdo it—get plenty of rest.」

Bom smiled brightly and typed a quick response.

「Okay, I will. See you in Seoul.」

After sending her reply, she was grinning like an idiot when her phone rang.
Recognizing who was calling, she couldn’t suppress her laughter and bolted toward the Emergency Stairwell.
She pretended not to notice the bewildered gaze of a nearby nurse.
Thud.
The moment she stepped into the Emergency Stairwell, Bom quickly pressed the answer button.
“Professor!”
Her voice came out louder than she intended, bright with joy.
-Hmm. Where are you? I can hear echoing.
He was perceptive enough to catch it at once.
“I’m in the Emergency Stairwell.”
-You went all the way to the stairwell just to answer my call?
“Yes. Did you make it to Seoul all right?”
-I did.
Listening to his voice—soft, almost a whisper—Bom leaned against the wall.
She chewed her lip, unsure what to say.
Her heart was full of words, but she couldn’t seem to express them.
He seemed to be in the same state. Silence stretched between them, and all they shared was the sound of each other’s breathing.
“…Are you calling because you’re worried about me?”
In the end, Spring spoke first.
Because I missed you.
Not even a few hours had passed since they’d parted, yet the longing was unavoidable.
I miss you too. Very much.
How much?
His low, rumbling laugh was pleasant to hear.
Much more than you’d think, Professor.
Should we go back downstairs?
Oh, I… that is… well…
As Spring fumbled for words, flustered, he broke into another laugh.
What, you don’t want to? Were those words just empty talk?
No, no! That’s not it at all!
Spring.
His voice, already treacherously sweet, grew even more honeyed.
Yes, Professor.
I love you.
I love you too.
Though it was only a phone call, their hearts reached each other intact.
It felt like a dream—being loved this completely.
How’s your body? Any problems?
You just saw me a moment ago. I’m fine. Strong as ever.
I meant something else.
Spring’s face flushed hot in an instant.
I’m okay. You’re the problem, Professor.
The way he kept manifesting himself without warning made her wonder if something had broken inside him.
I feel like I’m dying.
You have to control yourself. Really, you have no shame.
When Spring spoke in a deliberately stern voice, he let out a stifled laugh.
You’re right, I have no shame. But what can I do? It happens whenever I see you.
Was this what they called adult conversation?
Did most couples exchange words like these?
Her face burned with embarrassment, and her body tingled in places she couldn’t name—her thighs twisted together. She felt like a twist of dough coated entirely in sugar.
Actually, Professor…
Yes?
Where are you right now? How can you say such embarrassing things so carelessly? Aren’t you in a taxi?
I am.
The driver will hear everything.
Ha, that bothered you?
I don’t mind, but aren’t you embarrassed, Professor?
It’s fine. The driver understands.
This man’s shamelessness had always been part of his charm.
Tonight, think of me a little.
A small laugh escaped her.
I will.
Even as she said it, her mind was already entirely consumed by thoughts of him.
Good. Now go inside. Don’t stay in the dark stairwell.
Okay. I’ll hang up now.
All right.
After ending the call, Spring calmed her racing heart before slipping out of the Emergency Stairwell.

***

Having finally completed her assignment in Busan, Spring headed straight to the Family Home. She planned to spend the night there.
It had been a long time, yet it felt short.
She’d even texted Cha Tae Moon that she’d finished well and returned safely.
Since she’d told him she was staying at the Family Home tonight, she wouldn’t see him until tomorrow evening at the earliest.
Stepping out of the taxi, Spring looked up at the weathered two-story building bathed in the red glow of the sunset.
Only the newly hung sign for Neulbom Internal Medicine Clinic gleamed bright and polished, like something brand new.
After her mother’s passing, her aunt Ae Jeong had brought Spring here to build their life.
For over twenty years, they’d lived here—the first floor was the Hospital, and the second was their home.
Bom gazed at the building cradled in memories with tender eyes, then pushed open the hospital door where her aunt worked and stepped inside.
A familiar melody chimed—the entrance alert for a visitor.
Two nurses at the desk recognized Bom and greeted her warmly.
“Bom, welcome!”
“Hello. Is my aunt in the consultation room?”
“Yes, she’s with a patient right now.”
“Ah, I see.”
Bom set her luggage to one side and swept a quick glance across the waiting area.
She caught sight of herself as she’d been—careening through this place as a child, thoughtless and wild.
As soon as school ended, she would run straight here and nestle into her aunt’s arms, prattling on about everything under the sun.
While she lingered in that reverie, a patient emerged from the consultation room.
Bom asked the nurse not to mention she’d arrived, then tiptoed toward the consultation room.
She eased open the half-shut door and stepped in. Her aunt, wearing glasses and typing at the computer, lifted her head and looked at Bom.
A beat passed before her eyes flew wide open.
“Bom!”
“Aunt! I’m back!”
“You’re finished with Busan—completely done?”
“Yes!”
Her aunt rose from her chair, rounded the desk, and came toward her. Bom rushed into her embrace.
She breathed in deeply the familiar scent her aunt always carried—a subtle blend of disinfectant and cosmetics, uniquely her own.
Her aunt held her close for a long moment, rubbing her back, before pulling away to study her face carefully.
“You’ve gotten thin, my dear. It must have been difficult. Your aunt will make something delicious for dinner tonight. Go upstairs and rest now. I’ll be right behind you.”
“All right.”
It was nearly time for the last appointment to finish.
Bom agreed readily and left the consultation room with a light step.
After exchanging goodbyes with the nurses, she climbed to the second floor.
Bom opened the door, stepped into the entryway, set her luggage down in the living room, and looked around.
The apartment was spotless and meticulously organized, reflecting her aunt’s neat character perfectly.
“Ah, this is it! This is home!”
Bom collapsed onto the sofa with its pristine white cover. The scent of home she’d longed for tickled her nose.
She didn’t bother changing clothes—exhaustion pulled her under into sleep almost at once.

A short time later, the rich aroma of sesame oil stirred her awake. She turned her gaze toward the kitchen.
Her aunt stood there in an apron, preparing food.
When Bom was small and fell asleep on the sofa like this, her aunt would return from work and carefully prepare a meal—grilling fish, seasoning vegetables, arranging everything with tender care just for her.
Watching the familiar scene unfold, Bom gazed at Ae Jeong’s back for a moment, then moved toward her.

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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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