“…Well, it’s unfortunate. But okay. I won’t contact you or anything anymore.”
“…Yes.”
This was what she wished for. Although she didn’t wish for him to contact her, his words strangely stung her heart.

“But…”
Jin Ho continued speaking. He took his hand away from his chin and raised an eyebrow.

“But, Miss Chae Rin, you can contact me. If you ever need me, feel free to reach out. Okay?”
“…”
When Chae Rin kept silent, he continued as if making an excuse.

“So, if you want to go eat something delicious or visit an exhibition, call me.”
“…”
“Ah, of course, you probably have a lot of friends. But just in case all your friends are not available.”
“…”
“Don’t worry. I’m not a stalker. Really, I’m not. I won’t contact you ever again.”
Jin Ho raised his hand as if to back off, worrying if his words might feel too heavy for her. Then he smiled kindly and said, “Then.” before getting into his car.

After he drove off, Chae Rin mumbled absentmindedly.

“I, don’t have friends. Mr. Jin Ho.”
Chae Rin graduated from high school, attended a pet management academy for six months, and was immediately hired at this Wild Rose Animal Hospital. It was her escape from her oppressive home.

Even though she moved out of her house, lived alone, and established a place for herself at a younger age than others, her life was naturally different from her peers.

She didn’t have close friends, and she hardly ever went out except to see a movie with the much older manager.

But Chae Rin knew well that she didn’t need to say such things. It became even more clear after talking to him today. Whenever Jin Ho looked at her with a bright smile, or when she heard his soft voice, her heart fluttered.

There was not a lack of rational attraction.

But, it was awkward and unfamiliar for him to be so kind to her. So in the end, Chae Rin didn’t say anything and just entered the hospital.

((()))((()))((()))

During lunch, the hospital was turned upside down once. Seeing Chae Rin enter after having a conversation, everyone curiously craned their necks.

“Did the conversation go well?”
“What did he say, what did he say?”
The Wild Rose Animal Hospital was like a family as everyone had worked there for a long time and looked after each other.

But at times like this, it was difficult. Looking at them, Chae Rin said, “We agreed not to see each other again.” and returned to her seat without explaining why.

“I guess I shouldn’t have asked. I thought things would go well because he went out of his way to follow her.”
“…That’s why.”
Eun Woo, who had been silently listening, finally spoke up.

“Our hospital staff interferes too much in personal lives. Please leave her alone a bit.”
“…”
“I know you’re worried about Miss Chae Rin…”
Chae Rin was considered like a younger sister by the staff because she came to Wild Rose at a very young age. But this is a workplace, after all, and it’s her personal life.

At his words, the manager and the deputy director whispered, “You’re right. We shouldn’t have asked.” and reflected on their behavior. As other staff left, Seol Hee also prepared to leave the break room. It was ten minutes before the afternoon shift. She felt it was about time to tidy up.

Eun Woo, whom she thought would naturally leave, didn’t. He just stood slanted by the door, still staring at Seol Hee.

“…Is there something you need?”
“Have you, given it some thought?”
Thought?

All of a sudden?

Was he asking about her response to his confession from last time?

Confused by his vague question, Seol Hee was flustered.

Seol Hee had been caught off guard in the hospital when he brought up the subject, her lips drying out. She furrowed her brows, unsure of how to respond, so he asked again.

“What about tomorrow? It’s at 12 o’clock, is that okay? I tried to contact you this morning but got no reply.”
“Ah.”
Startled, Seol Hee pulled out her phone from her pocket. The phone was off. It seemed to have discharged as she had not charged it last night.

“I’m sorry, my phone was off.”
“It’s okay. I meant to ask you, but there was never a moment without people around.”
Indeed, she couldn’t possibly mention going to his grandmother’s house to pay respects in front of everyone. As Seol Hee mentioned again that she hadn’t seen her phone, he waved it off, fluttering his hand.

“Do I just go to your grandmother’s house at 12 o’clock tomorrow? How should I leave from here then?”
“We’ll leave together. Around 10:30.”
“Is it far?”
He tilted his head slightly.

“A little. It should be fine, as long as there’s no traffic.”
“That’s fine. I’ve cleared my entire schedule for tomorrow.”
Eun Woo expressed his thanks and nodded his head.

((()))((()))((()))

A bright Saturday.

Today, Seol Hee wore an uncharacteristically pink dress. The dress wasn’t flashy, but it was neat. It was a good dress her mother had bought for her to wear when she had to attend an important event. Today was the first time she was wearing that dress.

An important event.

“An important event… is it correct?”
Seol Hee was currently in Eun Woo’s car. Today was the day to meet Eun Woo’s grandmother.

When she dated Chan Jeong in the past, Chan Jeong often came to Seol Hee’s house, but Seol Hee had never met even Chan Jeong’s mother. And now she had to meet the grandmother of a man she had never dated.

It was insanity. Eun Woo seemed to have noticed that as well.

“What are you thinking?”
“Will it be okay today? If grandmother doesn’t like me.”
“She’ll like you. Grandma and I have similar tastes.”
“Huh? What does that mean…”
Before she could ask what he meant, the car carrying Seol Hee and Eun Woo smoothly stopped in front of a house.

“We’re here.”
“Ah, yes.”
As Seol Hee replied and was about to get out, her eyes widened.

“This place is…”
She had ended up somewhere completely unexpected.

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