Park Ra Jin’s face brightened at the unexpected good news. Though she wanted to rush over immediately, she couldn’t leave Jung Ha Eun in the hospital room after returning from her trip.

“I’ll call the lady. Let’s go together.”

“I’m fine. Elder sister, you go ahead.”

As the thoughtful Jung Ha Eun declined, Park Ra Jin quickly grabbed her arm. Just as Park Ra Jin was about to make a call, the door opened with perfect timing.

“I was just about to call you. Ma’am, I’ll be going now.”

“Yes, yes. Please go in. Thanks to you, I rested well.”

Park Ra Jin smiled gently at the caregiver expressing her gratitude.

“I have filming starting tomorrow, so I’ll come on Friday.”

“Don’t worry about your mother. I hope this project is a big hit too.”

As the kindly caregiver cheered her on, Park Ra Jin clenched her fist in response. Then she gently stroked her mother’s turned back.

“Mom, I’ll earn a lot of money and come back. Eat well and don’t skip your medicine.”

“…”

Her mother, cold again, didn’t even nod. Though the sight was bitter, Park Ra Jin didn’t forget to tell her mother she loved her.

“Please contact me if anything happens.”

After leaving instructions with the caregiver, Park Ra Jin turned around. As soon as she grabbed her bag and linked arms with Jung Ha Eun, she felt incredibly rushed. Her steps quickened as soon as they left the hospital room.

She was indescribably nervous and excited, having not expected him to come at all. It felt like winning a surprise award at an unexpected awards ceremony. With the feeling of walking from the audience seats to the stage while covering her mouth, Park Ra Jin got on the elevator.

“How did you know the prosecutor came here?”

Park Ra Jin asked quietly in the empty elevator.

“Since your secret phone was at home, he contacted me. Asked if today was okay.”

“But why here?”

“I said I had to take you home because of your manager. So he said he’d do it himself and came.”

This was the first time the manager had been so helpful.

She had planned to be content with going home and talking to him on the phone, but this was such a surprise. Park Ra Jin’s heart not only fluttered but melted softly.

Moreover, just the fact that she could meet him made her sympathy for her mother and the resentment stored in her heart disappear like smoke – those old and complicated emotions.

Is this what dating is usually like, or is Prosecutor Kang Ji Ho special? Thinking of him like a human talisman, Park Ra Jin somehow felt energized.

“Oh, Jung Ha Eun.”

Unable to contain her excitement, Park Ra Jin hugged Jung Ha Eun tightly.

“I think I like the prosecutor.”

“It’s not ‘I think I like him,’ it’s ‘I definitely like him.'”

At Jung Ha Eun’s clear correction, Park Ra Jin nodded with a grin. She couldn’t stop smiling just thinking about Prosecutor Kang Ji Ho, like someone whose screws had come loose.

A feeling that couldn’t be hidden no matter how hard she tried. Park Ra Jin decided not to think any more about his proposal to officially date. The way she felt now, she wanted to confess and ask him out herself.

“Jung Ha Eun, I want to start dating Ji Ho from today.”

“Dating is good. But how about something more dramatic?”

“Like what?”

“You’re going abroad for a photo shoot this Saturday.”

She had been living so frantically that she had completely forgotten she was going abroad this Saturday.

“You’ve just started liking each other, so being apart will make you miss each other so much.”

“Oh, that’s right.”

Park Ra Jin was completely absorbed in Jung Ha Eun’s dating coaching. She didn’t care at all about the stares of people as the elevator doors opened.

“Like in movies, write some letters on pretty postcards, buy meaningful gifts. Then when you meet, say ‘I missed you so much’ and give them to him.”

“And then?”

“You should have a passionate reunion that day. It would be good if the first day of dating becomes your first night together.”

Park Ra Jin’s face turned bright red at Jung Ha Eun’s words of ‘good, good.’

Though younger, Jung Ha Eun was clearly her senior in dating. She thought she had gained indirect experience from hearing about her sister’s love life, but this sudden acceleration made Park Ra Jin’s mental speedometer shake violently.

“The first day of dating… the first night?”

“Elder sister, doesn’t just thinking about it make you feel so pink?”

“Pink, pink?”

Jung Ha Eun stopped walking and squealed like a dolphin.

‘First boyfriend, first love, first night?’

For Park Ra Jin, it was unfamiliar, even uncharted territory. But Jung Ha Eun wouldn’t give strange advice. She was sensible in everything and only said rational things.

Infinite trust in Jung Ha Eun, tender feelings for Prosecutor Kang Ji Ho. And the huge wave now rising within Park Ra Jin. The 26-year-old Park Ra Jin’s mind became overwhelmingly complicated.

A black SUV parked in basement level 1, spot A34. As Park Ra Jin approached, the lock clicked open. Looking around, Park Ra Jin opened the passenger door, and Kang Ji Ho tilted his head slightly.

“You’re here.”

“Ji Ho. What brings you here?”

“I missed you.”

He said he would express his feelings simply and clearly, and his answer was honesty itself. Park Ra Jin felt she should express her feelings too, and carefully took his hand.

“Aren’t you busy?”

“I am. But what can I do when I miss you?”

“!”

“I have to move more efficiently to see your face like this.”

Park Ra Jin melted like ice cream on a summer day at his words about wanting to eat with the person he missed, since it was dinnertime anyway.

For such a busy person to squeeze out time to come here. His small but not at all small effort was so appreciated.

Then she suddenly realized there was no time to be sentimental. Feeling rushed for no reason, Park Ra Jin quickly pulled the seatbelt.

“Let’s go somewhere quickly.”

“Can’t I hug you quickly before we go?”

Prosecutor Kang Ji Ho grabbed Park Ra Jin’s hand on the seatbelt. Then he gently pulled her. A man wearing only a white shirt. He was big, firm, and truly broad. Moreover, his faint, fresh scent was still charming.

Park Ra Jin buried her face in his chest, closing her eyes as if being compensated for a tiring day. So this is the comfort that warmth gives.

She pulled his back close, enjoying the sound of his quickening heartbeat. Park Ra Jin savored the moment, breathing softly against his trembling chest.

“Did they bother you at the company today?”

His question checking on her was sweet as honey.

“Nothing special happened?”

“Oh Jong Hyuk’s lawyer…”

Remembering the call with the smug lawyer, Park Ra Jin lifted her head. Now that her strong ally had appeared, this much venting should be okay.

“De-detention. Ah! He said he’s filing for a detention warrant review or something. He asked for documents saying my mother was critically ill.”

Just relaying the words made her so angry, Park Ra Jin’s face flushed hot.

“And then?”

“I was so angry at the word ‘critical’ that I said I wouldn’t do it.”

“You did well.”

He stroked Park Ra Jin’s hair as if praising her. Though she felt embarrassed for acting childish, his words to forget the bad guy made her feel relieved.

He added that even if they forcibly fabricated documents, it wouldn’t be of much use since he was just detained. Then he kissed Park Ra Jin’s forehead with a peck.

“Let’s eat something delicious today and cheer up.”

“What are we eating?”

“A lunchbox made at home.”

Before she could ask who made it, he fastened Park Ra Jin’s seatbelt himself. His warmth brushed by like that, and the car started smoothly.

“Did you stop by home?”

“No. My mother brought it.”

Kang Ji Ho smiled brightly and took Park Ra Jin’s left hand. The orange streetlights warmly illuminated the man’s clean hand.

“Is today a special day?”

“Every day I meet Park Ra Jin is special.”

Though they had already left the hospital parking lot, she felt like she needed to go back to the hospital for ‘lovesickness’. The man’s eyes, which had seemed like early winter, were now shining like a brilliant spring.

Just how far does this man’s charm go? Park Ra Jin’s heart thumped erratically as they drove down the quiet road.

“It’s not your birthday, is it Ji Ho? I think it’s in winter.”

“You even knew my birthday?”

“I asked Elder Sister Ho Jin before.”

He beamed, saying Park Ra Jin’s interest was always welcome.

“But where are we going?”

“Even if we eat in the car, let’s go somewhere open.”

He changed direction towards the Han River park, saying the dark Han River would be better than a dark garage.

After driving for about ten minutes, they arrived at the park parking lot.

“I’ll park here.”

Though it was the farthest spot, there were no obstructions blocking the view since it was a weekday.

While Park Ra Jin gazed at the gently flowing Han River, he opened the car’s sunroof. Suddenly, sweet and fresh river breeze poured in all at once. Though they couldn’t openly enjoy the river breeze, it was quite satisfying for an impromptu date.

“Here, hold my hand and come to the back.”

He went to the back seat first and held out his hand. Park Ra Jin climbed to the back without getting out of the passenger seat, relying on his hand.

“I reclined the seats. It’s not uncomfortable, is it?”

“Not at all. Let’s eat quickly and go.”

Park Ra Jin planned to leave soon so as not to interfere with his work. Perhaps due to the obsession with not being late, she felt rushed as if a timer had been pressed.

They had only exchanged a few words, but 15 minutes had already passed.

Why did she get worked up talking about Oh Jong Hyuk’s lawyer? She should have asked about his day instead. Park Ra Jin regretted wasting time unnecessarily, feeling disappointed.

“I can guarantee the taste. My mother is a good cook.”

Even in the dark car, the food filling the square lunchbox looked neat.

Ssambap with a healthy aroma, meat rolls with colorful vegetables. Plus various side dishes. Her mouth watered instantly. But should she eat with filming tomorrow? Park Ra Jin suppressed her rising appetite and made an apologetic expression.

“Is it okay if I just eat a little?”

In fact, the night before filming, she usually replaced meals with a few pieces of fruit and a cup of tea. But she couldn’t refuse his sincerity and the feast.

“Is it because of filming tomorrow?”

“Yes. It looks so delicious, I want to eat it all.”

“It’s okay. What do you want to eat first?”

His face glowed softly as he said to just tell him comfortably.

Is he going to feed me? Actually, yesterday too, he put some in my mouth saying to try if the meat was grilled well. So, today too?

Suddenly, countless dates from dramas flashed through Park Ra Jin’s mind. Especially scenes where the female lead cutely opens her mouth wide, and the male lead pops in some food. Is that it? It must be.

Park Ra Jin glanced at him slyly, took his fingers and pointed at the ssambap. Then she smiled shyly and opened her mouth slightly.

“Ah-”