When Yi Soo opened her eyes again, she saw the blue sky.

How long had she slept?

She had fallen into a deep sleep, perhaps intoxicated by the medicine.

What was I thinking?

How could I sleep so comfortably knowing it was Seo Ji Ho’s house?

Everything that happened last night felt like a distant dream.

Yi Soo checked her phone.

There were several missed calls and messages from Soo Min.

Judging by the lack of contact from her father, it seemed Soo Min had made some excuse.

Yi Soo closed her phone without checking the contents.

She had felt embarrassed waking up in the dim dawn, but facing Ji Ho again in the bright morning when everything was clear felt daunting.

I need to leave, but…

Yi Soo let out a long sigh and slipped out of bed.

Hesitating in front of the tightly closed door, Yi Soo entered the bathroom.

Her hair was a mess from the cold sweat during the night and being wet from the rain.

She didn’t like using Ji Ho’s bathroom after his bed, but there was no other choice.

Yi Soo washed up thoroughly and changed into the clothes Ji Ho had given her.

**

Why am I so nervous?

Yi Soo took a deep breath and opened the door.

Stepping outside, she gaped at the sight before her.

A grand piano stood in the spacious area, and behind it, a panoramic view of the Han River sparkled like jewels through the round glass windows occupying the entire living room wall.

Fluffy white clouds seemed close enough to touch, proving the dizzying height.

Captivated by the overwhelming scenery, Yi Soo slowly turned her head.

Lowering her gaze slightly, she saw Ji Ho sleeping on the long sofa without a blanket.

“All because of me…”

She felt guilty again for occupying Ji Ho’s bed all night.

Yi Soo brought a blanket from the room and carefully covered Ji Ho so as not to wake him.

The sunlight streaming in mercilessly illuminated Ji Ho’s sleeping face.

Though it seemed bright enough to hurt his eyes, his face remained motionless in deep sleep, like a beautiful painting.

Yi Soo put her two palms together to create shade over Ji Ho’s face.

Feeling responsible for making him sleep like this, she wanted to do something for him.

Looking down at his shaded face, she couldn’t help but admire it.

It was truly a face that could make one lose their senses.

Yi Soo, who had been staring at Ji Ho as if entranced, squeezed her eyes shut and stood up.

‘This isn’t the time to be admiring Seo Ji Ho’s face. What should I do? I can’t wake him up when he’s sleeping like this.’

Suddenly, a large hand grabbed Yi Soo’s wrist and pulled her down.

“Oh!”

In an instant, Yi Soo plopped down on the edge of the sofa.

Next to Ji Ho’s waist as he lay there.

“Where were you going?”

Yi Soo lowered her head with startled eyes and met Ji Ho’s gaze as he lay on the sofa with a languid expression.

“…Weren’t you asleep?”

“How could I sleep with you staring at me like that?”

Ji Ho’s voice was low and husky as he smiled, lifting the corner of his mouth.

Fatigue was visible on his face, still tinged with sleep.

But his breathtaking good looks remained unchanged.

“I wasn’t staring… I was just covering you with a blanket.”

Yi Soo’s cheeks instantly turned red with embarrassment.

She could feel the heat rising to her face, so Ji Ho must have seen it too.

Yi Soo made excuses, wanting to run away from the embarrassment.

“Really? Your gaze was so intense I couldn’t open my eyes.”

Ji Ho looked at Yi Soo with a mischievous expression.

The embarrassment on Yi Soo’s face quickly turned to indignation, clearly visible in stages.

Maybe it wasn’t that bad.

She did look, but perhaps not as intensely as he suggested.

“Don’t peek. Look openly. I like it when you look at me.”

“When did I peek…”

Ji Ho’s face broke into an irrepressible smile at Yi Soo’s prim expression.

“Hehe. Okay, I’ll let it slide.”

The familiar scent of shampoo wafted from Yi Soo’s hair as she glanced sideways and turned her head slightly.

Water droplets clung to the ends of her undried hair, and she was wearing the clothes Ji Ho had given her.

“You washed up. The clothes suit you better than I expected.”

Ji Ho looked Yi Soo over appreciatively.

Yi Soo usually went without makeup, so she didn’t look much different, but her freshly washed face seemed somehow clearer and more transparent.

Whether the medicine had worked well or not, Yi Soo looked so comfortable it was hard to believe she was the same person who had collapsed unconsciously the night before.

Ji Ho had worried she might have trouble sleeping in his unfamiliar bed, but it seemed that wasn’t the case.

Ji Ho couldn’t take his eyes off Yi Soo’s clear face.

“Yeah. But… You said you’d sleep in the other room. Why are you sleeping here?”

Yi Soo’s face showed guilt again.

His languid expression made him look like he still needed more sleep.

“I lay down for a moment and fell asleep. I was guarding you in case you tried to leave secretly.”

Ji Ho chuckled and reached out to cover Yi Soo’s forehead with his palm.

His large hand reached down to the tip of her nose.

“Your fever seems to have gone down. Are you feeling better now?”

“Much better.”

Ji Ho’s hand gently moved to the side and cupped Yi Soo’s cheek.

Then he frowned slightly and said.

“…It’ll leave a scar on your pretty face.”

Yi Soo flinched at the gentle touch of his fingers spreading out to caress her face.

She wanted to pull away, but her body wouldn’t listen, as if frozen.

Yi Soo felt for the first time what it was like to be unable to move.

A dull heat spread with every brush of his fingertips against her cheek.

Yi Soo’s gaze, now awkward, wandered aimlessly through the air.

“Who did this to you? I want to teach them a lesson.”

His lowered eyes stared at Yi Soo.

His slightly curved lips were smiling, but his eyes were serious.

When Ji Ho looked at her as if really asking her to tell him, Yi Soo smiled slightly.

“I’m serious.”

Yi Soo’s heart fluttered at Ji Ho’s sweet voice and gentle gaze, but this time she didn’t avoid his eyes.

They held each other’s gaze in a silence that seemed to stop time.

It felt like receiving warm comfort.

Thank you. Yi Soo looked at Ji Ho with such eyes.

“Yesterday was… my first time. With my face and all.”

It was upsetting and hurt her pride to have to say such things, but she didn’t want him to have unnecessary thoughts.

“It was just like an accident.”

Yi Soo spoke as calmly as she could.

Ji Ho slowly sat up.

“If it happens again, come to me then too.”

“It won’t happen again. I’m so sorry and grateful to you.”

Yi Soo smiled faintly and spoke sincerely.

“Hmm… Are you planning to repay me the same way this time too?”

“Huh?”

Yi Soo thought for a moment, then smiled slightly as she remembered what she had said before.

“I’ll do my best.”

“I look forward to it.”

“I should go now. Go back to your room and sleep comfortably.”

Before Yi Soo could get up, Ji Ho stood first and walked to the dining room.

Looking at her with an expression that said he could do at least that much, Yi Soo couldn’t bring herself to refuse.

Considering how much trouble Ji Ho had gone through, Yi Soo should be the one making him breakfast.

“Is there anything you can’t eat?”

“No.”

Ji Ho opened the refrigerator door and scanned the contents.

If he were alone, he would have eaten something simple, but thinking of Yi Soo who had been sick all night, a warm soup seemed appropriate.

The chosen ingredients were placed on the counter.

“What are you going to make? Can I help?”

As Yi Soo approached the dining room, Ji Ho grabbed her wrist and led her to the bedroom.

“While I prepare breakfast, you dry your hair and come out. There’s a hair dryer in the powder room. Don’t get sick again by staying with wet hair.”

Ji Ho gently pushed Yi Soo into the bedroom, closed the door, and went to the kitchen.

Rolling up his sleeves, Ji Ho began cooking, moving around the kitchen.

He chopped zucchini and green onions, put a pot on the induction stove, and took out seasonings.

His movements were smooth, as if he had done this more than once or twice.

**

Yi Soo looked with wide eyes at the rice cake and dumpling soup on the table, then back at Ji Ho.

“Do you make things like this every morning?”

“I wanted to make something warm for you. You were very sick.”

For me? Looking at the steaming soup, Yi Soo suddenly remembered how miserable she had felt every time she was sick, and her eyes grew hot.

Even when she had the flu and was sick all night, Soo Min only gave her looks of concern, afraid it might spread to Yoo Mi, but never made food for Yi Soo.

She only pretended to worry in front of their father.

Yi Soo lowered her head for a moment, trying to swallow the surge of emotion.

“What’s wrong, you don’t like it? Should I have made porridge instead? The ingredients I had…”

“No, I’m just grateful. I’ll eat well.”

Yi Soo forced a bright voice.

She hadn’t thought she was hungry, but suddenly she felt famished.

She had eaten dinner early yesterday, so her stomach was empty.

Yi Soo took a spoonful of the warm soup and put it in her mouth.

“It’s delicious.”

“I’m glad.”

Ji Ho picked up his spoon with a pleased expression.

Who would have imagined that the morning after fleeing home after being slapped, she would be eating rice cake and dumpling soup made by Ji Ho?

It was a series of astonishing events, almost unbelievable to have happened in just one day.

Thoughts of last night were troubling, but looking at Ji Ho made her forget for a moment.

This space with Seo Ji Ho felt so much like a different world that it seemed unreal.

It also seemed that his unique composure was rubbing off on Yi Soo.

Ji Ho could make people tense, but he could also calm them with his own atmosphere.

The two finished their meal quietly.

The hot soup spread warmly inside, seeming to dispel all traces of her cold.

**

Because Ji Ho didn’t want to drink coffee alone either, Yi Soo sat back down on the sofa.

The fragrant aroma of coffee filled the space.

The Han River sparkling in the sunlight, clouds and sky close enough to touch.

If the place Yi Soo had to return to was reality, this place felt like a dream.

Such illusions came when she stared blankly outside, intoxicated by the overwhelming scenery.

A peaceful and elegant world so different from the reality Yi Soo would face.

“It’s amazing.”

Yi Soo unconsciously let out a murmur.

“Come whenever you want to see it.”

Ji Ho said, looking at Yi Soo who couldn’t take her eyes off the view outside.

Yi Soo’s gaze, smiling softly, swept around the living room.

“Do you play that piano?”

Yi Soo asked, looking at the grand piano occupying a large space right in front of the huge glass window.

A piano like that in a place like this.

“Yes. I play quite well too.”

“Ah… Really?”

“I’ll play for you next time you come.”

At the word ‘next’, a fleeting look of disappointment crossed Yi Soo’s face.

Why not today? As she thought to herself, Ji Ho added as if reading her mind.

“If you want to hear it, use that as an excuse to come again. Anytime.”

He could play the piano right now if he wanted to.

But he wanted to leave an opening for Yi Soo to come back, even like this.

Yi Soo just blinked silently.

When she wanted to see this view, when she wanted to hear the piano. Would she be able to come back?

Thinking she probably wouldn’t, she looked up and met Ji Ho’s eyes as he smiled charmingly.

Yi Soo thought that the most unreal thing here was Seo Ji Ho.

How many women’s hearts had he stirred with that expression?

Bringing her home to sleep, cooking for her, looking at her kindly while drinking coffee in front of this view.

And the piano on top of that.

Thinking that falling for this man would be hopeless, Yi Soo turned her head away.

Ji Ho, who hadn’t taken his eyes off Yi Soo until then, slowly opened his mouth.

“This… It’s my first time too.”