The hospital carried its usual rhythm—steady, controlled, filled with purpose. But for Go Eun, the day felt slightly off, like something was about to happen, though she couldn't explain why.
"Go Eun," Professor Kim called, glancing over her glasses. "I want you to assist on a patient case this afternoon. The legal representative is already assigned. Work closely with them."
Go Eun nodded immediately. "Yes, Professor."
There was nothing unusual about the instruction. It was routine.
But the moment she stepped into the consultation room, her steps slowed.
Kang So Ra stood there.
Calm. Elegant. Effortlessly composed.
And looking directly at her.
For a second, the world narrowed.
"So… we meet again," So Ra said first, her voice smooth, a hint of amusement dancing beneath it.
Go Eun blinked, caught off guard—but quickly recovered. "Seems like it," she replied, though her tone was softer than usual.
The air shifted almost immediately.
It wasn't just familiarity anymore. It was awareness.
They started discussing the case, but the focus didn't stay entirely on the files.
Go Eun explained the patient's situation, pointing at charts, flipping pages—but she could feel So Ra's gaze on her. Not just listening. Watching.
Closely.
"You're very dedicated," So Ra said suddenly.
Go Eun paused, glancing up. "That's kind of required here."
So Ra tilted her head slightly, a faint smile forming. "No… this isn't just required. You actually care."
The way she said it—slow, deliberate—made Go Eun's chest tighten just a little.
She looked away first. "You're observing too much," she muttered, though there was no real annoyance in her voice.
"Is that a problem?" So Ra asked softly.
Go Eun didn't answer.
The conversation slowed, shifting away from strict professionalism.
And somehow, they were standing closer than before.
At one point, Go Eun reached for a file on the table—only to realize So Ra's hand was already there.
Their fingers touched.
This time, neither of them pulled away immediately.
The contact lingered.
Warm.
Intentional.
Go Eun felt her breath catch slightly, her fingers tensing under So Ra's touch before she slowly withdrew, pretending to refocus on the documents.
But her heartbeat had already betrayed her.
So Ra noticed.
Of course she did.
A small, knowing smile appeared on her lips.
"You get flustered easily," So Ra said quietly.
Go Eun frowned, looking up. "I don't."
So Ra took a small step closer, just enough to close the distance between them. "You do," she replied, her voice lower now. "Your expression gives you away."
Go Eun's pulse jumped. "You're imagining things."
"Am I?"
So Ra's gaze didn't waver.
It held her there.
Pinned.
For a moment, the room felt too small.
Too quiet.
Too aware.
Go Eun cleared her throat, trying to regain control. "We should focus on the case," she said, though her voice lacked its usual firmness.
So Ra leaned slightly against the table, still watching her. "You're right," she said—but she didn't move away.
Instead, she added, almost playfully:
"But it's hard to focus when you're this interesting."
Go Eun froze.
Completely.
Her mind went blank for a second.
"…What?"
So Ra's smile deepened just slightly. "I said what I said."
There was no teasing tone now.
Just quiet confidence.
Go Eun looked away again, but this time it wasn't just to hide embarrassment.
It was to steady herself.
Because something about the way So Ra looked at her—direct, intentional, slightly amused—made her feel seen in a way she wasn't used to.
And she didn't know how to handle it.
The rest of their "work" became secondary.
They still discussed the case, still exchanged ideas—but every interaction carried something underneath it now.
A glance that lingered too long.
A step too close.
A silence that wasn't empty.
When they finally finished, neither of them rushed to leave.
"So," So Ra said, picking up her file but not moving toward the door yet. "Do we only meet like this? By coincidence?"
Go Eun hesitated.
"…Seems like it," she replied.
So Ra stepped closer again, just enough for her presence to feel undeniable.
"Then maybe we should stop leaving it to coincidence," she said softly.
Go Eun looked up at her.
This time, she didn't look away.
There was a pause.
A quiet understanding passing between them.
"Maybe," Go Eun said.
And for the first time, her voice carried something different.
Not hesitation.
Interest.
So Ra smiled—slow, satisfied, and just a little dangerous.
"Good," she said.
As they finally walked out of the room together, side by side, the distance between them felt smaller than before.