“I asked Mr. Kim to take care of it, so let’s go straight home. I’ll go home right after work too.”

“Yes. Phew…”

Perhaps because of tension, Eunjae took a deep breath. Watching her in that state, Seonwoo smiled and asked.

“Nervous?”

“Of course.”

With a clunk, Seonwoo unfastened his seat belt and lightly brushed Eunjae’s cheek with his thumb.

“You’ve worked hard all this time; there will be good results.”

“If you’re going to give me energy, you should do it properly.”

Eunjae leaned in, pulling Seonwoo’s neck towards her, and their lips met.

Slightly separated lips, a slight chuckle could be heard, and mercilessly, their lips were sealed in one gulp.
His breath rushed in quickly. His breath was always sweet and warm.

“How is it? Feeling a bit fulfilled?”

“I’ll get a perfect score.”

A smile spread across Seonwoo’s face as he prepared to leave work. It was because of what happened in the car with Eunjae earlier this morning.

“Anyway, the monster.”

There were piles of papers to read. Still, he thought he would go home and read them. While he was thinking about it and stacking the papers, there was a gentle knock on Seonwoo’s office door.

“Yes?”

“It’s me. Can I come in?”

“Yeah.”

Seonwoo recognized who she was just by hearing her voice. Hyeji peeked her head in through the slightly open door.

“Weren’t you about to leave work?”

“Come in, don’t stand there.”

Perhaps it was because he sincerely apologized and received an apology after that incident, but the discomfort he felt when seeing her had somewhat eased.

“Do you want some coffee?”

“Um… then I’ll have herbal tea.”

“Sure.”

Hyeji was the same. It felt like they had returned to the way they used to be.

As they exchanged stories about patients and some everyday conversations, and when the herbal tea was halfway gone, Hyeji took something out of her gown pocket and handed it to Seonwoo.

“Thank you for everything, Professor Yoon!”

It was a resignation letter. Seonwoo pushed the resignation letter back into Hyeji’s hands.

“You don’t have to do this. It was a misunderstanding, and it’s resolved now.”

“No. I’ve wanted to study more since before.”

I wanted to be by your side a little longer, so I postponed my real life.

“I want to start over.”

Seonwoo let out a short sigh and looked at Hyeji intently. Her eyes were sparkling.

About seven years ago, when you first interned at this hospital, your eyes were exactly like this. At that time, I was sure that you would become a great doctor.

Seonwoo smiled faintly and stared at Hyeji. She was radiant.

“……Alright. Well, if that’s what you want. I respect it.”

“Thank you.”

“But, instead, if you ever want to come back, you can always return.”

Hyeji pushed the resignation letter back into Seonwoo’s hands despite tears welling up a bit.

“……Sure. Well, it’s your decision. I respect it.”

“Thank you.”

“Instead, if you ever want to come back, just come back.”

Hyeji didn’t cry. She quickly raised her teacup, swallowing the tears along with the fragrant herbal tea.

“You know what? You’ve changed a lot since you met Miss Eunjae. It’s a good change.”

“Really?”

“Who would have thought? That you could make such a stubborn and persistent loner smile.”

Seonwoo chuckled as he handed her the herbal tea.

“Eunjae said that. That you’re really clumsy at hurting others. If you couldn’t endure it, you should have acted well, even if it was just acting.”

“Sorry, but I don’t know about the topic you’re talking about. Eunjae noticed it even though I didn’t.”

Even as an intern and a resident, you helped me a lot, doing things I didn’t have to do among the seniors with strong personalities.

“Seonwoo.”
Perhaps the reason I could endure it back then was because of that. I could reach this point thanks to you.

“It’s not a coincidence that I came to Yeonrim Hospital. Applying for the respiratory department, even going abroad for dispatch with you.”

I came to Yeonrim because of you. I even ignored the scout offer from S University Hospital.

Remember when everyone was puzzled when I applied to the respiratory department, considering I was expected to go to plastic surgery or dermatology?

Actually, the reason I applied to the respiratory department was that the thoracic surgery clinic was right next door. Funny, right?

When I heard that you were going abroad for volunteer work, I begged the professor because I wanted to go too.

Remember how our department had a really low enrollment rate at that time? I recall the professor being really perplexed.

Looking back, I was really immature.

“Seonwoo. It’s me.”

Now I know why I couldn’t sever my relationship with you.

“I liked you, a lot.”

Perhaps if I had clearly conveyed my feelings and not received a clear rejection.

“The tteokbokki we used to eat together was really delicious.”

And I became certain.

Maybe I will be able to have a better love than now.

After work, Seonwoo arrived at the parking lot, finished parking, and took out his phone.

“I wonder if she did well on the exam.”

He was curious, yet he didn’t want to burden her again. She’ll handle it on her own, as she’s good at everything.

Smiling, he put his phone back in his pocket. When he just got out of the car, Seonwoo’s phone rang.

Just by seeing the caller, Seonwoo’s mouth noticeably curved upward.

“Yeah.”

[Have you arrived? Where are you? Why are you so late?]

He almost burst into laughter at Eunjae’s urgent voice.

“I had a little work to do before leaving work. I just arrived. In the parking lot.”

[Aren’t you curious if I did well on the test?]

“Yeah. I think you did well.”

[Tch, how boring.]

“Your husband is naturally boring. I’ll be there soon.”

[Oh, don’t hang up. It feels like we’re really dating like this, and I like it.]

Seonwoo stopped in his tracks and leaned against the car at Eunjae’s words.

“I want to eat tteokbokki.”

[Looks like I need to show off my skills after a long time.]

“I’ll be the assistant.”

[That’s too high-profile.]

“Cook as much as you want.”

Although they were within reach of each other, they talked on the phone for a long time.

They laughed while sharing trivial and nutritionally void stories.

[Come quickly now. I miss you.]

Lately, she had developed quite a bit of aegyo.

“I’ll be there soon.”

Seonwoo, smiling, stood up from leaning against the car. It was when Seonwoo’s steps echoed through the parking lot.

The voice, as refreshing as a spring breeze, came through the receiver.

[I love you.]

With just one word, Seonwoo’s steps came to a sudden halt. His chest felt full, and his nostrils tingled.

It really was love.

We were really in love.

Finally, it felt like spring had come.
The unmistakable spring when forsythias and azaleas bloom. A spring where the spring breeze flutters and the fragrance of flowers vibrates warmly. The scent she must have sensed through me was like that spring.

A foolish laughter bursts out. Seonwoo’s momentarily halted steps started moving again.

“What did you say? The call got cut off, probably because of the parking lot.”

[… I, I love you.]

“What did you say? Say it again.”

[Tch, you heard it earlier! Anyway, I’m annoyed.]

Now that Eunjae finally understood Seonwoo’s intention, she grumbled. Passing the main building and heading towards the annex, Seonwoo’s steps gradually quickened.

“I love you too.”

[…….]

“A lot.”

Finally, we became a complete spring.