[Next Morning – 7:14 AM | Seoul]
The morning sun peeked gently through the curtains, brushing over the quiet apartment as Y/N moved around the small kitchen, still in her comfy hoodie, hair in a loose braid, eyes focused but calm.
Oversized zip-up. Loose jeans. Clean sneakers. No makeup, no jewelry. Just… her.
Exactly how she always was.
She placed two plates down—eggs, toast, and fruit—and turned her head toward the hallway as familiar footsteps padded in.
He entered in a soft-gray sweatshirt and joggers, his hair still slightly damp from the shower, and with a look on his face like he'd just won the lottery.
Well… technically, he had.
He grinned as soon as he saw her.
> "You're already up. And cooking? How are you this perfect?"
She rolled her eyes but smiled, handing him his juice.
> "Now, Mr. Actor. Sit. Eat."
> "Yes, Dr. Fiancée."
She snorted as they sat down together, but she ate quickly—clearly distracted.
He caught it instantly.
> "You okay?" he asked mid-bite, watching her shovel food faster than usual.
> "Just… nervous," she said, glancing at the clock. "First day. New hospital. New people. I don't want to mess anything up."
> "You won't," he said confidently. "You're the most focused person I know. You've got this."
She gave him a grateful half-smile and stood, grabbing her small crossbody bag.
> "Okay. Let's go before I overthink myself into a coma."
He followed her to the door, keys in hand, but paused behind her.
> "Wait."
> "What happened?" she asked, half-turning in confusion.
> "Are you going like this?"
She blinked. Looked down at her outfit.
> "Yeah… why?"
> "It's making you look adorable."
Her eyes narrowed, just a little.
> "Is it?"
He nodded with a smirk.
> "Yup. Like dangerously adorable. But if it's me driving you, you're safe."
She exhaled and said with a soft grin,
> "Then let it be. It's okay."
He chuckled, taking a step forward and opening the cabinet by the door.
> "That's what you think. You're still getting the full 'celebrity protection' package."
He pulled out his cap and mask, tossing a second set gently toward her.
She caught them with a sigh and a tiny pout.
> "Not again…"
> "Of course you have to," he said, already putting his on.
> "You treat me like I'm a hidden gem."
He looked at her from under the brim of his cap and said, with a low chuckle,
> "That's because you are."
She tried not to smile… and failed. Then reluctantly slipped the mask on too.
They stepped out together, blending into the early Seoul morning.
Just him, her, and the kind of quiet happiness you don't post online.
No glam. No designer shoes. No makeup. No jewelry.
Just love.
And it was more than enough.
[8:03 AM – Inside the Car, On the Way to the Hospital]
The roads were still quiet, Seoul not yet fully awake as the car glided through soft turns and glowing traffic lights.
He was driving with one hand, the other lazily tapping the steering wheel as he glanced over at her every few seconds.
She, on the other hand, had her legs slightly curled on the seat, bag on her lap, scrolling through hospital messages and checking location pins.
But the moment she laughed softly at something on her phone, his heart did that stupid thing again.
Flutter. Flip. Fall.
He cleared his throat, then said, almost too casually,
> "Little fox…"
> "Hmm?" she replied, still half-scrolling.
> "I didn't get my kiss yet."
That made her pause.
She turned to look at him, a knowing smile playing at the corner of her lips.
> "You won't get it."
> "Huh?! What do you mean?" he blinked dramatically, glancing at her like she just committed a federal crime.
She shrugged innocently, returning to her messages.
> "You heard me. No kiss until marriage."
He almost swerved the car.
> "What?! That's illegal in seventeen countries! Including my heart!"
She laughed hard now, covering her mouth.
> "Mr. Actor, relax. You already proposed. You already got a yes. You'll survive."
He narrowed his eyes with playful suspicion.
> "So this is payback?"
> "No. This is culture."
She looked at him gently.
"You remember… I'm a Muslim girl."
His smirk softened instantly.
He nodded, gaze turning sincere, both hands now steady on the wheel.
> "I know. And I respect that. Always."
She smiled softly, tucking a loose hair strand behind her ear.
> "Good. Now drive properly before you kill us both, Romeo."
He chuckled.
---
[8:28 AM – Outside the Hospital]
He parked at the side entrance, far from the main rush.
She was about to get out when she paused and turned to him.
> "Mr. Actor."
> "Hmm?"
> "Say it."
> "Say what?"
She tilted her head with a raised brow.
> "Say it. You love me. You haven't said it yet."
He blinked, then leaned back in his seat and grinned.
> "That's what this is about?"
> "Yes."
> "Even though I already confessed for marriage and planned a whole future?"
> "Still doesn't count unless you say the words."
He laughed, shoulders shaking, but leaned in just a little closer and said it softly—like it wasn't new, but still everything.
> "I love you."
Her smile melted something in him.
And before he could react—
She leaned forward…
And kissed him.
Just once.
Just a soft, respectful peck on the cheek.
But it felt like an earthquake in his chest.
She pulled back quickly with a mischievous grin, already opening the door.
> "Best of luck for your interview, Mr. Actor."
> "W-Wait—hey—wait—was that—?!"
But she was already gone, waving cutely over her shoulder as she walked up the steps.
He sat there frozen, one hand on his cheek, his heart punching his ribs.
Then his phone buzzed.
New message from Little Fox 🦊:
> "See? Even your first kiss came with respect 😌"
He stared at the screen, laughed softly, and typed back with a smirk:
> "And even with that, you've ruined me for anyone else."
Then he pressed a hand over the cheek she kissed, leaned back in the seat, and whispered to himself,
> "First kiss… from the girl I'll marry. Worth every second of waiting."
[11:14 AM – Hospital – Pediatrics Department]
Y/N had only been on duty for a few hours… and yet, it felt like she belonged there forever.
Her white coat had that crisp "first-day" charm, but her smile? That was the real reason everyone gravitated toward her.
She was polite with seniors, respectfully curious in classes, a fast learner during rounds — and most of all?
She was magic with the kids.
One small patient, a chubby 6-year-old with a runny nose and the most stubborn pout, had refused every doctor — until she walked in.
> "Hmm... Should I just go back and give this candy to someone else?"
Suddenly, he stretched his arms wide and said,
> "Nooo! Me! I'm sick! I'm your most sick patient!"
The room had burst into giggles.
Within half a day, every staff nurse, two senior doctors, and a group of her fellow interns had fallen under her spell. Whispers had already begun:
> "She's so gentle, isn't she?"
> "Did you see how fast she finished that case note?"
> "She's so calm… and pretty too."
Y/N just blinked every time someone complimented her, a bit shy but always smiling — her cheeks constantly pink.
---
[1:05 PM – Break Time, Garden Benches]
She finally escaped for a short break. Sitting under a tree, phone in hand, juice box in one hand and a sandwich packet on her lap — she sighed.
> "This feels like a drama," she muttered with a chuckle, opening her phone.
That's when she remembered.
"OH RIGHT! Kim Bum's interview!"
She'd reminded him this morning while fixing the button on her coat.
> "Don't forget. Interview at 1 PM. You better not mess up just because I said yes, okay?"
> "What if I just talk about you the whole time?" he had teased with that smug smirk.
> "Try it. I'll block you," she'd warned, face red.
Now…
She clicked on the live broadcast link.
---
[1:11 PM – Interview Room, Broadcasting Live]
Her eyes softened.
There he was, in a crisp black shirt, hair pushed back, sitting like he owned the camera.
Other interns had slowly joined her.
> "Oh my God, is that Kim Bum?"
> "He's SO fine…"
> "Wait, wait, increase the volume!"
Soon, about five of them huddled around Y/N's phone, watching the screen with dreamy sighs.
She sipped her juice calmly.
He was talking about the drama at first — his favorite scenes, the challenges, behind-the-scenes fun.
All was going well.
Until—
"So, Bum-shi…"
"…Let's talk love life."
She almost spit her juice out.
Her fingers froze.
Eyes wide.
> "NO. NO. DON'T YOU—"
Onscreen, he chuckled lowly, eyes flashing.
> "Love life?"
He paused. Smirked.
"It's… interesting these days."
"KYAAAAAA—!"
"OMG—"
"WHO IS SHE?!"
"Is he DATING?!"
Her colleagues lost their minds while she stared at the screen in silent betrayal.
She narrowed her eyes at his smug face like she could burn a hole through it.
> "Interesting how?" the interviewer asked, eyes gleaming.
He sipped water slowly. Looked right into the camera.
> "Let's just say… I recently got a 'yes' to a very important question."
"AAAAAAAAHHH—"
"PROPOSAL??"
"IS THIS FOR REAL??"
Her soul left her body.
And yet… she didn't react. Just blinked. Smiled.
Still sipping juice. Still calm.
Except—
She was gripping the juice box so tight, it made a squish sound.
He saw it, somehow — the camera didn't catch it, but he felt it — and his smirk deepened.
She whispered under her breath,
> "You just wait till I get home, Mr. Actor…"