"Hey, Asher," Kaylee said as her friend came into the locker room.

"Hey, Kaylee. Long day?" D209 asked, seeing the girl lean against the locker with her eyes closed and shoulders slumped.

"Longest. Where have you been? I feel like I haven't seen you in a while." Kaylee stretched her neck, rolling it side to side.

"That's because I had the night shift all of last week. But I'm back to day shifts this week. What's up? Did you need me for something?" D209 leaned against his locker to match Kaylee's position and then ran his hand through his hair before tucking it in his pocket.

Kaylee's eyes naturally followed Asher's hand and the fall of his soft fluffy hair to the sides. There was an urge to run her fingers through it just to see how soft it really was. Asher's new haircut suited him very well.

Is something wrong with Kaylee? Why isn't she answering?

"Ehem, Kaylee?" D209 tilted his head with a soft smile.

"Hmm?" Their eyes met and she snapped out of it. "Oh! I uhm...I wanted to treat you to lunch or dinner sometime for helping me out at the community clinic. Did you see your schedule yet? It's a small miracle that I'm actually off this Friday. How's your schedule looking?"

"I'm off Friday too..."

"Great!"

Yeah! It's perfect.

"But, I already have plans."

What?

"Oh."

"Yeah, I promised to go hiking with Serena and I don't know what time I would be back."

Hiking doesn't take all day now.

"Oh, that's okay then. We can always go another time." Kaylee turned around to open her locker. She couldn't help feeling a little disappointed.

"Yeah, maybe another time." D209 proceeded to access his locker too.

Why can't we go?

"So you and Serena have been hanging out a lot these days, huh? I saw you two in the breakroom a couple of times and chit-chatting in the hallways too."

"Yeah, just a little bit. She's very friendly and helpful. We actually have quite a bit in common."

Yeah, she has been giving me pointers on my fellowship application. That's all. Tell her D209. Tell her!

"Oh, that's nice. She's very pretty and smart."

"Yes, she is that too," D209 agreed with a smile, noting the way Kaylee was scrunching her shirt in her locker.

I thought you said all humans looked the same to you.

Kaylee stood there for a moment, staring into her locker. She didn't want to bad-mouth anyone or fan the rumors, but she also didn't want her friend to get hurt or used. Rumor has it that Serena is a 'love 'em and leave 'em' kind of person that has more than a dozen of ex-lovers. There was really nothing wrong with that if both parties are consenting adults that feel the same way. However, Asher was not that type of person. Asher was sweet, kind, and sincere. He put his heart into everything he does.

Grabbing her change of clothes tightly, Kaylee hesitantly spoke. "Asher..." She looked at her friend and pursed her lips. "Actually...never mind. I'm going to change first." She couldn't do it. She didn't want to be one of those who perpetuated rumors or talked behind people's backs. She didn't know if any of it was true anyway. Keeping her mouth sealed, she headed for the changing room.

D209 shrugged his shoulder and watched Kaylee walk away.

What's wrong with Kaylee? And what the hell is wrong with you? Why can't we have dinner with Kaylee on Friday? Since when do you say no to food?

"Since I agreed to our deal. Just trust me. This is all for your sake." D209 smirked into the phone. That lovecast is paying off already. It's time to kick it up a notch.

For the next couple of days, Asher and Serena were seen together everywhere. They took their breaks together and ate together. Rumors started spreading that the two were dating, but both were quick to dismiss such speculations. Asher then asked D209 to maybe keep some distance from Serena so the rumors would die down. He didn't want any misunderstandings and especially not with Kaylee.

However, D209 explained to Asher that he shouldn't mind what others were saying. He had become friends with Serena and that would hurt her feelings if he suddenly distanced himself. Besides, Serena was a great help to him with the fellowship application and getting the necessary recommendations. And in all honesty, D209 liked hanging out with Serena. She was witty, engaging, and very straightforward.

Last week, after their first hike, Serena had asked him directly if he was interested in her. She said she was open to dating but she wasn't looking for anything serious as her career was her priority and she didn't particularly believe in love or want any clinginess. And of course, Asher freaked out in disbelief, hyperventilating inside if that was even possible.

D209 on the other hand simply answered that he was only interested in being friends and he genuinely liked her as such. And ever since that day, they've become even closer as friends. Even Asher started getting comfortable with Serena, telling D209 to share bizarre medical cases with her, like conjoined twins sharing a heart and body but with two heads and brains. They had a great time debating what those twins would do if one fell in love with someone the other hated. Would they have conflicting emotions? Who's emotion would rule over the shared body? Seriously, D209 would never understand these strange nerds. Hopefully, they will continue to be friends even when he's gone.

~~~~~~

"Dr. Parker, I really appreciate your help. Sometimes, I don't even know if I'm really cut out for this. What if I didn't catch it? Time is so crucial for the patient."

"But you did catch it. Don't be too hard on yourself. It just takes practice and experience. Even I still have a lot to learn. Kaylee, you're one of the brightest in your batch. You should have more confidence in yourself."

"Thank you for saying that. But I really don't know if I would have spotted it without your help."

"Of course, you would have. I know you would. Probably not right away, but you would have eventually. And there's no shame in asking for an extra pair of eyes or a second opinion. We as doctors always tell patients to get a second opinion, and we should do the same."

Holding a patient's MRI scan in his hand, D209 slowed his steps as he approached the two standing closely in front of the lightbox with their backs towards him. He had come to speak with Dr. Parker but he might have to come back later.

D209 felt a pang to Asher's heart as they watched Kaylee smile and lean even closer to Dr. Parker to examine an MRI scan he was clipping onto the lightbox.

Maybe we should come back later. They look...busy.

After observing Jacob Parker for the past two weeks, he had to admit, the man was quite distinguished in his field, and he wasn't half bad looking either. He could see why Kaylee would find the man attractive.

Come on, let's leave before they see me. That would be really awkward, you know.

D209 had to agree with that. So he quietly turned his heel to leave.

He really needed to do something to help Asher and do it fast because two weeks have already passed. There were only two more weeks before the next full moon. Although, there was no saying when D224 would really come to help extract him even when she gets the message. He wasn't exactly on her good side since they hardly ever saw eye to eye on anything. But he couldn't imagine her taking too long either as she may be in trouble herself for giving him a faulty amulet.

Now, back to Asher's situation. According to Dr. Lana from the lovecast, there were seven steps to seducing a love interest. Step one, go slow in approaching the other person and avoid being too aggressive or eager. Well, five years and counting, it couldn't get any slower between Asher and Kaylee. So that's covered. Step two, listen to the other to show sincere interest. Well, listening was all that Asher has been doing. So next! Step three, dress to impress to attract the other's attention. Asher definitely needed help in that department, and luckily, D209 did just that with a whole new wardrobe. Now, moving on to step four was a little tricky. Step four was to show confidence. A confident person was naturally attractive, granted the person wasn't some egomaniac, but that's far from Asher's problem.

For the past two weeks, D209 has been reiterating that everything that he has been doing was all really Asher's own capability. He just needed to trust himself and stop second-guessing every decision he made. It was hard at the beginning but D209 had noticed little improvements here and there. At least Asher wasn't freaking out inside every time he made a call on a case or when he spoke to Serena now. Now, if only he would stop being so nervous around Kaylee. Moving on to the next step, step five was to use body language to flirt and break touch barriers. This step required some action on his part, so he needed to find the right opportunity.

.

.

.

.

.

"Can you stop feeling so depressed? It's quite distracting and annoying." D209 muttered under his breath as he went over a patient's file. It was really hard to concentrate with Asher sighing every ten seconds.

I'm sorry. It's just that...even with my new look and all, Kaylee doesn't even notice me. It's hopeless. I'm hopeless.

Speaking of the devil, Kaylee suddenly popped into the workroom. "Hey, Asher. I'm glad I found you."

Kaylee? Why is she here?

"Hey, Kaylee. What's up?" D209 closed the patient's file.

"I uh...saw you earlier but I was examining a patient's MRI scan with Dr. Parker. Were you looking for me?" Kaylee bit her bottom lip as she slowly walked closer to D209.

"Oh, I was actually looking for Dr. Parker, but since he was busy I left to attend to other matters first. But I saw him already," D209 explained.

"Oh." Kaylee awkwardly tucked her hands in her white coat's pockets and eyed the door. She really thought Asher was looking for her.

"But I'm glad to see you and I do want to talk to you."

About what? Oh my God. Don't say anything embarrassing.

"Really? What about?" Kaylee perked up.

"Are you still up for dinner tomorrow? I should be back from hiking pretty early in the day."

"Oh, would Serena be okay with that?" Kaylee asked cautiously.

"Yeah, why wouldn't she be? Anyway, where are we going?"

"Well, there's this Korean BBQ place in K-town. I had it once before the pandemic and it was amazing. Now, they're open for outdoor seating. What do you think?" Kaylee said excitedly. She hasn't gone out to eat for so long already.

I'll go! Of course, I'll go.

"Korean BBQ? I've never had that before." A smile stretched across D209's face. It'll be another new thing to try.

I've had it before!

Kaylee frowned incredulously. "No, we had Korean BBQ sometime last year with Mike and the others. Remember how Mike spat out the kimchi and chugged a whole pitcher of water because he couldn't handle the spiciness?"

Idiot!

"Oh, yeah. Now, I remember. I gave you all my kalbi (beef) because you liked them but the guys were too cheap to order more."

D209! Why did you tell her that?

"Uhm, thanks." Kaylee shyly looked away with a smile. She was feeling a little flushed from Asher's gaze. She didn't know what had gotten into her these days.

"Well, we can order as much as we want this time and it's just the two of us. Right?" D209 playfully winked.

"Yeah, just don't break my bank." Kaylee chortled.

Don't let her pay.

"No guarantees. I work up a pretty good appetite after hiking." D209 rubbed his belly.

We're paying. I mean, I'm paying.

Not complaining about being broke anymore, are we? D209 had to control himself from rolling his eyes.

Kaylee laughed, "I need to go now. I'll text you the details later when I secure a reservation."

"Okay, just let me know." D209 smiled as Kaylee waved and walked out of the workroom.

D209 shook his head, feeling Asher's heart thumping faster with excitement and nervousness. The strange side effects of romantic love are still quite annoying to him.

"Are you okay in there?"

Yeah, I'm fine. What should I wear tomorrow?

"Since when did you care about what you wore?"

Since you maxed out my cards for all those clothes? Two cards at that!

"Who sets their limits at $500?"

Someone who has a massive student loan. That's who!

~~~~~~

Beep! Beep!

Kaylee fixed her skirt as she quickly came out of her apartment building seeing Asher pull up in Mike's car.

"Hey, Asher! Thanks for driving."

Kaylee looks so pretty.

"You look very nice," D209 said as Kaylee strapped on her seat belt.

"Thanks. You're not too shabby yourself."

D209 smiled, a little proud that Asher chose his outfit for tonight. Maybe he's not completely hopeless.

.

.

.

.

.

.

"Wow, it's pretty busy here." D209 looked around the restaurant as another couple sat down one table over, even with the limited capacity restriction there were more than sixty people there.

"Yeah, people are eager to get out of the house. But at least we're outside and at a safe distance from one another."

Nodding his head, D209 flipped the pieces of juicy meat that were sizzling on the grill. Korean BBQ was the best thing he's discovered since this whole possession. There were so many little dishes too.

Give more to Kaylee. She really likes kalbi.

"Hellooo...here go soju." The middle-aged Korean waitress said with an accent placed the two bottles on the table along with two shot glasses.

"Thank you," Kaylee said with her hand covering her mouth that was still chewing.

"Thanks," D209 said to the kind lady.

"This is ready." The waitress took the tong from D209's hand and picked up a piece of meat and wrapped it inside a piece of lettuce with a little scoop of rice and a little bit of spicy bean paste. "Here, eat like this and drink soju. Very good." The waitress handed the wrapped bite to D209 and walked away with a smile.

"Thank you," D209 looked at the wrap with wondrous eyes. What was this wizardry? He had been eating the meat on its own and he thought the stack of lettuce was just for garnishing.

I've never had it like this.

"Hahaha...why are you just staring at it? Take a bite." Kaylee laughed at Asher's expression as she poured soju in the shot glasses. He looked adorable like a child with his mouth gaping.

D209 nodded and opened his mouth as wide as possible to stuff the whole bite inside his mouth. It was an explosion of flavors coupled with the crunchiness of the lettuce. The sweet and tender juicy meat was perfect with the soft and chewy rice, and the spicy bean paste gave it just the right amount of complexity.

"This is so good," D209 said, eager to make a wrap just like the one he had.

"Here, have some soju. Cheers!" Kaylee held her glass up.

"Okay." D209 picked up his little glass and clinked it to Kaylee's. He watched Kaylee throw the glass back so he did the same. "Mmm...this is good too. We should order more of this." D209 quickly refilled their glasses. He couldn't get enough of it.

Don't overdo it.

D209 rolled his eyes at the warning, as if, anything could possibly happen.

"Here, open up." Asher held the wrap he just made in front of Kaylee's mouth with a smile.

"Oh, uh..." Kaylee looked around to make sure no one was watching them before opening her mouth. Asher has been insisting on feeding her. "Mmm...thanks."

"You're welcome!" Asher said with delight.

"Asher, your cheeks are so red." Kaylee teased. They were on their fourth bottle of soju and Asher had drunk most of it.

"So are yours. Rosy like flowers. You're always pretty but you look extra pretty right now." Asher smiled and swayed a little as he munched on more kimchi.

"Really?" Kaylee touched her warm cheeks and stared at Asher for a moment. Maybe he's had too much soju. He's never said anything like this to her.

"D209 thinks Serena has better body proportion and facial symmetry, but I still think you're prettier. You're the prettiest." Asher stuffed another piece of kalbi in his mouth. It was so damn good. Let's max out another card. He didn't care.

"Who's D209?"