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[K.] - [CAS]

Three days had elapsed since the pivotal incident, resulting in Dr. Choi's ultimate dismissal. Although Sora had been the one to report him, she chose to remain absent from the meeting and the funeral. In the aftermath, she withdrew into isolation, her phone silenced, and she took a much-needed five-days break.

Jay, entangled in the preparation of his comeback, found himself swamped with work and unable to reach out to her. Despite the communication gap, there was a silver lining—his health displayed an improvement, a tangible testament to the positive impact of the therapy sessions.

It was Friday at 6 PM when Jay arrived at the clinic, expecting to find his doctor, but he learned that Sora hadn't shown up for three days. Filled with self-blame, he sped to her house, knocking on the door frantically. Panicking, he entertained dark thoughts until she finally opened the door.

He enveloped her in a tight hug, almost knocking the breath out of her. She patted his shoulder reassuringly.

"Did you miss me that much?" she teased.

"I was so scared that something happened to you..."

"I was just sleeping," she said with a smile, appreciating the concern and care.

Closing the door behind him, Jay led her to the couch, covering her with a blanket and treating her with gentle care, like a protector watching over her.

Jay playfully dons Sora's Hello Kitty apron, and she starts taking pictures, teasing him in the process. Despite his feigned annoyance, he secretly enjoys the attention, especially when she chooses one of the pictures as her lock screen.

As Jay cooks for her, Sora can't help but admire his back, and her heart begins to flutter. It strikes her as peculiar—why is her heart racing over something seemingly trivial? Is this what it feels like when someone genuinely cares about you? Tears well up in her eyes until Jay calls her to come and eat dinner, grounding her in the warmth of his care.

After their shared dinner, Jay tenderly guides Sora to her bathroom, sensing the weight of self-pity and depression she's carrying. Filled with empathy from his own experiences, he decides to offer her comfort.

"Come on, let's get you washed up," he suggests, his voice a gentle caress. He understands the healing power of a warm bath, especially during dark times. As she undresses to her underwear, an unspoken vulnerability lingers in the air.

In the intimate ambiance, Sora slips into the bath, expecting solitude. However, Jay surprises her by taking up the role of her caretaker. Kneeling beside the tub, his fingers move through her hair, not just cleansing but soothing, as if each touch carries a promise of solace. Initially embarrassed, Sora attempts to resist, but her heart yields to the tenderness, allowing him to navigate the depths of her emotions.

Breaking the silence, Sora gazes at Jay's focused face, a soft chuckle escaping her lips, the sound dancing around them like a shared secret. "Isn't it ironic? The patient taking care of his therapist."

Without diverting his gaze, Jay replies, "Not really. It's just a man taking care of a woman."

He leaves her to continue her bath, a silent promise lingering in the air. "Get ready; I'll be taking you somewhere. Wear something comfortable."

Sora dedicated approximately two hours to selecting an outfit, and surprisingly, Jay displayed unwavering patience. Frustration crept in as she mumbled, "He's probably asleep," realizing her closet was filled with dress pants, skirts, and blazers—minimalistic pieces that weren't suitable for the warm weather.

Jay, wiping his eyes groggily, opened the door to her room. "Haven't you gotten ready yet?"

"What do you think?" Sora replied, pouting, her gaze fixed on the open closet and the scattered clothes on the floor.

With a sigh, Jay swiftly selected an outfit for her in less than 10 seconds. "Of course, you'd pick a matching outfit," she remarked.

The car ride was filled with joy, the two of them blasting music, and Jay teasing Sora with his perfect singing voice.

"We're here," Jay announced as the car approached Lotte World, but this time felt different. Sora, pushing her head outside the window, was astonished. It seemed like he had rented the entire place for her.

"You're joking."

"I am serious," Jay affirmed, and with a wide smile, they got out of the car.

"Yah, Mr park, how did you get this place empty?"

"Well, I have my circle of friends, Ms. Jung."

"Ah, it's like in a fairytale! Let's start with that one first? No, that one!" Sora jumped like an excited child, taking his hand in hers as they began with the first game.

"Why don't we start with something more calm first, like the carousel?" Jay suggested.

She eyed him suspiciously. "Are you scared?"

"Me? I'm not scared. Why would I be?"

"Is that so? Then let's go." This time, she took his hand with much force.

They tried all the rides, having fun, laughing, and in the midst of the amusement, they managed to forget about their pains and sorrows, creating a bubble of happiness that enveloped them both.

During the pirate ship ride, Jay succumbed to deep sleep, his rhythmic breathing undisturbed by Sora's attempts to wake him. Frustrated, she tried everything, but his slumber persisted. As a last resort, she bit his forearm, and he finally stirred.

"Come on, next one!"

"We should ride something calmer now. Look, let's ride the bumper cars," Jay suggested, his steps unsteady as he tried to shake off the remnants of sleep.

Rolling her eyes, Sora walked ahead of Jay. "Whatever, let's just do it," she muttered, her tone tinged with playful annoyance.

Suddenly, she halted and looked behind some bars. Jay, perplexed, joined her, discovering a group of kids behind a closed gate, their eyes reflecting both longing and curiosity. With Sora, Jay, and a security guard in tow, they approached.

Smiling at the kids, Sora initiated, "Hey, kids, how are you?"

A girl, grinning, responded, "We're fine! What about you?"

"Well, what can we do? We're all alone here and bored. Why don't you join us?"

"But, noona..."

"No buts. Come in; this place is all yours. Play whatever you want. The owner ran away, so he won't say anything." Sora closed the gate, granting the kids access to the amusement park.

Glancing at Jay, who was looking at her with an odd mixture of adoration, she bumped him. "Come on, let's go!"

Finally arriving, they engaged in bumper cars with the kids, each of them in a different car. Sora pointed with her finger, instructing, "You see that guy over there? We must run over him."

"But we can't; he's famous."

"Who cares? You're with me right now."

The playful chaos ensued, culminating with Sora and her partner successfully knocking out Jay with their bumper car. Laughter echoed in the air.

Breathless, they rode the Ferris wheel, saving the best for last. Leaning against each other's shoulders, Sora expressed, "I'm really happy right now. I'll never forget this. Seriously, thank you. I haven't felt this good in so long, you know, since the incident..."

Jay smiled to himself, content that he could bring her happiness once again. They sat in companionable silence until she broke the ice.

"Mr. Park... why are you doing this? Taking care of me, cooking for me, taking me here? Making me happy?"

"Shouldn't I, though? You said it's good for you."

"True, I like it, but why?"

Once again, silence enveloped them, both staring intensely at each other. Jay finally spoke, "Well, I'm doing this for myself too."

She nodded, finally letting go. "Well, you're my patient. Your happiness is my happiness too, after all."

Jay audibly sighed, not entirely satisfied with her answer. The rest of the ride and the car journey home were silent. Sora didn't understand why Jay had suddenly become quiet, but she was too tired to mind.

Finally arriving in front of her home, Jay walked her to the door. She stopped in front of it and said, "Thank you for today, Jay," giving him a kiss on the cheek. Jay, blushing, found himself caught in the moment, both of them unaware of the camera capturing their intimate exchange.

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