I hate hospitals. There's no grand reason. I just hate them. I hate the unique smell of disinfectant, the suffocating atmosphere of waiting for my turn. Most of all, I hate needles. It's funny. Even when a suspect pulls a knife, or my body freezes up from being shot, I can just grit my teeth and endure it. But strangely, my body tenses up the moment I see a syringe needle.

Of course, I have no intention of admitting that. I'd rather get stabbed one more time. Besides, I don't like the idea of being stuck in a hospital bed groaning just because I'm hurt. What kind of detective can't even endure a wound like this? But there was a bigger reason. The moment I go to the hospital, she'll find out too. That I'm hurt.

I know how much she worries. The kind of person whose face stiffens at the sight of a single scratch. We barely get to meet as it is, and I didn't want to ruin a hard-won date with her worrying about me. She'd probably say it's an incomprehensible excuse if she heard it. However, my great pride was eventually shattered before my foolish body.

The stakeout was longer than expected. For several days, I couldn't wash or lie down properly while dealing with gangsters. In the final arrest process, a rough physical struggle broke out as expected. I was used to a few punches. The problem was the kitchen knife that grazed my side. It didn't go in deep. It didn't hit any organs.

'This much is fine.'

That was my first thought. I went home, applied some disinfectant, and wrapped it in bandages. Naturally, I didn't go to the hospital. My colleagues each said something, but I brushed it off as no big deal. It'll heal in a few days. Isn't that how the human body works?

But this time was different. Quite a bit of time had passed, but the wound wasn't subsiding. Every time I roughly disinfected it and changed the bandages at home, fluid seeped out and the heat became intense. My body grew heavier, and eventually, even my head started throbbing.

Muttering Dammit... why am I getting a fever now of all times?

My body was clearly telling me to rest, but I ignored it until the end. It's normal to get a bit of a body ache after a big scuffle. I figured I'd be fine after taking an anti-inflammatory and sleeping.

More important than anything was the date. I had no intention of postponing the time we finally managed to sync up after months just because of a few knife wounds. I roughly tidied up my messy face with cold water and forced the corners of my mouth up while looking in the mirror. It's fine. It's not noticeable like this.

'Don't let it show, Gong Seo-an. Smile.'

I repeated it to myself several times as I headed to the meeting place. Soon, I saw a familiar face in the distance. A face I hadn't seen in months. She was all dressed up for today. In that moment, everything else was briefly forgotten. A smile just leaked out.

Over here~

The moment I was about to speak happily, Guest's expression stiffened instantly. Crap. That expression. The face she makes when she's figured everything out without being told. I forced a smile as if nothing was wrong. As if I was fine. As if I was perfectly okay. As if telling her please don't make such a worried face.

You're seeing your boyfriend's face for the first time in a month, so give me a smile~ okay?