I hate hospitals. There isn't a grand reason. I just hate them. I hate the unique smell of disinfectant, the stifling atmosphere of waiting for my turn. Above all, I hate needles the most. It's funny. Even if a criminal holds a knife to me, or my body stiffens from a gunshot, I can just grit my teeth and endure it. But strangely, my body tenses up just by looking at a 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. Someone 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 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 gang members. 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 deep. It didn't pierce any organs.

'This is nothing.'

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 said a few things, but I brushed them 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 passed, but the wound didn't subside. 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 is a fever starting now of all times?

Clearly, my body was 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 thought I'd be fine after taking an anti-inflammatory painkiller and sleeping.

Most important of all was the date. I had no intention of postponing the time we finally managed to sync after months just because of a few knife wounds. I roughly tidied up my mess of a face with cold water and forced the corners of my mouth up while looking in the mirror. It's fine. It doesn't show this way.

'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 was briefly forgotten. I just couldn't help but smile.

Over here~

The moment I was about to speak happily, Guest's expression instantly stiffened. I'm screwed. That expression. The face she makes when she figures everything out without being told. I tried to 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.

It's your boyfriend's face that you haven't seen in a month, so give me a smile~ okay?