Yi Jin's Growing Feelings

As their first year progressed into the second year, Yi Jin's feelings for Ryun grew stronger. She found herself thinking about him constantly. The way he focused intensely when studying. The way he explained complex topics with such clarity. The way he noticed small details that others missed.

One winter evening, Yi Jin was walking back to her dorm when she slipped on ice. Before she hit the ground, strong hands caught her. She looked up and saw Ryun.

"Careful," he said, helping her stand. "The ice is dangerous."

Her heart pounded. They were standing so close she could see the small details of his face - his long eyelashes, the sharpness of his jaw, the intensity in his dark eyes.

"Thank you," she whispered.

He nodded and started to leave, but she grabbed his sleeve. "Ryun, wait."

He turned back, looking at her with his usual unreadable expression.

"Can I ask you something?" she said, her breath forming small clouds in the cold air.

"Yes."

"Do you... do you ever think about anything other than studying?"

He was quiet for a moment. "Like what?"

"Like... friendship. Or... other feelings."

Ryun looked away, toward the dark sky. "I think it's better to focus on becoming a good doctor. Feelings complicate things."

"But feelings are part of being human," Yi Jin said softly. "You can't avoid them forever."

"I can try," he said, and there was something sad in his voice that made Yi Jin's heart ache.

Before she could say more, he walked away, leaving her standing alone in the cold.

But Yi Jin didn't give up. She started finding small ways to show she cared. She brought him his favorite coffee - black, no sugar. She left helpful notes in his textbooks. She always saved him a seat in lectures. She was patient, never pushing, just being there.

Arum noticed, of course. One day, when they were alone in the library, Arum said, "You like him, don't you? Ryun."

Yi Jin's cheeks turned pink. "Is it that obvious?"

"To me, yes. But Ryun is completely clueless about these things," Arum said with a laugh. "You know, I've never seen him show interest in anyone romantically. Not even a little bit."

"I know," Yi Jin said sadly. "Sometimes I think his heart is frozen solid."

"Maybe it is," Arum said thoughtfully. "But maybe the right person can melt it. Though I have to warn you - my father wouldn't approve."

Yi Jin's father, Chairman Chae, was a traditional man who valued family background and social status above all else. He had already told Yi Jin that he expected her to marry someone from a respectable, well-known family - preferably a doctor or businessman from a good background.

"I don't care what Father thinks," Yi Jin said firmly. "I'll make my own choices."

"Brave words," Arum said. "But parents have a way of making things difficult."

Yi Jin knew Arum was right, but she couldn't help how she felt.

Meanwhile, Ryun remained completely unaware of Yi Jin's feelings. Or if he did notice, he showed no sign of it. He treated her the same way he always had - with polite respect and nothing more.

*****

**He came back not to heal —but to remind them what they broke.

And this time, even God won't stop his scalpel.**

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