27 DATE

Charming. Crimson. Fragrant.

Constantly teased by her peers, Soojin felt irritated to receive a bouquet of blooming roses every day from Gil Youngjae. The man promised to persistently woo her until she said yes to a date.

And the man seems to be serious with his plan showing up every morning at her doorstep. Offering to take her to the clinic and picking her up after work.

Not like she didn't try to decline the offer, Gil Youngjae always has his way to make her say yes. From asking her neighbor Joomi how bad traffic would be that morning to telling her how dangerous it is for a woman like her walking home alone.

She gave up saying no.

Soojin slammed the door after she got out of his car. The 

"Thank you." She mumbled.

Her face was disgruntled from irritation. Yet, the man looked more amused watching her snob attitude. When she reached the door of the facility he shouted with full enthusiasm.

"I miss you already!!!"

Her eyes rounded and her face reddened from embarrassment. Noticing Dr. Ma on the door staring at her, grinning. It's enough that she got coerced into riding his car every day but the present humiliation was too much to bear. She clenched her fist and gritted her teeth.

She had reached her limit.

Soojin turned around and marched back to the vehicle where Gil Youngjae's face gazed at her, baffled by her expression.

"Yes."

"What???"

"Let's have a date."

The sparkling eyes and a wide smile on Youngjae's face were a sight Soojin couldn't imagine seeing. He was glowing like a teenager with a crush who said yes to his confession.

"Are you sure???"

"You want me to take it back???"

He shook his head and waved his hand, "No… no-no-no."

"Call me when you—"

" —tonight!!!" He claimed.

Her forehead wrinkled, she felt like taking back her words. She realized it was better to get over it tonight than have a headache anticipating what the man would do next to get her attention.

"What time???"

"Around seven. I'll pick you up at your house."

"... Fine…"

Soojin swiveled back to get inside the clinic.

"Wear casual clothes… okay???" He yelled.

Dr. Ma was at the door when she stepped inside the clinic. The knowing grin was still at his rims but Dohyun didn't try to tease her from the earlier scene.

The psychiatrist visits the clinic to check up on his patients while he's on vacation. Dr. Yang advised his nephew to rest after the assault. Unfortunately, Dohyun can't remember anything from what happened. His trauma was so severe that his mind chose to forget it.

'If only I can get my ability back,' Soojin thought.

Soojin didn't know how she got the ability. Her first memory of it was when she was young, touching the hand of his father. She was innocent. She didn't know what it meant. It felt natural to her. She didn't feel strange.

'How can I get back something I didn't know how I got.'

Soojin stood in front of the mirror inside her room. The casual look of jeans and a white long sleeve shirt transpired her beauty. She glanced at her silver wristwatch to see the time.

6:50

Her doorbell rang angrily to get her attention.

'Even my doorbell felt pissed being pushed by Youngjae.' She sneered.

She strutted her way to the door after checking her look at the mirror once more. The man standing in front of her wore a black tee-shirt and a brown leather jacket. The faded pants and rubber shoes made him look masculine.

A casual look. A perfect smile. 

If the man wasn't too annoying, she could have fallen in love with him.

"Are you ready for our date???" He charmingly asked.

"Should I bring a hard hat???"

"You don't have to. With me, you'll always be safe." He winked.

Soojin giggled when she found out where their date would be. A newly opened carnival next to a mall where teenagers would come to take their special someone to have fun and play games with.

"I hope you like carnival games," Youngjae asked.

He set his arms on his waist.

"I love them." They both answered and laughed.

Soojin walked towards the carnival. There were the classic shooting games and hoops she loves to play. The basketball game had a long line of players. The prize for their highest score was courtside tickets and a lot of boys wanted to win them.

"Do you like basketball???"

"It's the only sport I know."

"What about football???"

"You mean soccer???"

The man demonstrated kicking an imaginary ball from his feet to his forehead. Bouncing it to his thighs and kicking it with his heels.

Soojin chuckled at the precise manner.

"Were you a football player at school???"

Youngjae nodded, "Yes, back when I was in high school. I dreamed of becoming a professional football player." 

"And now???"

"I can't." The man lifted his leg and showed the artificial metal leg attached to his knee.

Soojin was surprised by the information. She didn't expect the man to have any problem walking.

"Can I ask how???"

The man avoided her stare, "A car accident." 

Even without her ability, she knew it was a lie. The man stepped away from the hoop stand and tried to search for other games they could play.

"Let's go get some ice cream," Soojin suggested.

She held Youngjae's hand which made the man smile. Learning about the disability made her understand the overconfidence was a mask he used to hide his insecurities. He wanted to show that losing a leg didn't hinder his life. It gave him a goal to be better.

'I should learn from him.' Soojin told herself.

She should have confidence in being a psychologist and reading people's behavior. Her ability made her rely on it too much and forgot what she learned.

They continued playing carnival games after. A shooting game to win stuffed toys. She wasn't good with it but she tried and won a small panda toy.

Youngjae chuckled, "Why don't we try again, I'll teach how to shoot properly."

"Okay."

She stood holding the gun with her arm stretched forward. The man grabbed her shoulders to straighten with his large heavy hands. They were forceful and yet careful not to hurt her in any way. It trailed down to her back, wanting her to uncurl her body. Then position himself directly on her back. His broad chest leaned on her. His strong arms stretch to guide her on how to hold a fake pistol. Their hands clasped together on the plastic gun.

"Now set your aim on top of the barrel."

She could feel his warm breath on her ear. The smell of sweet vanilla mixed on every puff of air. Her body suddenly felt warm. Her cheeks were red. Her throat was dry. If she leaned to her side she knew their lips would touch.

She bit her lip. Her heart pounding inside her chest.

'Don't think about kissing him.' Soojin repeatedly tells herself.

She leaned and closed her eyes.