Eun Sang almost surrendered herself to believing her fever had caught up with her. Yet, she was cognizant enough to understand that the scene playing out in front of her was not a mirage, not a figment of her imagination.

"Mother, is this too big? Should I make them smaller?"

Choi Young Do was in her home, consulting with her mother on how to dice carrots. Choi Young Do was in her kitchen, wearing a yellow apron, and carefully working a knife through vegetables.

Young Do glanced over at her, caught her watching him. She looked away, pretended to massage her temple. She grimaced, not needing to see him to know he was smirking right now.

Once he and her mom finished cooking, he helped set the table, carrying bowls of beef and radish soup, rice, and other side dishes. He laid them out on the table for her mom and himself, while Eun Sang was restricted to the porridge.

Eat first. I will get water, her mom signed.

"Thank you, Mother," Young Do bowed his head. He always addressed her mother with respect, but lately, Eun Sang felt like he called her mom, 'Mother' more intentionally, more familiarly.

More warmly, she thought.

The two kids sat each on one side of the table. Young Do pulled the bowl away from her. Before she could protest, he started blowing on the porridge to cool it. The steam from the porridge seemed to travel straight into her chest, wrapping a magnificent warmth around her heart as she witnessed his care. He slid the bowl back at her.

Elbow on the tabletop, he rested a cheek on his fist. "Why aren't you eating?" he asked. "Want me to feed you?"

"Hey!" she chided, glancing warily at the kitchen entrance in case her mom had heard.
"What?" he asked with nonchalance. "It's not like it'd be the first time."

She glared at him, recalling the rice cakes they had shared.

"Is that how you offer food to someone you like?" he had asked when she offered him a forked rice cake. "Let me show you the proper way."

She blinked in surprise when he clearly tried feeding her a piece. "What is this?"

He tilted his head and smiled. "You still don't know?" He persisted in holding up the fork. She gave in, leaning forward to receive the rice cake and chewing it. He watched her, eyes lit as if in awe. "You make it look so good. I want some too."

She was about to say he should have some, when he met her half-way across the small table and pecked her on the lips.

He smacked his lips, eyes curved with relish. "It's tasty."

"Choi Young Do."

"What are you waiting for? You really want me to feed you?"

She ignored his cheeky stare and began devouring the porridge hungrily. She had sufficiently starved her fever and now wanted to make up for it.

"Wow, you sure eat well. Makes me want to steal your porridge."

"Eat your own soup," she said.

"Aren't you going to thank me for all the love I put into making that porridge for you?"

A bit of rice stuck in her throat. She cleared her throat and reached for some water. "Thanks for helping my mom."

"Anything for my Eun Sang."

That was when her mother rejoined them and Eun Sang burned her tongue trying to avoid looking at her mom, embarrassed at her mom hearing him speak so affectionately to her.

Later, after he had once again demonstrated his professional dishwashing skills, Young Do and Eun Sang sat side by side in her room.

"It's getting late."

"Is it that time when you have to kick me out because you're scared your mom might be suspicious of what we're doing?"

"You should go do your homework." She was determined not to give in to him.

"Or are you afraid you might succumb to temptation?"

"Hey you," she glared at him, "I'm sick right now."

"Oh," he grinned, "so you're suggesting I might take advantage of a vulnerable maiden? Tsk, you wound me with such thoughts."

"Shush and go. And thanks again."

He smiled with delight.

"I'll see you to the door." She was about to get up, but he placed a hand on her shoulder.

"Just sit still. I don't want you collapsing out there." But instead of getting up, he leaned over her and pressed his lips to her forehead.

She stilled in surprise.

"Oh." His head cocked to peer closely at her, lips quirking. "Your fever has resurfaced? Should I stay longer?"

Eun Sang averted her eyes sheepishly. He was making fun of her blush. "What did you do that for?"

"Just checking your temperature."

She frowned, finally lifting her gaze only to freeze again when their eyes met. The playful tone in his voice hadn't prepared her for the brown pools reflecting tenderness at her. Eun Sang felt the flames from her face dissolve into a pleasant glow. She was safe with him.

Young Do brushed cool fingertips across her forehead, disturbing her hairline. "Get better soon, Cha Eun Sang."