There was a sharp clap at the nurse's station, cutting through the usual hospital buzz.

"If I can have your attention for two minutes," a voice called out. "I want to bring to your attention that by next week, the interns will have finally reached their six-month mark. And for those that don't know what that implies, it means you get to transfer to your permanent department."

A ripple of excitement went through the room.

"Does that mean we get to choose anywhere we want? " one intern piped up.

"Not quite. Since you've had rounds in most of the departments in this hospital and familiarized yourself with the staff and procedures, the doctors and head nurses can pick you to join their team."

"Does that mean ER can also pick you?"

"Yes. That is correct."

A few jaws dropped, and one intern nearly choked on their coffee. Others exchanged nervous glances, whispering amongst themselves, "I hope I get picked by ENT or somewhere easy.

The thought of choice had never crossed Hana's mind. She wasn't expecting to be picked anywhere, given the lack of marks she'd made in other departments. She was satisfied being the extra who had no choice but to remain in the ER.

The idea of being chosen, of having a place, suddenly felt less like a distant dream.

"That would be all," Nurse Crystal said before she turned and walked away.

"It's been only six months," Julie said, leaning against the nurses' station counter. "I feel like I've worked here for years, especially in this unit." She turned to Audra with a playful nudge. "Hey, where would you like to go? Ortho? Gyne?"

"Pediatrics," Audra said, her face softening. "I love kids. They're so resilient, even in the face of the scariest things. And they are so cuteeee."

She paused. "What about you?"

Julie grimaced. "Maybe Ortho, anywhere that has the least number of deaths and isn't as fast-paced as this place. Definitely."

"Clara, where do you want to—"

"She will definitely be gunning for neuro," Julie cut in.

"How did you know that?"

"Don't you know who her mother is?"

"It's nothing serious, actually—" Clara began, but Julie cut her off, leaning in, her voice dropping to a dramatic whisper.

"Nothing serious?" she repeated, her eyes widening. "Let me tell you... her mother is the renowned neurosurgery nurse who is on the board of directors."

Audra's jaw dropped, her eyes widening. She looked at Julie, who just nodded with a knowing smirk, then back to Clara, a newfound respect shining in her gaze.

"No wonder you're so good," she breathed. "You'll definitely get picked. I'm sure they've already reached out to you."

Clara shrugged, her fingers never stopping their rhythmic tapping on the computer keyboard, the click-clack a counterpoint to the beeping of nearby monitors.

"Not yet," she admitted a hint of pride in her voice, "but soon. Actually," she added, her tone becoming more neutral, "I'm fine with any unit that picks me. I just have to do my best."

Hana, standing slightly apart from the group, listened to the conversation, a familiar pang of envy tightening in her chest.

A sharp, almost cruel edge entered the conversation.

"How about you, Hana?" a voice drawled the words dripping with condescension. "Any hopes?"

"Hmm... No," Hana mumbled, her gaze fixed on a scuff mark on the floor. "I'm fine staying here."

It's not like I have a choice, she thought. Clara scoffed, a barely perceptible roll of her eyes accompanying the sound.

They were still chatting when Dr. Jenkins strode by, dropping a chart with a sharp clack on the nearby surface.

"Good morning, Dr. Jenkins," several voices chimed in unison.

"Morning," he muttered, his gaze sweeping over the group without truly seeing any of them.

Then, his eyes landed on Hana, and his expression sharpened. "Nurse Shizumi," he called, his voice suddenly clear and direct."

At the sound of her name, Hana snapped to attention, her heart giving a sudden, unexpected thump. She shot up from her seat, her eyes meeting Dr. Jenkins's.

"You will be staying in this unit," he continued briskly, his words carrying a weight that Hana couldn't ignore. "Also, on top of your regular cases, any new case or surgery that I attend to, you must be present and follow up on it."

This was no mere assignment; it was a direct order, a significant increase in her workload and responsibility. It felt like, she was being punished.

And just like that, he was gone, sweeping towards the units. She stared after him, a mixture of confusion and apprehension swirling within her.

The nurses' heads swiveled, their gazes tracking Dr. Jenkins as he strode down the hallway. The moment he disappeared around the corner, a flurry of whispers broke out, and all eyes turned to Hana.

Stuck here? But why? It wasn't like she was expecting to be picked by other units but this... was different.

"Well, looks like you're officially his shadow now, Hana! Talk about pressure," Julie pointed out, a slight whistle escaping her lips.

"Am I crazy," she leaned in, her eyes narrowed with a hint of suspicion, "or did he seem quite furious back there?"

"Girl, I saw it too," Audra chimed in, her brow furrowed with concern. "Did you offend him in any way, Hana?

Hana just froze trying to understand what just happened.

"I don't know if I should be jealous or worried about you, darling," Audra said, patting Hana's shoulder with a sympathetic touch.

Hana stared blankly, her mind racing.

She replayed every interaction with Dr. Jenkins, searching for a clue, a hint of what she might have done to warrant this. Had she somehow overstepped a boundary she hadn't even known existed? Nothing stood out. Nothing seemed wrong.

What had she done wrong?

*******************************

"I feel like I'm intruding on your private time," Hana said, her voice tinged with hesitation. "But thank you very much, Jiro."

"Hey, it's no worries at all," Jiro replied, a genuine smile lighting up his face. "You're important to Mira, which automatically makes you important to me. No need to thank me."

"Still, thank you," she insisted softly, avoiding his gaze. She didn't want to burden him further, but she truly appreciated his help.

His eyes flicked to the rearview mirror, his brow furrowing slightly. "You're later than yesterday. You look exhausted. Are you okay?"

"Yeah," Hana sighed, rubbing her tired eyes. "My workload got a bit heavier today. Nothing much."

"Well, let me get you home quickly so you can rest." Hana removed her hospital badge from her chest and tucked it into her bag. Her hand began searching for her keys—a routine motion she'd done a thousand times. But something felt off.

Panic rose in her chest. Did she leave it on the coffee table?

Her fingers scrambled through the bag's contents, her breath catching in her throat. The contents of her bag now spilling across the car seat – a tangle of pens, a swan-shaped sticky note, a half-eaten granola bar, spare rubber gloves, black cotton gloves, a work ID card, and still, no keys."

Jiro glanced in the rearview mirror and noticed Hana's frantic movements. Her face was pale, and her hands were trembling slightly as she sifted through the contents of her bag.

"Are you okay back there?" he asked, his voice laced with concern.

"I... I think I left my key at home," Hana said, her voice barely above a whisper, her fingers twisting nervously in her lap.

"You're locked out? Do you have an extra key?"

"Mira has that," she murmured, more to herself than to Jiro. "What am I going to do?"

Jiro's voice softened. "Hey, hey, how about this? I've got a spare room at one of my places. It's no problem at all."

"I can't do that," Hana protested, shaking her head slightly. "That would be asking too much." I couldn't bear to trouble even more on him, she thought, a wave of unease washing over her.

"It's really no problem," he reassured her, giving her a reassuring smile in the rearview mirror. "Mira uses the room too whenever she comes over. Honestly, she'd kill me if I just left you stranded."

Hana hesitated, her internal debate raging. She didn't want to impose, but the thought of being stranded was daunting. "I don't know how to pay you back," she finally said, her voice small.

"Just put in a good word for me with Mira," Jiro chuckled. "By the way, you won't mind if I stop by somewhere real quick? I need to deliver some documents," he said, glancing at a thick, sealed envelope on the passenger seat.

"It's a bit urgent."

"No problem at all," Hana said, forcing a small smile. She was still uneasy about accepting Jiro's offer, but she was also incredibly grateful. She just hoped this wouldn't be too much of an inconvenience."

***************

"You know I won't be leaving you in the car," Jiro said, turning to Hana with a reassuring smile. "It looks like it might take a while, and it's getting late. You'd be more comfortable inside."

Hana recognized the building immediately. A cold knot tightened in her stomach, and her steps faltered slightly.

She knew Jiro wouldn't budge about leaving her alone in the car, so she reluctantly followed him to the front door, her steps hesitant.

Jiro rang the bell. Moments later, the door was unlocked with a soft click, and Jiro pushed it open, stepping into the dimly lit entryway.

"Renny boy..." His casual greeting echoed through the quiet space.

From somewhere deeper within the apartment, Ren's voice boomed, laced with frustration. "Just leave it on the damn table. And then get out."

Jiro laughed, undeterred. "Rude. Is that how to treat the person who stood in the gap for you? No 'Oh welcome, have a seat. Thank you for bringing it to me. Would you like a glass of water? Best cousin in the whole wide world' Nothing."

He turned to Hana, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Hana, you can wait here," he said, gesturing to a living room couch. "I'll be back. Give me a moment."

He took the file in one hand, and with the other in his pocket, walked straight toward the direction of Ren's study.

Ren sighed at the sight of his cousin. He wasn't in the best state of mind for jokes or small talk. He'd been replaying the scene in the nurses' station over and over in his head, the memory of his own harsh words and Hana's stunned expression burning in his mind.

What had possessed him? He'd never acted so impulsively before. All he knew was that the thought of facing Hana again, of seeing the confusion and perhaps even fear in her eyes, filled him with a deep sense of dread.

"What's got you all pent up?" Jiro asked, leaning against the doorframe. "Mother dearest is doing what she does best again?"

"It's nothing," Ren muttered, turning away. "You can go now."

"Chasing me away so soon. To think I brought a peace offering. A very... specific peace offering," Jiro teased, his eyes twinkling mischievously.

Ren raised his head, curiosity flickering in his eyes.

"Oh, now you are interested," Jiro smirked before calling out loud, "Hana, are you okay there?"

"I'm okay," Hana's voice responded, soft but clear.

The frown on Ren's face vanished, replaced by a look of stunned disbelief. He froze, his breath catching in his throat. That voice... it was undeniably Hana's. A wave of heat rushed to his face, and his heart began to pound against his ribs. In his house. In his house?

The look on Ren's face had Jiro barely holding in a laugh. He spread his hands wide, a theatrical flourish accompanying his words.

"Surprise!"

Ren stared at his cousin, his mind reeling. What was she doing here? And more importantly, how was he supposed to face her after what he'd done?

"What is she doing here?" Ren demanded, his voice tight.

Jiro could see that Ren had a lot of questions running through his head, a mixture of confusion and something else he couldn't quite place.

"I brought her here," he stated matter-of-factly. "Anything else is a secret."

"Jiro, talk."

"Okay, okay, I'll talk. Can I at least sit down?"

"Talk."

"Mira, her best friend, and I are seeing each other," Jiro began, finally taking a seat on the edge of the desk.

"So, since Mira's out of town, she asked me to keep an eye on Hana, make sure she gets home safe and all that. Turns out, she left her keys at her place, so I offered her a room at one of my hotels for tonight. It was the least I could do."

"So, you picked her up yesterday too?" Ren asked, his voice still tense.

"Yes."

A visible wave of relief washed over Ren's face, the tension melting from his shoulders. He let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. It was Jiro all along. He covered his smile with his hand, leaning back into his seat, trying to appear nonchalant.

Jiro studied Ren's face, tilting his head. "Uh oh. Did I just witness a full system reboot? Are you okay there, buddy? You look like you've just seen a ghost... or maybe something you really, really wanted to see."

At that moment, his phone beeped.

He took it out to check the text. It was Mira. A slow grin spread across his face, a mixture of amusement and mischief in his eyes.

"Speak of the devil," he muttered inaudibly, his eyes glued to the screen.

The text read: "Emergency! Get yourself OUT of there NOW!!!"

"What? What is she saying?" Jiro muttered to himself.

Another text followed immediately: "Anything! Fake a family crisis, a plumbing emergency, aliens—just get yourself out! Let them have some alone time"

He texted back, "Got you."

He shook his head, a chuckle escaping his lips. Mira's plans were always... unconventional. But that was part of her charm. Crazy woman, he thought fondly. This is going to be interesting.

"Hmm, Ren," Jiro said, turning back to his cousin, his voice suddenly smooth and casual. "I have to attend to something really quick. Would you mind if I leave Hana in your care?"

"Wait, what?" Ren stammered, his mind still reeling from the earlier conversation.

Jiro was already walking out of the study towards the living area where Hana was seated. Ren followed him, his footsteps quickening. "Jiro, wait. What do you—"

The moment he saw her, his words caught in his throat. He felt his heart skip a beat. Hana shot out of her seat, her eyes widening in surprise and a hint of... was it fear?

"Dr. Jenkins..." she stammered her voice barely above a whisper. His response came out half-strangled.

"Ha... Shizumi..."

Him in casual wear was a stark contrast to the crisp white coat and starched button-up shirts she was accustomed to seeing him in. He was wearing a simple dark t-shirt and jeans, and the casual attire made him seem... younger, and more approachable.

"Hana," Jiro said, placing a hand on her shoulder, "Renny here said he would be glad to take care of your little situation," he added with a mischievous glint in his eye.

Ren's jaw tightened at the sight of Jiro's hand placement. Renny? he thought, shooting Jiro a warning glare.

"I..." Hana started to protest, her gaze darting between the two men.

"You did," Jiro cut her off, taking long steps towards the door. "Ren, take care of Hana. Bye."

With a final, knowing glance at his cousin, Jiro disappeared out the door, leaving Hana and Ren standing in awkward silence.

The two stood in awkward silence, each wondering how they'd landed in this unexpected situation.

Hana shifted uncomfortably, the silence stretching between them. "You don't have to worry about me," she said, her voice barely above a whisper, avoiding his gaze. "I'll call a cab."

"I heard you were locked out," Ren responded, his tone softening slightly.

"Oh, yes," she mumbled, suddenly remembering her predicament. "You can stay the night over here."

"I couldn't," Hana protested, shaking her head slightly. "That wouldn't be necessary."

"I insist," Ren said, his voice firm but gentle. "It's late, and getting a hotel at this hour would be a hassle, not to mention expensive. Besides, my place is much closer to the hospital if you need anything."

Taking her silence as agreement, he added, "Let me get you a change of clothes. You can use the bathroom on the first door to the right."

Hana quickly pulled out her phone and shot a quick message to Mira: "I got locked out of the apartment."

She quickly got a reply.

A small smile tugged at the corner of her lips as she read Mira's message. Jiro filled me in on the details. I will call maintenance early in the morning to get the door open for you. Don't go into panic mode. Tell Dr. Sexy voice I said I'm watching him. Mira always knew how to lighten the mood.

"Here," Ren said, handing her a neatly folded pile of clothes. They were clearly his – a dark grey T-shirt and a pair of sweatpants.

Hana took them, her fingers brushing against his for a fleeting moment. A faint scent of sandalwood clung to the fabric, a scent that was distinctly Ren's.

"Thank you," she murmured, her voice barely audible. Hana walked towards the hallway, pointing towards a door before disappearing inside.

"Right," she mumbled, her cheeks still flushed. "First door on the right."

The click of the closing door echoed through the quiet apartment, leaving Ren standing alone in the living room, unease swirling within him.

Ren let out the breath he'd been holding. This wasn't the first time she was in his house, but this time felt different. He couldn't deny the attraction any longer. His behavior today, the way he'd singled her out, was proof enough.

But acknowledging it brought a wave of unease. This wasn't a clinical observation; it was something far more personal, far more... dangerous.

This was uncharted territory for Ren. He'd always been a man of logic and precision, comfortable in the world of facts and figures.

Emotions, especially those of the romantic variety, were a messy, unpredictable variable he preferred to avoid.

He was good at diagnoses, at finding solutions to complex medical problems. But this... this was a puzzle with no clear answer key.

Ren's hand stopped stirring as he leaned on the counter, his gaze landing on Hana as she emerged from the bathroom.

The shirt swallowed her small frame, the sleeves hanging far past her wrists. It was simple, yet it sent a warmth spreading through Ren's chest.

The way the fabric draped over her shoulders, the delicate curve of her neck peeking out from the oversized collar... it was unexpectedly captivating.

"Sorry they're a little oversized," he apologized, a faint smile playing on his lips. "Those were the smallest I could find."

"It's okay," Hana replied, her voice soft as she tugged the sleeves up her arms, her cheeks tinged with a delicate blush.

"I hope it isn't too late for a midnight snack. I hope you're hungry. I'm making something light – I hope you like Chinese."

The aroma of sizzling broth and fragrant herbs filled the air, making Hana's stomach rumble inaudibly.

A comfortable silence settled over them, broken only by the gentle bubbling of the soup in the pot.

Ren watched Hana as she stood by the counter, her gaze darting everywhere but at him. He felt a desire to bridge the distance between them, but he held back, unsure of how to proceed.

"I hope your boyfriend won't be offended by you staying the night," Ren ventured, his voice carefully casual.

Hana's eyebrows furrowed in confusion. A flicker of surprise crossed her features. Boyfriend? Where did that come from? He heard the rumors. She realized the news must have gotten to him.

"I don't have one," she replied, shaking her head slightly. "The rumors aren't true at all. It was Jiro that night."

"Oh, I see," Ren nodded, his expression unreadable.

"I couldn't help but notice you're on a first-name basis with Jiro," he remarked, his tone carefully neutral, but a subtle undercurrent of something else – perhaps curiosity, perhaps something more – lingered in the air.

"How about you try calling me by my first name?"

Hana's breath hitched, and her eyes widened in surprise. Her mind went blank. How was she supposed to answer that? The question hung in the air between them, thick with unspoken implications.

A blush crept up her neck, staining her cheeks a delicate shade of pink. "Dr... Jenkins..." she stammered, her voice barely above a whisper.

He chuckled, the sound warm and intimate in the quiet kitchen. "The food is almost ready. Could you hand me the plates over there?"

He grabbed the plate from her hands and served the dishes, the clinking of cutlery breaking the silence.

Walking to her side of the table, he set down her plate. He then reached out, his fingers lightly brushing against the back of her hand, causing her to flinch slightly.

"We don't want the sleeves getting into the food now, do we?" he murmured, his gaze fixed on her arm as he carefully rolled the sleeves of the oversized shirt up to just above her wrists.

Hana's eyes remained locked on his as he neatly folded the sleeve. A strange sense of déjà vu washed over her, a fleeting feeling that this had happened before.

"And for the record," Ren added, a playful glint in his eyes, "you don't have to worry about any secret lover on my end."

What did he mean by that? Hana was so confused. But, he is dating Dr. Lia. How could he say that so casually?

Hana pulled her hand away from him, a frown settling on her brows.

*******************************

Ren stepped out of his office, the quiet of the late hour settling around him. He almost stopped dead in his tracks. Curled up on the large couch, a small figure lay fast asleep.

He had told her to make herself comfortable and use his bed. Of course, she didn't want to intrude as usual.

As he gulped down his water, he seemed to hear mumbles and sniffles from where she was.

He moved closer, his footsteps muffled by the thick carpet. Tears streamed down her cheeks, glistening in the dim light. Her lips moved, forming silent words, then breaking into whispered sobs.

What exactly was tormenting her dreams?

He had seen her cry more times than he had seen her smile. It was a troubling observation, one that stirred an uncomfortable protectiveness within him.

She mumbled, her voice thick with sleep and tears. "The flowers... I should have... it's all my fault."

Her brow furrowed even deeper. "Why... why did you... you promised you wouldn't leave me alone. Master... why did you go?"

Ren could barely make out what she was saying. He patted her arm, comforting her. He didn't want to wake her, but,

"Shhh," he murmured, gently stroking her arm. "I'm here, Hana. You're safe now."

Her eyelids fluttered open; her gaze unfocused for a moment before settling on Ren. A look of pure relief washed over her face. "Master! You are back. Thank goodness."

The words, spoken with such heartfelt relief, sent a shiver down Ren's spine. It was as if she hadn't even fully registered his presence before her eyes fluttered shut again, and she slipped back into sleep.

A cold knot formed in his stomach. The word, the way she said it, echoed with a strange familiarity that he couldn't place.

He shook the thought out of his head, though the feeling lingered. Carefully, he scooped her up into his arms, her weight surprisingly lighter than he remembered, she needed to take better care of herself.

He carried her into his room, the scent of sandalwood and cedar lingering in the air. Gently, he laid her down on his bed and pulled the covers over her.

By this time, she had eased into a quiet slumber, but her grip on his arm, though relaxed in sleep, was still firm, as if she was afraid, he would disappear if she let go.

He knelt at the foot of the bed, his gaze lingering on her peaceful face. He gently brushed a stray strand of hair from her forehead, his fingers intentionally avoiding touch with her skin.

"I'm falling for you, aren't I?" he thought, a whisper in the stillness of the room.

***********************

The woman skipped away, her bare feet crushing the dewy grass, her laughter, light and carefree, echoed through the ancient trees, the sound mingling with the rustling leaves and the chirping of unseen birds.

The familiar scene unfolded before him, a recurring loop that had haunted his dreams for as long as he could remember.

But tonight was turning into something different. He was getting closer to the woman. So close.

Tonight, he would finally see her face. Excitement and nervousness washed over him as his hands finally landed on her shoulders.

Just a gentle turn and he would finally see her. Suddenly, a searing pain shot through his hands, as if he'd touched burning coal. He yanked his hands away from her shoulders, a cry escaping his lips.

The heat intensified, spreading through his body like wildfire. What's happening? His eyes dropped to his hand. They were covered in ash.

From far away, he heard a piercing shriek. It was her voice but twisted into a horrifying groan of pain and tears.

Where is she? Why is she screaming? I have to find her.

He woke with a start, his heart pounding in his chest. His phone vibrated beside him.

"Sorry to call so late, Dr. Jenkins," a voice said on the other end. "There's an emergency."

Ren let out a shaky breath, running a hand through his hair as he sat upright on the couch. "I'll be on my way."

He walked towards his room for a change of clothes, his mind barely holding onto the dream, but the feeling still lingered.

As he entered, his eyes fell on Hana, fast asleep in his bed. The sight of her peaceful face triggered a fresh wave of memories from the dream. What just happened?

Confusion and a deep, unsettling fear warred within him.

Why was he suddenly remembering this dream with such clarity? His dreams always faded away once he was awake. This time, it felt different. This time, it...stayed.