our crossed paths | jww.

five.

Four months later.

"Can I see your tongue? Say 'aaah!'" Jiwoo opened her mouth wide, demonstrating for the little patient before her.

The girl hesitated momentarily but then mimicked Jiwoo, sticking out her tiny tongue. Jiwoo gently pressed down with a wooden tongue depressor, peering into the child's mouth.

"Everything looks fine," she said, her voice soothing. "Her sore throat is likely due to the flu that's been going around lately. It's a bit red, probably inflamed, but nothing to worry about. She's going to be just fine."

The girl's mother sighed in relief, her shoulders visibly relaxing. "Thank you so much, doctor. She's been refusing to eat, even her favorite foods. It's her first time ever being this way, and I was so worried."

Jiwoo smiled, offering a reassuring nod. "I understand. It's always nerve-wracking when it's your firstborn." She paused, then added, "The flu should clear up in a few days, but if her symptoms persist, please bring her back. A mild flu like this can actually help build her immunity."

Jiwoo then turned her attention back to the little girl, who was watching the adults with wide eyes.

"You've been such a brave girl today! Here's a sticker for you." She handed over a colorful sticker, and the girl's face lit up with a big grin.

"Thank you, doctor! Goodbye!" the mother said as they left the consultation room.

As the door closed behind them, Jiwoo leaned back in her chair, exhaling softly.

"Dr. Jiwoo, you're really good with kids," her assistant nurse and close friend, Eunji, remarked with a smile.

"Am I?" Jiwoo chuckled, brushing off the compliment. "I don't have any siblings, so I've never really had much experience with kids. I'm just following what I learned in the textbooks."

"The flu has been around lately," Eunji commented as she sorted through some files on the desk.

"Yes, we'll have to be careful ourselves," Jiwoo agreed, her tone thoughtful as she entered the details of her last case into the computer.

Eunji glanced around the office, her eyes landing on a familiar piece of clothing hanging from one of the cabinets. "Oh? You still have that windbreaker hanging there?" she asked, her curiosity piqued.

"Mhm," Jiwoo replied, not looking up from her work. "I finally patched up the tear."

Eunji walked over to examine the windbreaker more closely. A small, intricately embroidered mountain now adorned the chest area, where the fabric had been mended.

"It's beautiful! But why a mountain?"

Jiwoo shrugged nonchalantly. "No particular reason. It just felt right."

Eunji tilted her head. "It looks a bit big for you, though."

Jiwoo finally looked up, a smile playing on her lips. "I never said it was mine."

Eunji opened her mouth to ask more but decided against it.

Instead, she switched topics. "By the way, have you seen the latest pictures of our patient Kim Yura?"

"Kim Yura? The actress who was here last month?" Jiwoo replied, her tone indifferent.

"Yeah! She's already back to work, filming a new drama. Talk about dedication." Eunji pulled out her phone, scrolling through pictures until she found what she was looking for.

"Here, take a look."

Jiwoo glanced at the screen with mild interest. But as she scanned the images, her eyes caught on the figure standing next to Yura.