The tension between Dahyun and Jihyo was still thick in the air, though unspoken. Days had passed since their argument, and while the others moved on, the rift between the two remained. In the intern's lounge, Dahyun and Sana sat together, going over their notes, when Jihyo walked in, looking like she had just finished a long surgery. She stopped in her tracks when she saw the two of them sitting at the table, eating what appeared to be a full, home-cooked meal.
"Where did that come from?" Jihyo asked, raising an eyebrow, her tone not as icy as before but still distant.
Sana grinned, as if she had been waiting for the question. "Oh, Dahyun made it. Our girl here is learning how to cook."
Jihyo looked at Dahyun with a mixture of surprise and amusement. "You? Cooking?"
Dahyun glanced up nervously and shrugged. "Yeah, well... thought I'd give it a try."
Jihyo gave a half-smile, but the tension was still there. "Good luck with that," she said, her voice dry as she picked up her stuff and left the lounge without another word.
Once she was out of earshot, Sana turned to Dahyun, her eyes filled with curiosity. "So... since when did you decide to become a chef? You've never really shown any interest in cooking before."
Dahyun paused, poking at her food absentmindedly. "I don't know... just felt like it."
Sana narrowed her eyes playfully. "Mmhmm. Just felt like it?"
Dahyun hesitated for a moment before answering, and then, without thinking, she blurted out, "I mean... Dong Joo and I can't do takeout forever."
Sana's fork froze mid-air, and she stared at Dahyun, eyes wide. "Wait. What?" She put down her fork and leaned closer, her face lighting up with a teasing grin. "Did you just say you and Dong Joo? Like, you're already thinking about the future with him?"
Dahyun immediately realized her slip-up, her eyes going wide. "No, no, no! That's not what I meant! I mean... it's just cooking. Doesn't mean anything." Her voice trailed off, but Sana's expression said it all-she wasn't buying it.
"Oh my god, you're totally falling for him!" Sana exclaimed, her grin widening. "You're already picturing you two living together, cooking meals like a cute little couple."
Dahyun's cheeks flushed. "I didn't mean it like that! It's too early for that kind of stuff. We're just... dating. That's all."
Sana wasn't letting her off the hook that easily. "Sure, sure. Whatever you say. But trust me, the way you're talking... you've got it bad for him."
Dahyun buried her face in her hands. "You're impossible."
---
Later, at lunch in the cafeteria, Sana was still teasing Dahyun mercilessly. As they sat at their usual table, Yoongi, Jungkook, and Jihyo joined them, though Jihyo remained quieter than usual, sitting slightly apart from Dahyun.
"So, I hear Dahyun is going domestic now," Sana announced, earning curious looks from the others.
Jungkook leaned forward, his eyes lighting up with mischief. "What's this? Our Dahyun, the kitchen goddess? Does this mean we're all getting home-cooked meals now?"
Yoongi smirked. "I'll take that as a yes."
Dahyun rolled her eyes, but before she could respond, Sana jumped in. "Oh, it's not for us. Dahyun's already preparing for her future with Dr. Kang. She's gonna be a chef in no time, cooking for her man."
Dahyun groaned, trying to hide her embarrassment. "Sana, please stop."
Jungkook's teasing grin grew wider. "Wait, wait-so you're telling me you've already got this all planned out? Dinner for two, candlelight, romantic music...? When's the wedding?"
Yoongi chuckled, stealing a fry from Jungkook's plate. "Give her a break, man. She's probably just learning in case they get stuck in surgery and need a meal break."
Jungkook winked. "Or stuck in something else."
At that, Jihyo, who had been silent up until now, couldn't help but stifle a small smile. Despite their unresolved issues, a part of her was genuinely happy for Dahyun, even if she wasn't ready to admit it out loud.
Just then, Taehyung walked past the table, heading toward the exit. As he passed by, his eyes lingered on Dahyun for a moment. He had heard bits of the conversation, and something about the way she was laughing with the others made him pause. For weeks, he had been keeping his distance, unsure of how to handle his feelings after everything that had happened between them. But now, seeing Dahyun genuinely happy-or at least trying to be-stirred something in him.
Dahyun, noticing his gaze, looked up and gave him a small smile, but Taehyung quickly looked away, continuing on his way without saying a word. The moment passed, but the tension between them was palpable, leaving Dahyun feeling slightly uneasy.
---
After lunch, the group went their separate ways. As Dahyun headed toward the elevator, she found herself alone for a moment. Jihyo, who had lagged behind the others, caught up to her and stood next to her in silence.
The elevator doors opened, and they both stepped inside. The silence between them was heavy, but this time, it felt less hostile-more uncertain.
Just as the doors were about to close, Jihyo finally spoke, her voice soft but sincere. "For what it's worth... I'm glad you're happy. Even if we're not good right now, I just wanted you to know that."
Dahyun turned to her, surprised. She opened her mouth to respond, but before she could, the elevator doors opened on Jihyo's floor. Jihyo gave her a small nod and stepped out, leaving Dahyun standing there, her heart suddenly lighter, though the weight of their unresolved tension still lingered.
---
As Dahyun walked toward the resident's lounge, she felt a mixture of emotions swirling inside her. She had always prided herself on maintaining strong friendships, and the tension with Jihyo had been eating away at her. But now, there was a glimmer of hope-a small step toward mending what had been broken.
She knew it would take time. But maybe, just maybe, things were starting to move in the right direction.
