"Hey, heard you're going on vacation."
Sienna looked up from her desk to see Cathy — her closest friend in the hospital, the one who'd been her anchor through sleepless shifts and countless crises. Cathy leaned against the doorway, grinning.
Sienna raised an eyebrow. "Correction, I'm accompanying my patient who's going to Japan. And I'll still be in duty mode."
"Even so!" Cathy pouted. "You get to travel, see new places, attend a concert . Meanwhile, I'll be stuck here on night duty. Yay me."
Sienna laughed. "I'll be back soon, Cathy. And it's not even like I'm going there to have fun. Plus, my patient isn't exactly… cooperative."
That was an understatement. For the past few weeks, Sienna had been meeting Noran for his weekly consultations — and each time, he managed to test her patience. Arrogant, sarcastic,and that attitude of his.
Cathy made a frowny face at that. "I understand… but I know you, you'll survive."
"And FYI, if my patient was a handsome superstar, I wouldn't really mind the rest." Cathy sighed dramatically.
Sienna shook her head and laughed. "Please! One encounter with Ryu Noran and you'd revoke that statement immediately."
The conversation went on about this and that. Sienna left work early and soon reached home.
That night, she began packing her suitcase. She was excited but also a bit nervous. Tomorrow, she'd be flying with Noran and his group, WR5, to Japan. She had never traveled with a patient before — let alone an idol.
Can't believe I'm actually going to be in Japan tomorrow. I should be over the moon… so why does this feel like going for a test I didn't study for?
Sighing, she zipped her suitcase shut. "This is duty, not vacation," she reminded herself. Still, she couldn't shake the tiny flutter in her chest.
The next day, the plane soared above the clouds. Sienna sipped her coffee, gazing out the window, enjoying the rare quiet.
This feels nice. Peaceful. Maybe this'll actually turn out to be a fun trip…
The seat beside her shifted. She felt someone sitting down.
Sienna turned — and there he was, Ryu Noran. Baseball cap low, plain T-shirt, casual pants, effortless.
"Can't get rid of you even in Japan, huh?" he asked, eyebrow raised.
Yup, guess he'll still be in the 'getting on my nerves' mode no matter which country.
"I was asked by your manager to accompany you," she scoffed, pointing subtly toward the manager seated ahead.
" Oh , is accompany the right word, or is it — "cough cough "— stalking?"
"Oh no, did I get caught?" Sienna said dryly, pretending to gasp before narrowing her eyes at him.
Noran narrowed his eyes back. His gaze flicked over her before resting on her face again.
"By the way, I almost didn't recognize you out of your uniform," he said, a faint grin tugging at his lips. "So you do own normal clothes?"
Sienna arched a brow. "Nope. I wear my scrubs to sleep. I was basically forced to wear these."
For a split second, his grin faltered — like he was about to laugh for real. But just as quickly, his usual charm returned, dimples flashing in practiced perfection.
"Poor little girl." Noran made a sad face.
"What?" Sienna's grip on her coffee cup tightened, irritation sparking. "Mr. Noran, I'm your doctor — and I'm older than you. So who exactly are you calling a little girl?"
"Ouch. Somebody's in a mood." He leaned back lazily. "You know I could have you fired for talking back to me."
"I'll gladly take it," she said with a razor-sharp smile.
Something flickered in his gaze — amusement, maybe curiosity. Noran looked at Sienna sideways and leaned closer. The sudden closeness made her heart beat faster.
"Well, I'm not letting you leave that fast… Doctor." He drew out the last word. "See you around."
And just like that, he stood and walked away. Sienna stared at the seat in front of her, her heart still refusing to calm down .
What was that? Nerves? Coffee jitters? Definitely coffee. Has to be coffee.