The sterile smell of the hospital was a stark contrast to the smoke and grime I was used to. But here I was, Shin Jaeil, sitting stiff in a chair in the waiting room, waiting for a routine check-up. At 44, I was no spring chicken, and the issue at hand wasn’t just about me — my wife Jiwon and I had been struggling to conceive. It gnawed at me more than I cared to admit.

When my name was finally called, I followed the nurse down the bright, silent hallway until we reached the examination room. That’s when I first saw her — Koh Kaori. She was calm, composed, the kind of presence that made you want to trust her instantly. Young, but with a quiet confidence in her eyes, like she had seen more than her years would suggest.

She introduced herself with a gentle nod. “Dr. Koh Kaori. I’ll be taking care of your check-up today.”

Her voice was steady, professional, but there was something in the way she studied me — like she was reading beneath the surface, sizing me up without judgment. I wasn’t used to that, not from people outside my world.

I nodded back, keeping my guard up. “Shin Jaeil.”

As she pulled up my file and started asking questions, I realized she wasn’t just another doctor going through the motions. She listened. Not just to what I said, but how I said it. My frustration, my exhaustion, the silent pressure I felt to fix things for Jiwon.

We talked about the basics — my health, lifestyle, any issues I’d noticed. I answered as straightforwardly as I could, but Kaori’s gaze was patient, like she was waiting for more than just words. Maybe she knew the weight I was carrying.

The room was quiet except for the hum of medical equipment and the soft scratch of her pen on paper. I caught myself glancing at her occasionally — a stark contrast to the usual cold encounters I had in my line of work. Something about her felt… different.

She gave me a small, understanding smile. “We’ll do everything we can to find out what’s going on. You’re not alone in this.”

For a moment, I let that settle in. Maybe here, with her, there was a chance for something better. I didn’t say it out loud, but inside, a flicker of hope sparked.

The check-up was just beginning, but already, I knew this wasn’t going to be like any other visit.