Ayuri stepped into the apartment.
The layout and down to the furniture designs, it was definitely her style.
Except it was just a tiny bit too neat and organized for her taste.
"Tsk. Who lives like this?"
She kicked off her shoes and collapsed onto the couch, staring at the ceiling.
How long would she be stuck here? She had no idea.
She sighed.
Great. She got rid of screaming kids only to inherit a human refrigerator who thought he was an almighty god.
Dragging herself up, she grabbed a sheet mask, peeled it open, and patted it onto her face while glancing at the mirror.
Suddenly—
"Aahhh!"
A shocked face appeared in the reflection, mirroring her expression. Yuri clutched her heart, recovering from the jumpscare.
Ayuri didn't even flinch. "Finally showing yourself," she said, adjusting the mask. "How was your day?"
Yuri brightened. "It was nice! The kids were cute. One even gave me a little present!" She proudly held up a tiny beaded bracelet.
Ayuri clicked her tongue. "Tsk."
Yuri hesitated. "How about you? Did the Director scold you?"
Ayuri scoffed. "Hah! What can that frozen piece of ice scold me for?"
Then, as if recalling something important, she leaned forward. "Hey, you didn't tell me your Director was that handsome. If I wasn't in your body, I'd totally pursue him."
Yuri's eyes widened in sheer horror, she felt the alarms going off in her head. "Y-you definitely cannot do that! That's the devil everyone fears! If that really happens, I'll be fired!"
Ayuri tossed her hair over her shoulder with a smug grin. "Hehe, don't worry. I was just kidding." She winked.
Yuri didn't look convinced.
Ayuri let out a dramatic sigh. "But when can we switch back? It's been 48 hours already. How did this even happen?"
The mirror stayed silent, reflecting their equally puzzled faces.
Despite all her complaints, Ayuri still got up on time the next morning, though the reflection in the mirror nearly made her scream.
The dark circle under her eyes was practically criminal.
Two hours of sleep. Two hours! All because she had been up talking to herself.
Dragging herself into the hospital, she yawned, half dreaming about coffee.
A nurse gasped. "Dr. Zither, you look like you pulled an all-nighter!"
Ayuri lazily pulled on her white coat and shut the locker. "Almost."
Together, they walked to the consultation room, where the sight nearly made Ayuri groan.
The waiting area was a battlefield. Rows of patients packed the seats, some standing and some even leaning against the walls.
A female doctor walked out of one of the rooms, handing Ayuri a clipboard. "So many people heard Director Ren would be here himself today, so they all rushed in."
Ayuri raised an eyebrow. "Did they come for treatment or an autograph?"
Nina stretched her arms with a tired groan. "His skills speak for themselves. Patients trust him." Then, yawning, she added, "Anyway, I need a five-minute break. Good Luck."
And before Ayuri could respond, Nina had already disappeared.
Typical.
Ayuri rolled up her sleeves and continued working.
---
A middle-aged man sat before her, clearing his throat awkwardly.
Ayuri scanned his chart, then smiled reassuringly. "Sir, you're recovering well. Just be mindful of your diet, avoid spicy, oily, and overly salty foods. Also, limit alcohol and caffeine for now."
The patient nodded. "Doctor, can I eat fried chicken?"
"... That's greasy."
"What about barbecue?"
"That's also not good."
"Hot pot?"
"Sir, are you listing all your favorite foods?"
The patient chuckled. "Ah, young lady, you understand me well."
Ayuri sighed. "I understand that but if you don't follow these instructions, you'll be back here in worse shape."
She gave the necessary instructions, and after a few more consultations, the waiting line finally thinned.
Ayuri stretched lazily, letting out a long yawn as she leaned back in her chair–
And her head landed on something firm.
No... something warm.
Huh?
Hah?!
Her eyes snapped open.
She immediately shut her mouth, swallowing the rest of her yawn.
She tilted her chin up.
A familiar face loomed above her, looking down with barely concealed displeasure.
More specifically, Director Ren.
"D-Director!" Ayuri straightened so fast that she almost knocked her chair over.
His thin lips pressed into a firm line, but he didn't say a word.
Ayuri gulped.
Before she could figure out how to salvage the situation, the next patient walked in.
'Damn! How did I not notice this ice block standing right behind me?'
She quickly tried to slide into her chair and continue her work—
But before she could sit, he simply pulled the chair from under her and sat down calmly like he owned the place.
Ayuri gawked. "Director… that's my seat," she whispered, just in case he somehow didn't know.
Yuzi turned to glance at her.
She swore she caught a flicker of sarcasm in his eyes.
Ayuri felt insulted, but she had no evidence.
"You can take a break," Yuzi said flatly, flipping through the patient's file. "Or do whatever you want. Don't go around saying the hospital abuses its doctors."
Oh.
She obediently grabbed a seat at the side.
At first, she was genuinely interested in his detailed assessments and explanations, admiring his sharp analysis. He wasted no words, getting straight to the point.
But slowly…
Very slowly...
It started to sound like a lullaby.
His voice was deep and steady, and just monotone enough to lull a sleep-deprived intern into a trance.
As he moved on to the next patient.
"Your dizziness is likely due to inner ear inflammation. I'll prescribe medication to manage the symptoms..."
Ayuri's eyelid grew heavier.
Her head started nodding like a chicken pecking at grains.
By the time, the last patient of the day walked out.
Yuzi set the file down and sighed, he glanced to his side, only to find a certain careless intern dozing off right in front of him.
'In his presence.'
His sharp eyes narrowed slightly.
'Quite comfortable, huh?'
He exhaled through his nose.
As expected, never praise someone too early. They get lazy.