Eventually, Kai reached Steven's office, surprised to find everyone already gathered, chatting comfortably.
"Kai, great. Finally, you're here," Steven was the first to notice him, prompting the others—except Jeff—to glance in his direction.
Before he could even sit down, Zach rushed over, his small hands tugging at Kai's sleeve. "Kai! I did all my tests! The doctor said I'm super healthy!" His excitement was contagious, and Kai couldn't help but smile.
"You did a great job, Zach," Kai said, ruffling his hair before sinking into the chair Zach had just vacated.
Jeff, as expected, was less enthusiastic. "What took you so long, kid? Even my tests were done five minutes ago." His tone was gruff, but there was an underlying curiosity.
Kai waved a dismissive hand. "Doctors just wanted to double-check my legs—make sure everything was normal. Took a little longer than usual, but it all went fine. Nothing to worry about."
He left out the part about Lydia. There was no real reason to hide it, yet for some reason, he didn't feel like sharing. Maybe because it was… new.
"Anyway, if everyone's done, should we get out of here?" he asked, stretching slightly. The hospital air felt stifling now, like the walls were closing in. He needed fresh air.
"Yeah, let's go," Steven agreed as Eliza helped Jeff up. Together, they made their way out of the office and toward the elevator.
The ride down was silent, save for Zach humming under his breath. The familiar chime signaled their arrival at the ground floor, and as they stepped into the main lobby, Kai's gaze casually drifted to the GENERAL WARD sign.
And that's when his eyes landed on her.
A familiar figure.
Golden strands of hair caught in the hospital's sterile lighting, moving slightly as she turned, deep in conversation with another doctor. For a moment, Lydia hadn't noticed him. But Kai… he noticed her.
And just like before, that same strange feeling gnawed at him. A pull. A sense of familiarity he couldn't shake.
Lydia, now walking alongside a small group of four medical students and doctors, exited the general ward. As they moved, laughter and casual conversation surrounded her, but the moment her gaze met Kai's, everything else seemed to fade into the background.
A soft smile played on her lips, and almost instinctively, Kai found himself mirroring it.
She lifted a hand in a casual wave, and despite the weight of Zach leaning against him, Kai adjusted his grip just enough to wave back. It was a fleeting exchange—barely a few seconds—but something about it lingered, like the aftertaste of an unspoken conversation.
As he watched her walk away, his gaze wasn't the only one that had followed her.
A teasing voice broke his focus. "Who's that, Kai?"
Kai turned sharply, finding Eliza's amused eyes locked onto him. Before he could come up with a response, a small smirk tugged at her lips.
A faint warmth crept up his neck, but he quickly cleared his throat. "Just a medical student I met while doing my tests. She was very helpful today." His tone was casual—too casual.
Eliza raised an eyebrow but said nothing.
Unfortunately, the real danger was right behind him.
"My ears are burning~~," came Jeff's dramatic voice, laced with amusement. Kai barely had time to react before his mentor slung an arm around his shoulders, leaning in far too close.
"She?" Jeff dragged out the word, his grin growing wider. "Kai, my boy, tell me more. How exactly was she helpful?" His eyebrows wiggled suggestively.
Kai sighed, already regretting his life choices. Of course, Jeff had to overhear.
Eliza was watching with barely contained laughter, and even Steven was smirking in quiet amusement. Zach, bless his innocent little soul, just looked between them in confusion.
Kai resisted the urge to groan. Yeah, he was never going to hear the end of this.
Despite wanting to brush off Jeff's teasing, Kai felt the heat creeping up his neck. Unfortunately for him, Eliza caught it immediately, her soft giggle only deepening his embarrassment.
As the lighthearted banter continued, the five of them piled into the car and made their way back to Jeff's villa. The drive was mostly peaceful, the hum of the engine filling the comfortable silence as they approached the villa's gates—until Zach shattered it with a familiar whine.
"Kaaaaiiii," Zach stretched out his name dramatically, shifting in his seat. "You promised me ice cream if I did good today! I want ice creammm!"
Eliza turned in her seat, attempting to placate him. "Zach, sweetheart, we just got back. Why don't we—"
"Nooo! You promised, Kai!" Zach cut her off, crossing his arms in defiance.
Kai chuckled, shaking his head at his little brother's persistence. "I did say that, didn't I? And you were great today, so you've earned it." He pulled out his phone, ready to place an order. "I'll get it delivered. We can all have some after dinner, okay?"
But Zach was already shaking his head vigorously. "Nooo! I want Naturals! Naturals doesn't deliver ice cream. We have to go and get it!" His voice rose in determination, his eyes practically pleading.
Kai sighed, exchanging glances with Eliza and Steven, who both seemed amused but entirely unhelpful. Jeff, on the other hand, grinned mischievously.
"Ah, a man who knows what he wants. Kid's got taste," Jeff mused, arms crossed. "Better not disappoint him, Kai."
Kai exhaled dramatically but couldn't hide his fond smile. He ruffled Zach's hair. "Fine, fine. We'll go get your ice cream, champ."
Zach beamed in triumph, and the energy in the car immediately shifted. Kai leaned back with a sigh—he should've known there was no escaping this.
As the car rolled to a stop in the garage, Eliza attempted to reason with Zach, trying to convince him to wait for another day. But before she could finish, Kai cut in.
"It's not a big deal, Eliza. Naturals is just a 15-minute walk from here. I'll take him now and be back soon," he assured the group, already unbuckling his seatbelt.
Before he could step out, Steven's voice halted him.
"No need to walk that far. Just take one of the cars—you'll be back in ten minutes."
Kai froze. His fingers tensed slightly against the car door handle before he quickly masked it, turning around with an easy smile.
"It's really not a big deal. I missed my evening exercise anyway, so this is the perfect way to make up for it," he said, waving his hand dismissively. Then, grabbing Zach's tiny hand, he made to leave.
"Kai," Steven's voice was steady but laced with curiosity, "do you know how to drive a car?"
The question hit like a sudden shift in the air—subtle, but undeniable. Kai felt a prickling sensation at the back of his neck. He kept his expression neutral, but his heartbeat betrayed him. He hadn't expected the question, yet at the same time, he knew it was inevitable.
For a split second, he considered brushing it off. A joke, a diversion—anything to shift the attention away. But Steven's sharp gaze told him that wouldn't work. His mentor had already sensed something.
Zach, oblivious to the tension, tugged at his hand impatiently. "Kaiiii, ice creammm," he whined.
Kai stopped in his tracks, his fingers tightening slightly around Zach's hand. He turned back toward Steven but didn't meet anyone's gaze, his shoulders subtly stiffening. A moment of silence stretched between them before he finally spoke, his voice quieter than before.
"No. I never even had enough money to take the driver's exam, let alone pay for a car. So I guess I never bothered." He finished with a forced shrug, as if trying to brush it off, but the weight of the admission still clung to his words.
No one said anything. The silence wasn't judgmental—if anything, it felt understanding—but Kai mistook it for something else. He exhaled sharply, turning back toward the garage entrance. "Anyway, we'll just walk. It's not that far."
Before he could take another step, something small sailed through the air toward him. Instinct kicked in—his hand shot up, catching the object effortlessly. His brows furrowed as he looked down at his palm.
Keys.
His head snapped up just as Steven crossed his arms, a knowing smirk playing at the corner of his lips. "Where are you both going?"
Kai blinked. "…Huh?"
"It's not a big deal if you don't know how to drive." Steven gestured toward the car behind him. "I'll teach you now. Automatic cars are easy. You'll be driving to Naturals in no time."
Kai stared at him, unsure of how to respond. The keys felt heavier than they should have—like they meant something more than just a way to get from one place to another. "But aren't you tired?" he asked hesitantly.
Steven rolled his shoulders, shaking his head. "Not really. I'm a doctor, remember? Long days don't faze me. Plus, I have a passion for cars. Teaching you is practically therapeutic for me." His expression softened, the usual authority in his voice laced with warmth.
Kai looked down at the keys again, turning them over in his palm. A car. A skill he never got to learn. A quiet opportunity wrapped in a simple gesture.
He exhaled through his nose, then glanced at Zach, who was bouncing on his feet in excitement. "Guess I better not crash it, huh?"
Steven chuckled. "You won't. Not on my watch."
And just like that, for the first time in his life, Kai was about to sit in the driver's seat.
Warmth bloomed in Kai's chest, spreading through him like sunlight breaking through a cold morning. A slow, genuine smile tugged at his lips as he followed Steven toward the sleek, cherry-red Audi R8. His steps faltered slightly when Steven motioned for him to get in the driver's seat.
Before Kai could even begin to protest, Steven cut him off with a firm but amused look. "Don't say anything except 'Yes' and 'I understand.' Am I clear, Kai?"
A chorus of chuckles followed that declaration. Kai's head snapped toward the sound, only to find Jeff grinning, Eliza biting back a laugh, and even Steven suppressing a smirk.
He exhaled sharply through his nose, shaking his head with a quiet laugh of his own. "Yes," he murmured, feeling both exasperated and touched by their antics.
Sliding into the driver's seat, Kai let his fingers graze the smooth leather, taking in the pristine dashboard and the gleaming controls. The car exuded a quiet power, a stark contrast to anything he had ever imagined himself behind the wheel of.
Just as he was adjusting to the feel of it, the passenger door clicked open, and Steven took his place beside him. That, he had expected. What he hadn't expected was the back doors opening as well.
Kai turned in confusion as Eliza, Jeff, and Zach all piled in.
"Uh…?" He raised a brow, looking between them.
Eliza, ever the composed one, simply smiled at him. "Your first time behind the wheel? There's no way we're missing that."
Kai groaned internally. While the sentiment was appreciated, the added audience only ramped up the pressure. Jeff's barely contained grin and Zach's bouncing excitement weren't helping either.
Still, he forced himself to take a deep breath, steadying his nerves.
His hands tightened over the wheel. His heart pounded—not in fear, but in anticipation.
"Alright," Steven said, settling in. His voice was steady, reassuring. "Let's begin."
Kai listened intently as Steven walked him through everything—the functions of the pedals, the gear shift, the feel of the steering wheel, and the importance of steady control. He absorbed it all, nodding along, though a bead of sweat trickled down his temple.
After ten minutes of explanation, Steven finally leaned back and gestured toward the ignition. "Alright, Kai. Start her up."
Kai inhaled deeply, his fingers tightening around the wheel. With a press of the button, the engine rumbled to life beneath him, a deep and powerful purr that sent a thrill up his spine. The dashboard lit up, and the car hummed in anticipation, waiting for his command.
He swallowed. Alright. No big deal. Just a machine. You control it, not the other way around.
Slowly, he shifted the gear into drive. His foot hovered over the brake, hesitating. Just ease off gently, nice and slow—
The car lurched forward.
"Brake!" Steven's voice snapped through the air.
Kai's heart slammed against his ribs as he stomped down. The tires screeched slightly as the car jerked to an abrupt halt. A stunned silence filled the space, his breathing uneven as his hands gripped the wheel so tightly his knuckles turned white. His legs were trembling slightly, a mixture of adrenaline and embarrassment rushing through him.
"Damn it," he muttered under his breath, frustration bubbling up. He hadn't even driven five feet, and he was already messing up. He could feel Jeff's amused stare from the backseat, and he braced for some snarky comment—
But instead, Steven's voice was calm, reassuring. "It's alright, Kai. That's normal for a first try. Just breathe. You're not racing; you're learning. Try again, but this time, ease off the brake even slower. And remember, for an automatic, you only need one foot for both pedals."
Kai exhaled sharply, forcing himself to shake off the nerves. He adjusted his grip, willed his leg to steady, and this time, as he lifted his foot off the brake, he did it with the gentleness of a whisper.
The car glided forward smoothly.
His pulse steadied as a sense of control replaced the earlier panic. He carefully maneuvered the vehicle out of the garage, the weight of the car beneath him finally feeling less like an uncontrollable force and more like an extension of himself.
As they approached the villa gate, he allowed himself a small smile. Alright… this isn't so bad after all.
As time passed, Kai's confidence grew. He adjusted to the weight of the car, the responsiveness of the pedals, and the subtle resistance of the steering wheel. Each turn became smoother, each acceleration more controlled. Yet, despite the progress, he knew something was missing. His movements still felt mechanical—calculated rather than instinctive.
His fingers tightened around the wheel as he completed his fourth lap around the block. He couldn't shake the feeling that he was missing a crucial aspect of driving—one that couldn't be grasped through theory alone.
Without warning, he gently pressed the brakes, bringing the car to a slow stop.
"What's wrong?" Jeff's voice cut through the brief silence, laced with curiosity rather than concern.
Kai exhaled, then turned to Steven. "Could you drive a lap or two for me? I want to see how you handle the car. I think watching you will help me understand better."
Steven arched a brow, studying Kai's expression. He had already gone through multiple rounds—by now, practice should be the only thing that truly helped. But there was something in Kai's eyes. Not frustration, not hesitation—just sharp, focused intent.
A slow smile tugged at the corners of Steven's lips. "Alright, switch places with me."
As soon as Kai settled into the passenger seat, Steven adjusted the seat and mirrors with fluid efficiency, then rested his hands on the wheel with effortless familiarity.
"Driving isn't just about knowing where to press and when," Steven began as he eased the car forward with a seamless transition. "It's about feeling the road, anticipating movements before they happen, and reacting instinctively. The car isn't just a machine—it's an extension of you."
Kai listened intently, eyes tracking every slight shift in Steven's hands and feet. The difference was immediately obvious. Where Kai had been overly cautious, making micro-adjustments with stiff precision, Steven was relaxed yet entirely in control. His movements were second nature, flowing with the road rather than resisting it.
Kai's mind was absorbing every detail, but there was something more—something beyond conscious observation.
His eyes flickered as he activated [Observe].
A stream of information flooded his vision. The way Steven balanced acceleration and braking, how his grip subtly adjusted around corners, the subconscious shifts in posture that ensured better control—all of it became clear as if an invisible instructor was breaking down the art of driving before his very eyes.
This wasn't just watching. It was learning on an entirely different level.
And as Steven rounded the block, effortlessly guiding the car through turns, Kai knew one thing for certain—when he took the wheel again, he wouldn't be the same driver.
Kai's eyes flickered with a faint glow as he activated [Observe], his gaze locking onto every micro-movement Steven made. The way he eased into acceleration, the subtle pressure adjustments on the brake, the instinctive steering corrections—it all fed into Kai's mind like puzzle pieces slotting into place.
As Steven picked up speed, Kai's understanding deepened. He saw why certain adjustments were made, the split-second decisions that kept the car steady. It wasn't just about pressing pedals and turning the wheel—it was about feeling the car, syncing with it.
A minute passed. His vision blurred momentarily before the glow in his eyes faded. A dull ache bloomed behind his temples, but he clenched his jaw and pushed through it. The headaches were improving—before, they'd been enough to knock him out. Now, they were just a nuisance.
Steven pulled the car to a stop and tossed him a knowing glance. "Alright, your turn again."
Kai switched seats eagerly. This time, when he gripped the wheel, a stark difference settled in his posture. The nervous energy from before was gone, replaced by a quiet confidence. Steven noticed.
Kai exhaled slowly, then started the car. He eased onto the road, his movements smoother, his reactions sharper. Within moments, he was cruising at a steady pace, effortlessly navigating turns and stops.
Steven's brows furrowed. Jeff, sitting in the back, let out a low whistle. "Well, damn. What happened to 'first-time jitters'?"
Kai fought back a smirk and kept his eyes on the road.
But before he could get too comfortable, Steven's voice cut in. "Slow down, Kai. There aren't a lot of people, but all it takes is a split second for something to go wrong. Speed isn't the goal—control is."
Kai adjusted his speed slightly but kept his tone casual. "I got it. I'm in control."
Steven watched him for a moment, as if debating whether to say more, but eventually leaned back in his seat. Kai knew he couldn't push too far—he had to make his improvement look natural.
So, he kept his pace steady. Just enough to impress. Not enough to raise suspicion.
And with that, he drove toward Naturals, his grip on the wheel just a little firmer than before.
Cruising at a steady 28 mph, Kai smoothly navigated the streets, handling pedestrian crossings and passing cars with surprising ease. Within five minutes, they arrived at Naturals Ice-Cream.
Steven couldn't hide his astonishment. He had always heard from his wife and father about Kai's ability to pick up skills quickly, but witnessing it firsthand was something else entirely. If he didn't know Kai so well, he might have assumed the young man had been hiding his driving experience.
As they walked toward the shop, everyone showered Kai with praise. Jeff clapped him on the back, Eliza beamed with motherly pride, and even little Zach grinned up at him.
"You sure this was your first time behind the wheel?" Jeff teased. "Not bad, kid."
Kai rubbed the back of his neck, chuckling softly. Compliments still felt foreign to him, even after everything. "I just had a good teacher," he said, throwing Steven a grateful look.
Steven crossed his arms, smirking. "Damn right you did."
Laughter filled the air as they stepped inside and picked out their flavors. Kai went for strawberry, enjoying the creamy sweetness as he took a slow lick. Warmth spread through his chest—not just from the ice cream, but from the simple joy of being here, surrounded by people who genuinely cared for him.
It had been a damn good day.
He still hadn't used his System rewards yet, but at this moment, he didn't regret it one bit.
Still... His lips curled into a small smile. I can't wait to get back home.