The soft hum of the clinic's diffuser filled the room, mingling with the faint notes of sandalwood and citrus. Afternoon light slipped through the blinds, striping across the massage table where fresh linens had been laid out. Joon-ho stood at the counter, pouring a thin stream of warm oil into his palms, rubbing them together to ready the session.
The door opened, and Harin guided Yoon Hye-jin in with a friendly smile.
"You're getting used to this place now, right?" Harin teased.
Hye-jin gave a faint, almost self-conscious smile. "A little. At least I know what to expect this time."
Last week she had walked into this room nervous and stiff, clutching the edges of her kimono like a shield. Today, though, she was more composed. Her hair was tied neatly in a ponytail, her skin fresh from morning training stretches. There was still shyness in the way she moved, but the hesitation had softened into something closer to anticipation.
