Reii looked up to meet Doojoon’s gaze. She couldn’t explain her feelings. It was as if all her guilt and hatred for herself was gone. *He’s the only one that doesn’t leave even though I pushed him away again and again.* Tears flow down Reii’s cheeks while Doojoon used his thumb to wipe them away.

‘Its okay now. Although I’ll never be as perfect as your mom but I’ll protect you. I’ll give you happiness. I’ll try to make you be happy again.’ Doojoon said as he wiped away her tears.

‘Ba thump! Ba thump!’ Reii felt her heart raced for the first time in her life.

‘You should be tired now aren’t you? Have a rest’ Doojoon said as he placed the mattress on the floor that was less messy compared to the rest of the house. Reii just nodded and lie down. She was too tired to refuse.

While she was sleeping, Doojoon took the chance to clean up the house. He used the broom to sweep the shattered glasses on the floor and placed the things back to where he assume it would be.

After cleaning up, Doojoon looked around to see what other he could do. He gaze stopped at Reii and his gaze softens.  

*She must be really tired from all the crying and telling how she felt after all these years.* Doojoon walked over and lightly brushed away Reii’s frin that was blocking he face. He smiled unconsciously while looking at her angelic face. A thought hit him and he quickly stood up and walked towards the kitchen.

*There isn’t anything inside the fridge and the only thing I can find was ramyeon. She cant possibly be eating this when she woke up* Doojoon frowned at the instant noodle in front of him. Doojoon took out his wallet and checked to see that there was only 20,000 won inside his wallet but it was at least better than nothing. He walked out of the kitchen and walked towards Reii giving a last check before he walked out of the house.

‘I’ll be back’ Doojoon whisper to Reii even though she was sleeping and with that he headed out of house with the key in hand as softly as possible.

Doojoon walked inside the mart and looked around for possible ingredients that he would use later on. After paying for the grocery, he walked out of the mart and prepare to walked towards Reii’s home. While on his way back, he passed by a pastry shop. He stopped by and take a look at the cakes displayed. *Its her birthday today isn’t it?* Doojoon thought as he recalled what Reii had said earlier. ‘Shall I buy it for her?’ Doojoon said as he saw a beautiful cake that he wanted to buy for her.

‘How can I help you?’ the store assistant asked.

‘Can I get-’ Doojoon was about to asked the lady to get that cake when he realize that he hadn’t checked how much money he had left. ‘Sorry hold on’ Doojoon said and took out his wallet to check;. There was barely a few thousand won left. His face dropped in disappointment. *With this amount I wouldn’t be able to buy it for her.*

Doojoon sighed and looked through the cakes again but this time, the cake section whereby pieces of cakes were sold. ‘Can you get me a piece of this?’ Doojoon pointed at the strawberry cheesecake in front of him. He looked at the beautiful cake that he had wanted to buy one last time before he walked back into the street with the groceries and the slice of cake he had just bought.

*I really wanted to buy it for you*

Doojoon returned back to Reii’s house and opened the door as carefully as possible. After making sure that Reii was still sleeping, he put the groceries and cake on the kitchen table before he started cooking.

After awhile of sleeping Reii finally woke up.  She rubbed her eyes as she gain consciousness. Then everything hit her, she looked up at the clock to see that it was already 8 plus at night. she had slept for 3 hours. *He wouldn’t still be here would he?*Reii thought and she couldn’t help but feel disappointed by the fact that Doojoon wasn’t there anymore. She didn’t know why but she no longer wants to be alone for tonight.

At that precise moment, Doojoon walked out with 2 plates in hand. he placed them on the small table and pulled it in front of Reii. ‘Oh you’re awake? That’s good, lets eat shall we? You must be hungry aren’t you?’ Doojoon said.

Reii looked at Doojoon who was in front of her now. Her heart light up instantly when she saw Doojoon. *He’s still here?*

‘Arent you going to eat?’ Doojoon stopped and looked up from his eating when he noticed that Reii was still staring at him. Reii just nodded and started eating.

‘Wait here,’ Doojoon said and stood up when they finished eating. Reii act nonchanlantly while staring into space. However her eyes were following Doojoon when he wasn’t looking. She didn’t know how to act in front of him now. She didn’t know if she should continue to ignore him or react to him.

‘Happy Birthday to you! Happy Birthday to You!’ Doojoon sang as he brought out the slice of cake he had bought earlier with a candle on top. Reii felt her heart stopped as he brought the cake out.

‘Happy Birthday’ Doojoon said sincerely when the cake was in front of Reii now while Reii just stare at him.

Doojoon began to panic now. *Why isn’t she saying anything? Does she not like the cake?*

‘Im sorry, I should’ve have bought you a bigger cake instead of a slice of cake. I should’ve brought enough money. I promise I’ll buy you a nicer and bigger cake next year.’ Doojoon said while tears started flowing down Reii’s cheek again.

‘Are you hurt anywhere? Are you in pain?’ Doojoon asked worriedly as he looked for signs where Reii might hurt when he saw her tears.

‘No, Im fine.’ Reii said. She wasn’t crying because of pain. She was crying it was the first time someone celebrated her birthday ever since 8 years ago and she was crying because this was the first time she felt so much warm and she felt so much care that she couldn’t help but let the tears flow.

‘Thank you’ Reii whispered as she looked into Doojoon’s eyes. Doojoon rubbed the back of his neck as he didn’t know what to do. This was the first time Reii was being so nice to him that he was a bit taken aback.

However he recovered quickly and said ‘Silly, just blow the candle now’ Doojoon smiled and wiped her tears away. Reii just smile and blow the candle off.

*She smile at me! She finally smile at me!* Doojoon was jumping happily inside.

*Asa! Im finally one step closer to her!*