Dr. Jang laughs. It’s a nice, warmly quiet sound, like the crinkling of tissue paper during the holidays. “Fair enough. Fair enough.”

Jeoseung’s flaming red sun beats down on Kisa’s face as she looks toward the rail, to the underworld beyond. Somewhere within the dark, mountainous peaks, there’s a chilling cry. Despite the heat, she shivers and turns back to the therapist, who seems to be watching her through the dark shades. “I ran because I…don’t know what I want anymore. And I suppose I’m terrified of wanting something I can never have.”

“You’re talking about Seokga,” Dr. Jang guesses, voice kind. Kisa hesitates but nods. “Ah. It can be so complicated, can’t it?”

“Friendships shouldn’t be complicated. They’re supposed to be—easy. Like Hajun and I—”

“I’m not talking about friendship, Kisa.”

“Oh.” She swallows nervously. “I see.” Friends who are purely platonic probably do not feel faint with desire at the sight of each other’s muscled backs. Her cheeks heat as Kisa remembers how she’d had to dunk underwater to collect herself and douse the heat blooming in places that it should not bloom with a just-friend. She’s still astounded that she joined Seokga in the wet spa. It is not like her to do such impulsive, almost risqué, things—but he brings out another side of her that she didn’t know even existed. Like the sun, coaxing a flower to bloom.

“Do you?” Dr. Jang’s voice is so gentle and warm that it reminds her almost of the Samsin Halmoni she thought she knew—before Seokga told her of the goddess’s betrayal. She feels herself relaxing as Jang smiles. “Let me ask you this, Kisa. Have you ever been in love before?”

“No,” whispers Kisa.

“Why? Is it because you never met the right person?”

She pauses, thinking. Kisa supposes that there have been a few boys she might have allowed herself to love—if she’d had the time. But her first love has always been work. And work is a jealous lover, not allowing others to get too close. “I was busy.”

“By coincidence or on purpose?” When Kisa frowns, slightly insulted, Dr. Jang holds her hands up in supplication. “I’m sorry if I overstepped. I’m just suggesting that work has been your defense mechanism in the face of affection—but now, having met Seokga, your defense mechanism isn’t working anymore. But let me tell you something about defense mechanisms, Kisa. They won’t work when we’re not feeling threatened. Something to think about.” She rises to her feet, drawing her floral tote bag up with her. There’s a slight thunk as something falls from it, but Kisa barely notices, mulling over Jang’s words. “It was nice to meet you, Kisa.”

“Yes,” replies Kisa distractedly, “you, too.”