Like a dream where no matter how fast you run, it’s always a step backward, the world of summer flowed slowly and ominously. Summer moved as fast as possible, yet she felt pathetic for not even being able to catch a taxi.

She didn’t know with what kind of mindset she had run out of the house. She just realized how relative time was and felt despair. Even as she struggled desperately, the physical distance between them did not narrow.

Until she barely caught a taxi and arrived at the hospital, she didn’t know what she was doing. So, she didn’t even realize that she was crying.

Why. What happened. How thorough they were with safety precautions on the set. Why.

The words “unconscious” sounded too close to death. It was something she had never thought about. She chose separation only for his safety, so if he disappeared from the world, what did her actions mean?

His last words to Summer were “I’m sorry.”

After ending the kiss that day, feeling awkward, he said, ‘Let’s call it a mistake.’ With a twisted face, he apologized.

He apologized for making it awkward.

He apologized for being selfish.

And during the drive home, he didn’t say a word the whole time.

What is he sorry for exactly?

While wiping her tears, Summer paid the taxi fare with her phone and got off.

Despite still misunderstanding herself, he suggested starting over. She was the one who pushed away the man who was ready to endure everything. Looking back, Taeseok, whom she met again, was consistently honest about his emotions.

It was herself who was full of falsehood. Her heart raced.

What to say to you, and what to hear…

It was when Summer entered the lobby in a daze.

“… Go! Leave! Get out!”

The hospital was chaotic. Whether they were fans, reporters, or maybe even real patients, everyone was entangled. Summer was one of them.

Summer grabbed anyone who seemed like a staff member, asking about Taeseok’s room, and he shouted, pulling her away as if fed up.

“Get out right away! You can’t do this.”

The rough push woke Summer up. After looking around, she saw a mirror attached to one wall.

Goodness.

If she were to be admitted to the hospital like this, she would be thought of as a crazy person. Her face was a mess with tears and even snot, her hair was halfway undone, and her shoes were mismatched. Hurriedly, Summer found the restroom to roughly tidy up her face.

This way, she obviously couldn’t go to his room.

Whether it was due to an emergency on the set or not, no one, including this director, who could help Summer, answered the phone. Director Hong was also unavailable. Summer collected her thoughts.

After taking a deep breath, she came out of the restroom and went to the front desk. It was crowded, but she could manage to talk to a nurse who guided her.

“I’d like directions to Seo Taeseok’s room. I’m from the drama production team.”
Summer spoke quite earnestly, but the nurse didn’t even look at her. With a gesture, indicating reluctantly to move aside, she replied.

“Go! There aren’t many people like that today!”

The nurse seemed exhausted. Her day, too, would be the worst in a different sense. She lowered her head as if she couldn’t handle this situation.

However, Summer couldn’t step back. To her, who looked like she was almost suffocating, it was sorry, but Summer was also at the cliff’s edge.

“Really! I’m a drama writer.”

She shouted with sincerity. The nurse glanced up at Summer. Seeing her swollen eyes and disheveled appearance, her eyes seemed to mock her, as if she found Summer as pathetic as a Taeseok fangirl.

“Go. Before you get dragged out.”

“Please! I’m currently working on a drama, writer Choi Yeoreum. Don’t you happen to know me?”

“This person until the end…”

The nurse glanced at Summer again with a harsh expression. Clearly expressing that she was a huge hindrance, but the earnestness in Summer’s eyes was more prominent.

After a moment of eye contact, the nurse stepped back and said.

“…Then, please show me your ID.”

ID.

Summer’s complexion brightened. She quickly searched her body. However, Summer didn’t have anything. She didn’t even bring her bag.

Ah, this is…

Although she managed to pay the taxi fare with her phone.

“Um, my, my ID… I don’t have it. I’m sorry. I rushed out.”

Tears welled up again. Summer pleaded while trying to maintain composure.

“I’m sorry for bothering you when you’re busy. Can you please search for ‘Hold My Hand’ Choi Yeoreum on the internet? I’m really sorry. It’s urgent.”

The last voice was almost inaudible, drowned in tears. Someone who had been waiting behind Summer pushed her aside and stepped forward.

“Come out for a moment! What are you doing? The hospital isn’t under control today, and what’s going on!”

The annoyed voice of an ajumma resounded. And, with a somewhat irritable attitude, she checked the reservation schedule, received the receipt, and disappeared. After that, patients crowded in, and Summer continued to be pushed back.

It was futile.

Director Hong and this director were both continuously absent. Why…