In the dimly lit bedroom, after everyone left and Tae-seok had dinner, he praised Summer as an excuse and hugged her to his heart’s content.

For Summer, who was too tired even to lift a finger, he personally prepared coffee and fruit.

“It’s delicious.”

Summer rolled on the bed, savoring the sweetness of the grapes. Tae-seok put another one in her mouth.

“It’s really delicious. I’m tasting Shine Muscat for the first time, and it’s incredibly delicious. I want to eat it every day.”

“Yeah, I’ll prepare it every day.”

Waiting for Summer to swallow, Tae-seok immediately put another one in her mouth.

“You eat too.”

“Yeah.”

While answering regularly, Tae-seok was busy putting grapes into Summer’s mouth.

“I want to eat slowly! Now, really, oppa, eat.”

Summer, pouting as if her cheeks were about to burst, reached out from the rolled-up blanket and pointed to the tumbler. “My coffee.”
Tae-seok said, “There’s no separate superior,” as he laughed and brought the coffee to his lips. The act of treating Summer like a princess was simply happiness.

“After hearing everything, I feel relieved. It was so good. Thank you for respecting my opinion.”

Summer looked at Tae-seok and smiled. Her laughter comforted Tae-seok. Suddenly, the day of the production presentation came to mind.

“…You look so pretty when you smile like this.”

Tae-seok’s expression became somewhat deeper.

“When we met again, your expression was so gloomy without a hint of emotion, and it hurt my heart. At that time, I thought I hated you because my heart was pounding.”

Tae-seok gently wrapped her face and gave her a short kiss.

Although Summer, who shouted to break up with a loud voice, didn’t seem like the usual Summer, her empty eyes after meeting again truly couldn’t be the real Summer.

As the gaze that used to surrender without a word resurfaced, Tae-seok’s heart tightened again as if it had been cut with a knife.

Tae-seok hugged Summer. He briefly thought about the heavy concern that had been on these small shoulders. In the process, his throat got dry.

“Oppa.”

Summer called quietly.

“Yeah.”

“Right. It was hard for me.”

His heart plummeted.

“Now that I’m happy, I don’t want to talk about it, but can we talk about it once, us?”

After pushing Tae-seok slightly away, Summer sat up diagonally. Tae-seok quickly placed a cushion behind her back.

“…I thought someday I would meet Seo Tae-seok again, but I never imagined seeing him like this. On the day of the production presentation… I was so nervous that my legs were shaking… Seo Tae-seok is still so cool and perfect, and my heart is pounding recklessly again.”

“Sorry.”

Thinking about that day, Tae-seok became a sinner. He plotted everything just to torment Summer, regardless of the reason.

“No, ultimately, because of that day, everything turned out well.”

Summer kissed Tae-seok’s cheek.

“That day, I knew it as soon as I saw you. I haven’t forgotten a single moment. I still love you. Now, what should I do?… How much I endured every moment not to let that feeling show. In fact, I wanted to run and hug you so much.”

Summer faintly smiled.

“The hand passing the script, the voice pointing out, the calm gaze… Everything excited me, but I didn’t even look at you on purpose. It’s better not to see. It’s too hard to be looked at with indifferent eyes. And on the day Secretary Kim came… I actually wanted to hold you and kiss you just as you were. Maybe if we had just five more minutes, I might have done it.”

“I was wrong. I was clenching my teeth and enduring so much that there was dried blood in my mouth. Why did I endure that useless thing and come back?”

Tae-seok sincerely and regretfully said.

“Do as you desire. A kiss.”

With a touch of pity, Tae-seok embraced Summer again and placed his lips near her collarbone. Strangely, desire bubbled up again, and Summer, smiling, separated herself.
“I actually messed up my social life. I couldn’t actively participate in anything, had no opinions, and just lived like a shadow. I haven’t been to the hospital, but it felt like a state similar to panic. I don’t even know what my original personality was like…”

“…”

“The audio director said I was introverted. I’ve never heard such words before. Seriously, it feels like Ji Hyeon-jeong took away two years of my life.”

Tae-seok paused for a moment. The past of Summer, who spoke calmly, stabbed his heart like a dagger.

“I lived thinking I only lost Seo Tae-seok, but Seo Tae-seok was everything to me. In the end, I lost everything.”

Finishing his words, Summer smiled.

“But now everything’s okay. It’s okay, so I’m talking about it. I’ve overcome it all now, and I’m so happy.”

With a distorted expression, Tae-seok embraced Summer.

“I promise, Summer.”

Tae-seok opened his mouth with difficulty.

“I will die if you want me to die. Starve if you want me to starve, and stop breathing if you don’t want me to breathe.”

“Why would you say such things?”

“I will live as your slave.”

Tae-seok’s determination puzzled Summer.

“There’s no need for that.”

“No, I’ll do that. I will unquestionably listen to you.”

“Really?”

“Yeah.”

“Then please step back now.”

Ignoring her, Tae-seok embraced her more deeply and continued speaking seriously.

“You’re too kind; it’s a flaw.”

“…Oppa, who are you talking to right now?”

Tae-seok lightly nibbled on Summer’s ear. “Oops.” When Summer let out a slight moan, he licked her gently, seeming satisfied.

“Do you want a kiss? I’ll listen well.”

“No, I just wanted to say that I’m so happy to be back in my place now…”

A man who had never looked down on himself acted as if he had become a slave despite choosing it himself.

If it were the medieval era with the caste system still in place, a slave like you would have been scolded every day, Summer thought, embracing him as he indulged in such useless thoughts.

The sweet scent of grapes wafted between their two lips. Desire rose quickly as much as the time they couldn’t approach. They explored each other more honestly.

Without saying a word, they felt that they had become stronger than before.

“Summer, do whatever you want.”

Tae-seok spoke with a newly cracked voice.

“You can do arrogant things and act arrogantly even when riding on my back. Swing around everywhere. Now, don’t hide anymore. I will be your world.”