Taeseok was heading to the shooting location.

“Sure. Okay. Let’s call it a mistake.”

How can that be?

He tilted his head back and laughed self-deprecatingly, the laughter was bitter, and he laughed again.

Since the kiss that day, Taeseok had mentally collapsed rapidly. Like two years ago when he lost Yeoreum, he started seeking psychiatric medication again. Despite knowing it was a terrible choice, he couldn’t think of any other way.

The fiery kiss was like Pandora’s box. They could never go back to the false calm of the past. Her lips that burned passionately, the warmth, the faint sound of her delicate breath, everything about her refused to release Taeseok.

It was an agonizing expectation, close to torture, fittingly called despair.

Should I devour you like honey or not, how can that be a mistake?

Although she mentioned it was a mistake, she didn’t consider it possible. However, as if Yeoreum thought it was entirely possible, she didn’t even bother to contact him.

This fact intensified Taeseok’s anxiety and sensitivity to the extreme.

“Taeseok, are you okay? Your complexion doesn’t look good.”

It wasn’t clear whether he was sleepy or in pain. Last night, a severe panic attack had struck, and he had taken anxiety medication as soon as he got hold of it.

“Oh. I’m fine.”

His mind was a bit hazy.

He clenched his fist tightly, but he couldn’t feel anything. It was not a good sign, but there was no other way, so he pretended to be okay.

If Director Hong found out, he would definitely rush to the hospital to take him, and in this state, it looked like he would need to be hospitalized for at least a week. Two years ago, after going through it so much, he had become half a psychiatrist himself.

It was the busiest time for drama shooting, especially when his scenes were concentrated. He could endure it reasonably well. Taeseok believed in his patience and endurance.

“I’ve arrived.”

The manager and stylist got out of the car first and prepared for the shoot.

“Hello.”

Taeseok also joined later, offering greetings.

The lively shooting location flowed like slow motion. It seemed hazy, as if viewed through a filter.

Taeseok blinked hard, ran his hand through his hair, and sat in his designated seat. While the stylist adjusted his hair, he held the script and practiced the lines for the upcoming scene.

Even the falling autumn leaves descended slowly and quietly.

The script wasn’t readable at all.

“Okay, let’s move on to the next scene.”

It was a dating scene between Isul and Lee Hyun-jun. They would be walking naturally, exchanging conversation and laughter as they came out of the restaurant. It was a relatively simple shoot where they just needed to walk, talk, and laugh while naturally interacting.

“Oppa! Do well!”

“Sure.”

As the shooting began, Taeseok’s gaze changed. Walking to the end of the street as if protecting the girl, he focused on her expression, slightly lowering his head.

Smiling at every word’s end as if saying she was adorable, they walked and met at a miscellaneous store. He bought her a scarf and put it around her, and they looked at each other.

“Cut!”
It was an impeccable and perfect scene. “As expected, everyone’s in good condition after a few days of rest.” The director wore a satisfied smile, raised his thumb, and Yeong responded by shaking hands. However, Taeseok’s steps did not stop.

The shoot had long received the okay sign, and even when Yeong turned and walked away, Taeseok continued walking as if she were still there, bowing his body all the way to the end.

When the two closest staff members thought something was strange, Manager Hong approached and quickly grabbed him.

“…Taeseok, it’s over.”

“Ah.”

In the slowly flowing world, Taeseok left a thin impression.

“Ah, no. You can’t be serious.”

Manager Hong grabbed Taeseok’s arm.

“Seo Taeseok, did you take anxiety medication?”

Even that sentence sounded a bit slower.

“No.”

Taeseok turned around and returned to his seat.

“I’ll take a short break.”

As if telling him not to speak, he closed his eyes, and Manager Hong couldn’t rush him any further. It was a busy day. While briefly closing his eyes, Taeseok stood up again and went through numerous costume changes.

It was nearing the end of the shoot.

The director glanced at Taeseok, examining his condition with a dissatisfied look. The clean acting at the beginning of the shoot was quickly crumbling. It was perplexing since the director knew his stamina well.

‘What’s going on.’

Although it wasn’t messed up enough to point out, there were subtly unnatural parts. It was a very slight difference that only the director could notice.

In the end, unable to find the right words, he didn’t call him separately. At that moment, veteran actor Park Yooja approached Taeseok.

“Taeseok, please call me for a moment to my car.”

She currently plays the role of Young’s mother in “Hold My Hand,” and in two previous works, she played the role of Taeseok’s mother. She was an experienced actress.

“Son.”

As she warmly called him, as she did in previous works.