TWYW C1 (Prologue)

<This aircraft is currently passing over the east coast of the Republic of Korea. We will be arriving at our destination, Seoul, Incheon International Airport, in approximately 30 minutes.>

Gyeoul, who had been dozing off in the cramped seat during the more than twelve-hour flight, rubbed his stiff shoulders and pushed up the airplane window shade. The white clouds in the blue sky viewed from up high looked like fluffy cotton, melting Gyeoul’s heart, if only for a moment. For the timid Gyeoul, the thought of stepping onto Korean soil, which he hadn’t visited once in nearly ten years, was simply frightening. After being born in the United States and then living in Korea, his good memories amounted to less than a year.

Twenty years old. An immature time when he thought love was all that mattered.

However, he had sustained his life by feeding on that memory. He had endured and lived until now, clinging to a single, shabby recollection.

As the plane’s wheels touched the runway with a jolt and the fuselage shook, Gyeoul was pulled from his thoughts. He let out a sigh and grabbed the bag he had placed at his feet, setting it on his lap. The seatbelt sign in the cabin turned off, and passengers simultaneously unbuckled their belts and stood up. Gyeoul followed the crowd, got up, gathered his belongings, and headed out the airplane door toward the arrivals hall. After quickly passing through immigration and collecting his checked luggage, Gyeoul was finally able to exit the airport completely.

Unsurprisingly, there was no one at the airport to greet him. Even though he knew this well, he was surprised at himself for feeling a pang of bitterness in a corner of his heart.

Gyeoul rubbed the back of his neck, which had grown cool in the chilly air, and walked toward the airport taxi stand. The flight from the US had been slightly delayed, so it seemed he would just barely make it to his appointment on time. Fortunately, he caught a taxi quickly. Gyeoul leaned back against the rear seat and looked out the window. Returning to Korea after so long, it felt both familiar and strange at the same time.

A place he wanted to come to, yet didn’t want to come to.

Him, who he wanted to see, yet didn’t want to see.

His face, which Gyeoul had not gone a single day without thinking of, stuck even more firmly in his mind from the moment he arrived in Korea. Just being with him under the same sky, in the same time, was enough to make Gyeoul’s heart race.

Before long, the taxi stopped in front of a tall building. After paying the fare and taking his suitcase out of the trunk, Gyeoul moved a little closer to the tall building. He grabbed the handle of the building’s glass door, opened it, and went inside, where an information desk in a spacious lobby caught his eye.

“I’m writer Nunseol.”

When he introduced himself to the receptionist in the lobby using his pen name, he was guided to the meeting place. As it was one of the nation’s leading major film production companies, the interior shone in a way that befitted its prestige. Arriving in front of a large conference room door, Gyeoul turned the golden handle and went inside.

“Hello. I’m Nun-.”

Gyeoul, who had initiated the greeting, couldn’t finish his sentence as his eyes met another pair across the large table.

‘I love you, sunbae.’

My love, which I had uttered countless times while looking into his eyes.

But my love, which had been swept away by Gyeoul’s own coldly frozen eyes.

“I’m Nunseol.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, writer-nim. I’m Han Jinmu, the director for this project.”

The man sitting next to him stood up and offered a handshake. Gyeoul took the offered hand, bowed his head slightly, and took a seat.

“CEO Jeong-.”

Director Han gently nudged the elbow of the man who was just staring at Gyeoul without a word and called him cautiously. Then, a single phrase flowed from the man’s lips, which had seemed like they would never open.

“Lee Gyeoul, you haven’t changed. And you’re even more thick-skinned than ever.”

“You’re still as much of a jerk as ever, sunbae.”

The man let out a sneer, one corner of his mouth lifting. Under his gaze, which seemed to pierce right through him, Gyeoul was afraid his love, which had never once changed, would be discovered. It was something that must not be revealed, at least while he was staying in Korea.

To protect him. To protect my love.