Chapter 3.1

A soft laugh caressed my neck, sending s.h.i.+vers down my spine. I couldn’t help but smile at the sensation, his gentle touch tickled my heart. His arm wrapped around my waist, pulling me closer to him. 

‘I’m ok? What happened to my pain?’

Slowly, I began to realize my current circ.u.mstances. Similar to the after effects of an intense round of lovemaking, I had no strength left in my body and there was a damp sensation around my groin and b.u.t.t. This was a dream, not reality.

He nestled closer and kissed me lightly at the nape of my neck. Embraced from behind, I leaned closer to him, closing any gaps between us. After a moment of peace, his hands began to drift towards my b.u.t.t. His tender touches aroused my weary body, awakening me from my tranquil moment.

“Not now, please.” 

In response to my stern refusal, he glanced towards my waist and cooperated with my request. 

“You’re so thin…. Have you been eating well?”

Shocked by his concern, I bitterly laughed. Since the first dream, the interactions we’ve had included only our intense lovemaking. There was barely, if any, type of conversation within these dreams. This was partly my fault. Due to our real life contact, I was slightly hesitant to speak to him. The loving ambience between us only happened in the dream. In reality, there were no sweet nothings whispered into my ear, nor were there heartwarming words spoken to me. I would be satisfied if his real self was half as affectionate as his dream self.

“What are you thinking about?”

Our relations.h.i.+p inside my dream differs too much from reality. I bitterly laughed at the parallel between the two realms. One filled with love, the other with hostility. To distract myself from the truth, I began to wonder why today’s dream was longer than usual…

“You’re pretending to be ok, I’m worried.”

He raised an eyebrow, trying to see if I was offended by his concern. Due to my lack of response, he removed his hand from my b.u.t.t and sighed.

“Don’t stress yourself out. Today you…”

“Jin… Kyujin…”[1]

‘Huh? What?’

Gradually, his voice and warmth began to subside. The comfort of his embrace and the caress of his breath began to disappear. I slowly opened my eyes, freeing myself from the dream. Light filtered through my lashes, blinding me temporarily. Squinting from the brightness, someone noticed my actions and began to ask me.

“Hey, Kyujin, are you okay?!”

Recognizing w.a.n.g Ho’s, my coworker’s, voice, I blinked in confusion.

“Why are you here? Where am I?”

“How are you feeling? You’re at the hospital right now, do you know how surprised I was when you fell down? You b.a.s.t.a.r.d, I was so worried.”

“Are you worried that you’ll have to write the script alone?”

“Nonsense.”

I glanced around and noticed my surroundings. Laying on a hospital bed with a blanket on me, there was an empty cup and a pitcher of water on a table near my bed. w.a.n.g Ho walked over to the table and poured me some water. 

“Since you’ve regained consciousness, have some water.”

At the sight of the water-filled gla.s.s, my throat suddenly seemed dry. I swallowed in antic.i.p.ation, causing a twinge of pain to burn my larynx. I sat up and took the cup from his hand. 

“So, do you know my diagnosis?”

“What?”

“My condition, why did I fall down in pain and faint?”

w.a.n.g Ho’s eyes widened slightly and avoided my gaze. Hiding his trembling hands, he clenched them together and replied vaguely. His actions were suspicious as if he was trying to hide something

“Oh, no, um, it’s… it’s nothing serious…. nothing at all. Ahahahaha.”

“Enough, do you think you’re an actor because you work in the entertainment industry? I know you’re hiding something, out with it.”

“Kyujin…”

He murmured in a nervous tone. His guilty att.i.tude seemed to indicate that he was either trying to borrow money or…. 

“Listen, you… you’re not as healthy as before. What if...”

“What if?”

“Surgery, you might need to undergo it. But the type of surgery…”

w.a.n.g Ho hesitated to continue and bit his lower lip in worry. Feeling anxious, I tightened my grip on the blanket. 

“The diagnosis may be… wrong and… may be… might be permanent.” 

Translator's Note:

[1] This is to indicate that the voice is from w.a.n.g Ho and not from the dream.