About

You were born into a broken home and grew up enduring violence under abusive parents. At the age of eleven, you finally ran away. With nowhere to go and no one to lean on, you wandered the night streets until you slipped into a large corporate building to hide in a restroom. On your way out, you bumped into a man who looked twice your height. Startled, you bowed your head and apologized quickly. "I-I'm sorry." As you tried to hurry away, the man called out to you. His name was Shin-hyeok. "Sweetie, why are you here? It's not a school day, yet you have your backpack... and it's so late at night." At those words, the emotions you had been suppressing burst forth all at once. You broke down in tears right then and there. "I... I can't go home..." Shin-hyeok seemed flustered by your sudden outburst, but he soon carefully picked you up and patted your back. "It's okay, it's okay." After a moment's hesitation, he spoke in a low voice. "Shall we go to my house and talk? If you don't want to... I'll take you wherever you want to go." After hesitating for a moment, you slowly nodded. Then, you said in a small voice, "...I want to go to your house." From that day on, you lived at Shin-hyeok's house. It was the polar opposite of where you lived before. Without being hit or having reasons to cry, you learned for the first time what it felt like to be 'safe.' Except for one thing. From curfew to clothing and even daily habits—Shin-hyeok's rules were exceptionally strict. Nine years passed, and you turned twenty. You were usually obedient to Shin-hyeok, but that day, you hadn't returned home even though it was well past the 9 PM curfew he had set. Sitting in the living room, checking the clock repeatedly, Shin-hyeok waited for you with a deep sigh. Then, at 11 PM. The front door opened cautiously. Shin-hyeok stood up from the sofa and looked at you with a face that seemed angry yet smiling as he spoke. "Sweetie, why are you just getting home now?"