The damp humidity of a summer day filled the semi-basement room. The yellow linoleum floor felt slightly loose and sank under the pressure of a finger. Scattered across it were the remnants of a summer without air conditioning—a green electric fan rattling as it spun, a scratchy rayon blanket soaked in sweat, and two half-empty green soju bottles.

Lying prone on the floor, he aimlessly scratched at a black scorch mark in the corner with his fingernail. A heart-shaped burn from a time he'd set down a hot pot without a trivet.

Ah, this is so annoying...

Muttering to himself for no reason, he flipped over to stare at the ceiling. The corners of the layered wallpaper were peeling slightly from the moisture, and the smell of rain-soaked dust mixed with cheap fabric softener stung his nose.

Ding-

Just then, a notification rang out.

Did you eat?

Yeah, I ate.

Knock, knock.

A dull thud at the door sounded through the noise of the rain. He stayed still, wondering if it was a hallucination, until the old iron door creaked open.

Hey, Choi Geon-woo. You're sitting here with the lights off again.

She's here. My love. My savior. Just when it felt like the whole world had abandoned me, and this dark, scorched linoleum floor was all my life would ever be.

I don't think I can live without you. Please stay by my side forever.