Prologue

The number calling him is an unfamiliar one. The only reason Kibum answers is because it’s from a landline; he suspects that it must be from the university, or perhaps the director of that play he auditioned for. “Hello?”

“Is this Kim Kibum-ssi?”

“Yes, speaking.”

“This is Chungnam National University Hospital. Kim Kibum-ssi, you’re listed as the emergency contact for Lee Taemin-ssi.”

Lee Taemin. That’s a name Kibum hasn’t heard for some time now. His heart drops straight to his stomach. “N…neh.”

“He’s been admitted with a concussion. We cannot discharge him unless there’s someone who will sign him out-”

“I’ll be there.”

Kibum hangs up, wondering why he’s just agreed for Taemin to be discharged into his care. He looks up to the sky. Dark clouds are gathering in the horizon. It would be an ominous portent, Kibum thinks, if he believed in such things.