“Sorry Hongki… I am very sorry..” those were the words that Shinhye kept saying to me but everything is a blur. And then…I woke up like I’m a completely different person. My mind was blank but they kept talking. Talking and talking… until this old person, who I think he’s in his 70's spank my shoulder, asking me if I am okay. Then I realized that dextrose was injected to my left hand but I wasn’t in a hospital at all. Everything is so unclear to me… I am so lost. I even said that my name is... Hotaru…”

                        Hiroshima, Japan – 2 months ago, an 8 year old child named Keiko found an unconscious man by the seashore during sunset. It was Lee Hongki. Together with his mother Megumi, they brought him back to their house not too far because they do not have money to take him to the hospital. Besides, her father was a retired Doctor and they have a lot of medical supplies stuck up in boxes. For 2 days, they took care of Hongki while he was unconscious. After 1 day they are moving now to Oita with him.    

                         “Hotaru neh…” Megumi, who was driving, broke the silence. Hongki was sitting at the back with Keiko and her father was at the passengers seat. Hongki looked at the rare view mirror of the car.

                        “It means firefly…” She smiled, “I love fireflies before when I was young.”

                        “Before? Why? You don’t like them now?” Hongki said.

                        “Not anymore. They have short lifespan.” She replied.

                        “Is that it?”

                        “Why love such beauty when you know they won’t last?” She looked at him via the rare view mirror and smiled.

                        “Because such beauty deserves pure love.” Hongki looked away. He was thinking about Shinhye and his dream about
             her. Megumi’s father Tomoko who is almost in his 70’s chuckled.

                        “Boy, we are sorry we didn’t bring you to a hospital and have you properly checked up and now here we are on the
              road, traveling.” Tomoko said.

                        “It’s okay, besides you’re a doctor. I am grateful enough to all of you for taking care of me and tag me along. Because
              of me, your plan to move to Oita was delayed. I am sorry for causing you so much trouble.” Hongki said while looking at Keiko
              asleep on his lap.

                        “I just don’t get it. I don’t what to offend you but why are you staying with us? I mean, yes we offered you to come with
              us but we didn’t expect that you would actually come. Ha-ha!” Megumi said in a sarcastic way.

                        “I don’t wanna go back, but can I stay with you guys until I have finally decided?”

                        “Decided what?”

                        “My life…”

                        “No worries my child. We are always here to help someone in need.” Tomoko smiled but Megumi shook her head a
 little. Traveling and living with a complete stranger is a big NO NO for Megumi since she even has a child. But there is something beneath her heart saying that he trust him that is why she agreed to tag him along.

                        “A handsome face, fair skin, a fit body…and above all pretty hands! I guess he’s not a criminal or fugitive.” Megumi 
               thought as she throws small glances at him.

                        “But may I asked, why didn’t you report to the police that you found someone by the seashore?” Hongki curiously
               asked.

                        “Wha-what? Well…I ahm… because one of our neighbors was sent into prison when he found a body somewhere, he
               was being suspected he murdered the person. I know this sounds stupid but we are afraid to report anything like it.” She
               explained.

                        “And we need to stay longer there if ever to monitor the case, we don’t have that enough time because my friend in Oita is waiting.” Tomoko’s best friend who’s also a doctor gave a 3 story building apartment for him to manage and they can’t just afford to say no because of financial needs. They also decided to put up a drug store at the first level of the building.

                        Arriving at Oita, they let Hongki to be their helper since he can do the tough jobs like carrying packages and cleaning the apartments. Whenever he talks to someone he lowers his voice and wears a cap to hide his face all the time. 3 weeks had past, Hongki never talk about himself or who really he is or where he came from. Although Keiko likes to play and to be with him, Megumi still can’t help to think they are leaving with a stranger. Then one night, Megumi drop the question.

                        “Are you a celebrity?” she stood next to him at the backyard looking at the cityscape. Hongki was startled and almost
               drop the soda he was holding.

                        “What? haha! Are you kidding? I… I don’t even have the guts.” Hongki looked away.

                        “Eh… Why so serious? You’re right you can’t be a celebrity.” Megumi said. Hongki raised his brow and cleared his
              throat.

                        “Tha-that’s right! I don’t look good enough to be a celebrity. hehe!”, but deep inside he thought, "Damn. Is this girl for
              real?"

                        “What? You know, when I was starting, all celebrities don’t look good enough until they were dressed up and put make
               up!” Megumi chuckled.

                        “Why? How’d you know that? Are you a celebrity?”

                        “I was.” Megumi replied in a serious tone. Hongki laughed and doesn’t believe her. He thought, a shady looking girl and
               bitter personality like Megumi can’t be a celebrity.

                        “Well, everyone dreamed to be celebrity once on their life.” Hongki cleared his throat and smile but Megumi plastered a
               serious look.

                        “I’m offended, you know.”

                        “Sorry… Are you serious?” Hongki was shocked. She was serious.

                        “Haven’t you notice there’s no TV around even if we can now afford it?” She said. Hongki nodded and deep inside him
              he was very thankful because if ever they had, they had surely known who he really is.

                        “Because I don’t want to see him.”  they looked at each other and Hongki had a clue that it was Keiko’s father.

               “I was 20 years old when I entered an agency. It was very though to enter but I’ve made it and I really wanted to become an actress. I did become an actress. I had my first role as a supporting actress in a series. That’s when I met Rin. We were partners. He was very gentle and sweet. I fell in love with him and eventually we became a real couple. Then one night, we were so drunk, that’s when I had Keiko. My agency was in a buzzed. My manager was convincing me to abort Keiko but I refused. He said I will have no future if I continue to carry him and I need to stay away from Rin. I just can’t bear the words he was saying to me or the things he wants me to do. So I decided to quit, my dream to become a famous actress was gone but I thought Rin is with me, so it’s okay. I asked Rin to run away with me and raised the child together. I was so happy when he agreed. Then one night I waited for him at the train station, we were about to go to Oita to live with father when I received a text message from him… ‘I am sorry Megumi, I want to pursue my dream’” Megumi started to become teary eyed and continued, “After a day I was informed by my friend from the industry that Rin was chosen to be the lead actor of a new drama series. That day I wanted to die. If it wasn’t for my father who stopped me, I won’t be here. I was so hurt. We had sin together, but why am I the only one paying for all of it?” There was a minute of silence. Hongki wasn’t looking at her. He then understood why she is acting very tough and reserve to everybody except to her family.

               Then Hongki cleared his throat and said, “It’s not a sin, it’s love.”