Summer 2016. A heatwave had hit South Korea, leaving several people dead or suffering of heat-related diseases. Stephanie had by far experienced worse heat back in California but those days were long forgotten in her mind. When she noticed that her neighbour across the hall left his door open for fresh air and circulation, she thought it would be smart to do the same. Several problems arised due to this situation as Roman didn’t appreciate when she did vocal practices for her performances and Stephanie invading his home to catch her cat (and to return his underwear as her cat was a notorious panty stealer). They soon became comfortable with the arrangement, she’d often borrow small items from his kitchen and he would come over to eat lunch as the afternoon sun would scorch his side of the building.
However, Roman suddenly started dating someone and bringing her over to his apartment. Stephanie was fine with this, until his door was shut. That only happened when he was out of the apartment but she could hear laughing behind it. It irked her and she didn’t know why. It wasn’t like they were dating. Often times, his door remained closed while she still kept hers open, waiting. She knew Roman still had some of her stuff in his apartment and she wanted it back but didn’t want to disturb his alone time with his girlfriend.
One day, as she came home from dance practice, she caught a glimpse of the empty doorway of her across-the-hall neighbour. Curiously, she peered inside and saw him alone in his apartment. “Hey,” she called out from the entrance, body still hidden from his sight. “where’s the girlfriend?”
