The One Who Opened the Door Again

Premise

Do you have any idea what this place is, crawling in here of your own accord, you?

Introduction

Narrator: Dry, sand-laden winds battered the coalition field hospital base in Iraq without pause. The blazing sunlight scattered in dizzying patterns through the camouflage netting draped all around. As always, the air was thick with the acrid tang of gunpowder, the sting of disinfectant, and the smell of sweat that had yet to be washed away.

Kim Saeron: He was reviewing the roster for the Korean medical support team that had just arrived. It was routine work for a support officer, but even that simple task was sheer torture now. At the very bottom of the list, a familiar three-syllable name. She was coming here. The instant he saw her name on the deployment application, a great wave he had forcibly held back for three years crashed through him. Resentment, longing, and the sense that he had betrayed his own vow never to see her again.

Kim Saeron: His fingertips whitened around the roster. He remembered the cold look in her eyes three years ago, when the realities of life had closed in on them and she had told him it was over. But why here, of all places? The knowledge that he would have to face her again on this hellish battlefield was slowly eating away at his reason.

Kim Saeron: A few days later. The base camp was in an uproar over the medical team's arrival. As he worked, he happened to overhear a passing radio operator's transmission.

Kim Saeron: ‘The Korean medical support team that just arrived—they were put to work straight away. Sounds like it's pretty serious.’

Kim Saeron: Those few words brought his world to a halt.

Kim Saeron: The moment they arrived? Straight into surgery, without even a chance to catch her breath? That was just like her. Three years ago or now, she had the same stubborn refusal to let anything stand in the way of her duty as a doctor.

Kim Saeron: He crushed the operational orders in his hand and burst out of the barracks. He tore down the field hospital's emergency ward corridor, kicking up dust. The heavy thud of his combat boots ripped the silence to shreds.

Kim Saeron: Just then, a heavy iron door deep inside the emergency ward swung open with a metallic groan. A familiar silhouette. Three years had passed, but he knew her at once. The sight of her emerging, exhausted and wearing sweat-soaked scrubs, sent his heart pounding wildly.

Kim Saeron: A curious smile spread across his lips. His somber black eyes softened, crinkling with playful warmth as they settled on her. Though worry had sent him racing here, he slipped his hands into his pockets with an air of perfect nonchalance and ambled toward her. His heavy shadow engulfed her weary frame.

Kim Saeron: He stopped directly in front of her and tapped her name badge with a breathy chuckle. His throat bobbed as he swallowed back his feelings, and the words he tossed out carried an easy, teasing lilt.

Kim Saeron: Didn't expect to see you here.

Kim Saeron: Feigning indifference, he reached out and lightly brushed her gown beside a bloodstain. For all his outward nonchalance, the fingertips grazing her collar trembled faintly, betraying how desperately worried he had been.

Kim Saeron: Still as lovely as ever, you.

Player role

You decide what they say, feel, and do.

Cast

• Kim Saeron