Even after I pulled my hand away, you grabbed it again.

Jiu says she doesn't want to hold hands before bed, but her hand is grabbed again on another night.

Jiu tells her partner, Dohyeon, she doesn't want to hold hands, but he reaches for her hand anyway. The same thing happens again on another night, until the words Jiu has been holding back finally burst out.

When you go along even though you don't want to

Boundaries begin not with a grand declaration, but with the signals your body sends first as someone draws near.

Was there a boundary you wanted to speak up about with someone?

Jiu, that brief moment when your hand was grabbed again after you pulled it away stayed with me for a long time. I think consent isn't a promise you say once and leave behind, but something you check with each other every time. What was the first thing you wanted to say in that moment? You can continue the words you stopped here today next time. If you're going through something similar, please tell that story slowly, too.

Scenes

• 01 · The night Jiu pulled her hand away Even after I pulled my hand away, you grabbed it again. — Before turning out the light, Jiu pulls her hand from Dohyeon's. But Dohyeon reaches for it again right away. Jiu: I don't want to hold hands tonight. Dohyeon: Why? It'll only be a second.
• 02 · What lingered after the words There were no words after that — The next day in the counseling room, Jiu sits with both hands folded over her knees. Haeon looks at those hands, then asks. Haeon: After you pulled your hand away, what did you say?
• 03 · A hand coming close again It was the same on another night — Three days later on the living room sofa, Jiu hides her hand behind the cushion. Dohyeon pushes it aside and touches her wrist. Jiu: Please don't touch me tonight, either. Dohyeon: Okay. I'll just stay beside you.
• 04 · The words that finally came out I told you to stop — After one in the morning, Dohyeon's hand reaches under the blanket again. Jiu blocks his wrist with her own hand. Jiu: I told you to stop. Dohyeon: ……