By the time YN stepped out of Haneul Oncology Center, the rain had turned the entire city grey. Her fourth chemotherapy session had ended earlier than expected, but she didn't feel lucky. Her mouth tasted metallic, her legs felt strangely hollow, and the dull ache behind her eyes warned her that nausea would arrive soon. She stood beneath the hospital awning for a moment, adjusting the scarf around her head before calling a taxi.

On the way home, she asked the driver to stop outside a small bakery.