PTK Ch 16

Mr. Yiljoo, please don’t make my actor drink. Okay?

By that point, it was embarrassing even for the listener. Cha Yiljoo chuckled nonchalantly.

“I’m just trying to get a free meal, so you don’t have to be so wary.”

His tone was so relaxed that it lacked credibility.

“Then I’ll go in first.”

Euihyun greeted Park Hanyoung, Jung Ijin, and Kim Munsung all at once, who seemed unconvinced. Cha Yiljoo’s car slowly picked up speed, leaving the three behind.

It was about an hour’s drive to Euihyun’s villa. Music, which had been turned on early, was playing in the car. However, the volume wasn’t loud, making it awkward to listen quietly. Anxious to avoid any awkwardness, he hurriedly opened a conversation.

“How’s work these days?”

“It’s always the same. This time, because of the genre, there’s quite a bit of wire action, and I can’t seem to get used to it, no matter how many times I do it. It still hurts quite a bit when the wires tighten.”

“Ah, that must be tough.”

“Still, sometimes it’s easier to use your body than to act with emotions. This project seems to be one of those cases. How about you, Euihyun? Are there any difficulties during filming?”

“Not yet.”

Euihyun’s answer sounded quite ambiguous. Cha Yiljoo glanced at him. Since he was driving, his gaze quickly returned to the front, but he didn’t miss the implication in the words.

“That sounds like you’re saying there will be difficulties in the future?”

“The core of the conflict is loving someone who is a means of revenge.”

He explained indirectly. Cha Yiljoo, after pondering the meaning for a moment, nodded, saying, “Ah, I see.”

“I see. Soon, you’ll have to perform various love scenes with Ms. Min Ahyun, and you’ll have to express deep emotions.”

“Yes. So…”

These days, it was harder to find dramas without kissing scenes. Bed scenes were also frequently seen. It seemed the once-strict censorship regulations had loosened considerably. Given the intense conflict and emotional amplitude between the characters in <Ghost>, the love scenes would be intense, if not more, and definitely not platonic.

However, Euihyun had never properly acted in a love scene before. Naturally, he was worried about making awkward mistakes. Partly due to his personality, he was bound to be clumsy in treating women as objects of affection.

“…A kissing scene.”

Cha Yiljoo murmured softly. His eyes were fixed on the window the whole time. So, it was almost like talking to himself. Euihyun tried not to attach any meaning to that action.

As they talked about their recent events, a familiar landscape soon came into view. Since it was a little past rush hour, the villa’s parking area was already full. He had no choice but to park the car at the entrance of the neighborhood.

“We have to go grocery shopping, right?”

“Yes. I have no ingredients at home.”

“Let’s go.”

“I’ll quickly go by myself. Please wait for me inside.”

“What am I supposed to do alone in an empty house? It’ll be boring, so let’s go together.”

Cha Yiljoo chuckled and led the way. He was right. Euihyun laughed at his inconsiderate suggestion.

The two soon arrived at Euihyun’s regular supermarket. Cha Yiljoo silently followed Euihyun but repeatedly looked around the interior with an unfamiliar gaze. He said it was his first time visiting such a place, unlike a convenience store or a large supermarket.

They first went to the fresh produce section to check the vegetables.

“What are you going to make for me today?”

Cha Yiljoo asked with expectant eyes. He seemed excited for some reason. Euihyun stared blankly at his beaming face before snapping back to his senses. He quickly turned his head.

“Is there anything you’d like to eat?”

“You talk as if you’ll make me anything, Euihyun.”

“Anything I can make, I will.”

Cha Yiljoo smiled with utmost satisfaction. He looked around at the surrounding vegetables with a joyful expression.

“I’m craving braised potatoes today.”

He picked three or four potatoes from the pile, not taking Cha Yiljoo’s request lightly. Then, he went to the meat section and bought chadolbagi and beef for bulgogi. He also added zucchini, tofu, bean sprouts, and other ingredients for side dishes. Before he knew it, he had a full load of groceries.

After paying, Cha Yiljoo naturally picked up the bags. Euihyun, who received the receipt belatedly, quickly caught up with him.

“It’s okay, let me carry them.”

“I’m okay.”

Cha Yiljoo simply replied as if he was making a pun and didn’t hand over the bags. He seemed unusually cheerful today. Did something good happen that Euihyun didn’t know about?

The two walked side by side down the alley. There was no particular conversation. Yet, they didn’t feel awkward or distant. Euihyun remembered walking like this before, as if taking a stroll.

He didn’t want much. He just liked this. Having someone to walk with him on a path that was no different from everyday life. It didn’t matter if they didn’t share special feelings. Even if the color and weight of their feelings for each other were different, he didn’t feel lonely.

As they walked, matching their strides, they soon arrived in front of the villa. The perceived distance seemed much shorter than when he was alone.

Suppressing his fluttering heart, he stepped inside the building. However, he stopped shortly after. It was right after he spotted someone loitering on the stairs. The other person soon recognized Euihyun.

“Euihyun.”

The person who called his name affectionately was none other than Kang Muhyung. Just like last time, he was waiting in front of Euihyun’s house, not knowing when he would return. Since Euihyun hadn’t given him his contact information, that must have been the only way to see him. Even so, he couldn’t understand it. Hadn’t they finished their conversation that time?

Cha Yiljoo, who was following behind, looked at Kang Muhyung with questioning eyes. He was someone whose face, let alone name, he had never heard of while interacting with Euihyun. Was he an acquaintance Euihyun didn’t know about? Even so, the way he called Euihyun’s name seemed too informal. If Euihyun had an acquaintance who was that comfortable with him, there was no way Cha Yiljoo wouldn’t know.

He wondered if it might be a younger brother who was waiting, but he quickly dismissed the thought. Even in other countries, he wouldn’t just call his older brother by his first name. There was no reason for him to look at Euihyun with such longing eyes, either. Moreover, the man looked at least five or six years older than Euihyun.

“…….”

“Euihyun, do you know him?”

He asked, his eyes fixed on Kang Muhyung. Euihyun didn’t answer. Kang Muhyung’s gaze, which had been fixed on Euihyun, soon shifted to Cha Yiljoo. With Euihyun between them, the two men’s gazes locked intensely.

He couldn’t pretend he didn’t know him in that situation. Even to prevent unnecessary misunderstandings, it might be better to introduce each other honestly. It would be enough to explain what kind of work they did and how they knew each other.

However, he had no intention of doing so. He didn’t want Cha Yiljoo to be aware of Kang Muhyung’s existence. Even if he didn’t mention it on purpose, there was no way Cha Yiljoo would know his relationship with Kang Muhyung, but he was still reluctant.

He hadn’t made plans to meet Kang Muhyung. If he had to send one of them away, it was right to send him away. Nevertheless, Euihyun asked Cha Yiljoo for understanding instead.

“I’m sorry, but I don’t think dinner will be possible today. I’ll treat you again next time. So…”

Cha Yiljoo looked puzzled. He had the impression that Euihyun was trying to quickly cover up the current situation. Euihyun’s gaze, urging him to leave, was more desperate than ever.

“…Ah, alright.”

Meanwhile, Kang Muhyung’s gaze remained fixed on Cha Yiljoo. It seemed like the only person who needed to leave was Cha Yiljoo himself.

He put down the groceries and turned to leave, feeling uneasy, but stopped. Then, he called out, “Mr. Euihyun.” He made a gesture of calling on his phone towards Euihyun, who turned his head.

“I’ll call you.”

Instead of replying, Euihyun nodded. At the words that promised a future meeting, Kang Muhyung’s gaze fell on Cha Yiljoo once again. When Cha Yiljoo nodded, he also responded with a nod.

Cha Yiljoo turned around and left the building. After taking a few steps, he suddenly looked back. He could hear the murmur of Euihyun and Kang Muhyung talking. He couldn’t tell exactly what they were talking about. Soon after, he heard the sound of the front door opening and closing again.

“…….”

Who is that man? And for what reason did he come all the way to Euihyun’s house?

He continued to look up at the building, repeatedly questioning himself inwardly. The lights came on in Euihyun’s previously dark window. He stood there for a while, waiting. He waited for about ten minutes without knowing what he was waiting for. He had hoped, but the man showed no sign of coming out again.

After a long while, he came back down the same way he had gone up with Euihyun. There was no delay, not even for a moment, until he got into his parked car and started the engine.

However, the car didn’t leave immediately. He leaned forward, resting on the steering wheel. Then, he stared at the villa through the windshield. Although the only thing visible from a distance was the edge of the building, he watched it quietly for a long time. His face was completely hardened with an unknown unpleasant feeling.

Cha Yiljoo realized his strange behavior only after some more time had passed. What was he doing? He was being overly concerned. Whoever the man who visited Euihyun was, whatever his purpose was, it wasn’t Cha Yiljoo’s business. What kind of relationship they had, what they would do in the future, none of it was his concern. Hadn’t they become friends again, just as he had wished?

Then why was he so irritated?

He straightened up again. He turned the steering wheel and smoothly pulled out onto the road. While driving onto the main road, he glared at the villa reflected in the rearview mirror. Cha Yiljoo’s gaze, which then turned to the front, was quite sharp. His car sped off like an angry bull.

“Here you go.”

He placed the brewed green tea down. Kang Muhyung, who had been looking around the house, finally came to the dining table.

“Nothing has changed, huh?”

Euihyun didn’t reply. He simply avoided eye contact, standing opposite Kang Muhyung.

Last time, he had also shown up this abruptly. It was on his way back from a company dinner, so it must have been past midnight. He couldn’t guess how long Kang Muhyung had been waiting. He didn’t bother to ask. Seeing Euihyun appear belatedly, Kang Muhyung’s expression softened considerably.

‘I was hoping…’

Those were his first words at the time. He looked relieved. Relieved that Euihyun’s house still existed in the same place he remembered.

But Euihyun hadn’t been waiting for him. The reason Euihyun hadn’t left this place for years was definitely not because of him. If he hadn’t been with Cha Yiljoo today, he wouldn’t have let him inside.

To Euihyun, Kang Muhyung was already a person of the past. Someone who had been buried and disappeared in the past, just like time that had passed could not be reversed. There was no meaning in their current meeting. It would be the same in the future.

“Why don’t you come and sit down?”

“It’s okay.”

He immediately declined to sit across from him. His tone was so indifferent that it was impossible to detect any anger or lingering resentment. That made him feel even more distant. It felt like they had become completely unrelated, with no feelings left between them.

Kang Muhyung, staring quietly at Euihyun, urged him again in a coaxing tone.

“Sit down, Euihyun.”

Euihyun’s grip on his left arm tightened noticeably. Kang Muhyung, who had appeared after years, called his name so casually. It was as if that acted as a kind of spell, awakening fragments of memories one by one.

“Don’t worry about me. I’m more comfortable standing.”

“I’m uncomfortable.”

He was being stubborn. When he shamelessly complained of discomfort, Euihyun would give in nine times out of ten. He was originally someone who couldn’t stand causing trouble for others. As if that hadn’t changed, Euihyun made a troubled expression before reluctantly pulling out the chair opposite him and sitting down. At his unchanged behavior, a faint smile spread across Kang Muhyung’s lips.

“I thought you wouldn’t give me a chance to talk like last time.”

“…It was too late at night then.”

He was still clumsy at making excuses. Kang Muhyung easily saw through the real reason.

“Was that Mr. Cha Yiljoo earlier?”

As soon as he mentioned the name, Euihyun visibly stiffened. He tried to relax his tense face, pretending to be calm, but even that change was clearly visible. Kang Muhyung, who had been staring intently at him, finally dropped his gaze to his cup.

“Are you dating?”

“No.”

He answered without even taking a breath. Both Kang Muhyung and Euihyun himself were surprised by the strong denial, and they looked at each other. It was more uncomfortable that the target of the misunderstanding was Cha Yiljoo than that he was misunderstood by Kang Muhyung.

“We’re definitely not like that. He’s not even the same kind as me…”

He babbled excuses and then let out a long sigh. Then, looking directly at Kang Muhyung, he made his position clear.

“It’s uncomfortable that you keep coming here like this.”

“Why? Do you have someone you’re seeing these days?”

He shook his head. A faint glimmer of hope appeared in Kang Muhyung’s eyes.

“There’s someone I like. I don’t want them to misunderstand.”

The hope crumbled at the words that followed. He wondered if Euihyun was lying again to draw a line. He had secretly harbored hope, but Euihyun stared at Kang Muhyung with a firm gaze. It wasn’t a lie. Nor was it a veiled excuse.

Kang Muhyung laughed self-deprecatingly.

“Does he feel the same way?”

He assumed the subject was a man. Euihyun didn’t bother to deny it.

“It doesn’t matter how he sees me.”

“If you don’t have anyone you’re seeing, it’s okay. I’m not trying to do anything right now. We can occasionally meet for tea, a meal, or a drink. We could become friends, couldn’t we?”

“…I thought you’d sorted everything out after that day. So I did too. I didn’t expect or wait for you to come looking for me like this later. You didn’t come back because of me, did you? I don’t understand why you’re suddenly acting like this.”

“I know you must have resented me a lot. I know you thought I was cowardly back then, and I’ve been constantly reflecting on it and regretting it. I didn’t have a single peaceful day in America either. Every time I thought of you, I couldn’t sleep properly because of the guilt. When I decided to return to Korea, I thought I’d at least be able to hear about you. I thought I’d just feel heavy-hearted with apologies when I saw you again, but when I actually saw you, I was glad. Maybe I missed you. Every time I see you unchanged, it’s like going back to the past. It was a time when nothing was better compared to now, but these days, I keep thinking about that time. When I’m looking at you like this, it’s like I’m back six years ago.”

“That’s just nostalgia. And I’m not the same person I was back then.”

Euihyun cut him off without listening further. His tone, as he refuted each point, remained calm and not at all agitated.

“The past is just the past. It’s more regrettable because you can’t go back once it’s passed. The person you miss no longer exists. So please don’t cling to romanticized memories.”

He repeatedly addressed him as “Director” instead of “Hyung”. It was a change brought about by the accumulated time. A strange bitterness washed over Kang Muhyung.

Maybe Euihyun was right. Time changes not only the environment but also people. The person you were a year ago cannot be the same as the person you were ten days ago, and the person you were then cannot be the same as the person you are now. Although there’s no creature that doesn’t change as much as humans, it wasn’t a rule that applied to everyone.

At least it was clear that the current Euihyun was not the same as he was back then. If he had been the Euihyun of that time, he wouldn’t have been able to push Kang Muhyung away like this. The Jung Euihyun who had been soft on Kang Muhyung was nowhere to be found.

Even as he readily admitted it, Kang Muhyung continued to persist.

“Yes. As you said, everything changes with time. Me too. I’m no longer the coward I was back then. But you’re not going to give me a chance to atone? Euihyun, we weren’t bad, were we?”

“I understood why you made that decision back then. So I didn’t resent you. And I don’t think you need to apologize to me separately.”

“Don’t push me away like that. We weren’t strangers, we can at least exchange news while we live.”

“I’m sorry. I can’t do that.”

“Because of the person you like?”

He guessed it was an accusation. Euihyun silently shook his head. His expression had darkened considerably.

“…Because I remember.”

“Remember what?”

“When I see you, Director, I keep remembering that time. I endured it all, but it’s painful because the day I buried with difficulty comes back to mind. It’s something I can’t change now. Blaming myself for past mistakes…I really want to stop.”

Kang Muhyung couldn’t say anything more. The pain Euihyun expressed stemmed entirely from him. He couldn’t force his one-sided desires on someone to whom his existence was still a source of pain.

Euihyun got up from his seat immediately. Kang Muhyung grabbed his wrist as he tried to escape.

“Euihyun.”

He called his name in a tone that he couldn’t have defied in the past. But Euihyun twisted his wrist free of his grip. There was not even a slight hesitation.

“I’m sorry. Please leave.”

Kang Muhyung silently looked down at his discarded palm. He clenched his empty, desolate hand into a fist. Just like time that wouldn’t be caught no matter how hard he tried to grasp it, Euihyun wouldn’t let himself be held.

Kang Muhyung, who had been laughing self-deprecatingly, quietly stood up.

“I’m sorry.”

Just before leaving the front door, Kang Muhyung apologized. Euihyun couldn’t tell whether it was for the past or for today. Euihyun simply stood with his back turned, saying nothing.

Finally, there was the sound of the door opening and closing. Even after that, for a while, the area outside the door remained quiet. The sound of footsteps on the stairs came a long time later. Even that soon faded away into the distance.

Only then did Euihyun let out a long breath. A deep fatigue washed over him. Even though it was before dinner, he had no appetite at all.

He turned around and cleared the dining table. The only thing to clear away was the untouched green tea. He poured the cold tea into the sink and was about to wash the dishes when he suddenly looked at his phone.

He checked just in case, and there was a message from Cha Yiljoo. It had been received more than twenty minutes ago.

The grocery bags placed under the table caught his eye. If Kang Muhyung hadn’t come, he would be serving Cha Yiljoo a warm meal right now. They would have washed away their fatigue while sharing trivial, unfinished stories. The ingredients he had carefully chosen to eat together had lost their purpose.

Sighing softly, he checked the received message.

[I’ve arrived.]

That was all it said. He checked to see if any other messages had come, but there were none. Had he sent it by mistake while writing it? Or was that really all he wanted to say? Since he hadn’t even left a greeting, it was strange either way.

He stared at the puzzling message, lost in thought. He couldn’t decide what to reply. He couldn’t bother Cha Yiljoo, who would already be home resting. However, he couldn’t just ignore it without replying. This was especially true because of his recent history of not responding several times and making Cha Yiljoo feel neglected.

After hesitating, Euihyun began to type on the keypad.

A long vibration rang out. Cha Yiljoo immediately checked the incoming message.

I’m so sorry about today. Good night.
His eyes scanned every single word. However, no matter how many times he read it, the content was the same as he had first perceived it. With just that, he couldn’t tell if the guest had left or not.

Cha Yiljoo’s finger hovered over the call button. He thought about calling several times, but he stopped. It was ridiculous to call without a reason after already receiving a good night message.

Tap. Tap. He tapped the steering wheel idly with the phone in his hand. It was an unconscious act. Even though he had received the message he had been waiting for, he didn’t feel relieved. It wasn’t something to be this upset about in the first place. Euihyun had apologized and asked for his understanding, and there might have been unavoidable circumstances that Cha Yiljoo himself didn’t know about. He understood it all logically, but was he being sensitive because he was tired?

He had felt similar not long ago. It was when he had dinner with Min Ahyun and Euihyun. But it wasn’t entirely the same as then. If Min Ahyun was just slightly bothersome, the man from earlier had given him a definite feeling of displeasure.

He didn’t seem like a simple colleague or friend. Of course, it could be prejudice. There was no basis for assuming that every man who visited Euihyun at night was of that sort. Even so, he couldn’t shake the persistent thoughts that kept swirling in one direction.

Was it someone he had met recently? Where and how? Could it be at that bar run by Jang Daewoong? Just imagining it a little made him frown.

Perhaps it could be the person Euihyun had mentioned, the one who had run away sometime in the past. Euihyun had said that he would never return, but one never knew about people. Certainly, the way he called Euihyun seemed too familiar and natural for someone he had met recently.

He shook his head as he continued to develop his thoughts. Nothing would change by speculating on his own. Besides, it was clearly Euihyun’s private life. No matter how close they were as friends, he shouldn’t interfere without permission.

To be more concerned about an unknown man than Min Ahyun, who had openly expressed her interest… he scoffed at his own nosiness. So what if he was Euihyun’s romantic partner? It wasn’t as if Euihyun could stay single forever. He hadn’t seen anyone by Euihyun’s side, but if he had truly found someone compatible, he should congratulate him.

It was also something he had to get used to. As long as he remained Euihyun’s friend, it would happen someday, even if not right now.

“…….”

His thoughts had already raced ahead. Despite his resolve to not mind it, his consciousness invariably drifted in one direction if he loosened the reins even for a moment. He struck the steering wheel irritably. Lately, nothing was going his way. Nothing satisfied him.

🎥

“Mr. Euihyun, can we stop by the company for a moment? The CEO has summoned you.”

Park Hanyoung asked as they were about to board the van after filming. Euihyun readily agreed. Despite his apparent fatigue, he showed no sign of displeasure.

The schedule, which had started at dawn, finally ended late in the afternoon. The next schedule was set for early morning. As the drama passed its halfway mark, the backlog of filmed episodes was dwindling. The writer and the production crew were all struggling to avoid last-minute script changes.

<Ghost>, which had aired 12 episodes, recently surpassed 20% in viewership ratings. With its fast-paced development, intertwined relationships between characters, and memorable lines becoming a hot topic every day, it attracted a large number of viewers. At this rate, breaking the 30% barrier didn’t seem like a pipe dream.

“Oh, by the way, isn’t today the first broadcast of Mr. Cha Yiljoo’s drama?”

Park Hanyoung reminded him casually. Euihyun’s eyes widened. He felt a pang of regret. He had clearly remembered it until just a moment ago, but it seemed he had forgotten again. With so much on his own plate, he hadn’t been able to pay much attention. Even amidst his busy schedule, Cha Yiljoo had come to support him, but even Euihyun himself thought he was being incredibly thoughtless.

He resolved to send a message after watching the first broadcast, no matter what. When he opened his chat window with Cha Yiljoo, only formal greetings had been exchanged for several days. With the relentless filming continuing day and night, there was no time to talk, and their schedules didn’t align due to filming, making it difficult to have a long conversation. He also hadn’t had a chance to explain what happened with Kang Muhyung.

Cha Yiljoo hadn’t been angry about that day. Still, since he had unilaterally broken their promise, it was only right to explain the circumstances and apologize again. The problem was that he still didn’t feel like doing so. Their relationship had barely returned to normal. They acted as if nothing had happened, but it wasn’t completely healed yet. In this state, he didn’t want to remind Cha Yiljoo of his sexual identity again.

While reflecting on the past events, the van entered the company’s parking lot. Park Hanyoung sent Kim Munsung and Jung Ijin home directly and went up to the CEO’s office with Euihyun.

“You’re here? Have a seat.”

Simon Kim greeted them warmly. As he suggested, they sat side by side on the visitor’s sofa. Simon Kim also finished what he was doing and came to sit in the main seat.

“How’s work? Manageable?”

“Yes.”

“With that exhausted look on your face? I can’t believe it.”

He teased, and Euihyun rubbed his cheek with the back of his hand. That wouldn’t bring back the color to his face.

“Honestly, it’s tough, right?”

“…A little.”

He replied apologetically in a barely audible voice. Even seasoned actors tended to complain when they were tied to the filming set, barely getting any sleep. Moreover, Euihyun, who didn’t even know how to complain, would be experiencing even more stress internally.

“But you’re doing really well. Even with exercise, don’t you end up enjoying those painful moments if you keep at it? You build momentum. Work is no different. We’re getting good responses, so let’s keep up the good work and persevere a little longer.”

“Yes.”

Euihyun nodded emphatically. He wasn’t assertive at all, but his shy smile was strangely reassuring.

Park Hanyoung, who had been listening silently, interjected.

“But why did you call us?”

“I wanted to have a conversation with Mr. Euihyun for a change, but does Manager Park always have to be so stiff?”

“Mr. Euihyun’s schedule these days isn’t exactly conducive to leisurely chats. As you well know.”

Park Hanyoung smiled faintly. His words carried a subtle barb. Simon Kim grumbled with a dissatisfied look.

“Our Mr. Euihyun shouldn’t become like that side of Manager Park. Is he a person or a machine?”

He even clicked his tongue disapprovingly. As Park Hanyoung was about to retort, Simon Kim cut him off by stating his business.

“I called Mr. Euihyun because I have a few things to tell him. First, there’s been an offer for an advertising model. A solo one.”

Before he could fully process the words, a proposal was presented. Euihyun looked down at the document in a daze. His hands remained politely placed on his knees, unable to accept the proposal.

“There have been several offers for sub-model positions before, but this is the first time for a main one. It’s a popular casual brand, I hear, and it will be a great help in improving your image.”

Whether it was outdoor wear, sportswear, or casual wear, clothing brand advertisements were practically exclusive to celebrities. Euihyun being chosen as a model was entirely thanks to the success of <Ghost>. He would surely be benefiting from the halo effect, but either way, it didn’t feel real. He wasn’t sure if he deserved it.

“You must be preoccupied with the drama right now, so take your time to think about it. I hear they’ll be introducing a new model starting with the F/W season. You can decide and let us know by summer.”

As if that wasn’t all, he took out another thick book. It looked like a screenplay at first glance.

“And there’s a project that came directly to me, bypassing the planning team.”

The title <Salieri> was written on the cover of the screenplay. Almost all projects were received and filtered through the planning team. What did skipping that step mean?

Park Hanyoung asked pointedly, “Who’s the director?”

“Director Park Junghyun.”

Director Park Junghyun was a maestro who had consistently focused on art films rather than commercial ones. Every film he released was invited to prestigious film festivals and won awards for Best Picture and Best Director. It was known that he had been staying in Germany until recently, but it seemed he had been working on a new film. And that screenplay was now in Simon Kim’s hands.

Director Park preferred actors with proven acting skills over star actors. Being cast in his film was akin to receiving public recognition for one’s acting abilities. Even though he hadn’t read the screenplay yet, there was no reason to refuse.

Around that time, a thought crossed Park Hanyoung’s mind. “Oh, come to think of it, Mr. Euihyun, you and Director Park…”

“Yes. He helped me with my debut.”

Euihyun looked at the screenplay with curious eyes. It was understandable, as Director Park never reused an actor he had already worked with.

He was Euihyun’s benefactor who had led him down the path of acting. Yet, he hadn’t been able to greet him often, using the excuse of being busy with life.

With careful hands, he started flipping through the pages from the cover. The first page contained the overall synopsis of the film.

The protagonist of <Salieri>, ‘Yoohan,’ is the only son of a prestigious musical family. He was born to carry on the family legacy and grew up regardless of his own interests or abilities. His father, ‘Homyeong,’ was a promising conductor, but a tragic accident left him paraplegic, earning him the title of a tragic genius. His resulting inferiority complex and resentment were fully directed at ‘Yoohan,’ leading to frequent abuse. ‘Yoohan’ immerses himself in music, having all his other desires suppressed under the strict and demanding expectations of his parents. He enters Berklee three years earlier than others and returns home as a world-renowned composer and pianist.

However, at that moment, the illegitimate son, ‘Myeongshin,’ appears. ‘Myeongshin,’ who has autism, creates high-quality music with improvised melodies alone. Because of this, the attention of his father and the entire music world turns to ‘Myeongshin.’ ‘Yoohan’s’ anger reaches its peak as he constantly realizes the difference in their skills, leaving him nowhere to go. The screenplay consistently portrays the destructive life of an elite individual.

“If Mr. Euihyun agrees, you’ll be starring alongside Yiljoo as the two leads. Of course, Yiljoo has to agree as well.”

“Ah…”

His heart pounded at the unexpected news. It was commonplace for actors from the same agency to appear in the same project. However, since it was Cha Yiljoo, something he had never imagined, he was naturally dumbfounded. To act alongside Cha Yiljoo… just the thought of it made his heart swell uncontrollably. It wasn’t simply because he liked him. As an actor to another actor, the thought of being able to experience his acting up close, learn from him, and create something together felt like a dream.

“Take the screenplay and read it. The role you’ll be playing, Mr. Euihyun, is ‘Myeongshin.’ He has strong autistic traits, so he doesn’t have many proper lines, and it won’t be easy to portray him.”

“Yes.”

Euihyun carefully held the book in his arms as if it were made of gold. Even then, it didn’t feel real.

“That’s all for today. I’ll let you go now, so go home and get some rest.”

“Thank you.”

He stood up and bowed deeply. At the endless gratitude, Simon Kim smirked and said, “No, thank you.”

Then, there was a knock. It seemed someone else was scheduled to come in. He quickly turned around, intending to leave. As he reached out to grab the doorknob, the door opened from the outside. It was Cha Yiljoo who stepped inside. He flinched at the unexpected encounter.

Cha Yiljoo stared intently at Euihyun standing before him. When Park Hanyoung, who was beside him, greeted him, he simply nodded. His gaze remained fixed on Euihyun.

It was just as Euihyun was about to excuse himself with a nod and pass by.

“Mr. Euihyun, let’s talk later.”

Cha Yiljoo suddenly stopped Euihyun in his tracks. Euihyun stammered with a troubled expression. He might be getting the wrong idea, but it seemed the matter of Kang Muhyung would be brought up.

Cha Yiljoo, quietly observing Euihyun, asked Park Hanyoung instead, “Manager, does Mr. Euihyun have any other schedules after this?”

“No, not really…”

Park Hanyoung glanced sideways at Euihyun. Something felt strangely off. Cha Yiljoo urged Euihyun once again, “Wait.”

“…Yes.”

He answered helplessly. Only then did Cha Yiljoo open the door wider, allowing him to pass. Then, he stood there for a moment, watching him leave. Only after Euihyun left the secretary’s office did he close the door and sit on the sofa.

Simon Kim was chuckling as if he had just witnessed something amusing. As his eyes met Cha Yiljoo’s, he openly mocked him.

“What was that just now?”

“What was what?”

“Weren’t you just rejected by Mr. Euihyun? You forcibly held back someone who didn’t want to.”

“…If he didn’t want to, he would have said so.”

“As if.”

Simon Kim scoffed incredulously. A clear sneer hung on his lips.

“You wouldn’t have called me here just to pick a fight. What’s the matter?”

“Do you treat our Mr. Euihyun like that too?”

“What did I do?”

He was utterly shameless. Simon Kim clicked his tongue disapprovingly, about to tell him why he had called him, when Cha Yiljoo picked a fight instead.

“And since when was he ‘our Mr. Euihyun’?”

He thought it was a joke. However, Cha Yiljoo wasn’t smiling at all. He simply stared at the edge of the table with his eyes downcast. It was a habitual action of his, a way of expressing his displeasure that he had been doing for a very long time. What was bothering him this time? Simon Kim shook his head and chided him, “You’re strange. Mr. Euihyun isn’t yours, why do you care?”

“…….”

Even though he could have retorted, Cha Yiljoo was strangely silent. It was better not to attempt a long conversation on days like this. It was a know-how he had learned while getting to know Cha Yiljoo. He decided to assume that something unpleasant had happened.

Simon Kim handed Cha Yiljoo the screenplay for <Salieri> as well. “There’s been another offer from Director Park. He asked you to put aside your emotions and consider it carefully.”

As soon as he finished speaking, Cha Yiljoo’s face hardened.

Euihyun was reading the screenplay in the conference room. It had been just a moment ago that he was excited about the casting news, but now the letters wouldn’t register in his eyes. Cha Yiljoo would be coming soon. And the topic of Kang Muhyung would inevitably come up.

Where should he begin, and how should he explain it? Being straightforward would be best, but the gap between imagination and reality was vast. Cha Yiljoo was only aware of Euihyun’s sexual identity. If a real person was assigned to that awareness, he would undoubtedly become uncomfortable.

He remembered the moment he encountered Cha Yiljoo at Jang Daewoong’s bar. The horribly distorted look on his face was still etched in his mind. What if he made that expression again? He had resigned himself to the possibility, telling himself that even his own brother couldn’t accept it, so he shouldn’t expect more from others. However, the fear wouldn’t disappear. He wanted to stay by Cha Yiljoo’s side, in any sense of the word. However, if he were to receive that look of disgust again, he didn’t think he would have the courage to face him anymore.

Not long after, the door opened quietly. He knew it was Cha Yiljoo just from his distinctive scent. Despite this, Euihyun kept his eyes fixed on the screenplay. He avoided his gaze until the very end, hoping that Cha Yiljoo wouldn’t call his name. He didn’t know what expression to greet him with. It was even more awkward because they had just had a minor squabble in the CEO’s office.

Cha Yiljoo’s footsteps stopped right in front of him. He could now see him even in his peripheral vision. But he still didn’t raise his head. Or rather, it was more accurate to say that he couldn’t.

Suddenly, Cha Yiljoo’s hand reached out. His scent intensified. The next moment, he gently pressed down on the screenplay Euihyun was reading. With that, the only thing shielding his vision disappeared. Euihyun blankly stared at Cha Yiljoo’s hand pressing down on the book. It wasn’t a forceful action, but it was an unusual rudeness for him.

His gaze flicked upwards. The Cha Yiljoo he finally looked at wasn’t smiling at all. Had something happened? His expression seemed cold. Could he have heard something unpleasant from Simon Kim?

“What happened that day?”

As he worried about him, the dreaded question was thrown at him. There was no time to avoid it.

“That’s something you don’t need to know.”

“I was unilaterally rejected, and you’re saying I don’t need to know? I thought you would contact me first, later that night or the next day.”

“I’m sorry. But there’s really nothing to tell you…”

“You never approach me first unless I do, do you, Mr. Euihyun?”

Cha Yiljoo asserted before Euihyun could finish his excuse. His face, when Euihyun looked at him in dismay, was completely hardened. There was no warmth in his gaze as he looked down at Euihyun. Judging by his unusual lack of composure and the way he didn’t wait for an explanation, he seemed angry.

Had he been too inconsiderate after all? He seemed to have optimistically assumed that Cha Yiljoo would understand. Because he was someone who always listened calmly to anything he had to say and was always considerate. He had leaned on his kindness without permission.

“I’m sorry. If I had known you would be concerned…”

“Was it the person you met before?”

Cha Yiljoo interrupted Euihyun’s words again.

“The one who ran away?”

He quietly held his breath. He couldn’t deny it when Cha Yiljoo asked with near certainty. Above all, he didn’t want to anger Cha Yiljoo any further. He silently nodded. Cha Yiljoo, who had been relentlessly pressing him, suddenly fell silent.

A heavy silence lingered for a while. To Cha Yiljoo, who seemed to have lost his words after confirming the truth, Euihyun added in a reassuring tone, “I explained to him that he has nothing to do with you, Mr. Yiljoo, that he just stopped by for work. So he won’t misunderstand. There won’t be any strange rumors or trouble.”

“That’s not the issue.”

He was taken aback by the sharp retort. If that wasn’t the issue, then what was?

“Why did the person who ran away come back now?”

“…….”

“You said he would never come back.”

“Well…because it wouldn’t mean anything even if he did. And he didn’t come looking for me, we met by chance. That day, he came to apologize for what happened before.”

He explained everything, even though he didn’t know why he had to. He felt like he had to. Then, Cha Yiljoo murmured, his voice drained of strength, “So you’re saying it wasn’t the first time you saw him that day.”

“That’s…”

“You said you weren’t waiting for him, but that wasn’t true either, it seems.”

His heart sank. Disappointment was evident. What was wrong? The conversation was progressing in an unexpected direction. He repeatedly felt an unknown guilt and wanted to apologize, but he couldn’t figure out what he should be sorry for.

The atmosphere froze rapidly. His mouth went dry. To Euihyun, who couldn’t hide his embarrassment, Cha Yiljoo finally asked after a long while. His voice was colder than before.

“Did he happen to demand money, using your sexual identity or past as leverage?”

“He’s not that kind of person.”

He quickly shook his head. His gesture became larger as he tried to correct the huge misunderstanding. Did that look like he was defending Kang Muhyung? Cha Yiljoo, who was about to say something more, closed his mouth again. A faint wrinkle formed between his eyebrows.

He didn’t want Cha Yiljoo to be concerned about Kang Muhyung. Euihyun could handle it himself, and he already had. So there was nothing more to talk about. Especially if the topic upset Cha Yiljoo.

“You don’t have to worry about anything related to him.”

“Ah, I see.”

The reply that came back as soon as he finished speaking was sharp. His voice was twisted with sarcasm.

“It’s not my place to interfere.”

Ah. A deep sigh escaped him. It seemed he had made a mistake. That wasn’t what he had meant. He should explain quickly and clear up the misunderstanding, but suddenly his throat tightened, and no words came out. Something welled up inside him. It felt like his lungs were being squeezed.

Cha Yiljoo’s face, when he anxiously looked up at him, was as cold as ice. It wasn’t good to have this kind of conflict when they were just mending their relationship.

What should he do? How?

His mind overloaded as he tried to devise a solution in a short time. The more he tried, the less ideas came to him, and his mind only became more clouded.

Just then, there was a sudden knock. He flinched in surprise, having been so tense. Cha Yiljoo’s gaze, which had been fixed on Euihyun, shifted towards the door. The door cracked open, and Manager Han peeked his head in.

“Mr. Yiljoo, I think you should get going.”

“Yes.”

Cha Yiljoo replied reluctantly. Meanwhile, Manager Han’s gaze passed over him and landed on Euihyun. He looked puzzled at Euihyun’s flushed face. Then, as his eyes met Euihyun’s, he nodded. Euihyun reflexively nodded back. Manager Han gestured for Cha Yiljoo to come out and quietly closed the door.

A tense silence settled between the two men left behind. Euihyun fidgeted anxiously with his fingertips. Sweat gathered in his palms. Cha Yiljoo sighed. He slowly ran a hand through his hair and apologized in a weary tone.

“I’m sorry. For being mean.”

“No. You had every right to be…”

“I’ve been a bit sensitive lately, I went too far.”

Euihyun shook his head and said again, “No, you didn’t.” Another long sigh escaped Cha Yiljoo.

“I’ll be going then.”

“…Oh, yes.”

Finally, Cha Yiljoo’s hand lifted from the screenplay. His hands, freed from the weight, felt disconcertingly light.

Cha Yiljoo opened the door and left without a proper goodbye. His figure disappeared from view, and the door closed immediately. The sudden quiet left him feeling disoriented, as if a storm had just passed.

He wanted to talk at length about <Salieri>, which they might be starring in together, but was it a foolish desire? Euihyun smoothed out the crumpled screenplay. His shoulders slumped involuntarily. A heavy sigh escaped him.

Cha Yiljoo started the engine and got into the waiting car. The sound of the closing door was rather forceful. Manager Han looked back at him curiously. His profile, as he looked out the window, was unusually stiff. It seemed to have been that way since they were in the conference room.

“Did something happen with Mr. Jung Euihyun?”

He made a guess. There was no particular basis for it. Cha Yiljoo’s eyes slowly turned and fixed on Manager Han.

“Why?”

“You have an angry expression right now.”

Manager Han pointed at Cha Yiljoo with his chin. Cha Yiljoo couldn’t tell what kind of face he was making. He hadn’t even realized he was angry until Manager Han pointed it out.

He had received a clear apology for the broken promise. He understood logically that it could happen. It wasn’t his place to interfere with the relationship between Euihyun and the man who had been waiting for him. As a friend, he could express concern, but he couldn’t tell him not to see the man. He had to leave Euihyun alone, who trusted the man despite his seeming precariousness. It wasn’t his place to meddle.

Thinking that way, there was no reason or justification for his anger. His current overflowing rage couldn’t be justified no matter how he tried. But why was he feeling this way? He chuckled in disbelief.

“I don’t know either.”

Why had he suddenly felt so upset? Why was he feeling so resentful?

🎥

“Oppa, did you hear? Oppa Cha Yiljoo’s drama, they say it surpassed 20% viewership from the first episode.”

Jung Ijin exclaimed as she removed her makeup. He had already heard the news about <Blacklist> before filming. Although it wasn’t a competing drama, everyone on staff was talking about it, so he couldn’t not know. He wasn’t particularly surprised. He had anticipated the viewership ratings, the buzz, and the positive reviews from viewers.

Cha Yiljoo in <Blacklist> seemed like the protagonist itself, just like the modifiers that followed him. The narrative of the drama was also incredibly immersive, making it impossible to look away.

One critic called Cha Yiljoo a clever actor. He knew his strength lay in his looks and skillfully utilized that talent at the right moments. Viewers were captivated by his charisma, overlooking minor flaws.

He didn’t completely agree, but he thought it might be true to some extent. At least, that’s how it felt when Euihyun watched it. From the moment Cha Yiljoo appeared on screen, he had been staring blankly at the TV. He only came to his senses an hour later.

He stared blankly at the phone in his hand. Then Jung Ijin told him not to lower his head and lifted his face. Euihyun obediently maintained his posture but kept fiddling with his silent phone.

He hadn’t seen Cha Yiljoo since their argument. They hadn’t spoken on the phone, only exchanging a few messages. Even those were mostly superficial words like saying he enjoyed the drama or encouraging him with filming.

‘You never approach me first unless I do, do you, Mr. Euihyun?’

Cha Yiljoo’s words kept bothering him. It wasn’t that he was intentionally keeping his distance. It was just that he couldn’t bring himself to approach him first because of his turbulent emotions. He was afraid that the suppressed feelings, which were growing in size, would eventually burst out. He wanted to keep a certain distance from Cha Yiljoo, enough to control his feelings even if he couldn’t push him away.

Of course, he understood Cha Yiljoo’s feelings of being neglected. From his perspective, he might have thought Euihyun was taking his kindness for granted. He might have wondered why he always had to be the one to reach out first.

It wasn’t as if Cha Yiljoo was unilaterally clinging to him. Rather, their relationship would end the moment he let go. Knowing that full well, he thought he had been too inconsiderate. Since they had decided to be friends, his feelings couldn’t be an excuse.

“Okay, that’s enough,” Jung Ijin said, pulling her hand away. Only then did he snap out of his long reverie. He looked at the phone in his hand and made a decision. He immediately launched the SNS messenger and opened the chat window with Cha Yiljoo.

I just finished filming, how about you, Mr. Yiljoo?
He carefully typed the message. He double-checked the short sentence and pressed the send button. He was checking to see if Cha Yiljoo would see it right away when Park Hanyoung entered the waiting room.

“Mr. Euihyun, you remember we’re having a team dinner tonight, right?”

“Ah, yes.”

It had been several months since he had become a team with Park Hanyoung, Jung Ijin, and Kim Munsung. They had never had a meal just the four of them, so they had finally arranged to do so. He had been feeling bad about not properly treating the people who helped him the most, at the closest proximity.

Jung Ijin chattered excitedly.

“I think this is our team’s first dinner together. Right, Oppa?”

“Yeah, it is.”

“What should we eat today? Let’s eat something really delicious!”

“Should I look for some good restaurants?”

Park Hanyoung took out his phone. Jung Ijin also joined him, pondering suitable menus. Common dishes like samgyeopsal, pasta, beef, and dakgalbi poured out one after another.

Watching them, Euihyun awkwardly scratched the back of his head and suggested tentatively, “…Could I, perhaps, treat you all myself?”

Park Hanyoung and Jung Ijin made ambiguous expressions. It was a general rule that the company covered the cost of team dinners. There was no need for Euihyun to bear the expense.

Euihyun further clarified to correct their misunderstanding.

“I know a little bit about cooking.”

Park Hanyoung finally understood and said, “Ah.” Jung Ijin let out a loud cheer.

“Wow, really?”

“We’d be grateful if you invited us…but are you sure? You must be tired, Mr. Euihyun.”

“It’s something I always do.”

“I agree! I definitely agree!”

Jung Ijin shouted, raising both arms. Since the host was fine with it, there was no reason for Park Hanyoung to object further.

“Oppa, what are you going to make us?”

Jung Ijin hugged Euihyun’s arm. He was about to ask her what she wanted to eat when his silent phone rang. He glanced at the screen and saw Cha Yiljoo’s name. It seemed he had just checked the message Euihyun sent earlier. He immediately answered the call.

“Yes, Mr. Yiljoo.”

— Where are you now?

“I’m still in the waiting room. I’m about to head home.”

— I just finished work too. Shall we have dinner together, it’s been a while?

“Ah…”

Euihyun looked at Park Hanyoung and Jung Ijin with a troubled expression. Jung Ijin was already counting the dishes she wanted to eat on her fingers. Park Hanyoung also called Kim Munsung, who was waiting in the parking lot. He couldn’t disappoint them.

“We have a team dinner today. I’m sorry.”

— Oh, is that so?

“…Yes.”

— It’s a shame, our schedules finally aligned.

He trailed off. A deep regret was evident in his characteristic tone. A brief silence followed. Cha Yiljoo didn’t end the call or bring up another topic. Euihyun, waiting awkwardly, asked tentatively, “If it’s not inconvenient, would you like to join us, Mr. Yiljoo?”

— Would it be alright for me to intrude?

“It’s just people from the same company, I think it would be okay if I ask them. I’m planning to cook for them myself today.”

— …At your house, Mr. Euihyun?

“Yes.”

Cha Yiljoo hummed thoughtfully for a moment. Then, a cheerful reply came back.

— Then I’ll shamelessly join you. It’ll take me about an hour to get there, so let me know if there’s anything you need. I’ll buy it on my way.

“Alright.”

— See you later, Mr. Euihyun.

“Yes.”

A faint smile played on Euihyun’s lips. Whenever Cha Yiljoo called him “Mr. Euihyun” in that sweet tone, it happened automatically. His heart fluttered along with it. The unconscious reaction was no different from a sneeze. He couldn’t stop it even if he tried.

Contrary to his worries, Cha Yiljoo didn’t seem to dwell on what happened a few days ago. Rather than harboring hurt feelings, he seemed to have brushed it off entirely. Thanks to that, his worries seemed to vanish as well.

Park Hanyoung, who had been listening, looked at him curiously. “Who was that?”

“Mr. Yiljoo. I told him to come over since he finished filming…is it okay if he joins us for dinner?”

“Of course. Why are you even asking?”

“I agree too! I have to take a picture. I’m going to brag to my friends.”

Jung Ijin’s eyes sparkled. Park Hanyoung took the lead, carrying her makeup bag, clothes, sponsored items, and so on, in place of the excited Jung Ijin.

“Shall we go then?”

Euihyun nodded with a smile.

“I’m in front of your house now, Mr. Euihyun. I didn’t drink much.”

He switched the phone to his other hand. He finished locking his car and walked up the gentle slope. He held a bottle of wine in his other hand. He had personally chosen one that he thought would pair well with Euihyun’s cooking. Because of that, he was later than the originally promised time.

In the meantime, he received a call from Manager Han. He was being scolded for not drinking too much, reminding him of his early morning schedule the next day. As Euihyun’s villa came into view, he hurriedly ended the call.

“Alright. I’ll hang up now.”

Even though Manager Han was still talking on the other end, he pressed the end call button without hesitation. Then he quickened his pace.

As he entered the villa building, the subtle aroma of appetizing food wafted through the air. It was a warm scent that had naturally become distant as he and Euihyun drifted apart. A satisfied smile spread across Cha Yiljoo’s face as he stood in front of the door.

Just as he was about to ring the doorbell, Cha Yiljoo suddenly stopped. It was because he heard boisterous laughter from inside the closed door. Euihyun’s laughter was mixed in as if it were the most natural thing. The clamor of conversation continued without pause.

He lowered his hand, which had been extended towards the doorbell. His face, which had been brimming with anticipation, became blank. As if he had witnessed a shocking scene, he stood frozen, facing the tightly shut door.

For some reason, he couldn’t bring himself to ring the bell and go inside. It felt like an invisible barrier had appeared. Euihyun’s voice coming from inside the door sounded strangely unfamiliar. He was always alone. The Euihyun who would look at him with eyes filled with resignation and longing seemed to have suddenly vanished without a trace.

He realized it anew. Euihyun wasn’t alone anymore. And Cha Yiljoo himself couldn’t be his only one. Even without him, Euihyun could freely mingle with anyone and laugh happily like this.

That shouldn’t be a problem, yet his mind went blank.

Why? Why?

He repeatedly asked himself, but no satisfactory answer came.

“…….”

He stared blankly at the closed door. From inside the house came the mixed sounds of Jung Ijin explaining some mistake, Park Hanyoung teasing her, and the laughter of Euihyun and Kim Munsung. If he just opened the door, Cha Yiljoo himself could join them.

Despite that, Cha Yiljoo ultimately turned away. He descended the stairs he had ascended so joyfully, as if fleeing. Behind his fading footsteps, the lively laughter continued to ring out.

🎥

A thick darkness lurked everywhere. No matter where he turned his head, there was no escape in sight. Only an endless space stretched out before him.

He was trapped once again in a habitual nightmare. The space, with no depth or form, held Cha Yiljoo captive like melted rubber, refusing to let him go. The more he struggled to break free, the more it used his strength as momentum, sucking him in like a swamp.

He looked up in resignation and saw a black shape writhing. The creature, which had been wriggling faintly as if waiting for the right moment to strike, suddenly swelled its body and lunged at him aggressively. Cha Yiljoo’s body fell limply, unable to resist. He was crushed under the enormous form, his breath cut off.

“If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t be like this! Die, die!”

A resentful voice splintered around him. The shrill accusations tore at his flesh, digging deep into his skin. His lungs constricted. He was suffocating, in pain. Even though he knew it was all a dream, the pain was vividly real.

No.

“Something like you should just die and disappear!”

The massively writhing darkness gradually took shape, smoothing out its form. A human figure began to materialize within the amorphous shape, like clay. Cha Yiljoo, watching, shook his head violently.

This isn’t what I wanted.

The unexpressed cry echoed only within him. He wanted to escape this terrible nightmare. But the being, now perfectly human-shaped, held Cha Yiljoo firmly captive, refusing to release him. The sensation of fingers tightening around his throat vividly returned.

Familiar faces appeared in his blurring vision. Actors he had worked with, directors, nameless staff members, taxi drivers, reporters, Manager Han and Simon Kim, and even Erika Terajima. Countless faces he had encountered in his life now surrounded him. But they simply watched with folded arms; no one came forward to save him.

The emboldened black being roared maniacally.

“Die!”

I didn’t want this kind of life either!

The emotions he had suppressed erupted. He pushed away the being that had been pressing down on him with all its might. His reason, snapped in an instant, couldn’t control his raging emotions. He climbed on top of the being that had tormented him so relentlessly, beating, trampling, and tearing it to shreds as he pleased. His breathing grew rapidly ragged, and his whole body flushed hot.

The black being that had been violating Cha Yiljoo didn’t disappear even as it was fragmented and broken. It boasted a tenacious life force, slithering up his body like a leech. No matter how much he scraped it off, it wouldn’t come off easily.

He screamed, tearing at his whole body. It was a cry that erupted from deep within his gut. But even that couldn’t become a sound. Only empty air vibrated futilely. His head felt like it would explode with the unreleased rage. He couldn’t maintain his composure at all.

Crack. Transforming bones pierced through his flesh. His skeleton, deviating from its human form, was grotesquely reassembled. His fingernails grew sharp, and his teeth curved hideously. Large horns sprouted from his twisted spine.

He covered his ears. It was no use. Whispers seeped through his fingers. The people who had been idly watching Cha Yiljoo’s arduous struggle were horrified by his monstrous form. They all fled in terror, as if they had seen something they shouldn’t have.

Everyone scattered, and Cha Yiljoo was left alone. Dark green mucus dripped from his limp body. A nauseating stench filled the air.

Am I going to melt away like this? I don’t care anymore.

That was when it happened.

“Mr. Yiljoo?”

An unexpected voice came from behind him. He flinched and slowly turned his head. He was standing there, right where his gaze landed. While everyone else had run away, he alone remained. He couldn’t clearly see his face or physique, but he knew by instinct. It was Euihyun.

No.

He instinctively recoiled. He covered his head with both arms, trying to hide his face. Unaware of his feelings, Euihyun approached with a worried expression. Cha Yiljoo hurriedly backed away.

But no matter how desperately he ran, until he was breathless, he didn’t get even a single step further away from Euihyun. Nothing in this damned space was on his side.

“Are you alright? Let me see.”

Euihyun reached out without suspicion. He desperately dodged, but Euihyun’s hand eventually touched his skin. His body, defying his mind’s commands, turned towards him.

As soon as he saw his monstrous form, Euihyun’s eyes widened. His hand recoiled. When their eyes met, he stumbled backward. Cha Yiljoo hurriedly reached out, telling him not to be afraid. Perceiving it as an attack, Euihyun fled without looking back. His terrified scream tore at his eardrums.

A faint light seeped in from the direction Euihyun had run. Soon, a human figure appeared there. No, two, three, and then four. The figures increased exponentially. He chased after Euihyun, who seemed about to disappear among them, but the distance only grew wider. As he struggled, the cluster of light and Euihyun vanished without a trace.

Once again, it was a time of deep darkness and silence.

“…Haah!”

He bolted upright. The abrupt movement made his head throb. The breath he had been holding burst out. His broad shoulders heaved relentlessly.

His heart felt like it would burst through his skin. A chill ran through his heated body. Cold sweat ran down his neck and back. He squeezed his eyes shut and opened them again at the horrible sensation. His vision swam dizzily.

A dream. It was all a dream. Just a recurring nightmare.

He reassured himself repeatedly. Only then did his wildly beating heart begin to calm down.

He covered his sweat-drenched face with both hands. His fingertips trembled faintly with an unknown fear.