LS Ch 12

While other actors were filming their scenes, Jewoo and Yiwon were taking a break on chairs set aside at one corner of the set. While Jewoo was blankly watching the set, Yiwon checked the next scene in the script whenever he had a moment. At first, Jewoo thought Yiwon hadn’t memorized his lines, but that wasn’t it; he was rechecking them even after memorizing them.

“Let me look too.”

Feeling bored, Jewoo pulled a chair next to Yiwon and yanked the script towards him.

“What about yours?”

“I don’t carry it around.”

At Jewoo’s reply that he didn’t carry it at all, Yiwon looked at him in surprise.

“Aren’t you anxious even if you’ve memorized everything?”

“Everyone else has one, so I can borrow when needed. Like now.”

As Jewoo pulled the script all the way in front of him, Yiwon let out an incredulous laugh, but he didn’t bother to pull it back. Instead, he adjusted it so Jewoo could see it more comfortably.

In reality, Jewoo’s script was with his manager, Jiho. Since Jewoo had already memorized everything and preferred to respond fluidly according to the mood of the shoot, he didn’t need to check it constantly.

But now, seeing Yiwon focused on the script without even glancing at him made Jewoo feel bored, so he decided to be a bother. Once Yiwon willingly handed over the script, Jewoo found it awkward to tease him further.

“Do you really think of me as a little brother?”

While Jewoo was idly flipping through the script, Yiwon asked out of the blue. Jewoo was momentarily confused by the sudden question until he remembered what he had said when Sihyeon was with them earlier.

“You are my little brother.”

Since Yiwon was indeed three years younger, it wasn’t an incorrect statement. Jewoo answered casually, but he felt Yiwon’s gaze on him. Sure enough, when he looked up, Yiwon’s eyes were fixed on his face. Maybe because of his distinct features, his gaze felt more intense than others’. Initially, it had been intimidating, but Jewoo had grown used to it.

“Where?”

“…?”

“What makes you think I’m like a little brother?”

Yiwon seemed oddly fixated on being called a little brother.

“Have I ever acted younger?”

“Huh?”

“I’m curious what makes you think I’m like a little brother.”

Isn’t it just a fact that he’s a little brother, not that he acts like one? Contrary to his thoughts, the answer didn’t come out immediately. He had responded lightly, but maybe to Yiwon, it seemed like Jewoo was acting superior because of the age difference. Jewoo hadn’t meant to act superior; he was just being affectionate.

“I haven’t acted younger.”

Jewoo started by denying, thinking Yiwon might be bothered by that.

“If anything, you’ve been more mature than your peers. Sometimes, I question your age.”

In fact, Kang Yiwon was definitely more mature than his peers. Although he wasn’t as young when he debuted as Jewoo, having been a trainee from a young age and debuting in his teens would naturally make him more mature than others his age.

“But why do you think I’m a little brother?”

The conversation circled back to the beginning like a loop. Jewoo had only called him a little brother because he was one, but what was the issue? Not understanding what Yiwon was looking for in an answer, Jewoo just blinked at him.

“I have no desire to be your little brother.”

Yiwon muttered, and a faint wrinkle appeared between his eyebrows. The term ‘little brother’ seemed to really bother him. Jewoo couldn’t understand why this was such a serious matter, but he decided to step back. There was no need to upset him over something trivial.

“Okay, you’re not my little brother. Let’s be friends, friends.”

What’s the problem with a three-year age difference anyway? Jewoo raised his hands to say ‘do as you like’, but Yiwon’s stern expression didn’t ease.

“Friends…”

Yiwon repeated the word as if tasting it. Then he let out a short, exasperated breath. Jewoo thought they had grown close, but sometimes Yiwon was unreadable.

“Whether you’re my little brother or my friend, do what you want.”

Instead of trying to understand Yiwon’s thoughts, Jewoo gave a casual response and stood up first. There was no need to understand everyone’s thoughts. From meeting various people, Jewoo learned that sometimes it’s better to leave things unknown. This seemed like one of those moments.

“Scene 38, we’re starting filming soon!”

Just then, a staff member announced that the next scene would begin filming.

“I’m going.”

After shouting his reply, Jewoo glanced back at Yiwon. Although it was a scene they were both in, Yiwon didn’t seem ready to get up yet.

“You’re not coming?”

Even when Jewoo asked, Yiwon didn’t move.

“Go ahead?”

Thinking Yiwon would follow, Jewoo turned and left.

“Han Jewoo!”

Just a few steps away, Yiwon called out loudly to Jewoo. Jewoo stopped and turned around.

“You don’t need to shout so loud; I can hear you…”

“I like you.”

Yiwon cut off Jewoo’s words with his shout. Jewoo doubted his ears, but Yiwon’s voice was so loud there was no way he could have misheard. The proof was that other staff and actors were looking at Kang Yiwon.

“I like you, Jewoo hyung.”

Yiwon repeated clearly, his voice loud enough for everyone to hear.

“Uh…”

Jewoo was taken aback, his mouth just gaping open. Sihyeon, Yejun, and other actors nearby were watching, but no one said a word. An awkward atmosphere hung in the air. If time passed like this, it would become unmanageable.

Yiwon’s gaze was fixed on Jewoo. When their eyes met, Jewoo’s mind went even blanker.

“What?”

After barely managing to say two words, Jewoo raised his right hand, giving Yiwon the middle finger.

“Stop messing around.”

Jewoo laughed playfully, and at that, the onlookers burst into laughter.

So it was a prank?

What a surprise for nothing.

Murmurs from nearby staff could be heard.

Jewoo quickly turned around and headed towards the filming area.

“Come with me!”

Yiwon shouted, but Jewoo didn’t stop. He was barely holding back the urge to clutch his chest with one hand.

Though he played it off, it felt like his heart had leaped into his throat. Even without touching it, he could feel it pounding wildly.

What was that? Where did that come from at that timing?

The unexpected declaration hit him like a surprise attack, leaving him more flustered. If Kang Yiwon hadn’t been laughing when he said it, Jewoo might have taken it seriously. Was it a mischievous response because Jewoo treated him like a little brother? He tried to convince himself of that, but it didn’t sit right.

As Yiwon’s footsteps grew closer, he eventually caught up and stood beside Jewoo.

“In which country is it legal to respond to a confession with a curse?”

Yiwon pointed out the middle finger Jewoo had shown.

“It wasn’t a confession.”

Jewoo retorted nonchalantly, but not understanding Yiwon’s intentions made him feel uneasy.

“Wow, you ignore a public confession.”

Despite making Jewoo uncomfortable, Yiwon’s voice was cheerful, a stark contrast to how serious he looked when they talked about him being a little brother. That made Jewoo think it was definitely a prank.

“Keep it to yourself. You shouldn’t say such things lightly.”

With his heart calming down, Jewoo answered calmly, shaking his head.

“I don’t say that to just anyone.”

Yiwon kept pace with Jewoo as he responded.

“Because it’s Han Jewoo.”

At that, Jewoo’s head turned, his eyes naturally going to Yiwon’s face. As if waiting, Yiwon smiled brightly when their eyes met. It was an unnecessarily beautiful smile.

“Because it’s to Jewoo hyung.”

That face should be considered a crime, Jewoo thought. When he smiled so innocently, it seemed so genuine. If it had been anyone else, if he had been one of Kang Yiwon’s fans, he would have clutched his heart and collapsed.

“Yeah, yeah, sure.”

Jewoo gave a noncommittal reply and looked away.

“Do your best to woo me.”

At Jewoo’s response, Yiwon stopped walking. Jewoo stopped too, turned around, and gave him a sweet eye-smile. In response, the smile vanished from Yiwon’s face.

“Are you serious?”

To his question, Jewoo’s smile deepened.

“I’ll believe you if you prove it. How much you love me.”

The mention of love, going beyond ‘like’, made one of Yiwon’s eyebrows twitch.

“Show me you’d give your life for me.”

Jewoo deliberately stepped closer to him.

“That’s your role, isn’t it? Geonhwon.”

Adding the character’s name, Yiwon, who had been wearing a blank expression, let out a short, frustrated breath.

“Good luck.”

Jewoo patted his shoulder, gave a quick smile, and then turned away.

As soon as he was out of Yiwon’s sight, the smile vanished from Jewoo’s face. He had nearly been swayed by Kang Yiwon. He should have been prepared for this when they agreed on pseudo-dating. Maybe because Yiwon’s acting career was relatively short, Jewoo had let his guard down without realizing it.

But still, to say “I like you” so casually…

Feeling wronged by the brief moment his heart sank, Jewoo resolved not to be easily swayed again.