LS Ch 49

Knock, knock. After knocking and entering the office, the staff who were working greeted Jewoo with smiles. Some even came over and patted him on the shoulder, saying it had been a while. Since he had been with this agency from a young age, the long-time employees often treated Jewoo like a son.

“Why are you so late?”

Jiho, who was rummaging through a pile of papers on his desk, noticed Jewoo and waved him over. As Jewoo approached, he saw that Jiho’s desk was even messier up close.

“You should tidy up a bit,” Jewoo commented.

Jiho scoffed at the remark and pulled out a file folder, handing it to Jewoo.

“Drama OST, your song.”

Opening the file, Jewoo found a few sheets of paper inside. They were sheet music with notes and lyrics.

“You didn’t think I’d understand this just by looking at it, did you?”

Since Jewoo had never formally studied music, he couldn’t grasp what kind of song it was just by looking at the sheet music. Jiho, understanding this, opened a messenger app on his computer and sent two files to Jewoo’s message.

“Audio files. Listen and practice. It hasn’t been released yet, so don’t play it where others can hear. Got it? Even when you’re listening at home, use headphones.”

Jewoo nodded in understanding of the basic precautions.

“Don’t I need vocal training or something?”

“Hmm?”

Jiho furrowed his brow at Jewoo’s question. It seemed he hadn’t thought that far since Jewoo didn’t usually sing.

“Do you know someone?”

Jiho’s expression turned serious as he realized he didn’t know anyone who could help with vocal training. He muttered about whether vocal training was usually necessary for recording a drama OST.

“Since we’re doing it, we might as well do it right. This isn’t going to be recorded by a separate singer, right? So it’ll be used directly in the drama, and we can’t be a burden.”

Jiho nodded in agreement. He turned to another staff member across from him and asked if they knew anyone who could provide vocal training. Seeing this, Jewoo pulled up a chair and sat in front of Jiho.

“Can I find someone myself?”

“Do you know someone? If so, let me know in advance.”

“Kang Yiwon.”

“That’s a good idea. Wait, Kang Yiwon?”

Jiho, who had been responding casually, widened his eyes and turned to look at Jewoo.

“Kang Yiwon? That Kang Yiwon?”

“Is there another Kang Yiwon?”

Jiho frowned and groaned at Jewoo’s nonchalant response.

“Didn’t you avoid him like the plague?”

Jewoo couldn’t deny it, so he just grinned.

“After all that avoiding, now you’re suggesting we schedule the recording studio on the same day? I thought you’d at least separate work and personal life, but how am I supposed to interpret this?”

Jiho grumbled that he couldn’t figure out Jewoo’s recent behavior. He complained about how Jewoo suddenly booked a flight and went on a trip without any consultation, only informing him afterward.

“Am I really your manager?”

“You said I could take a long break after the drama ended, right?”

Jiho sighed and shook his head at Jewoo’s retort.

“Never mind. So why Kang Yiwon again? What’s going on between you two? What kind of relationship do you have that made the sociable Jewoo run away to another country?”

“I’m not that sociable…”

Jewoo chuckled, and Jiho glared at him. Jewoo was known for being friendly and smiling even with people he didn’t like, so denying his sociability was pointless.

“I didn’t avoid him because I disliked him.”

Jewoo muttered in response to Jiho’s intense stare. Jiho frowned and tilted his head.

“Well, you didn’t dislike him. But you stuck with him throughout the filming, so why the sudden change? It was suspicious when you asked to change rooms.”

“Because it’s the opposite.”

At the short answer, Jiho’s frown deepened. He looked at Jewoo with an expression that practically screamed, What kind of nonsense is that? Jewoo met his gaze, hesitated for a moment, then let out a brief sigh before leaning in closer to Jiho and whispering softly.

“I’m dating Kang Yiwon.”

Jiho blinked at Jewoo. One second, two seconds, three seconds passed before his face suddenly twisted.

“Hey! You—!”

His voice rose sharply, but as people around them turned to look, he clamped his mouth shut and scowled instead. Jewoo simply smiled playfully.

“Are you out of your mind?”

“What? It’s not that big of a deal…”

Jewoo’s nonchalant response made Jiho’s face flush red. He opened his mouth as if to say something, closed it, sighed heavily, and then repeated the cycle.

“Is this for the drama’s promotion?”

After a long pause, Jiho finally seemed to latch onto a reason that made sense to him.

“You really think I’d go that far?”

“Then why—!”

Jiho’s voice threatened to rise again, but when Jewoo subtly gestured toward their surroundings, he swallowed his words and thumped his fist lightly against his chest in frustration.

“They told you to act in a drama, not actually start dating for real!”

Lowering his voice, Jiho shot him a glare.

“What’s wrong with dating? I’m old enough.”

“It’s not about dating itself!”

“Then why are you getting mad?”

“You—!”

Jiho seemed on the verge of exploding but instead just raised a clenched fist before sighing and dropping it. Meanwhile, Jewoo remained as cheerful as ever.

“I didn’t know you were so prejudiced, Jiho. When you were convincing me to take on this BL drama, you sounded like the biggest advocate for inclusivity.”

It was Jiho, after all, who had insisted that there was nothing wrong with starring in a BL drama, saying the world wasn’t so narrow-minded anymore. Now that Jewoo was throwing that argument back at him, Jiho couldn’t find the words to counter it and just groaned in frustration.

“…You’re not planning to go public with this, are you?”

Jiho’s expression turned serious, but Jewoo just let out a chuckle.

“No, I just thought you should know.”

“At least you still have some sense left.”

Jiho exhaled deeply. From his reaction, it wasn’t hard to imagine how the public would respond if news of their relationship broke. Jewoo had thought about it too. Filming a BL drama was one thing, but this was real life. There was a huge difference.

That was why he had initially tried to distance himself and sort out his feelings from a safe emotional distance. But in the end, he had decided to live honestly with his emotions. And he’d thought it through—plenty.

“I won’t give you anything to worry about.”

Jewoo smiled reassuringly, but Jiho simply held up his middle finger in response. Jewoo laughed at that. Jiho shook his head in exasperation as if he was done trying to have a conversation.

“Why even tell me? Some things are better left unknown.”

“You’ll be seeing Yiwon from time to time, and I can’t lie to you every time that happens. Plus, if things ever get urgent, it helps if you’re already in the loop.”

“So you’re basically asking me to clean up after your mess?”

“You’re my manager.”

Jewoo grinned. Jiho scowled, then shoved Jewoo’s face away with the palm of his hand.

“I heard he’s really pretty.”

At Jewoo’s teasing remark, Jiho furrowed his brows.

“Who said that?”

“Yiwon did.”

Jewoo responded with a sweet smile. Jiho blinked at him, dumbfounded, before sighing deeply again. He looked too exhausted to argue anymore and simply waved his hand dismissively.

“Do you have any other schedules before the OST recording?”

“Nope. If something comes up, I’ll let you know. Oh, before you leave, there’s a script over there. Take it and read through it. I noted the role offered to you on the first page.”

“Got it.”

Jewoo got up to leave, but just as he turned, Jiho called out, “Han Jewoo.”

When he turned back, Jiho, still frowning, gestured toward the pocket where Jewoo had put his phone.

“You planning to practice that on your own?”

Kang Yiwon. Those words were left unspoken. Jewoo simply smiled instead of answering. Jiho stared at him for a long moment before sighing again.

As he exited the office, Jewoo waved at Jiho before turning his thoughts to how he should practice for the OST recording.

Just before parting ways earlier, Yiwon had suggested they practice together. He had reassured Jewoo that it wouldn’t be uncomfortable since they’d be using a private studio owned by a friend, not the company’s. He had also added, “If I don’t make up an excuse like this, I’ll barely get to see you.”

That made Jewoo hesitate. While Yiwon was more experienced in this field, was it really okay to impose on him like this?

[Did you talk to your manager about it?]

As if he had been waiting for Jewoo to leave the building, Yiwon’s message came in the moment he stepped outside. If Jewoo refused, he had a feeling Yiwon would just contact Jiho directly.

Relentless as ever. Jewoo clicked his tongue but couldn’t deny that he liked how persistent Yiwon was when it came to him.

[When do you want to start?]

Yiwon read the message immediately. It seemed like he had been holding his phone, waiting for a response.

[If you’re okay with practicing late, we can start today.]

Today? Could he really take those words at face value? This wasn’t even Yiwon’s own studio—it was a friend’s. Jewoo could already picture Yiwon sweet-talking his friend into letting them use it, and he felt a little guilty for the poor acquaintance he hadn’t even met.