PIA 160

On Christmas Eve, Jeong Hee-seo made a phone call to book flight tickets to Jeju Island.

When he booked a flight departing immediately to match their arrival time at the airport, Ji-an’s eyes widened and he gave a thumbs up. He kept expressing amazement, saying this was easier than catching a taxi in the busy streets. He continued to gush even while getting their boarding passes from the self-check-in machine.

“Wow, you really are capable. I’m glad I asked you. Mister, you’re the best, the best.”

Meanwhile, Jeong Hee-seo standing next to Ji-an had a somewhat complicated expression as he focused on the voice coming through his phone.

Secretary Yoon couldn’t hide his surprise when Jeong Hee-seo, who had said he was just stepping out for a moment, suddenly said he was going to Jeju Island and wouldn’t be able to return in the afternoon.

—You’re going to Jeju Island now? Sir, you do remember that there’s an executive meeting the day after the Christmas holiday, right?

Ji-an’s expression at the airport lobby was different from what he’d seen at the officetel, showing more life. Jeong Hee-seo lowered his phone’s volume so Ji-an wouldn’t hear as he replied that he remembered.

—And you also remembered there’s a meeting scheduled for Christmas afternoon because of that executive meeting… right?”

In truth, Jeong Hee-seo had completely forgotten. He couldn’t believe he had failed to remember. As he rubbed his furrowed brow with his fingertips, Ji-an looked up at him with wide eyes. His face seemed to be asking if there was a problem.

Strangely… he suddenly thought that whenever this person was involved, he seemed to malfunction. He made mistakes he would never make, forgot things he should never forget.

Jeong Hee-seo couldn’t answer for a while as he held his forehead.

—Sir?

“I’ll make it back in time, just make sure the meeting preparations are done without any issues.”

—Understood.

Secretary Yoon’s voice was still reluctant until the end. Of course, even Jeong Hee-seo couldn’t understand himself. As Jeong Hee-seo stared at the black screen of his phone with a self-deprecating expression, Ji-an nudged his arm.

“If you have something important to deal with, you should go. I can go alone.”

What’s this now? Jeong Hee-seo raised his eyebrow sharply.

“You said there was somewhere you wanted to go together.”

“No, well… it’s not like I’m desperate to go with you, mister.”

After dragging him all the way here, he was trying to back out again. Ji-an had a habit of acting tough while still being mindful of others.

“I said I’m going. Let’s go.”

When he spoke decisively on purpose, his expression brightened. Seriously. Jeong Hee-seo stared down at Ji-an, who was comfortably standing close to him.

Even while grumbling, he couldn’t let go of his expectations of him. It was funny how Ji-an didn’t realize that he was the type who couldn’t hide his expressions well. His face looking up at him with those moist, black marble-like eyes was just like… yes, like a puppy.

“Then let’s go. Don’t blame me if something goes wrong.”

“What could possibly go wrong?”

“Well, I’m just saying. I definitely warned you.”

Only after getting confirmation two, three times did Ji-an finally show a relieved expression.

Just because of plane tickets, he had become quite different from how he was in the dim officetel. It felt like getting a slight glimpse of his original personality after just a couple of hours.

When he had carefully pulled him out from being submerged in the past, it was as if old layers were peeling away and his true colors were beginning to show. And that further piqued Jeong Hee-seo’s curiosity.

* * *

As soon as they arrived in Jeju Island, Hee-seo stopped Ji-an who was searching for rental car companies and walked outside the airport without any explanation. Ji-an, who was glued to his phone, followed him outside and saw someone waiting with a car key.

The person said they had come after receiving a call from the JM Hotel’s Jeju branch that Jeong Hee-seo was coming, and handed over the prepared car key with a greeting.

“Mister, you’re really that kind of person – even after experiencing it so much, I keep forgetting.”

Ji-an marveled while tracing the side line of the white sports car with his fingertip. Jeong Hee-seo tossed the received car keys to Ji-an. The flat, rectangular key with a black horse emblem landed neatly in Ji-an’s hands.

“You said there was somewhere you wanted to go. You can drive, right?”

Before Ji-an could answer, Jeong Hee-seo took off his coat and threw it into the back seat. Then he quickly got into the passenger seat and closed the door.

Having been given the authority to drive, Ji-an excitedly got in, only to find Jeong Hee-seo having already taken off his tie and leaning back comfortably. He had even unbuttoned his shirt, looking as if he was on a leisurely vacation, completely trusting Ji-an.

Yet in the drama, he and Ji-an had died several times while riding together in a car. It was refreshing to see this man, who had looked at him with cautious and anxious expressions in every given life, being so relaxed.

So this was the kind of face that Jeong Hee-seo had, someone who grew up without any difficulties, before meeting Seo Ji-an who was like an unexpected disaster.

“…”

“What are you doing?”

When he kept staring, Jeong Hee-seo turned to look at him and asked. Ji-an shook his head gently and pressed the button to start the engine. The low purring sound of the engine masked Ji-an’s trembling.

Ji-an had reversed many things to get revenge on Seo Ji-hyuk, the original author of the drama. Tax evasion, workplace violence exposure, ghost writer revelation, and even exposing his use of illegal drugs meant for Level 2 Trait holders.

He had cleaned out everything down to the dust. While Jeong Han-joo barely saved face by claiming he was instigated by Seo Ji-hyuk, he was left with a major blemish on his life that couldn’t be covered up even with JM’s overflowing money.

Ji-an, holding the racing car-like steering wheel, couldn’t hide his excitement. He drove somewhat roughly and almost missed his destination. Seeing Ji-an showing clear signs of regret, Jeong Hee-seo couldn’t help but smile.

The place where Ji-an parked was on top of a steep cliff.

Despite all the chaos, the drama’s popularity remained unblemished with ratings soaring until the final episode. Ji-an clicked his tongue seeing how this famous filming location still had preserved props and continued to draw visitors.

Ji-an managed to find an empty spot and squeeze the car into the packed parking lot.

Even in this cold weather with sleet falling from the dark gray sky, Ji-an noticed couples taking commemorative photos at the photo zone. This was the place of both Ji-an’s and Hee-seo’s first death.

The signboard with the climax scene of the drama, where the villainous sub-couple had a heated argument in the car before falling off the cliff, had faded in the sunlight, and the colors had all but disappeared.

Ji-an leaned against the railing with both hands in his coat pockets. Far below the dizzyingly high cliff, waves churned creating white foam.

“We died here together, you know. Near the ending.”

“That’s ridiculous.”

Jeong Hee-seo let out a scoff, but still grabbed Ji-an’s shoulder and pulled him back.

“Are you afraid of heights?”

“Don’t you see the sign that says ‘Don’t lean on the railing’?”

Jeong Hee-seo, who hadn’t paid much attention to the drama, didn’t know that this place where Ji-an had brought him was the filming location for such a scene. Ji-an let out a weak, long breath in front of the man who was frowning. His white breath scattered as it hit Jeong Hee-seo’s chest.

“The place you wanted to see was where you died?”

Jeong Hee-seo looked out at the distant sea with an expression of difficulty understanding. To Ji-an, Jeong Hee-seo, who had never died even once, looked too pure and beautiful. Ji-an wrinkled his nose bridge and pulled up the corners of his mouth.

“This was our first death, so… that’s why I wanted to come here with you.”

He still seemed unable to fully believe it deep down. Though Jeong Hee-seo was skilled at not showing his doubts due to his ingrained elegant attitude, Ji-an could see it all. Well, who could easily believe the story of a world where one’s death was repeated dozens of times?

“So do you feel better now?”

“I’m not sure.”

He had impulsively brought Jeong Hee-seo here thinking that visiting this place might help him figure out how to live going forward, but Ji-an’s future path still remained obscure.

“What should I do with my life when there are no problems? I’ve only lived by running away, solving problems… and failing. That’s all I’ve done.”

I don’t know what to do now. Though he swallowed the last words, Jeong Hee-seo looked at Ji-an with a face as if he had heard everything.

The shackles that had been tied to his ankles had finally been broken, and he had barely escaped the circus that Seo Ji-hyuk had created. But as soon as he gained freedom, he only felt like he had lost his role. Even if it was the role of an unfortunate villain who always ended up dying.

Achoo— Ji-an, who had been staring at the sea while wallowing in self-pity, sneezed loudly. As he shivered, Jeong Hee-seo took a step closer. When he tried to take off his coat to give to him, Ji-an quickly turned around and headed toward the parking lot with large steps. Though he tried not to make it obvious that he was avoiding him, the perceptive man couldn’t have missed it.

“Okay, the reminiscing is over. It’s late, let’s go get something to eat.”

Ji-an spoke in a bright voice, pretending not to see his troubled face.