PTK Ch 20

“Oh, yes. How have you been?”

He clasped the man’s hand. Even though his palms were damp with sweat, he didn’t seem bothered. The man smiled brightly and continued the conversation affably.

“I’ve often wondered how you were doing. There aren’t many people who know about you. Seeing you thriving these days makes me happy. I also enjoyed the drama you filmed with Ahyun. Your acting was truly excellent, wasn’t it?”

“You flatter me.”

“Your military discipline hasn’t faded, just like the old days.”

He playfully teased the excessively humble attitude. The onlookers burst into laughter along with him. Thanks to that, the awkwardness melted away like snow.

Other actors also chimed in with a few words. They all showed interest in the fact that Euihyun had appeared in musicals before. They were in the midst of a conversation about that time.

“Oh? Director.”

Kang Muhyeong’s appearance drastically changed the situation. The actors who were resting stood up from their seats. Following their gaze, Euihyun turned to see Kang Muhyeong standing at the doorway. A subtle exchange of glances occurred between him and Euihyun. Kang Muhyeong didn’t seem surprised to see Euihyun. He seemed to have known about his and Min Ahyun’s arrival due to the commotion before the performance.

It was Min Ahyun who broke the momentary silence.

“I’m here, Director. It’s been a long time.”

Only then did Kang Muhyeong’s gaze shift from Euihyun. As they conversed, the time for the second act’s opening was fast approaching. The actors left one by one to change their costumes. The man who had shaken Euihyun’s hand also reluctantly got up.

“Ahyun, you’ll be coming to the after-party, right?”

“Of course.”

The man also said to Euihyun, “Come with us.” Then, without giving him a chance to reply, he went into the changing room. Min Ahyun called out to Euihyun, who was standing at a distance. His eyes met Kang Muhyeong’s again.

“Director, you remember Euihyun, right?”

“Of course.”

“We recently filmed a drama together. Did you happen to see it?”

“I haven’t watched it thoroughly, but I’ve seen parts of it.”

While diligently answering her questions, his gaze remained fixed on Euihyun. Euihyun subtly averted his eyes. The surroundings were too bustling to detect the strange atmosphere between the two.

“I’m also joining the after-party later. Is that alright?”

“Min Ahyun, you’re always welcome.”

“Euihyun, if you have time, would you like to come with us? They are all incredibly fun people, you’ll have a good time.”

Min Ahyun expressed a subtle expectation. Kang Muhyeong also seemed to be anticipating Euihyun’s answer. However, Euihyun shook his head.

“No. I have other things to do.”

“Ah… Then there’s nothing we can do. I did suggest coming suddenly today.”

Min Ahyun didn’t press further and backed down. Although she smiled as if telling him not to mind, she couldn’t completely hide her deep disappointment. Euihyun also offered an awkward smile.

“Euihyun, would you like to go to your seat first? I’ll stop by the restroom.”

Min Ahyun checked the remaining break time and asked for his understanding. He silently nodded. Min Ahyun briefly greeted Kang Muhyeong and left the waiting room first.

“Jung Euihyun, why don’t you come with me for a cigarette.”

“I quit smoking.”

“There’s nothing to be wary of. I just want to talk for a bit.”

“……”

“I won’t keep you long. We’re both short on time.”

Kang Muhyeong looked at his wristwatch.

“This is the last time.”

He even set a condition, as if afraid of being refused. Euihyun had nothing more to say. But if it truly was the last time, there was no reason not to listen to him. If there was nothing left, neither side would have any lingering feelings. He quietly nodded.

Kang Muhyeong led Euihyun to his dressing room. As the door closed, the noise from outside no longer seeped in.

“I met him.”

Lighting a cigarette, Kang Muhyeong uttered cryptic words. Euihyun looked at him with a puzzled expression. For some reason, he had a bad feeling.

“Cha Yiljoo.”

A name that shouldn’t have been spoken came out of Kang Muhyeong’s mouth. Euihyun’s eyes widened. His heart seemed to stop.

“What does that…”

His lips parted weakly. His dazed eyes also wavered uneasily.

Kang Muhyeong inhaled deeply on the filter, his cheeks hollowing. His brow furrowed habitually. Savoring the acrid scent, he suddenly chuckled and repeated Cha Yiljoo’s words.

“He told me not to flirt with shallow intentions.”

When, where did they meet? How, what kind of conversation did they have? There were so many things he wanted to ask. Yet, nothing was organized in his mind.

“I met him two nights ago. In front of your house.”

That day, filming ended early in the evening. He remembered resting at home without going anywhere else. But no one came by until he fell asleep. Or rather, the doorbell itself wasn’t rung. Did he just linger outside? Why did he come all the way to his house and not make his presence known?

Kang Muhyeong stubbed out his half-smoked cigarette. He looked at it absentmindedly, and there was a bright mark of a specific width on his ring finger. To be precise, it looked as if only that area hadn’t been burned.

“My wife and I haven’t been on good terms since our honeymoon. We met through my professor’s introduction, it was practically an arranged marriage. We fought almost every day, argued about who was right, and eventually started ignoring each other. We separated earlier this year. I thought I’d be completely happy if I became successful and had a well-off family, forgetting all about the past. But it wasn’t anything special, the life I’d dreamed of. So, I came back. And I met you by chance.”

Having said that, Kang Muhyeong looked at Euihyun again. Euihyun also met his gaze calmly. He couldn’t find the same overflowing affection in his eyes as before. Was it natural? Kang Muhyeong smiled bitterly and continued to pour out his heart.

“The past can’t be undone. I thought that maybe through you, I could regain the passion of those days. You won’t believe it, but even after going to America, I kept thinking about you. Your existence lingered in my heart like guilt, refusing to disappear. But at the same time, I was afraid of seeing you unhappy because of me, so I closed my eyes and ears. I haven’t been happy during that time. So, I felt even more sorry towards you. When I saw you again, I think I might have wanted to finally put down the burden in my heart and feel at ease.”

“…….”

“But I’m glad. That you’re not alone. If you were still living lonely, I wouldn’t have been able to give up on my selfish desires.”

“I’m not in that kind of relationship with him. That kind of speculation would harm him, so please don’t.”

Above all, he denied the relationship with Cha Yiljoo. That was clearly Kang Muhyeong’s misunderstanding. Grouping him in the same category as himself was a considerable offense.

However, Kang Muhyeong didn’t correct his assumption. Instead, he just smiled strangely.

“Why don’t you have some confidence? I think you can.”

What did he mean?

He was about to ask for clarification when a knock suddenly sounded.

“Director, the second act is starting soon.”

Their scattered gazes met again. Was this really the end? Because he had let him go a long time ago, there was no lingering attachment, not even a trace of regret. Ironically, it was Kang Muhyeong, who had abandoned everything and left, who still had things to sort out.

“I’m sorry. For being a nuisance.”

Kang Muhyeong apologized for his rudeness over the past few days. As he passed by Euihyun towards the door, he added,

“And for leaving like that, so long ago.”

That was the end. A long relationship where one person had buried it in the past and the other had carried it in their heart.

The door opened behind him and closed again. Immediately after, all strength drained from his body. A long sigh escaped his lips.

🎥

“Over here.”

Simon Kim raised his hand. Cha Yiljoo, who had just entered, nodded and sat next to him. The waiter, who had been keeping him company, handed him a glass. Simon Kim immediately filled the glass while observing Cha Yiljoo’s complexion. As he put the bottle back in its place, he smirked playfully.

“What’s your grievance today that has your face like that?”

“Nothing.”

“I’m not going to believe you haven’t looked in a mirror all day.”

“……”

Cha Yiljoo didn’t reply. He simply downed the tequila in his glass. He swallowed it without savoring the aroma. And then, before Simon Kim could refill his glass, he poured himself another. He didn’t seem relaxed at all.

“What is it? Is it about her again?”

“…I’ve been feeling lustful lately.”

Ignoring the question, he abruptly confessed his heightened libido. Simon Kim, who had a dumbfounded look on his face, soon burst into hearty laughter. The waiter, who was wiping glasses at a distance, turned around in bewilderment. Simon Kim, unfazed, continued to chuckle. His arm was already draped over Cha Yiljoo’s shoulder.

“The reporters would love to hear this. The gentleman Cha Yiljoo is sexually frustrated.”

“It’s not funny.”

“Right, it’s not funny. It’s normal for a healthy man. But it’s strange that you’re talking about something you should be discreetly taking care of. It means there’s a problem. What is it? Is that lust, by any chance, because of her?”

“……”

“What, really? You said you didn’t like her.”

“I did.”

“Subtly past tense, huh? See? There’s no reason a man and a woman can’t fall in love.”

At Simon Kim’s excitement, Cha Yiljoo chuckled. It was a laugh that somehow felt empty. Simon Kim, who had been watching him silently, raised a question.

“Why? If you gave the okay, Yiljoo, wouldn’t it have worked out?”

“Ever since that person said they wanted to be friends again, to pretend nothing happened, things have felt twisted. I thought everything would go back to normal with that. Even if not a romantic partner, I thought I’d still be the closest person to that person, then and now.”

“And?”

“I’m no longer the only one for that person.”

“Is your ‘her’ some kind of extreme loner or something?”

“That person doesn’t know how to accept help from others. They think it’s a burden. It’s not because they’re lacking in some way, but because they don’t try to rely on anyone, so they don’t have friends. You have to show each other your ugly sides, receive help, and repay when you can to become close.”

The more he listened to the explanation, the more vague Cha Yiljoo’s ‘her’ became. Simon Kim found it strange that such a person existed, but he decided not to argue. He simply shrugged and offered advice as if there was nothing he could do.

“From the beginning, you weren’t even lovers, so it’s a major fallacy to think you could be the only one. In Korea, when friends develop into lovers and then return to their original position, they call it ‘barely friends.’ If you start getting bothered and anxious about the people around her, consider it over. Why don’t you just tell her honestly?”

“That person doesn’t give me the chance anymore.”

“What? Why? Did you fight?”

“I don’t know. I feel that person constantly distancing themselves. I get angry every time I see them like that, but there’s nothing I can do. I feel like I’m the one who caused it.”

“What did you do?”

“That person believes I’m just a kind and gentle person. That’s why they stayed by my side. But I’ve already shown them my unsightly side several times.”

“As if you become the Hulk or something. Everyone has a bit of pretense and hypocrisy. In fact, that’s how you become good at socializing. And you’re an actor.”

“Don’t try to console me. I know I’m being extreme.”

“Oh, you know and you’re still doing it?”

Simon Kim didn’t try to console him any further and laughed mischievously. Cha Yiljoo also let out an incredulous laugh.

“So, what did she say after seeing your twisted side?”

“She was surprised.”

“That’s it?”

“I forcibly held her back as she tried to run away.”

Around that time, Simon Kim turned to face Cha Yiljoo completely. Although it was a serious concern for the person involved, the way the story was unfolding was quite interesting. He couldn’t hide his burgeoning curiosity.

“Is that when it started? Although she said she understood.”

“I doubt she would have been that put off. She might have been disappointed, but if she confessed first, her feelings couldn’t have been light.”

“Maybe someone else has already taken that place.”

It was a plausible scenario. There’s no moment as vulnerable as when one’s sincerity is rejected. Someone could have slipped into that gap. Especially if it was a woman who made Cha Yiljoo anxious.

Just as there’s a time for everything, timing is everything in love. Even if one gains the upper hand in a relationship, the tide can turn at any moment. Sometimes, the other person, who swayed back and forth as you pulled or pushed, gets tired and lets go of the string.

If Cha Yiljoo had missed that timing, it would be difficult to recover. If, as Cha Yiljoo suspected, his true nature had disappointed her, and the reason she liked him was simply because of his usual facade, her feelings would have cooled even faster. That was why Simon Kim couldn’t find an appropriate response.

In the end, unable to offer any comfort, he just filled Cha Yiljoo’s glass. Cha Yiljoo stared quietly at the tequila swirling in the small glass. He looked lost in thought.

“…Hey, Kim.”

Simon Kim responded lightly, “Yeah.” Looking at the shelves opposite where the liquors were displayed, Cha Yiljoo asked a very random question.

“Can a heterosexual become a homosexual?”

“What? What kind of nonsense are you talking about all of a sudden?”

“I was just curious.”

He shrugged as if it wasn’t something to take seriously. Simon Kim looked even more confused. He couldn’t understand what Cha Yiljoo was thinking.

“I saw somewhere that all humans have bisexual tendencies? If we were 100% perfectly heterosexual, would you and I be drinking together like this? Just looking at that, it’s not an issue to be thought of in binaries. There are people who realize they’re homosexual or bisexual later in life. If they don’t realize their identity early on, they live their whole lives firmly believing they’re heterosexual. Unless they have an experience that awakens their true nature.”

“Even if they’re still not interested in anyone other than a specific person?”

“I think there are such cases. If they fell for the person themselves and not because they’re the same sex, it’s not impossible.”

Simon Kim agreed casually. However, that answer seemed quite shocking to Cha Yiljoo. With a hardened expression, he asked as if he couldn’t believe it.

“Is that…possible? That you could fall for someone and not care that they’re the same sex?”

“There’s nothing impossible in this world, Yiljoo. It’s just that because you haven’t experienced it and can’t prove it, you think it’s impossible.”

Because he hasn’t experienced it. Was that it? Cha Yiljoo, tightly gripping his empty glass, downed his drink in one gulp. The stinging sensation that seemed to sear his esophagus flowed down to his chest in one breath.

He stared quietly at his empty glass. Usually, when he drank, most of his distracting thoughts would disappear. But for some reason, thoughts of Euihyun filled his mind. Past memories also lingered in his mind, refusing to evaporate.

‘I’ve never thought of having that kind of…relationship with Euihyun.’

Even so, he hadn’t wished for this kind of relationship. In the brief moment he let go, Euihyun seemed to have drifted away like a paper boat on flowing water.

‘I don’t want that kind of relationship.’

He didn’t know what to do with him, who was slipping away like grains of sand in his hand, the tighter he gripped, the more he leaked out.

🎥

On the set, Cha Yiljoo and Seo Hwayeon’s scene was being filmed. Seo Hwayeon was a veteran actress who skillfully transformed into various roles, sometimes a noblewoman, sometimes a mother in an ordinary family. In the movie <Salieri>, she plays ‘Yoonhwa,’ the biological mother of ‘Yoohan.’

For ‘Yoonhwa,’ who grew up in a wealthy family, life was uneventful. That was until she met ‘Homyeong,’ a man who was poor but had an innate talent for music. After supporting ‘Homyeong’ both materially and emotionally, she finally succeeds in marrying him. However, she is often looked down upon by ‘Homyeong’ because of her wealthy background and his own lack of education. In the end, she fails to win his love.

To ‘Yoonhwa,’ her son ‘Yoohan’ is the embodiment of her husband and the only justification for his attention towards her. She firmly believes that ‘Yoohan’ will follow in his father’s footsteps and become a great pianist and composer. Therefore, she sends her young child abroad early on. She disregards the stress the child will experience in a foreign land, among strangers, and the resulting collapse of his ego. Her only joy is watching ‘Yoohan’ resemble his husband more and more.

Then, her husband ‘Homyeong’ brings ‘Myeongshin,’ his illegitimate child, home. ‘Myeongshin’ is the child of the woman ‘Homyeong’ truly loved and had to leave when he married ‘Yoonhwa.’ Realizing her husband’s infidelity and deception from the fact that ‘Myeongshin’ is younger than ‘Yoohan,’ ‘Yoonhwa’ is unable to cope with the shock and becomes extreme. Perhaps what she had wanted all along was not ‘Homyeong’s’ heart, but recognition and respect as his wife. This gradually turns into an obsessive fixation that eats away at her and further drives her son ‘Yoohan’ into unhappiness. ‘Yoohan’ must become a musician as talented as ‘Homyeong,’ or even more so.

From the beginning of filming, Seo Hwayeon has been freely expressing the inner turmoil of the frantic ‘Yoonhwa.’ Her dry gaze and delicate gestures revealed her years of experience.

Euihyun briefly nodded only to the staff members who made eye contact with him and watched the two actors perform. An unprecedented tension hung in the air on set.

Scene#41. Inside the house. Night.

At ‘Yoohan’s’ solo recital, which ‘Yoonhwa’ had prepared for a long time, the spotlight is entirely focused on ‘Myeongshin,’ whom ‘Homyeong’ had squeezed in as a guest. ‘Myeongshin,’ whom everyone had believed would be a laughingstock, displays unbelievable playing skills. The audience, who initially frowned at his autistic tendencies, is overwhelmed by his innate musicality. They completely forget that it’s ‘Yoohan’s’ recital.

After the recital, ‘Yoonhwa’ returns home and empties several bottles of wine alone. ‘Homyeong’ must be at the after-party, bragging about ‘Myeongshin’ to everyone. ‘Yoonhwa’ and her son, who should have been the protagonists, are excluded from the event with dazzling lights, delicious food, and fragrant alcohol. Finally realizing that she has lost once again to her husband’s first love, and that her son ‘Yoohan’ will never be able to surpass ‘Myeongshin,’ ‘Yoonhwa,’ fueled by alcohol, takes her frustration out on ‘Yoohan.’

“Mother. I’m home.”

‘Yoonhwa,’ sprawled on the sofa, glances sideways at ‘Yoohan.’ In her unfocused eyes, there’s no trace of affection for her heartbroken son. A rough breath escapes from ‘Yoonhwa’ as she wriggles her gaunt limbs and raises her upper body. Thick veins stand out on her forehead. Staggering to her feet, ‘Yoonhwa’ rushes towards ‘Yoohan.’ Then, punching him in the chest, she starts ranting.

“Why can’t you do any better! Why can’t you do any better! How did I raise you, how could you humiliate me like that! You! You should have done better! You could have done so much better. Why, but why!”

“…….”

With the punches that carry her full weight, ‘Yoohan’s’ shoulders are repeatedly pushed back, and his body is also pushed back somewhat. But ‘Yoohan’ doesn’t try to defend himself at all. He immediately straightens his body and clasps his hands together in front of him. He doesn’t flinch at all, even in front of his mother who looks like she could devour him. He just stands quietly and endures her harsh criticism. His face shows no emotion, making him look like a mannequin.

“I…endured all those insults just for you… I dedicated everything to you! How could you disgrace me like this? If you were going to be like this, why were you even born? If you can’t even beat that pathetic bastard, why are you alive, why!”

‘Yoonhwa’s’ voice pierces the air shrilly. The veins standing out on her dry neck look as if they could burst through her thin skin at any moment. In front of her, ‘Yoohan’ stands firm like a dead tree.

‘Yoonhwa’ continues to hit ‘Yoohan’ tirelessly. Soon, her blows land on his face and head as well. As she slaps him, the repeated smack, smack sounds resonate. It sounds painful even to the listener.

Euihyun’s shoulders also flinch involuntarily. He frowns without realizing it and stares anxiously at the two actors. He can see Cha Yiljoo’s cheeks reddening. Despite this, Cha Yiljoo keeps his eyes downcast without any change in expression.

‘Yoonhwa’s’ hand, which she had raised in anger, suddenly stops hitting ‘Yoohan.’ She gently cups ‘Yoohan’s’ cheeks with the hand she had raised to hit him. Then she completely captures her son’s gaze, which had long been detached. Her touch, as she gently smooths his messy collar, is endlessly tender. Her tone, coaxing her grown son, is also utterly gentle. Despite this, there is no change in ‘Yoohan’s’ expression as he looks at ‘Yoonhwa.’ ‘Yoonhwa’ gently strokes ‘Yoohan’s’ visibly swollen cheeks.

“You can do well. You were just a little tired this time, right? You didn’t have enough time to prepare because you were looking after that child, right? That’s why you couldn’t fully display your skills. Even if others don’t know, your mother knows. Of course, whose son are you?”

Her hand, smoothing his wrinkled shirt, is infinitely tender. Her tone, coaxing her grown son, is also utterly gentle. Despite this, there is no change in ‘Yoohan’s’ expression as he looks at ‘Yoonhwa.’

“Next time, let’s show your father how proud he can be, okay?”

“…….”

“Why aren’t you answering? You have to promise your mother. That you’ll definitely do better next time. That you’ll surely earn your father’s recognition, you have to say it clearly!”

‘Yoonhwa’s’ voice becomes agitated again. Cha Yiljoo stared at her with weary eyes. Facing his lifeless eyes, ‘Yoonhwa’ rampaged even more. She started throwing things around her within reach.

‘Yoohan’ didn’t avoid them this time either and stood still in his place. The flying objects struck him mercilessly. Only ‘Yoohan’s’ fists, enduring silently, turned white.

At that moment, Euihyun felt goosebumps all over his body. It was because Cha Yiljoo’s emotions were conveyed so vividly. In his eyes, watching the raging ‘Yoonhwa’ with an air of indifference, suppressed resentment and anger, his thoroughly twisted true feelings, uncontrolled destructive instincts, all mixed and swelled together. It seemed as though the sound of grinding teeth could be heard from between his tightly closed lips. Tendons stood out on his smooth chin and forehead. As instructed in the script, he was simply looking at ‘Yoonhwa,’ but internally, he was expressing much more.

“Aaaargh!”

While Euihyun was absorbed in Cha Yiljoo, ‘Yoonhwa’s’ scream erupted. Unable to contain her rage, she scratched herself all over as if self-harming. ‘Yoohan’ hurriedly stopped her.

“Mother, calm down. I’ll do well. I’ll do better, so please…”

He repeats his promise several times while holding ‘Yoonhwa’ tightly. Only then does ‘Yoonhwa’ gradually relax, her body losing strength. She was as good as exhausted. ‘Yoonhwa,’ blinking weakly, closed her eyes as if fainting. Her disheveled hair clung to her wet face and neck.

‘Yoohan’ hugged the collapsed ‘Yoonhwa’ even tighter. Then, he whispered in her ear as if pleading.

“…Please, just stop.”

A faint sob quietly vibrated the air before fading away. The atmosphere on set became extremely solemn. A deathly silence descended. Not only the two actors in the frame but also Euihyun and the staff held their breaths, not daring to move.

“Good!”

Director Park broke the heavy silence. As if it were some kind of spell, everyone finally breathed again. He gave generous applause to the two actors who had performed passionately. Euihyun willingly joined in the applause. He should have gone straight to the dressing room to prepare for filming, but he completely forgot about that and became an enthusiastic spectator.

Seo Hwayeon, who had been immersed in the role of ‘Yoonhwa’ until just a moment ago, walked out, smoothing her disheveled hair. She had scratch marks on her neck and arms from how deeply engrossed she had been in the role. A staff member quickly approached her.

“Ma’am, are your wounds alright?”

“It’s bound to happen when you’re acting. It’s more realistic and better, right?”

She laughed it off like a veteran. Standing by the stairs, Euihyun met her as she headed to the dressing room. He immediately bowed deeply and greeted her respectfully.

“Hello, Ma’am.”

“Oh, you’re here? Do you have a scene with me today?”

“Not today.”

“Really? That’s a shame. Good work.”

Seo Hwayeon patted Euihyun’s shoulder. Around that time, Cha Yiljoo also walked towards them. Their eyes met unexpectedly. However, Cha Yiljoo’s gaze quickly shifted to Seo Hwayeon.

“Ma’am, you’ve worked hard.”

“Yes, you too. Your acting today was truly captivating.”

“Thanks to your excellent guidance.”

“Right. Even if it’s flattery, it makes me feel good.”

“I have to prepare for the next shoot right away. I’ll go up first.”

“Yes, go ahead.”

Cha Yiljoo bowed lightly and went up the stairs. Seo Hwayeon, who had been staring at him for a while, muttered to herself.

“He looks like someone I know.”

“…Yes?”

“Cha Yiljoo. He strangely looks familiar. He doesn’t have a particularly common face either. Do you happen to know?”

Euihyun’s heart sank. Was Director Park the source of the déjà vu Seo Hwayeon felt? But he and Cha Yiljoo didn’t resemble each other at all. That was why Euihyun couldn’t even imagine a connection between them.

Trying not to show it, he tilted his head.

“I don’t know.”

“…Hmm. Who is it? I’ve definitely seen him somewhere. I can’t remember no matter how hard I try.”

Seo Hwayeon didn’t easily dismiss her suspicion.

“Oh, thinking about it is giving me a headache. Anyway, did you see him acting earlier?”

“Yes.”

“It was so scary, I got goosebumps. His eyes were so cold, I wondered what I would have done if it wasn’t acting.”

She rubbed her arms as if she still felt chills thinking about it. The person who acts alongside someone is bound to be most immersed in their performance. Even though he had only watched from behind the camera, he could fully understand the fear she must have felt.

“Anyway, I have to go change.”

“Yes, go ahead.”

Euihyun bowed his head again. Seo Hwayeon disappeared into the dressing room with her stylist. He patted his startled chest.

“Why the sigh? Oppa, did you commit a crime or something?”

Jung Ijin suddenly asked from behind. He flinched noticeably at her voice. Jung Ijin narrowed her eyes, looking even more suspicious. As she was about to ask ‘What is it,’ someone pushed her back as if supporting her. It was Park Hanyoung.

“Stop playing around and let’s go to work.”

He led Jung Ijin and Euihyun up the stairs. When they reached the second floor, Euihyun excused himself.

“I’ll just go see Yiljoo for a moment.”

“You can’t be late like last time.”

Park Hanyoung brought up the previous incident. Euihyun smiled awkwardly and headed towards Cha Yiljoo’s dressing room. He knocked on the door and heard Manager Han’s voice telling him to come in. He was glad he was there. He opened the door, feeling relieved.

“Ah, Jung Euihyun.”

Manager Han, who was looking at his phone by the door, nodded in greeting. Euihyun also bowed his head and looked towards Cha Yiljoo. Cha Yiljoo, who was fixing his disheveled hair, opened his closed eyes. He simply met Euihyun’s gaze like that, but he didn’t greet him with a smile like before. Just like at the bottom of the stairs earlier, he felt strangely cold. Was he still angry about yesterday?

Euihyun clasped his hands together slightly.

“I’m sorry about yesterday.”

“Is there something Euihyun should be apologizing to me for?”

“You said you had something to tell me, but I…”

“If it’s about that, it’s fine. Don’t worry about it.”

Cha Yiljoo cut Euihyun off and dismissed his apology. He also momentarily stopped the stylist who was patting his face with a puff. Then he gave a rather forced smile towards the hesitant Euihyun.

“Did you come here to apologize for yesterday?”

“No, it’s not exactly…”

He suddenly lost his words. Euihyun himself didn’t know why he had come to find Cha Yiljoo. He did want to apologize for his rudeness yesterday, but it wasn’t something that warranted a special visit.

Was his purpose simply to see Cha Yiljoo? Ridiculously, he wasn’t sure if that was right. After encountering his acting by chance, he was so smitten that he wanted to talk to him at length, about anything. He clenched his clasped hands tightly.

“I was really impressed by your acting earlier. I got goosebumps without realizing it… It’s belated, but it’s an honor to work with you, Yiljoo.”

As he rambled on, his head gradually drooped as if embarrassed. His ears had been bright red for a while. It was so quiet, as if no one else was around, which made the ensuing awkwardness even greater.

Quite some time passed, but there was no response from Cha Yiljoo. In the awkward silence, Euihyun anxiously fiddled with his fingers.

“Then, I look forward to working with you.”

In the end, he quickly greeted him and hurried out.

After Euihyun left and the door closed, Manager Han and the stylist burst out laughing at the same time. Who would think this person was a 10-year veteran actor? He was just like a rookie, boldly confessing to someone he admired for the first time.

However, the recipient of this fervent confession didn’t show much of a reaction. Or so it seemed.

Cha Yiljoo, who was sitting blankly, lets out a quiet chuckle. Then he covers his eyes with his hand and shakes his head. An unusual warmth spreads across his ears.

The tingling sensation Euihyun sends keeps digging into his vulnerable spots. What should he do?

“There’s a company-wide dinner tonight. Please try to attend.”

The assistant director made the announcement while going around the dressing rooms. It was a pre-scheduled event. Usually, company-wide dinners were held before filming began in earnest, but due to circumstances, it had been continuously postponed. Since it was an event where everyone gathered, Euihyun decided to attend willingly.

The dinner venue was a barbecue restaurant near the filming location. Since it had a large garden, there was ample parking space, and it could easily accommodate nearly a hundred people. String lights were hung from the parking lot to the restaurant building, and the soft light harmonized with the scenery, creating a charming atmosphere.

The tables were all set. The main production crew, including Director Park and the actors, sat around the main table. While waiting for everyone to be seated, Euihyun was pushed to the edge.

“Euihyun, why don’t you sit here?”

Cha Yiljoo called Euihyun to sit next to him. Other people also readily moved over one seat. Euihyun had no choice but to move. He ended up sitting between Director Park and Cha Yiljoo.

Meat was placed on the grill, and drinks were poured. Kwon Taejun, who played ‘Homyeong,’ urged Director Park to give a toast.

“Director, you have to give a toast.”

“Yes, let’s all have a drink together.”

Seo Hwayeon chimed in. Director Park also stood up without hesitation.

“Everyone’s working hard. So that we can complete our project safely, please shed plenty of blood, sweat, and tears. Cheers.”

They jokingly booed at the blunt toast and then cheered along. Euihyun also emptied his shot glass of soju in one gulp. It was his first drink in a while, so his throat burned. Swallowing the bitter taste, he picked up some vegetables in front of him. Meanwhile, Cha Yiljoo refilled Euihyun’s empty glass. Then he poured his own drink. Euihyun wondered if he had something to say, but Cha Yiljoo didn’t offer a toast or engage in conversation, simply drinking by himself.

He didn’t seem to be in good condition. When someone spoke to him, he smiled and replied, gently making eye contact, but otherwise, his expression quickly disappeared. His demeanor on set had also been cold all day. Was he still upset? Or was he feeling unwell?

While glancing at him worriedly, Cha Yiljoo suddenly turned his head. Their eyes met unavoidably. If it were any other time, he would have smiled, but he simply stared at Euihyun. Caught off guard by the unexpected reaction, Euihyun also missed the timing to look away.

“Ah…”

Feeling like he had to say something, he hurriedly opened his mouth. Still unable to find a suitable topic, he fumbled, when Seo Hwayeon asked from across the table,

“Our stylist told me you two are known to be close friends?”

Only then did Cha Yiljoo turn his head towards Seo Hwayeon. His usual relaxed smile was back on his face.

“You’re well-informed.”

Seo Hwayeon held out her empty glass. Euihyun tactfully filled it.

“The company isn’t trying to promote you two as a package deal, are they?”

She asked with a mischievous expression. Having been in the entertainment industry for a long time, she seemed to have a keen grasp of the unseen dynamics of the business. He could have just laughed it off, but Cha Yiljoo clearly corrected her assumption.

“No. I’ve known Euihyun since before he signed with the current agency. I thought it was a waste of Euihyun’s talent to not receive proper support, so I introduced him to the company. We became friends first, so there’s no question of the company pairing us up or not. Isn’t that right, Euihyun?”

While confirming with Euihyun, his gaze remained fixed on Seo Hwayeon. Despite his consistently polite tone, he seemed to have an edge to his voice. Euihyun stared at him, bewildered, and nodded.

Seo Hwayeon gave a cryptic smile.

“What do your parents do?”

At the abruptly changed topic, Euihyun almost spat out the water he was drinking. He barely managed to avoid choking. His heart pounded heavily. He hadn’t expected the topic of Cha Yiljoo’s parents to come up so suddenly.

Director Park also hesitated with his glass in hand. It was a fleeting reaction, undetectable unless one was consciously observing. He soon finished his drink. Then, he calmly returned to his conversation with Kwon Taejun.

Euihyun looked at Cha Yiljoo with concern, but he wasn’t fazed at all. He simply asked calmly with his usual relaxed smile.

“Why do you ask such a thing so suddenly, Ma’am?”

“I was just curious. Your face looks strangely familiar.”

It was the same thing she had said to Euihyun. Had she gained some certainty in the meantime? He tried to feign calmness, but his breathing became irregular. His eyes, filled with vague fear, wavered incessantly as he looked at Cha Yiljoo.

In the midst of all this, Cha Yiljoo maintained his composure.

“Ma’am, have you ever lived in the United States?”

“No? I’ve been there a few times for filming.”

“Then it’s probably not the case. My mother has lived there for over 30 years.”

At Cha Yiljoo’s assertion, Seo Hwayeon tilted her head and said, “Really?” She seemed to accept it at that point and didn’t pry further. Even though Cha Yiljoo only mentioned his mother, she didn’t seem to notice any other possibilities. It was probably because of the alcohol.

Euihyun finally let out a long breath and calmed his startled heart.

After that, the conversation shifted to general entertainment industry issues and daily life. He spent most of the time answering questions. As a result, he didn’t have a chance to properly talk to Cha Yiljoo.

As the atmosphere warmed up, the number of empty bottles increased noticeably. With the influence of alcohol, voices naturally grew louder, filling the hall with noise. Even sitting close by, they had to look at each other’s mouths to understand what was being said.

Then, suddenly, he felt a vibration. He took out his phone and saw an incoming call. The caller was Min Ahyun. He pressed the answer button.

“Hello, Ahyun.”

Min Ahyun replied with something. However, it was too noisy to hear properly. He said “Hold on a second” into the phone and quietly got up from his seat. Cha Yiljoo’s gaze immediately followed him, but he didn’t notice as he hurried out.

Stepping outside the restaurant, fresh air filled his lungs. He continued the conversation as he moved further away from the boisterous restaurant.

“I’m sorry. I’m in the middle of a company dinner.”

— I thought it sounded noisy. You’re at a company dinner.

“Yes. What’s up?”

— Oh, nothing in particular. I just wanted to ask you something. Did I do something wrong last time?

“Excuse me? What do you mean…”

— Not contacting you beforehand and just showing up… And suddenly introducing you to my acquaintances after inviting you to the musical… I thought you might have been uncomfortable. I also wondered if that’s why you didn’t come to the after-party.

“No. I really couldn’t attend the after-party because of something else, so you don’t have to worry about it.”

— That’s good to hear. Anyway, I’m sorry for showing up unannounced. I thought of you as soon as I got the tickets.

While listening to Min Ahyun’s voice, Euihyun looked around the spacious garden. Something caught his eye. He walked towards it while continuing the conversation. As he got closer, he smelled the faint scent of water.

Soon, a small lake surrounded by bushes came into view. The gently rippling water glittered, reflecting the moonlight. He could hear the chirping of insects from near and far. The breeze that passed over the water was cool. His mood brightened, and a smile naturally spread across his face.

— If you’re at a company dinner, you should probably head back in. I’ll call you again later.

“Yes, then…”

As he was about to end the call, he sensed someone nearby. He turned around with the phone still to his ear. His eyes widened in surprise. Cha Yiljoo was standing behind him, seemingly having arrived without him noticing. He stared silently at the startled Euihyun.

“…I’ll see you later.”

He finished his greeting and ended the call. Around then, Cha Yiljoo also started walking towards Euihyun. Perhaps due to the alcohol, his eyes looked somewhat hazy.

“You came out?”

Euihyun spoke first to alleviate the awkwardness. Cha Yiljoo didn’t reply. He simply continued to close the distance between them. His insistent gaze didn’t leave Euihyun for a moment.

“…Yeah.”

The moment he thought they were too close, he instinctively stepped back. A low gasp escaped his lips without him realizing it. Even so, Cha Yiljoo didn’t stop. As he backed away unknowingly, his back hit an old tree by the lake. Then Cha Yiljoo’s arm reached out. Euihyun closed his eyes tightly. But a long time passed, and nothing happened.

He slowly opened his eyelids. Then he caught his breath. His breath seemed to stop. It was because Cha Yiljoo’s face filled his vision. His body stopped a hair’s breadth away. His characteristic scent strongly tinged Euihyun’s olfactory senses.

In this sudden situation, his heart began to pound madly. His wide-open eyes wouldn’t close easily. His dizzying vision was filled with only Cha Yiljoo. Cha Yiljoo’s eyes, gazing down at Euihyun, held a strange glint. It felt as though something that should have been there had completely vanished.

He hurriedly turned away. For some reason, he was consumed by the single thought of escaping. It was his instincts warning him. No, even putting all that aside, his heart felt like it couldn’t take it anymore.

However, his escape route was blocked by Cha Yiljoo. He stretched out his arm and placed his hand on the old tree, blocking Euihyun. As Euihyun turned the other way, Cha Yiljoo placed his hand on the tree beside Euihyun’s waist. Euihyun was trapped, enclosed within Cha Yiljoo’s arms. His face and breath drew closer. Euihyun’s eyes, looking at Cha Yiljoo, wavered noticeably.

Cha Yiljoo didn’t make any further moves and continued to gaze intently at Euihyun. Under his intense gaze, Euihyun’s eyes wandered, lost, for a while.

Soon, Cha Yiljoo’s hand left the tree. He gently took hold of Euihyun’s chin. Even though he wasn’t using much force, Euihyun couldn’t bring himself to shake it off. When Cha Yiljoo gently stroked his chin with his thumb, all the hairs on Euihyun’s body stood on end. His mind went blank.

The hand that was stroking Euihyun’s chin moved down to his neck without hesitation. Soon, his fingers grazed against his prominent Adam’s apple. Cha Yiljoo lowered his gaze and traced the protruding area as if caressing it. Euihyun pushed him away at the ticklish yet unnerving sensation.

“Wh-what are you doing…”

Cha Yiljoo seemed to be slightly pushed away, but he pressed closer. Euihyun felt like he was suffocating from his intensified scent. The world spun, and he couldn’t think straight.

Cha Yiljoo’s head gradually lowered. Euihyun could feel the heat rising in his face, neck, and ears. That heat would be transmitted directly to Cha Yiljoo through their touching skin. He hated it. He wanted to run away.

Cha Yiljoo firmly grasped Euihyun’s shoulders. Euihyun’s face, contorted with bewilderment, finally faced forward. But even that was momentary, as he fidgeted restlessly, at a loss for what to do.

“Ah… uh…”

Cha Yiljoo stared silently at the flustered Euihyun, then suddenly tilted his head. His face was now inches away. His rapid breaths were close enough to brush against Euihyun’s skin. They would touch. It was his instincts’ final warning, sensing danger.

Euihyun struggled desperately. The tighter he struggled, the more force Cha Yiljoo put into his grip. A stiff, almost painful pressure transmitted through his shoulders.

The next moment, Cha Yiljoo’s straight nose brushed against Euihyun’s nostrils. Just as their lips were about to overlap, Euihyun forced out his voice.

“I think you’ve had too much to drink. You’re mistaking me for someone else…”

Cha Yiljoo, who had been relentlessly pushing forward, stopped moving. He tilted his head slightly and stared into Euihyun’s wavering eyes.

“Who do you think I’m mistaking you for?”

His low voice was edged with a sneer. It ran through Euihyun’s body like an electric current, sending tingling sensations through every cell. His whole body trembled, numb with the strange thrill.

Cha Yiljoo slowly released the frozen Euihyun. Euihyun didn’t try to run away. Or rather, it was more accurate to say he couldn’t.

Cha Yiljoo gently traced Euihyun’s face with his index finger. Goosebumps rose wherever his finger passed. Euihyun’s dark eyes, filled with vague fear, trembled incessantly. Confirming that his reflection filled those eyes, Cha Yiljoo slowly closed his own. Then he approached Euihyun again, much more gently than before. The scent of skin that he’d smelled just moments ago intensified again. He could tell, just from the air currents, that Euihyun’s tightly closed lips were trembling. He parted his lips slightly, as if to capture those lips.

Just then, his phone vibrated. The frozen Euihyun jolted in surprise. Cha Yiljoo, who was approaching him, also flinched. It was as if thunder had struck. The tension that had been wound to its maximum shattered into pieces. His tightly clenched body began to ache intensely. His heart pounded wildly, making him nauseous.

“As if the vibration had jolted him back to his senses, Cha Yiljoo quickly regained his usual composure. On the other hand, Euihyun was in a pitiful state. Completely cornered, he could barely breathe.

Cha Yiljoo completely removed his hands from Euihyun. He lowered his head as if regretting his impulsive actions.

“…Don’t look at me like I’m some kind of monster.”

“…….”

Euihyun couldn’t find anything to say and just listened blankly. Cha Yiljoo’s tone was so bitter that he thought he should offer some comfort, but the fierce protest of his heart made him just swallow dryly. His head joined in the protest, throbbing with a headache.

As they both remained silent, the inconsiderate vibration rang again. Cha Yiljoo took out his phone with an annoyed expression. He was about to turn it off completely, pressing the power button, but suddenly hesitated. He pondered for a moment, then changed his mind and answered the call.

“Hello.”

He turned around slightly, showing his back. Even without trying to eavesdrop, the voice on the other end leaked out bit by bit. It was because the surroundings were too quiet. It was a young woman, recognizable enough even from a brief snippet.

‘Does Euihyun know? She’s the one Yiljoo is pursuing.’

His heart, which had been calming down, began to race again. This time, it was accompanied by a sharp, almost unbearable pain.

He had been mistaken after all. Cha Yiljoo was anxious because things weren’t going well with ‘her.’ The resulting anxiety and confusion had simply erupted onto an innocent bystander. There couldn’t be any other meaning. When people are vulnerable, they tend to seek support wherever they can. Just the fact that he prioritized the call with ‘her’ made it clear who had the upper hand.

Euihyun didn’t want to be left in this state any longer.

“I’ll head back in first.”

He bowed to Cha Yiljoo, who only then turned around. Cha Yiljoo, with the phone to his ear, hesitated for a moment. Then, with a stifled sigh, he nodded.

Euihyun turned his back on Cha Yiljoo and headed towards the restaurant. His hands started trembling belatedly. He clasped them tightly together. As the voices of the filming crew came within earshot, he shook his head, trying to relax his facial muscles.

But he didn’t know how to shake off the heavy feeling that was sinking deep into his chest. He felt utterly lost.

🎥

Despite having a rare day off, Jang Daewoong was at the bar. He was there for a thorough cleaning. It was a kind of ritual he performed every time the seasons changed. The calendar had already turned to September. But the air was still sultry. Just from moving a little, he was already sweating. Jang Daewoong sat at the bar table to cool off for a while.

Then he heard the sound of the door opening behind him. Some member must have forgotten that today was a holiday again.

“I’ve been saying we’re closed today…”

He stopped mid-sentence and stood up abruptly. He had spotted Euihyun. Euihyun closed the door, smiled faintly, and bowed his head.

“Hello, hyung.”

“Well, well, look who it is. I thought you’d never come back here again.”

Jang Daewoong quickly welcomed him inside. He securely locked the door, as if afraid someone else might come, and ushered Euihyun to the seat he had been occupying.

“How have you been? Busy with filming?”

“I have more free time than when I was doing the drama.”

“Why do you have free time? You should be filming commercials and stuff while your popularity is high.”

“I asked the agency. I want to focus solely on the project while I’m working on it.”

In fact, most actors did that. They were reluctant to appear in commercials or other media while filming a movie. The production company also tacitly wished for that.

Knowing the circumstances, Jang Daewoong didn’t say anything more. He simply observed Euihyun closely from the corner of his eye. The way he kept fiddling with his fingers suggested he had something to say. He kept biting his lip, as if finding it difficult to speak.

Pretending not to notice, Jang Daewoong asked after him some more.

“Any difficulties with the filming?”

“No.”

“Didn’t you say you were playing someone with a physical disability or something?”

“Not a physical disability, but autism. It was awkward at first, but I’m used to it now. My neck hurts and my body aches all over after filming all day, though.”

“How are things with him? Since you’re both the leads, you must be practically attached at the hip.”

He smoothly changed the subject. Euihyun answered without hesitation.

“I enjoy acting with him. He’s such a talented person, it helps me immerse myself more. I can forget about everything else while I’m working.”

“You enjoy the acting. What about the other stuff?”

“…….”

“Why? Did something happen again?”

He asked, knowing full well the reason for Euihyun’s silence. His tone was so gentle, as if inviting him to confide in him, that Euihyun quietly revealed his worries.

“Things have been awkward with him lately.”

“Why? Did you fight?”

“No. I actually ran into someone I briefly dated before. He’s been visiting me occasionally since then, and somehow, Yiljoo found out.”

“Did he get angry?”

“…Yes.”

Jang Daewoong pondered Euihyun’s words, humming thoughtfully. Why would he be angry that Euihyun met his ex-boyfriend? It was an inexplicable behavior unless he intensely disliked homosexuals or had some personal connection with Euihyun’s ex-boyfriend.

Perhaps…

A positive premonition surfaced. He was about to suggest that possibility when Euihyun spoke again.

“You know, I dated him a few years ago, and it didn’t end well. He’d been out of touch all this time, and now he suddenly reappeared, so I think Yiljoo was worried about me. Since I’m not very assertive. He asked if that person was blackmailing me for money or something. Since I defended him, saying he wouldn’t do that… I think Yiljoo was angry and frustrated.”

Of course, that was understandable. Even Jang Daewoong himself would be furious and tell him to get rid of that guy if he saw him lurking around Euihyun. If Euihyun defended him on top of that, he would be so frustrated he’d want to beat his chest. He might even bolt awake from sleep several times.

It was understandable anger. But it didn’t feel quite right. Tilting his head at the lingering discomfort, Jang Daewoong decided to address the matter with Kang Muhyeong first.

“Let’s hear about that first. Why did that jerk come looking for you now?”

“…I think he mistook nostalgia for the past as lingering feelings for me.”

“Did he ask to get back together?”

“At first, he said he wanted to stay in touch, even as friends…”

“And what did you say? You didn’t just stay silent when you should have chewed him out, did you? You didn’t give him any false hope, did you?”

“No. I clearly rejected him.”

Euihyun shook his head firmly in denial. Seeing his personality, his assertive denial seemed credible. If it had been settled at that point, there seemed to be no need to discuss it further.

Jang Daewoong, who had been agitated by the news of Kang Muhyeong, calmed down. Then he fell into deep thought. If nothing happened with Kang Muhyeong, then what other reason could there be for the awkwardness with Cha Yiljoo? No matter how much he pondered, he couldn’t find an answer.

“You’re saying things are awkward between you two because of something like that?”

“No. We’ve been in contact since then, we’ve met separately, and we’ve talked quite a bit. But since then, I feel like the atmosphere has changed. Yiljoo’s attitude towards me isn’t the same, and he said something strange a while ago.”

“What did he say?”

Jang Daewoong took out a bottle of water and drank it. He didn’t give much weight to the ‘strange words.’

“I don’t know if it’s sexual frustration or something, but he said he imagines holding me these days…”

Euihyun couldn’t finish his sentence and hung his head. The startled Jang Daewoong hurriedly covered his mouth. Thanks to that, he managed to swallow the water instead of spitting it out, but he couldn’t avoid choking. As he coughed repeatedly, Euihyun half stood up and asked if he was okay. The coughing finally subsided after a while. His throat was sore. With a flushed face, Jang Daewoong confirmed if he had heard correctly.

“Cha Yiljoo said that? That he imagines holding you?”

Instead of answering, Euihyun just nodded. Rubbing his sore throat, Jang Daewoong tilted his head again. Why would he say such a thing? Was he drunk? Or was he really…

“I think it’s what you were talking about before, hyung.”

“What did I say?”

“That even heterosexuals can ask for sex out of curiosity…”

He certainly remembered that conversation. It happened frequently in reality. In fact, he had found it strange that Cha Yiljoo hadn’t made any such advances back then. He had thought that a gentleman with good manners was different after all. Was he just like any other man in the end?

No, something about that didn’t sit right with him. Was it because he had just heard that Cha Yiljoo had gotten angry after encountering Kang Muhyeong? He couldn’t easily judge the situation based solely on what Euihyun was telling him. Limited information could lead to 큰 misunderstandings. It would be better to examine everything one by one himself.

“When did he say that?”

“A few days ago.”

“Nothing happened after that?”

“Actually…”

“Actually?”

“There was a company-wide dinner yesterday. I got a call from an acquaintance and went outside for a while to talk. Yiljoo followed me out…”

His lips pressed together. He couldn’t say anything more. Euihyun’s face, as he lowered his head again, looked as if it could burst into flames at any moment. Jang Daewoong’s eyes widened. His imagination ran wild, but the thought of ‘no way’ kept holding him back.

A long time passed, but Euihyun still didn’t raise his head. Jang Daewoong exclaimed in disbelief.

“What… did you two kiss or something?”

“No. We didn’t.”

Euihyun shook his head frantically. His face, as he looked up, was contorted with the memory and was filled with distress. He looked as if he was about to crumble.

So they didn’t, but they almost did? Jang Daewoong frowned and crossed his arms. One of them was clearly trying to change their relationship, but hearing only the one-sided account of the other made it difficult for him to grasp the situation.

“How did that happen? Did something happen to lead to that?”

“I don’t know either. A while after I met you, hyung, I had a chance to talk with him. I said I wanted things to go back to how they were before, that I wanted to pretend my confession never happened. He agreed…”

“But it’s not like before at all?”

“Yes.”

He drooped his eyebrows dejectedly. Jang Daewoong suggested a possibility.

“Is Cha Yiljoo jealous, by any chance?”

“I don’t think so.”

“How can you be so sure?”

“I think he has someone else he likes.”

“What? Did you see it with your own eyes?”

Jang Daewoong’s mouth fell open at the unexpected news. Euihyun slowly shook his head.

“I heard it from the CEO. The CEO and Yiljoo are like brothers, so he knows him better than I do. He said Yiljoo has been preoccupied with a woman lately. Since I suddenly confessed, Yiljoo can’t talk to me about such worries, so I think he’s been confiding in the CEO.”

“Hmm. Are you sure?”

“I also overheard him talking to her on the phone.”

Euihyun smiled faintly, his lips curving downwards. It was a bitter smile.

Jang Daewoong, who had been listening with a complicated expression, suddenly brought out two bottles of beer. He opened one and handed it to Euihyun, then downed his own in one gulp until his stomach felt cold. He drained almost the entire bottle in one sitting and clicked his tongue.

“This is ridiculous. Why is he acting up here when his heart is somewhere else?”

Jang Daewoong fumed on Euihyun’s behalf. Euihyun just fidgeted with the mouth of his beer bottle without saying anything.

He tried to handle it alone. Even with Jang Daewoong, whom he had confided all his worries to, he didn’t want to share this bad news. He didn’t want to make him worry unnecessarily, and he knew it would only tarnish Cha Yiljoo’s image.

He had sought out Jang Daewoong simply because he felt suffocated, because he didn’t know what to do. He hadn’t expected Jang Daewoong to offer any solutions. There was only one way for Euihyun to handle this situation anyway. He just seemed to want confirmation that it was the right thing to do, that it was what he should do.

Jang Daewoong, who had been panting for a while, urged Euihyun, who was sitting like a guilty man.

“So what did you do? Did you just stand there?”

“No. I said I didn’t want that kind of relationship and rejected him.”

“You rejected him clearly, both times?”

“…Well, that day at the dinner, it was so sudden and I was flustered…”

At the ambiguous answer, Jang Daewoong jumped up.

“You can’t do that. Being a substitute for someone, that’s the worst!”

“I know.”

“Don’t even think about getting physically involved first. Understand?”

Euihyun nodded and said yes. Jang Daewoong lifted Euihyun’s drooping chin.

“Be firm. You think this is the first time I’ve seen a case like this? Everyone insists they won’t be swayed at first. Then, before they know it, they become someone’s outlet for sexual frustration. Do you know how pathetic people get when they reach that point? All pure feelings disappear, they become more clingy and obsessive, and then they get dumped when the other person gets tired of them. I can’t stand to see you end up like that, Euihyun.”

Euihyun stared blankly at the serious Jang Daewoong and nodded again. Only then did Jang Daewoong release his chin.

The conversation paused for a while. Even though he had received reassurance from Jang Daewoong, he didn’t feel relieved. On the contrary, he felt suffocated and lost, thinking about the continued awkwardness with Cha Yiljoo. There was no other way. Euihyun had to remain steadfast, and Cha Yiljoo had to give up as soon as possible. That was the only way to return to their original relationship.

Suddenly, he heard the sound of rain from the open window. The rain, which had started with a few drops, quickly turned into a downpour. It seemed the sweltering summer-like heat from the morning had been a precursor to the rain. He hurriedly closed all the windows to prevent the rain from splashing inside.

“I can’t tell if it’s summer or fall.”

Jang Daewoong grumbled as he wiped his wet hands.

That’s when it happened. Suddenly, his phone, which he had placed on the table, rang. Both their gazes were drawn to it at the same time. Euihyun picked up the phone and checked the caller ID.

“Who is it?”

“Reporter Kim Jihee.”

“Oh, her. Answer it.”

He pressed the answer button without hesitation. He rarely spoke with Kim Jihee unless there was a specific reason. So, he was a little worried. Especially since he hadn’t contacted her recently or made any plans to meet.

“Hello, reporter.”

— Oh? Actor Jung answers the phone?

“…Yes?”

At the unexpected response, he replied stupidly. The anxiety that had been subtly budding suddenly swelled. Jang Daewoong, noticing his strange expression, looked puzzled. As Jang Daewoong mouthed “What’s wrong?” Euihyun asked for clarification.

“What’s going on?”

— Don’t tell me you don’t know? Your agency’s phone lines are completely down.

What was this about now?

As he was bewildered by the sudden news, an even more surprising story followed.

— Cha Yiljoo’s scandal just broke. A huge dating rumor involving a third-generation chaebol. A tabloid specializing in exposés ran the exclusive story, and they even published pictures of them leaving a hotel together, so there’s no denying it.

His mind went blank. It was as if he had been hit hard in the back of the head with a hammer. Did he understand Kim Jihee’s words correctly? His mind was blank. He needed to say something, but no words came to mind.

Jang Daewoong, watching the frozen Euihyun with the phone to his ear, asked again with concern, “What is it?”

— Hello? Actor Jung, are you there?

“…Yes.”

He barely managed to answer. Kim Jihee sighed and explained the situation in more detail.

— Neither side has released an official statement yet. I guess they’re getting bombarded with inquiries because their phones, emails, and faxes are all down. Cha Yiljoo and his managers’ phones are all off too. I heard reporters flocked to your movie set and it’s completely paralyzed? The internet’s buzzing, it’s chaos. I called because I was worried you might be getting hounded too.

“…I’m okay.”

— That’s good. Just in case, don’t answer any calls from unknown numbers.

“Okay.”

— I have to go report on this now, so I’ll hang up.

“…Okay. Go ahead.”

He mechanically replied and the call ended. He still couldn’t take the phone away from his ear. Jang Daewoong, who had been watching, took Euihyun’s hand and lowered it. Euihyun’s vacant eyes slowly focused on him.

“What’s wrong? Did something happen?”

“A scandal… broke out.”

“A scandal? What scandal all of a sudden?”

“That’s why the agency isn’t answering…”

Perhaps due to the shock, he couldn’t answer properly and just mumbled. Unable to bear the frustration, Jang Daewoong accessed the internet himself. As soon as he went to the main portal sites, he understood the whole situation.

Top Star Cha Yiljoo, Caught Dating Chaebol Heiress

Cha Yiljoo – SoMyung Group’s Executive Director Shin Yeojin, Secret Meeting at Luxury Hotel

Provocative headlines filled the entertainment news section. Real-time search terms were also filled with related keywords, including Cha Yiljoo and Shin Yeojin.

The exclusive article stated that Cha Yiljoo and Shin Yeojin, the second daughter of SoMyung Group, had been enjoying secret rendezvous away from the public eye. Photos of the two leaving a hotel late at night were also included.

It was a scandal involving an immensely popular actor and a chaebol heiress. He knew how the situation would unfold. He understood why Kim Jihee had called him. With the flood of inquiries, the agency’s work would be completely disrupted. And the repercussions would inevitably affect Euihyun.

“…Euihyun.”

Jang Daewoong couldn’t find any words of comfort. Euihyun quietly stood up.

“I think I’ll go home now.”

His farewell voice was utterly lifeless. He bowed quickly without giving Jang Daewoong a chance to stop him and walked towards the door. Jang Daewoong hurriedly followed and handed him an umbrella.

“It’s raining heavily outside.”

Euihyun, accepting the umbrella absentmindedly, smiled faintly and thanked him. As he descended the stairs, Jang Daewoong called out after him.

“Call me! Okay?”

He couldn’t tell if Euihyun had replied. Even if he had, his faint voice would have been drowned out by the rain.

Why couldn’t love be easy for someone who already had such a hard life? He couldn’t help but lament. A heavy sigh escaped his lips.

“It’s raining cats and dogs. Is summer coming back?”

The taxi driver muttered, looking out the window. Even though it was a remark that warranted a response, the passenger in the back seat remained silent. The driver glanced at the rearview mirror, wondering if he was asleep, but he wasn’t. He was simply staring blankly out the rain-streaked window, loosely holding his phone.

The taxi driver quickly lost interest and turned up the radio volume. A familiar song was playing. But neither the melody nor the lyrics registered in Euihyun’s ears.

He was on his way home in a taxi. He had checked the news of Cha Yiljoo’s scandal on his phone. He was flustered by the suddenness of it, but not particularly surprised. He already knew that Cha Yiljoo had someone else he liked.

What he found rather disconcerting was that he couldn’t find anything to do. He had tried calling Cha Yiljoo and Park Hanyoung, but no one answered. Everyone seemed to be busy running around trying to manage the unexpected scandal. In that situation, only he was sitting idly by, unaware of anything. He was Cha Yiljoo’s friend, yet he couldn’t find a way to help him through this ordeal.

While the agency remained unresponsive, rumors gave rise to further rumors, becoming distorted. The source of the malicious rumors was an anonymous message board on an internet community. Some reporters began to publish articles based on speculative stories made up by someone.

The main gist of these stories was that Cha Yiljoo and Shin Yeojin weren’t lovers but were in a sponsor relationship, and that Cha Yiljoo’s glamorous debut was due to massive financial support. The rumors, rapidly amplified and reproduced through social media, became increasingly detailed and specific, spreading uncontrollably. The whole country seemed to be buzzing about the single scandal. At least, that was how it felt while he was online.

However, inside the taxi, shielded from the downpour, it was incredibly peaceful. Lyrical music played on the radio as if nothing had happened. He wondered if he should be in this peaceful world all alone.

He wondered where Cha Yiljoo was and what he was doing. Considering that reporters had even stormed the filming set, he wouldn’t be able to stay at home or the company. Was he with Manager Han? He hoped Cha Yiljoo was somewhere safe. Whether the dating rumor was true or not, the excessive attention would undoubtedly be stressful. He would desperately need rest.

The long song ended, followed by the radio DJ’s voice. As the surroundings quieted down, he felt a vibration he hadn’t noticed before. He looked blankly at the taxi driver. The driver also met his gaze through the rearview mirror.

“I think your phone’s ringing.”

“…Oh.”

As the driver said, Euihyun’s phone was ringing. The reason he hesitated to answer immediately was that it was an unsaved number. Remembering Kim Jihee’s advice, he declined the call. Then, a message arrived immediately. The text, sent from the same number as before, identified the sender as Manager Han and said that he couldn’t reach Cha Yiljoo. Euihyun pressed the call button without hesitation. The call connected immediately.

“Manager Han?”

— Yes, it’s me. Have you heard from Yiljoo?

“No, not at all.”

— Is that so? Alright, I understand.

“Wait a minute!”

He hurriedly stopped Manager Han. The taxi driver glanced at him through the rearview mirror. Conscious of the driver, he avoided mentioning “Cha Yiljoo” directly.

“Weren’t you together?”

— I took him to my house to rest until things calmed down, but he disappeared.

Manager Han sighed deeply. His weary voice revealed deep fatigue.

— Don’t worry too much, Jung Euihyun. If you hear from Yiljoo, please call me at this number.

“Yes, I understand.”

Manager Han hung up without saying goodbye. His unusual urgency made Euihyun realize how serious the situation was.

After the call, Euihyun’s face noticeably hardened. Where was Cha Yiljoo now? People would recognize him wherever he went. What if he went out alone and was surrounded by crowds or reporters? Was he worried about Shin Yeojin, who would be in a similar predicament? Knowing Cha Yiljoo, it was a possibility.

As he continued to ponder, the taxi turned into a familiar alley. As they approached his destination, the driver gradually slowed down.

“Where should I drop you off?”

Euihyun leaned forward to tell the driver where to stop. His gaze naturally went to the window. He saw a man walking without an umbrella outside the hazy window. He was quite far away, and because of the rain, he could barely make out his silhouette. But his heart suddenly started to race.

Why was he there?

“…Driver, please stop here.”

He muttered, his gaze fixed ahead.

“Why? Aren’t you going all the way?”

“Yes. Please.”

He anxiously handed the driver his card. The taxi driver shrugged and pulled over to the side. As soon as he received the card, Euihyun dashed out.

The distance between them gradually decreased. The man, still unaware of Euihyun’s presence, was walking blindly, looking at a distant building. He didn’t even watch out for puddles, and his shoes and pants were quickly soaked as he followed him. He could have called out, and the man would have turned around, but afraid someone might hear, he gritted his teeth and ran faster.

They got close around the time Euihyun’s apartment building came into view. The man walking ahead stopped abruptly. In the pouring rain, he stared silently at the dark building. He neither approached further nor turned around.

Then, a corner of an umbrella extended over his head. The sensation of raindrops pelting his body completely disappeared. The man looked back in a daze.

“…….”

“What are you doing here without an umbrella? It’s raining so heavily…”

He gasped for breath. Perhaps because of the stinging pain in his lungs from running, his slightly contorted face looked as if he was about to burst into tears. A mixture of affection, compassion, and other emotions overflowed.

Raindrops continued to gather on Cha Yiljoo’s wet sleeves and drip down. As Euihyun gently held onto his sleeve, Cha Yiljoo’s dazed gaze followed. Euihyun slowly pulled him under his umbrella.

“You’ll catch a cold if you stay like this. Let’s go to my place.”