Song Hyunsoo learned about Yoon Jooho’s past involving Jung Jin.
Only then did Director Bang realize the cause of the fight and found himself unable to speak hastily. It was something that justified even running away from home.
“Did you beg sincerely for forgiveness?”
“Why would I?”
At Jooho’s retort, Director Bang was at a loss for words this time.
“Why would I?”
“Did you know that the past me would meet Song Hyunsoo in the future? Even knowing that, I met Jung Jin. It’s a past that can’t be changed, so I hid it. Knowing it would only bring shock. Is that wrong?”
That ridiculous sophistry started again.
Stunned, Director Bang scoffed and quickly crossed the kitchen. Then, he sharply slapped the bare back of Yoon Jooho, who stubbornly stood in front of the coffee machine.
Without a shirt on, Jooho hissed sharply as the skin stuck tightly with the impact.
“Ah, damn it, why’d you hit me!”
Jooho, his broad shoulders hunched, wrapped his struck shoulder blade and raised his voice as if wronged.
“Then you should’ve just come clean from the start. Now that I know, how can I not be shocked?”
“If I’d come clean from the start, Song Hyunsoo wouldn’t have even glanced at me.”
“How would you know?”
“Nam Seyeon, senior.”
“Why bring that up all of a sudden?”
“After hearing that senior’s story, you wouldn’t know what Song Hyunsoo said.”
Holding a mug in his hand, Yoon Jooho passed by Director Bang’s shoulder. Director Bang almost shouted at the back of his head.
“What did he say?”
“……”
Jooho couldn’t answer easily. His large and small muscles tensed slowly, revealing his hesitation.
After placing the mug down on the island counter, Jooho slipped one hand into his pajama pants pocket and looked far out through the living room window at the end of the room.
“He said the past doesn’t matter.”
“Then why?”
“As long as it’s not connected to someone he knows.”
Shrugging his shoulders with a smirk, Jooho sipped his coffee. Watching him from the side, Director Bang felt a sense of defeat.
But the feelings Song Hyunsoo showed toward Jooho didn’t seem like they would disappear over something this trivial.
“That’s when it’s someone else’s problem. When it comes to yourself, it might be different…”
With a loud clatter, Jooho put down the mug, cutting off Director Bang’s words.
“I don’t know what kind of dream you’re living in, Director Bang, but he’s already been through something similar.”
“Ah…”
“After knowing that, he couldn’t even kiss.”
“……”
“He said it felt like the three of them were dating, and it made him uncomfortable.”
“……”
“Damn, how am I supposed to bring that up?”
Recalling Song Hyunsoo’s tone and expression at the time, Jooho grimaced deeply and fell silent. He looked pained.
“So. You didn’t even try to hold on and just let it go like that?”
“I did try to hold on.”
“You did?”
“Even though I told him the moment he left the house, it was over, Song Hyunsoo chose that.”
To calm his anger, Director Bang closed his eyes briefly and took a deep breath.
Even someone like Song Hyunsoo, who understood Jooho’s way of speaking better than anyone, wouldn’t be able to grasp his feelings at a moment when he was hurt and shocked.
Deep breaths did no good. When he opened his eyes, Director Bang raised his voice.
“Is that what you call holding on? When you should be begging, saying you can’t live without him, you call that holding on?”
On the contrary, Jooho turned to him with a frustrated look.
“If he knows, it’s over. Don’t you get it? Every time he sees me, he’ll think of Jung Jin, and eventually, he’ll say he can’t take it anymore and leave!”
Raising his voice, Jooho kicked an empty water bottle rolling on the island counter, sending it flying across the floor.
To Director Bang’s eyes, he looked like a sulking child.
Losing something precious through his own fault and not knowing what to do, just crying desperately.
A man who relentlessly digs into acting was such a coward when it came to love.
Afraid of losing, Jooho hid the truth and didn’t know how to handle the truth once it was revealed.
The only method he knew was to conceal.
“Afraid of that, so you’re going to stop here? What about you?”
“What about me?”
“What about your feelings?”
“……”
Leaving the mug behind, Jooho strode away quickly down the hall, like a child running away after being scolded harshly, feeling wronged and sorrowful.
Director Bang knew that side of him well.
Afraid of getting hurt more deeply, Jooho turned his back first.
It won’t work, it’s better to stop here before hoping or clinging any further, or you’ll only be more disappointed. Like it’s not precious, like you don’t want it.
Until now, Jooho’s way had functioned somewhat. He never closed the distance enough to get hurt in the first place. So stepping back or turning away wasn’t that difficult.
But would it really be the same this time?
Director Bang took a few sips of the coffee Jooho left and chased after him.
Jooho was going through Monroe’s room doing his morning routine. As he petted Monroe’s back while she ate her food, he sensed someone behind him and, without turning around, spoke in a firm voice.
“Tell him to move out the rest of his stuff as soon as he finds a place.”
“Are you really going to let Hyunsoo go like this?”
After patting Monroe’s forehead, Jooho stood up, exhaled, and placed a hand on Director Bang’s shoulder.
“Hyung.”
“……”
“Song Hyunsoo’s nothing special. It’s just going back to how it was before. Don’t worry.”
That’s exactly what I’m worried about, you idiot. You going back to the old you.
■
Late afternoon in a fishing village. Walking slowly along a road beside empty rice fields in the off-season, Yoon Jooho and Han Jooyoung spoke with Baek Kang and Jeon Yoojung.
“I heard you’re making a movie.”
“What’s wrong with that?”
“No, no, not at all.”
Rubbing his chin, Yoon Jooho smiled shyly and continued.
“Our Sol also loves movies. You might already know.”
Though not expressed directly, Jooho’s eyes, expression, and tone hinted that he might already suspect the relationship between Lee Sol and Jeon Yoojung.
“Yeah, I know. Sol has surprisingly deep knowledge of films. Not just knowledge. Her fresh interpretations and ideas are enviable. She’s too good to waste away here in the countryside…!”
“Jeon Yoojung.”
Baek Kang stopped first. A few steps ahead, he called to Jeon Yoojung. Those four syllables alone carried tension.
People watching from behind the camera held their breath. Among them, Jungho slowly rolled his eyes and looked around.
Experiencing a film set for the first time was more fascinating and vibrant to him than the finished film.
“……”
Song Hyunsoo’s profile came into Jungho’s sight, standing a step ahead. Having finished makeup for the next scene, Hyunsoo was monitoring Jooho’s acting carefully among the staff.
As far as Jungho knew, this was the first time he had seen Hyunsoo so focused to a frightening degree.
“Thank you for seeing Sol in a good light.”
Baek Kang spoke with a gentle smile. Jeon Yoojung slowly turned to look at him.
“But don’t you think it’s a bit presumptuous?”
“……”
“Whether she’s rotting or blossoming, it’s not your place to judge someone else’s life.”
Approaching Jeon Yoojung, who looked slightly fearful, Baek Kang placed a hand lightly on his shoulder.
“I’ll be waiting for your acceptance of the dinner invitation.”
Then, Baek Kang fully stepped out of the camera frame. From behind, Jeon Yoojung shouted firmly.
“I’ll accept the invitation!”
“……”
“But it’s true Sol’s flower isn’t here! Hey! Are you even listening to me?!”
The camera captured Jeon Yoojung courageously calling out as Baek Kang’s figure receded. The set was still silent.
“Cut, okay.”
When the assistant director relayed the director’s sign over the radio from the monitor room, the tense atmosphere on set finally broke, and energy returned.
Yoon Jooho and Han Jooyoung greeted the staff. They had finished shooting for the day.
From now until night, it would be two-shots of Song Hyunsoo and Shin Hyojin.
That’s why Hyunsoo had arrived about an hour ago, finished makeup, and observed the shoot.
“Thank you all for your hard work.”
Jooho, slipping into the padded jacket Manager had handed him, greeted and passed through the staff.
He was getting closer and closer to Song Hyunsoo. The closer they got, the drier Jungho’s lips became.
Jungho also saw Jooho’s gaze find Hyunsoo. Closing the distance to about five meters and finally standing before Hyunsoo, Jooho never took his eyes off him. But his expression wasn’t soft.
“Thank you for your hard work, senior.”
Hyunsoo bowed politely first, and Jooho nodded briefly.
“Good luck with the night scene.”
That was all.
Jungho was almost too scared to look at Hyunsoo’s face. There was nothing between them.
“Stay right here! Scene number 57 shooting! Actors, don’t leave your spots and be on standby!”
At the assistant director’s shout, the filming and lighting crews became busy. Since the next scene was set in the same space, they didn’t need to move the camera or lighting much.
To encourage Hyunsoo, Jungho spoke in an intentionally bright tone.
“Wow, finally, I get to see you act, hyung!”
“You’ve seen me in plays.”
“Movies are different from plays, though. Hyung, aren’t you cold? Want me to bring you more hot packs?”
“I’m fine, Jungho.”
“Huh?”
Staring at the direction Jooho disappeared toward, Hyunsoo lowered his voice and ground his teeth.
“Who do you think’s gonna cry if he acts like that? Just tell him to stop already!”
“Hyung, you need to focus on your emotions. I’ll bring more hot packs.”
Calming Hyunsoo, Jungho ran toward one of the cars lined up by the road.
“Hot packs, hot packs, three should be enough, right?”
Just as he closed the trunk and was about to turn around, he almost bumped into someone standing right in front of him.
“Jungho.”
It was Yoon Jooho.
“Y-Yes, senior.”
“It’s the first day today. How is it? Is the work manageable?”
“So far, it’s fun! The set’s way more fun than watching movies…”
“Enough.”
Though he had asked, Jooho wore a sullen expression, clicking his tongue and cutting off Jungho’s words.
“…Yes.”
“Come to my car for a bit.”
“Me?”
Without realizing, Jungho stepped back and asked. Jooho put his hands in the pockets of his long padded jacket, leaned forward, and stared intently into Jungho’s face.
“Why? Got something to hide?”
“No, it’s not that… It’s just nice weather, and talking out here…”
“The wind chill is zero degrees, Jungho.”
Without more words, Jooho turned and led the way.
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