Yoon Jooho’s eyes remained fixed on the Tablet screen the entire time, a glass of Whisky mixed with lukewarm water sitting before him.
『“Do you know why I want to live in LA?”』
Yoon Jooho slowly chewed his lower lip. He followed every single movement of Song Hyunsoo’s eyebrows, cheeks, lips, and jaw muscles on the screen without missing a beat.
In the Video recording of him during an Acting Lesson, Song Hyunsoo was performing a scene from the Movie ‘MarriageStory’.
It was a famous scene where the conflict between Scarlett Johansson and Adam Driver deepens.
Instead of Adam Driver’s part, he performed the role of Nicole, originally played by Scarlett Johansson, by converting it into a male version.
『“When were you ever there for Henry? Did you even care what he wanted?”』
His Yeongi was not, of course, as stable or heavy as veteran Actors. However, he showed a passion and immersion befitting a Debut, along with remarkable growth.
『“Ha, I don’t know how I ever thought of marrying you. I must have been out of my mind back then. Yeah, there’s no other way to explain it.”』
Every week, every lesson, he was growing. The lines he had agonized over and revised into Korean were natural and fit Korean sensibilities.
He had learned to use his expressions more richly and mastered how to imbue his breath with emotion.
He became able to express the character through his shoulders, neck, fingers, and legs.
Almost as if he were dancing.
He couldn’t take his eyes off Song Hyunsoo on the screen. As the emotions heightened, a tremendous energy radiated from him.
He might still be too young to perform the wretched rock bottom of love.
However, he was a fresh Debut and, at the same time, a young man who had experienced the dark side of the world.
He possessed a world that only the Actor Song Hyunsoo could show.
『“Everyone said you wouldn’t succeed as an artist. That you’re too selfish. Even then, I defended you alone, saying you could do it. But you know what?… They were right, and I was wrong.”』
He must have forgotten the flow of time and been unconscious of the place he was in. At that moment, he probably even completely forgot about my existence.
Yoon Jooho knew very well what that sensation felt like. Nothing in the world mattered, and he had come this far solely by chasing that sensation.
It was thrilling to think that Song Hyunsoo might know the same feeling.
It was purely enjoyable while doing Yeongi with him. It felt as if he had returned to being a Debut.
Everything at the Shooting Location felt new, made him feel tension, and sharpened his senses with the desire to learn even one more thing…
To be able to discuss characters and scenes with an Actor who possessed the same level of passion as himself, and to fully trust each other and immerse themselves in their characters while doing Yeongi, was the greatest experience.
He had been drawn to him personally first, but even if he hadn’t, he would have fallen in love while continuing to do Yeongi with him.
Just like how he was falling for him all over again while watching his Yeongi through the screen right now…
Rubbing his mouth with his Hand while watching the screen, Yoon Jooho’s gaze moved away from the Tablet.
An alarm he had set in advance was ringing. As Yoon Jooho stood up from his chair, Monroe, who had been playing on the Kitchen floor, followed him.
He returned to the circular Living Room with the pot he had left on the Induction.
Kimchi Pot Rice. It gave off a plausible smell, almost identical to what Song Hyunsoo made.
However, as he put a few spoons into his mouth and chewed, Yoon Jooho’s jaw slowed down.
Dammit…
“Why does it taste so bad when I make it?”
See, I told you I’d do it for you. Move over here. ― He felt like he could hear Song Hyunsoo’s voice laughing and teasing him like that.
Tossing the Spoon into the pot, Yoon Jooho wiped his face. Then, he sighed and muttered.
“I’ve got it bad.”
He tried to eat a bit more, but his appetite was already ruined.
Even though he had finished his shower very slowly and with more care than usual, it was only 10 o’clock. Time really isn’t passing.
After sticking a Sheet mask on his face, Yoon Jooho walked out of the powder room, shoving his hands into his gown pockets.
Stopping in the middle of the Bedroom, he suddenly looked around the space. Was this Room always this large…
He had lived alone for a long time. Having someone at the House was uncomfortable, and he had never let anyone into this Bedroom before; he was used to and felt more at ease being alone.
Yet now, even being apart for just one night felt this empty.
Empty? Yoon Jooho narrowed his eyes.
To confess a truth he could never tell that fellow, this was more than just emptiness. It was closer to anxiety.
Anxiety that he might not come back.
He was anxious that he might say something like he couldn’t meet his Sunbae if it meant making his Grandmother and Grandfather suffer.
Even though he knew the guy would never leave him no matter what happened, Yoon Jooho himself couldn’t understand this psychology of endless anxiety. Well, as some counselor said, it was probably because his attachment relationships had been formed incorrectly since infancy.
To chase away the unbearable silence, he turned on the TV. It had been a long time since he turned on the TV for such a purpose. After setting the volume to 5, he grabbed the remote control and the Script and went to the window. The moment he set the Script down on the table, a notification rang, signaling that a Message had arrived.
《What are you doing? Can you talk on the Phone?》
The sender was ‘Peach’.
Yoon Jooho, who was just about to sit on the Sofa in front of the table, caught sight of his reflection in the window overlooking the black city and was startled.
His face was grinning over just a single short line of a Message.
The face of a man whose mouth was hanging by his ears after receiving a sudden contact from the person he was head over heels for.
It was undeniably that kind of face.
How did I end up like this…
Even while mocking himself like that, a smile continued to linger on his face.
After peeling off the mask and tossing it into the trash can, he turned off the TV and called ‘Peach’.
He could hear Song Hyunsoo’s voice before the connection tone even rang twice.
“Is it okay for you to talk on the Phone with me?”
He skipped the ritualistic greeting of ‘hello’.
[Hmm? Why?]
“I thought you might have been banned from talking to Yoon Jooho or something.”
Over the Phone, he heard the sound of laughter being forcibly held down.
[Are we high schoolers?]
“I don’t think giving you a Punishment like that would have worked even when you were a high schooler.”
[That’s true.]
He heard the sound of Song Hyunsoo shifting his posture as he readily agreed.
[I just got ready for bed and lied down.]
“Already?”
Yoon Jooho’s surprised eyes turned toward the Watch hanging on the wall. It was only 10:10.
[It’s the Countryside Village, and they’re elders. This time is the middle of the night here.]
“Are those two sleeping?”
[I don’t know if they’re sleeping, but they went into their Room a while ago. The lights are out, too.]
“Where are you?”
[I laid out the Bedding in the Living Room and lied down. I’m bored.]
The word ‘bored’ sounded strangely cute, making Yoon Jooho laugh.
“Did anything happen after I left?”
[Hmm… just, well. I don’t think you need to worry.]
While rolling around on the Bedding, Song Hyunsoo told him about the conversation he had with his Grandmother.
During that time, Monroe, who had come to the Bedroom, jumped onto Yoon Jooho’s lap.
While stroking the cat, Yoon Jooho listened to Song Hyunsoo’s story.
He wasn’t quite certain enough to say there would be no worries in the future as the other had said, but it seemed he could afford to have some hope.
[I realized it while I was talking to Grandmother.]
“Realized what.”
[That I really love you a lot, Sunbae.]
“……”
Yoon Jooho’s Hand, which had been rubbing Monroe’s brow as if massaging it, stopped.
His heart throbbed heavily, as if he had just received a surprise kiss from a Lover he had just started dating.
They were the type to kiss a lot, hug a lot, and not hold back on expressions of affection, but they weren’t a couple that repeated the words ‘I love you’ several times a day mechanically, out of obligation, or like a greeting.
Because of that, Song Hyunsoo’s sincerity, brought up suddenly without any prelude, made Yoon Jooho tremble.
Meow.
Monroe urged him to keep stroking.
Slowly stroking the cat’s brow again, Yoon Jooho spoke playfully while hiding his agitation.
“Does that mean you didn’t know until now?”
Song Hyunsoo’s laughter was refreshing.
[I knew you’d say that, Sunbae.]
A smile rose to Yoon Jooho’s lips as well.
Hearing the laughter made him miss him.
He wanted to see the face that relaxed in front of him, acting like a child and laughing playfully.
He wanted to pull him into an embrace and tease him.
He wanted to bother him by biting his neck and cheeks. He absolutely hated the fact that he wasn’t by his side.
[Ah, Sunbae, you were so incredibly polite and did so well earlier. I thought you were a different person?]
While stroking Monroe’s forehead more broadly, Yoon Jooho pressed the Phone even closer to his ear.
“I’m someone who’s worked while surrounded by adults since I was three years old.”
[I suppose. I did think you were strict with your Junior but strangely respectful toward elders.]
“When did you think that?”
Yoon Jooho asked, showing interest. He was curious about even the most trivial thoughts Song Hyunsoo had about him.
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