Side Story 2: Déjà Vu : Chapter 21

[From the beginning. At the Script Reading, you were so cold to us, but you were polite to Choi Do-hun Senior or the Director—anyway, to the elders. I thought, ‘Oh, he’s not a total jerk after all.’]

Yoon Jooho’s laughter grew a bit louder. He leaned back comfortably against the backrest.

The idle time that had been passing slowly until just a moment ago was becoming new.

Just being on the Phone with him changes the meaning of time.

He didn’t know someone could change his life and lifestyle like this.

He had judged himself to be someone who couldn’t stand such things.

But with him, it was natural from the beginning. Without even needing to make an effort to accept it.

Whether she had been petted enough, Monroe shook her face, stood up, and climbed onto the table.

Sitting on the small round table, she looked down at the city’s night view. Looking quite solitary.

[Sunbae said it earlier, right? That you didn’t think I would have listened even when I was a high school student.]

“What about it.”

[There’s no way a guy like that would start listening now.]

“……”

[Rest assured. Even if the whole nation objects, not just Grandmother and Grandfather, I’m yours, and you’re mine.]

“……”

[Sunbae, are you listening?]

“I’m listening.”

[But why aren’t you saying anything? If you heard a confession of love like this, there should be some kind of reaction. Ah, are you crying because you’re moved, by any chance?]

How could he be like this every time?

He notices the anxiety and even catches the reason for the anxiety.

There are times when he is foolishly dense, but in the moments when it’s truly needed, he always gives the understanding that Yoon Jooho needs.

Without unnecessary misunderstandings or digging oneself into a hole. That was always surprising.

“I would have had to worry first to feel relieved and moved.”

[You’re saying you weren’t worried?]

“I wasn’t.”

[Phew, acting tough…]

“Because I have no reason to worry.”

[So you’re that confident in me?]

“If you dump me, I’m going to schedule a press conference and flip my lip to show them.”

[……]

“That we were in this kind of relationship.”

[Wow… Then I won’t be able to meet anyone else for the rest of my life.]

“Don’t even Dream about it.”

Song Hyunsoo’s low laughter could be heard. It sounded like he was rubbing his eyes.

[Stop talking nonsense. Who else would I Dream of while dating Yoon Jooho?]

“You’re sleepy, aren’t you?”

[I’m not sleepy. I want to talk on the Phone more.]

“Your voice is full of sleepiness.”

[I didn’t know, but I guess I was nervous today too.]

“I really like that you can fall asleep even in this kind of situation.”

[What about Sunbae?]

“What about me.”

[Can you sleep without me? Don’t you have to turn on the TV and sleep for the first time in a while?]

Yoon Jooho turned his head and looked at the TV that had been on until a moment ago.

But tonight, it seemed he could fall asleep even without the TV. Because he had reassured him.

Stroking the back of Monroe, who was sitting majestically as if she had become the King of the world, he called his name.

“Song Hyunsoo.”

[Yes.]

“Come quickly tomorrow.”

[…Why.]

“Monroe says she misses you.”

From across the Phone, Song Hyunsoo chuckled in a sleepy voice.

Just the fact that one person is laughing brings relief.

Such things were still just fascinating to Yoon Jooho.

Even if nothing has been resolved, if that guy laughs, it becomes okay. If that guy isn’t anxious, I’m okay too. Strange guy.

[Sunbae, graduate from the Monroe excuse now.]

“Hyunsoo-ya.”

[Why.]

“Happy Birthday.”

[……]

Song Hyunsoo was silent for a moment. And soon, he replied in a warm voice where a smile could be felt.

[Thank you, Honey Sugar Darling. No lie, it was the best Birthday.]

He knew his words were not a lie.

Although they hadn’t received permission from the Grandparents, they had confirmed each other’s hearts and that solidity once more.

So, it was one of the best days for Yoon Jooho as well.

After finishing the call, Yoon Jooho sat there blankly for a while.

While stroking Monroe’s back, he cast a meaningless gaze at the night view outside the window.

He had purchased this House at his Parents’ insistence, but even the night view of the Hangang, which is said to symbolize a successful life, had failed to stir any inspiration in Yoon Jooho.

The blinds and Curtains were almost always drawn, and the House was just a place to sleep.

Occasionally, guests would come and praise the overwhelming view, but the city’s flashy lights they admired were merely artificial products to Yoon Jooho.

But now it was different.

Light existed because someone had lit it.

Therefore, each of those lights was a person, and it was the individual story that person held, and so the light was alive with warmth.

The scenery before his eyes must be the same as before. Just because one person has come into his heart, and by his side, his attitude and perspective on looking at it change.

Making one feel nostalgia in the unfamiliar, and making the familiar look new… To Yoon Jooho, Song Hyunsoo was a person who caused Déjà vu and Jamais vu at the same time.

“……”

Looking down at the Script in front of him, Yoon Jooho picked up his Phone again.

[Did you go see Hyunsoo’s Grandparents?]

As soon as the call connected, Bang Manager asked that first, as if he had been waiting.

“Yeah.”

[How did it go?]

“It’s not a pass yet.”

[Right… They wouldn’t be able to accept it so easily. Hey, don’t be too down about it because of that…]

“Hyung.”

[Yeah, why.]

“I’m not worried about that anymore.”

[You think I wouldn’t know you were anxious about the Grandparents opposing and losing Hyunsoo just because you don’t say it? Why are you acting tough in front of me?]

“I’m not acting tough; it’s just that after seeing them, that’s the thought I had. I think if I consistently reassure them in the future, they will accept it. They’re just surprised and need time right now; they were warm people.”

[That’s a relief. Then why did you call?]

Yoon Jooho toyed with the edge of the Script cover.

“Hyunsoo… I think I’ll have him do that Artwork.”

[Will it be okay? You were worried.]

“That guy is ready. I was the one who wasn’t.”

[Hyunsoo will do well. Honestly, it’s an opportunity too good to miss.]

“Yeah.”

[Then what about you?]

“What about me.”

[Aren’t you going to appear?]

“Only Hyunsoo should go.”

[The one who actually received the Offer-only Casting was you. The writer said she strongly wants you. At least meet and hear her out.]

Yoon Jooho and Song Hyunsoo were offered the same Artwork.

Yoon Jooho was offered ‘Offer-only Casting’. It was a proposal where one could join the Artwork as long as the Actor agreed, without even needing to Audition.

Song Hyunsoo received a ‘Designated Audition’ proposal. It was a method of conducting a formal Audition, which was no different from a first meeting, in a state where Casting was almost confirmed.

They might have cast the two in the same Artwork with the goal of continuing the buzz of <Dissolve>.

But neither the Director nor the writer were people who would cast an unqualified Actor for that reason alone.

Whether Song Hyunsoo felt it or not, he had already begun to be recognized.

Whether she was tired of chasing the lights and looking down at the night view, Monroe turned around and rubbed her head against Yoon Jooho’s Hand.

Stroking her head, Yoon Jooho spoke in a voice without hesitation, as if he had already made up his mind.

“You want both of us to appear in the same Artwork consecutively? That’s too much of a risk.”

Bang Manager snorted lightly.

[Since when did you care about things like that?]

“……”

Yoon Jooho also chuckled.

It was just as Bang Manager said.

No matter who he was meeting, declining an Artwork to protect that relationship was something that couldn’t happen for Yoon Jooho.

Nothing could take priority over Yeongi. But now, naturally, as if it were obvious, he was making such a decision.

To protect him, to protect us.

[Huh? Say something, you punk. Since when did Yoon Jooho care about things like that?]

“…Since Song Hyunsoo.”

[……]

Bang Manager’s laughter, which had been giggling teasingly and playfully, subsided.

Feeling embarrassed late, Yoon Jooho hurriedly ended the call.

“Anyway, just know that and proceed accordingly.”

Leaning his arm on the table, he tapped Monroe’s nose. She rubbed her head and acted cute.

“Do you miss Hyunsoo’s Dad?”

Meow. He tilted his head more toward the creature crying in a small voice.

Having a being to wait for Song Hyunsoo with became a small comfort.

“So this is what it’s like to miss someone.”

It was a line he had said countless times in numerous Artworks.

He had only been imitating it without even knowing what that emotion was.

Meow.

Monroe came closer and rubbed her face against Yoon Jooho’s chin. As if to comfort him.

The cat’s front paw reached out and pointed at the title printed on the cover of the Script.

Executive Producer Choi Kang-young

Script Yang Ha-jeong

<Deja Vu>