As always, ‘Gukine’ remained the same. From the simple Menu on the wall to the worn-out tables and the Aunt’s chic expression.
Waiting for the food to come out in front of the counter connected to the Kitchen, the Aunt spotted the group and raised her Hand.
It was instead of a greeting. Since it hadn’t been long since they last saw her, they bowed their heads to her and moved to a seat inside.
“Hey, you guys should move a little faster.”
Han Jooyoung, who had arrived first and was already grilling meat, welcomed the three.
“You’re always late, yet you’re acting all superior just because you came early once.”
Shin Hyojin laughed and scolded him, and Han Jooyoung pointed to the seat on his left and spoke toward Yoon Jooho, who was standing behind.
“Senior Yoon, you sit here.”
“Right, Sunbae. A seat where your face isn’t visible is more comfortable anyway.”
Han Jooyoung and Shin Hyojin recommended the seat facing the wall to Yoon Jooho.
Hanging his Suit on the hanger fixed to the wall, Yoon Jooho wore a surprised expression.
“Junior Han Jooyoung has become a real person. Knowing how to be this considerate.”
“Haha, well, I learned a lot from you, Sunbae.”
“Seeing as you take a comment like that as a compliment, you’ll be perfectly fine in this industry in the future.”
Yoon Jooho reached out his Hand to Song Hyunsoo, who was waiting behind his back.
“Give me your Suit.”
“I’ll… hang it up.”
“Just give it to me.”
“…Thank you.”
Hanging up clothes for someone else was something that could happen plenty of times even if they weren’t in a relationship.
Even so, Song Hyunsoo was conscious of his surroundings every time.
Since he knew well that he was the type who couldn’t hide his emotions, he was worried.
It was because whenever he met anyone, those around him always noticed first.
Yoon Jooho had said something similar before. That he might think he’s hiding it very well, but his emotions all show on his face.
So he told him to give up on the idea of trying to win a Role through ‘social life.’
Usually, Yoon Jooho was the sensitive and worried one. Song Hyunsoo was relaxed and bold.
However, on this matter, they were the exact opposite.
Song Hyunsoo was always exceptionally careful in case someone noticed their relationship, but Yoon Jooho seemed not to care.
That occasionally made Song Hyunsoo anxious.
The furthest corner seat away from the entrance. The four sat around a circular table.
Receiving a drink from Han Jooyoung, Yoon Jooho complained.
“But why is the meat only gopchang?”
“It’s a majority vote. Everyone except Senior Yoon likes it.”
“So? You didn’t order any meat for me to eat at all?”
“We can just order it now. Honestly, this person.”
Putting down the soju bottle, Han Jooyoung naturally shouted, ‘Aunt!’ and ordered pork neck.
Remembering the days when he used to stubbornly call her ‘Manager,’ saying he couldn’t understand why people call someone who isn’t a blood relative ‘Aunt’, the three of them looked at each other’s faces and laughed at his change.
“Hyung, your Korean has really improved a lot.”
“Really?”
“It’s not that your vocabulary or anything like that has increased, but the feeling has become very Korean.”
“Well, I should be seen as almost a native speaker now.”
Yoon Jooho, who was filling Shin Hyojin’s glass, chuckled.
“What native speaker. Just be careful not to make a slip of the tongue during the promotion period.”
“Ah, Senior Yoon is really someone who doesn’t know what a carrot is.”
Grumbling, Han Jooyoung flipped the meat and added.
“I’m the type of person who does better when I receive praise.”
“My carrots aren’t that cheap.”
“You give carrots to Hyunsoo just fine.”
“……”
Both Song Hyunsoo and Yoon Jooho became silent for a moment. And they looked at each other. It wasn’t intentional.
Thinking that this shouldn’t happen, the act of avoiding each other’s gaze also happened simultaneously.
Everyone’s glasses were filled, and Yoon Jooho spoke nonchalantly as he raised his glass and led a toast.
“I’m a Sunbae who recognizes when someone has done well. So try doing well enough to be recognized by me.”
Even if it was irregular, the four of them tried to keep this gathering going.
It was an industry where it was surprisingly difficult to meet peers who got along well, and since all four were in a state where they hadn’t completely emerged from the lingering aftereffects of <Dissolve>, talking on the Messenger or meeting occasionally to eat or drink was helpful.
Yoon Jooho didn’t dislike this gathering either. However, it wasn’t something absolutely necessary for him.
He had done countless Artworks since his Debut.
Fortunately or unfortunately, there was always a new Artwork waiting for him before he even had time to be immersed in the emptiness of a finished one.
It was like an obstacle course where he had to constantly jump over hurdles in succession.
But this Artwork in particular had a different meaning for him.
It was his first Movie, ‘Dissolve’ was part of the process of winning complete independence from his Parents, and above all, it was the Artwork that allowed him to meet Song Hyunsoo.
Just like the title ‘Dissolve,’ his life had changed based on this Artwork.
And more than anything, Song Hyunsoo showed a special attachment to this gathering.
On days when this meeting took place, he looked as excited as a child playing freely, surrounded by the Hyung and Nunas who cherished him.
Because he liked watching and observing that appearance, Yoon Jooho was also willingly and happily participating in this meeting. At least he tried to.
While struggling to control the rough and anxious emotions that still surged up occasionally.
“This is all cooked. You can eat it now.”
Han Jooyoung, who pushed the meat toward Song Hyunsoo and Shin Hyojin first, soon shoved two or three pieces of meat into his own mouth. Seeing that, Shin Hyojin was horrified.
“Wow… to think that someone who couldn’t even eat pig skin when he first came here likes gopchang this much now.”
“Gopchang, makchang, daechang. I can’t get enough of them all. I’m even good at grilling meat now. Thanks to someone…”
Han Jooyoung said, glancing at Yoon Jooho sitting on his left. Yoon Jooho, who had downed a drink, put down his glass and smirked.
“I don’t know how much the outside world has changed, but here, years of experience are still power. If a Debut sits still because they can’t grill meat, their work and everything else will be cut off, you know?”
Receiving the plate of additional meat they ordered, Yoon Jooho snatched the tongs from Han Jooyoung.
The four of them shared their current situations and shared recent news from the industry.
Wherever he heard it from, Han Jooyoung knew the industry news inside and out like an entertainment reporter.
Who was cast in which Artwork, that a Role Actor A took was actually an Artwork that so-and-so had rejected, stories like that.
Jung Sungwon’s name also appeared in Han Jooyoung’s story.
Although Jung Sungwon was able to avoid prosecution because it was recognized that he was threatened by Yoon Jooho’s Parents, he failed to renew his Contract with Look Planning and to sign a Contract with the new President, Yoon Jooho.
Only about a year ago, around the time of Yoon Jooho’s Birthday Party, Jung Sungwon was on a path to popularity.
Since working with Look Planning, he had only taken on so-called ‘Roles where he wears a Suit and strikes a pose.’
Now, with his new Company pressuring him to even take an Audition for a morning drama, Han Jooyoung whispered in a low voice. Roles weren’t coming in.
It was a story Song Hyunsoo didn’t know.
He had heard from Yoon Jooho that he couldn’t renew his Contract with Look Planning, but he wasn’t even curious about what happened to Jung Sungwon after that.
He watched Yoon Jooho’s face to see how he would react, but he maintained a expressionless face from which no emotion could be read.
It was unknown whether he had done something regarding Jung Sungwon.
But this much was clear. Even if Yoon Jooho didn’t do anything separately, Jung Sungwon was an Actor who couldn’t last long without the background of Look Planning.
When the meat on the grill had almost disappeared and they began to focus more on alcohol than food, Shin Hyojin placed a Shopping Bag in Song Hyunsoo’s arms.
“Actually, I asked to meet today to give you this.”
“A Birthday Gift for me?”
At Song Hyunsoo’s bright face, which didn’t hide his joy, Shin Hyojin also laughed and ruffled the hair on the back of his head.
“Yeah. Happy Birthday, Hyunsoo.”
“Thank you, Nuna.”
Song Hyunsoo immediately took out the item inside the Shopping Bag. It was a mohair cardigan with a bright and warm color.
“Wow, it’s really pretty?”
“Do you like it?”
“Of course! But… will this kind of color look good on me?”
“Do you not trust my taste? Try it on.”
“My face got really tanned while filming Dissolve…”
Rubbing his cheek, Song Hyunsoo tried on the cardigan over the Sweatshirt he was wearing.
“It’s good? It suits you well. Since the Sweatshirt is too thick, it’ll be even prettier if you wear it over just a T-shirt later.”
“Oh, it really suits you. As expected, Hyojin has good sense.”
Having heard Han Jooyoung’s praise as well, Song Hyunsoo turned his upper body toward Yoon Jooho, who was sitting on his right, and spread his arms.
“Sunbae, how is it?”
“Well, it’s not bad.”
Even though he didn’t even look properly…