It was a hectic May.
Seo Nakil’s third wish coupon was for ‘Yang Nuri’s Drawing Book.’
It was actually a terrestrial entertainment show, and it was also a late-night music program where Yang Nuri, a talented singer-songwriter and producer with 15 years of experience who was also actively working as a producer, had inherited the MC role.
This didn’t just end at recommending a radio guest once. It was an excellent opportunity to appeal not only the group’s charm but also individual or unit charms for a full hour and thirty minutes. The fact that just appearing could significantly raise recognition was also a big advantage.
‘Last time and this time too… do you want to give me work?’
‘Work is just a means. Last time and this time too.’
‘Last time it would have been a means to help me transition to acting, and this time?’
‘Yang Nuri has been wanting to produce in a new way recently. She personally liked your style, Han Ijae. I hope this appearance becomes an opportunity.’
‘How do you know in such detail…’
‘Because we eat from the same pot.’
I only then learned that Yang Nuri was also affiliated with Revalue Entertainment.
It was certainly a good opportunity, but I couldn’t accept it as comfortably as the radio appearance. It was because it was a more serious schedule, and also because the connection with Yang Nuri felt burdensome.
He probably deducted a wish coupon because he’d thought that far.
‘It’s strange.’
The first wish was used for him. The second wish was good for me, but anyway, since I’d be filming the same work as him, it could be seen as good for him too.
But the third was different. What did my appearing on this program have to do with Seo Nakil? It wouldn’t raise his reputation, and I couldn’t choose the songs as I pleased, so he couldn’t listen to music he liked either.
What on earth would Seo Nakil gain by using this wish coupon? Without finding that answer, the last week of May arrived.
We arrived early at the broadcasting station waiting room to prepare for filming. Since a large group was moving together, even though we weren’t doing anything grand, it was bustling all day.
“Wow. When you just watch at home it doesn’t even take two hours, but filming it ourselves takes half a day.”
“Isn’t that more fun though?”
“Of course you’d say that, you’re a puppy who finds everything in life fun.”
“Aww. But it’s our first time on this program. Coming early and waiting is the same for all schedules.”
“Right. It’s a precious opportunity, so don’t complain. You should be grateful they invited us.”
“Yes, yes. Your old-timer tendencies are safe today too.”
“Kwon Seonho. Don’t be cheeky.”
“Well, who told you to show off spouting things everyone knows.”
After the bickering conversation, there was always the sound of Kwon Seonho and Min Seungwoo clashing. Min Seungwoo looked at Kwon Seonho, who was being cheeky whenever he got the chance, let out a deep sigh, and left the waiting room.
“Where are you going, Seungwoo hyung?”
“To get drinks.”
Kang Subin, accustomed to the two’s quarrels, raised his hand high.
“I want Zero Coke.”
“I guess the morning Kang Subin who said he’d cut down on liquid fructose was dropped off on the way.”
“I wasn’t dropped off. That’s why it’s Zero Coke, right?”
“Ijae.”
Min Seungwoo, standing at the doorway, looked at me.
“What do you want to drink?”
“I’m okay…”
“Then Ijae hyung wants Zero Coke too?”
Min Seungwoo playfully tilted his head.
“If you don’t choose, I’ll get two Zero Cokes.”
“…Green tea please. Thank you.”
Min Seungwoo, who went out after surveying the other members’ drink preferences, came back quickly. Unlike the expectation that he’d bring back drinks in both hands, he was carrying not only drinks but also a bunch of lunch boxes.
“Let’s eat first, guys. Lunch box support is here.”
“Lunch boxes?”
At the word food, Kang Subin perked up his ears again. That was just like him, who would jump up even from sleep if you said you’d give him something to put in his mouth.
“Wow. What lunch boxes?”
“They say it’s support from Seo Nakil Bae-u-nim.”
“Seo Nakil Bae-u-nim?”
“Lunch boxes? But can we even call these lunch boxes? They look huge.”
The members’ gazes all focused on me at once. But even looking at me like that, there was nothing I could say. I was hearing about it for the first time too.
“…Support? For all of us?”
“Not all of us.”
“…”
“Staff and audience members too, all of them. Right?”
The hot gazes that had been fixed on me flew far beyond the door at Min Seungwoo’s words.
And from behind that, a voice that had now become too familiar to the point of excess was heard.
“It would be disappointing to take care of some and not others.”
It was Seo Nakil.
“Hello.”
“Whoa…”
Kang Subin, who stood up even before me, covered his mouth with both hands. His eyes were sparkling with emotion and delight.
“…It’s him in person.”
Seo Nakil stepped boldly into the waiting room and replied nonchalantly.
“In person, of course.”
He was also holding a bundle of lunch boxes, though it was a bit smaller than what Min Seungwoo was holding.
“Though it’s modest, I put some thought into it, and I hope it suits your tastes. I hope you all eat well and have strength for today’s schedule.”
“Thank you!”
“We’ll eat well, Bae-u-nim.”
“Thank you.”
“Since you took care of this looking at Ijae’s face, it’d be good if you paid attention to Ijae too.”
Seo Nakil, who looked at me, slightly lifted what he was holding.
“I was thinking of taking Ijae during mealtime, would that be possible?”
Before I could even react, Kang Subin quickly pushed my back.
“Oh, why are you asking such an obvious thing? Take your time eating and come back.”
Having received the green tea from Min Seungwoo, I followed Seo Nakil and moved to the next waiting room. Taking care of not only the members but also the staff and audience, and on top of that, coming in person.
This was the first time receiving such support. Even after sitting down, the dazed feeling remained.
“You look like you’re dreaming.”
Seo Nakil, who was looking at my face, laughed.
“Is my appearance such a surprising thing?”
“You didn’t contact me at all.”
“If I contacted you, it wouldn’t be a surprise.”
“Still…”
I, who had been a bit overwhelmed by the luxurious lunch box with who knows how many side dishes, ended up laughing along with him.
‘He said he was busy.’
He definitely said so this morning. That he’d be busy all day and wouldn’t have time to send messages. Even though I knew I’d also have filming and wouldn’t be easy to contact, I still felt disappointed at those words, never dreaming that it actually meant he’d give me a surprise event.
“You were busy doing this?”
“It’s a very important schedule.”
He tore open chopsticks and placed them in my hand.
“It’s not a lie.”
“I suppose not. If you’re nearby, you obviously can’t send messages…”
“Right. When you’re filming, I’ll go wait in the car.”
“To take me home?”
“Why? Is the van more comfortable?”
“…I like it.”
I answered urgently.
“I like going in Bae-u-nim’s car better.”
“I already explained to the manager.”
Seo Nakil’s kindness was still unfamiliar. Not only was it awkward that someone was treating me well, but also because his actions often easily exceeded the range of what was commonly considered kindness.
I felt sorry that I couldn’t repay him, and I was flustered every time I faced benefits larger than I’d imagined. But still, I had no thought of refusing.
I had to admit it. I liked the time spent with Seo Nakil.
I sat side by side with him and ate the lunch box. As I ate the still-warm food, a pleasant sense of fullness enveloped me.
My gaze, which had been continuing the meal, stopped somewhere. On the plastic lid of the lunch box placed next to me were cute stickers, and below them was written a phrase. ‘Please take good care of our Ijae.’
“Now quite a few people know. The fact that we get along like brothers.”
“Does it make you uncomfortable?”
“It’s not uncomfortable. Rather…”
I answered quietly, chewing over the memory of the last company dinner.
“I think it’s fortunate.”
“Fortunate.”
“I was having cowardly thoughts.”
“For example?”
I said, trying to erase the base face of General Manager Cheon that kept appearing in my mind.
“That people might treat me less carelessly to avoid angering Bae-u-nim, who has a lot.”
“…”
“That’s why I said it, that it’s a cowardly thought.”
“Not at all.”
On Seo Nakil’s face, which I looked at hesitantly, hung a smile without a shadow of a cloud.
“I promised you forever, Ijae.”
He seemed to whisper that his heart was deeper than the sea, so no matter how much you drew from it, it would never run dry.
“So enjoy it.”
“…Would that be a joyful thing for Bae-u-nim too?”
Then Seo Nakil’s deep voice readily put a period to my doubt.
“Forever.”
