“If you want to go on, let’s go on.”
― ……You’re saying that because you know it’ll fall through anyway, right, hyung?
“I think we can appear. What’s your real purpose? To become partners with hyung and go on the virtual dating program?”
― During the pre-program filming, you’ll come to like me, hyung, so we’ll choose each other as partners. Then we go on the virtual dating program and get married.
“……”
― But you’re joking, right? That’s it, right?
“If hyung doesn’t make it to the final selection, you’ll give up too.”
― You’ll really go on with me?
Bewilderment filled his voice, as if he couldn’t believe it at all.
The longer the conversation went on, the more Yeongwon thought Jiseo absolutely wouldn’t follow his opinion.
In fact, there were many restrictions to really achieving it. So he thought he’d inevitably be worrying about other persuasion methods.
Rather, feeling flustered, Yeongwon couldn’t add anything and waited for Jiseo’s answer.
“I said I’d go on together because I want you to experience it in advance. No matter how much hyung tells you to have lots of other experiences, you won’t listen.”
― …….
“For us, the fact that we’ll eventually get married isn’t actually important. I’ve already conveyed that I’m willing to keep the promise when you’re about thirty.”
― …….
“So hyung won’t choose you.”
― Your point is, it’s a waste of your pretty period, so just try experiencing it?
“It means have lots of experiences in many ways.”
If he really didn’t want any kind of relationship with Yeongwon, he would have created conflict while backing down, but Jiseo had no such intention at all.
First of all, Jiseo was confident he wouldn’t become lovers with Yeongwon even after the program ended.
Unconditionally developing into lovers would be the case with no acquaintance at all. Or even if they were acquaintances, most of those who actually developed into lovers were the same age.
So it would be a structure where feelings had to develop, but he and Yeongwon were different. It wasn’t that he was deliberately refusing, but that it had to be that way.
Saying he’d appear wasn’t a joke. Among the cast, there might be peers close to Yeongwon’s age. He wanted him to hear their opinions too and have various experiences.
There was no other reason for committing to this crazy act.
On one hand, Jiseo believed without doubt that if he showed this side, those watching over Yeongwon would inevitably stop him just as much as he did.
Everyone would send playful criticism saying Yeongwon was too precious. Then Yeongwon would realize he himself was precious.
― Whatever. But it might not go as you intend, hyung.
“What won’t?”
― Since it’s come to this, I’m going to flirt with you really hard, hyung. So you’ll choose me and we’ll film the dating program. And so we can get married quickly.
“……”
― Before that, I’ll apologize again. My attitude toward you, hyung, might be a bit much for you to accept.
Yeongwon thought it was reasonable for him to treat Jiseo as young. He was claiming the opposite that he himself was young, but well, it was an unavoidable fact that just looking at age alone, he was younger than Jiseo.
However, age was just a number. That saying hadn’t been used for so long for nothing.
I think when I looked at Jiseo, I thought ‘When should I raise him and marry him?’ Rather than thinking that at the time of the promise, it might have been a feeling he held while watching him gradually grow. What was certain was that he thought it when Jiseo was wearing a school uniform.
And…… media influence was big too. He didn’t think Jiseo had a cute image, but he did cute actions fairly well sometimes. Some of it was ingrained in his body, and he took on such roles well too.
Maybe because of that, he often saw compliments like ‘I should’ve given birth to him.’ Sometimes Yeongwon thought that way inside too. Because he acts well and is cute.
If he didn’t want to hear such compliments, he shouldn’t have worn school uniforms in his works. And he shouldn’t have diligently maintained his already outstanding appearance.
Also, he shouldn’t have taken a profession standing in front of high-quality cameras that exposed even his peach fuzz. He shouldn’t have gotten the role of a cute younger man, and shouldn’t have taken on anyone’s younger brother role either.
He shouldn’t have made him think at just eighteen that even if Jiseo were his younger brother, he’d be cute.
‘Once I became aware, the word “baby” won’t leave my head.’
No matter how young someone looked, if they were a full-grown adult, it was an embarrassing term. However, it was Jiseo’s fault for making him call him by such a term.
― You have to keep it because you promised, hyung, but anyway, because of me you’ll date and get married early.
“……”
― Still, from now on do everything you want to do, hyung. Date anyone you want and get married in your works, do it freely. I have no intention of interfering with your active activities at all. When you’re young, when you’re a baby, you should do everything you want.
“Why do you keep calling hyung ‘baby’?”
― Because that’s how you look. But if it bothers you, hyung, I won’t call you that. But don’t call me young either, hyung. Just like you don’t think you’re young yourself, I’m the same.
“It’s fine if you think hyung is young. Call me baby.”
Jiseo permitted Yeongwon to call him by the embarrassing term without any hesitation. In fact, this wasn’t an issue that embarrassed the listener, and he wasn’t the one who would be criticized by others either.
Honestly speaking, Yeongwon wouldn’t be criticized either. This couldn’t be helped.
Who would think of calling someone ten years older than them ‘baby’? The very thing was enough to induce a hollow laugh, and inevitably led to cuteness.
― The age gap should’ve been even bigger than now. I would’ve been fine even if you were forty, hyung.
“Then hyung really would’ve thought of you as a child. If I’d married early, I might’ve had a kid your age.”
― Do you have any intention of marrying early?
“I’m just saying.”
― Anyway, you’re too much of a baby to handle straightforward love, hyung. So even though I know you feel burdened, I’m also breaking a sweat showing it, really.
“……”
― How did I end up liking such a baby? Really, let’s say you’re about forty. If I proposed to you, you’d accept right away.
“It’s so funny I can’t even speak, really.”
When he didn’t compromise, at Yeongwon’s words that blatantly treated him like a child, Jiseo burst out laughing. He didn’t feel bad. It wasn’t something to feel bad about. Because he just considered it a funny joke.
“Go on there and receive lots of affection in many ways, you.”
A triumphant voice already regarding the other as quite cute burrowed into Yeongwon’s ear.
Confidence that it would definitely flow according to his claim blatantly followed after.
***
“So you’re saying you’ll go on there?”
“……”
“We’re in discussions for a string of work contracts. In this situation, you’re going to create a scandal?”
“It’s in the discussion stage, and even if it’s confirmed, full-scale filming will start around the second half of the year or first half of next year. So for now there’s time. Of course, time isn’t the issue. I fully understand what you mean about creating a scandal.”
“If you know that, why would you go on there? You don’t need to gather buzz to blow up, or are you in a rush to date? Did you earn a lot of money?”
“Was being an actor a job where you could only shine before dating?”
Rather than getting angry, at the words poured out as if the sudden proposal was absurd and ridiculous, Jiseo calmly responded.
It had to be sudden. It was the same as dropping a bomb statement without showing any warning signs.
Probably even his manager, who spent the most time with him, wouldn’t have thought he’d show interest in this direction.
Even Jiseo himself, if it weren’t for Yeongwon’s proposal, wouldn’t have accepted even if the production company sent an earnest casting offer directly.
First of all, since the conversation itself was flowing playfully, it wasn’t an atmosphere of firmly rejecting Jiseo’s proposal.
The agency CEO currently meeting him seemed to want to hear the reason why Jiseo was making such a proposal.
Jiseo explained step by step what had happened with Yeongwon without lies, while clearly stating his position, which was most important.
“So I have to keep the promise. Since I made this long before meeting you, CEO…… If there’s no change, I think I’ll have to get married in 10 years. By that time it’ll be an appropriate age too.”
“……”
“Until then, I’ll focus only on works. Without any dating rumors or marriage rumors at all. I think if I settle it down now, Yeongwon will keep flying higher.”
“You’re saying you’ll receive attention for that reason? Just appearing on this program alone will cause quite a lot of headaches, won’t it?”
