# Chapter 34.
Around the time Doha was in the midst of his drama filming, news articles about actor Lee Jaei establishing his one-person agency were published. Doha—a rookie actor about to sign with Jaei’s new company, Jaei’s younger brother, his devoted fan, and his future lover—carefully read the articles in the car during his break.
At the end of the article, there was a brief mention of information about his next project. It seemed Jaei had agreed to appear in Hong Duyoung’s new work again. This was something he didn’t know beforehand, so he felt somewhat hurt. However, Doha didn’t get discouraged and immediately raised his chin brazenly. Because this Lee Doha was someone with an incredible secret that Hong Duyoung didn’t know.
“I kiss my hyung every day. Upset? If you’re upset, break up with him.”
After snorting defiantly, he opened his eyes wide and searched through acting audition cafes to find the audition announcement for Hong Duyoung’s new movie. He no longer had any pathetic thoughts of going to apartment 1002 and causing a scene. He planned to become an actor and face Hong Duyoung professionally as one career person to another, standing up to him with dignity.
He had imagined confronting him several times. He had planned everything he would do in front of him that day. He intended to openly act like Jaei’s young lover to thoroughly irritate him. He would cling to Jaei, be treated like a cute baby, receive kisses from Jaei in front of him deliberately, and mock him with the most obnoxious smirk to provoke him.
There probably wasn’t anyone in the world who had debuted as an actor for this kind of purpose. Doha prided himself on being the world’s first.
While planning this 18-year-old level of mischief-making and laughing hahaha, Doha suddenly remembered what had happened this morning and covered his small chin and lips with his large hand. As promised, he and Jaei were kissing every day like a homework assignment. Today’s kiss location was in front of the sink.
Jaei, who had become relatively free after finishing his current project, prepared breakfast for Doha, who was heading to the drama filming set. Doha embraced him from behind with his right arm, then turned Jaei’s chin with his left hand and gave him a short kiss. Then they stood still for a moment, looking into each other’s eyes.
Recalling that situation, his cheeks became round and red. Doha put down the phone where he had been checking the article and used a large hand mirror to check the state of his red circles. He got out of the car and obediently presented his face to the makeup artist.
At that time, Jaei was elegantly sitting cross-legged on the sofa, drinking tea and carefully checking the script Doha had received. If he could have his way, he would have gone directly to Doha’s filming location to monitor whether the actor was filming in a safe environment. He also wanted to greet the director and prepare food trucks for the actors and staff.
However, knowing that it could lead to jealousy toward Doha or devalue his worth, he suppressed his urge to meddle and stayed put.
Instead, he provided everything a company could offer, even though they hadn’t signed a contract yet. Although Doha was a complete rookie who had never shown his face on TV, Jaei provided him with a safe and spacious car, brand-name clothing purchased with his own money without sponsorship, capable stylists and makeup artists, and a kind and diligent manager. The manager periodically updated Jaei on Doha’s real-time situation.
The 8-part drama Doha was filming was pre-produced in the summer and scheduled to be aired in the fall. Since the filming period was short, they planned to sign with the agency after the drama aired. The idea was to verify Doha’s star quality first, then sign the contract and release the article stating “Lee Jaei has recruited rookie Ryu Doha.”
Of course, they had no intention of hiding the fact that the two had lived like real brothers, but keeping the above order was very important.
Jaei didn’t doubt Doha’s adaptability. He wasn’t particularly extroverted or the type who enjoyed mingling with many people, but he generally got along well with most types of people.
With his sociable personality, Doha had the power to make even uncomfortable atmospheres feel comfortable. He had a good impression, wasn’t shy with strangers, didn’t discriminate against people, had good manners, and spoke politely. This meant he wasn’t the type of person who strongly divided opinions. Even if someone tried to assert their territory, he was the kind of person who would chew it up and swallow it.
Of course, if the other person had malicious intent, Doha’s personality would have no effect. How did he end up encountering a crazy person like Hong Duyoung in his first work and experience such a tragedy? Now such a thing would never happen again. Jaei planned to actively step forward and protect Doha. He could protect him without a single hair being harmed. Really.
More than half of the script had been released. From the time he checked the script after episode 3, Jaei’s breathing began to become rough. The writer’s joy in meeting Doha was deeply felt in every page of the script. As an actor, Jaei fully understood the writer’s delight.
In a situation where young male actors with both beautiful looks and physique had almost become extinct recently, Doha was like a shooting star that had fallen into the romantic comedy world. Jaei also usually cited height as his own regrettable point. During his growth period, after losing Doha, he completely gave up on proper nutrition and adequate sleep, so he didn’t exceed his target height. Jaei, who had experienced a barren and desolate growth process thanks to someone, stood out in genre films that delicately portrayed human psychology rather than romance dramas, just as that person had intended.
On the contrary, Doha had a healthy and clear image, and his height and shoulders were as big as a refrigerator. Anyone could see that he had good chemistry with the opposite sex. Because of this, the romance content had increased much more than originally planned. At this point, it was difficult to even see him as a sub-character in a love triangle. The main male protagonist investigated the case with the female protagonist, and Doha found time to love the female protagonist who was busy solving the case. So, in terms of romance, Doha was the main protagonist.
In reality, Jaei’s colleagues often fell in love very easily while immersed in acting. Jaei, who had never fallen in love with a co-star, was a special case. Jaei, having experienced such an intense love in reality, suffered from a condition where everyone felt like Ryu Doha when he was acting. Everyone he had loved in dramas so far had been Ryu Doha.
“Who can I blame for this? I knew all this and still told him to act.”
After letting out a small sigh, Jaei found the writer’s number in his phone contacts and politely wrote a greeting. At the end of the long and affectionate message of support, he added the phrase [But actually, that child is my child. Since he’s still a minor, I would appreciate it if you could reduce the romance content!] but then deleted the entire last paragraph with excruciating pain of conscience.
A little while later, the manager sent Jaei a video shot for Doha’s self-produced content. Doha was having fun mingling with actors of similar age, regardless of gender, on the filming set. Jaei watched the video several times. He also paused the playback for a while and stared at Doha’s brightly smiling face.
“…”
He bowed his head and cried silently. It was still unbelievably and thrillingly happy to see Doha breathing, moving, and laughing joyfully. He thought that just being in a position to keep him safe was already everything complete. So maybe this was his part.
No matter what feelings the reborn Doha would have in the future or who he would come to love, it had nothing to do with the direction of his own heart. He loved him too much for jealousy to even intrude.
“But still, you’re mine.”
Jaei, who had been momentarily intoxicated by his own great love, instantly wiped away his tears and muttered with a crazed expression. Then, looking down at the screen with cold eyes, he quickly typed a message.
[Who is the person Doha loves most in the world?]
A reply arrived in less than 20 seconds.
[JaeiJaeiJaeiJaeiJaeiJaeiJaeiJaeiJaeiJaei]
The reply was also full of madness.
* * *
Jaei, who had a short rest period before starting his next project and was focusing on supporting Doha, developed tremors every time a new script for “Collapsed Auditorium” was released. Finally, while reading the script for the final episode, he collapsed with symptoms of acid reflux and gastritis due to excessive stress. At the place where Jaei had collapsed, the script with the kiss scene was lying around like a dying message.
Ugh, ugh, while vomiting, he recalled the past. Until now, Doha had watched his kiss scenes on TV with wide open eyes while drinking Americano. It was certain that Doha was a person with stronger organs and less sensitivity to stress than himself.
However, Jaei did his best not to let Doha see such weak aspects of himself. He also kept it a secret that he was secretly previewing the scripts. Like a swan struggling underwater, he only rolled around on the floor holding his stomach when he was alone, and he did his best to appear elegant and dignified in front of Doha.
A while later, after finishing the final filming and returning home, Doha immediately knelt down like a criminal in front of the entrance. Then, looking up at Jaei, he spoke briefly and firmly.
“Don’t watch the last episode, hyung.”
Jaei nodded with a smile. If Doha had said he regretted starting acting because of this, or if he had said he didn’t want to film that scene, Jaei would have scolded him as a senior. Fortunately, Doha wasn’t someone who lacked such responsibility toward his profession or courtesy toward his colleagues. Gently stroking Doha’s head, who had worked hard for the past month and a half, he said affectionately:
“Good job, Doha. I’m so proud and happy.”
Then Doha, looking a bit tearful, looked up at Jaei from below and blinked his large eyes sadly. Soon, he asked in a voice full of worry:
“Will we still kiss from now on?”
“…”
“You might not want to kiss me anymore. You might think I’ve lost some of my charm. The only things I have going for me are that it’s all first times for me, and that I’ve only liked you, one person, my whole life.”
