“…Yehyun-ssi?”
At the trembling voice, Yehyun’s eyes also wavered.
He looked at him as if surprised, then his expression changed to one that seemed to be thinking about what on earth was going on.
But soon, the corners of his mouth curled up long. The surprise and flustered feelings had already disappeared, replaced by a smile filled only with delight.
“Onyoung-ssi.”
The moment he heard that name, a subtle change came over Onyoung’s face as well.
“You remembered… my name.”
A faint smile hung at the end of his softly murmuring voice. Ha, he let out a short sigh and lowered his head to look at the floor.
It was a bright smile that would be caught on camera but wouldn’t be visible to Yehyun.
When he finally raised his head, Onyoung took one large step closer toward Yehyun. Finally close, he paused to catch his breath, then opened his mouth.
“We must really be fated. What do you think?”
At those words, Yehyun’s flustered face was shown in close-up, followed by the sound of Onyoung’s laughter as he broke into a cheeky smile.
Director Na, who had been watching the monitor intently, moved his lips toward the walkie-talkie.
“Cut! Both of you, your acting was very good!”
At that one word, Dohyeong and Yuchan’s faces relaxed in an instant. The appearance of them being immersed in Yehyun and Onyoung just moments ago had completely disappeared.
“What the hell, Kim Dohyeong’s acting has improved tremendously.”
“Of course, do you know how much I practiced? I can’t not be at least this good.”
At Dohyeong’s brazen appearance, Yuchan burst out laughing.
He’s gradually coming back. To the original Dohyeong that I knew. To that familiar appearance from back then, when he was so quintessentially Kim Dohyeong.
I wanted to press him about what kind of turning point there had been, but I decided to bury it in my heart.
There are moments when the saying that ignorance is bliss really hits home. It seemed like now was exactly that kind of moment.
If I found out why Dohyeong was coming back, it was obvious that I wouldn’t be able to keep my composure.
The reading retreat. I could see things gradually changing since then. If Haesung hadn’t been there, I could have run the hopeful circuit wondering if it was because of me.
‘…There must be Jeong Haesung’s influence too.’
It was obvious it would be hopeful torture, not a hopeful circuit.
So I just thought positively about it. That Kim Dohyeong had finally escaped the past and was slowly running on the track of reality.
When I turned around with a smile. I made eye contact with Haesung, who was staring intently at them from beside Director Na.
He had been watching both Dohyeong and Yuchan, then stood up from his seat with a thoroughly displeased expression.
It seemed like he was talking about something with Director Na, then I could see him turn around and walk toward the car.
“What the hell, why did he even come?”
Unlike Yuchan’s voice filled with dissatisfaction, Dohyeong unconsciously started approaching him.
“Huh? Dohyeong!”
Without paying attention to Yuchan’s call from behind, he moved with quick steps.
Then he firmly grabbed the area near Haesung’s arm as he was about to leave.
“Sunbae-nim.”
As if it was an unexpected situation, Haesung, who had stopped in his tracks, turned around with a somewhat surprised expression.
If someone saw it, they would think he was angry, but. Dohyeong knew. That Haesung was just surprised right now.
“…What is it?”
“Thank you.”
The words of gratitude that followed made Haesung’s palms tingle.
What is this feeling? It wasn’t even the first time he’d heard these words from Dohyeong, nor were they awkward words.
So why did this greeting make his palms tingle and make him feel like coughing for no reason?
“You came to cheer me on, didn’t you?”
“…I didn’t come to cheer on Kim Dohyeong-ssi.”
No, that’s a lie.
It’s also a flaw if you can’t be honest when you need to be.
Haesung, who hadn’t continued speaking for a moment, took a deep breath and removed his hand.
Just as he was about to say something, Dohyeong let out a word with a mischievous smile. It wasn’t strange that Haesung was flustered by the faint smile he wore.
“I didn’t say you came to cheer me on. I was just saying I’m grateful that you came to cheer.”
Haesung, who had been replaying those words for a moment, ended up bursting into laughter without realizing it.
He had forgotten. That Dohyeong, who was always dispirited and watching his mood, was actually someone who played pranks well and was very bright.
He was finally regaining his own self, but why did he look so different in my eyes?
“Work hard. I’ll be looking forward to the day we film together.”
“Yes. Please look forward to it. I won’t be the Kim Dohyeong of the past.”
And I suddenly realized. That I really liked this appearance of Dohyeong.
Although I couldn’t show it, and I ended up hurting him, trapped in self-centered thinking.
It was also me who made him live far removed from the original Kim Dohyeong.
Yes, there was a moment when I felt this appearance of Dohyeong was lovely.
Haesung smiled gently and lightly patted Dohyeong’s head out of habit. Only after the soft hair brushed against his palm did his mind snap back.
“…Because I said I wanted to become close.”
This is what a hasty excuse looks like.
Dohyeong was just as flustered. Surprised by his sudden action, he looked around, then smiled awkwardly.
“That’s right. Sunbae, you did this sometimes when you lived next door too. During high school.”
Is it the same feeling as back then? I decided to hide the questioning heart. I nodded with a faint smile.
“Then, go back. See you at the next filming.”
“Let’s do that. Good luck.”
With those words, Haesung turned around, and Dohyeong watched Haesung’s retreating figure for a long time.
His head was buzzing. The touch of that hand patting his head remained for quite a while, and Dohyeong couldn’t move from his spot.
***
A few days later, Dohyeong uploaded his photo to SNS for the first time in a while.
It was a selfie with Yuchan taken while waiting for filming.
★
Working hard today too
It was a post without a single tag, but the interest in it was tremendous.
Whether it was because of the recent scandal, or because he appeared unshaken by the pouring hypotheses. Countless people pressed like on Dohyeong’s post and left comments.
“…It came out well.”
Haesung too, was quietly looking at Dohyeong’s post during a break while filming.
As he was looking at the photo for a while, he felt someone sit beside him.
“Could you please look at stuff like that when you’re alone?”
It was Soyeon, who was working with Haesung today.
He shrugged his shoulders nonchalantly and put his phone in his pocket.
“Well, if you want.”
“Because Jeong Haesung-ssi keeps showing interest in Kim Dohyeong-ssi, everyone is flocking to him. They’re not even hyena cubs.”
Grumbling, Soyeon sat with her legs crossed. With both arms resting on the armrests, she looked far away, then turned her head to face Haesung.
“Why do you care about hyenas? If there’s other prey, they’ll go there.”
At Haesung’s still calm answer, Soyeon narrowed her eyes.
In the silence that had settled heavily, she opened her mouth with a faint smile as if it was interesting.
“Tell me honestly.”
“I’m always honest.”
“You still have lingering feelings for Kim Dohyeong-ssi, don’t you?”
The words and silence from just before were too contradictory.
He couldn’t bring himself to open his mouth. After thinking for a while, Haesung straightened his back and shook his head.
“I want to become close.”
“So you can support him even if Kim Dohyeong-ssi starts dating someone, is that it?”
Silence followed again.
Dohyeong dating someone else. Telling someone he loves them, pouring out love abundantly like he did with me. Smiling and being held in their arms.
He suddenly felt his insides twisting.
It wasn’t that I thought it absolutely couldn’t happen, but the thought that it shouldn’t be like that was intense.
“Or is it the feeling that Kim Dohyeong wouldn’t do that…”
Soyeon’s following words sounded quite sarcastic, but Haesung couldn’t counter.
Because those words were accurate.
He had been arrogant, thinking that at least Dohyeong wouldn’t do that.
I had never thought about or considered Dohyeong telling someone other than me that he loved them.
Why was that? Why was I so certain that the only person who could be love for Dohyeong was me?
As my insides started twisting, I became angry at Soyeon’s question, which was the cause of this phenomenon.
“I don’t know why you’re curious about that.”
When he snapped irritably, Soyeon smiled faintly and shrugged her shoulders.
“Because it’s fun.”
“Is it fun?”
“Of course. It’s so entertaining how Jeong Haesung-ssi can’t give an immediate answer whenever Kim Dohyeong-ssi’s story comes up. And you know what the most fun part is?”
Still wearing a smile, Soyeon moved closer to Haesung. Then she looked Haesung up and down as if she didn’t understand.
“Kim Dohyeong-ssi will think he achieved something thanks to you. But if you think about it the other way around, it’ll be really interesting.”
“……”
“In the end, it’s the fact that you were stable because Kim Dohyeong-ssi was by your side. Look at you even now, you’re anxious because Kim Dohyeong-ssi is trying to fly away. Isn’t that right?”
It felt like she’d hit the nail on the head.
He was about to counter saying that wasn’t it, but Soyeon thrust her phone screen in front of Haesung’s eyes.
Shining brightly with reflected light was a screenshot of a community post.
**According to insiders, Jeong Haesung is pathetic**
**Coffee truck + meal truck on first filming**
**Patted Kim Do’s head**
**Apparently he fucking glared the whole time his scene partner was filming**
**So fucking pathetic**
The comments weren’t visible, but just the content of the post was enough to make the area around his throat sting.
“Coffee truck and meal truck. Plus you even patted his head. This is spreading like wildfire right now. Did you see it?”
“I didn’t see it. Whatever you want to say, just get to the point.”
At Haesung’s reproach, Soyeon pouted. She put away her phone from in front of his eyes and shrugged her shoulders.
“Well, if it were up to my heart, I’d want to say stay away from Kim Dohyeong-ssi! As a fan, as a colleague, that’s how I feel.”
What was she trying to say? Still unable to shake off his doubt, he couldn’t take his eyes off Soyeon.
“But don’t we also have some loyalty between us? This is our second time acting as lovers.”
Hmm, exhaling a long breath as she thought, Soyeon tilted her head and looked back at Haesung. The corners of her mouth were curled up in a grin.
“I’m telling you to clearly decide your course. What will you do if you can’t get a grip with actions that won’t work out?”
“When did I ever lose my grip—”
“Wasn’t this happening more after you came back from watching Dohyeong-ssi and Yuchan-ssi’s filming that day? Already six NGs. A 20-minute personal meeting with the director.”
It seemed Soyeon really disliked me quite a bit.
I had never caused an NG while caught up in personal worries before. She’s right. Dohyeong’s brightly smiling face kept flickering before my eyes, so I couldn’t act properly.
It made me even imagine the impossible, wondering if it wouldn’t have been good if Yuchan’s role had been given to me.
Seeing Haesung, who had lost his words, Soyeon smiled faintly. Leaning her back against the chair, she grasped one knee with her clasped hands.
“What exactly do you want? Why don’t you reflect on yourself now, Jeong Haesung-ssi?”
At the words mixed with laughter, Haesung turned his head without saying anything.
What I want. A soundless sigh faintly leaked out from his lips as he quietly murmured to himself.
