âDonât leave behind any food.â
A lady, who was mixing the hot soup said as he scooped a bowl of rice.
âIt was a buffet yesterday.â
âAnd today, itâs like school food.â
Maru glanced at the younger actors who grumbled about the food before grabbing some mumallaengi[1] with the tongs. It seemed that yesterdayâs dinner was just special. Perhaps they were called as a special service to commemorate the shoot. He ate the sticky rice. This was fine. It wasnât like he was here to eat food after all.
After finishing breakfast, it was 7. Even though the schedule stated that the shoot would begin at 7, no one seemed to be in a hurry. The schedule was just a schedule after all.
âI donât think I apologized to you properly yesterday.â
He heard a voice when he was inserting some coins into the coffee vending machine. He grabbed the cup and turned around. Uljin was standing there with an awkward expression.
âWould you like some coffee?â
âUh, yeah.â
He gave him the coffee before buying another one. He gave some bills to the younger actors before moving locations with Uljin.
âI must have not been right in my mind yesterday. I thought about apologizing to you properly after the shoot, butâŠ.â
âItâs fine. Itâs not like Iâm injured. Donât mind it.â
âSorry.â
âI said you donât need to apologize.â
Uljin seemed to have something more to say, but Maru just left after saying words of encouragement. There was neither a reason for him to stay close to him nor one to stay far away from him. Not liking someone was different from working with that person. Uljin was a business associate that he may have to meet several times in the future. Just because he didnât like the guy didnât mean that he should oppose the guy on every single thing. It was better to maintain a relationship of just âacquaintancesâ. Of course, he still wished for Uljin to stumble on a rock and fall down one day in his mind.
âUhm, I said Iâm really sorry.â
Uljin grabbed Maruâs shoulder. Maru looked down at his hand. Thanks to Uljin shaking his body, he spilled the coffee. The coffee was on the back of his hand and it was quite hot.
âAre you okay?â
Maru shook off his hand. Fortunately, he didnât seem to get a burn. Uljinâs attitude ticked him off more than the spilled coffee. He could feel desperation from his apology. It was as though something big would happen if he did not get forgiveness from Maru. Uljin pushed the apology onto him. His eyes looked desperate. Just what was pushing this young fellowâs back so much?
Just as he was about to ask something to probe his heart, someone interfered.
âUljin.â
âYes, Giwoo.â
âWhat are you doing?â
âNo, the thing is-.â
âFrom afar, it seemed like you were forcefully holding him back. Do you have an ill will against him or something?â
âNo! This time it was just a mistake. Maru, isnât that right?â
Maru nodded for now.
âItâs your second mistake already. Mr. Maru almost got hurt again. Are you okay, Mr. Maru? I saw you spill some coffee on your hands.â
âItâs nothing major, so donât worry about it.â
Maru drank the cooled coffee in one gulp.
âUhm, Maru.â
âIâm really okay, and you donât have to apologize for yesterdayâs matters so donât worry about it. Is everything good now?â
âOkayâŠ.â Uljin replied awkwardly.
âIâm going then. Do your best too, Mr. Giwoo.â
He crumpled the paper cup and threw it in the trash before turning around. Just now, Uljin was glimpsing at Giwoo as he talked just now. Maru could see the gloominess of a subordinate standing in front of his superior. Perhaps the two werenât friends?
âHyung. They told us to get makeup.â
âComing,â Maru replied to the younger actor before turning around.
Giwoo was smiling back at him.
* * *
She took a deep breath and breathed back out. In front of her was a giant set. The entrance to the set, that was square like a storage vault, opened and the cars started driving in. She could hear the words âslow downâ, which were shouted.
âWhy do you look like youâre out of yourself?â
âThat startled me.â
She was startled by Yoo Jiseok who just popped up in front of her face and walked backwards.
âDamn, thatâs a reaction thatâs worth teasing.â
âPlease, greet people ordinarily.â
âI said hello from behind you and you didnât hear me. I crawled on the ground in front of you and you still didnât recognize me.â
Jiseok dusted his clothes as he smiled. She was flabbergasted. He crawled on asphalt just to prank her? He really wasnât normal.
âItâs my first sitcom! Iâm insanely excited.â
She made a powerless smile as she saw Jiseok hopping around everywhere. Jiseok also said that this was the first time he was doing a sitcom. He played the main characterâs friend who constantly visited his house. He was a minor role that had a lot of lines and appearances, almost to the point that he was practically a supporting role. If she was the one playing that role, she would have been staring at the script with nervousness right now, but Jiseok looked around the set like he was here on a tour and talked to the staff. There wasnât any nervousness around him.
âArenât you nervous?â
âI am nervous.â
He replied as though it was only natural. She chuckled.
âYouâre amazing.â
âWhat is?â
âYour mindlessness. You donât even know nervousness.â
âI said I am nervous.â
Just where was nervousness in his smiling face? Looking at the excited Jiseok, she felt that she could calm down a little.
âI really should learn from you a little.â
âI guess thereâs indeed a lot to learn from me.â
âGeez, you just wonât stop at anything huh. Are you always this talkative when youâre with Maru as well?â
âIâm a consistent guy. Iâm always ready to talk whenever and wherever. People say Iâm the type of guy whose mouth would float when I drown, and that was good. What a compliment is that?â
âThatâs not a compliment. Thatâs an insult.â
âTsk, tsk. You live a tight life. Even if I drown, if my mouth floats, I will get to live at least. Itâs a good ability, isnât it?â
âIâm even more surprised that youâre actually feeling that way. Youâve been like that since you were young, havenât you?â
âNo.â
âLies.â
âItâs true. I used to practically live in a hospital so I was really quiet. I didnât have any friends at school either, so it made me even quieter.â
The words he was saying with a smile were definitely words that shouldnât be said with a smile. She stared at Jiseok. She couldnât see a hint of joking from his face.
âWere you sickâŠ?â
âI was really sick. I had a hard time breathing! But who do you think I am? I soon got rid of my illness and got up.â
âAnd youâre all okay now?â
â...Well, Iâm definitely a lot better than before.â
Jiseok spun around on the spot and shouted âtada!â. Peopleâs hearts couldnât be read from the surface, and it seemed that Jiseok was hiding pain under his smiles.
âWhat is up with those bitter eyes? Are you pitying me? Then I guess I should say this again. If you want to pity me, give me money instead.â
Saying that, Jiseok put out his hand. She chuckled before taking out a 100 won coin from her pocket and putting it in his hand.
âI guess itâs good that such a wordless guy became so talkative then.â
âIt is a good thing. Itâs because there was a time I stayed in bed that I can do this now.â
âHow optimistic. It looks good on you.â
âOf course. Since weâre saying this, why donât you introduce me to a pretty girlfriend whoâs also optimistic?â
âShould I really introduce one?â
âOh, who is it?â
âYoojin.â
âYouâre my enemy starting now. Donât talk to me.â
âI thought you wanted me to introduce you to a pretty girl.â
âI said donât talk to me.â
Jiseok then stomped his way into the set. Seeing that, she burst out laughing.
* * *
âMan, a loyal man.â
-What the heck is that?
âYour nickname from now on. Your girlfriend is doing very well. She looked a little nervous at first, but she looks okay now.â
-Thatâs good, thanks for caring about her.
âI donât dare disobey you, milord. Howâs it on your side?â
-Over here? Itâs been an hour since I started waiting under the sun.
âWatch out not to get sunburns. Remember to apply sunscreen.â
-I canât because Iâm a beggar.
âThen I guess you have no choice but to endure. Oh, and meet me next week. I heard you are starting a movie. This bro will help you out.â
-Alright, Iâll see what I can do. Good luck with the shoot.
âThanks.â
Jiseok hung up before looking next to him. He could see her who was watching the set being torn apart. Maru, who looked like he had no worries at all, asked him for a favor. It seemed that he really treated her as someone precious.
âHello.â
A greeting could be heard from the entrance. When he looked, he saw a woman coming in wearing a black dress.
âThere she is.â
Lee Miyoon. The veteran actress who was known to be quite scary, appeared. She walked as she received the greetings of the people around. Jiseok also bowed and greeted her when she passed by. She was the last person to play pranks on.
âOver there, you.â
Miyoon pointed a finger. Jiseok followed her finger and clenched his teeth when he saw her at that place.
âArenât you an actor?â
âAh, yes. I am.â
âYou are? Then why arenât you greeting me?â
âSorry, I was just looking around the set.â
âAha, really? Looks like the juniors treat the set as more important than the seniors, huh? Forget it, get going.â
Miyoon waved and walked away as she smiled with her wrinkly face. Jiseok approached her and whispered in a small voice.
âYou okay?â
âNo, I donât think I am. Iâve just been targeted, right?â
âNo way.â
âIâm not?â
âShe told you to go, so it should be fine?â
Jiseok spoke as he watched Miyoon walk to the waiting room. He was a little worried since she was known to have a dirty personality.
âAh, I donât know anymore. If she says something, I guess I will have to apologize again,â she spoke as she shook her head.
âSorry. I should have told you about it.â
âYou shouldnât be. I was the one who didnât see her coming. Oh, and also.â
She took two steps away from him.
âLetâs not stay together.â
âWhy?â
âBecause you might get caught up in this. People say sheâs a scary woman so letâs not stay together for the day.â
âHey, what do you consider me as?â
âI get it, so donât talk to me for a while, okay?â
âHey.â
Jiseok smiled bitterly as he saw her walk to the other side. She was just sighing in nervousness until moments ago, and now she was worried about him.
âPlease gather round! We need to check the clothing.â
The clothing team called for everyone. Jiseok walked up to her. She hinted to him to walk away, but Jiseok just smiled. Even if he received insults, how many insults would he receive? Ignoring a friend just because he was scared was something unacceptable for him. Moreover, Maru asked a favor as well. He had to be insulted together even if it was just out of a sense of duty.
âLetâs go,â Jiseok spoke as he pushed her, who had a powerless smile on her face.
* * *
âThe world sure has become better now, hasnât it?â
âSorry?â
Miyoon glared at the manager. This new manager, who had worked with her for a week now was in a worse state than the last manager. He always asked back whenever she said something, and always talked about something else when she was hinting him to suck up. The reason she still kept him around was becauseâŠ.
âCome over here.â
Miyoon saw her manager frown for an instant before he made a smile. Disgust flashed by on his face, but Miyoon did not mind. In fact, she felt better. Being able to do whatever she wanted to people who hated her gave her inexplicable pleasure. She couldnât be happier when she found people that did not submit to power. It meant that she could see the moment of such a personâs collapse into depravity.
Miyoon looked up at the manager who stood in front of her. He was tall and burly. Above all, though, he had a girly face. She raised her hand and tapped on his chest.
âManager Park, you did some chest exercise huh.â
âAh, yes.â
âWho are you trying to please with all that muscle? You have a girlfriend?â
âHahaâŠ.â
âHow cute.â
The way he acted was frustrating, but his looks were just to her liking. Just as she was about to extend her hand to his ass,
âUhm, maâam.â
âNo, no. Donât call me maâam, call me noona. Why donât you listen to my words?â
â...Yes, noona. Thereâs a call for you.â
The manager handed her her phone. Miyoon thought that even his flustered expression was cute before checking the name on the screen.
âLeave the room for now. And donât let anyone in.â
âYes.â
After the manager left, Miyoon received the call.
âOh, itâs rare for president Hong to give me a call like this. Whatâs up? Ah, yes. Really? Hoho, thatâs good for me too. You really know me too well, president Hong. Alright, okay. Phew, I was feeling bad just now, and your words made me feel better. Oh, itâs nothing. An ugly bitch didnât even greet me, thatâs all. Yes. Thatâs how kids are these days. They are so cocky. Yes, yes. Then see you after the shoot.â
Miyoon burst out in laughter as she hung up.
[1]Â Seasoned spicy dried radish strips.
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