PAYBACK BOOK 1.

Chapter 11.

Han-Soo's second performance in front of the camera was the complete opposite of the first. He was pale and spoke haltingly, unable to form coherent sentences. Unlike me, who repeated the same routine without much thought, PD Song, after the performance ended, pulled the camera forward and stared at it for a while, as if checking what had been recorded. He quickly rewound, paused at a certain point, glanced at Han-Soo and me alternately, and checked the screen again. The others remained silent while waiting for him. Then, PD Song spoke after a long while, as if he were quite familiar with this situation.

 

"Do you know what role this is?"

 

He didn't specifically ask anyone. My manager and I both looked at Han-Soo. Han-Soo swallowed hard, nervous, and his face was pale and numb.

 

"...Yes, I understand."

 

"Just a few lines, really. It's a supporting role, almost like an extra, but the script is a bit long, and the character has symbolic content. And I myself didn't think, "Who will they cast to play this role?"

 

He mumbled something before closing the screen of his portable video camera and looking up.

 

"Actually, I'm really impressed with Lee Han-Soo because he's the most realistic actor."

 

Han-Soo's chest, which seemed to have stopped breathing, heaved violently, but no matter what, he had to stand in front of the camera. I thought that experience would help. Having calmed his panic, the manager, who had barely been able to breathe, asked PD Song in a strained voice.

 

"By the way...is there a problem?"

 

PD Song raised his hand to his forehead, frowning slightly.

 

"As I told Chairman Choi, this film is classified as an indie film! We stopped filming after only a few days, but we managed to raise investors in the next round. After several months, filming started again. Frankly, there was nothing guaranteed for the actors, and the filming location was cramped. Filming together would just be difficult and frustrating. We might even have to arrange our own food and accommodation."

 

He stopped talking before shifting his gaze from the manager to Han-Soo.

 

"With this kind of situation, are you still planning to perform?"

 

"…yes"

 

Han-Soo, speaking in a strained voice, shook his head vigorously before continuing. "Please, let me perform. I really want to perform." 

 

The director forced a wry smile at the trembling, anxious tone. "It wasn't as great as you thought, Mr Han-Soo. I actually feel guilty."

 

"No, PD Song!"

 

The manager, with tears welling up in his eyes, stood beside him and grabbed the PD's hand.

 

"How is that not great! You're the most famous and highly-rated producer at the television station. Whenever you film, the ratings always exceed twenty per cent."

 

"That's beyond the basics. PD Song’s films are bound to be excellent!

 

"Sigh, that was about dramas. Right now, when I look at actors I've worked with, they probably pretend they don't even know me," PD Song sighed before continuing in a rather dejected tone.

 

"During the filming of the drama, I still thought of myself as a great person. Everyone bowed down to me and treated me well, and I only received compliments about how fun the drama I directed was. But dramas and films have different details. I was arrogant because I was used to just adding humour and interesting elements to each episode, and then the next episode's ratings would be good. You know what I mean? I didn't know how difficult it was to fit so much into a short film. Even more so, I didn't know the film industry would be this difficult. What would I, who used to be just an office worker, know? That's why a few films flopped and ended up shooting this last one—all because of my arrogance."

 

The manager, frozen in place, uttered his final words in a trembling voice. "I also sold my house to make ends meet..."

 

PD Song just smiled before turning to face me.

"By the way, how did you find my script?"

 

"I got it from an acquaintance."

 

He covered his mouth and made a "him" sound before tilting his head as if he didn't understand.

 

"I only sent the script to investors a few months ago, and most of them were either rejected with good feedback or, without a doubt, thrown in the trash."

 

"Yes, that's why I'm very curious about who that acquaintance is. You're not comfortable talking about it, are you?"

 

When I replied "Yes," he said something strange.

 

"Actually, the role that Mr Han-Soo will be receiving is a newly submitted one. This revised version was released only recently, and I sent it to only one investor. Only one person. No, even if that person came to me in person and said they would invest."

 

He murmured, "But there are conditions, of course." 

 

I asked him after a moment of silence, as if he were thinking about the investors.

 

"May I ask who that investor is?" He glanced up before speaking nonchalantly.

 

"If you can keep it a secret, I'll tell you. I heard that the company doesn't know that the person invested their own money."

 

Dream? Just when I felt something was strange, I heard a familiar name.

 

"Director Yoon of Cream, that person is my investor."

 

...Huh? Director Yoon and that lunatic are connected again, and their closeness is hard to ignore. Those two... before I dig deeper into more things that are bothering me...

 

I initially heard the PD (Program Manager) sound first.

 

"Then, Mr Han-Soo, we'll start filming next week. And then..."

He turned to look at me and continued speaking. "Lee Taemin also took photos with them around that time."

 

"What did you say?"

 

"Why? Don't you want to film a movie where you might not even get paid?" I looked at him for a moment in response before slowly opening my mouth to speak.

 

"Does that mean you want me to perform too?"

 

He nodded in agreement, then pointed at the video camera and joked.

 

"Because you're very photogenic."

 

The manager sitting next to me gave another thumbs-up and shouted.

 

"It's a hundred times better than the real thing!"

 

"That's always the most irritating compliment I've ever heard," I suddenly thought to myself before PD Song continued with a smile.

 

"Actually, there's a role that would suit Lee Taemin very well. It's a newly added supporting role, an office worker who is one of the main actor's friends."

 

"Although this passage may seem very bland, it overlaps inexplicably with you, Lee Taemin. After listening to you read it just now, I'm certain."

 

I glanced down at the script in my hand, wondering if they were really going to cast me. Just then, PD Song briefly explained the role to me.

 

"It's the role of someone who completes their work perfectly, just like any other job, and then commits suicide."

 

I barely slept at all. The role I got was one I had just auditioned for, and in the script, I only had to speak a few lines with the lead actor. Even though it was a role, even though my screen time was shorter than Han-Soo's, I couldn't take my eyes off that short scene. It wasn't because I was excited about my first official chance to stand in front of the camera, but strangely, the lines I'd read with a bored tone wouldn't leave my mind.

 

If today, being the weekend, didn't involve any part-time work or events my manager mentioned, I might read it over and over again. I have that passage in my head already, but I was still reading the script right before heading to the company. When I went into the small meeting room I frequented, I saw the manager waiting to greet me on the phone.

 

"Wait a minute! What's going on?! I said, " Actors! Actors! You know the agency is Dream, but you still ordered them to do this job? Even if they're not hosts. At least he should stand on stage and humiliate Da, shouldn't he?!... What? Just do it because there's no time to find a replacement?!" 

 

Why does he look so angry? I think he's going to be on the phone for a long time, so I came out into the hallway again, and the reason why the manager was so angry could be heard through the closed door.

 

"But they want me to be a mascot and stand next to the MC on stage?! A mascot like this! And they're telling me to wave cutely too!" I thought to myself as I walked towards the vending machine in the central lobby. Is the manager upset about the mascot job, or about having to wave cutely? I don't know. Why did I have a hunch it was more likely the latter? 

 

Suddenly, I found an unexpected person in the lobby, a kind-faced man who hadn't been to class in a while, ordering a drink from a vending machine, already holding three other cans in his arms.

 

Thump

A can fell into the drink dispenser. The kind-looking man bent down to pick it up, and when he noticed me, he froze in that position. He thought I was a ghost. Or what? After all the sarcasm, I suddenly realised I used the boxing excuse to beat him up badly. Well, I guess I should be a little surprised.

 

"How are you, Taemin?"

 

I replied, "Okay," and nodded towards the vending machine, directed at him as he stood in front of it.

 

"Would you like to buy more?"

 

"Ah, no, you can use it."

 

As he stepped back, I walked over and dropped coins from my pocket one by one.

 

Click, click, click...

After I had inserted all the coins, I heard a voice from behind me, as if they had been waiting.

 

"I'll start filming the drama next month."

 

If he had spoken in a boastful tone, I would have ignored him. But his voice sounded strangely subdued, so I replied, "Really?" Then, after pressing one of the menu buttons, one of the buttons lit up red, and a can fell out with a "thump!" I bent down and reached into the dispenser. 

 

Suddenly, he called out to me, seemingly hesitant. After grabbing the can and turning around, I heard an unexpected remark.

 

"I really don't know."

 

"What is it about?"

 

"The matter of Hyungseok intentionally bullying you on someone's orders."

 

I don't care if he was telling the truth or not; I don't understand why he would say that to me.

 

"I don't care whether you know it or not."

 

When I spoke up in annoyance, he explained with a forced smile.

 

"Uh... I just wanted to let you know. Because it's difficult for me to act this familiar when Youngseok is around." After saying that, he waved his hand and turned around, but then seemed to remember something and turned back again.

 

"Oh, even though you'll see us in class, Youngseok probably won't bully you for a while. I heard that Hyung Yoohan is going crazy and ordering him to get rid of him. Someone else is around, so he probably isn't interested in you anymore."

 

He probably should have said it was good news, but it's not for me at all.

 

"Who does Song Yoo-han intend to eliminate?"

 

"Uh, well..."He glanced around for a moment, then took another step closer to me and lowered his voice.

 

"Song Yoohan is eyeing our company's Director Yoon. He said that recently, someone approached Director Yoon, and they seemed to become very close. I heard that if there's even the slightest hint of provocation, Director Yoon will cut him off completely and even order the script removed. I don't know who he is, but he seems like a really remarkable man."

 

"Is it a man?" I asked back, surprised, before he nodded and whispered.

 

"Yeah, even his name is awesome. 'Two Hundred Won'..." 

 

Damn it, you're crazy. There's only one thing swirling in my head: this damn idiot. This ingrained belief is truly terrifying. The surnames Yoon and Han. The conclusion. Those two couldn't possibly be the same person because their surnames are so closely matched, like thick concrete. But even the strongest wall can crumble like a pile of rubble. There's only one conclusion: he's lying.

 

This is what I thought was contradictory. The truth is, Director Yoon made me so angry that my whole body felt hot and flushed, without me even realising it. It had been a long time, so I hadn't been listening to what the kind-looking man was saying until he called my name a couple of times, and only then did I realise the situation.

 

"Mr Lee Taemin"

 

When I looked up, I saw him staring at me with amazement.

 

"This is the first time I've seen someone not laugh after hearing that name. Isn't 'two hundred won' a bad price?"

 

"It's not funny."

 

"..."

 

The kind-faced man stood stiffly, his mouth slightly agape. I didn't pay attention to him because I was trying to calm myself down. In truth, I wanted to lunge forward, punch that lunatic, and vent my anger. I was angry that he had deceived me, but even so, there was a very low possibility that it wasn't true, so I needed to check first. I tightened my grip on the can while I asked...

 

"How did Song Yoohan  know that someone was close to Director Yoon?"

 

I changed the subject before he could shrug lightly.

 

"I don't know. I only heard rumours that he saw Director Yoon kissing a man right in front of him. So he spent a lot of money investigating until he found out which club it was. Director Yoon goes there often... uh, I know where it is. Do you remember the club we used to go to?"

 

"...Alice's Labyrinth"

 

"Yes, that's it. It seems like Song Yoohan heard about it from there or something. Alice's Labyrinth is famous for its security."

 

"He's very strict, but how did he know? Hmm."

 

He was speaking when he suddenly stopped, and then looked at me with a surprised expression.

 

"Come to think of it, I heard from Hyungseok that Taemin works at Alice's Maze..." I stared at him as his voice trailed off without responding. He remained silent, as if waiting for my reaction, before asking bluntly, with a hint of curiosity, "Do you happen to know someone named 'Two Hundred Won'?"

 

"No."

 

I answered briefly and added emphatically, 

 

"Yes, I will."

 

"I don't know anyone named Two Hundred Won."

 

Then he nodded. Director Yoon is such a cautious person, huh? Yes, judging by how he tricked me, he really is cautious. No, wait, I'm the fool. If I have to watch that guy... I'd rather be a fool. I gritted my teeth, gripping the cold can tightly again, then the other person checked the time before frowning.

 

"Ah, I'll excuse myself now."

 

He hurriedly told me, then clutched the several cans to his chest and turned to smile at me.

 

"When we're alone together, can we talk like this sometimes?"

 

"Why?"

 

He turned around, then stopped, his face expressionless. Soon, as if realising it was a question I'd blurted out without thinking, he gave a small smile.

 

"I guess... I happen to have a connection with Lee Taemin."

 

In that case, I appreciate it. Even though we're not close, it would be convenient to have a source who could provide information on Myungshin's situation. Even so, I wanted to make it clear. Strangely, I felt like I needed to remind him gently, so I deliberately pushed aside the feeling that I might get involved in Hansu's affairs.

 

"If he finds out later that you were talking to me, you might be in trouble. And seeing this, I absolutely hate Song Yoohan. Therefore, there's bound to be some animosity. I think he probably understands what I'm trying to say, but seeing him still smiling, I thought it probably wasn't true."

 

What a mess, like a wildfire spreading. He probably thought that even if I, a newcomer to the industry, were to have a falling out with Myungshin, it wouldn't become a big deal.

 

"If I find myself in a more difficult situation, I'll find a way to distance myself. Uh, for now, I might even pretend not to know you, which might upset you, Taemin," I stopped him as he was about to say goodbye and walk away again.

 

"Is it worth doing?"

 

When I heard the question, "What are you talking about?", I looked down at the can he was hugging.

 

"Your situation now, having changed your mind after four years and getting involved with a man..."

 

"Hey, Mr Taemin, if you're going to laugh at me, since you've had a difficult time making this decision, I don't want you to change your mind," he frowned, as if it were an unexpected word of encouragement.

 

"Why would you say that?"

 

"If you encounter any problems in the future and need my help, your intention must remain the same," he said. He asked, "Problems?" I replied vaguely, "Just general things." He continued to look at me with a strange expression, but my gaze was clear. He's entangled with Song Myungshin and trying to rise to the top with a male sponsor who's hard to accept. However, in reality, Song Myungshin would never let him succeed. Why would he let someone who's stealing his business opportunity get away with it?

 

In the past, Song Myungshin once destroyed the president of his former agency simply because he was in a bad mood. As time goes on, he seems to be becoming even more ruthless. And as they say..."Helping would undoubtedly be just empty words," 

 

Donnie still couldn't bring himself to say it directly, thinking he'd need it when Song Myungshin was heavily targeting him. But he responded with a small smile, as if the words were just casual conversation.

 

"Yes, I came into this path with great pain and suffering. No matter what problems arise, I won't back down. So please help me in the future."

 

He disappeared down the hallway with hurried footsteps, as if he were late. I turned and headed towards the manager's office. 

 

(Temperature...)

The room became sweltering again. Damn it, you lunatic! I'll catch him red-handed, and then I'll make sure he can't lie anymore.

 

My mind was racing with thoughts of that crazy guy while I was at the huge shopping centre on my way to work as a mascot. No matter how hard I tried to calm myself down, I couldn't let my anger boil over, veins bulging on the steering wheel. Luckily, the manager was too excited to talk to me, busy on the phone with the film company, PD Song, and arranging Han-Soo's filming schedule. He looked like he wanted to say something, but kept replying with "Yes, yes" intermittently until we were almost at our destination. Then I overheard something that made my ears perk up from the phone call he was having with someone in the company.

 

"Wahahaha! Amazingly, I've only been in the entertainment industry for less than a month, and I'm already getting a movie audition! Hahaha! Well, it's nothing special, really. Nothing much."

 

"Even though the director couldn't stop praising Taemin's performance after seeing it, anyone with acting talent could do that, right? The head of the group knows very well that for a talented kid, getting a role in just one month is a piece of cake. Wahahaha!"

 

Of course, I wasn't listening to the manager bragging about me to the crybaby boss, Park. I wanted to cover my ears to the manager's nonsensical ramblings, which repeatedly emphasised how I'm a god at acting. He even showed it while pondering whether I should snatch the phone if he kept hearing the word "god". The manager, who had been listening to the other person for a while, then asked.

 

"So, you're renewing the contract again, right? This time it's not just one month, but longer, isn't it? Because he's proven himself to be a god of acting since joining. I've been here for a month, or at least a year or more... Do I need approval from Director Yoon first?"

 

I instinctively turned around quickly when I heard Director Yoon's name, and then the manager, who sounded startled, glanced at me.

 

"Ah, Director Yoon, you're scrutinising all the recruits' contracts so thoroughly... No, it's not that I'm unsure, it's just a little strange... What? Okay, I might have to do a performance test in front of Director Yoon, huh?"

 

The manager, who was shouting, thought of me and tried to laugh.

 

"We should be happy that Director...Director Yoon is interested, right? Haha!"

 

Just the mention of Director Yoon's name made the manager's face turn pale. I could vaguely sense his level of authority within the company, but all I could think was, "Damn it, you lunatic!" 

 

I was getting angry again when the manager turned away and whispered something to someone else, as if deliberately trying to prevent me from hearing.

 

"I wonder if Director Yoon has any plans for an extended work trip... Did Chief Park cry because he said he'll only be staying in Korea from now on? Haha! I know you're joking about crying. Yes, I know that even if you have to work late into the night in the production department tonight, you won't cry. You're not the only one who cries because you miss your beautiful, newlywed wife, are you? Chief Park is such a man!"

 

He praised Chief Park as if to indicate where he'd gotten his skill at boasting about his god-like abilities, and the other man seemed to be in a better mood, so he let out a sarcastic laugh. With a casual remark, he asked, "Um, if Director Yoon happens to have a favourite liquor, please let me know... Is this a bribe? Ah, absolutely not! I'm just a liquor connoisseur here. I wanted to gather some examples of what kind of liquor executives prefer..."

 

He glanced at me again before raising his voice again.

 

"One thing's for sure, my Taemin is a god of acting. Renewing his contract should be a piece of cake, right? Um...by the way, Director Yoon, what cut of meat do you like?"

 

Upon arriving at their destination, the manager, who had been persistently asking even about Director Yoon's preferred sock colour, seemed to get something out of the way finally.

 

Bang!

After closing the car door and following me through the parking lot, he kept tilting his head, as if he didn't quite understand something that had been bothering him for a long time. I finally got the answer, and in the meantime, he led me to a familiar reception room. He seemed to have been there before, as I met the event organiser and received the mascot costume I wanted. I was urged to quickly change clothes and enter a room that looked like a warehouse, and the manager who followed me apologised first.

 

"I'm sorry to give you this job. Once the filming schedule is set, you don't really need to accept this role, but it can't be cancelled..."

 

"I'm fine."

 

As he placed the dark-furred mascot costume aside and removed his outer jacket, he heard a worried tone in his voice.

 

"No, it's not as easy as you think. At first glance, you might think that just putting on a mascot costume and standing around is enough, but it was so heavy I couldn't breathe, I was sweating profusely, and it smelled musty because I hadn't had a seizure. People walking by would occasionally come over, and the kids would rush in."

 

"Is this the only way you want to wear it?"

 

"You know everything, don't you?"

 

I glanced at him, his eyes blinking in surprise as if he had done this job before. Then his eyes widened even more.

 

"Huh? Have you ever worked a part-time job wearing a mascot costume? Hey, is there anything you haven't done? Are you really that dedicated to earning money? Haha, anyone who saw this would think I borrowed money from an illegal lender."

 

"I used to borrow money from informal lenders."

 

"...Really?"

 

His expression suddenly became serious as he asked me softly.

 

"The thing is, you haven't paid off your debt yet..."

 

"I have repaid all my debts."

 

He sighed with relief.

 

"Sigh... How lucky you are. But even if you did have debt, I couldn't help you pay it back. Because if you had debt, you wouldn't be able to work diligently." He smiled bitterly before asking in a suddenly trembling voice. "So... you've lost your home, haven't you?"

 

Seeing the tears in his eyes, I was sure I shouldn't brag about having a house in front of him, even if I were joking. So I reassured him that I didn't have one to begin with. He was already home before he mentioned his conversation with Chief Park, to change the subject.

 

"Did Chief Park say anything strange about Director Yoon?"

 

"Hmm, uh, about that..."

 

He tilted his head again, just like when he got out of the car. What did he hear to make him act like that? I asked him with my eyes as I took off my shirt and unbuckled my belt.

 

"Recently, Director Yoon said he was looking for something and had drawn some strange patterns on a piece of paper. He said he'd seen something similar a few years ago. But I had a vague feeling that I might know it. When I looked it up and found out it was related to India, I was happy."

 

India, huh? I took off my pants and hung them on the chair before bending over to grab the mascot costume and crouching down, all while the manager's voice still rang out behind me.

 

"But it seems like Director Yoon saw that pattern and cursed, I heard him say 'Ziba!'... so I didn't ask for details because he might not like it. But if it's something he likes, I thought I'd give him an Indian elephant statue... Hey, sir!"

 

With one leg tucked into the mascot costume, I turned my head towards the sound of the manager's sudden, loud call. He pointed his finger at me, his eyes wide with astonishment. As I straightened up, wondering why he was acting that way, he grabbed my shoulders and turned me around.

 

"Tae...Taemin-ah! Y-you...you have a tattoo too?"

 

A tattoo? Ah... at that moment, I thought of a part of my body I had completely forgotten about—a long tattoo below my waist, around my hips. If I wore pants, you could only see it was fleeting, so no one noticed unless I took off all my clothes. If you ask why I got a tattoo in this location, there's no complicated reason. Back when I rode motorcycles with my gang of young riders, there were always girls joining the group. Before getting a tattoo, I overheard some women talking about tattoos. I noticed that a tattoo below the waist is easily visible when wearing pants and checking their CDs.

 

After hearing that, I decided to get a tattoo that was quite popular. But then I thought about it later, the people who say it's sexy are women, specifically when women get tattoos. That position was supposed to look sexy, but in the end, I was the only one who looked like an idiot. What's even funnier is the tattoo I got to make it look good: in the centre is an eye in a straight line, with strange characters extending downward. It means 'God of Destruction,' but nobody knows it. Of course, even the manager doesn't know it.

 

"Agh! A tattoo?! What is this?!"

 

"The god of destruction."

 

"...I didn't ask about that."

 

The stern-faced manager immediately tossed his hair aside.

 

"Again! That tattoo! Can it be removed with a laser? No, I heard it's ridiculously expensive. For now, we will cover it up with a bandage while filming..."

 

I left the worried manager alone and started putting on the mascot suit again. The moment the suit reached my shoulders, I could feel the weight that made movement difficult and the familiar bulky feeling. I'll probably be drenched in sweat in a few hours. Putting on the large mascot head reminded me of when I used to wear a mascot costume and hand out flyers.

 

When I wear a mascot costume and hand out flyers, more people take them than when I stand there handing them out normally. Maybe the apprehension disappears because they trust in my cute face. Okay, so you trust me...? Suddenly, something flashed through my mind. Ah, that's right! There's no need to gather evidence. I can go and confirm it myself.

 

"manager"

 

I called over the manager, who was still concerned about the tattoo, and asked about what I had overheard earlier.

 

"Does the company have a dedicated production department?"

 

"Ah, um, Dream is also working on the production side. Their production office is nearby at xx. But the security is very strict. I've been to see the team before. The production team came first, but they couldn't even get through the front door."

 

Then the manager started complaining about the security there, but that wasn't my concern at all. I was only thinking about one thing: that damn bastard. He probably said he'll be working there late tonight.

 

The most energy-intensive part of wearing a mascot suit is constantly moving your body, because if you stand still, people will just see you as a big doll and stare with a strange look in their eyes, as if to say, "What kind of creature is that?"

 

Even though it was funny having to move around so much to get good shots, I didn't think acting cute and silly on stage for a few hours was that hard. My head was full of crazy thoughts. After finishing work that took longer than expected and getting off stage, I saw my manager talking to the event organiser. As I walked up, I saw that the manager was angrier than willing to tell me what they were discussing.

 

"No! We're already so late, what are we going to do? My Taemin's schedule is completely full!"

 

My schedule after this only consists of going home. The unsuspecting event organiser looked at the sky as the sun had set and linked arms with the manager as if to say...excuse me

 

"I apologise, but the singer who was supposed to arrive in the middle of the event was two hours late. There wasn't much we could do."

 

"Huh? A singer with only two songs? I don't even know their name. Isn't that right? He's not even famous, but being that late feels like a complete waste of time. Moreover, I'll even give him extra money as an apology."

 

"Okay, Chairman Choi, so please stay calm..."

 

"You don't need to add any more money."

When I interrupted, both of them exclaimed 

 

"Huh?" and turned to look at me simultaneously. I took off the smelly mascot head and pleaded with the event organisers.

 

"Could I borrow your mascot costumes for a couple of hours instead?" the manager suddenly asked, even more surprised than the event organiser.

 

"Hmm, why does it have to be a mascot costume?"

 

"I wanted to surprise someone."

 

"Who is it?"

 

"You crazy bastard."

 

Everything seemed to be going smoothly, as the production office, as the manager mentioned, was not far from where I work as a mascot. The luggage I needed, carrying the mascot costume, and taking it off, was so much work that we needed a car. Luckily, it was nearby, so we could walk there in the costumes.

 

Probably because one hand was holding a balloon I got from an event, everyone on the street was staring at me. If I could discipline those kids for the occasional begging for balloons, I would arrive at my destination without any problems. There was also the bakery I wanted right in front of the office. I went into the shop, which was still open, and immediately told them what I wanted.

 

"I'd like a box of cake, please."

 

The employee, startled by the mascot's head, asked back, wide-eyed.

 

"Uh...cake? Is that a cake?"

 

"No, it's the cake box. I just need the box."

 

A box was brought from behind. Because the employee was still standing there daydreaming, I struck a pose and tapped the table repeatedly as if to intimidate them. But the image of the doll holding a balloon must have been funny, because the employee smiled and picked it up.

 

"You can have it."

 

After everything was ready, I carried the balloons and the cake box filled with rocks to the production office. Of course, I was stopped at the door. But I've already thought of an excuse to get through this smoothly.

 

"I'm delivering something to Chief Park. If I say, 'My dear darling,' he'll know." As I continued thinking about what to do upstairs, I quickly got through it. I took the elevator to the eighth floor, where the offices were located. Damn it. Let me hear what kind of excuse he's going to come up with. How shameless can you be? 

 

I struggled to suppress the anger surging within me before the elevator doors opened, only to find Chief Park waiting right in front of the door. His mouth lit up in a wide grin, and he asked in a high-pitched voice the moment he saw me.

 

"What did my sweetheart send, sir?"

 

I glanced around instead of answering him. 'Dream Production'

 

I saw a sign next to the glass door nearby; it said you needed a key card to get in. But it seemed like Chief Park, who had just come out, had left the door open. So I handed him the balloons and the box of rock cake, which made him overjoyed, before walking away. He stumbled, unexpectedly pulled by the weight of the cake box, and frantically flailed his hands in the air to catch the scattered balloons. I took advantage of his momentary distraction.

 

Be careful, it's easy to walk right in through that door. The office is deserted after work, so it shouldn't be hard to find him. But where exactly is he? I walked through the spacious office building, surveying the several meeting rooms, before stopping in front of a small conference room. Someone was looking at a laptop on a desk. Long and stacked with various documents, the moment I saw him, I pushed open the glass door without hesitation. Realising that a muffled voice might be coming from inside the mascot's head, I spoke clearly and distinctly.

 

"Director Yoon"

 

That crazy guy was probably engrossed in his work, so he replied while still staring at the screen.

 

"What's up?"

 

After a curt tone, he dragged the mouse back and forth while continuing to speak.

 

"Have you found the documents I ordered?"

 

I kindly apologised to him for mistakenly thinking I was an employee.

 

"No, I don't know what document Director Yoon ordered."

 

He gritted his teeth before adding,

 

"Ah, but if it's documents ordered by Director Hanjay, then I know," he said. Suddenly, his movements froze. He took off his sunglasses and slowly looked up, as if to see who I was.

 

"How did you get here...?"

 

Suddenly, he, who had been looking up listlessly, found his glasses suspended in mid-air.

 

"Why? Surprised that the idiot you were trying to trick has suddenly appeared right in front of you?"

 

I tried to lower my irritated voice, but his reaction was rather strange. He must have recognised me, yet there was something unexpected in his gaze. He looked at me, his gaze utterly stunned and unlike his usual self. I, already furious, felt surprised instead, wondering, 'Why is that?' Was he so shocked that I knew his true identity? Did he think I was an idiot? After a moment of anger, I heard him speak in a faint voice.

 

"...Damn, is that you?"

 

A few seconds of silence passed, as if time had stopped. I finally regained my composure, and a question arose in my mind: "Was that you? What were you talking about, you idiot?" 

 

He frowned, forgetting he was wearing a mascot mask. Although he recognised the voice as mine, he looked at me with a startled expression. What did this mean? Even worse, he was looking at a mascot head that wasn't my face. Then he slowly rose from his seat, giving me a terrifying glare. The chair was pushed back forcefully, and he, standing up, opened his mouth to speak while looking at me.

 

"Say that again."

 

He's angry about this, isn't he? Does he think that just because I ask him to say it again, he won't? I glared at him with an equally fierce look before raising my hand to my head. The mascot did this so he could see my face and say what he wanted more clearly, but he stopped me.

 

"It means to leave it like that and try saying it again."

 

I, about to take off my mascot head, stared at the other person. Even if I did that, I'd just be a cute doll striking a pose. But I, the subject of this story, didn't understand anything. Then I tilted my head to the side in a threatening gesture and did what he wanted.

 

"Are you afraid to see my face? If you want to hear it again, I'll oblige. Startled by my appearance, aren't you, 'Director Yoon'?" 

 

The voice I heard through the mascot's head boomed in my ears. I knew the other person heard it clearly; the evidence was their stiff, expressionless face. His stunned expression slowly changed, but it was a reaction I hadn't expected at all. His eyes were filled with a smile that anyone could see.

 

"Go on,"

 

Did they do that to avoid the harsh reality of their identity being exposed? I wondered about the unexpected reaction, narrowing my eyes. I observed him, but he continued rambling nonsense about things I didn't understand, all with his usual cheerful smile.

 

"I enjoy listening to your voice. Keep talking."

 

"Look for?"

 

When I replied, stunned, his eyes curved into crescent moons and a smile spread across his face.

 

"You know what? That thing called memory, you just need a little key to unlock it. At some point, it will gush out like a flood. Like the moment I saw you in that mascot outfit, I knew instantly that the 'voice' I was searching for was yours."

 

...What nonsense is this crazy guy spouting? He's clearly enjoying something and can't stop laughing.

 

"What do you call this? A miracle, right?"

 

"It's more accurate to call it insanity."

 

I said that and then asked to confirm, "Are you out of your mind?" Normally, he would have retorted with something much harsher, but instead, he was condescending. His lips curved into a playful smile.

 

"My mind is clearer than ever. How could I go crazy when I've finally found it?" He likes my voice in the mascot's head, doesn't he? I stared at him, speechless at his uncontrollable grin, before realising this wasn't the time to listen to him rambling about his voice. Upon realising this, I let his words go in one ear and out the other.

 

"If you like it that much, then I'll give it to you. You can wear it and babble on to yourself. Ah, maybe that would make me feel better about you messing with my head by pretending that you weren't Director Yoon."

 

Suddenly, he burst into laughter, as if he had just understood my purpose. I was in a better mood for a moment because of his reaction, then he replied. Without thinking too much about it.

 

"So what...?"

 

He put the glasses he was holding down on the table and blurted out something vulgar.

 

"No matter what, it's actually good for you, isn't it? No, it's a fantastic situation, isn't it? Because of Director Yoon, whom you wanted so much to get involved with. That's me, and... well..." He left with a final smile, a slight smirk playing on his lips.

 

"It was you who was thick-skinned before, and now you're blaming me? Even so, I treated you well. Yes, that's the attitude that's more like you." I suppressed the anger that was about to explode as I slowly removed the mascot head, the heat trapped within. The scent spreads throughout the body before the outside air makes it easier to breathe.

 

"So, you admit it, then, that you were playing mind games with me."

 

"yes"

 

"Did you have a lot of fun?"

 

I asked, returning his smile. He probably found my smile strange, so he replied with a slight narrowing of his eyes.

 

"I'm not bored or anything."

 

Hearing his answer, I stopped clenching my jaw, which I had been trying to keep tightly closed. Although I was furious and had come all the way here, I didn't intend to interrogate him. And yelling and screaming like a child, if I were to just lash out and lose my temper without thinking, I'd really be as thick-headed as they say. Isn't this the ultimate situation he said was so great? Even though I feel like cursing and punching him, I have a real purpose. I have things to say after wearing this heavy, hot mascot costume and exposing his true identity.

 

"If you had fun, then pay up..."

 

I swallowed the last curse word that was about to escape, and added coldly, "You're so high and mighty, even the cigarette you've unknowingly smoked is worth hundreds of won, aren't you? If you've been manipulating me for a whole month, you should know that you have to pay a high price."

 

"How much? And he even said he wasn't bored. And even though I've said this before, once you've paid, you can't get a refund."

 

Okay, what else is he going to babble about? I glared at him, ready to punch him if the answer I was about to hear was clear. I thought he would say, "I have nothing to give you," or even if he did, he'd probably just throw me two hundred won as he did with me. I clenched my fists before I heard his reply.

 

"Sure, I'll pay you."

 

"Huh?" he replied so simply that I wondered if I'd misheard, but then I heard his next words confirm it.

 

"Pay as you wish. You want my power for revenge, don't you? I'm happy to help you wholeheartedly, and I'll do everything you want as requested..."

 

".."

 

"What else do you want? Money, or the ultimate role that everyone dreams of? Just tell me, and I'll make you a star in no time."

 

I don't know why that smirk on those lips brought such an unsettling smile, and I was the one who was bewildered. He did agree to my request, but his response, that he would give me everything as if he had been waiting for it, was completely unexpected. It's only natural that I was speechless. The only thing I could think of was, "So what?"

 

"I don't want anything like that."

 

I was suspicious that he was testing me, so I retorted, but he just shrugged and listened calmly.

 

"If you change your mind next time, just let me know." Why would he say that? I was stunned again, but he hadn't finished speaking.

 

"And then we'll add a compensation so great that you can't even imagine it." 

 

Can't imagine it? I felt myself frowning, in contrast to him, who was smiling through his eyes as he continued to explain.

 

"Just wait and see, because I'm going to entertain you."

 

"..."

 

"Are you satisfied with this?"

 

"Isn't the compensation enough?" I knew he asked that, but it was such an unbelievable reaction that I didn't open my mouth to say anything. To be honest, I was initially suspicious about why he was suddenly being so kind. Then, he must have noticed my anxiety, so he stopped smiling and spoke in a harsh tone instead.

 

"This is the only time you'll get an offer like this, because I'm in a really good mood right now." A cheerful aura lingered in his voice, contrasting sharply with his increasingly cold expression. A part of my heart warned me not to step into that swamp. That's dangerous, but the only opportunity is, as that guy's deceptive talk suggests. I can't miss this chance to use him, Director Yoon, for my own good.

 

"Fine, if that's the compensation, I'll consider your manipulation of me as just being bitten by a dog, and I'll forget about it." 

 

Seeing him in such a good mood made him feel uneasy, so he deliberately compared him to a dog, but as usual, it had no effect. He was completely focused on that. They went with a compensation-only model, but also added some strange conditions.

 

"You have to accept it all. Accept all the compensation I'll give you without exception."

 

"Okay."

 

This guy... after I gave him a clear answer, one he'd been wanting so badly he was practically delirious, he finally nodded as if reassured and added something with a slight smile.

 

"Oh, and if you ever think about returning it, I'll kill you."