PAYBACK BOOK 1.

Chapter 9.

I felt like I had heard something I shouldn't have known. After hearing the boss's expectations, I became even more certain.

 

"If it's that 200 won thing, then I have high hopes that you can bring back the old Jay." 

 

What he's saying makes no sense. The fact that that crazy guy used to have a genuine smile is creepy enough. To think that I can bring him back...The fact that he's back makes things even more ridiculous. I closed the door to the boss's room before walking out with a furrowed brow. He's usually a strange person anyway, so I thought it was better to ignore it and push the matter aside. But I didn't feel any better. Then I remembered the business card in my hand. It said that the crazy guy was here, right? Suddenly, I felt like I didn't want to go, but I forced myself to turn and walk towards the stairs because I had business with that guy. Just then, someone called out to me from behind.

 

"Two hundred won, please come this way."

 

The club manager, with a robotic smile, gestured opposite the stairs. I turned halfway around and showed him my business card.

 

"He told me to go here today."

 

"I know, but the boss specifically asked me to change my uniform first," I glanced down at my clothes before asking him.

 

"Does this look like a uniform?"

 

"yes"

 

"...Let's go."

 

As I followed him into the room at the end of the hallway, I saw that it was filled with clothes, like a tailor's shop.

 

"These are the clothes provided for the employees working here."

 

The club manager explained, then turned back to me, as if to say, "Choose one." So, without even glancing at it, I picked up the nearest black suit. Just a moment later, the club manager's voice suddenly rang out.

 

"Should I choose for you?"

 

What are you talking about? Can't you see I've already made my choice?

 

"I'll wear this one."

 

I held the suit high in my hand. He didn't answer, and instead picked up another suit and held it out in front of me, as if he had chosen it beforehand.

 

"How about trying this one?"

 

I glanced at him, then at his suit, before asking.

 

"Or perhaps the boss has already chosen one for me?"

 

"yes"

 

"...Then let's try that one first."

 

I took the suit he handed me, and then suddenly something occurred to me, so I asked.

 

"By the way, why did you help me?"

 

"Because I was ordered to."

 

"I probably don't need a tie," I said, pulling off my fancy-looking tie before he could continue.

 

"Mr Two Hundred Won is a very entertaining person."

 

I held the suit I'd just taken off the hanger, my face flushed with disappointment at the first compliment I'd ever received.

 

"...Yes, even the name sounds entertaining, doesn't it?"

 

I was cursing the name "Two Hundred Won", which had become my real name, when a gentle voice followed.

 

"I like that you're straightforward."

 

When I asked him over the phone if that was really straightforward, he elaborated.

 

"You made it clear through your eyes that you don't like the Director, and at least you weren't being fake with him." I was about to retort that there was nothing admirable about that when he said something I'd heard for the third time that night.

 

"Of course, another reason is that you're someone the director cherishes so much that he brought you here."

 

For men, dressing well is simpler than for women; just wearing a well-cut suit that fits your body shape well is enough. In the past, the president of the lending company, who used to act so arrogantly, even took me to pick out a suit on my first day of work. Just wearing a well-fitting suit was enough to make my opponents afraid to ignore me. Because he paid attention to his clothing choices in a way that was unbecoming of someone in the lending business, I learned how to find clothes that fit well. Perhaps that's why. So I didn't feel awkward wearing a suit again after five years. And because I was well-dressed, I wasn't stopped at the entrance to what looked like a fancy bar. What was strange was what happened inside. Because when I told him the name of that crazy guy and asked him to take me to my room, he seemed not to understand what I was saying.

 

"Han Jay? There's no one with that name."

 

He tilted his head, but I wasn't giving up easily. I thought that if he hadn't told them beforehand, the staff might not have known. The fact that Alice's labyrinth boss sent me...Before coming here, he should have at least contacted us. Didn't he tell that lunatic or something?

 

"Have you not received any contact from Alice's maze?"

 

"Alice's Labyrinth... Are you from there?"

 

The polite and welcoming demeanour he used to show to customers vanished before a mocking smile played on his lips.

 

"You should have said that from the start. Hmm, but..."

 

He glanced at me from head to toe and murmured.

 

"More ordinary than the previous people who came here. Ah, I'm not saying you're not handsome, but usually there are a lot of people from Alice's Labyrinth who are significantly more handsome than you."

 

"It's definitely a celebrity event. I heard that some celebrities went there too."

 

He asked a question, but I was thinking about other things and didn't answer. If what the other person said was true, it means that someone from the maze had been there before. It's Alice's fault because of that lunatic, isn't it? Suddenly, I remembered what the boss said.

 

"Jay has a low tolerance for alcohol, just like his innocent name. It seems like they have drinking parties over there. Why don't you drink in his place?" What? Is he really that weak-willed? I followed the waiter inside, still incredulous. Although the hallways weren't particularly confusing, they were as winding as Alice's maze, but I had to navigate many twists and turns before reaching the innermost part. The waiter who guided me glanced at me periodically and chatted casually.

 

"I heard that a lot of celebrities went there, especially those from their agencies who gathered there. Cha Jung-woo is really that handsome!"

 

"Isn't that right?... If I met him in person, I'd probably feel like a foreigner, wouldn't I?"

 

I didn't reply, and he ignored me and continued the conversation. I wondered where we were going, and started to think it was strange, before he opened a door that looked like a warehouse tucked away in a corner.

 

"This is the waiting room. Please wait here until you are called." At this point, I realised I had to explain what was necessary, no matter how annoying it might be.

 

"I didn't..."

 

I didn't sign up for this, so please take me to the room where that lunatic lives. The words I was about to say were cut short by the noise of others from within the room.

 

"...Hmm, you saw it too, right? It looks even better than on TV. Why are they here? I overheard that someone high-ranking from Dream is here. Seems like, just someone who speaks loudly."

 

"Just one word can propel an ordinary person to instant debut as a lead actor in a drama."

 

"Really? Is he that influential?"

 

I heard the first person's voice responding to someone's question.

 

"Hmm, I heard that Director Yoon is the one who truly holds the power at Dream."

 

Director Yoon, huh?

 

"Do you have anything to say?"

 

I glanced at the waiter standing by the door before shaking my head at him.

 

"No, I'll wait here."

 

Finding out which room Director Yoon is in isn't difficult. Just tell a waiter, "Director Yoon of Dream would like to have his glass changed in his room," and then walk over.

 

Following the waiter who brought a new glass, I reached the far end of the narrow corridor. There were rooms on either side, each with a door larger than the others, much like a king flanked by courtiers on both sides. After confirming which room it was and seeing that the attendants had disappeared, I stopped in front of the door and reached for the doorknob, preparing to open it. Then, I hesitated and raised my hand instead.

 

Knock knock

My tense hand tapped the door softly before the tremors spread through my hand and into my body. I didn't think about what I would do next; I just wanted to see Director Yoon. That's all. My goal was to catch a glimpse of his face, even if only for a moment. When there was no response, I counted to five in my head and raised my hand to open the door, but before I could even touch the doorknob, a high-pitched voice asked.

 

"Who are you to enter that room?"

 

My hand froze in mid-air. I knew instantly who it was without turning around. It was Myungshin's voice, and he was right behind me.

 

"Hey, I asked who you are!"

 

Although the carpet absorbed the sound, I could clearly feel the approaching footsteps. That short moment felt like hours. I heard the pressure again, and my body stiffened like ice.

 

"Can't you understand what I'm saying?"

 

The owner of that voice walked closer, as if about to grab my shoulder and turn me to face them. Dozens of thoughts raced through my head as I slowly lowered my hand, but I still didn't have a suitable plan. Now wasn't the right time to meet Myungshin. I hesitated, unable to decide, before Myungshin's whispered voice, which I heard again, gave me the answer: "Hey, you're the one who wants to be a star, huh? I could tell when you knocked on the door. Damn it. Looks like you've got some information. But this isn't the place for you."

 

"Go in! Why aren't you getting out of here?"

 

I unconsciously pursed my lips. Hearing such words made my blood boil, so I turned around to give the other person the answer they wanted, but then I wondered whether I should reveal myself. But when I turned back only halfway...The door, which had gone unnoticed by a knock, opened, and a tall man stepped out, confronting me directly at a distance even closer than Myungsin's. I looked up. Looking at him, I froze again. H-How could this happen...?

 

The shock lingered on my tongue, leaving me speechless. All I could do was stare back at the other person. Why was this lunatic here? He stared at me with an emotionless face, unlike me, whose eyes welled up with shock. Then a moment of silence passed before I heard Myungshin's panicked voice.

 

"Hello. What a coincidence to meet you here!"

 

"Why did you only just take this house?"

 

The annoying voice interrupted Myungshin's words. I didn't understand who he was asking because while he was speaking, he turned towards Myungshin, but after he finished, he paused and looked down at me. The corner of his mouth curved slowly upward. Perhaps because we were so close, my gaze unconsciously drifted to that familiar smile. Then, what made me look up with difficulty was his soft, almost whispered voice.

 

"What reward will you give me for what I've been waiting for?"

 

Huh? I widened my eyes in shock before his strong hand grasped the back of my neck, and I felt the warmth of his body against me. Before I could even understand the situation, my last memory was taking a deep breath, only to regain my composure at the loud noise I heard right next to my ear.

 

Bang!

The door slammed shut behind me, and before I knew it, he had grabbed my waist and pulled me into the room. It took me a while for my body and mind, stiff as cement, to return to reality. Then, the first thing I did was tense my hands to exert force and push. The other person's shoulders held me tightly, but the crazy guy's body didn't let go easily as I'd hoped.

 

The arms wrapped around my waist tightened their hold, making the kiss even more suffocating and making it difficult to breathe, compounded by the fact that I was pushing them away. I couldn't get out of it, and the shock of knowing who I was kissing left me feeling incredibly stunned and unlike myself. So my mind was too busy thinking about Myungshin, wondering if he was still behind the door, or trying to figure out why that lunatic suddenly appeared from Director Yoon's office.

 

Embarrassment overwhelmed me, leaving me unable to think of anything but pulling my lips away immediately. Perhaps why, after finally pulling his lips away, I became completely intoxicated, forgetting entirely where he was.

 

"Damn it! Suddenly..."

 

"You're past the scheduled time. You should be leaving now, shouldn't you, Boss Kim?"

 

The hand that had been pushing his shoulder froze at the listless question that blurted out from his mouth. That question made me realise there were other people here, too. Yes. And this is the room where Director Yoon is. I swallowed the words I was about to blurt out to that lunatic and quickly rolled my eyes, which were frozen in place, to look. But there was no need to turn around and survey the room where the lunatic was hiding. Once the arms wrapped around my waist loosened and he took a step back, my view broadened.

 

Then, seeing the people I hadn't seen moments before, a fifty-year-old man and a young woman in her early twenties were frozen in place, their mouths agape in shock. The two men, whose eyes met, reacted instantly in opposite ways. The man stared in disbelief, while the woman's eyes showed undisguised irritation. Yet they both shared one thing in common: we were both stunned and speechless.

 

The reason I didn't say anything was because of them. Why were only these people in the room? After sweeping my gaze over the two of them, I surveyed the room. I fixed my gaze on the crazy guy standing in front of me. And where's Director Yoon? Why isn't there anyone who looks like Director Yoon in this room? My mind went blank; I couldn't think of an answer. Because of that, I did nothing but stare at the crazy guy who was gaping and speechless. The unperturbed man, standing alone, turned his entire body towards the two and spoke to the man he called Boss Kim in a cold tone, a stark contrast to his smiling face.

 

"Or do you have other business to attend to?"

 

"N-no, I don't have any other business..."

 

"I think I've talked enough with the niece you introduced me to."

 

So just get lost. His words had such a hidden meaning that even an outsider like me could understand them. And even more so, the word "niece" that that crazy guy mentioned...My gaze automatically shifted towards the young woman. She was wearing an outfit that clearly showed off her cleavage and a short skirt that, with just a slight movement, seemed to reveal glimpses of her underwear. Moreover, she was sitting so close to Boss Kim that their thighs were practically touching. Anyone seeing them would immediately think of nothing but a wealthy older man and his young girlfriend. If she were really his niece, Boss Kim would surely cherish his relative above all else.

 

"Ah, I would be very grateful if you could help. This child really wants to join Dream Academy, and in my eyes, she is incredibly talented, Director Yoon...."

 

"If 'Director Yoon' arrives, he should know immediately," that idiot emphasised the name 'Director Yoon' loudly, like thunder. But where is Director Yoon? I felt uneasy, like there was something I didn't know. And Boss Kim's reaction was quite strange. He said, "Huh?" with a confused expression. Inside, I was screaming that something was wrong with the other person's reaction, but that abnormal feeling subsided again as I shifted my attention to the next thing the lunatic said.

 

"After Director Yoon's individual interview at the company, the official evaluation results will be released. I hope you understand what I mean," said Boss Kim with a smile, nodding and saying, "Ah..."

 

"Haha, uh-huh, really? You must have been speaking indirectly, right? I understand what you mean. You mean I have to go for an interview at the company..."

 

"So, this is an official interview, then thank you very much. I believe Director Yoon will help ensure the interview goes smoothly."

 

Boss Kim, emphasising Director Yoon's name like a lunatic, grinned arrogantly before saying something softly to the young woman. I couldn't hear clearly, but it seemed like everything was settled.

 

"It looks like everything's settled. It seems like that girl is teaming up with Boss Kim to get into Dream Entertainment and is trying to make herself look good in the eyes of the really powerful Director Yoon. But isn't Director Yoon not in the room right now?"

 

I felt uneasy as I asked the same question again. It was an uncomfortable feeling, as if I were making a huge mistake. Director Yoon might leave.

 

"Leave the room first. That crazy guy who's close to him can stay here," he guessed. It wasn't surprising to come to such a conclusion, even though it was so simple. But that feeling still lingered. Just then, Boss Kim, rising from his seat, led the young woman to the front.

 

"I'll be hosting today. How about you stay and enjoy yourselves a little longer? I have to excuse myself now as I have an appointment, but you can stay and chat with my nephew."

 

[It says nephew, but I can't be sure of the correct word until the episode airs, so I will come back and amend it later] 

 

He mentioned this before glancing at me with a hazy, confused look, as if he had just remembered something.

 

"I'm sorry to ask such a question, and do you have a preference for men?"

 

"Is that even important?"

 

The crazy guy retorted, before continuing with a smile.

 

"There's probably nothing funnier than being questioned about tastes in this industry." Boss Kim muttered in a dazed tone, "Well, I see," before squinting and scanning me from head to toe. Judging from his gaze, it seemed like he was looking at me intently.

 

"As the host," he said, "Actually, I was a little shocked. You kissed a man in front of other people..."

 

"It was just a kiss, nothing big about it."

 

"It's not a big deal, is it, Im...? I'm genuinely curious, if kissing isn't a big deal, then what kind of relationship is it?" 

 

The idiot smirked, revealing his dimples, at the sarcastic tone in his question. Then he grabbed my arm and pulled me aside to introduce himself.

 

"If a kiss isn't a big deal, then it's pretty clear, isn't it? He's my nephew." The faces of the young woman and Boss Kim froze, like plaster statues. Perhaps it's because I don't interact with women much. While that crazy guy went out to see Boss Kim off, the woman and I were left alone in the room.

 

We sat on the sofa, ignoring each other in an awkward silence. I didn't care, nor did I pay attention to the woman, because my mind was preoccupied with thinking about what I had missed, and I was feeling increasingly anxious. Every time something strange happened, the obstacle of that crazy guy's last name popped up. His last name is Han. This is the only reason why he can't be Director Yoon. If everything falls into place like this, it makes sense, but I still feel uneasy. The solution is to verify Director Yoon's true identity in person with Da....

 

"How did you flirt?"

 

I glanced up from the table when I heard the haughty voice of a young woman sitting cross-legged with her arms folded, scrutinising my face with curious interest.

 

"He's handsome, I guess, but his looks aren't quite there yet, enough to make him fall for me. How am I supposed to flirt with him?" 

 

The turmoil hidden in that question reminded me of the first time I met her. She looked at me with a resentful gaze, didn't she? Not the kind of anger that showed when she saw two men kissing, but a kind of rival-looking frustration. When I stared back silently without saying anything, a sarcastic smile appeared on her face.

 

"What? Is it a trade secret? Seeing you called in like this, isn't it true that you also work in the entertainment industry and are trying to get her?"

 

"So you're a celebrity? If you're in the same situation, share your tips!"

 

"Do you want to know?"

 

She nodded several times before leaning forward.

 

"I'm really curious. Even though both men and women approach him, I've never heard him shake hands with anyone. So I'm wondering...What method did you use...?

 

"Spend money"

 

"...look for"

 

"It came with money."

 

The young woman paused, her mouth agape for a moment, before blinking to adjust her gaze.

 

"Huh...how did you manage to use up the money?"

 

I provided the answer to the other person, who stammered as if they still didn't understand.

 

"I just threw him two hundred won, and he was hooked," I said, and before I could finish, that lunatic burst into the room and confirmed what I'd said.

 

"Here, you have two hundred won."

 

I saw a look of stunned disbelief in the girl's eyes when she heard my name. I told you that guy just fell for it with 200 won. I also heard an unexpected question.

 

"How did you get here?"

 

"The boss told me to come."

 

"Why"

 

Instead of answering my question, I thought of the boss and felt indignant. He sent me here without telling that idiot a word? It's obvious. So, I guess the boss did it to try to bind the two of us together. If that's the case, then the excuse he gave...

 

"What did they say when they sent you here?"

 

"He said you can't drink alcohol, so he asked me to drink it for you." I don't know if he was stunned or if I just happened to say it correctly, but he just smiled and looked at me for a long time before asking.

 

"So, are you a good drinker?"

 

"Yes"

 

I replied immediately because there was nothing to hide, but I saw an ominous smile on his lips.

 

"I understand. I'll remember that."

While I was regretting saying it, those crazy words kept coming back.

 

"By the way, you should thank me."

 

"Why should I thank you?"

 

"I helped keep your secret from being revealed, didn't I?"

 

I glanced at that lunatic, momentarily forgetting about Myungshin. The truth hasn't come out yet... Even facing Myungshin back then...It's probably alright, but I'll probably regret it. One of my few trump cards is revealing my identity, and that lunatic just showed up at that exact moment. Maybe I was incredibly lucky. But even so, I still don't want to thank him. He smirked, as if he could sense my feelings.

 

"Don't tell me that even if you try, it's okay, because I know you still want to keep that opportunity. You want to get to know your target a little better and prepare yourself."

 

"Isn't it more fun to announce it after all has been secretly planned?"

 

"Yes, I know very well."

 

After he replied curtly, he smiled through his eyes.

 

"Me too. I want to delay the inevitable, even if it's not too long now." I asked what he was talking about, but he ignored my question and brought up the favour he'd done for me again.

 

"But what about saying thank you?"

 

"If you don't want to talk, you can repay me with your body."

 

"If you don't mind my fists..."

 

A sly smile appeared at the corner of his mouth, as if he had something amusing in mind.

 

"Oh, that's right. You're very shy, aren't you? Don't worry, I'll lead."

 

If I want him to stop saying I'm shy, I guess I'll have to punch him, won't I? I swallowed my anger before thinking about someone I'd forgotten about.

 

People in the room came up, so I turned to look. She was gaping in astonishment after hearing my conversation with that crazy guy. When that crazy guy followed my gaze to her, the young woman quickly composed herself, forcing a smile as she asked with a questioning look.

 

"You two seem very close."

 

"It's normal for me to be close to my nephews."

 

Do you have anything else to say? If you don't have it, then get lost. The crazy guy's irritated tone conveyed that message, but the young woman didn't want to miss this opportunity, so she got up from her seat. She moved to sit next to that idiot instead, so close that her thighs were pressed against his, leaving no space between them.

 

"I want to thank you for today. Thank you from the bottom of my heart."

 

A little too audacious. She glanced at me before stroking his thigh. Seeing that the crazy guy was staring at her without any reaction, she mustered up the courage and moved her hand further up.

 

"I'm good with my senses, especially my hands. Wouldn't you like to know?"

 

His voice was curt in response to her alluringly sexy advances.

 

"I'm not interested at all, so please leave."

 

His voice was decisive, like splashing cold water across the room. The woman paused for a moment, but managed to smile again.

 

"Just stay still, I'll handle it..."

 

"I told you to leave."

 

Perhaps it was his cold tone that made the young woman flinch and step back, but before she could move, he spoke in a low voice...Strangely, that faint sound was so clear in my ears.

 

"People who don't understand human language are utterly useless."

 

It was then that the young woman suddenly stood up from her seat, her face showing a sudden realisation, as if she had just remembered the interview with Dream.

 

"In that case, Director Yoon..."

 

"go out"

 

She left the room with a stiff expression, her instructions getting shorter and shorter, as if she were about to say something about Director Yoon. I averted my gaze from the doorway. I didn't wait to hear his reprimand.

 

"Which way are you looking?"

 

No, well... I turned around absentmindedly and recoiled at the sight of his face right in front of mine. Why was he so close, at such close range? I flinched and tried to recoil, but a heavy weight landed on my shoulder before I could. The man who was preventing me from moving bent down to look at me with a playful expression. The cold, chilling gaze he had used on that woman had vanished without a trace.

 

"W-what?"

 

I blurted out something foolish without realising it. He smirked, and when I realised what I'd done, I glared at him.

 

"What?"

 

"The person who asked 'what?' was the one with the patchy hair. And what's going on with these hands?"

 

I retorted before twisting my body to free myself from him, but he grabbed my shoulder and pressed one hand down on my chest, and then He kept rambling on and on, "Wow, you're so tiny!"

 

I was momentarily confused, wondering if I had misunderstood the meaning of the word "tiny," and then, as soon as I was sure I understood correctly, I stared; the other person's face was glaring.

 

"Don't talk like that. What do I look like, a little runt?"

 

"Because you're not tall."

 

"Me..."

 

I didn't dare argue that I was tall, so I just gritted my teeth and immediately felt it was unfair. Even though I wasn't tall and big, I wasn't small either.

 

"I'm taller than the average height in the country, so why would you say that?"

 

"Tall people don't remember averages or compare themselves to others, but short people do, right?"

 

Go wherever your heart desires. Damn it, what is he talking about? That smiling face of his is teasing me. I know perfectly well I shouldn't react, but my mouth won't let me.

 

"Hey, why don't you compare yourself to someone taller than average? Uh... what?"

 

I stopped talking before trying to twist away again. Suddenly, he placed his other hand on my chest and began massaging it. I tried not to flinch, but with a little pressure from his fingertips, his body twitched instantly, like a squirming rabbit.

 

"You're a little too thin."

 

Upon hearing that murmur, I glared again, forgetting that I needed to escape from him.

 

"Where am I skinny? Look at these muscles..."

 

This time, the argument was endless because the guy in front of me was too good-looking for me to brag about my own muscles. He was tall and well-built, with a muscular physique. I was speechless, I couldn't say anything more. I unconsciously glanced at the chest in front of me. It looked really toned. When he is with me, I see him typing furiously on the keyboard. Or maybe he exercises in a way that I don't see?

 

"Do you want to pet me?"

 

I jumped at the whisper in my ear and automatically moved backwards, but the arms around my shoulders wouldn't let go and pulled me closer. I pushed him away forcefully before stopping short at what he said.

 

"It's okay to stroke it, but it's the wrong place."

 

"Look for it?"

 

I wondered what he was saying, so I lowered my gaze, and then immediately regretted it when he grabbed my hand and forced it downwards with a mischievous look in his eyes. I grabbed something that seemed to be hardening above his thigh, and before I could think straight, I blurted out, "Damn it!" But he forced my hand down, making it impossible to pull back easily. I felt even more flustered than before, never having been pinned down with such overwhelming force before. His nasty words also contributed to my loss of control.

 

"That's right, I'll let you pet it."

 

"Damn it, that's enough... Oops!"

 

A sudden kiss swallowed my words of refusal. His hands were holding me, leaving only his lips to cover mine. Whether it was because of the kiss at the door or not, my frustration at this jerk was building up again. That kiss was just a light one, then he pulled away, as if intentionally trying to change my tune from the last time. Of course, that only made me more upset. At the door, he might have used the excuse of rescuing me from Myungshin, but now he was teasing me openly. He was like a child excited by being stared at.

 

"You're going to do what I want, aren't you?"

 

His deep, low voice, laced with a hint of laughter, tickled my ears. He'd chased away the women who wanted to manipulate him, and now he was having fun forcing me into something I didn't want to do? What a bastard! Is he really insane...? He's definitely crazy. I felt a surge of anger and frustration. I should have ignored that strange feeling on the rooftop and gone back down. I was so preoccupied with regretting those moments that my body suddenly felt weak. Then, suddenly, the hand that was on my shoulder moved up and grabbed my hair, followed by a harsh, angry voice from him.

 

"When you're with me, don't think about anything else."

 

"Ah, damn it, I was thinking about you."

 

I felt it was unfair, so I greeted him back forcefully and tried to push his hand away, but strangely, he didn't respond. When I looked up...I looked up and saw him staring down at me with eyes devoid of a smile. I froze without realising it.

 

"Were you thinking about me?"

 

"...I was just insulting you, nothing more."

 

There was really nothing to it, but I don't know why I said it sounded like an excuse, and I also felt pressured by the intense stares.

 

"I'm serious."

 

"understand"

 

The breath that brushed against my ear bothered me more than his answer. And what bothered me even more was his smileless eyes.

 

"Lee Yoohan"

 

I mumbled a "Hmm?" but there was no reply before my lips were devoured again. Instinctively, I pushed him away, but once again his strength was overwhelming, as if he were deliberately restraining me from even the slightest resistance. I couldn't breathe properly, as if this was more of a confinement to control me than a kiss. Because of that, I resisted for the first time, only to hear a harsh command above my lips.

 

"Open your mouth."

 

I swallowed the curses as I pushed him harder, but my body slumped backwards, and he leaned down, pinning me down. I tried, I struggled to escape, but he thrust his tongue into my mouth, stealing my breath while holding my hands captive.

 

Two men wrestled together like they were fighting, the sofa creaking and shifting slightly. I groaned in frustration for a while, eventually exhausted first, because that guy's strength showed no sign of waning. No, wait, I told myself I needed to compose myself and catch my breath before the humiliating feeling of defeat overwhelmed me. The funny thing is, when I stopped struggling, he stroked my head as if to reward me. But his gentleness didn't go any further than that, because the kiss that followed was just a simple kiss, lacking the tenderness and passion that lovers feel when they're intimately involved.

 

I was more pleased with this kind of kiss. The happiness that spread through my skin only aroused my physical emotions for a fleeting moment, and then the other person, He's the one who perfectly satisfies me. This crazy guy is the kind of person who won't feel guilty about anything I do, and above all, his kisses are amazing. So good. A landslide victory.

 

He slowly opened his mouth and moved his tongue, exchanging kisses with me as I lay there breathing heavily. The sensation of his lips pressing against mine sent a shiver down my spine, like an electric shock. His heat surged through me, initially filling my mouth and overwhelming my brain. However, remaining still like a doll didn't suit my personality; I felt it was better to surrender than to resist. Meanwhile, a desire I hadn't felt in a long time surged within me.

 

I put my arms around his neck and moved my lips for the first time. Funny, he didn't move at all, as if frozen in place for a moment, unable to respond. I let out a soft moan, ignoring his reaction, and enjoyed the touch of our lips. I moved my tongue, and he inserted his. Soon, the kiss, which had been a slow, intertwining of tongues, intensified again. The first time, he forced the kiss to subdue me, but this time, I felt the urgency.

 

He moved uncontrollably, his lower body pressing against my thighs, his hard, erect penis pressing against my legs. Meanwhile, his heavy breathing filled my mouth. I felt as if I were unconsciously stroking his back. The kiss stopped abruptly before he looked up. I held my breath, blinking rapidly. Ah, why? Seeing his gaze down at me, my brain momentarily stopped processing. Those deep, intense eyes were trembling with desire. Looking into those eyes, all I could think was that I was about to be devoured. Fear enveloped my mind like a wisp of smoke, but I hadn't been eaten yet. He lifted his body and then abruptly pulled away, leaning back against the sofa. Then, using one hand, he ran his hand through his hair while giving an order.

 

"Get out of here."

 

At first, I thought I was hearing things, but when I saw him pull out a cigarette, I knew the game was over. I was so stunned I didn't even have time to get angry. I just stared at him. With a look of utter astonishment, I blurted out, "It was so dull that I was thinking of leaving."

 

I don't know how I managed to open the door and walk out, but before it closed, I thought I heard the sound of a Zippo lighter mixed with his muttering.

 

"Damn, what is this feeling?"

 

I thought I was an idiot, both yielding and responding to a kiss that started as a forced one, and being so intoxicated that I forgot to ask the questions and just walked away. So, I came to the company earlier than usual today to try to forget what happened that day.

 

I started rereading the script, which I'd already finished, from the very first page. I really wanted to ask that idiot about the director of this movie, because he's the director. What interested him was that he probably knew the details. What's certain is that he had previously said this would be the director's last film.

 

"Oh, Taemin-ah, you're here so early!"

 

When I looked up, I saw the manager sitting in front of me with a bright face I hadn't seen in days. I'm used to this meeting room now, with just a table and chairs that comfortably seat four or five people, like a workspace. It's a space allocated to the manager who oversees only one trainee. If anyone else needs to use the room, it has to be cleared immediately. Luckily, we're still here.

 

My manager instructed me to rehearse my lines every day and gave me the necessary information for the performance via laptop. He always arrived before me. Today, he seemed particularly happy because he saw me reading the script beforehand.

 

"Are you reading something interesting?"

 

When I showed him the title, he tilted his head and said, "That's the first time I've ever seen this title." Then he complimented me on practising beforehand and started chatting with me. He was listless. Perhaps it was because Han-Soo had made him seem depressed for the past few days. Even though he was back to normal today, there was still a hint of unease in his eyes, as if he were trying to force everything to be normal. Without him saying anything, I knew he was waiting for calls from Han-Soo and leaving many voicemails every day. That's why I hesitated a little before bringing it up.

 

How are things with Han-Soo right now? I'm also worried that I'm giving him false hope, since nothing is certain yet. Wouldn't it be better to ask that lunatic and solve the problem yourself? I listened to the manager rambling on while thinking this, before he suddenly stopped talking. Suddenly, as I wondered why he had stopped talking, I noticed him lower his gaze under the table, staring intently at the message that had just been sent.

 

"Did Han-Soo send this?"

 

"Oh, uh..."

 

The manager flinched before looking up with a bitter smile.

 

"He sent a message to apologise. It's about me calling him repeatedly these past few days, asking him to call me back, but he wouldn't answer. He just sent a message saying..."

"Just an apology."

 

He lowered his head and read the message again. People, after experiencing much hardship and severe difficulties, eventually become numb to it. But that doesn't mean they're completely indifferent. The wound will lessen; you need to know how to heal the emotional wound. I can't take my eyes off my manager, who's engrossed in his phone.

 

"manager"

 

He glanced up weakly before I mentioned the name of the director who wrote the screenplay. When I asked if he knew him, the manager nodded without hesitation.

 

"Hmm, I know PD Song."

"PD? When I asked if he wasn't a film director, the manager explained it to me."

 

Originally, he was a drama producer, but he probably dreamed of becoming a film director, so he left the company and entered the film industry. He, as a drama producer, achieved success. He's so famous that I often go to see him. I practically pester him every day to give me a role. By the way, why are you asking about PD Song?"

 

"Could you please go to him and pester him one more time?"

 

"Him, you want to act in a movie produced by PD?"

 

I unfolded a portion of the script and handed it to him as an answer.

 

"I happen to have an interesting script."

 

He read aloud the description of the character I pointed out.

 

"An actor who is unable to perform in front of the camera due to obsessive-compulsive disorder and panic attacks..." The manager couldn't read further and remained silent. After a moment, he seemed to stop breathing, and his eyes rolled up.

 

"W-what is this...?"

 

"It's a supporting role with not many scenes, so I think Han-Soo can manage to act it out, right? I need to convey the character realistically, if they know Han-Soo can play that role."

 

"He might not feel camera-shy at all, or maybe his fear would disappear completely. Of course, the director would have to be interested in Han-Soo first."

 

"Could we try pestering the director?" He, stiff as a plaster cast, exhaled before speaking softly.

 

"We can probably get him up there. The director can handle whatever method is needed. But Han-Soo..."

 

I spoke to him abruptly, abruptly imitating his lines.

 

"I'll be the one to persuade Han-Soo."

 

Instead of answering the manager's questioning gaze, which asked what I was going to do, I thought back to the day I met Han-Soo.

 

"Even if I were lucky enough to find someone who wanted an idiot like me, I wouldn't want them now. Or do you want me to get revenge as you did?" Just being lucky is half the battle. Now, the other half remains. How will Han-Soo react when he hears about all the good fortune and coincidences that have come his way?

 

Even though, for me, it was far from a pleasant coincidence. The habits my body has been accustomed to for so long aren't easily changed. No matter how late I go to bed, by six in the morning I'll wake up. Even though my heavy body will spring up automatically, I don't always wake up easily. I still feel lazy and want to sleep a little longer, and then fall asleep again. The urge to sleep more whispered to the groggy soul, "Just a little more nap, it'll be alright to be late one day." And these sweet words turned into ropes that bind me to the bed. Untying them and getting up requires far more strength than any other struggle. I usually win this little battle. Of course, a certain emotion follows, as is normal. 

 

"Idiot," I thought, "I still want a more comfortable life."

 

Still here? Pull yourself together and stand up straight to taste your own hatred. Then the nausea over your own continued existence will spread throughout your body as you wake up fully.

 

This is a feeling I'm so familiar with, so used to. My head was full of other thoughts as I went to the restroom. Three days had passed since the manager left. He had gone to the provinces to bring Fidi Song up to Seoul. Will he contact me today? That means I need to make a move now. The person who can help persuade Han-Soo should be in the right place today.

 

On the fourth floor of the building was a large office for the company's managers and employees. The image showed desks clustered together, and computers turned on. All the while, the telephones rang incessantly, and the printers and photocopiers buzzed noisily, like in any other office. But more than half the seats were always empty. Most of the empty seats belonged to the dozens of managers, who would drop by once a day, either late at night or early in the morning, to report on work or other matters. 

 

Due to the progress of the celebrities the company are caring for, the lights here are kept on twenty-four hours a day. In cases where someone travels out of town for a couple of days, like my manager, they usually call in to report. But today, I left at 7:20 AM.

 

I arrived at the office at the same time as yesterday to report on the manager's behalf. The night shift officer, sitting in a corner of the deserted office, looked at me with a weary expression before nodding irritably and immediately turning back to look at the screen he was watching. His eyes still seemed to reflect lingering emotions from yesterday. The only actors in charge are a trainee and an unemployed star. What are they reporting for so much? And they're coming so early in the morning? So late! The surprise on his face when he heard I was replacing his manager conveyed that message, because my manager reacted the same way when I told him I would be reporting in his place.

 

"Hmm, I don't usually report much."

 

The manager said it wasn't necessary and strongly discouraged me from doing it, but I had to do it anyway. I was sitting in the manager's seat, with the most crappy computer in the office. I sat in the corner and typed, "No special schedule, no work," in less than a minute. Of course, I had other intentions. Glancing over, I saw an office worker practically sprawled out on a chair, intently focused on their screen. I quietly pushed the chair back and moved to the spot I'd found yesterday. There was a partition there, with Post-it notes stuck here and there.

 

My desk was cluttered with papers, including a calendar crammed with work schedules, a stark contrast to my manager's desk, which was practically empty and covered in dust. I occasionally caught a glimpse of that staff member out of the corner of my eye while I opened my computer to search for the information I needed.

 

[Song Yoo-Han's Schedule - Date x Month x]

 

After meticulously reviewing their daily routine, such as going to the gym, visiting the hair salon, attending meetings at the television station, and eating at restaurant xx, the location was found. The suitable ones are down below.

 

[Outdoor filming of the play started at 5 PM at the art gallery.]

XXJ