Vol 3 Ch 25

Inseop glanced at the name displayed on his phone screen and quickly parked the car in a secluded area.

 

“Hello, CEO. This is Choi Inseop.”

 

After exchanging polite greetings, a familiar voice sounded from the other end of the phone.

 

“How have you been all this time?”

 

<Well, I’ve been fine. And you?>

 

“I’ve been well.”

 

<Seems like you’re driving. I can hear the sound of the car.>

 

“Yes. I was on my way to pick up Wooyeon because he said he was drinking.”

 

<Wooyeon? Who’s he drinking with instead of you?>

 

“I heard it’s with an acquaintance.”

 

<Really? That’s interesting. Anyway, about the favor I asked for back then…>

 

“I was planning to call you regardless.”

 

<Oh really? Did you tell Wooyeon? What did he say?>

 

CEO Kim prompted Inseop for his response with a hint of impatience.

 

“Although Mr. Seo Jaeha is a talented actor… no matter how much I think about it, I feel Wooyeon is a better actor.”

 

Inseop had watched all of Seo Jaeha’s works. Even putting aside personal biases, Wooyeon’s acting was at a level that made him feel guilty when compared.

 

<Oh, come on! Of course Wooyeon is better looking, and acts better! He’s shamelessly arrogant, but… still, Wooyeon is dozens of times better! No matter how good Seo Jaeha is, Wooyeon is much cooler. Of course, that b**t**d Wooyeon is a complete j**k…>

 

CEO Kim enthusiastically chimed in, with praise or sarcasm, it was hard to tell.

 

“I’m sorry. It seems difficult to bring up Seo Jaeha in front of Wooyeon and provoke competition.”

 

<What?! Why?>

 

“…Because Wooyeon is better.”

 

Regardless of what might happen later, making Seo Jaeha, an actor, a competitor to Wooyeon seemed far-fetched.

 

<Who wouldn’t know that? I just meant to stimulate competition! I didn’t mean for them to really compete. You know what I mean…!>

 

A loud beeping sound came from behind. Inseop quickly rolled down the window and signaled an apology with his hand.

 

“CEO, I’ll call you back later.”

 

<Inseop!>

 

Inseop closed his eyes tightly and ended the call.

 

“…I’m sorry, CEO.”

 

Really, no matter how much he thought about it, Wooyeon was better. In acting, as a commercial model, and even in appearance. In front of someone like Wooyeon, he didn’t want to praise anyone else unnecessarily. Not even resorting to lies.

 

“Am I too blind…”

 

Inseop muttered quietly and turned the steering wheel.

 

While searching for Seo Jaeha’s works, he ended up watching Wooyeon’s works for comparison. When he snapped out of it, he was binge-watching Wooyeon’s first movie.

 

Staring blankly at Wooyeon on the screen, Inseop once again had to pinch his cheek. To think that person was his lover…

 

“Even if I’m blind, there’s nothing I can do.”

 

Inseop sighed and checked the navigation. He would arrive in 5 minutes.

 

[I’m drinking with my junior, can you come pick me up?]

 

After receiving a message from Wooyeon, Inseop immediately grabbed the car keys. After replying that he was coming, the address of a barbecue restaurant in Nonhyeon-d**g popped up.

 

But seriously, who is he drinking with?

 

Inseop tilted his head in sudden curiosity.

 

[I’ve arrived.]

 

Inseop sent a message to Wooyeon from outside the restaurant. He thought Wooyeon would come out, but an unexpected response came back.

 

[Please come in. We’re still in the middle of a conversation, so it’s a bit awkward to get up.]

 

CEO Kim’s voice, who mentioned something strange, came to mind. It was definitely odd. Wooyeon wasn’t the type to engage in long conversations with someone. No, did Wooyeon even have any private drinking gatherings since he returned to Korea?

 

…Who could it be?

 

Putting aside his uneasy thoughts, Inseop handed the car keys to the valet and entered the restaurant.

 

“Welcome. Are you with a party?”

 

Expecting a bustling atmosphere at a barbecue restaurant, the inside of the restaurant had a sophisticated atmosphere akin to a high-end restaurant.

 

“Oh, Mr. Wooyeon…?”

 

As Inseop cautiously responded, the waiter guided him, saying, “Please follow me,” and led him to a private room located at the far end.

 

“Hello.”

 

Inseop politely greeted and stepped inside. And he froze in place.

 

“Inseop, you’re here? You came faster than I expected.”

 

Wooyeon greeted him with a casual smile. And next to him was…

 

“Hello. I’m Seo Jaeha.”

 

“… “

 

As Inseop stared blankly at Seo Jaeha, Wooyeon lightly nudged him with his toe.

 

“Oh, hello. I’m Choi Inseop.”

 

Inseop greeted in surprise and turned his gaze to Wooyeon.

 

What on earth is going on? Why is he here… No, how are the two of them… Why am I here…

 

Ignoring the numerous questions flashing through Inseop’s mind, Wooyeon gestured for him to sit in the seat next to him. With a dazed expression, Inseop sat down beside Wooyeon.

 

“Who are you?”

 

When Seo Jaeha stared at Inseop and asked, Inseop quickly replied, “I’m his manager.”

 

“My old manager.”

 

Inseop’s hand twitched as Lee Wooyeon handed his drink to Seo Jaeha.

 

“Former manager?”

 

Seo Jaeha asked. It wasn’t common to call a former manager to a gathering like this.

 

“I-I’m just friends with him now.”

 

Inseop sent a silent signal to Wooyeon, hoping for assistance. There was no need for unnecessary rumors to circulate in this circle.

 

“That’s right. We’re friends. Inseparable friends.”

 

Wooyeon laughed long and raised his glass as if to make a toast.

 

“Sometimes I help out with Wooyeon’s work. I happened to be nearby today, so I offered to give him a ride.”

 

Inseop’s words rambled due to nervousness.

 

But why is Seo Jaeha here anyway? …Does he know something? Inseop had never seen Seo Jaeha in front of Wooyeon before.

 

Inseop glanced at Wooyeon while drinking water. Wooyeon, with an inscrutable expression, leisurely drank his alcohol and smiled.

 

“Are you two acquainted?”

 

Inseop asked cautiously.

 

“We had a magazine photoshoot today, and sunbae-nim also had a shooting schedule at a nearby studio. We happened to meet and decided to have a meal together.”

 

“Oh… I see.”

 

Was there a photoshoot scheduled for today?

 

Inseop recalled Wooyeon’s schedule in his mind and then smiled sheepishly, following Wooyeon’s lead.

 

“As I mentioned earlier, it’s really an honor to be in such a gathering with Wooyeon sunbae-nim.”

 

Seo Jaeha said with an excited expression.

 

“The honor is mine. I’ve been watching Mr. Seo Jaeha’s movies and dramas.”

 

“Really? Since Wooyeon sunbae-nim said he watched my work, it’s hard to believe.”

 

“Recommendations from people around me.”

 

Seo Jaeha’s gaze finally turned to Inseop.

 

“Oh, right. About that choco…”

 

Before Seo Jaeha could finish his sentence, Inseop started coughing. Wooyeon put down his glass.

 

“What’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell?”

 

“No, it’s… just a tickle in my throat.”

 

Inseop wiped the water off his lips and silently sweated.

 

Wooyeon was intensely jealous. And his jealousy was fair, regardless of age, gender, or nationality.

 

Once, a foreigner asked Inseop for directions. As Inseop tried to explain, Wooyeon, standing beside him, muttered to himself with a smirk.

 

[He’s a stupid b**t**d who can’t even run Google Maps. It’s a waste of time explaining to him when he probably won’t understand anyway.]

 

Of course, it was natural for both Inseop and the foreigner who asked for directions to speak with very precise and elegant English pronunciation.

 

It didn’t stop there: if someone gave him something extra at his favorite coffee shop, he would never go there again. If the owner’s wife said something like, “You’re so pretty and kind. Whose son are you?” to Inseop’s polite greeting at a restaurant, he thought it was rude and never went back to that restaurant again. Even if it was just an innocent compliment from an elderly person, it was useless. Clearly, Wooyeon’s argument was that if such compliments continued, he would introduce him to his daughter, niece, or any other suitable woman.

 

Once, he ‘accidentally’ poured his coffee on Inseop’s favorite plant. And he still hated the idea of John sleeping next to him.

 

… If such a Wooyeon found out that he gave chocolates to Seo Jaeha, even claiming to be a fan, on Valentine’s Day, what would be grilled on the pan today wouldn’t just end with beef, that was certain.

 

“…I think I need to take my medication.”

 

Inseop said with a trembling voice. His conscience pricked him at the thought of exploiting his weak points, making him unable to lift his head properly.

 

“I’ll get you some water.”

 

Wooyeon got up from his seat. Whenever Inseop needed to take medicine, Wooyeon always brought lukewarm water himself. It had been a habit since he read in a medication guide that lukewarm water was best when taking medicine.

 

As Wooyeon got up, Seo Jaeha muttered in amazement.

 

“Wow, Wooyeon sunbae-nim. His character is truly top-notch. I’ve heard rumors that he’s a nice person.”

 

“…Yes. He’s really a great person.”

 

Inseop replied, but his face flushed. Then, leaning forward urgently on the table, he spoke.

 

“Um, please don’t mention to Wooyeon what happened with the chocolates I gave you earlier, claiming to be a fan. I’d appreciate it.”

 

“Why not?”

 

“…Just because it’s a little embarrassing.”

 

Seo Jaeha nodded, saying, “Ah, I see.”

 

“Well, that could be. But these days, there are male fans too. Maybe Wooyeon sunbae-nim has many of them.”

 

“…Yes.”

 

Wooyeon disliked fans, but he detested male fans even more.

 

“Anyway, I’ll keep it a secret.”

 

“Thank you.”

 

Inseop sighed with relief, and when Wooyeon returned with a cup, Inseop politely accepted it with both hands and thanked him. While taking out the medicine from his pocket and eating it, Wooyeon didn’t take his eyes off Inseop.

 

“You two seem really close. I’m still awkward with my manager.”

 

Seo Jaeha said jokingly as he grilled the meat.

 

“At first, we were awkward too, right? Inseop?”

 

“Ah, yes, right… um…”

 

“How did you two become best friends?”

 

“Ahaha. How did it happen?”

 

Wooyeon neatly placed his chopsticks in front of Inseop and muttered. Then, turning to Inseop, he asked,

 

“Inseop, do you remember how we became friends?”

 

“Uh… that… um…”

 

I came to Korea to take revenge on Wooyeon, but somehow ended up saving his life, getting caught up in everything, threatened, locked up, signed a new contract, originally liking Wooyeon, and somehow getting into a relationship…continuing, liking each other, dating…almost dying, breaking up, and meeting again…and now we’re passionately in love.

 

“…We got along well in conversations.”

 

Inseop summarized the long and winding history between the two in one short line.

 

“Ahahaha, that’s right. I do get along well with Inseop.”

 

Wooyeon laughed cheerfully as he filled Seo Jaeha’s glass. Seo Jaeha accepted the glass with both hands and looked at Inseop, asking,

 

“Aren’t you drinking?”

 

“No. I have to drive, so… please don’t mind me. You two drink.”

 

“Wow, you’re a really diligent friend. My manager hyung drinks at every drinking party, so I always have to be the one to call for a substitute. They say it takes three generations to meet a good manager.”

 

“Then I must have saved a country in my past life.”

 

At the words of praise, Inseop’s face turned beet red. Wooyeon smiled softly as he emptied his glass. Seo Jaeha also immediately emptied his glass. When Inseop tried to refill the empty glass, Wooyeon took the bottle away.

 

“Let’s eat meat. I’ll grill it.”

 

“It’s okay. I already had dinner.”

 

“Have a little.”

 

Inseop nodded and put a piece of meat on a lettuce leaf with two perilla leaves. He watched the two of them while rolling up the lettuce.

 

The conversation between Seo Jaeha and Wooyeon was relatively ordinary. Talks about their works, the industry, photo shoots, exercise routines, and so on.

 

Luckily, it seemed fine. Inseop had been worried that Wooyeon might have brought Seo Jaeha intentionally, knowing something.

 

He kept wondering if Lee Wooyeon knew something and brought Seo Jaeha here on purpose.

 

Inseop picked up a vegetable stick and chewed and swallowed it with relief, suddenly realizing that they were both celebrities. Sitting across the table from each other, watching them give and receive drinks was like a cleansing experience.

 

Mr. Seo Jaeha is really handsome, too, but Lee Wooyeon is much more…. No, no, no. Let’s not keep comparing people. …I wonder if it’s just my selfishness that makes me feel like Lee Wooyeon is getting more and more handsome these days.

 

“Sunbae-nim, I’ve actually been looking up to you a lot. You didn’t know, did you?”

 

Drunkenly, Seo Jaeha said, looking at Lee Wooyeon with his chin on the table.

 

“You did? Haha.”

 

Lee Wooyeon waved him off and drained his glass.

 

Inseop started to worry slowly. He knew that Wooyeon could handle his alcohol quite well, but today, it felt like he was drinking more than usual.

 

“I studied a lot while watching your movies! I practiced mimicking you! I rehearsed lines! I even studied your style!”

 

Inseop thought he could understand why Seo Jaeha had been associated with Wooyeon’s similar image all this time.

 

“I’m sorry that my company keeps running articles linking you and me together. I’m sorry. I stole all of your ads, ahhhh, I’m such a j**k!”

 

It was unclear whether he was apologizing or bragging. Inseop watched Wooyeon closely, worried that he might be hurt. Wooyeon just had an indifferent expression and merely replied, “Is that so?”

 

“What the h**l am I saying! I’m sorry, sunbae-nim. I stole all your roles!”

 

Suddenly, Seo Jaeha slammed his head on the table and shouted, making Inseop startle and try to stop him.

 

“You’ll hurt yourself. Please stop.”

 

“Do you know what my nickname is? One-second Lee Wooyeon. Puhaha. What’s with one second? …Ah, d**n it. These days, people call me ‘Jjap’ (boring) and leave nasty comments. D**n, it pisses me off. Am I boring?”

 

“Seo Jaeha is also a great actor. Please don’t say such things.”

 

“Oh, really? Manager hyung is saying that because he’s my fan. It’s a lie. Oh, but why am I inferior to Wooyeon…”

 

With his head on the table, Seo Jaeha mumbled drunkenly.

 

“You’re a fan?”

 

Wooyeon asked with a blank face. Inseop lowered his head, feeling nauseous.

 

“Oh, no, Mr. Seo Jaeha seems to be very drunk. …You seem a bit drunk too, Wooyeon.”

 

“Yeah, maybe.”

 

Wooyeon got up from his seat. Seeing him stagger, Inseop quickly got up and supported him.

 

“I’ll pay and get the car. Just wait here for a moment.”

 

“Will you? I’m sorry, Inseop.”

 

“No problem. I’ll be right back.”

 

Inseop went out to pay and asked for the car. He intended to bring out the two of them, but unexpectedly, Wooyeon, who looked perfectly fine, came out supporting Seo Jaeha. Inseop hurried over and helped Seo Jaeha’s support.

 

“There’s the car.”

 

Wooyeon pointed with his chin to the car brought by the valet. Inseop opened the door for them.

 

“Seo Jaeha, I’ll call a taxi for you…”

 

Before Inseop could finish, Wooyeon pushed Seo Jaeha into the back seat and closed the door. Then he sat in the passenger seat and fastened his seatbelt, closing his eyes.

 

“…Wooyeon.”

 

Inseop called out to him. There was no response from Wooyeon. Inseop called him a few more times, but he didn’t even blink. Helpless, Inseop got into the driver’s seat.

 

“…Let’s go.”

 

Inseop muttered quietly. It seemed like Wooyeon chuckled softly in response.

 

How did things end up like this?

 

Inseop sighed as he slowly turned the steering wheel.