Vol 3 Ch 30

“Is this for Wooyeon?”

 

Inseop asked as he looked at the ticket handed to him.

 

“Yeah. Wooyeon wanted to go together.”

 

“…?”

 

“Why? Do you have plans?”

 

When Inseop’s expression subtly stiffened upon seeing the plane ticket to Hawaii, Manager Cha asked with concern.

 

“Oh, no. I don’t have any plans. But can I follow along here?”

 

The incentive vacation included the drama’s filming staff and actors, as well as personal staff who worked with the actors. Usually, the production company covered the expenses for even the main actors’ managers, but for other staff, the actors paid for their expenses. The problem was that Inseop wasn’t a staff member who worked with Wooyeon.

 

“Well, just think of it as a staff member handling business.”

 

“Who else is going?”

 

“You and me.”

 

“…Are you flying first class too, sir?”

 

“…don’t worry about that.”

 

With that remark, there was a deep-seated resentment mixed in.

 

Inseop sighed. If even the manager who worked hard alongside him was flying economy, it was certain that people would talk if an ordinary employee like him flew first class with them.

 

“Are you going?”

 

Manager Cha asked, glancing at Inseop. Inseop couldn’t easily answer. Changing the original plan and even providing him with a ticket was a gesture of reconciliation from Wooyeon. He wasn’t foolish enough not to realize that. But he wasn’t lacking in perception to blindly follow along.

 

“Let’s go. If Wooyeon doesn’t come, it won’t look good for the picture. Besides, the CEO already mentioned that these days, going on incentive vacations is the real ending for the drama filming.”

 

Inseop silently fiddled with the ticket.

 

“What would Wooyeon and I do if we went alone? If you come along, Mr. Inseop, even the introvert will have someone to talk to. Let’s go together.”

 

With years of experience in this field and a relaxed attitude, Manager Cha wouldn’t have any trouble with interpersonal relationships in such situations. Inseop could sense that Manager Cha was deliberately paying attention to this matter.

 

“…Can I really go?”

 

He couldn’t easily refuse, especially feeling sorry for Wooyeon. Above all, he hadn’t seen his face for days. He had only confirmed the press photos from the finale yesterday. If Wooyeon went on vacation like this, he wouldn’t be able to see him for at least four days.

 

He missed Wooyeon.

 

“You can go, that’s why I came to give you your ticket. Hurry up and pack.”

 

The flight was tonight.

 

“What about Wooyeon’s luggage?”

 

“He said to just pack underwear in his bag. He’ll buy clothes if he needs them. He’s a rich kid.”

 

When traveling, Wooyeon wasn’t the type to pack luggage. If he really needed something, he’d buy and use it on the spot and then discard it upon returning.

 

“And Wooyeon’s passport?”

 

“I got it from the CEO, so I have it.”

 

Manager Cha replied, tapping around his pockets. After nodding hesitantly, Inseop finally spoke with determination.

 

“I’ll pack my things right away. Sir, I have one request in return.”

 

***

 

“At the airport, journalists and numerous fans were scattered around taking pictures here and there. Wooyeon was standing a bit away, but Inseop didn’t manage to approach him, just glancing at him briefly.

 

“Did you check in your luggage?”

 

Manager Cha brought coffee and sat down beside him.

 

“Oh, yes. Thank you. I’ve finished all the procedures.”

 

Inseop politely accepted the coffee and greeted him.

 

“Then why aren’t you going in?”

 

“…I’m about to go in now.”

 

Wooyeon, who had been surrounded by reporters taking pictures from afar, had just finished the procedures.

 

Suddenly, the surroundings started buzzing.

 

“You’re here.”

 

Wooyeon, who had approached unnoticed, was standing in front of them. He was wearing comfortable training clothes far from what is commonly called airport fashion, with a mask on and a hat pulled down deeply. Yet, from head to toe, he exuded a celebrity-like aura.

 

“Since you called, he came.”

 

Manager Cha responded in place of Inseop. Whether intentionally or not, Wooyeon didn’t take his eyes off Inseop as he spoke.

 

“I heard you changed seats.”

 

“…Yes. I’m sorry.”

 

Inseop asked Manager Cha to rebook an economy seat, offering to cover the cancellation fee and ticket cost. Despite Manager Cha’s protests about it being a waste, he couldn’t break Inseop’s stubbornness.

 

“Why are you so stubborn?”

 

“….”

 

“Do as you wish.”

 

Wooyeon left the spot abruptly.

 

“…Did you two fight by any chance?”

 

Noticing the subtle atmosphere, Manager Cha asked with concern. If they fought, it would be a very sensitive issue to mediate between them. He was considering just fleeing the airport.

 

“We didn’t fight, just a little… It’s my fault, I misspoke…”

 

“What’s the big deal if Inseop makes a mistake? That guy makes a mistake just by opening his mouth. No, it’s not even a mistake, it’s all intentional. Ah… my blood pressure.”

 

Manager Cha held the back of his neck. If it weren’t for Kim’s promise to buy him a new car after this drama, he would have quit a hundred times over.

 

“Of course, it must have been Wooyeon’s fault. But whether you fought or not, why bother calling someone over and making it awkward.”

 

“No, it’s okay. It’s fine.”

 

Inseop reassured the agitated Manager Cha, watching Wooyeon, who had moved farther away.

 

…Wooyeon, whom he hadn’t seen in days, still looked so good.

 

***

 

Once on the plane, Inseop organized his luggage and settled into his seat.

 

“Wake me up if I snore too much.”

 

Manager Cha sitting next to him, wearing an eye patch and crossing his arms, closed his eyes. Inseop pulled out a book he’d been reading and opened it. He hadn’t turned more than a few pages when Manager Cha started snoring.

 

He must be very tired.

 

Inseop felt sorry for him and gently adjusted his neck pillow. Then he suddenly realized how tired Lee Wooyeon must be too. He’d been filming all night and hadn’t been home for a few days. He must not have been sleeping well….

 

He was by his side the whole time at the airport, but he never got to talk to him.

 

He must still be very upset.

 

Inseop knew why Wooyeon had left like that. When he couldn’t control his anger or suppress his emotions, he drew a line. Knowing that it was for self-protection, he didn’t feel upset. Rather, he felt sorry. He was too weak, causing such a burden to others. …He wished he was just a bit stronger.

 

Inseop closed the book he was reading. Manager Cha had fallen asleep again right after eating his meal. Inseop had no appetite, so he ate some fruit and returned the tray. The plane lights went out and most of the people started to sleep. Inseop closed his eyes too. How long has it been?

 

A warm hand on his shoulder made him open his eyes. It was Lee Wooyeon. His hat was pushed down low and he wore a mask, but it was easy to recognize him at a glance. His broad shoulders were leaning on him and he was asleep.

 

Why here….

 

When he felt Inseop stir, Lee Wooyeon opened his eyes.

 

“The person sitting next to me kept taking pictures, so I asked manager Cha to change seats.”

 

Sometimes, they say, people called saesangs would follow him on the plane.

 

“Did they just take pictures? Are you okay?”

 

Inseop asked with a worried look on his face. Lee Wooyeon looked away from him and then closed his eyes.

 

“If you were so worried, you should have stayed with me.”

 

“…I’m sorry.”

 

He felt the slightest hint of a smile on his shoulder. He wanted to see his expression, but he couldn’t with the black mask covering his face.

 

“I’ll close my eyes for a bit.”

 

Inseop mumbled a small yes. Soon after, he heard Lee Wooyeon’s even breathing. Inseop closed his eyes, but the sleep that had slipped away didn’t return. Heat gathered wherever Wooyeon’s body touched. He was nervous that the loud thumping of his heart would wake him up.

 

He opened the book, but there were no words. Inseop just closed his eyes. When he frowned at the loud sound of the airplane’s engine, he heard the captain’s announcement.

 

We will be arriving at Honolulu International Airport in Hawaii in about ten minutes.

 

Inseop quickly glanced to the side. Manager Cha snored softly.

 

He wondered if he was dreaming.

 

Inseop pinched his cheek once, then noticed the small bagged pecan pie in his lap. It was a first-class treat.

 

“…Uh, are we there yet?”

 

He glanced out the window to see if Manager Cha was awake as people started moving around.

 

“You must be very tired.”

 

“Yeah, that’s right. The end of filming is always tiring. But sitting in first class makes the fatigue disappear. It’s good to have money.”

 

“What happened to the stalker?”

 

“What stalker?”

 

“I heard there’s someone taking pictures of Lee Wooyeon.”

 

There’s no way he could see the first-class seats from here, but Inseop craned his neck to glance forward and gave a worried look.

 

“…Did Lee Wooyeon tell you that he changed seats because he was afraid of a fan taking his picture?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“…Well…. …Yeah. Well, whatever.”

 

Inseop got up from his seat not long after the plane landed. He checked through immigration and got his baggage gate number.

 

“Why are you here?” Manager Cha discovered Lee Wooyeon sitting in the chair and gave a puzzled expression. First-class passengers disembarked first and retrieved their luggage separately.

 

“I was waiting for you, Manager Cha.”

 

“…Why me?”

 

Manager Cha asked, looking like he’d just taken a walk with a lion who’d been starved for four days. Instead of answering, Lee Wooyeon held out a shopping bag in his hand.

 

“What’s this?”

 

Manager Cha took the bag and opened it, which was filled with cookies, snacks, and various junk food.

 

“These are from the stewardesses.”

 

Inseop, who had traveled with Lee Wooyeon on several overseas schedules, explained. Manager Cha gave him a sour look.

 

“And this.”

 

Lee held out another shopping bag next to his chair.

 

“What’s this one?”

 

“Someone gave it to me while I was sitting here.”

 

Lee Wooyeon replied, annoyed. The bag was filled with fan letters and gifts.

 

“It’s not heavy, I can carry it.”

 

“Who asked you to carry it? I want you to throw it away.”

 

“…….”

 

Lee Wooyeon stood up and pulled the silver-gray suitcase from the conveyor. It was Inseop’s luggage.

 

“Oh, I’ll….”

 

Before Inseop could say anything, Lee Wooyeon grabbed the luggage and walked away.

 

“…Do you want me to throw it away?”

 

Inseop asked, looking at Manager Cha with shopping bags in both hands.

 

“There’s only one thing I really want to throw away.”

 

Manager Cha muttered, looking wistfully in the direction of the gate where Lee Wooyeon had disappeared. Inseop couldn’t bring himself to throw it away, so he held onto the shopping bag.

 

On the car ride home, Lee Wooyeon didn’t say much. He was so quiet that Manager Cha glanced at him a few times. Inseop was beginning to worry about him.

 

The filming schedule was hectic, even for someone with his stamina. With a movie promotion schedule in between, he rarely slept more than four hours for three months.

 

“…Aren’t you tired?”

 

Lee Wooyeon glanced at Inseop under his pressed cap.

 

“You can sleep until we get to the hotel. I’ll wake you up.”

 

“Ah, I’m the new assistant manager.”

 

“…….”

 

Apparently, the words he said that he would follow him as an assistant manager fell on Lee Wooyeon’s ears.

 

“Please take care of me.”

 

“…Yes.”

 

Lee Wooyeon said that and closed his eyes. Manager Cha shrugged his shoulders with a look that said he’d seen it all. Inseop smiled awkwardly and looked out the window.

 

This was going to be a rough trip.