Vol 3 Ch 32

Inseop, who came down for breakfast, yawned deeply. Still not fully adjusted to the time difference, and having just managed to fall asleep, someone had called him again in the early morning, waking him up. It was a strange conversation filled with incomprehensible talk about changing surnames and whatnot.

 

“Are you awake? You were sleeping so soundly I didn’t want to wake you up. Sit here.”

 

Manager Cha, who had come down first and taken his seat, gestured to the seat in front of him.

 

“Yes. Did you sleep well?”

 

“I slept like a log. But that darn old man called me in the middle of the night. I swear, if I go back to Korea, I’m resigning.”

 

“You’re resigning?”

 

Inseop asked, startled.

 

“Hahaha. You’ve been joking about resigning for ten years. I’ve known Manager Cha since ten years ago.”

 

“But this time, I’m serious. I can’t understand why that guy Hakseung’s personality is like that.”

 

“Don’t talk nonsense. CEO Kim is a gentleman, I know what our CEO is like.”

 

Manager Cha, seated next to him, began gossiping about the CEO in earnest. Inseop placed his phone on the table and went to get food. As he was filling his plate with salad, a large hand reached out from behind and grabbed a plate.

 

“Planning to play soccer in the fields?”

 

“Pardon?”

 

“Make sure to have a bit of everything.”

 

Lee Wooyeon picked up slices of smoked duck and placed them on Inseop’s plate before disappearing. Although he had little appetite in the morning and barely touched the meat, he couldn’t refuse Lee Wooyeon’s kindness. Inseop carefully piled the greens on top of the meat and returned to his seat, starting to search on his phone.

 

The meaning of the phrase “let’s play soccer,” soccer-related euphemisms, other meanings behind playing soccer, and even suggestive interpretations… When Inseop had finished his search, a small plate was placed next to him.

 

“No onions, right?”

 

Lee Wooyeon pointed to the omelet he had just cooked. Inseop nodded gratefully and thanked him. Without saying anything else, Lee Wooyeon returned to his seat.

 

“Lee Wooyeon. As rumored, he’s so considerate, taking care of people.”

 

“Ahaha. Haha. Ha.”

 

Manager Cha chuckled and drank his coffee with a forced smile. Inseop glanced briefly in the direction where Lee Wooyeon was sitting as he ate the omelet Lee Wooyeon had brought him.

 

The director and the main actors of this drama were sitting at one table. Although there was no strict division of ranks, such gatherings naturally divided into categories. Actors sat with actors, filming staff with staff, and managers with managers.

 

Lee Wooyeon rarely used the breakfast buffet at travel destinations. Since buffet food was generally the same everywhere, he often opted for room service instead of going down. Inseop chuckled as he ate the omelet, thinking that the hotel’s breakfast didn’t seem particularly special. At that moment, loud voices came from the table where the food was placed.

 

“No, I saw it on TV. It’s sticky and looks like something else. Ask if they have that. I want to try it.”

 

It was actor Choi Haseong. Known for his picky nature, the veteran actor was causing trouble again.

 

“Teacher, I need to know exactly what it is before I can ask.”

 

His manager was sweating bullets as he dealt with Choi Haseong.

 

“You don’t even know what it is. What kind of manager are you?”

 

“…I need to know what it is before I can ask, teacher.”

 

“That thing, you know. Sticky and fruit-like.”

 

With repeated vague descriptions, Manager Cha’s expression gradually turned muddy.

 

“Here we go again. That’s how it starts. That man’s temperament never changes even as he ages.”

 

“It seems to have gotten worse, hasn’t it?”

 

Inseop approached Choi Haseong, shaking his head in a familiar manner.

 

“Teacher, hello.”

 

Choi Haseong looked at Inseop with a questioning gaze.

 

“You mentioned a food that’s like a fruit with roots, shaped like rice cakes. Is it that kind of food?”

 

“Yes! That’s it exactly. They say it’s super healthy, so I wanted to try it while I’m here.”

 

“I’ll check with the kitchen, but it might not be available. Please wait a moment.”

 

Inseop approached a kitchen staff member to inquire if there was a dish made with Poi among the buffet items. The staff member said it wasn’t part of the buffet, but they would see if they could get it. Soon after, the staff member returned with a small sauce container filled with a thick brown substance.

 

Inseop thanked him politely and brought the food to Choi Haseong.

 

“Teacher, it’s not part of the buffet food, but the chef had some sauce he was keeping and graciously provided it.”

 

“Yes, this is exactly what I was talking about.”

 

Choi Haseong smiled satisfactorily and scooped up the thick liquid with a spoon. Then he immediately put the spoon down.

 

“Ugh, how do you even eat this? You have it.”

 

Choi Haseong pushed the food towards his manager. The manager sighed and looked at Inseop. Inseop awkwardly smiled and returned to his seat.

 

“You’re not even going to hear a thank you, yet you’re doing unnecessary things.”

 

Manager Cha glanced at Choi Haseong and whispered quietly.

 

“It’s okay.”

 

“By the way, how did you know about that food?”

 

“I happened to see it on TV before.”

 

‘Maybe we should go back to Hawaii again.’

 

Wooyeon, sitting on the sofa watching TV, suddenly murmured. It was a program introducing Hawaiian cuisine.

 

‘Hawaii?’

 

‘When we went before, the memories weren’t too good, right? We should cover them with good memories.;

 

‘…It’s not like there were only bad memories.’

 

‘You don’t have bad memories, do you?

 

‘…….’

 

With no response from Inseop, Wooyeon cheerfully hugged Inseop from behind.

 

‘Let’s go later. Just the two of us.’

 

In Wooyeon’s whispered words, there was a palpable sense of anticipation.

 

“You have a good memory. Remembering everything you saw on TV.”

 

Inseop smiled quietly without saying a word.

 

He didn’t mention that he had replayed and meticulously organized that program three times in preparation for their future trip together.

 

Nevertheless, now that they are here…

 

Inseop thought as he looked at Wooyeon’s broad back in the distance. As the meal ended, Choi Haseong passed by, tapping Inseop’s shoulder twice as he went.

 

“Goodbye.”

 

Inseop stood up and bid farewell courteously. Manager Cha also stood up to greet, but Choi Haseong walked past without acknowledging him.

 

“Old geezer….”

 

Upon hearing the muttered words from Manager Cha, Inseop chuckled quietly.

 

“You’re here nominally as a manager anyway, not a real manager, so you don’t need to accommodate too much. Especially, don’t take on any annoying tasks with that man.”

 

“Yes. I understand.”

 

Inseop replied, although he wasn’t sure who he meant.

 

Before he knew it, people at the table where Wooyeon was sitting began to stand up one by one as the meal came to an end.

 

“What’s Wooyeon’s schedule for today?”

 

Inseop asked Manager Cha.

 

“What schedule? Just hanging out.”

 

Manager Cha shrugged in response. As Wooyeon passed by, he nodded to Inseop.

 

Is he asking me to follow?

 

As Inseop hesitated whether to get up or not, Wooyeon left without a word.

 

***

 

“Oh, I’ve been looking for you for a while.”

 

Inseop greeted the approaching man with a pleased expression and bowed his head.

 

“Hello.”

 

“You’re the manager for Lee Wooyeon, right?”

 

It was the manager of Choi Haseong, whom Inseop had seen at the restaurant earlier.

 

“Yes, that’s correct. I’m Choi Inseop.”

 

“Why haven’t I seen your face during the shoot?”

 

“I mostly worked in the office.”

 

Inseop replied, feeling guilty for no reason.

 

“I see. Anyway, it’s good. You don’t have any plans for today, do you?”

 

“Me?”

 

Inseop asked in surprise.

 

“Is there anyone else here besides you?”

 

“….”

 

“No plans for the afternoon?”

 

“Oh, well…”

 

He had been on his way to find Wooyeon after breakfast and changing clothes. Naturally, he was supposed to move according to Wooyeon’s schedule.

 

“Wooyeon said he didn’t have any plans today. He’s resting in his room.”

 

“….”

 

So, his schedule was probably going to be like that too.

 

Inseop swallowed the words he couldn’t say.

 

“Could you arrange a tour for our teacher and the others today?”

 

“Me?”

 

Inseop’s eyes widened even further.

 

“I noticed earlier that you speak English well. Plus, our teacher said he likes you.”

 

Inseop awkwardly laughed and looked around. Unfortunately, Manager Cha had gone to smoke, leaving his seat empty.

 

“Since Wooyeon doesn’t have a schedule, help out. It’s good for both of you.”

 

“I’m sorry. I have to align my schedule with our actors on our side, so I can’t decide on my own. And there might be changes later.”

 

Inseop politely declined as much as possible.

 

“Then can I ask Wooyeon for permission?”

 

“Huh? Um, sure.”

 

Inseop replied abruptly. Anyway, it didn’t seem like Wooyeon would grant permission. Just then, Manager Cha, who had gone to smoke, returned.

 

“Cha cha cha cha. It’s been a long time.”

 

“It’s not that long. You had a hangover last week.”

 

Choi Haseong’s manager greeted Manager Cha with a friendly tone.

 

“Hey, hey, hey. Can you lend me your phone for a moment? Just need to make one call.”

 

“Why? What for?”

 

Manager Cha chuckled playfully and took out his phone from his pocket. While Choi Haseong’s manager went to make the call, Manager Cha looked at Inseop and smirked.

 

“What were you two talking about?”

 

“Oh, well, um…”

 

As Inseop was about to explain the situation, Choi Haseong’s manager approached with a bright expression.

 

“It’s settled. Got permission.”

 

“What permission?”

 

Manager Cha asked, shaking his head. Choi Haseong’s manager smiled at Inseop, saying they had something.

 

…So this cunning person was Manager Lee Sangpil.

 

Even if he regretted it later, he couldn’t take back what he had said.