Vol 3 Ch 33

“Where is the restroom?”

 

“If you go ahead, there’s a temporary restroom, but it doesn’t seem clean. I’ll let you know when I find a cleaner place.”

 

“I heard that the shrimp truck is delicious.”

 

“Yes. It’s a little further ahead.”

 

“Do we also go to the pineapple farm or something like that later? My grandson asked us to buy some souvenirs from there.”

 

“Yes. I understand. Since it’s on the way, we’ll stop by for a moment.”

 

Inseop calmly explained one question after another.

 

Inseop became the daily guide for four veteran actors who appeared in this drama. The actors’ managers didn’t participate in the tour, as if they had already made some excuse about not feeling well. In other words, Inseop became the bomb disposal unit.

 

“You’re driving very well. What did you say your name was?”

 

Choi Haseong, who was the last to get out of the car, asked Inseop. He had asked his name five times today alone.

 

“My name is Choi Inseop.”

 

“You seem young, why are you doing this kind of job?”

 

“I’m not that young.”

 

Choi Haseong looked Inseop up and down, hmming, and crossed his arms.

 

“I saw you speaking English well earlier. Where did you learn English?”

 

“…At home.”

 

It wasn’t a lie.

 

“You speak English so well without going to an academy? Teach my grandson that method. I spend a lot of money to send him abroad to study, but every time he comes back, instead of his English improving, the number of tattoos increases.”

 

“Language study is probably the hardest. Your grandson will surely get better.”

 

Inseop cautiously replied.

 

“Are you going to continue this job?”

 

“Yes? Uh…, I don’t really know.”

 

Choi Haseong once again hmmm’ed and looked Inseop up and down.

 

Is it noticeable that I’m not a manager? …Before, I was still a manager.

 

Inseop rubbed his cheek and lowered his head.

 

“Mr Inseop! Take a picture of us.”

 

“Yes! I got it.”

 

Inseop bowed to Choi Haseong, asking for permission, and hurried over to where he was called from.

 

“Take it with the sea in the background. Make our faces look small. Take it with good lighting. So that wrinkles won’t show.”

 

Complicated requests followed.

 

“Yes. I understand.”

 

Inseop received the phone and diligently took several photos from different angles. The faces of the actors brightened as they checked the photos.

 

Inseop quietly smiled at the childlike reactions of the elderly. Ultimately, although he ended up taking on the job, Inseop didn’t mind it because seeing the elderly reminded him of his grandmother.

 

However.

 

“…….”

 

Inseop gazed at the scenery unfolding along the coastal road. The deep blue sea shimmered so brightly that it almost hurt his eyes, crashing against the waves.

 

He didn’t know what made Wooyeon allow him to become a tour guide, but every time he encountered beautiful scenery, he felt a pang of regret.

 

It would have been nice if he had come along.

 

Whenever he ate delicious food or saw beautiful places, Wooyeon came to mind. Even though it might seem insignificant, he wanted to share all the good things he had with Wooyeon.

 

…I never knew I could like someone so much in every moment.

 

Inseop brushed his wind-blown hair aside and swallowed his laughter.

 

“Mr Inseop. We’re done taking photos, let’s get going.”

 

“Yes. I understand.”

 

Inseop quickly turned his head to respond to the call. After checking the map from the driver’s seat, he looked back and said, “Please fasten your seatbelt. We’ll be departing.”

 

He turned on the radio. Edith Piaf’s music began to play.

 

He watched a movie together with Wooyeon at home once a week. It wasn’t a planned arrangement, but it had become a routine habit.

 

Just a while ago, he dozed off while watching a biographical film about Edith Piaf. When he opened his eyes, the music was playing along with the ending credits. And Wooyeon, whom he thought would be watching the movie, was looking down at him. When their eyes met, Wooyeon’s eyes and lips softened.

 

Inseop involuntarily kissed him back with a mischievous smile. His boyish face, which showed up unconsciously, was so lovely that nothing else mattered. They sat on the couch and exchanged kisses until the song ended. So whenever he heard this song, Inseop naturally thought of Wooyeon.

 

He heard humming from behind.

 

“Shall I turn up the volume a bit?”

 

“Sure. You have a good sense, Mr Inseop.”

 

Inseop increased the volume. When he cracked open the window, the sea breeze flowed in.

 

It would have been nice if he were here, too.

 

As he turned the steering wheel, Inseop thought of Wooyeon all the way.

 

“Mr Inseopi. I think you should speed up a bit.”

 

“Am I going too slow?”

 

“No. It seems like there’s been honking coming from behind since a while ago.”

 

Inseop quickly lowered the volume and checked the rearview. Indeed, the car behind was honking. It was strange. It wasn’t like he was going too slow to irritate them, and even though it was a two-lane road, they could easily overtake if they wanted. Nevertheless, Inseop gestured apologetically and quickly moved the car to the shoulder. But the car behind continued to honk insistently, following closely.

 

“What’s wrong? Do they want us to stop?”

 

“Don’t stop. Stay in the car in case something happens. Yankee guys always carry guns around.”

 

Choi Haseong said seriously. Inseop hesitated but eventually stopped the car.

 

“Stay here and don’t get out. I’ll be back in a moment.”

 

Inseop unbuckled his seatbelt and said. It was scary, but right now, he was the only one protecting them.

 

The car behind also stopped on the shoulder. Inseop held his breath nervously. He couldn’t believe his eyes when he saw the person getting out of the driver’s seat of the black car.

 

“…Wooyeon?”

 

“It’s been a while.”

 

Wooyeon smiled pleasantly as he took off his sunglasses. Following him, manager Cha, wearing only swimming trunks and a shirt, descended with a disgruntled expression.

 

“What’s going on? No, how did you get here?”

 

Inseop was perplexed by the unexpected turn of events.

 

“…Wooyeon said we’ll go to a nice place, and he brought me here.”

 

Manager Cha replied with a sour expression.

 

“We’re at a nice place, aren’t we?”

 

Wooyeon smiled as he looked around at the sea unfolding along the coastal road. Manager Cha begrudgingly acknowledged it. He couldn’t bring himself to tell Inseop that when Wooyeon said he would bring him to a nice place, he genuinely thought he wanted to bury him somewhere and yelled profanities.

 

Inseop cautiously grabbed the hem of Manager Cha’s clothing.

 

“What happened?”

 

Manager Cha sighed deeply before responding.

 

“Sangpil thought he called Wooyeon on my phone.”

 

“What do you mean?”

 

“…The manager who asked to borrow my phone.”

 

“…Oh.”

 

It was only then that Inseop realized the full extent of the situation. Sangpil’s manager must have called Wooyeon using Manager Cha’s phone to ask for a favor, so it was understandable that Wooyeon would have misunderstood.

 

“I was lying on a pool bed, sipping cocktails, and that bastard grabs me and drags me here as soon as he sees me…. Ha, I can’t believe I’m not dead yet.”

 

“…I’m sorry.”

 

“Mr. Inseop, you don’t need to apologize. It’s all that bastard Kim’s fault.”

 

Manager Cha still cursed Kim, the agent who had renegotiated with Wooyeon, whenever he got drunk.

 

“So, what do we do now?”

 

Inseop asked, to which Manager Cha replied with a gloomy face.

 

“What can we do? The fucking awesome Hawaii tour with Wooyeon is starting.”

 

***

 

Manager Cha referred to the “Fucking Awesome Hawaii Tour with Lee Wooyeon” as surprisingly peaceful and uneventful.

 

Lee Wooyeon joined in with a friendly smile, saying he wanted to spend time with his seniors. They stopped by a pineapple farm to buy souvenirs and eat ice cream, had lunch at a shrimp truck, and parked the car in front of a truck selling donuts and coffee along the coastal road.

 

As Manager Cha observed Lee Wooyeon chatting happily with senior actors, suspicion filled his eyes.

 

“Why is he like that? Is he out of his mind?”

 

Manager Cha whispered to Inseop.

 

“He’s usually respectful to seniors.”

 

“That may be the case on set, but coming all the way here…”

 

Manager Cha still wore a dissatisfied expression. He had expected Lee Wooyeon to stay here alone and drive Inseop back to the hotel, but Lee Wooyeon’s actions were unexpected.

 

“It’s strange. There must be some ulterior motive.”

 

As Manager Cha received the ordered donuts and coffee, he couldn’t shake off his suspicion. Inseop thought it was nice to be here with Lee Wooyeon, but he didn’t voice it.

 

As they brought the food to the table, compliments poured in for Inseop from all sides.

 

“Inseop, how are you so good at English? I thought you were American.”

 

Inseop, who was indeed American, just smiled silently and shared his coffee.

 

“He seems really kind. I’ve been around people for a long time, so I know people, but Inseop is genuine.”

 

“Thank you for the kind words.”

 

Inseop replied politely and took his seat. He locked eyes with Lee Wooyeon sitting across from him. Expecting him to playfully smile, Lee Wooyeon simply stared at Inseop without saying a word. Inseop fidgeted with his coffee cup and glanced downwards.

 

“Did you say your name is Choi Inseop? Are you from the Choi family somewhere?”

 

Startled by Choi Haseong’s question, Inseop looked up.

 

“From the Choi family?”

 

Did surnames also have regions? Inseop was puzzled and blinked his large eyes.

 

“I’m from the Jeonju Choi family. How about your family?”

 

“My family… …”

 

He didn’t even know any Chinese characters. There was just the name Choi Inseop written on the paper. In fact, Inseop didn’t even know if it was his name or his father’s name.

 

“Are you continuing with musicals, senior?”

 

Choi Haseong’s attention shifted abruptly at Lee Wooyeon’s sudden question. Inseop inwardly sighed with relief. He had no shame or hesitation in revealing he was adopted; he just didn’t want to spoil the cheerful atmosphere. There had been a few times when he casually mentioned his background and the atmosphere turned chilly.

 

Inseop listened to the conversation around him while sipping his coffee.

 

“Wooyeon, do you have any upcoming projects after this? Let me know if you get a good script. Let’s work together.”

 

The success of the projects Lee Wooyeon appears in is somewhat guaranteed. It was natural for supporting actors to hope for appearances in such projects, just as leading actresses did.

 

“I haven’t secured anything yet. If a good project comes up, I’ll let the seniors know.”

 

Lee Wooyeon replied with a gentle smile. It was a remarkably sociable smile.

 

“But still, your schedule must be filled up, right? With the drama being a hit, even if you just do the commercials that come your way, you could buy a building.”

 

“I have to go back tomorrow because of an interview schedule.”

 

“Tomorrow?”

 

“Tomorrow?”

 

Manager Cha and Inseop asked simultaneously. Lee Wooyeon nodded.

 

“Did the schedule change? When? I haven’t been informed by the CEO.”

 

Manager Cha shook his head.

 

“You’ll receive it soon.”

 

Manager Cha, who was quick-witted, didn’t inquire further, and Inseop felt disappointed at the thought of leaving here tomorrow.

 

At that moment, Lee Wooyeon’s phone rang.

 

“I’ll take this call for a moment.”

 

Lee Wooyeon asked for permission and stood up. As if waiting for this moment, Choi Haseong turned to Inseop and asked the same question.

 

“You’re from the Jeonju Choi family, right?”

 

“…I’m not sure.”

 

“You don’t know that either? Ask your parents when you go to Korea. Also, find out what branch you’re from.”

 

“Mr. Choi, why are you suddenly asking about Inseop’s family background? Are you playing matchmaker?”

 

Beside Choi Haseong, Lee Yunjung brushed sugar off her donut and asked.

 

“I have a decent niece. If you go to Korea, I’ll introduce you to her.”

 

“Mr. Choi, shouldn’t you ask if Inseop has a partner first?”

 

Manager Cha intervened as a savior.

 

“Does he?”

 

Choi Haseong asked.

 

“Yes, I do.”

 

Inseop responded promptly.

 

“It’s okay. They’re going to break up anyway. It’s not like you’re going to get married at this age.”

 

Inseop was extremely troubled. He couldn’t marry, but he was dating someone he couldn’t break up with.

 

“Just meet her once. If you don’t like her, you don’t have to meet again.”

 

“It seems Mr. Choi likes Inseop. What’s up with the tough guy suddenly being so interested?”

 

Everyone just laughed and no one stopped him. They knew Choi Haseong’s stubbornness and unyielding personality well.

 

“I’m sorry. I don’t think that’s possible.”

 

“Why?”

 

“Because I’m in a relationship, and I don’t want to hurt their feelings.”

 

As Inseop, quiet and introverted, firmly drew the line, there was a slightly surprised atmosphere around him.

 

“This is just a back-and-forth love story. It’s not like it’s a crime. And about this matter, just do it as an occasional part-time job and then drop it. It’s not something people should do.”

 

“Yeah, Inseop. Have you heard what the teacher said?”

 

Manager Cha, who had been doing things that people shouldn’t do for twenty years, laughed heartily and patted Inseop’s shoulder.

 

“Anyway, since I’m introducing you, give me your contact.”

 

Choi Haseong extended his phone to Inseop. Inseop only managed an awkward smile. He wanted to firmly refuse, but he couldn’t bring himself to do it, fearing it might inconvenience Lee Wooyeon.

 

“Mr. Choi, actually, he’s dating my niece. They’re planning to get married around next spring, and we’ve already informed both families. Since we work in the same company, it’s a bit difficult to disclose this.”

 

Inseop turned to look at Manager Cha in surprise at his sudden remark. Manager Cha gestured for him to stay quiet and continued speaking.

 

“Although they’re young, they’re serious about each other, and both parents have approved.”

 

“Really? Are they really getting married?”

 

Choi Haseong looked at Inseop with a disapproving gaze.

 

“Yes, we are.”

 

Inseop answered in a hesitant voice. He didn’t want to lie, but he disliked being introduced to someone else even more.

 

“How old is he that he’s already getting married?”

 

Choi Haseong grumbled, seemingly displeased.

 

“Oh, Teacher. These days, young people are avoiding marriage anyway. You should praise them.”

 

“My son is turning forty the day after tomorrow and still insists on living alone. I wish he’d get married.”

 

“It might be better not to. It’ll only cause trouble.”

 

“Maybe we should believe him since it’s something he’s done twice before.”

 

Fortunately, the conversation shifted to marriage and divorce. Inseop listened to unrelated conversations while drinking his coffee.

 

“I think it’s about time to leave.”

 

Lee Wooyeon, who had returned after finishing the call, smiled and said.

 

“Let’s just watch the sunset here. I feel reluctant to get up for no reason.”

 

“Yes, let’s do that.”

 

Lee Wooyeon smiled wistfully as he sipped his coffee.

 

Manager Cha muttered under his breath in a barely audible voice, calling Lee Wooyeon a creepy, well-socialized psycho. Inseop couldn’t deny those words. Today’s Lee Wooyeon was exactly the polite and kind actor Lee Wooyeon seen on screen.