"I saw earlier that you're with Haedo Seonbae a lot... You two seem close," she observed, smiling.
I paused, thinking, before replying honestly. "Can I ask what your relationship is?" she inquired. I considered telling her the truth: 'We used to date.' ...But I don't need to be that honest, I decided. Instead, I gave her a simpler answer: "We're just friends from college."
Her eyes widened in surprise and delight. "Oh! You both went to Soojin College! That's so cool... I didn't go to college, so I envy people who went to school together."
"Oh, I see how you could feel that way," I replied gently.
She then looked a little sad. "Oh, are you two not very close? But sometimes things can feel more difficult because we know each other."
She mistook my closeness with Haedo. "To me, it seemed like you were really close to each other... so I wondered if you were dating... Ah, sorry! I didn't mean to pry into your private life...!"
I couldn't help but chuckle. "Haha, it's alright. We're definitely not dating," I reassured her with a smile.
"Really???" she exclaimed, her face lighting up.
I confirmed. "Haedo is a good actor, but he wouldn't make a good boyfriend."
She looked stunned and then asked in a worried, sullen expression, "Really?! How come...???"
I knew the answer, and a small smile played on my lips as I prepared to tell her.
My answer about Haedo being a good actor but a poor boyfriend seemed to make her anxious, and she became even more shy, nervously rubbing her fingers together. "He seems super sweet..." she mumbled.
"...?!" I felt a question forming in my mind that I had to ask. "Do you like Haedo?"
Her reaction was immediate and explosive. She gasped, face flushing bright red, her eyes wide with shock and embarrassment. "WHATTTT?!?!?!" She then looked around frantically to see if anyone had heard.
I leaned in closer as she started to whisper, a single tear welling up in her eye. She covered her mouth with her hand and begged me in a hushed tone, "...Can't tell anyone..." She then whispered, "Yes, I DOOO..." She was so transparent and sweet about it. She's so cute, I thought, smiling at her honesty.
To change the subject and ease her embarrassment, I decided to ask her something casual. "How old are you, Lisu?"
She beamed, happy to answer. "I'M 20 YEARS OLD!"
I paused, absorbing the information. "You're 20..." I smirked playfully at her. "Then Haedo must seem like a middle-aged man to you!"
"WHAT? NO, HE'S SO COOL!!!" she protested vehemently, flustered but still firm in her admiration.
She then returned to the previous topic, her face serious. "But what did you mean earlier when you said he wouldn't be a good boyfriend? He was really popular in college, huh?"
I burst out laughing. She immediately misinterpreted my laugh.
"ACK! Was he a player...?!" she gasped, horrified.
"HAHAHA, it wasn't anything like that," I reassured her, still smiling. "It's..." I began, ready to explain the real reason.
"She's so full of life..." I murmured, a soft smile on my face. "Thanks, Lily." I added, genuinely touched by her vigorous support. She truly is an idol among celebrities. A celebrity among idols, I thought, admiring her bright energy.
A few minutes later, I was in the car, having finished my day. Haedo's manager, the woman in the mask, was in the driver's seat.
"Good work today, Haedo," she said. "Going back home now, right?"
"Nah, take me to the practice room," he replied.
The driver, a man in a beanie, looked over his shoulder, surprised. "Why? The drama's first episode is airing today. Don't you want to watch it together?"
The manager sighed, adjusting her cat-mask. "I've decided I'm not going to care about this drama. Why'd they bring in this girl who can't even act? I'm so stressed out."
The driver defended the new actress. "...Didn't Lily do well at the table read?"
The manager scoffed, muttering under her breath. "If reading's the only thing she can do well, she should have been a voice actor." Then she complained louder, "No, even idols can act these days. So why can't she?"
The driver, a self-proclaimed "Lily's Fan" as the text indicated, seemed determined to cheer up the manager. "Don't hate on Lily too much... Oh! And at least you've got I."
The manager gave a dismissive look, a subtle mutter escaping her lips. "She's still the same as ever. She can't lie at all."
"What do you mean?" the driver asked, confused.
The manager only sighed dramatically. "Argh... Anyway, this drama's done for. What are ya gonna do, haha."
The driver gave her a questioning look. "What do you mean?"
The manager smirked, her face in the mask somehow more intense as she looked at Haedo. "Haedo... the drama's produced by our agency, so give it your best shot, alright?"
"I always do," Haedo responded, then leaned in, his gaze sharp as he pulled back his mask just slightly. "Have you ever seen me do a half-assed job?" His eyes promised complete dedication, regardless of the drama's co-star or his manager's fears.
Later
I must have fallen asleep, resting my head against the seat during the ride. I woke with a jolt, suddenly seeing Haedo looking over me.
"Ah!! Was I asleep for a while? Sorry. You should have woken me...!" I exclaimed, pulling myself up quickly.
He looked at me intently, his gaze unwavering. "It hasn't been long. I had just put a coat over you."
I turned, realizing he had covered me with his jacket. Haedo's simple, thoughtful act of care in the dark car felt like an intimate moment, a stark contrast to the professional distance we usually maintained. The manager and the driver were already gone, leaving just the two of us.
Haedo and I stepped out of the car, standing before the large, imposing building that housed the practice room. He seemed ready to dive into work, despite the late hour.
"The drama's first episode is airing tonight," I reminded him gently, pulling his coat off my shoulders and offering it back.
He merely gave a slight nod, his eyes already focused on the entrance. He didn't take the coat.
"I'm not going to watch it," he stated simply.
"Oh, alright. See you tomorrow then. Good luck with practice," I said, turning to leave, figuring he wanted to be alone with his work.
But then, he stopped me. "Wait."
I turned back to face him, surprised. He was holding something out to me.
"Take this," he said, offering a small paper bag. "It's the energy drink you like."
I took the bag, warmth spreading through me despite the sudden formality of the moment. "Thanks," I said quietly, looking at him one last time before finally walking away.
He's still the same as ever, I thought, a mix of old fondness and new confusion stirring in my chest. Acting cold, then showing a small kindness.
I was only stared by eun yuhan?
The moment he stepped inside, the door closed with a CREAK, and the dimly lit hallway seemed to press in on us. I stood there, watching his silhouette as he paused.
"DO YOU WANT TO WATCH IT TOGETHER?" I asked, trying to sound casual, though my heart was a little tight. I didn't wait for him to respond before launching into an explanation. "WATCHING THE FIRST EPISODE OF A DRAMA I'M IN IS SUPPOSED TO BE A HIGHLIGHT IN MY LIFE. BUT I DIDN'T HAVE ANYONE TO SHARE THIS MOMENT WITH..." My attempt at a light-hearted laugh came out a little forced. "I'M BRINGING THE MOOD DOWN, HAHA. PLEASE COME INSIDE."
He turned, his profile briefly catching the light. His expression, a mix of weariness and relief, hit me. He finally spoke, his voice soft. "...THANK YOU. I REALLY DIDN'T WANT TO BE ALONE TODAY."
The sincerity in his words settled the matter for me. It wasn't about the drama anymore; it was about him.
"THEN PLEASE CALL ON ME," I told him, stepping closer. I saw his eyes widen in surprise.
"WHAT?" he asked, clearly taken aback.
I looked at him straight on, a genuine smile replacing my earlier strained one. I wanted him to understand that this wasn't a casual offer. This was a promise.
"IF YOU EVER FEEL LONELY OR SAD... OR NEED A SHOULDER TO LEAN ON... ...I'LL ALWAYS BE BY YOUR SIDE."