episode_0102

It’s true that my journey towards achieving the perfect body profile started off at a higher point than most people. But that doesn’t mean suppressing my appetite and enduring painful exercise was easy. Anyway, it’s over for today, and from now on, I plan to maintain exercise for weight control and health purposes.

“You’re really impressive.”

“Haha, oh stop it. Anyway, I’ll place an order first. I’m starving.”

“Oh, of course.”

I apologized to him and opened the menu, glancing at it briefly before ordering a Pomodoro (pasta with tomatoes) and a rocket pizza.

-Thunk!

After loudly closing the menu, I handed it to the waiter from earlier, who took it and nodded before walking away.

“Phew.”

Feeling drained as if I had just accomplished something big, I sat back in my chair.

“You must be really hungry.”

After fasting for a long time, my stomach had shrunk, and I couldn’t finish the food alone. But ordering something shareable was just a way to split the meal.

“Will you eat with me? I can’t finish it all by myself. Hehe.”

“Haha, then just order a little…”

“You only drink beverages, and I feel embarrassed eating alone. So, please join me. Okay?”

I winked at him, making the request.

Initially, I thought it might be rude to pressure him into eating, especially since I had moved up the meeting time. But it had been almost four months since I started meeting regularly with author Lee Young-woo. We were starting to feel like friends, or at least friendly. Enough to make jokes like this.

Moreover…

“Uh… sure…”

He replied absentmindedly, staring at me as if entranced. I was well aware of my overwhelming appearance, to the point where calling it pretty seemed inadequate.

Even before my transformation, I was considered good-looking, to the extent that some women knew I was a married man in my early thirties and still flirted with me.

I was accustomed to admiration and affectionate glances from others. In short, I knew how to use my good looks to my advantage.

Of course, having lived as a man all my life, I couldn’t appeal to femininity or cuteness like other pretty women. I didn’t want to, either.

“Haha, just kidding. You don’t have to force yourself to eat if you’re full. I just ordered a lot because I was hungry.”

I lightly patted his shoulder, jokingly.

“Uh, well… I was feeling a bit hungry too, so I can eat a few slices of pizza, I think.”

He replied, putting the bag he had been holding into his bag, then suddenly, our eyes met.

And a subtle silence began. At the end of this complex and subtle moment, I, the bag, and author Lee Young-woo.

“Um… if you’re free next week, would you like to go together?”

Author Lee Young-woo asked me.

What? Go where together?

“Yes, yes? Where…?”

I replied in confusion, and then he seemed to realize he had forgotten to mention the event and started explaining in a rush.

In summary…

“It’s a premiere ticket for a movie that I’m not sure if I want to attend or not. It’s a bit awkward to go alone. That’s what you mean, right?”

“Yes, that’s it.”

Ah… so that’s why he looked so awkward when I asked earlier.

“But how did you end up in that kind of relationship? This director… he’s quite famous, isn’t he?”

I’m not a huge movie buff, but since Davin likes movies, I’ve been keeping up with them here and there. Among them, there were many box office hits, but there were also well-made films that didn’t do well at the box office, like indie films, so I had a broader perspective on movies than most people.

From what I saw, the director who made the movie being screened at this preview was a well-known director with a recognizable name. One of his impressive works was a film he made when he was actively producing independent films.

Anyway, for people who watch movies, they would have at least heard of this famous director…

“Well… he was a bit of a hotshot when he was younger… We worked together at one point. It ended on a bad note, so it’s a bit awkward for me to see him now.”

Oh, so there’s a backstory there.

“In the end, it was somewhat successful, and both Director Jeong and I were able to break into commercial films, so things worked out well… but it’s still uncomfortable for me.”

“Well, there are people like that. I understand.”

“Haha, this is embarrassing. It feels like I showed an immature side of myself.”

Author Lee Young-woo blushed and scratched the back of his head.

“Well, what can you do. I actually feel good that we’ve become closer, right?”

When do people become close to each other? There may be a few moments, but I think one of those moments is when you get to know each other’s weaknesses.

Why, don’t men say that kind of thing to each other? To become close, go to the bathhouse together. Or drink together. Revealing one’s own weaknesses, whether it’s in faith or in a drunken state, is a difficult thing to do if there is no desire to become close or friendly.

So when he revealed his weaknesses, it was something I couldn’t help but appreciate.

“Anyway, next Saturday evening, right?”

“Yes. But really, it’s okay if you don’t come…”

“Ah~ then you shouldn’t have brought it up from the beginning. Hehe.”

“It’s just because Doyeon is curious…”

“Hehe, just kidding. It’s a good thing that we’re not just discussing in cafes all the time. It’s a good opportunity, right? We can watch movies together and share our opinions in the future.”

As a writer by profession, Lee Woo-young occasionally teaches at university as a part-time lecturer, and the meetings that started with mutual interest seemed to gradually turn into his one-sided lecture style.

So from my perspective, I was grateful, but somehow, as the content became more specialized, I felt a bit burdened, as if I had to pay for it.

“Well… it’s good to organize our thoughts after watching each other’s works, but it might be good to share our raw, unfiltered thoughts right after watching. Hm, hm.”

I’m not the type to make friends easily, but Lee Young-woo seemed to have a somewhat unique personality.

These days, playwrights and screenwriters are more like functionaries than artists, but when I look at this person, that statement doesn’t seem to fit him.

Anyway, as we discussed the rules for watching movies and sharing opinions, and made plans to meet next week, the food we ordered started to be served.

-Gulp.

Just like before, my hunger reached its peak when the food was placed in front of me. Forgetting to take pictures of the food, I quickly put it in my mouth, and at that moment, I found the answer to the philosophical question of what happiness is.

“Ah, it’s so damn delicious.”

Was I overwhelmed with joy? Without realizing it, a vulgar word slipped out of my mouth.

“Ah!”

After spitting out the words, I met eyes with the author Lee Young-woo, and it seemed like he was quite surprised.

“Ah, ah….”

What’s wrong? Why do you look so disappointed?

People can curse and stuff as they live their lives. No, it’s not even cursing from the start.

“Um, well…hehe.”

I had nothing else to say, so I just laughed. Seeing this, Lee Young-woo seemed to realize his expression and quickly smiled, saying,

“Ahaha, I was just a bit surprised. Not disappointed or anything. Yes. In fact, I’m glad that we seem to have become friendly, just like you said.”

“Ahaha, thanks for seeing it that way…. Anyway, please eat quickly, author. The pizza in this house is delicious.”

I could tell why Lee Young-woo was feeling embarrassed earlier. People really need to put themselves in others’ shoes. I could understand why Hammurabi was considered the golden rule.

Anyway. Let’s eat quickly.

Once the food entered my hungry stomach, my hands moved quickly, and the food disappeared as if by magic.

“Phew, I’m full.”

It’s been a while. I feel like I’ve eaten to the point of being sick. Maybe the last time was when I went to Busan?

“How was it, having a proper meal after a long time?”

Lee Young-woo asked.

“Oh, it’s great. Trying to eat properly and all that, but what’s up with this body profile…. Ugh! It’s too good!”

“Ugh!”

Stretching and twisting my body, I turned my head, blushing. It was hot outside, but the air conditioning made it cold, so even with a cardigan on, it was hard to hide the body with all the dieting curves showing.

“Well, now that you’ve finished your meal, shall we start getting up?”

As I got up and grabbed my bag, Lee Young-woo’s face turned even redder, like a tomato, and he struggled to speak.

“Um, it’s a bit awkward right now. Just a moment….”

“What? Why…oh…. Yes. Haha.”

I was puzzled by his reaction, but quickly understood and sat back down.

Well, it can happen.

It’s possible….

It was summer.