episode_0117

– Eeiiing, thud.

On a slightly late evening, I parked the car in a residential area and turned my head towards the passenger seat.

“Taehyun, thank you for today. But please, never do this again. I’ll really get serious and angry next time.”

Kim Taehyun scratched the back of his head and replied.

“Ahaha. Yes… I’m sorry.”

“Anyway, thanks to you, I was able to relax a bit after a long time. Weekends are filled with weddings, body profiles, company dinners with the senior manager. Wow… looking back, I was really a workaholic.”

Even though my current stamina is running at its peak in my life, people eventually get tired. Yes, it’s clear that I’ve been pushing myself too hard lately. Even though my tolerance for alcohol is still unmatched by anyone! (I did end up knocking everyone down and passing out)

“You’re amazing, really. I don’t know about the previous team leader, but… the current team leader is really energetic.”

“Taehyun, isn’t that… sexual harassment?”

If I had heard such words when I was a man, I would have taken it as a compliment, but now I couldn’t. It’s not only important how I take it, but it’s also not good to just brush off words that are meant to mock you. Oh, of course, Kim Taehyun had no reason to say that to me, and this was just my joke.

“Oh, why would you say something so regretful? Well… it seems like you have good stamina, so you can handle being so busy. Oh, maybe I should try exercising too.”

I quickly scanned Kim Taehyun’s body. He did seem a bit slim. He wasn’t as skinny as a dried anchovy, but he had a leaner physique than average.

“Good idea. Oh, should I introduce you to a personal trainer? Maybe you can get a discount through a friend.”

“Okay, I’ll think positively.”

“Don’t just think, take action. I’m also someone who overthinks a lot, but when you have stamina, you gain confidence and become brighter, you know? That’s what I’ve experienced.”

“Hmm, I see. But if I exercise, will you be the one teaching me, Team Leader?”

“Me? If you’re going to have a personal trainer, it would be better to have someone more professional, right?”

“Well… exercising is not a problem, but personal training fees are no joke…”

That’s true too. With a new employee’s salary, paying rent, living expenses, electricity, gas, water, phone bills, and then personal training fees, wouldn’t more than half of the salary disappear?

“That’s true. Well… okay, let’s try to reduce the frequency and it wouldn’t be bad for me to teach you.”

With a noticeably bright expression, Kim Taehyun nodded.

“Haha. Well then, how about tomorrow? Oh, do you not exercise on Saturdays?”

“It’s not that… I have that thing.”

Even now, as the painkiller’s effects were wearing off, my lower abdomen was starting to ache.

“Oh, right… I forgot. I’m sorry.”

As Kim Taehyun lowered his head, I waved my hand and replied.

“It’s okay. And tomorrow, even if it’s not that, I have plans.”

Tomorrow is Saturday. I have a promise to go to a preview with author Lee Youngwoo.

“Wow… again? You’re really energetic… no, active. By any chance, is the first letter of your MBTI?”

“I. I… but… um… I’m not doing it by my own will. I enjoy meeting people, but when I come home, I just collapse.”

“Haha, I know that feeling. Oh, this isn’t mindless empathy, it’s genuine empathy.”

It seems like my earlier words struck a nerve. There’s no need to be so conscientious about it. I guess, in some ways, I’m overly diligent?

“Who said what?”

“Hahaha, oh, by the way, do you have any plans for tomorrow that I can ask about?”

“Tomorrow… Oh! Do you know Taehyun? Director Kim Sion.”

I thought he would know since he’s interested in movies, so I asked, but as expected, he didn’t.

“Oh! I know. Of course. He may not have a film that has hit 10 million yet, but he’s famous for always breaking even with his promises as a director.”

“I knew he was famous, but I didn’t know he was known by that nickname, haha. Tomorrow, a friend of mine has tickets for a screening with that director, so he asked me to go with him.”

“Wow, really? I’m jealous. Well, I guess your friend must be someone in the film industry?”

Kim Taehyun asked with a twinkle in his eye, and I slightly leaned back, feeling a bit uncomfortable, and answered.

“Well~ well~ calm down. Well… a writer? A scriptwriter? Anyway, I call him a writer, he writes scripts for movies and dramas. Have you heard of Lee Yeongwoo?”

Kim Taehyun chuckled and shook his head. It seemed like he didn’t recognize a writer who wasn’t that famous.

When I listed the titles of his works, he finally understood.

“Oh! That’s it! Wow, amazing. How do you know such a person?”

Well, I was quite surprised when I found out that the person I invited to watch dramas with had written such well-known works. It’s not strange to be amazed and fascinated by his work.

“His works are all so emotional, and I’ve been deeply impressed by many of them. Lee Yeongwoo… Hmm…”

“He occasionally participates in film and drama-related discussions and sharing. It’s really amazing, right? From interpreting works to analyzing characters, his ability is remarkable. Oh, and I heard he also lectures at universities, so he’s definitely outstanding.”

Honestly, I don’t know if I admire him or not. He’s someone who pursues dreams and romance, unlike me, who has been immersed in reality. He’s someone who has achieved one thing after another.

He’s definitely a person worthy of respect. That’s what I thought.

And then I thought it wouldn’t be bad to introduce our Dabin to him as well, since Dabin had asked me to introduce him once.

“But he’s also amazing. I heard it’s not easy for women to survive in the film industry, and yet he’s been active for so long.”

Huh?

“Huh?”

“Why? Oh, you don’t know. The film industry is mostly male-dominated on the production side…”

“Oh, no. It’s not that…”

“No?”

Kim Taehyun widened his eyes innocently and tilted his head.

“Well… Lee Yeongwoo is a man.”

He also gives off quite a dandy impression.

“Huh?”

“He’s a man. A male writer.”

“His name is Lee Yeongwoo though?”

“Well, he does give off a neutral vibe, but he’s still a man.”

“Even though his works are so emotional?”

“People can be emotional. He’s pure.”

“Oh… I see…”

What’s with this disappointment? I thought he was a fiercely surviving female writer in the film industry, but it turns out he’s not, so I’m disappointed?

I mumbled something, but it was so quiet that I couldn’t hear what I said. I bid farewell with a bitter expression.

“Well… Yes. …Yes. It was nice meeting you.”

Was it really that disappointing? Lee Yeongwoo, I’m sorry. I just blew away one of your fans. (I didn’t even know he existed until just now)

“Well… um… I don’t know how to comfort you, but… um, stay strong.”

“Oh… Yes. Enjoy the movie tomorrow. Oh, I’ll heat up the galbijjim you gave me and enjoy it.”

“Oh, okay. Take care.”

Unable to adapt to the sudden change in atmosphere, I just watched him go home and soon felt bitter myself as I drove home.

**

“….”

Kim Taehyun lay on his bed, quietly staring at the wall.

“It was good….”

He quietly reminisced about everything he had learned about her since yesterday.

As soon as he realized his feelings for her, he hurriedly ran out to answer the phone that was ringing.

“Jiyeon… sniff, don’t go. I’ll do better.”

Seeing her weak appearance.

“Wooh, woohweee!”

Having experienced something unpleasant.

“Sniff, I didn’t eat!!”

Even seeing her in a childlike state he hadn’t expected.

“Taehyun, this behavior, honestly makes me uncomfortable. I’m disappointed as your superior too.”

Even scolding himself in an adult-like manner.

“Oh, bring Melona on your way back!”

Showing a silly side.

“Hey~ It’s just one bed scene. Why react so strongly? They’re still kids. Hehe.”

Even showing a teasing older sister-like side.

“How is it, tasty right? Eat up. There’s more. Oh, I’ll pack the leftovers for you to heat up at home later. Got it?”

Taking care of him like a caring mother.

All those different sides of her.

“It was really nice….”

Eventually, a tear rolled down his cheek as he covered himself with the blanket.

“Watching a movie with another guy…. sniff….”

He thought they had become close, but it seemed to be just his own wishful thinking. His heart felt itchy.

Who said that the second love is less painful than the first? Kim Taehyun clenched his aching heart.

Of course, no, most likely it was just his excessive interpretation. How could she develop feelings for a man after becoming a woman? Isn’t that the same as homosexuality?

They were probably just friends, or acquaintances at most.

No, but her eyes when she talked about him were shining too brightly, and just the thought of her feelings being directed towards someone else made his heart ache too much.

And so, tears fell endlessly.

Ah… I’ve really fallen for Chief Cha.

On a late summer night, the sad night of a young man in love deepened like that.