episode_0001

I press the camera shutter.

A white flash burst over the black canopy.

For a brief moment, the night sky filled with white stars was visible. And at the center of that night sky, there was a beautiful constellation.

I observed the constellation through the lens.

Two long, stretched legs.

Although overall thin, each element symbolizing femininity held a very seductive line.

A chest swollen like a ripe peach, modestly.

Along the waist drawing flexible curves, smoothly spreading down the hip line.

Round and plump hips lifted high.

If a renowned sculptor were asked to carve a modern Venus statue, I think it might look like this.

Beauty is not just about the figure.

Facial features densely packed into a small face.

The large pupils seemed as clear and sparkling as if they contained a European summer lake.

The name of this constellation is He Yujin.

She’s my assigned model.

Starting from high school, I began part-time fitting modeling work at the recommendation of a friend, eventually becoming the exclusive model for ‘Soul Line,’ one of Korea’s prominent internet shopping malls.

While doing fitting modeling, I occasionally receive calls from magazines for photo shoots as well.

I might consider aiming for fashion modeling, but I don’t seem to have the ambition or desire for it.

Is it thanks to that?

I hold the exclusive rights to capture this girl.

Through this camera, that is.

“Good job.”

Today’s shoot is finished.

We started at 10 a.m. and shot for nearly seven hours.

“Sigh…”

My eyes are stiff with fatigue.

I press my thumbs against my eye bags and take a deep breath.

I lost focus towards the end, having to retake several shots.

I feel sorry for the model.

Being photographed is more demanding than taking photos.

She changed outfits 30 times and had her sweat-smudged makeup touched up frequently. Besides, she had to pose and act according to the director’s instructions, which is no easy task.

But Yujin showed no signs of exhaustion to the extent that my apologies seemed insignificant.

Wiping the sweat on her neck with a towel due to the heat from the lights, her composed face remained very calm.

“Yujin, you really worked hard today.”

I greeted Yujin as she headed towards the dressing room.

“Yes, Director, you too.”

Smiling brightly, Yujin nodded in response and passed by me.

If we had just met, one might think she was being rude.

However, having observed Yujin since my third year of high school, I know she isn’t dismissive because she naturally has a cold personality.

If she had a dismissive attitude, she wouldn’t treat me as a director.

Though rare these days, in the past, she would compliment me on how nicely and beautifully I captured her in the photos I took. She even returned gifts during holidays.

She keeps her shooting appointments and never complains, showing little interest in socializing.

“Right, Yujin.”

I approached Yujin heading into the dressing room.

“We’re going out for dinner later, want to join us?”

I pointed my thumb backward.

Yujin’s eyes narrowed slightly.

A suspicious gaze.

Some directors among the camera crew sometimes try to flirt with models and play tricks.

I may have heard it from other models, though I’ve never encountered such a person.

For the record, I am not that kind of person.

Yujin may be a truly beautiful girl, but I know my limits well.

I’m just grateful that I can capture this flower with my camera.

“Just you and the director?”

“No, no.”

I extended both hands.

“Of course, we’ll all go together.”

“Oh, okay.”

Yujin’s brow furrowed slightly.

For almost three years, I’ve been observing her face closely, so I can immediately notice subtle emotional changes.

She seems uncomfortable in crowded places because she prefers being around fewer people.

I’m worried.

Even though she’s still young, as a member of society, she should know how to navigate social life. This world is not a place where you can live recklessly.

Of course, even though I think this way, I’m still young in the eyes of society.

“It’s been a while since the boss said he’s treating us to beef. What do you think?”

I already know the answer that will follow.

She will decline, citing fatigue.

I can count on one hand the number of times I’ve properly attended work dinners.

“I’ll go.”

“Still tired… What?”

“I said I’m going. Why? Is it not okay?”

Heo Yujin brushed her black hair behind her ear and looked at me with narrowed eyes.

“There’s no reason why not. Everyone will be happy if Yujin comes.”

It was a surprisingly unexpected response.

She usually leaves work earlier than anyone else, so I was a bit surprised when she casually mentioned attending.

“Will Director also be coming?”

Heo Yujin asked, flipping her already brushed-aside hair once more.

“Of course, I’ll be there too.”

At my response, Heo Yujin gave a faint smile.

It was an uncomfortable, almost displeased expression.

Does she not like that I’m going?

I don’t quite understand why, but it seems like Heo Yujin dislikes me.

While I acknowledge her skills as a camera director, it feels like she doesn’t particularly appreciate me as ‘Lee Seung Hyun.’

Did I do something wrong?

I’ve pondered several times before if I made any mistakes, but I couldn’t pinpoint anything significant. We aren’t close enough for me to make a mistake that would warrant such feelings.

We rarely engage in personal conversations outside of business matters.

“Got it.”

Heo Yujin swiftly turned and headed towards the changing room.

“…Should I just skip out?”

I scratched my head.

Considering how she often glances at me even during regular times, it’s clear that Heo Yujin doesn’t like me.

…It’s disappointing.

As a man, I don’t expect her to like me.

I just wish she’d appreciate me as a colleague.

“I should ask for a reason.”

Although I briefly considered leaving to accommodate Heo Yujin’s rare attendance at the dinner, I had been curious about the coldness she directed towards me for a long time, so I decided to ask her this time.

I loaded my personal equipment into the car and headed to the meeting place.

The destination was a premium beef restaurant located about a 5-minute drive from the studio. It’s a place known for selling high-quality Hanwoo beef at reasonable prices, making it a popular spot for work dinners.

“Sorry for being late.”

Upon arrival, everyone was already grilling meat.

I was delayed as I was reviewing the photos taken today.

My work doesn’t end with just shooting; I also need to select and edit the photos to be used.

I greeted the staff and found an empty seat.

Surprisingly, Heo Yujin’s adjacent seat was vacant.

It’s strange that a seat that would likely have been taken first remained unoccupied.

Oh well, whatever.

Since I planned to have a serious conversation with her, now that she’s no longer a child, I naturally moved to sit beside her.

“Eek…!”

As I tried to sit next to her, Heo Yujin, who was sipping cola, flinched.

“Is it okay if I sit here?”

Heo Yujin nodded hesitantly.

The awkward atmosphere continued throughout the dinner.

I intended to cautiously bring up a conversation with Heo Yujin once the mood became livelier and noisier, but I couldn’t find the opportunity amidst her interactions with other models and staff members who were engaging with her eagerly as she attended a work dinner after a long time.

“Seung Hyun.”

Occasionally taking sips of soju and enjoying the well-cooked meat, a woman dressed neatly in a casual two-piece suit came over to join me.

It was Seo A Yeon, who runs a shopping mall.

She’s a remarkable woman, running a large shopping mall at just 27, one year younger than me.

“Yes, boss.”

“Haha, why so formal?”

“How else should I address the boss?”

“My name. I asked you to call me by my name.”

“How can an employee be so casual?”

Seo A-yeon plopped down on my chair, swaying her hips.

I perched on the edge of the chair, making room for her to sit comfortably.

She always tells me to treat her like a younger sister, but I don’t think it’s right to treat the person who pays your salary like a sibling. It would seem odd to other employees, wouldn’t it?

Some call her “unni,” though.

Because they’re of the same gender.

“Oh, Seung-hyun is too naive~”

“The boss is too carefree.”

“Is that so?”

Seo A-yeon chuckled as if finding it amusing.

“Eating a lot? Go ahead, eat a lot since I’m paying for everything today.”

“Yes, I’ll eat until I burst.”

I wrapped up a lettuce wrap.

Two pieces of marinated pork on top of lettuce, a slice of finely chopped green chili, a slice of garlic, and a pickled perilla leaf.

Just as I was about to put the neatly wrapped wrap into my mouth.

“I’ll have that. Ah~”

Seo A-yeon next to me slightly opened her mouth.

“You wrap it yourself.”

“It’s an order from the boss.”

“What a tyrant boss.”

“Hehe.”

With a smirk, I pushed the wrap into Seo A-yeon’s mouth.

At that moment.

Heo Yoo-jin, who had been chatting with another model moments ago, snatched the wrap from my hand and put it in her own mouth.

Her cheeks bulged like a hamster.

Heo Yoo-jin looked straight ahead, moving her mouth as if nothing had happened.

Seo A-yeon, who had been about to receive the wrap, blinked and glanced at Heo Yoo-jin.

“The director promised to wrap it for me first.”

Heo Yoo-jin said, seeming conscious of Seo A-yeon’s gaze.

“Me?”

Heo Yoo-jin glanced at me out of the corner of her eye.

“That’s right.”

Although I hadn’t made such a promise, I nodded to ease the awkward atmosphere.

“Right, that’s how it was. I’ll wrap it for you again.”

Seo A-yeon got up with a chuckle and said, “I’ll eat next time. Enjoy your meal,” before heading to another table to chat with other staff members.

“Here.”

Heo Yoo-jin wrapped a lettuce wrap and handed it to me.

“Ah… thank you.”

I took the wrap with both hands and put it in my mouth.

-Swipe

As we ate the wrap, this time Heo Yoo-jin poured me a shot of soju and offered her glass to me.

I raised my glass immediately.

-Clink

We clinked glasses and drank the soju.

“Phew….”

I grimaced with one eye as I drank.

I’m not particularly fond of alcohol, nor am I good at drinking.

-Swipe

While exhaling the scent of the soju that had filled my throat, Heo Yoo-jin refilled my glass.

“I’ll pour for you too.”

“I already poured mine.”

Heo Yoo-jin’s glass was already filled with clear liquid.

Does she like alcohol?

Even if she does, it’s surprising she doesn’t seem to prefer cocktails.

The company dinner was coming to an end.

As some colleagues brought up second-round plans, I grabbed my dizzy head and stood up from my seat.

Looking at the table, I noticed there were three empty bottles of soju only at my spot.

We drank non-stop, almost like a drinking contest, Heo Yoo-jin and I. There was no time for serious conversation amidst the drinking.

Impressive.

Unlike me, feeling queasy and drowsy, Heo Yoo-jin seemed perfectly fine.

Apart from her slightly flushed cheeks, she didn’t look like someone who had been drinking.

“Where are you going?”

As I got up, Heo Yoo-jin, who was refilling my glass again, asked.

“Just to the restroom.”

To avoid any mistakes, I firmly held onto my senses and staggered towards the restroom.

“Ugh… Gulp… Who’s this kid drinking so well?”

Standing in front of the urinal, leaning his forehead against the wall, he took care of his business.

The transparent liquid sprayed out fiercely, hitting the urinal.

The bathroom door creaked open at that moment.

“Uh-oh…!”

Suddenly, someone opened the door and walked in, startling him. And it was a woman, which made it even more surprising.

The restroom is not unisex.

There is a separate women’s restroom.

Did she mistakenly enter the men’s restroom?

That could be possible.

But before that, I’m sure I locked the restroom door, so how did she manage to open it and come in?

Regardless, she won’t leave.

I quickly turned around and hastily put on my pants.

“Um, this is the men’s restroom.”

I said, looking at the woman who intruded into the men’s restroom.

“Huh…?”

It was Heo Yujin.

-Click-

Holding what looked like a restroom key, Heo Yujin locked the restroom door and approached me.

Although she didn’t seem drunk, she must have been quite intoxicated.

“Yujin, this is the men’s restroom. The women’s restroom is on the other side…!”

Approaching me, Heo Yujin pushed me towards the toilet stall with both hands.

Struggling to maintain balance due to intoxication, I staggered and ended up sitting on the toilet. Heo Yujin followed me into the stall and locked the door.

“W-what is this… Ugh!”

Heo Yujin covered my mouth with her hand.

“Shh.”

She raised her index finger as if signaling for quiet.

Reaching into her pocket, she pulled something out and pushed it in front of me.

It was a 500-won coin. More precisely, it was a 500-won coin wrapped in a thread.

“Take a good look at this.”

The coin slowly started spinning in front of my eyes.

“Sleep comes… Sleep comes…”

A whisper like a lullaby.

What on earth is going on here?