episode_0084

[ Deer: ??? ]

[ Monkeying: ??? ]

[ Mouse: ??? ]

That was the beginning.

If it was simply to get attention, Black Bear succeeded. He collected an absurd amount of requests for hangouts all at once.

But at the same time, everyone knew very well. Black Bear was never one for joking around.

[ Black Bear: Let’s see each other once before I enlist. ]

[ Black Bear: Monkeying, where did you want to go? ]

[ Black Bear: The film festival? We can all watch it together. ]

Military enlistment is not something you can simply ignore.

Thanks to that, the group chat, which usually wasn’t very unified, rallied together and started setting dates for regular meetups, and they also promised to visit the short film festival that Monkeying had been singing about.

Except for one person.

Except for Sua.

[ Deer: But why isn’t Lee Sua around? ]

[ Deer: I really want to beat her up ]

[ Monkeying: Why do you like Sua so much? ]

[ Deer: Ah, what are you talking about;;; ]

[ Monkeying: But it’s true that she’s not around ]

[ Black Bear: I know. She used to be the most free. ]

[ Mouse: She’s probably a bit busy these days? ]

The fact that Sua was busy was something that the members of the group chat found difficult to adjust to. But that didn’t mean there was anyone feeling left out. Everyone has their own circumstances.

[ Black Bear: She’ll probably contact us when she checks later. ]

[ Mouse: Yeah, let’s wait and see. ]

[ Monkeying: She hasn’t been logging into the game for ages either. ]

[ Deer: Hmm; ]

Ah, actually, there was one person who felt left out.

[ Deer: Why is Lee Sua acting so cocky? ]

Who else could it be but Deer.

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In the morning, Sua had just woken up.

But this only meant that she had pried her eyelids open; it didn’t mean she had gotten out of bed. Sua was savoring the remaining sleepiness without leaving the bed.

But then it happened.

─♩♪♬

Her phone suddenly started ringing.

Sua answered the phone without checking the caller ID.

“Hello.”

There was no answer.

“Hello?”

“Hey!”

“…!”

Sua was startled and jumped up.

Oh my gosh, I thought my eardrums were going to burst.

“He, hello?”

“Lee Sua! Why aren’t you looking at the group chat!”

“What?”

Sua belatedly narrowed her brows.

The only person who would call her, and who had such a shrill voice, was Go Eunbi.

“Why, what’s wrong?”

“Black Bear is joining the army!”

“What?”

Sua was genuinely shocked.

“Wasn’t Black Bear a girl…?”

Weren’t there only girls in our group chat? Thinking about it again, it seemed like Black Bear was the only guy? I didn’t really know since he rarely chatted.

“…Are you even interested in the chat room? Anyway, you’re coming too, right? Everyone else is coming, so you’re not going to be the only one who doesn’t, are you.”

“When is it?”

“In a week. Monkeying was making a fuss about wanting to see the short film festival this year, so we decided to all watch it together that day.”

Sua pondered for a moment. Hmmm.

Then Deer continued speaking.

“I’m super busy that day too, but since it’s a gathering for everyone, I decided to join after work. So don’t act so expensive and come. I’ll pay for your taxi.”

“What’s with you? Suddenly offering to pay for my taxi.”

However, Sua soon reached a certain conclusion.

“…Don’t tell me you’re serious about hitting my butt? It’s suspicious how you’re trying so hard to get me to come. Why are you so scary?”

“Hey, you’re the suspicious one.”

“What?”

“You told Mouse that you’re busy these days, right? And that you’re even acting or something. Are you crazy? Why are you suddenly becoming an actress at this age?”

“Aren’t we young?”

We’re in our early twenties? Sua swallowed her words.

“That’s not the problem…. Your talent….”

Go Eunbi couldn’t continue speaking.

Anyway, Sua had finished thinking by then.

If it was the opening day of the film festival, she probably wouldn’t have time because she would be busy. It bothered her that she wouldn’t be able to see Black Bear before he enlisted, but she could just get him a separate gift or something.

Sua soon nodded.

“Sorry, I don’t think I’ll be able to go either.”

“….”

“See you next time. Next time.”

“…Are you serious?”

But Go Eunbi’s voice was quite serious.

“You’re really, really not going to come?”

“Huh? Uh-huh.”

Then, she heard a deep sigh from beyond the phone. Sua frowned without realizing it, becoming annoyed at what kind of nagging she would get this time.

*Ting─*

Her phone rang.

Sua absentmindedly checked the message.

“…!”

Soon, she couldn’t help but widen her eyes.

[ Receive ₩1,000,000. ]

[ Receive ]

Go Eunbi had suddenly sent her one million won.

“…What is this?”

“Hey, Lee Sua.”

“Huh?”

“I know that it’s not working out no matter what you do, and you’re getting depressed and your self-esteem is getting lower, but don’t worry too much about it. But still, we’re…. that…. friends, after all.”

“Um?”

“…Don’t be embarrassed about not being able to find a job and avoid the meeting. That’s even more embarrassing. Got it?”

“Huh?”

“Just use this as pocket money. I’m making a lot of money these days.”

Sua understood the situation itself for the time being.

So, Go Eunbi seemed to understand that Sua wasn’t coming to the meeting because she was frustrated by repeated failures and blaming herself.

No? I’m just really busy?

“And don’t get swayed by silly temptations. Don’t just fall for it even if guys ask you to sleep with them. I’m really worried because you’re so stupid.”

“Ah, what are you talking about, no, anyway, one million won is too much….”

But then it happened. Sua’s words suddenly caught in her throat.

It was because some versions of herself had emerged from within.

There were two of them at first.

The small version of herself disguised as Kim Yuhan, and the small version of herself dressed in Wi Jihye’s clothes. The two began to have a breathless conversation inside Sua’s mind.

─ Go away!

Wi Jihye-Sua shouted.

─ Humans are human because they know shame. You must return it.

Sua agreed with that thought. But.

─ Sunbaes, is that really the case?

Kim Yuhan-Sua shrugged.

─ Wouldn’t the other person be happier if you accepted it instead?

‘What? It’s one million won? What are you talking about?’

─ Think about Deer’s actions normally.

‘Deer’s actions normally….’

─ He blamed Sua when the game didn’t go well, and he always teased Sua in the group chat. Of course, it might be his own way of expressing affection, but that’s not good, is it? Sua has feelings too.

‘That’s right. That’s true. He bullied me too much.’

─ So, Deer wants to relieve his guilt. He wants to pay off his debt of gratitude in this way because he himself knows that he hasn’t treated her well normally. So you have to accept it.

‘Ah?’

─ Sunbae is happy because she has money, and Deer is happy because he can relieve his debt of gratitude. It’s mutually beneficial. No, you could even ask for more….

─ This crazy bastard, there’s nothing he can’t say.

Wi Jihye-Sua belatedly started to rage, but Sua had already decided to side with Kim Yuhan-Sua.

Decision made.

Therefore.

“Hey, Eunbi, can I get a chicken too….”

[…. ]

◈◈◈◈◈

Two days later.

Special Task Force 808 filming set.

Filming was in full swing in front of everyone’s eyes.

The basic storyline had all been filmed, and they were now adding a scene with the ‘Extreme’ energy drink PPL as the last thing.

“Hwaa! Hwaaaaa─!”

“Mom…!”

Inside a dark and narrow warehouse, the children were crying desperately, calling out to their parents.

*Thump─!*

At that moment, someone began to bang violently on the warehouse door that had been firmly locked.

*Thump─!*

*Thump─!*

The children hugged each other. The movement of their trembling bodies was intense, and their faces were paler than ever, though it wasn’t visible because it was a dark space.

“Hu, hwaaaa….”

“I don’t like it…. I don’t like it….”

*Bang─!*

But when the door finally opened.

It was Kim Yuhan, not a monster, who revealed themself.

There was no need to tell them not to cry.

The usual fierce look in her eyes was nowhere to be found, replaced by a gentle feeling. It was as if her face had been completely transformed.

Soon, when Kim Yuhan knelt down to the children’s eye level without saying a word.

“….”

“….”

The children had already stopped crying.

『Let’s go. I’ll buy you something delicious.』

That was all Kim Yuhan said.

And the next moment.

“Great! That’s it!”

Director Choi Heewon’s satisfied shout erupted, and the staff, who had been watching the situation with bated breath, applauded.

The funny thing was that the children clapped too.

“Hyung is so handsome.”

“Unnie is so pretty.”

“Unnie…? Hyung…?”

Sua nodded slightly.

“You guys, come closer.”

Immediately after, the children quickly ran away from the scene.

Sua’s expression, detached from the role, was too scary. Thanks to that, Sua, who had tried to hug the children one by one, became depressed.

“….”

In the meantime, writer Lee Geumsuk approached.

She gave Sua a big hug instead of the children.

“Sua-yang. Thank you so much. The long, long filming is finally over. You worked so hard. You worked hard to complete the unfinished role, and you worked hard to interpret my script. Really.”

Lee Geumsuk was looking at Sua with teary eyes. Sua vaguely knew what kind of moment this expression came out in. An expression that comes out when there are too many things to say.

Around that time, Sua felt many gazes.

All the staff were looking at her.

Special Task Force 808 had finally finished all its schedules, and now, all they had to do was sit and wait for it to air, so they seemed to be hoping that Sua, who played the main role, would say something to commemorate the end.

Sua pondered for a moment about what to say.

Suddenly, her absurd slip of the tongue came to mind.

“I was Kim Yuhan, who played Lee Sua. Thank you.”

It was with a smile that broke out into a small laugh.

◈◈◈◈◈

That night.

Sua, who had a leisurely schedule for the time being, was enjoying her freedom. It had been a long time since she had wandered around the neighborhood alone, and the feelings were quite unfamiliar.

Was the world always this beautiful?

‘I’m quite happy.’

Special Task Force 808 filming ended, Sua’s feelings were short.

It would have been a selfish filming if only she was happy. But she saw that her efforts became the driving force for someone, and everyone cheered. She wanted to work even harder.

‘I’m glad I started acting.’

The benefits she had gained since obtaining the special perk were enormous.

She was able to walk the path of an actress.

She made precious connections.

And….

‘…I made a lot of money.’

How cold did Sua live when she was unemployed? Now, just looking at her bank balance melts away all kinds of worries. Her heart is pounding.

What should she do with this money?

‘Delivery food? No, let’s save, let’s save.’

It was when Sua was quietly firming her resolve.

*Halt─*

Suddenly, she stopped walking without stopping. It was because she had found something that conspicuously stopped her.

[ Doll Department Store ]

Looking at the transparent display case, Sua thought.

‘Ah, no.’

Dolls were a hobby that she had to gradually let go of.

Yes, the time to play with rabbit dolls had passed. The arctic fox needs a more refined hobby. Anyway, playing with dolls is a no-go.

It’s not even good for image building.

Yes, it’s a conclusion that won’t change no matter how many times you think about it.

Constantly.

Constantly.

“…?”

Her gaze went and reached the fox doll. No, when did the fox doll even appear? Her eyes were drawn like magnets.

Ah, but dolls are a bit much. I’m not a kid.

Now Sua has become mentally mature.

“…That’s ridiculous. I’m definitely not interested.”

Sua muttered confidently.

It was while throwing open the doors of the doll department store.

“Welcome~”

“…Ung?”

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Meanwhile, there were a man and a woman walking down the street with their hats and masks pulled down tightly. Their proportions were so great that they attracted attention even when they walked with their faces covered.

It was only natural. It was Kim Sunil and Seo Yeonju.

Seo Yeonju grumbled.

“Are you out of your mind? Buying a doll at this age?”

“It’s not my doll. It’s a doll to give to my younger sister.”

“Then ask your younger sister and buy it. I can’t understand why you’re asking me. I don’t really like dolls. There’s no place to put them at home, and they’re something that only kids like in the first place.”

Kim Sunil was just walking silently.

The bear doll that his younger sister cherished was very old, and Kim Sunil was concerned about it. Now that he had renewed his resolve, he wanted to replace his younger sister’s doll with a new one.

So that his younger sister could renew her resolve as well.

Yes, so that his younger sister could be happy now too.

“So, how much further do we have to walk?”

“We’re almost there. It’s definitely around here. Do you remember when I picked up Sua’s van before? It was in front of the doll department store at that time. It was large, so let’s just pick one out from there.”

“…Don’t just pick one out. Watch your mouth.”

“Yes, yes. I’m so scared.”

However, when they arrived in front of the doll department store.

“….”

The two had no choice but to stop walking.

It was because they had found a familiar person.

Lee Sua.

Moreover, it wasn’t an ordinary appearance. She was burying her face in the belly of a fox doll and rubbing it madly. It was enough for Kim Sunil and Seo Yeonju to be shocked.

“…What is that?”

It’s cruel.

It was like a ferocious beast eating its prey, even eating its organs.