episode_0135

“Hehe.”

Goldwon Bakery Headquarters.

Seo Yerin was humming a tune while working diligently as usual today.

It was getting close to the end of her shift.

Thanks to Seo Yerin’s rising popularity on social media, Goldwon Bakery’s sales had doubled compared to previous years, making the department manager quite pleased.

Although they genuinely tried to persuade Seo Yerin to consider working there permanently and failed.

It could be seen as a level of concern about what to do after she leaves.

Anyway.

The memories at Goldwon were good enough to say it was a great time that could come to an end.

As they neared the end.

There was still one more event for Seo Yerin to experience at Goldwon.

Two men entered at that moment.

Unlike other customers, they didn’t even glance at the bread.

The slightly lean man in front seemed to have styled his hair with wax, giving off a sophisticated vibe, and his clothes were from a high-end brand that couldn’t be easily worn.

And the other one behind…

“Oh? Isn’t that Cha Seung Ho?”

“They said the shoot was going long, but he hasn’t left yet!”

“C-Can we take a picture?”

While the staff chattered amongst themselves, Seo Yerin also gazed at Cha Seung Ho in admiration.

She had seen many famous people, but seeing someone as famous as actor Cha Seung Ho for the first time.

Always cast as the lead.

With a huge fandom and top-notch acting skills, he was a young actor who received high praise.

The lean man and Cha Seung Ho looked around the store before spotting Seo Yerin and approached her.

Initially, she thought they might ask about the bread or something.

“Hello, I’m Director Jung Min Chan from YS Entertainment.”

Smiling broadly, the director handed over his business card, causing Seo Yerin’s heart to skip a beat momentarily.

In the past, she would have rejected such offers without a second thought, but after sharing her dream of becoming an actress with Kim Woo Jin last time, and receiving a business card for the first time.

Moreover, if it was YS Entertainment, it was a place where many famous celebrities in Korea were affiliated.

“…”

Looking down at the business card, Seo Yerin bit her lip.

Her parents had warned her several times to be cautious about such things, and she had experienced almost being deceived a couple of times.

As beautiful as a flower, Seo Yerin attracted numerous unwanted attention.

‘But…’

This time was different.

Especially since she was standing next to Cha Seung Ho, known as one of the nation’s actors.

“Wow, you’re much prettier in person. That’s why Seung Ho insisted on seeing you in person, right?”

“Haha.”

Cha Seung Ho laughed awkwardly.

“Are you scouting me?”

Seo Yerin, who had been staring at the business card, asked directly.

The director seemed a bit taken aback by the question, but quickly smiled and nodded.

“I see you’ve had a lot of experiences like this? Judging by your lack of debut so far, you must have turned down all of them.”

“…”

He didn’t deny it.

Because that was indeed the case.

“If you don’t mind, would you like to have a cup of coffee with me for a moment? Even if other places have made offers, I don’t want to miss out on Yerin.”

He already knows her name.

Seo Yerin glanced subtly at the Goldwon Bakery department manager.

“Okay.”

The department manager gave a thumbs up, indicating it was fine.

“Then let’s talk over here.”

Since there were tables where they could eat separately at Goldwon, they were guided there.

With the complimentary coffee, the three of them began chatting about various topics.

* * *

“…”

Knock, knock.

As I knocked on the front door, I heard footsteps approaching from inside.

Being in a women’s dormitory, I discreetly glanced around, but I, who had subtly become accustomed to this place, was there.

“I’m a little nervous.”

Changwoo, who followed behind, fidgeted nervously.

“What’s there to be nervous about? We’re just going into the kids’ room.”

Moreover, they were called by the other side.

“Woojin, you sometimes seem impressive.”

“I think you’re more impressive. How do you manage to fail at relationships with that face of yours?”

“….”

Once again, Changwoo is reprimanded for ruining his chances with a part-time female worker at their workplace.

In our room, Changwoo was practically a punching bag already.

If you fail at relationships with that face of yours, then it serves you right.

While others start from ground zero in terms of likability, failing when you start at 90 all by yourself is quite something.

“If I were you, huh? I’d be all over the place. Changing girls every day…”

Creak.

“…Don’t mess around. You probably had a pure love. Pure love is the best.”

As soon as he received Yuarin’s piercing gaze from the door, he quickly changed the subject.

“Stop messing around. I really want to tear you apart, Kim Woojin.”

“I’m scared.”

As we entered, greeted by ominous frowns, we found the girls sitting in the living room in a circle, eating snacks.

Even though our room and the number of residents are the same, there’s a strangely pleasant smell here.

“You’re here!”

“Long time no see, Changwoo!”

Han Bom and Isu immediately welcomed us.

Especially Isu has been quite friendly since helping out with her boyfriend issue last time.

But I ignored them and greeted Senior Juhee, who was sipping beer without delay.

“Senior, hello!”

“Oh, hey.”

As expected.

She acknowledged my greeting with a simple gesture while sipping her beer like some mafia boss.

Yerin was already making space for me.

As I sat down naturally, she tried to pat my head, but I brushed her hand away.

“What’s the matter?”

Being invited to the girls’ room and even calling Changwoo—nothing seemed ordinary.

I thought it might be just a casual drinking invitation, but the atmosphere turned out to be rather light-hearted.

“Did you invite us just because you were drunk?”

I was a bit worried it might be some kind of intervention, but the conversation started right away.

The story was simple and honestly not that shocking.

Receiving an offer from a large planning agency called YS Entertainment is impressive, but… it’s Yerin after all.

Since I’ve seen her get scouted several times, it wasn’t that surprising.

The crucial point would be the person’s reaction.

“Are you really considering it differently this time?”

Looking at Yerin intently, she smiled bashfully and nodded, appreciating that I understood her feelings.

“Yeah, I thought it would be good to organize my thoughts before telling my parents.”

So she called us for this?

It seemed a bit weak, but Yerin continued to explain.

“Also, I decided to be an extra in a movie being filmed at a casino.”

“Hmm?”

“They said getting a feel for the atmosphere on set would help with the decision-making. So I decided to give it a try.”

Blushing slightly, Yerin seemed excited. It might be a small role that appears briefly, but she was clearly thrilled.

‘Good for her.’ The words lingered in my mouth but didn’t come out.

It’s like… receiving a scout offer was just something expected, but entering the pros’ workspace so quickly…

It felt a bit distant.

Later, as Yerin becomes truly famous, wouldn’t our current relationship be impossible, I wondered naturally.

‘Oh well.’

It was too presumptuous and selfish.

I casually asked about the role, which seemed fitting.

Playing a girl who got lost and gestures to show the protagonist the way.

“It must be comfortable.”

Yerin practicing gestures already was somewhat amusing.

And amidst all this.

“No way, isn’t that Chanwoo? No matter how handsome Chaseung-ho is, he can’t beat Chanwoo!”

“No matter what, a top actor has dignity, right? If you see him in person, Cha Seung-ho would look even more handsome.”

Han Bom and Lee Sua were at odds with each other, with Chanwoo caught in the middle.

A photo of Cha Seung-ho on Lee Sua’s phone.

He certainly was good-looking.

“Since Yerin saw it herself, let’s ask her. Yerin, what do you think? Who’s more handsome?”

“Definitely Cha Seung-ho, right? He’s a senior, isn’t he?!”

Just because he’s in the Theater and Film Department, is she treating him like a senior already?

Yerin might be envious, but pretending not to care is quite impressive.

“Um….”

Glancing back and forth between Chanwoo and the photo of Cha Seung-ho on her phone, Yerin sneaks a smile in my direction.

“What about Woojin?”

“….”

“….”

Both of them fall silent and immediately look at me.

“What are you looking at?”

At times like this, one shouldn’t feel embarrassed.

Instead, respond confidently, and they both quickly change the subject.

“Oh! It’s not Woojin!”

“Yeah, we’re talking about handsome guys, why bring a person into it. Cruel.”

As if there’s no need to respond, Yerin casually eats a snack. Their gazes shift towards Senior Juhee sitting alone on the couch, drinking beer.

“How about Senior?”

“Who do you think is better looking?”

“Huh?”

Seeming a bit regretful for not smoking, Senior Juhee looks at the photo and Chanwoo, then coolly chuckles before speaking.

“I also have our cutie.”

“Senior!”

Immediately getting up, I rush to Senior Juhee, who opens his arms wide to hug me.

The smell of alcohol wafting around wasn’t just from a couple of cans, and I didn’t expect the hug, but good things are still good.

“You didn’t react like that when I said it.”

Yerin playfully smacks my butt as I’m hugging Senior Juhee.

But Han Bom and Lee Sua were already with Yu Arin.

“Arin, what do you think?”

“Chanwoo or Cha Seung-ho?”

After ending the embrace with Senior Juhee and sitting back down, Yu Arin glances at me briefly.

With hopeful anticipation, I turn to face Yu Arin.

If he picks me here too, I would become the man who beat both Cha Seung-ho and Jung Chanwoo with a score of 3:1:1.

“Ha, Cha Seung-ho.”

Ignoring my somewhat disappointed gaze, Yu Arin responds immediately.

Well, I expected that.

Anyway, I was satisfied with beating Jung Chanwoo and tying with Cha Seung-ho.

…I should give Yu Arin a smack on the butt as we leave.