episode_0139

It felt like my stomach was about to burst.

Yu Arin and I decided to come out separately first, while Seo Yerin stayed behind to receive the script and hear about the settings and characters.

After a brief outing, Seo Yerin eventually decided to take on the role.

“….”

Even on our way back, Yu Arin didn’t say anything special.

Considering we had chatted a bit while following Seo Yerin earlier, it was strange.

“Hey, let’s go to the convenience store.”

“….Are you done with the ‘master’ act now?”

“All the cows are in, so I’m not the master anymore.”

Seeing her audacity, I thought she seemed fine.

Rather relieved, I followed her to the convenience store.

“I’ll pay, come on.”

Saying that, without even choosing something, she handed me a pack of gum. She picked a Chocomong for herself and headed to the checkout counter.

“You’re quite humane. Seeing you pay makes me think so.”

“But technically, the money all came from over there, right? We just mooched.”

“Still, sincerity matters.”

Without much ado, Yu Arin sipped her Chocomong without responding to my words.

It was a straightforward request for an honest answer.

“What if Yerin becomes an actress?”

I thought she might not ask, but she really did.

“If I say I don’t mind, would you believe me?”

Glancing at her briefly, I asked, but Yu Arin ignored me, focusing on her Chocomong.

“It would be… well, quite disappointing, wouldn’t it?”

Answering somewhat hesitantly, she raised her gaze as if making excuses.

Though it was a refreshing night, something felt off.

Today, unusually, not a single star appeared in the valley.

Feeling like she was urging me not to make excuses, I lowered my head again.

“Disappointed?”

“Yeah, disappointed. If she becomes an actress, we won’t see each other often at school.”

“Hmm.”

“Why? What did you talk about with Seo Yerin?”

Now seemed like a good time to ask, so I cautiously inquired, and Yu Arin shot me a sharp look.

“Trash.”

“…But didn’t buying beef make me less trashy?”

Let me try to justify.

“Kind trash.”

Buying beef does make someone kind. Although, the money spent today didn’t come from my wallet.

“You said you’d become a bad guy.”

“Why bring up embarrassing moments?”

Embarrassment washed over me, but Yu Arin’s expression was serious.

“It would have been better if you were really a bad guy. Then Yerin could leave without any regrets.”

“….”

“So, you’re a kind of trash.”

Yu Arin looked at me with a satisfied smile, as if feeling relieved.

On the contrary, I was puzzled by her words, but Yu Arin shook her head emphatically.

“I’ve denied liking you several times. But now that I admit it, I regret it several times over.”

“….”

“Yet seeing myself continue to like you. Ah, it seems I really do like you.”

With a sheepish grin, Yu Arin leaned slightly towards me.

“Do you want to know what Yerin is thinking right now?”

“…I do.”

“Then, come here.”

Pointing to her lips with her finger, Yu Arin, while I stared blankly at it, glanced around before leaning in.

We kissed, sweet and sticky, intimate.

Yes, it was a kiss as sweet as chocolate milk.

As I slowly pulled away, Yu Arin gazed at me blankly, then frowned slightly and leaned in again.

“One more time.”

“Is it okay to do this here?”

“We’d do more if we were in a room.”

“That’s not wrong.”

Our lips met again.

This time, a longer, deeper kiss ensued, and as we heard the distant sound of a bus approaching, we slowly parted.

“It’s truly a shame to lend you to others.”

After lightly tracing my lips with her tongue, Yu Arin grinned mischievously and hugged me tightly.

“It’s all your fault.”

Blaming her, I embraced her too.

I never thought she was small, but as I held her, she felt somewhat petite.

“You’re such a kind piece of garbage… Always ending up helping others.”

“I don’t understand what you’re saying, so start by explaining.”

Yoo Arin, still tightly nestled in my arms, began unraveling the conversation she had just had with Seo Yerin.

It was then that I learned about Seo Yerin’s concerns.

—

The next morning, inside the casino, the film crew was bustling with activity.

Thanks to permission to use all internal furnishings except the chips, Director Jo was in an excited state, puffing away with excitement.

“Wow, this is amazing. The atmosphere is really coming alive.”

“That’s right.”

The staff around also agreed with Director Jo’s words.

The artificially created set exuded an indescribable atmosphere.

A place where cheers and tears of many people coexisted.

A murky sense of weight.

It was exactly the kind of place Director Jo desired.

“Thanks to you, we didn’t need to build a set, saving production costs, and on top of that, you even sponsored additional production costs.”

I couldn’t help but chuckle.

Where Seo Yerin was, there were groups of actors.

Some actors had come here and were exchanging light banter among themselves.

Although they were getting along to make acting easier, their expressions weren’t particularly pleasant.

“Are you nervous?”

Actor Cha Seungho approached with a smile.

Other male actors subtly circled around Seo Yerin, showing concern, but with Cha Seungho’s arrival, they could only take a step back.

“No, not really.”

“But your expression doesn’t look good.”

“…Maybe it’s because I woke up early.”

Anyone could tell it was a lie.

Especially for Cha Seungho, who took acting seriously, it was an undeniable lie.

“Yerin, because of Mr. Kim Woojin from yesterday… Is that why?”

Seo Yerin remained silent.

She wanted to ask why Kim Woojin was being brought up, but pressing further seemed like it would lead to an outburst.

However, Cha Seungho didn’t stop.

“Yerin, I’ve had a similar experience. I had a girlfriend… We broke up because of my acting.”

He established a sort of empathy.

His storytelling had an effect; Seo Yerin, who seemed on the verge of exploding moments ago, became interested in Cha Seungho’s experience.

“But I don’t regret it. Through this work, I’ve met many great people and experienced a lot.”

“Experienced?”

“Yes, Yerin. People who start with luxury don’t know what real luxury is until they try it. It’s something you feel after experiencing it yourself.”

“…?”

“Yerin, you’ll understand now. By doing this work and talking with these people.”

“This is what luxury is. You come to realize it.”

She wanted to question what he meant.

She almost erupted in anger, ready to confront him for ignoring Woojin.

“Oh, really!”

Due to the commotion from the entrance, everyone’s attention shifted there.

Having missed the timing to speak, Seo Yerin clenched her fists and stared at the entrance.

And there…

“You’re not supposed to come in? We’re filming, not open for business.”

“We’re not here to gamble, just to see someone.”

Kim Woojin was being blocked by the staff from entering.

“…Woojin?”

Seeing Kim Woojin in a sloppy tracksuit dragging slippers, a strange discomfort crept over her.

Because this was Building A.

This was the kind of appearance you’d expect to see in Dorm C; however, Buildings A and C were a bus ride apart.

Anyway.

Seo Yerin immediately ran towards the entrance.

“He’s, he’s my friend!”

Seo Yerin intervened to stop the staff from pulling Kim Woojin away. But even if Seo Yerin vouched for him, the atmosphere wasn’t particularly welcoming.

“He’s a friend of one of the actors? But you can’t just bring anyone in here.”

“Oh, well…”

Seeing Seo Yerin running, Director Jo followed.

Looking at Kim Woojin standing awkwardly, Director Jo’s eyebrows naturally furrowed.

“Did Yerin bring you here? Since we rented this place, only those involved in the shoot can enter.”

Different actors coming over made the atmosphere heavy in an instant.

“Seems like Yerin is feeling this way because it’s her first time filming.”

Thankfully, Cha Seung-ho stepped up and began to somewhat salvage the situation.

“…Did I come to the wrong place?”

Seeing Kim Woo-jin scratching his cheek with a bewildered expression, both the assistant director and actor Cha Seung-ho sighed.

Even though they had to endure it for Yerin’s sake, this was a bit too much.

“Student, even if you wanted to see your friend filming, you should distinguish between work and personal matters. Especially since the director had a hard time securing this location, it’s even more inappropriate, Woo-jin.”

“….”

“Moreover, we talked about this at the barbecue joint. I thought you understood.”

Cha Seung-ho brought up their conversation from the barbecue joint and confronted Kim Woo-jin.

“Let me speak! Please stop!”

Thanks to Yerin intervening, both the assistant director and Cha Seung-ho couldn’t say anything further.

“Woo-jin, why did you come here?”

“To see you.”

Despite the curt response, Yerin managed to suppress the urge to smile involuntarily.

“Let’s, let’s just go out for now. We might hear something unpleasant if we stay here.”

As they were about to leave with Kim Woo-jin,

“Yerin, come over here.”

Cha Seung-ho called Yerin over towards the actors.

“We need to go over the script together. Woo-jin can manage on his own.”

“Yes, come quickly.”

“You shouldn’t get sunburned during filming.”

“Ah…”

Although flustered, Yerin hesitated for a moment before complying.

“I’ll take him out for now. I’m sorry.”

Despite wanting to know why Kim Woo-jin had come, they headed outside together.

Three people in suits walked into the casino entrance.

Appearing to be in their middle to late age, they entered the casino with smiles.

The assistant director hurriedly approached them upon seeing them.

“Oh! Chairman Lee! Hello!”

Representatives and executives from Gold One Hotel.

Grateful for granting permission to film at the casino, the assistant director led the other actors and staff to greet them.

Passing by the assistant director, the chairman and executives stood in front of Kim Woo-jin.

“Hello, sir.”

Bowing respectfully, Kim Woo-jin received the greeting.

“Oh, don’t be so formal. I don’t like it when people older than me are too formal.”

Kim Woo-jin quickly stood up, avoiding unnecessary formality.

“You look tired. You must have had a hard time because of my brother, Jae-woon?”

From casually calling the conglomerate’s vice chairman by name, those around him sensed something was amiss.

Tense due to mentioning Vice Chairman Kim Jae-woon, the executives couldn’t help but be cautious.

“Oh no! We’re the ones missing out on such a big opportunity. We’re truly sorry!”

“You don’t need to apologize to me. I’m just a small-timer.”

Glancing back at the assistant director following his gaze, Kim Woo-jin slyly smiled.

“How about it? Is everything okay here? Yerin said she’s involved in the filming, so I asked these gentlemen for a favor.”

“Oh, uh…”

“Not good?”

Shrugging in confusion, the assistant director finally understood the situation and approached them.

“Thank you so much! Thanks to you, we saved on production costs and received support! Thank you very much!”

“Oh, what’s there to thank me for? You even bought me meat. I’ll leave. I’ll just be a bother if I stay.”

Dragging his slippers, Kim Woo-jin walked out of the casino.

Passing by the actors standing behind the assistant director, he nodded slightly in front of Cha Seung-ho and whispered softly.

“It’s a different world.”

“….”

“Different, isn’t it?”

Kim Woo-jin passed by Cha Seung-ho with a grin.

As he was leaving, he saw Coach Jo bowing his head in farewell, and the other staff members followed suit, bowing their heads in greeting.

Cha Seung-ho and the other actors also went along with the flow, bowing their heads as they passed by.

“What are you doing?”

Kim Woo-jin turned his body and casually reached out his hand.

“Aren’t you going to see me off?”

He called out to the dazed Seo Ye-rin.

—

The wind is chilly.

“Phew, damn. It’s so cold in the early morning.”

I came dressed in sweatpants and slippers just to give myself a chill, but now I regret it.

I should have just worn something warm.

“Woo-jin.”

Rubbing my body with both hands to warm up, Ye-rin, who had followed me, calls me with vacant eyes.

It seemed like an explanation was needed.

“Oh, do you know that I’m the son of the chairman of Gold One?”

“How did you find out?”

I thought Choi E-seo and Yoo Arin mentioned it when talking about Oh Yoon-ji.

They managed to skip over that part and talk smoothly.

Clever ones.

“You don’t need to know. It’s not important. Actually, this time, I was showing off a bit.”

“This is showing off?”

“It is. You see, we found a weakness here this time? So Gold One needs to be a bit cautious of us, so I exaggerated a bit.”

“…Is that lending the casino?”

“That and a bit of production support fund? Well, those things aren’t important.”

Phew, it’s so cold.

Unintentionally, I start speaking quickly.

“You were scared.”

“…!”

I mentioned what Ye-rin told me about her true feelings.

“You said you were scared of forgetting me.”

I felt the need to say it again, and Ye-rin nodded slightly.

“Yeah.”

“Isn’t it usually the opposite? Shouldn’t I be the one scared?

Isn’t that how it goes?

When you become an actor and play in deep waters, doesn’t the relationship you had as a civilian fade a bit?

“Then why don’t you date Arin!”

Ye-rin’s eyes glistened slightly as she shouted.

“Ugh, why are you crying. Crying in this weather.”

Approaching her to wipe away her tears, she accepts it without saying anything.

“I was upset too.”

Wiping her tears, I also express my honest feelings.

“Yeah, it felt like we were drifting apart. Even though I’m the chairman’s son, I mean nothing to you.”

“…”

“But since you felt the same way about me, it’s kind of funny… I wanted to tell you not to worry.”

Seeing Ye-rin tearing up, I couldn’t help but smile.

“When I become an actor, I’ll be by your side as Kim Woo-jin, the chairman’s son.”

“…”

“Even if not that. I’ll be by your side as student Kim Woo-jin.”

“…”

If not that.

“As Anonymous69 and Administrator, we will still be connected.”

“Ah…”

“So, don’t worry.”

Ye-rin looks at me with her mouth slightly open.

Feeling embarrassed by her, I ramble on to hide my embarrassment.

“You know, right? Isn’t it weird for a kid who hesitates among others to say these things? I know I’m trash. But you said you wouldn’t dislike me even if you knew my true feelings last time…”

So.

“My current true feelings are this. Yes, I won’t let you go no matter what-.”

My lips were sealed.

As Ye-rin rushed towards me, I barely managed to withstand her weight without falling over, but the kiss continued.

“Ouch, hey?! Wait!”

Trying to push her away to calm things down a bit, I wonder if she has always been this strong.

Perhaps due to the cold, her lips were cold and stiff, but because of that, the warmth of her breath and tongue felt much warmer.

“Wait, just a moment!”

I managed to pull away, but Ye-rin didn’t seem to stop as if a switch had been flipped.

She practically slammed me on the back of my neck with her head and then sat me down on the bench behind me.

I was momentarily surprised by how far she had pushed me, but Ye-rin’s kiss violently invaded me once again.

Hah, smack.

Churup.

Haap.

The eerie sounds of breathing and saliva coexisted. Before I knew it, my hand was clutching Seo Yerin’s chest while hers rested on my lower body.

“Yerin, where are you…?”

Cha Seung-ho, who had come to find Seo Yerin but hadn’t returned for a long time.

Urgently, she pushed Seo Yerin’s head to the side and replied, “I’ll, I’ll be right ba-ck!”

Clearly aware that Cha Seung-ho was behind her.

No, she knew.

Instead, Seo Yerin greedily continued the kiss. My waist pressed back, completely under her.

Cha Seung-ho absentmindedly glanced at us, then turned away as if he hadn’t seen anything, quickly retreating inside.

“St-stop! Let go!”

As I tried to push her away, she bit my lips and wouldn’t release them, causing my pronunciation to falter.

Hearing my words, Seo Yerin grinned and asked, “Already finished?”

“…Forget about that. Cha Seung-ho left.”

“Oh, that.”

Seo Yerin, regretful as she touched my lower body with her hand.

Trying to kiss me again, I urgently covered her mouth with my hand.

“You’re looking for him! Go quickly!”

“I… don’t want to go.”

“Nonsense. You said you would.”

“I want to be with you. I’ll straighten out what’s crumpled.”

“It’s because it’s cold.”

“Hehe.”

Feeling good, Seo Yerin lightly nibbled my earlobe and whispered softly.

“After we finish, I’m going to devour you, so wash up and get ready.”

“…Where did you learn such vulgar language?”

“I saw it in the recommended product code from the administrator!”

“EBS-123?”

“Yes! I don’t want to go! I want to have s*x!”

“Go now.”

“I want to have s*x! I want to bite and suck Woojin!”

“I said go!”

Lastly, playfully laughing, Seo Yerin kissed my cheek and bounced inside.