Come Back

Choi Hong-seo, who had been watching Park Dong-ha turn coldly and enter the restaurant first, sighed and followed behind. The whispers had stopped with the arrival of Lee Hae-seong and Director Kang.

The executive producer had a serious conversation with Director Kang. Lee Haesung had his legs crossed, his hands clasped on his knees, and his expressionless face slightly turned away from the center. It was a sight that reminded me of our first meeting in the parlor on the second floor of this house. Like a picture in a frame, he was so devoid of emotion that no feelings or ulterior motives could be read from him, the VVIP. Without needing to raise his voice, he could silence people with just a quiet tone.

Perhaps that is the fundamental attitude with which Yeseong treats people. I realized that the playful demeanor, the always-present kind smile, and the casual messenger conversations were special exceptions shown only to me.

In addition to being ARA’s understanding, he is twelve years older. In Lee Haesung’s own words, “much older and much bigger.”

Just by being himself, he was an inherently difficult person for Choi Hong-seo, so he tried his best to be someone who wasn’t difficult.

At that time, I didn’t even have the luxury to think about it, but now I know. Even a single line of a messenger filled with silly emoticons was his effort and dedication… And, it was an active attempt to win Choi Hong-seo’s heart.

“Please pay attention.” Before we start the study session, I have a few announcements to make today.

Choi Hong-seo’s consciousness, which had been lost in nostalgic memories, was pulled back to the present. The executive producer was drawing people’s attention with a somewhat somber expression.

“There may already be some of you who have seen the news, but unfortunately, actor Seo Jun-young will not be joining .”

Some looked at each other with stern faces, some averted their eyes with their mouths shut, and others nodded as if to say, “So the article was right after all.” And Choi Hong-seo… Looked at Lee Hae-seong.

I was caught off guard by his gaze, which had been directed at me for who knows how long. While being scolded in a classroom, I cautiously glanced around and suddenly met the teacher’s gaze. Just by making eye contact, I unconsciously started looking around to see if anyone had noticed.

No, it’s not just that our eyes met. You’re staring intently out of curiosity. If you look at Lee Haesung’s eyes, anyone would think so. Choi Hong-seo quickly turned his gaze to the chief PD.

“After long discussions with the director and the production team, this decision was made…” “Since it was a sudden departure, I apologize for not being able to have a separate farewell meeting, and Seojun-young asked me to convey this on his behalf.”

“Junyoung sunbae, are you really going to India?”

The young actor who showed the most interest in the Seo Jun-young article asked in a voice mixed with tension.

“I understand it that way.”

“When will you be back?”

“We’re not Seojunyoung’s agency, so we don’t know those detailed parts.” If you have more questions, it might be best to contact them directly.

Since Seo Jun-young suddenly dropped out, there are already many issues that need to be dealt with, so it was as if he was saying not to bother him with such trivial questions.

“As you actors know, the investors, the director, and our production company all have very high expectations for .” I believe everyone knows well that only by uniting and working together as one can we create a great piece of work, even without me having to say it.

The executive producer’s remarks had a sting to them. It seemed to subtly imply that Seo Jun-young was ousted because he was an obstacle to uniting and working together as one.

“Alright, so we are now looking for a new actor to play the role of a doctor suffering from pet loss syndrome.” Until then, the script reading and filming are scheduled to take place.

At the news that the filming start date was postponed, the actors began to murmur once again.

“Alright, it won’t take long because you’ll be choosing from among the actors who made it to the final candidates during the audition.” All expenses incurred from the crank-in shoot will be covered by Vice President Lee Hae-sung.

Everyone’s gaze turned towards the understanding. They couldn’t bring themselves to stare openly and instead stole glances out of the corner of their eyes. It was clear that everyone was thinking the same thing. Seojun-young definitely got fired because he fell out of Lee Haesung’s favor.

Choi Hong-seo also had such suspicions.

Lee Hae-seong, who seemed to be lost in his own thoughts with his hands neatly clasped on his knees, paused for a moment as if sensing the gazes directed at him, then slowly lifted his head to look around the room.

“Why?” “Do you all think it was me who sent Seojun-young to India?”

In response to his shockingly direct remark, people’s gazes darted around in confusion. Ihaeseong sighed loudly enough for everyone to hear. It was a sigh that seemed to lightly appeal to the sense of injustice.

“Then at least something similar won’t happen again now.”

Even if it causes misunderstandings, I have no complaints if that’s the case. The abruptness of Lee Haesung’s statement left even greater suspicions.

Whether he was fired for badmouthing the major investor, for calling Choi Hong-seo and Yoon Hye-an “sluts,” or for the accumulated actions that had continuously irritated Lee Hae-seong and Director Kang’s moods. People seemed curious.

But one thing was clear: in the future, there would be no one at the site to touch ‘Yoon Hye-an.’ Because there were no longer any devout Christians who wanted to go to India for missionary work.

Forgetting about worrying who might see them, Choi Hong-seo looked at Lee Hae-seong. However, this time, Lee Hae-sung did not try to make eye contact.

Who said the third-generation chaebol is a model student?

The expressions of some actors clearly showed that thought.

Please provide the text you would like to have translated.

Ding ding.

Without even greeting the guest who opened the front door, she turned her back and went inside the house. Choi Hong-seo rustled the plastic bag containing two cans of beer and followed behind.

As Yongjae had said about moving out of this house, boxes were scattered here and there. Unlike the last visit, the house was in complete disarray. It wasn’t just because they were about to move; there was a sense of urgency and instability in the air, as if they were being chased away. But it seemed like bringing up the fact that I heard about the move from Yongjae wouldn’t lead to anything good. It would also be awkward to blatantly ignore the boxes that were clearly visible.

“Are you planning to move?”

Placing the beer bag on the round table in the living room, Choi Hong-seo asked. Instead of answering immediately, Park Dong-han carefully scrutinized Yoon Hye-an’s face for a while, wondering if there was any hidden intention behind the question.

“Why?” It was a house that was beyond my means, a weed with no color or scent. Do you think it’s a good thing?

“……”

Colorless and odorless weed. It seemed that the old Yoon Hye-an had once said something like that about Park Dong-ha. Now, I could at least make that kind of guess.

“I didn’t come here to fight.” Let’s sit down and talk. Do you want a drink?

I asked while taking the beer out of the bag, but he stood a few steps away from the table, looking tense and showing no intention of coming closer. With clenched fists and bloodshot eyes, he was glaring at me.

“Hyung… That tiny officetel, do you want the vice president to just live there? You don’t ask the vice president to move to the Gangnam apartment they used to live in? How hard must it be to pretend to be nice?

Choi Hong-seo opened a full tab and drank beer alone. Wiping the corner of his mouth with the back of his hand, he took a deep breath and spoke the words he had prepared.

“I’ve thought about it a lot.”

“What.”

“Even now, is there any way to compensate you or the other ‘Titan’ members, even just a little?”

“Compensation?” Yoon Hye-an as compensation? Ha, after all that dodging, you finally got your memory back?

“No.”

“You’re still in denial.” Seriously, you’re unbelievable, Yoon Hye-an.

“I can’t lie and say I would buy your trust.”

“You can’t lie?” You drove me crazy with your constant lies! “Then why are you bringing up the breakup now?”

“As you said, even if I lost my memory…” What I did… It won’t change…”Whatever…”

Like Park Dong-ha, Choi Hong-seo, who was also unable to sit in a chair and stood in front of the table, crumpled the beer can without realizing it. Before ringing the doorbell at the entrance, he counted to five with his fingers, but it was not easy to accept ‘Yoon Hye-an’s’ past as his own.

Even so, ignoring and avoiding it wouldn’t solve the problem on its own. As long as I live like this.

I thought of 이해성. If there was just one person who believed that I was not Yoon Hye-an but Choi Hong-seo, it didn’t matter. The rest is merely secondary. After finishing the meeting with Park Dong-ha, when he returned to his house in Bundang, a person named Lee Hae-seong, who would greet him calling him Hong-seo, was waiting.

The heartbeat had somewhat calmed down. Choi Hong-seo, trying to appear cautious, carefully spoke the words he had mulled over several times in his mind over the past few days.

“If it’s not too late, ‘Titan’…” “How about we start over?”

“……”

For a while, it was in a state of suspension. It was a face that seemed unimaginable to hear a proposal for reconciliation.

Buzz, buzz. Breaking the silence, the sound of a vibrating phone could be heard from somewhere. It was on the kitchen counter. Standing there blankly, he walked towards the kitchen with a nervous gait and checked his phone. From the short vibration sound, it seemed like a message rather than a call. The expression on his face while checking the message wasn’t good. It might not be because of the message, but because of Yoon Hye-an being home.

He put down his phone as if throwing it and rubbed his face vigorously with his trembling hands. Then, with bloodshot eyes, he stared straight at Choi Hong-seo.

“You said you wanted to compensate me, right?”

“Okay.”

“The vice president and my brother said they have nothing to do with each other.”

“… Okay.”Sure.

“Then, introduce me to the vice president.”