Chapter 254: It Has To Be You (1)

While Ha Jae-Gun was pondering hard over the elderly man's words, the cafe doors opened, and Park Jung-Jin walked into the cafe.

Ha Jae-Gun remained lost in his thoughts until Park Jung-Jin sat opposite him.

What are you thinking so hard about?

Oh, youre here?

The two smiled brightly at each other, as it had been a while since they last met. Ha Jae-Gun was still wondering what to say earlier, but he leaned forward and said, What do you want to drink?

Are you serving me? Sure, Ill have a mocha latte.

However, the best friends did not speak until their drinks were nearly finished. Park Jung-Jin did not let go of the straw he was biting on while Ha Jae-Gun continued typing away on his laptop.

What are you writing? Park Jung-Jin asked, pus.h.i.+ng his cup away.

Ha Jae-Gun had also just wrapped up his last sentence for the day and replied, Malice.

Oh, that. Park Jung-Jin nodded solemnly. Ha Jae-Gun was his best friend, so of course, he would be aware of what his best friend was working on.

I recently met an elderly man on the streets coincidentally. He said his home is in Gyeongju, but he seems to have a residence somewhere nearby as well. And I think he might have been a writer before.

Really? But what do you mean by before?

Because he didn't share much about himself, but he gave quite a bit of feedback after reading

Human's Malice.

But this is all just my own guesses.

I see, Park Jung-Jin replied insincerely; he currently wasnt interested in an elderly man whom he had never met before.

Jae-Gun.

Yeah.

Are you really fine? Park Jung-Jin was one of the few who knew what actually happened. He was worried about Ha Jae-Gun, who had been staying alone for a long time after that incident with Oh Myung-Hoon.

Ha Jae-Gun was an extremely emotional and sensitive person, after all.

Im alright.

Im saying this because you dont look fine at all.

Well Ha Jae-Gun trailed off, hesitating.

Park Jung-Jin did not probe but laid his chin on his hand and looked down, waiting for Ha Jae-Gun to organize his thoughts.

I actually have a question.

Park Jung-Jin looked up after a while. This time, Ha Jae-Guns eyes were looking elsewhere. Actually, theres something I havent told you about.

?

Not really, its more that I couldnt tell you about it.

So what is it?

When Myung-Hoon fell Park Jung-Jin straightened himself up subconsciously while Ha Jae-Gun recounted calmly. He looked at me and kept smiling as he fell.

Myung-Hoon?

He even raised a middle finger at me. That murderous look he gave even at the face of death as he fell Ha Jae-Gun looked back at the incomplete ma.n.u.script on his laptop. I can't figure out what his malice was. That's why I'm having a writer's block now. I'm not distressed; I'm fine, so don't worry.

"It's just that my mind has come to a halt. My mind automatically plays the scene when Oh Myung-Hoon was falling whenever I close my eyes, and I'm just tired because of that.

It's all over now, and you don't have to get caught up with him any longer, Park Jung-Jin said firmly with indignation. He was usually that kind of person, very self-centered. And he viewed you as the final bossHe wanted to be the best and the strongest in his world, get married to the best princess, and obtain the highest honor. However, he failed all because of you.

Are you afraid that people wouldn't know that you're a game developer? Even your example is game-related. Ha Jae-Gun joked.

However, Park Jung-Jin stood up all of a sudden. Come.

Where are we going?

We need to eat. I'm going to decide on the menu and place. Park Jung-Jin did not give Ha Jae-Gun a chance to say anything and forced Ha Jae-Gun onto the front pa.s.senger seat of his car. He started the engine and then drove onto the road without hitting an address in the navigation.

Cant you at least tell me where we're going?

You'll find out when we get there. It won't be too long.

The place they arrived at in less than twenty minutes was the Hangang Citizen Park. Ha Jae-Gun alighted from the car, stunned. Both the park and the Hangang Bridge in the distance were familiar to him. It was the very same place where Oh Myung-Hoon had thrown himself off.

What do you want to eat? Park Jung-Jin asked as soon as they found an empty bench to sit on. Theres kimbap, cup ramyun, boiled eggs, hamburger, or sandwich. Theres everything here, so tell me what you want.

Ill have the same as what youre having.

Park Jung-Jin then strode over to the store. After a while, he returned with his arms full of food that he had just mentioned.

Hey, how are we going to finish all of these?

We can. Do-Joon is joining us, too.

Do-Joon, too? Ha Jae-Guns eyes grew while Park Jung-Jin tore off the packaging of the kimbab calmly.

He called when I was on the way to the cafe. He said he went to your house, but no one was home. He was worried about you and called me, as you arent really in your best condition. Thats why I asked him to join us. Do-Joon is usually punctual, so he should be here in ten minutes.

? Ha Jae-Gun only had more questions in his mind. Didnt that mean that Park Jung-Jin had chosen this place earlier?

You remember that we had a cla.s.s here, right? Park Jung-Jin looked around, smiling as he reminisced the memories. The novel cla.s.s that Professor Han Hae-Sun held at the start of the school term. All of us took a seat and wrote our short stories here, and you got first place. Thanks to that, I got to know you, Jae-Gun.

Yeah, and we drank till we collapsed at the bar you brought us to. Soo-Hee and Hyo-Jin were with us at the time.

Oh, yeah. I totally forgot about that. Hey, looks like its because of me that you got together with Soo-Hee. You gotta pay up. Park Jung-Jin hooked an arm around Ha Jae-Guns neck and pulled him back, falling backward.

The two men burst into laughter as they collapsed to the ground.

Anyway, I wanted to talk about this; thats why I brought us here. Park Jung-Jin continued after they warmed up, Im not sure whats on your mind since you were always quiet, but you emerged at the top that day.

"To be honest, I thought itd be either Lee Soo-Hee or Oh Myung-Hoon, as they've always been so outstanding since the start of the school term.

Park Jung-Jin handed Ha Jae-Gun a cup of hot ramyun. Clouds of hot steam rose as Ha Jae-Gun opened the lid, moistening Ha Jae-Guns face.

You were really dazzling on that day; it's simply unbelievable. You looked so cool, and I still think the same now.

Why are you so emotional when we arent even drinking?

Its true, you punk. When else will I say this to you? Park Jung-Jin stretched himself out of the blue, seemingly trying to avoid feeling the awkwardness. He then stuffed kimbaps one after the other into his mouth for a grand total of three kimbaps. It took him quite a while to chew all of them.

Do me a favor, dont crumble, Park Jung-Jin finally said.

Keep writing even if you have a writers block. Dont stop writing just because of the incident with Myung-Hoon. If youre going to give up, then find another reason that you can agree and accept. Youre the only one who can end your own work.

Ha Jae-Gun stirred the noodles in the cup ramyun with his chopsticks. He didnt have the courage to pick up the noodles, feeling choked as Park Jung-Jin patted his shoulder.

It has to be you. A single line of comfort coming from his best friend ran through Ha Jae-Guns body from head to toe. Ha Jae-Gun clenched his jaws while smiling, but his head was lowered. It would be terrible if his friend saw his eyes getting teary and red.

Of course, Park Jung-Jin already knew.

You better clean up before Do-Joon arrives. How can a famous writer be such a crybaby?

Shut up. Ha Jae-Gun wiped his tears. He disliked leaving unfinished food, but he couldnt seem to finish the ramyun at all; he was busy trying to hold back his tears.

Just then

Aish

, why are we eating here? An angry voice echoed behind them.

Park Do-Joon appeared with a hat and sungla.s.ses, his hands tucked into his pockets.

Im a global star. How can I eat here in such an open setting? When hundreds of my fans surround us, both of you will have to make way for me, whether its using Top Blade Attack or Friends.h.i.+ps Double Shoot.

Wow, Jae-Gun. Did you hear him? Friends.h.i.+ps Double Shoot. Do-Joon, are you sure you didnt fake your age? Are you sure you arent my uncles age?

Are you belittling Danpei[1]? Its the masterpiece of all masterpieces. I still watch it occasionally with Tae-Bong hyung now while having drinks. Park Do-Joon glared at Park Jung-Jin.

Ha Jae-Gun couldnt hold back and burst into another round of laughter. It was comforting just watching his friends arguing.

Im not joking. If you guys are done, lets go. I found an Izakaya with a great atmosphere. Lets go drink there instead. We can pack these and have them later.

And its the global stars treat, right?

Of course. I have to bootlick Ha Jae-Gun today, anyway.

What do you mean?

Teencent Pictures contacted me. Why else would they reach out? Hey, Jae-Gun. Go all-out when writing the main character for the scenario, okay? Park Do-Joon grabbed Ha Jae-Guns arm, pulling the latter up to his feet.

Ha Jae-Gun blamed himself as he stood amongst his two chattering friends. If only he had met them much earlier, he wouldnt have been living this life alone for so long.

The sun shone brightly without a fluff of cloud in the sky.

***

Theres still quite a bit of groceries left, so Ill make a stew and grill a mackerel for today.

It was 5 p.m., and the sun was beginning to set. Lee Soo-Hee was in a hurry as she hopped into her car, worried about Ha Jae-Gun who was working in his study alone.

Lee Soo-Hee was putting her best foot forward, hoping to see him recover as soon as possible. Their upcoming wedding wasnt the issue. She just didnt want to see Ha Jae-Gun hurting by himself.

She had brought it up a few days back after a long period of pondering, telling him to stop writing if it felt torturous for him. She even said that he was more important to her than his writing. At the time, Ha Jae-Gun responded with a bitter smile.

Ill need to do some deep cleaning this weekend. The house is quite huge, so hiring some external help would be good.

It was still before off-office hours, so the road wasnt that congested. She soon arrived back home.

Hmm?

As she stepped out of the garage and onto the front yard, she found the door at the porch wide open. Lee Soo-Hees eyes narrowed, wondering why Ha Jae-Gun would leave the door open like that.

I wonder what happened?

An ominous foreboding loomed over. Lee Soo-Hee hurried back into the house. Her eyes grew wide in shock as she saw the scene before her in the living room.

Whats all this?

Oh, youre back early today. Ha Jae-Gun smiled brightly, welcoming her as he vacuumed the floor. Ha Jae-Gun was drenched in sweat, and all the furniture was pushed aside into a corner of the house.

Jae-Gun, what are you doing now?

Cant you see? Im deep cleaning. The house is huge, so theres a lot of dust, too. Go up and rest. I opened all the windows, but the air still isnt good down here. Ha Jae-Gun resumed vacuuming the floor. Despite the sweat rolling down his face, he still had a beaming smile.

Lee Soo-Hee stood in a daze for a few moments before approaching him as something tugged at her.

Whats wrong? Go on up.

Lets clean together.

Im almost done; I started this morning. You should go shower and change into clean clothes. Ill prepare dinner later, so dont lift a single finger later. Ha Jae-Gun pushed Lee Soo-Hee toward the bathroom.

However, Lee Soo-Hee did not yield. She put strength in her feet and looked at Ha Jae-Gun.

Why is the team leader not obedient today? Why are you looking at me like that?

Because youre cute

What? Lee Soo-Hee pulled Ha Jae-Gun into an embrace. Ha Jae-Gun let go of the vacuum cleaner and flailed his dirty arms in the air.

Im dirty now. Theres so much sweat and dust on me.

No, you smell good. Lee Soo-Hee pressed her face against Ha Jae-Guns chest. She leaped and wrapped her legs around his waist. Ha Jae-Gun reflexively held Lee Soo-Hees thighs. Youre heavy!

What did you just say?

Ahh~

Is it because Im yours and you can now say whatever you want? Were not married yet, though. Lee Soo-Hee pinched Ha Jae-Guns cheeks, pulling in all directions. Ha Jae-Gun immediately flung Lee Soo-Hee over his shoulder and spun round and round on the spot.

Kyaa!

Stop it! I was wrong! I was wrong, Writer Ha!

Too late!

Screams mixed with laughter and cries rang through the messy living room. There was no need to say further, and Lee Soo-Hee neednt ask more. Looking at each others gazes alone was enough to complete the conversation.

Bzzt!

Ha Jae-Gun finally put Lee Soo-Hee down when the phone on the table rang. As Ha Jae-Gun caught his breath, he saw Oh Myung-Suks name appear on the screen.

1. Anime: Hono no Tokyuji: Dodge Danpei