Chapter 675

He realized that he had left his textbook at home. He opened his bag just in case but the only thing he saw was a script and a novel. He had forgotten to bring his textbook, which he had taken home over the summer holidays because of homework. Having no choice, he stood up. He was sitting right in front of the teachers desk, and the Korean teacher always checked for textbooks. There were two reasons he had to go borrow it.

He left through the back door and peeked his head through the front door of the next class over. He was planning on borrowing it from Daemyung, who was sitting right in front of him.

What are you doing here?

Kang Sora, the junior from the film production club, was standing in front of Daemyungs desk. When they met eyes, she waved her arms in the air in a flurry before hiding a notebook behind her back. Daemyung, who was sitting down, also feigned ignorance like he was caught stealing.

That looks suspicious.

Wh-what is?

Youre even stuttering too.

Thats because youre looking at us in a strange way, seonbae. Why did you come to another persons class so suddenly? You startled me.

I can say the same thing to you. Why would a first year poke her head around a 3rd year classroom, not to mention that its the electronic engineering class[1]?

He was now curious about the contents of the notebook she hid behind her. When he took a step close to Sora, Sora took a step back. He walked another step. She went back another step.

Park Daemyung. Are you two-timing?

NO! Daemyung shouted as he stood up.

Ever since he started exercising, burly fit him better than fatty, so when he stood up, the desks, which had a short distance between each other, made loud noises and became disoriented, with Daemyungs desk even falling over. They got the attention of everyone in the class. Daemyung smiled awkwardly and quickly straightened up the desks.

If they fight, I bet 500 won that Han Maru wins.

I bet a bread on Park Daemyung.

Everyone giggled and gathered round, but when Daemyung said that it was nothing much, they soon lost interest and scattered. Dowook and Dojin also looked at them suspiciously before returning to their seats.

I was startled because you acted like that. Its not like theres actually something going on between you two, right?

N-no, there isnt. I wouldnt do something like that.

Maru-seonbae! Daemyung-seonbae definitely might be kind, but hes not my style, you know? You made me mad, sheesh.

Daemyung sighed in relief after hearing those words.

Fine, Ill stop. But if its not like that, then what were you two really up to? It looks like its related to me since youre so startled. If its something like a surprise party, its fine even if you tell me now.

Do you think were doing this because we want to have a party? Anyway, Maru-seonbae, you should just stay out of it. Well tell you everything when the time comes.

When the time comes? So you two are preparing something, huh? I wonder what it is. If youre planning ideas in a notebook, theres not much you should be able to do. Ah, now that I think about it, you came looking for Daemyung last time during practice, didnt you? Looks like it requires a lot of work, huh?

Stop there. Dont think about it anymore and just wait. They say good things come to those who wait. Its nothing harmful to you, okay?

Sora spoke firmly and loudly as she looked straight at him. Maru felt like he would get scratched by her if he kept interfering. Maru looked towards Daemyung.

Cant you just trust us and wait for us? Daemyung pleaded.

Maru nodded right away. It was the words of a friend he trusted. There was no reason to disagree.

What the? You grinned deviously and tried to pry more when I asked you to wait.

Your credit rating is pretty low.

And Daemyung-seonbaes is high?

Higher than yours at least.

Daemyung-seonbae! Is that something to laugh about? Your business partner just got disdained.

Ah, sorry. Maru, you should trust Sora as well. Ill tell you everything once what were preparing is complete.

Maru looked at the notebook that poked out of Soras waist. Sora frowned and hid it even further.

I dont know what it is, but if youre doing it in secret, hide it well.

I get it, so get going already. We still have things to talk about.

Fine, fine. The hindrance will go now.

He waved his hand, left the class, and took two steps before he was reminded of the purpose of his visit.

Uhm, can I borrow your textbook?

Ah, seonbae, please! Sora shouted.

* * *

The preliminaries, especially your first performance, will be the hardest. However, you guys managed to pass that. Now, the only thing left is for you to go up on the stage, which you have gotten used to, and play around to your hearts content. 1st of September. Thats the date of the regional finals. Once you pass that as well, youll go to Seoul.

Yes!

Miso clapped to signal the end.

You worked hard today, everyone. Until the finals, Aram will lead the practice. From now on, dont do useless things like trying to change up your acting. Focus on bringing out the details. Check your movement paths as well. Its not good to push yourself in practice just because the competition is coming up, but its even worse to just let go of it completely. Just do what you have always done. You get what I mean, right?

At Misos thats it for today, Maru picked up the indigo-colored jersey that he had taken off during practice. The juniors, who had been standing nervously, all sat down as though they had lost their tension. They had been practicing for five hours, from five to ten, without rest in order to get back the tension they lost after the preliminaries. Those that werent participating in the play this time were preparing for the winter competition, so they were just as exhausted as well. Maru encouraged everyone before following Miso out of the hall.

I heard you were gonna start shooting soon, Miso said as she walked down the stairs.

She wasnt looking back. Maru spoke as he looked at her back.

Yes, there are two days left.

You should strike the iron while its still hot. If its someone Ganghwan introduced to you, then that person is pretty trustworthy. I cant say for sure since I only met that producer a couple of times, but she definitely wasnt the arrogant type who would get boasty just because she got to be at the helm. Shes worth trusting.

Of course Ill place my trust in her. If I dont trust the producer, who else would I trust?

Thats not always the case, but well, I guess youll be fine by yourself.

He followed Miso all the way to the parking lot. Miso opened the trunk of her car and gave him a box. It was some snacks and drinks.

Eat it with the others.

You should eat with us.

Hey, Im still a newlywed. I dont have time to play around with kids. Also, no matter how close we become, itll be uncomfortable to have a superior nearby. Console them well, especially the kid that made a mistake during the preliminaries. Give him some advice. At your age, its better for someone your age to tell them something rather than having an adult say it.

You should tell Aram that. Shes the president.

Aram is - well, how should I put it - good at controlling a group but is quite awkward when it comes to managing the individuals. Shes like me. She ditched any sort of the delicate side of women.

I wholly agree with that.

Do you wanna get hit after all this time?

I want to live a long life, so no thanks.

If you do, then watch that mouth.

Miso smiled and got in the car. He was waiting for the car to depart when the door to the passenger seat suddenly opened.

Han Maru.

Yes?

You look good these days.

Me?

Yeah. I did like you when you were like a precise calculator, but its not bad to see your humane side like this. I dont know what brought about that change of heart, but you should enjoy your emotions when youre young so you wont regret it when youre older. I dont need to explain, do I?

Yes, I understand.

Good luck with the shoot. Once you become used to the schedule, you should leave some time. Lets drink together with my husband.

Isnt that a little wrong? I mean, a teacher and his student drinking in the same spot.

Like hell you care about that sort of stuff.

I guess thats true. Watch out on your way home. Ill get these to the others.

Alright, thanks.

He looked at the car disappearing into the distance before returning to the hall. No one said anything until the guys resting by the wall and on the floor all suddenly shouted food before rushing over.

Dont forget to thank the instructor later.

Yes!

Also, Aram, see me for a sec.

He called Aram and stood a little away from the rest.

The instructor seemed worried about Jincheol. Daemyung and I will see him, but you should give him some care as well. You should probably tell him not to get traumatized since anyone becomes nervous if they go up on stage.

I was planning to do more practice today anyway.

Even more?

Yes. Just today, though. Practice is the best method for overcoming your nervousness. I told everyone about it.

You should spare the ones who are tired.

Maru-seonbae, its them who told me that we should do more practice. It looks like they felt good passing the preliminaries in 1st place. Theyre rearing to take the grand prize, so I cant exactly not help them as their senior.

Aram laughed reliably. Maru nodded.

Alright then, work hard.

Are you going to go, seonbae?

Do you want me to stay behind?

I just tried saying it. I heard that your shoot starts soon. You should look after yourself then. You should become big and shoot commercials.

Youre going way too far with that.

I thought thats how it went though? Aram said in a prankster manner.

* * *

When he was dusting off the water from his hair after a shower, he got a call. He put the towel around his neck and picked up his phone.

What nice timing. I just left the bathroom.

Gaeuls laughter could be heard over the phone.

-Really? Thats good. Are you home right now? Didnt you say you were gonna be late because youre looking after their practice?

Thats just until yesterday. I should look after myself now. I dont wanna be all powerless from the first shoot.

-Ah, right. You had a shoot, didnt you? Looks like you must be busy if youre going to do it alongside New Semester.

Its okay since I dont have a lot of scenes in New Semester anymore. Itd be a pain if the schedules overlap on the weekend though. Hows practice these days? Is it going well?

-Im doing it to the death. Oh, right. I had a reason for calling you.

What is it?

-Im shooting a commercial.

Really?

Maru threw the wet towel into the laundry basket. As the towel entered the basket, Gaeul spoke.

-Its a commercial for a company, and Im a running girl.

Wow, youre doing much better than me. Is it solo?

-Of course not. I think a lot of people are participating in it. Im one of them.

Still, thats a good thing. Did you take an audition or something?

-Im doing it on the introduction of my teacher.

Looks like the one teaching you looks at you in a good light. Is it gonna be on TV?

-Its an internet ad apparently. The ones you see before each video.

Tell me about it if you shoot it. Ill look it up.

-I feel like Ill be running all day but not even appear for a single second though. I mean, ads are short, arent they? But still, Im quite excited since this is the first time Im doing something for money. Though, its not much.

Its not the money thats important, its the experience. Make yourself known to everyone there. Who knows? The advertisers might look for you again.

-No way.

I can hear the excitement in your words.

-Was it obvious?

Maru laughed. Bada peeked out the door asking what it was. He waved his hand as though he was chasing away a fly.

Whens the shoot?

-This weekend.

So it's good news and bad news.

-Sorry. Its been a while since we met too.

Theres nothing to be sorry about. Right now, work is whats important. Also, both you and I are busy because of acting club.

-Hows next week?

Well, Ill have to get there to be sure, but right now Im okay with Wednesday and Thursday.

-I have lessons then.

Ah, right. So our time is crossing again. If I knew it would be like this, I shouldve seen you more during the holidays.

-You were held up with the acting club throughout the whole vacation. You passed the preliminaries, so you should do your best there too.

You dont wanna see me?

-Not that much.

How disappointing. Bye.

After a bit of silence, Gaeul started giggling first.

-We should go on a date sometime. Its been a while since we last watched a play together.

Alright. You must be tired, so get some rest. You shouldve gone to Seoul today too, right?

-Yeah, thanks. Thank you for your work too. Also, good luck with the shoot.

Good night.

After hanging up, Maru stretched his arms out before standing up. When he had a look at the time, he saw that it hadnt even been 3 minutes since they started the call.

Well, both of us are busy after all.

Maru yawned before going inside his room.

[1] The engineering class doesnt have any girls.

KTLChamber's Thoughts

Sooo... what happened to the film festival?

Editor's Note:

Yikes. Sub 3 minute call between ppl dating. I smell a break up.