Chapter 61: A Friend’s Confession
“Well, thank you for today.”
Lee Euna held up the plastic bag and laughed helplessly. It had soaked through to the inside, and even after drying it with a hairdryer, water kept dripping. She had even borrowed a bag and pants from Muyoung.
“Be careful on your way, reporter.”
“Oh, right. I’ll send the photos to the company. Let me know which ones you want to select.”
“Yes! Thank you.”
Muyoung leaned against the door and said goodbye.
He seemed quite apologetic and grateful. Usually, reporters don’t send photos to be selected like that. That’s why it’s called the Mecca of humiliating photos. It was something that couldn’t happen under normal circumstances.
Squeak!
The reporter waved her hand and stepped out the front door, and Muyoung smiled until the door closed. As soon as she left, Ko Gyeongmin grabbed his arm.
“You idiot! Muyoung! How could you say all that? Huh? If the article goes wrong, you’re in big trouble. You can’t handle it.”
He looked utterly miserable, as if everything was over. Muyoung removed his arm and patted him gently, like a mother soothing a child, warm and affectionate.
“It’s okay. The laptop was completely destroyed. They can’t write an article based on what I said. The reporter herself said she couldn’t write it without a record. I answered all the questions diligently, so the reporter’s feelings won’t be hurt. It’s a win-win situation, isn’t it?”
“Hey, did the foam come off? My brother squeezed a ton of shampoo.”
“Hmm. I rinsed it well. It’s definitely broken.”
To confirm, I even pressed the power button while it was still wet. Junho nodded in satisfaction. But there was one remaining problem.
“What about the recorder?”
Okay, so the laptop is one thing. Can’t they just transcribe it again based on the recorder?
Muyoung answered while cleaning up the trash around him.
“I saw it, and it wasn’t working.”
“What? Really?”
Yeah. That’s a lie. Bullshit!
But I’m sorry. I can’t say it was the ghost’s help. Ko Gyeongmin was so shocked that his eyes, nose, and mouth all opened wide.
“Is that really true?”
“I’m sorry I couldn’t tell you in advance. I thought I’d butter her up first and then figure out what to do with the laptop. I was lucky.”
He was lucky. What could anyone say to that? Ko Gyeongmin wiped away his cold sweat and asked.
“Everything’s fine, but it feels like my brother’s lifespan is shrinking. From now on, let’s get our act together properly, okay?”
“Yes, I understand.”
By the way, if the article doesn’t go out, the photos won’t be uploaded either. That’s a shame. Should I post them on SNS personally? No. First, I need to make a deal with the landlord, Buyong.
‘Hmm. Yeah, that’s good.’
Since that comes first in order, there was nothing to regret if the article didn’t go out.
Junho stood there blankly, looking down at the empty coffee cup.
“But you know what?”
“What?”
“I was watching earlier, and the coffee cup tipped over by itself.”
Thud! Ko Gyeongmin froze in shock. It was broad daylight—what did that mean? His expression asked.
“There must really be a ghost here.”
At the moment Junho muttered with a stern, serious expression, the ghost rested her chin gently on his shoulder. Was he talking about her?
“Ghosts attach themselves to people who talk about them. So just pretend you don’t know.”
“Ah! Scary! Fuck! Suddenly I feel a chill!”
Junho did some shadow boxing, shaking his whole body. The ghost giggled and followed him around. ……It’s better not to know about things like that.
‘Then should I make a deal?’
“Junho.”
“Yeah?”
“If we sell this place, how much incentive do you think we’d get?”
“Well, if you hold onto it, you’d have to calculate the management fees, property taxes, and other costs for the next few years, as well as the opportunity costs and so on.”
“So just take a guess.”
“……About 100 million won?”
“Wow.”
His mouth dropped open. In his ten years of life, he had never once thought about money in the hundreds of millions. It was a completely unrealistic unit.
“But if it’s about getting rid of the ghost instead of just selling it, it could go up to 200 million. This place is valuable if you hold onto it.”
Junho’s muttering made his eyes widen.
200 million. With that, I could act without worry for the rest of my life! It was a small amount, but for Muyoung right now, it was as good as a fortune.
Muyoung gave a thumbs up!
“Me? Why me?”
Junho raised his thumb too, not understanding. But it wasn’t for him. It was for the ghost, who was smiling and clinging to his back.
“Good. You’ve got a great friend.”
“Oh my. Why is he being so cheesy?”
Junho twisted his body playfully. Muyoung, ignoring him, sent a text to Han Dagyeong on his phone, asking for Buyong’s phone number.
Lee Euna, who returned home instead of going to the office, took a shower and sat right down at her desk. There had been many ups and downs, but she had gotten a really vivid story out of it, after all.
‘Is it because he’s a rookie? It’s a bit sad that he can’t judge the situation.’
Other celebrities were careful about what they said even in private when she was around. Given her job as a reporter, any small clue could lead to an investigation.
‘But to say everything, true or not, in such a formal setting?’
She was grateful for the help, but writing an article was a separate matter. She checked the messages on her phone.
[Reporter Lee, did the interview go well?]
It was Park Moonchul from Sealing Actors, right away.
They were already close, but hearing that she had landed an interview with Ha Muyoung, he was showing even more sincerity. She smiled and replied.
[Yes. But I don’t think Sealing needs to worry. He’s the type who’ll dig his own grave if you let him—his mouth is too loose.]
After all, it’s an industry sensitive to rumors.
Whether it’s the person involved or those around them, everyone had to be careful with their words. The impression Lee Euna had of Ha Muyoung was that of an endlessly light man. Nothing more, nothing less.
Lee Euna set up her personal laptop and played the recorder.
[Static-]
“Huh? What’s going on?”
Could it have been when it spilled earlier? She pressed her ear against the speaker, her heart pounding.
[……ed.]
“Ah. Thank goodness. It’s working.”
At the moment she sighed in relief.
She froze completely.
[Get out, get out, get out, get out…….]
A strange woman’s muttering was layered over the faint voices of Ha Muyoung and herself. So shocked, she fell over in her chair.
Thud!
“Aaaah-!”
The eerie voice filled her room. Before she even realized the recording was gone, the reporter, filled with fear, just ran out of the house.
Crash!
[Get the hell out…….]
In the empty house, the ghost’s resentful curse continued to echo until the audio file ended.
In an alley near Daehangno.
Muyoung, drenched in sweat, looked around. His phone was still silent. Han Dagyeong must be busy—she hadn’t replied. I need to get in touch with Buyong to do anything.
‘Can’t be helped.’
It was vacation time, and he had plenty of free time. Muyoung decided to visit Hadong Theater in Daehangno as part of his preliminary research. But either the map was wrong, or he kept getting lost.
“Ugh. Wasn’t I just here earlier?”
The sun was setting, and he was lost. How were audiences supposed to find their way? He was considering just giving up and going back to his officetel to rest.
Stomp, stomp.
Someone familiar passed in front of him.
Walking while focused on a script, his side profile visible. He was wearing a hat, but Muyoung recognized him instantly.
“Yuchan!”
Whoa!
Ki Yuchan. Muyoung was so happy and surprised that he ran over and hugged him. Caught off guard by the sudden attack, Yuchan’s body lurched forward.
“What, what’s going on?”
“What about you! Why are you here? No, more importantly, why can’t I reach you? Are you on vacation?”
Unlike Muyoung, who was excited and chatty, Yuchan was quiet. He had a faint smile, but it wasn’t just happiness he was feeling.
“It’s vacation time. We finished early because we had a performance instead of exams.”
“Why can’t I reach you? Bora said the same thing!”
“Oh. Bora…… She hasn’t been to school in a while.”
“Because of drama filming? Yeah. She’s really busy. I was an extra a few days ago too. But wow—it was crazy!”
Muyoung, who had been excitedly talking, stopped abruptly. Yuchan’s expression looked a bit uncomfortable.
“What’s wrong? Yuchan. Is something bothering you?”
“No. What. I saw the article. You’ve been through a lot.”
He gave a bitter smile and patted Muyoung’s shoulder. Something felt off. This wasn’t the confident, energetic Yuchan he knew. When Muyoung just stared at him, he spoke up again.
“But what brings you all the way here?”
“Oh. I came looking for a place called Hadong Theater, but I got lost.”
“Hadong Theater? Why?”
“Do you know it?”
Yuchan looked a bit surprised and held up the script he was carrying. It had the title <Shakespeare’s Hamlet> and the stamp of ‘Hadong Theater’ below it.
“I’m planning to spend the summer here.”
What did that mean? Why would he leave a perfectly good home?
Muyoung followed Yuchan, who walked slowly. He seemed familiar with the area and quickly navigated through the complex alleyways. In the distance, an old theater sign was visible.
“Don’t you know about the famous Hadong Theater Troupe?”
“No. I’ve never heard of it.”
“Well. What would you know?”
His words were slightly barbed. When Muyoung just smiled, Yuchan apologized first.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it that way.”
“No. It’s not a wrong statement, so it’s fine.”
The stairs leading downstairs were filled with the marks of time. Musty yet somehow cozy. The theater was closed for the day, with not a single audience member in sight.
“Sit down.”
An old, low stage.
The performance hall had no intact chairs, only that. Muyoung sat down and looked around. I see what they mean by famous. I’ve never seen a place this old before.
“Why did you come here?”
“……A friend told me to check it out.”
“Hmm. I see?”
“But are you staying here? You’ve been really busy, huh? That’s why you haven’t been in touch. Still, reply to Bora. She’s worried.”
Yuchan just opened a can of soda, took a sip, and said nothing more. After a long silence, he made a heavy confession.
“This is my last shot.”
“Huh? What is?”
“I’m going to try one more time this summer, and if it doesn’t work out, I’m quitting acting.”
The dust of the small theater seemed to settle all over his body. Muyoung just blinked, making sure he had heard correctly.
“Quitting?”
“Just as I said. I’ll drop out and look for another path.”
“Why? You worked so hard to get into that university. And you’ve been acting for a long time.”
At that question, Yuchan scoffed.
It was a cold, pitying smile, as if to say Muyoung would never understand.
“I’ve been doing it for a long time. But doing it for a long time doesn’t solve everything. I guess arts and sports are all about talent. Some people struggle for years to get a single minor role, while others start filming movies and dramas within a year……”
Muyoung realized who ‘some people’ referred to.
“I’m sorry I can only say this. It’s not your fault, but honestly, it’s been hard. Being human, I keep having bad thoughts. That’s why I couldn’t contact you. I couldn’t congratulate you purely.”
Muyoung felt like he’d been hit on the back of the head after hearing his friend’s confession. He had no idea Yuchan felt this way about him……
“I’m sorry. I didn’t want to show you this pathetic side of me.”
Bora was the same.
The conditions were different, but she was the only one who passed the same audition, after all. Being among those shining stars, Yuchan felt like he was dying of agony.
He was just a spectator, watching that light from the darkness.
“Take a look around before you go. Good luck with the shoot. Prosper.”
Yuchan greeted him with a bitter smile. Muyoung grabbed his arm and looked up at him.
“Don’t just say your piece. Listen to mine too.”