Chapter 62: The Three of Us
“I’m sorry, first of all.”
Muyoung had no trouble saying those words. He didn’t mean to, nor did he know, but he was told that his existence had shaken Yuchan’s life.
“This is an apology from a friend.”
If it were someone else, they would have just shrugged it off. But Yuchan was a friend. And he had helped him a lot at acting school.
“But there’s no need to compare my life to yours. Everyone has their own path.”
“That’s a bit painful to hear. Are you telling me to be content with reality?”
“No. I mean, everyone has their own life. You see me doing well and think I have no worries, right? I envy you just as much. You have a home and a family. And you have a lot of friends.”
“……What do you mean?”
Yuchan tilted his head at Muyoung’s words. Why was having a home and family important? It was just normal.
“I’m an orphan.”
“……!”
“My parents died when I was young, and I grew up under my stepfather. But he wasn’t in his right mind, so I was beaten every day. I almost died on my 19th birthday, but it was my stepfather who died, not me. That’s how I lived.”
It was shocking. He didn’t seem like that at all. He was always bright and cheerful, and he seemed like a child who was always loved at home. So I thought he was continuing his success with that positive energy.
“I didn’t know.”
“Of course, since I didn’t tell you. You’re the second of my friends to know this.”
The first, of course, was Junho.
“But why are you telling me this?”
Honestly, before I went to college, I only saw him every day during the winter. After graduation, this was the first time I’d seen him. Was there a need to open up like this?
“Because I want to tell you that just because you’re having a hard time now doesn’t mean your future will be hard.”
Of course, he had abilities that were different from others.
Pollen of good fortune that burst out just by walking side by side. But that ability was given to him because he could see the smog, because he had seen it.
“So if you stop acting because you don’t like it or because you like something else better, I’ll cheer you on. But if you give up because it’s hard, because you can’t bear to compare yourself to others, I want to hold you back. I think that’s my role.”
“Ha Muyoung.”
“I’m really grateful to you. Remember? When I first sent in my web drama video submission, you helped me. You taught me how to shoot well. The me now is a continuation of that.”
Yuchan bit his lip at Muyoung’s heartfelt confession and gratitude. It was so embarrassing. He was someone who didn’t even contact him because of jealousy, but the friend in front of him was thanking him.
“Don’t think that just because it’s hard today, it’ll be hard tomorrow. If it’s too hard for you, I won’t contact you in the future. It’s enough to just cheer each other on from our places.”
It’s not only what you see with your eyes that makes you close. If you always hold it in your heart, that’s a friend too.
“I’m sorry, Muyoung.”
Was it because his heart reached him? Yuchan felt a tingling in his nose. Along with the stuffy heat of the small theater, his tears melted away.
“Hey, don’t cry.”
“It’s actually just an excuse. It’s ugly jealousy. I hate myself for being like this.”
“It’s okay. It’s a natural emotion for a human being.”
“……It’s easier when you say it like that. Thank you.”
Muyoung patted him on the back.
“Everyone has their own time, Yuchan. Don’t be too hard on yourself. That doesn’t mean other people can’t move forward.”
“What you’re saying sounds like it’s coming from a hundred-year-old, not a twenty-year-old.”
“I told you, I’ve been through death and come back. You could say this is my second life. Yeah. Hahaha.”
The two laughed at the light joke. The script collection in Yuchan’s hand. Muyoung asked casually.
“So are you going to put that on this summer? Shakespeare?”
“No, this is for personal practice, and I’ll decide on a project and role soon. It’s a total survival situation here. Regardless of years of experience, even a newcomer can get a lead role if they have the skills.”
That was one of the reasons why the Hadong Theater Troupe was famous.
If you wanted to get a role, you had to fight fiercely to achieve it.
The skill-based operation of the theater troupe produced celebrities and became a great asset to the troupe’s history.
“Still, just joining is a great achievement, isn’t it?”
“……It’s not just about skills, but joining seems to be about seeing how desperate you are.”
After a free performance in front of the director, Yuchan repeatedly bowed 90 degrees and begged. He didn’t need money. He’d be happy to just clean up, so please let him join. He did that because he thought it was really his last chance…… The director saw that.
“Really? When is that?”
“Project selection? Next week or so.”
If he couldn’t land a lead or supporting role then, Yuchan’s last performance would fizzle out as an extra. In fact, he was a little shaken by Muyoung’s encouragement just now, but that was it for now.
“Then let’s practice together.”
“Practice? With me? What about your filming?”
“I’m free for a while. I’ve already finished filming my movie, so I’m not going out these days, and my drama role is a minor one, so it’s over. It’s vacation time, so I’m relaxed.”
Zziiing.
Muyoung checked his crying phone and answered. It was Han Dagyeong. A request with Buyong’s phone number written on it.
[Make sure they don’t find out you lied.]
Of course. I’m an actor, after all. Besides, with the movie release and all, Buyong would know Muyoung’s identity soon if he just did a little more work. He had to tie up loose ends before that.
“If you’re okay with it, let’s do it like we used to.”
“……If you’re okay with it.”
After a moment’s hesitation, Yuchan accepted.
Muyoung smiled broadly, looking very happy. He had grown up very lonely. His only high school friend was Junho, and his only acting school friends were Bora and Yuchan.
It’s too bad to let him go like this.
“Great! Let’s start intensive training right away!”
“I’m already living a similar life.”
“Do you really sleep here? In this small theater?”
“There’s a waiting room in the back.”
The two shared stories they hadn’t been able to tell each other, as well as updates on their lives. There was a mountain of stories accumulated over one semester. It didn’t stop until the sun went down.
“So you’re going to go to the theater every day for a while?”
“Yes. But why do you go to work from here?”
“It’s Mapo. It only takes 30 minutes to get to Dongdaemun. It takes an hour from my house.”
A bright morning. Junho, who had snuck in during the night without anyone knowing, was munching on bread in the kitchen. The place was so big that he didn’t even know someone had come in and slept.
“Haaam!”
“Did you talk to the landlord?”
“No. I got his number yesterday, so I’ll try today. What should I say?”
Muyoung sat in front of him, too, just fiddling with his phone. He wrote and erased the letters dozens of times. Junho just thought he was going to promote the house, but Muyoung was going to bring up ghosts.
‘That’ll get me more money. Money? That sounds too blunt. Let’s call it an incentive. Hmm. Okay.’
“Here, let me write you a script. First, write down all your PR. You’re shooting Director Jin Gyeongmun’s
“Shut up and eat. Idiot.”
“Why? This is a method your celebrities often use when they ask us for sponsorship.”
It was true. It was a bit rough, but the format wasn’t much different.
Your current situation, your future aspirations, and your conclusion. That’s all it takes, these three things.
‘Promoting myself in the media won’t work. It’s one thing to be arrogant, but if things go wrong, it’ll be awkward with President Han Dagyeong’s involvement. I might get kicked out.’
Ugh. I don’t like that.
With a determined mind, Muyoung neatly parted his hair and pressed the keys firmly. These letters, one by one, would bring him 200 million won!
[Hello, boss. I’m Ha Muyoung, who came to look at the officetel with the CEO last time. I remembered how you were struggling with that place.]
Should I introduce him to a good shaman?
Or should I just say that I can see them?
He hesitated for a moment and waited for a reply.
Ring!
“It’s here!”
“Aren’t you going to work? It only takes 30 minutes. It’s fine. What did you send?”
[Ah! The handsome friend or the less handsome friend?]
“Not less handsome, but less born? He’s the one wearing that crappy Hawaiian shirt!”
Junho, who was peeking from the side, shouted angrily. Muyoung pushed his cheek away and answered immediately.
[The handsome friend.]
[Ah. What’s the matter then?]
[Don’t think it’s too strange, but my family can actually see ghosts. I keep feeling a strange energy while working, so if you want, I’d like to introduce you to an exorcist.]
As soon as he sent that message, the phone rang. Gulp, gulp. Junho stuffed a piece of bread in his mouth and drank some milk. Muyoung waved his hand, telling him to go quickly.
“Yes, boss.”
-Wow. The world is small. There’s really someone around who can see that kind of thing.
“My uncle is an expert. It’s a bit delicate because of religion, but if you want, I’ll introduce him to you.”
In Muyoung’s mind, an image of the principal in hanbok flashed by. He could ask someone else, but no one could match his acting skills.
-How much does it cost? Let’s meet once first. If I can really get rid of that thing, I’m willing to split my bank account wide open. The houses around here are skyrocketing in price every day, but only mine is like that!
It’s not just 2.6 billion won, the other places have different numbers from the start. Muyoung said cautiously,
“Is it okay if it’s a bit expensive? My uncle is really good at this. But you only pay when you see results.”
-Of course! How much is it? About 300 to 400 million won?
……! Whoa! Rich people are different, after all. Muyoung’s eyes widened at the much higher price than he expected. Yes, that’s more than enough.
“Uh, I think it’s about that much? I’ll have to ask for details. Anyway, I’ll take it as you’re willing to do it and contact my uncle. I’ll set a date soon.”
-Okay! Looking forward to good news!
“Oh. Please keep this a secret from the CEO. I have to maintain my social life.”
It would be troublesome if people knew he could see ghosts.
Muyoung made Buyong promise to keep his mouth shut. He was excited about exorcising ghosts and kept making promises.
-Of course! I’m a man with a very tight lip! Hahaha!
He didn’t look like that at all, but what could he do? He had to trust him.
After hanging up, Muyoung looked around the peaceful house. Except for the ghost hanging from the ceiling, it was perfect.
“Can you go outside, maybe?”
Muyoung asked, sipping his milk.
“I’m going to Hadong Theater. I’m going to practice with a friend. Come with me if you want. It’s boring to be alone.”
As he said that, he suddenly remembered the principal’s class.
When practicing acting, they did something called ‘imaginary roles.’ They assumed there was someone to respond to and led the scene.
“Hmm.”
Muyoung looked at her hanging from the ceiling and smiled.
“Shall we go on stage as three?”
Muyoung and Yuchan would practice, and she would perform the play she had longed for.
The problem was that script,
“Or let’s go find the script. You must have been in and out of that place like it was your own house, right? You, me, and my friend can read the lines together. How about that?”
At his question, the ghost simply came down and sat on the floor. She didn’t say anything, but she was radiating happiness all around.