Chapter 73: What is it now?
The managers waiting outside the meeting room looked equally anxious, wondering when they would come out. Soon, the door opened, and everyone stood up at once.
“Muyoung!”
This scene… what can I say? It’s like a mother welcoming her son after finishing the college entrance exam. Muyoung and Romin smiled and approached him.
“How was it? Did you do well?”
Whispering again, of course. There were still competitors around, so Gyeongmin covered his mouth and asked. The two just smiled silently.
“Let’s talk in the car.”
“Oh, right. It’s a bit awkward here, isn’t it?”
“Ugh! I’m hungry. Let’s go eat something delicious!”
“I’ll go if Romin’s paying!”
“What? I’m the youngest here!”
“If you’ve got money, you’re the older brother. Older brother.”
They chatted and waited for the elevator. Then, Director Yujin came running over, out of breath.
“Just a moment!”
The people around her looked at her expectantly. Maybe? Is it me?
“Mr. Ha Muyoung!”
“Yes?”
Well, of course. Director Yujin grabbed Muyoung and reminded him of his schedule again.
“Don’t forget. The documentary.”
“Oh, right.”
“The company will contact you soon, but since the filming schedule isn’t set, just keep it in mind roughly.”
“Yes! Got it, ma’am.”
Ding-dong!
When the elevator arrived, Muyoung bowed politely and got in. Romin and Gyeongmin did the same. She crossed her arms and ended with a meaningful remark.
“See you again. Then.”
“Take care!”
What does ‘see you again’ mean? The documentary? Or…….
‘You did well, Muyoung! I’m proud of you!’
Gyeongmin drank a bowl of imaginary kimchi soup, feeling overwhelmed with pride, and lovingly looked at the back of Muyoung’s head. Muyoung, noticing his intense gaze, turned slightly and smiled awkwardly.
“What’s up?”
“Nothing. Let’s go. Let’s eat!”
“Oh. Is the manager treating us?”
Muyoung smiled and checked his phone. There was a message from an unfamiliar number.
[How about dinner tonight?]
Who is it? Rummaging through his memories, a name came to mind.
“Daryeong?”
“Daryeong? Who’s that? Why?”
On the way to the parking lot, Romin asked curiously about Muyoung’s muttering. It was strange to hear that name from Muyoung, of all people.
“I don’t know. She invited me to dinner?”
“What? Why? Don’t eat with her, hyung. Eat with me instead.”
“I’d like to, but…….”
He was curious about what that sparkle he saw earlier would bring. While Muyoung fastened his seatbelt, Romin chattered about her behind his back.
“That girl’s got a terrible personality. And her reputation isn’t good either.”
“Are you the same age as her?”
“No, she’s three years older, I think?”
Ah, so she doesn’t even get treated as a senior.
Muyoung hesitated for a moment, then contacted Junho. Since he had asked Junho to come with him earlier, if he agreed, he’d go. Otherwise, he wouldn’t.
[Junho, are you free for dinner tonight?]
[Looks like you did well at the audition. I was going to buy you chicken. What do you want to eat?]
He seems busy, but somehow has a lot of time. Muyoung revealed the truth as an SOS.
[Remember Daryeong? The one who hit Bora on the nose? She invited me to dinner, so let’s go together. I can’t go alone.]
[What the hell? Who are you asking to eat with? Don’t you know Bora’s your friend? Where are you sticking your nose in?]
[I’m not sure.]
[Hey, Ha Muyoung, you idiot.]
It’s obvious. He’s probably pounding his chest in frustration. But do you think I’m eating because I want to? It’s all because of that sparkle’s temptation!
[What would you have done without me? Tell me the place and time. Big brother will provide ironclad protection.]
Okay. Got it, sir.
With a reliable ally by his side, Muyoung felt a sense of relief. Romin, watching Muyoung’s message, warned him.
“Absolutely! Don’t drink any alcohol. Just eat quickly and come out. Got it?”
“Yes, yes. I got it. If you keep saying that, the manager will worry. Enough. Just decide where we’re eating. The person who’s treating usually decides.”
At his words, Romin hesitated for a moment, then recited the restaurant’s address. It was near the dorm, conveniently! After eating, he could take him back. Muyoung hummed a tune, while Gyeongmin took a call from Na Geumdong through his earphones.
“Yes, Mr. President. We just finished and are going to eat…… Oh. Really? Then what should I do?”
His voice was quite serious.
Muyoung and Romin held their breath and observed his mood. After a long call, Muyoung looked at him as if to ask what happened.
“Yeah. It’s not certain, so I’ll tell you later. Sorry, I have to go to the office.”
And then he glanced. Gyeongmin turned his gaze to Romin.
“Um. I see. Then shall we eat just the two of us?”
“Sure! You’re going out again tonight anyway, hyung. Let’s stay at the dorm and then go out. Ciwon really likes you, hyung.”
“Me? Why?”
“He said he’s never seen anyone sing like that before.”
He was curious, but there’s always a reason for not saying something. Maybe it’s because Romin’s an outsider. Muyoung leaned his forehead against the cold window and looked toward the road leading to Hannam-dong.
And that evening.
“What’s this, Ha Muyoung? Why are you so dressed up?”
At a bar in Gangnam, Junho, who had just gotten off work, looked casual, but Muyoung was still in his audition outfit. As a result, he attracted attention from the moment he entered the bar.
“If it wasn’t a private room, I would’ve run out immediately.”
“You’re that noticeable?”
“Didn’t you look in the mirror?”
It was supposed to be a restaurant, but when they entered, it turned out to be a place that mainly served alcohol, with food as a side. Junho rolled up his sleeves, ready for battle.
“Today, I’ll avenge Bora.”
“……Are you going to hit her on the nose too?”
“Are you crazy? Do you think I’m going to become a new star and go to jail? I’ll do it like a gentleman. Like a gentleman.”
While he was full of enthusiasm, the door suddenly opened, and two women entered. Daryeong and someone he didn’t know. She was tall, clearly a model. Junho immediately recognized her and muttered.
“Mori?”
“Hello. We’re a bit late, aren’t we? The traffic was bad.”
“You know me? Wow- I’m so happy.”
Mori. She’s the hottest new model, isn’t she? They smiled and sat in the front seat. In an instant, the atmosphere became like…… a 2-on-2 blind date. What on earth is going on here?
“I brought a friend too.”
“You surprised me. Haha.”
Daryeong took off her mask and greeted them. This time, she was in full makeup! Her eyes looked twice as big as before.
“You must be really hungry. The hot pot here is really delicious. Do you both drink soju?”
Daryeong seemed to be a regular, skillfully choosing the menu and ordering. The table was set up quickly. As the food and drinks increased, they naturally passed around the soju bottles.
“Wow! This is so delicious!”
When Muyoung praised the hot pot, Junho pinched his thigh under the table, telling him to snap out of it. Daryeong poured him a drink and asked,
“By the way, is your name Junho?”
“Yes. It is. Im Junho.”
“You work at BORNTORE, right?”
A very moist smile. When Junho hesitated, Muyoung pinched his thigh this time.
“Ouch!”
“What?”
“Yes, yes. I work there as an MD.”
He answered like that and glared at Muyoung. Pfft. Muyoung stuck out his tongue. Snap out of it, sir!
“Let’s not do this. Cheers. Cheers!”
At their request, Junho raised his glass with a determined face. Looking at his expression, he finally understood. Bora’s revenge was……
‘To make him drink until he drops?’
In that case, Muyoung could only cheer him on from a distance.
Cheers-
The soju, filled to the brim, sparkled under the light. Junho drank it all at once, as if going into battle. Then he smiled at Daryeong, as if urging her to follow.
“Hiccup-!”
Three hours later. There were eight bottles of soju on the table next to them. Unlike Muyoung, who stopped drinking halfway, the other three, who kept pouring, were almost completely drunk.
“-So what did I say then?”
“……I don’t know.”
“Oh, come on. Junho’s so cold. Didn’t you come to see me?”
“Of course I came to drink! Cheers!”
“That’s too much-!”
“Want to drink more? Ueeek-”
All three of them, with red faces, only said what they wanted. Muyoung, who had been drinking hot pot instead of alcohol, patted his swollen belly and watched them.
‘Ugh. I’m so tired. What the heck is that sparkle?’
Junho, who had finished the last shot, stuck out his tongue and leaned on Muyoung’s shoulder. With a face that looked like he was about to throw up any moment, he mumbled.
“What the hell are those guys? They drink like crazy.”
“Yeah. You seem the most drunk.”
“No good. We have to…… avenge Bora.”
At that moment,
Thud-
“Huh? Hey. Are you okay?”
Daryeong’s friend hit her head on the table. Yep. One down. Muyoung waved his hand as if to say that was enough and stood up. He couldn’t do this anymore, no matter what that sparkle was.
“You’ve had a lot to drink. Let’s go slowly now.”
“Help me up a bit.”
Daryeong smiled tipsily and reached out to Junho. When Muyoung tried to help her instead, she lightly slapped his hand away.
“No! Junho!”
“Ugh. She’s really pushing it.”
Muyoung looked at Junho. He was signaling him to put her in a taxi quickly. In three hours, Daryeong had done so much to Junho. Watching from the side, he was exhausted.
“Okay. You pay the bill over there.”
Her hands and legs were wobbly, and Daryeong was clearly drunk too. She scribbled her signature and came out.
“Umm. The night air! It’s so cold!”
“It’s summer, so it’s hot?”
“Daryeong is coooold-”
And she kept hanging on Junho’s arm. When Junho tried to pull her off,
“Hey!”
A loud shout, loud enough to make the alcohol evaporate. Muyoung and Junho opened their eyes wide and looked back. It was Bora.
“Im Junho. What are you doing?”
“Bo, Bora. Why are you here?”
Oh no. Junho panicked and pulled Daryeong away. But she clung to him like a leech.
“I said I had a meeting and a dinner party. What about you? Didn’t you finish work early today?”
Her gaze fell on the drunken Daryeong. Her mask was almost hanging off her chin because it felt uncomfortable. Daryeong wrapped her arms around Junho’s and replied.
“I finished work early and had a drink. Why are you shouting?”
A very sly and sharp tone. Bora glared at Junho, looking exasperated. Then, without a word, she turned around and walked away.
“Bora!”
“Where are you going? Take a taxi and go home. Round two?”
“Shut up. Let go of me!”
Junho threw her aside and chased after Bora. Daryeong, unable to keep her balance, staggered. Muyoung quickly hailed a taxi and pushed the model friend and Daryeong inside.
“Be careful. Tell the driver your address! The number is Seoul A 8457, Migung Transport…… Call me when you arrive, driver. Please take good care of them!”
“Where are you going-! Where is everyone going?”
And he chased after Junho and Bora as well. He had checked the taxi number and company, and even made sure the door was closed, but he made one mistake……
“Let me out!”
“Uh-oh. Miss. Is it dangerous to open the door? Are you getting out?”
“I don’t know! I’m not going! Fuck, I’m getting out! Why is everyone chasing after Kang Bora……!”
“Wow. Really.”
He didn’t notice that the taxi had stopped and started again. Daryeong sat on the side of the road, muttering…… and then spent the next few hours throwing up everything she had eaten.
“Ueeeeek-!”
“Oh my. Look at that person.”
“Eww. Gross.”
“Huh? Isn’t that Daryeong?”
“Daryeong? Where?”
……Meanwhile, Muyoung ran after the place where Junho had disappeared.
He had already lost him. Even when he called, he didn’t answer. He blamed himself and messed up his hair.
‘What the heck is that pollen! Really!’
Luck, my ass! He’d only end up being hated by Bora. What if she thought he betrayed her? More than anything, he felt really sorry if Junho got misunderstood……
“Ugh!”
He was sitting and regretting when he noticed something flowing on the ground. Pollen!
‘……?’
Muyoung watched it quietly for a moment, then slowly followed it. It was like it was guiding him. The sparkle continued into the narrow alley, all the way to the corner. Then, as he turned the corner-
“Huh!”
He saw a man and a woman kissing passionately. The woman, sensing someone, was startled and let go of the man’s neck.
“Oh, s, sorry-”
Muyoung tried to cover his eyes and quickly look away, but……
“……Just a moment.”
Those two people. Their silhouettes were very familiar, weren’t they?
“Hey!”
Muyoung, startled, pointed at the two of them. He was so surprised he could only open his mouth. Bora covered her face in despair, and Junho smiled awkwardly.
“Go on your way, Muyoung.”
“You crazy bastard! What the hell are you two!”
The warm sparkle surrounding the two of them. It meant that a precious person had found another precious person. That was what the sparkle signified.