After Story 86

But is that really enough? Seungah asked, looking back at the police station.

She confidently said shed help out her friend, but the interview with her uncle only lasted about 10 minutes. She wondered if that short interview would even be helpful.

Yeah, I received more than enough. He said something crucial in setting my character.

I guess if youre good with it, thats fine.

She looked at the notepad that Maru was holding.

Can you show me that?

Theres nothing much though.

If theres nothing much, then show me. Im curious about what you wrote.

Maru held the notepad out.

Oppa, can I look at it as well? Dawoon also showed interest. Maru nodded.

This is unexpected. Your writing is really neat. Did you get lessons or something?

Clean writing filled the first page. It looked like it was written quickly, but it was neat nonetheless. She then saw that the notepad wasnt even lined. His words were so straight that she thought he wrote on top of lines, but there were none.

Seungah looked downwards. There was a question why underneath the characters name. It was a series of whys from beginning to end.

There was no clear answer in the notepad. It was just one question leading to another question.

You can organize your thoughts like that?

She took her eyes off the notepad. She felt dizzy instead when she looked at the huge agglomeration of whys.

This was not a process to make the character clearer. It was a process of pus.h.i.+ng the character inside a fog. There was no answer to any question, and instead, even more questions.

Each person has their own way. Also, this notepad is for thinking, not for organizing. I rarely write any conclusion here. Its a notepad where I keep throwing questions.

I shouldnt have looked. If you write so many questions for just a minor character, how are you supposed to do a lead character?

Ask even more questions than this. But if I read it, its not actually that much. You should try if you have some time.

What? Do that?

If you do, youll realize that I actually havent written down a lot of questions. You must also think about a lot of things if you play a character. Try gathering all the questions that just flash past your head. Theres no need to write it down on a notepad. If youre more comfortable typing, then you can do that, and if youre fine with recording, then you can do that too. Try gathering them and looking back at them. There will probably be a lot more than I have here, you know?

Really? I actually think quite a lot, but I dont think its that much.

You cant go wrong with trying. It doesnt consume money or even a lot of time, so you should try it. You might not get anything out of it, but you might be able to find out something interesting in the process of creating questions. Dawoon, you should try it too if you have time. If you dont have any characters to play right now, then you can do it with a character you want to play, or you can also pick a character from a movie and ask questions in your own way. Its somewhat fun to compare the character you have created based on the questions you asked about the character that the actor displays.

Questions, huh? Seungah tapped on her lips. It was an irreplaceable step in the process of refining a character. However, she had never thrown endless questions like that without answering them. There was only a question that sought an answer.

Isnt that inefficient? Its just a minor character.

From some perspectives, it might be inefficient. But its not like Im so busy that I need to consider efficiency. It wont be too late to think about efficiency later, dont you think?

Youre right. Ill try as well since I have a lot of time.

Dawoon stood in front of Maru and spoke, Ill try doing it as well. Can you have a look at the things I wrote down later?

Its no use for anyone else to see it, but if you want to, Ill have a look.

Thank you, oppa.

Seungah looked at Dawoon and Maru who smiled at each other.

Oh? She put on a thick smile and b.u.mped Dawoon with her shoulder. Dawoon blinked and looked at her.

What is it?

Nothing.

What is it? Your smile is clearly fishy.

I said its nothing.

She couldnt say it in front of Maru. She handed the notepad back to Maru.

Since we ate and did what we needed to do, shall we part ways here?

Seungah pushed Marus back and sent him to the bus stop. As she did so, she had a glance at Dawoon. While she didnt make it look obvious, she was clearly disappointed. How cute.

Maru left on the bus.

Jung Dawoon.

Huh?

Be honest with me.

What?

Dont you have anything to say to me? This unni already knows everything.

Dawoon, who was walking ahead, flinched to a stop. Her shoulders shriveled inwards. She knew it was going to be like this. Seungah slapped Dawoons back hard.

She walked forward to see Dawoons uneasy face. Dawoon was looking down with her expression frozen stiff. She was so pale that she looked shocked.

She thought she made a mistake. She never knew that Dawoon would feel so uncomfortable talking about romance.

Dawoon, Dawoon. Im not trying to tease you.

Huh huh?

Dawoon raised her head. Her eyes were complex.

Just how startled was she? she felt pity and grabbed her hands.

I just mentioned it lightly. If I knew you hated it so much, I wouldnt have even said it.

What do you mean?

What do you mean what do I mean? Arent you interested in Maru?

Dawoons lips, which had stiffened into a straight line, trembled before softening up. Dawoon rubbed the corner of her eyes and spoke, Its about that?

Of course its about this. What else would I tease you about? Anyway, this is it. I wont talk about this ever again.

Its okay, Dawoon said, shaking her head.

Its okay?

As you said, unni, Im a little interested in him. Dawoon smiled in embarra.s.sment.

Seungah narrowed her eyes. Look at you. I knew my hunch wasnt wrong.

But its not like I really like him that much.

I know, I know. Han Maru is a pretty decent guy. Hes gentle and he looks good too.

Hes caring in the little parts, and he keeps promises too, Dawoon added.

How likely is it for that basic goodwill to turn into romantic feelings? Just tell me about it.

Why are you doing this? Do you even have to know?

Hey. I should know a little bit so that I can help you out indirectly, or just ignore it. If youre just thinking of him as a decent person, then Ill stay still, but if its not that and you want to proceed further.

Seungah smirked and linked arms with Dawoon.

Tell me quickly.

Why are you doing this? Geez.

Dawoon took her arm away with a smile. From her att.i.tude, it was clear that she wanted to go beyond the current relations.h.i.+p.

I can also read the mood, so I wont cause a fuss. Instead, I can help you to get in the mood, just slightly.

You dont have to.

Really?

Dawon became quiet. After a while, she spoke in a small voice, If you make it unnoticeable.

What?

If youre going to tease me for it, then forget it.

Dawoon walked ahead, looking mad. She was so cute. Seungah quickly went up to her and linked arms again.

Just trust this unni. Ill set you up ever so slightly that it wont look noticeable.

Dont go too far. Both oppa and I might find it uncomfortable. I dont want things to be like that. I want to get close to him naturally.

Okay. Ill take care of that, so dont worry.

Seungah grabbed a taxi.

What about you?

I have something to buy, so Im going to go grocery shopping.

Should I go with you?

Nah, its okay. You should get going now. See you at the acting school tomorrow.

Okay.

She closed the taxi door. The taxi then stopped right in front at the traffic light. Seungah waved her hand. Dawoon smiled and pulled her head back into the taxi.

Wait, I should find out some info before that, right?

Seungah took out her phone. It was time for the romance detective to get to work.

* * *

Dawoon smiled as she thought about Seungah. She was really stifled when she was asked if she had anything to say. She felt like that was how it would feel when being hit by a car.

However, her worries were for naught. Seungah didnt know anything. It was proof that Maru was keeping his promise.

When her nervousness died down, she faintly smiled. She was overly worried and realized that worrying would do more harm than good.

No one would know that she threw away those profiles. Only Maru had heard what she said while she was half drunk, but that was okay. Even if Maru brought up what she said that day, she could just play dumb, not that he would say something like that easily based on his personality.

A mistake was not a mistake if no one knew about it. She didnt commit a crime, so she had to be bold. It would be troublesome if she stiffened up and talked nonsense.

She fidgeted with her phone before smiling. She hoped that unni didnt do anything unnecessary. She was worried, but she was also looking forward to it. She didnt want to date him just yet, but she definitely wanted to become closer to him.

If Seungah could set up the mood, she would more easily be able to talk about personal stuff and get to know each other better.

She thought about Marus advice. The way he spoke seriously was honestly quite charming. People said that there was no s.e.xier man than one who is focused on his work, and it was indeed true. A person focusing on his clear objective was s.e.xy.

Maybe it wasnt that bad to get closer to him. Dawoon fantasized about a lot of things, but she stopped because she kept grinning.

If things go well. Dawoon whispered while looking outside the window.

If she got closer to him thanks to unnis help, would that mean they helped each other out? Unni might not know it, but without her help, unni wouldve been unable to partic.i.p.ate in the audition.

When she thought about that, it felt very natural to get Seungahs help. She felt proud for some reason. It also felt like throwing away those profiles wasnt so bad.

The ones who pa.s.s were designated in the first place. She only did what she did so that the one who put in more effort received a fairer chance, so she couldnt call it a sin.

Was it really a bad thing that she threw away those profiles? Would not throwing them away have changed anything? Wasnt there more to gain by throwing those things away?

Dawoon smiled. She kept asking questions just like Maru said, and the more she did, the more justified her actions seemed to be.

She felt comfortable now. Everything felt refreshed.

* * *

Maru stared at his phone. He read the message Seungah sent him several times over.

-Hey, are you seeing anyone right now?

What was her intention behind sending that text? Usually, when a woman who showed no signs of romance sent him a text like this, it was usually about introducing him to another woman. He had also experienced actors dating each other, so it wasnt even that surprising.

-I do have someone Im seeing right now.

He sent the message before he got anything more unnecessary. Rather than being kidnapped to another group chat by being roundabout, it was better to cut the sapling early.

-You have someone youre dating?

-I do.

-Why?

Why? Maru chuckled in absurdity and asked what it was about.

-No, nothing. If you had one, then you shouldve shown a hint about it.

-Isnt it stranger to show it?

-Anyway, okay.

-What is it?

He was reminded of Dawoon, but he didnt mention it. He might be getting overly conscious because of his old age.

Seungah told him once again not to mind before saying goodbye. She told him not to mind, so there was no need for him to mind. He said what he needed to say, so Seungah should take care of whatever happened.

He saw the couple seated in front of him giggling while sharing earphones.

Whether it was Seungah, or those two they had it good.

Maru closed his eyes and leaned on the chair. He would be at Suwon station after taking a nap.