After Story 105

Brown hair tied into a ponytail and draped to the side, round gla.s.ses without a prescription, a pale green s.h.i.+rt, and a pair of skinny jeans a woman that seemed to signify the coming of Spring approached him with a smile.

Who was this? Maru thought as he looked at the woman who got closer to him before thinking up a name. He had not recognized her because she had changed a lot in the past few months. Her makeup style also seemed to have changed.

Dawoon.

Dawoon smiled in front of him.

What a coincidence. I got to meet you like this, oppa. So you pa.s.sed the audition?

And you pa.s.sed the audition too, huh? Youre here because of the shoot, right?

Yeah. When did you come to Busan, oppa?

Just yesterday.

Dont tell me you finished your shoot already?

I did. I just finished off my last scene.

What a pity. If I knew about it beforehand, I wouldve called you.

Dawoon covered her mouth and coughed softly.

Its cold. You should put something on.

I heard I was going to be in the next scene, so I just took it off.

He saw a thick jacket neatly folded where Dawoon was pointing at.

Right, I enjoyed the drama. The first and second episodes with you in them were the most interesting. Its been two months since the series ended, but I only got to tell you about it now.

Thanks for telling me, even if its a little late.

Maru looked at Dawoons expression and continued speaking,

Seungah also took the audition. I wonder how it turned out for her.

She didnt make it, unfortunately. She told me she didnt get contacted.

Really?

The two of them seemed to have resolved this between them, as Dawoon didnt look awkward mentioning Seungah. They also talked to each other quite well in the group chat, so there didnt seem to be any resentment remaining between them.

I wish she was here instead of me. I mean, shes a little better than me.

The director must have picked you because he judged that you were better.

Youngjae, who stood next to him, left, saying that he would go ahead.

Who was that? Dawoon asked as she looked at Youngjae walking off.

An actor I worked with. He lives in Suwon as well, so we came to Busan together. Thanks to that, it was less lonely.

Dawoon took off her gla.s.ses. How many months has it been since we saw each other like this?

About four months, I guess?

Honestly, I thought Id feel rather awkward to see you, but its not like that at all.

Whats there to be awkward about? We resolved everything through the phone call back then.

Dawoon smiled brightly, enough to show her teeth.

Right. We talked about it and resolved everything back then, but I was a little shy and never managed to reach out to you on my own accord. Ill say just in case, but I dont have any feelings for you anymore, so you cant avoid me or something like that, okay?

Theres no way I would do that, is there? Its just meeting a member of the Hanjoo Chicken Feet Actors a.s.sociation, so theres no reason for me to avoid it.

Just as ordinary friends, right?

Dawoon turned her head around. The camera that came out of the office was being set up on the street. The lights were almost finished being installed as well.

Looks like I have to go soon. Oppa, how am I?

What do you mean?

Do I look like someone flirtatious? Its the role I have. Im a thieving fox who has to enchant men.

If its that, you look very suitable right now.

I wonder if I can shake your heart too?

He tilted his head as he looked at Dawoon. Dawoon put her gla.s.ses on again and spoke,

I was just joking. Youre putting me in an awkward position if you look at me like that. We decided not to do that, didnt we?

Ah, right.

Maru smiled and took out the hot pack he had in his pocket.

Its rather cold, so you should watch out for your health when you shoot. The director has a fiery personality, but hes great when it comes to giving instructions on acting, so Im sure theres a lot to learn.

Thats good. I was actually quite worried because the director looks scary, Dawoon said, putting the hot pack against her cheek, adding that it was really warm.

You should go now, the shoots going to start.

Okay.

Maru turned around to look for Youngjae. He was waiting at the exit of the alley leading to the city center. Just as he was about to raise his hand to indicate that he was going,

Maru oppa.

He slightly turned around to look at Dawoon.

Uhm, are you busy?

Why do you ask?

You see, I came here by myself. I told you about this before, right? So I feel complicated. Its my first time coming to a movie shoot like this too.

You dont have to worry about that. As long as you focus on acting, youll forget about everything else.

Thats true, but how should I put this. I need some advice. If youre okay with it, cant you stay in Busan until I finish my shoot? Dawoon said as she grabbed the hems of her s.h.i.+rt.

He spoke to Dawoon, who was smiling awkwardly.

You wouldnt find me helpful even if I am here. Acting is purely up to you after all. Also, I dont think that your acting is bad. Im sure youll be able to handle it without a problem.

R-really?

If you feel nervous for no reason, you should try talking to other actors. There are many kind people here. Especially senior Ahn Baeho. He will never look away from you if you ask him for help. Of course, you might have to wait if he becomes sensitive because of the shoot.

Dawoon rolled her tongue inside her mouth and eventually put on an expression of forfeit.

Alright, oppa, Ill do that. Then are you going back to Suwon tonight?

I probably will. I booked a train too.

I see, youre going.

Lets meet up with everyone else and do something once youre done with the shoot here. Jichan-hyung said he wanted to see you. The drama has ended too, so lets meet up when Jichan-hyun has time in his schedule.

Yeah, sounds good.

She looked like she still had something to say.

Maru believed that while he couldnt read what a person was thinking deep in their hearts, he thought he could read their expressions at least. It was not some kind of supernatural ability, but a form of intuition he gained from repeated lives.

If it was someone else, not Dawoon, he wouldve spoken some more and perhaps asked what troubles they were having.

Alright, then good luck. Its cold, so stay warm.

Erm.

Dawoon spoke with a hesitant hand gesture. Maru pointed at Youngjae waiting in the distance.

Im sorry. Hes waiting because we agreed to eat together. I cant make him wait forever.

Ah Dawoon changed her expression into a smile.

Maru didnt want to leave any room. Peoples emotions were like piled snow. Even after brus.h.i.+ng away everything with a broom, there was bound to be some remaining behind in the shadows.

That was why he had to finish the conversation here. Given enough time, they might be able to form a casual relations.h.i.+p, but that time was not now.

Maru waved his hand and turned around.

She seems like an actress, Youngjae said as he looked at Dawoon.

Shes someone I know. She took the audition with me, and it seems like she pa.s.sed and got a role.

Thats good.

Youngjae kept giving Dawoon glimpses as they walked.

What about her? Maru asked.

Shes pretty. I dont mean anything else; she just has a face thatll be beneficial for her as an actress. After all, even as the times change, appearance is a condition that actresses cant do without.

Should I set you up with her?

Youngjae shook his head.

I really dont have any intentions like that. Above all, Im not in a situation where I can care about dating. Im having trouble taking care of myself, so I cant imagine looking out for someone else.

You never know. There are people who make you forget that you have such trouble and make your life enjoyable.

Sounds like youre seeing someone.

I am. Thanks to that, life is enjoyable.

Youngjae smiled.

Dont the people around tell you that you dont act your age?

They do. Maybe my minds gotten told.

They walked past the walls that looked like they would fall apart soon. After pa.s.sing by a construction zone with piles of wooden fiberboards, they crossed a four-lane road. They returned to the end of the shanty town and the beginning of the building zone.

Maru looked at the barbecue restaurant in front of him and spoke,

Lets get some food first before we go pack our luggage.

* * *

Dawoon looked at the reflection of her face through the hand mirror. While it was still not to her liking, it had definitely changed compared to a few months ago.

She lost some weight in her cheeks, making the contours of her face much clearer, and her nose had gotten higher as well. She had also gotten used to her new makeup style, so she didnt make mistakes there either.

Her figure in the mirror was definitely catching up to Han Haneul.

Just a little more, she said in a small voice.

She had expected Maru to respond like that to some extent. He was probably feeling awkward. After all, a girl who practically confessed to him greeted him with a smile.

It wouldnt be strange for him to be fl.u.s.tered and leave after a curt greeting, but Maru kindly asked her how she was doing and was worried about her. He also told her that she looked good.

Positive indicators were found everywhere. If he didnt have a girlfriend, he would probably have treated her kinder. For now, though, she was satisfied that he wasnt staying away from her.

However, what would it be like in due time? She thought that she had to put in more effort. Only after becoming a woman full of charm would she be able to attract Marus interest legally.

Han Haneul was definitely a cool person. Even as a girl, she felt rather enchanted when she looked at Han Haneuls poster, at those mysterious eyes.

Had she been a man, she would definitely have longed for her.

She imagined herself standing next to Maru instead of Han Haneul. Just imagining that made her feel s.h.i.+veringly excited. That would be the moment she becomes perfect as a woman, and as an actress.

It dawned on her when she watched the drama that Maru shot. Only she would be able to put on a pa.s.sionate act with that man.

She had to acc.u.mulate everything inwardly for now until the day that would come soon.

For the sake of the moment when her appearance, acting skills, and emotions all blossomed at once.

* * *

I thought it was a b.u.t.terfly. It was quite pretty. But then I suddenly found out one day that the pretty b.u.t.terfly I used to admire actually turned out to be a moth. What was its name again? It was a hawk moth or something, Youngjae said as he put down the drinking bowl. It seemed that he was weak to alcohol and was the type to get talkative.

Still, he only talked softly like a docile student, so it wasnt a bad drinking habit.

Its funny, isnt it? b.u.t.terflies or moths, theyre pretty much the same thing, insects. But when you think of b.u.t.terflies, you think elegant, cool, and pure, while moths are dirty, harmful, and disgusting.

Was it shocking?

Maru filled Youngjaes bowl only about halfway full. If he fed him anymore, he might have to carry him. That was one thing he didnt want to do.

It was shocking even when I was twenty. I found out then that its how I perceive it thats most important. Even moths are b.u.t.terflies if I look at them prettily, and b.u.t.terflies might as well be moths if I hate them.

You learned something good.

Yes. But I still like b.u.t.terflies and hate moths. I want to become a b.u.t.terfly if possible. Thats why Im envious of you. Ah, right! The drama! I think youre really amazing. I was shocked when I watched it, and I still cant believe that was you. Isnt there anything else?

What do you mean?

I mean, like another great secret.

After chuckling, Youngjae smiled and stood up, saying that he had to go to the bathroom. It seemed that they had to stop drinking here.

He emptied the rice wine in Youngjaes bowl and stood up.

Mr. Youngjae. Lets walk a little before going to the station, he said, holding Youngjae up who was chuckling.

KTLChamber's Thoughts

...Do we have a girl version of Giwoo now? (shakes head in resignation)

Editor's Note:

Ok but, at least she's not as trash as s.h.i.+twoo.