After Story 120

Where have you been?

Just on a phone call. Oppa, Im going to get some sleep so stay quiet.

Alright. You still have some scenes left to shoot, so get some shut-eye. Im going to get some food, so call me if something happens. Dont forget to use a blanket.

Okay.

The manager left. Nayeon leaned the chair backward and closed her eyes. She stayed like that for about five minutes before sitting back up.

Shes not reading it?

Haneul was not reading the messenger. She had the urge to call, but she couldnt do so because of her pride. She rolled around on the spot for a while before leaving the car in frustration. It had been a really long time since she quarreled with someone of her age. As she had been living in the entertainment industry since young, she barely had anyone she could consider a friend of her age. Not a single one of them was someone she could quarrel with.

The only person she could speak her heart to at this set was a younger girl she had befriended only recently. Though, she was on the taking care side, not being taken care of, and had to be rather calm when speaking.

Maybe because of that, she found Haneul interesting for not finding her difficult and instead even acting so bold in front of her. Haneul was annoying, but not hateful.

Above all, she didnt put up pretenses. Nayeon found herself putting aside the mask of an idol and talking to Haneul. There was a small incident as well.

Haneul helped her out like a close friend, who would take care of her in times of need even after quarreling. It was strange, but looking at her reminded Nayeon of her mother. A friend reliable like a mother.

Although they started off on a bad note, she wanted to become friends with Haneul. However, she couldnt remember how friends.h.i.+ps began. All she had was when she was young, before she became a trainee at an idol agency, when she befriended someone after quarreling and giving her candy to make up.

That was why Nayeon asked for Haneuls messenger ID. They would eventually become close if they talk to each other. Not only that, Nayeon was an idol. While Haneul acted totally calm on the outside, would she really have zero interest in an idol? Nayeon thought that shed soon get a reply if she sent a message first.

What a petty girl.

There was still no reply. A celebrity reached out to her first, and she was just ignoring it?

Had she known that this would happen, Nayeon would have told Haneul honestly that they might become good quarreling friends. She started regretting asking when Haneul would come to the shoot again just because of her awkwardness and embarra.s.sment.

Well, even I wouldnt reply. I wouldve blocked the ID first thing, thinking that I stepped on p.o.o.p.

She walked as she muttered to herself. She felt like she wasnt like this when she was young, so when did she start to have a terrible personality? She felt like she had given up on a few things for the sake of success, and maybe her nature was one of them?

Nayeon, who was walking with a smile, stopped. Someone she knew was walking over from the other side.

Nayeon-unni.

Dawoon, youre here?

Nayeon opened her arms wide and hugged Dawoon tight before shaking her left and right.

You had a shoot today?

My schedule changed. Are you done with yours?

I wouldve gone home if it was, right?

Dawoon was a girl she got to know at the shoot. This younger girl was affectionate and docile, so they got close quickly. She was also the only girl she could talk about private matters with at the shoot.

When does your shoot start?

I dont know yet. Im waiting for now.

What time were you called for?

I was called for eight.

Thats an hour ago. You shouldve called me.

I didnt because I might have distracted you during your shoot.

Call me next time. Its boring to wait by yourself. Lets go to the car first. Isnt it cold?

She returned to the van with Dawoon.

Can I stay here?

Of course. The company loaned it out to me for my use. Here, drink some of this.

She offered Dawoon some yuja tea that her manager bought. Dawoon sipped on the tea.

Its the first time I got in a car like this.

Im sure youll ride something like this in no time. Your agency will be providing you with all sorts of support.

Im still far from being on that level. I only signed the contract recently too.

Dont feel so down. Youre good at acting. The director praised you too.

Isnt that just out of formality?

Your only downside is that you lack confidence. Learn from me. Have you ever seen me dejected?

No.

Thats whats most important. I once got all depressed due to worrying just like you, but it doesnt help at all. In fact, its better to look arrogant instead. That way people dont look down on you.

Dawoon put down the bottle in her hand on her thigh.

Youre really amazing, unni. Youre my role model.

Thats putting me up too high.

I mean it. Theres no one like you around me. Especially not someone who gives me good advice like that.

Dawoons gaze was on the floor. Her expression looked pitiful.

Nayeon stroked Dawoons bangs and neatened them.

Did that bad b.i.t.c.h say something again?

No. Were getting along well recently.

Geez, youre too kind for your own good. If it was me, I would have grabbed that b.i.t.c.hs hair already.

She felt angry just thinking about it. This was something she had heard after getting close to Dawoon. It was about her first love. She was expecting some sweet and ticklish love story, but anger was getting to her head after she listened to everything.

Its ridiculous no matter how I think about it. You consulted someone about your first love, but that girl played with your heart instead.

Unni. Im really okay now. She said it was a misunderstanding too.

Like h.e.l.l its a misunderstanding. She definitely did that on purpose to get one up on you. Or its like this: that b.i.t.c.h must like the man you like as well.

Unni.

Dawoon grabbed her hand.

Dont be like that too much. I dont want you to feel upset for me. Also, were really doing well now. Oh, I told you last time, right? We met up with Jichan-oppa and had some food together.

And that b.i.t.c.h was there too?

Stop calling her b.i.t.c.h. Youll fall into a habit if you keep using it.

This girl was too kind for her own good. Nayeon hugged Dawoon and patted her.

If it was Nayeon herself whose first love was toyed with by an unni close to her, she would have flipped her eyes over and duke things out with her.

Yeah. Bad b.i.t.c.hes are bound to get what they deserve one day, so Ill stop. Rather than that, did Jichan-oppa look after you?

Yes. I found out that hes a good person as soon as I met him.

That oppas a good person. Though, he does have the tendency to forget about those around him if he gets too focused on what hes doing.

Nayeon told her to wait before taking out her phone. She then called Jichan.

Oppa, its me, Nayeon.

-Whats up? Youre calling me at this hour.

Dawoons next to me. We were talking about you, so I called you.

-Really?

I was just calling to tell you to look after Dawoon well. Shes too kind for her own good, so Im worried that she might get betrayed by people around her.

-When did you two become so close?

I think its been about a month and a half? She struck a chord with me so I just made her my little sister. Anyway, oppa. Whenever you hold that chicken feet meeting or whatever, please look after Dawoon. And also.

Nayeon was about to tell him to watch out for the bad b.i.t.c.h named Choi Seungah before deciding not to after seeing Dawoon shake her head.

-And?

I want to partic.i.p.ate as well.

-In our meeting?

You said its an actors meeting. Im an actress too, so Im qualified, arent I?

-I dont really mind, but Im not the chairman.

Then who is it?

-Theres a girl named Seungah. Shes the first chairman.

Shes the chairman?

-Your voice turned th.o.r.n.y all of a sudden. Did something happen?

No, nothing. Anyway, Im going to be there at the next meeting, so keep that in mind.

-Dont tell me about it. Ask Dawoon. Shes close to Seungah.

Close? Theyre close?

She was about to rebuke this dumb oppa before stopping. Dawoon might be in a fix after all. She said she understood before hanging up.

You want to join too?

Why? You dont want me to?

Dawoon brightened up.

No, Id love to have you. But unni. You arent planning to tell something to Seungah-unni, are you?

If it werent for you, I wouldve done so a hundred times. But Im not going to since that might put you in a difficult spot. I just want to hang around. Jichan-oppa is a decent person, and youre good too. Oh right, you said there was one more person, wasnt there?

Yes. There is.

Dawoon smiled in embarra.s.sment as soon as she said that.

Who is it to make you smile like that? A man?

Yes.

Dont tell me its your first love?

Dawoon slowly nodded.

Thats good. This time, this unni will help you for sure. Im different from that girl named Choi Seungah. Im not a bad b.i.t.c.h who toys with the love of my little sister, so dont worry.

No, dont do that.

Why? Since hes hanging around with you all, doesnt that mean he has feelings for you too?

For now, we decided to be just close friends. Above all, that oppa has a girlfriend already.

Dawoon immediately became dejected. Really, she was a girl who would easily be at the whim of others. She was so pitiful that Nayeon wanted to help her more.

Just because hes dating someone doesnt mean that hell marry that person, does it? Its not a sin to like someone. At our age, people date and break up all the time. Well, I guess you cant appeal directly to him since hes dating someone.

Thats why Im staying quiet without showing it. Im sure Ill get my opportunity someday.

Youre really pure at heart, huh? Why dont I introduce you to a man instead? Its important to meet many men too, you know?

No. I dont want to meet someone else for now. Im going to work my hardest for the time being.

Such a good girl. If that man has any eyes, hell definitely show interest in you. If he breaks up, hell probably approach you first, you know?

Really?

Of course. How could a man leave a cute and kind girl like you be? If things dont work out, then just steal him away. You are supposed to obtain what you like. Of course, you have to do it fair and square.

Nayeon gestured to Dawoon. She took out her phone, sitting shoulder to shoulder.

Lets take a photo together. Ill upload it on Instagram.

Can I upload it as well?

Of course. Say that Im an unni you lovve, with two vs for emphasis.

Okay.

They took photos together and uploaded them on Instagram. Then, she looked at the photo she took with Haneul a while ago. There were some comments already.

Unni, who is this person? Dawoon asked as she showed her phone. It was the photo she took with Haneul.

A minor actor I met today. She has a fiery personality.

How was she?

What do you mean?

I meant this Han Haneul person. You know, things like her personality or actions.

Why do you want to know that?

Nothing. Seeing you smile so brightly made me wonder if shes a decent person.

Nayeon thought about the conversation she had with Haneul.

I think she has just as much pride as me. I quite liked that about her though. At first, I thought shed act overly kind or avoid me like other people, but she even got into a quarrel with me. It was fun. Did I tell you? I actually dont have a lot of friends.

Do you want to befriend this person?

Yeah. I think its going to be somewhat interesting.

She looked at Dawoons face as she said so. The girl who always had a docile smile was looking at the photo with indifference. Her eyes were frosty even, so it made Nayeon surprised. Rage? Jealousy? Envy? Emotions of that sort seemed to be mixed in her expression.

Dawoon?

At that moment, Dawoon started coughing loudly. She kept coughing dryly and it made Nayeon worried.

Nayeon got some tissues.

Im sorry. I suddenly felt cold.

You should watch out. I got sick a few times like that.

It seemed that the expression she had just now was from her body condition. Nayeon turned the heater up to high in the car.

My little sister. You cant catch a cold.

Its okay. Im st.u.r.dy.

Right, you should be.

She pulled Dawoons shoulders close and patted her.

Looking back, it was quite curious. She never knew shed become so close to a girl she had only known for less than two months.

Now that she thought about it, Dawoon had some similarities to Haneul, whom she had seen for the first time today. Maybe she came to like Haneul because Haneul felt similar to Dawoon? The two of them were definitely different up close, but the vibe they get off felt strangely similar.

Unni, lets eat together next time, at the meeting.

Yeah. You ask that b.i.t.c.h, I mean, Seungah about it. Ill join even if she says no though.

Shell probably give the okay.

Then thats fine.

Nayeon smiled. Both the air and her heart felt warm. She started feeling drowsy.

Just as her eyes fully closed, she had this thought did she tell Dawoon that Haneuls surname was Han?

It wasnt anything important, so she forgot about it. Right now, she had to get some rest.

You should get some rest as well.

The last thing she saw before fully closing her eyes was Dawoon, who intently stared into the phone.