After Story 153

Nayeon followed Maru, who walked past her. She needed to hear what he meant before leaving the restaurant.

Innocent? And serious?

What are you two doing? Jichan asked as he poked his head inside. He was wearing a hat.

Mr. Maru and I have something to talk about. You should go ahead with the rest. You said it was close by, didnt you?

What kind of secret talk are you up to again Just finish things up quickly. Its a sus.h.i.+ restaurant named Gekka, so you should go there.

Okay, well be there soon.

After sending Jichan off, she looked at Maru.

I hate leaving things unfinished. Just what were you talking about? I am innocent and Dawoon is serious? What do you mean?

How long have you worked in the entertainment industry?

Why do you ask?

Havent you seen people whose camera life and private life are drastically different?

What does that have to do with what were going to talk about?

Maru scratched his eyebrows before changing the question.

In your eyes, what kind of person is Dawoon?

What kind of person is she? Shes someone earnest, honest, and a little too good for her own good.

Sounds like youve known her for a long time, seeing you so confident in your words.

You dont have to know someone for a long time to know them. Its not like meeting them for a long time means you know everything about them either. You just have to see the things they do to know what kind of personality they have. You asked how long Ive been in the industry, right? This is my eighth year. Ive come across all sorts of people. I may not be well-versed in matters about the world, but I know my fair share of people. I have developed a very good sense since I have been working with other people all the time.

Maru nodded. Youre right. None of what you just said is wrong. But sometimes, there is just that one person; someone who grasps an opponents weak point and desires and digs into that. It might be intentional or it might be something natural that they were born with.

Nayeon felt a little uncomfortable by Marus gaze on her. His eyes looked like they were looking at every nook and cranny inside her heart, including the things she wrapped up and hid away because she didnt want others to see them.

Those eyes reminded her of her strict grandfather when she was young. Her grandfather would catch her immediately whenever she lied and would give her a harsh scolding.

Miss Nayeon, you must be someone whos very self-a.s.sertive. And you must like being in the lead, whatever it may be. When you discovered Dawoons frail side, you must have thought that you should heal her and guide her.

Thats not a bad thing though. Shes introverted and very cautious, so she cant even speak whats on her own mind.

Yes, she must have looked like that to you. She probably didnt need to come up with big lies either. She must have predicted that you would deduce the details and step forward as long as she gave you some false hints. Of course, this is ultimately just my opinion, so you can totally ignore me.

How can I ignore you after you said all that? So youre saying that Dawoon is taking advantage of me, right?

To my eyes, yes.

She was flabbergasted. That girl was someone who received psychotherapy because she was sick. She was someone who suffered on the inside and couldnt even swear properly.

That was who Dawoon was, and yet, Maru was saying that Dawoon could fool someone to do her bidding?

She couldnt believe it. The Dawoon she saw was definitely not someone who would do something like that.

Those who are proactive in the things they do often think that theyre the ones holding the reins. They think that theyre the ones making decisions and judgments. However, who is the one that decided on the destination of the horse?

I believe in Dawoon.

Youre a good person, Miss Nayeon.

Maru took out his phone.

I was originally going to end this quietly, but it seems like things will be a lot more complicated with you here. I feel sorry for Dawoon, but Id better wrap things up properly. Should we call the person in question?

Maru touched his phone for a while before putting it down.

Before that, let me tell you some things. Itd be great if the speculations I say just end as that: speculations, but Ill say this just in case. When Dawoon comes later.

* * *

Am I being bullied? Jichan looked at the totally empty room.

Seungah and Dawoon went outside after receiving a call.

From what he could tell, Maru and Nayeon seemed to have called them out.

He stirred the soy sauce in front of him with his chopsticks when he got a call. It was Maru.

-Hyung. Im sorry, but please wait a little.

What is it? Im going to feel sad.

-Dont be. Well finish things up quickly and go back soon. But you know, you and I might be the only ones drinking today.

It didnt sound like he was joking.

I dont know what it is, but you all should get along. I want to see you guys for a long time.

-Okay. Well be there soon.

Alright, dont bully me too much.

After hanging up, he looked at his phone. He had a bad premonition. If it was just a light quarrel, Maru wouldnt have brought it up like this.

Jichan sighed and looked outside.

* * *

It was when she saw Maru and Nayeon waiting outside the building that she felt that something must be wrong. The atmosphere didnt look too good.

Why do you think they called us out all of a sudden? Seungah said from the side.

Dawoon did not speak. She had to think if she had any time to answer. Her steps became heavy as though some lead weights were suddenly added to her shoes. She barely managed to walk her way over to Nayeon and Maru.

What is it? Jichan-oppa is waiting inside, Seungah said.

Theres something I must make clear. I was originally going to do this after the meeting in private, but things have come to this.

Make clear, he said. Dawoon felt like the land below her suddenly caved in. Her intuition told her that an ominous conclusion was approaching.

Why dont we go up first? The food should be coming out soon, Dawoon said, feigning calmness desperately.

She felt like bringing Jichan into the equation was the best option.

It wont take long, Dawoon, Maru said.

She felt like she was standing in court, in front of a judge.

No way, that cant be right. Dawoon believed in Marus personality. Someone like him, who had a kind and gentle nature, would not publicize the problem. She was confident in that. That was why she was able to bring Nayeon. After all, if someone said something wrong or her lies were exposed because something went wrong, Maru would call her out separately.

But she was wrong. He even called Seungah here. She felt panicked.

Maru must know that the person in question would suffer the most if every party was in the conversation. She predicted that she would definitely not run into a situation like that, but things were not going the way she thought it would.

The reason I said we should meet out here is to resolve the misunderstanding between all of us. It might not be a misunderstanding, but let me call it that for now, Maru said.

A misunderstanding? What do you mean? Seungah asked back.

Dawoon stayed silent and looked at Nayeon.

Things actually came to this. So now, she had to jump in first.

Nayeon-unni, did you say something to Maru-oppa?

She first had to s.h.i.+ft the blame. Nayeon would feel a sense of responsibility and try to clean up. There might be some noise, but the important thing here was to break this occasion.

She told her during their bathroom visit together that she was receiving psychotherapy, so Nayeon would try her best not to give her any stress. It would be for the best if she said that they should talk about this at a later date.

Once that happened, Dawoon would reluctantly agree and leave.

Just as Nayeon was about to speak, Maru interrupted,

First, Ill summarize what Miss Nayeon has told me.

Just why? Dawoon couldnt hide her confusion and looked at Maru. The Maru she knew didnt drive people into a corner like this. He was someone who offered warm words and showed concern. He must have realized that something must be up, but why was he being so pesky about this?

He should just pretend that he didnt hear anything, just like before when she talked bad about Seungah, and just say that they should talk about it later with a smile on his face.

She made eye contact with Maru. At that moment, her lips trembled. She even had to bite her lower lip in order to hide her anxiousness.

He looked too similar. The two were way too similar. Marus eyes were frighteningly similar to Han Haneuls eyes that peered deep into her heart.

Maru started explaining. When he finished speaking, Dawoon turned her gaze to look at Seungah.

So you said that I like Maru and hindered the relations.h.i.+p between Maru and Dawoon because of that, or something along those lines, right?

Seungahs eyes were on Nayeon. Dawoon felt a chill.

I really wonder if I have to go so far, but I think itll be better to get things cleared up early on. I think that would be better for you too, Dawoon.

What was that woman saying? Dawoon gaped silently as she looked at Nayeon blabbering on and on.

This wasnt the response she wanted. She shouldve said that this kind of conversation was unnecessary and would only put people in a hard spot, so they should talk about it later.

She almost shouted out loud. The only reason she could hold back was because of Marus indifferent gaze.

Why would you look at me like that? Youre not that kind of person!

First, let me laugh at the point that I like this guy. I think of him as a good friend, but Ive never seen him as someone of the opposite s.e.x. No, even if I did, Im not foolish enough to be attached to a guy who already declared that he has a girlfriend.

Thats different from what I heard from Dawoon.

Nayeon looked at Dawoon, her eyes inquisitive.

Dawoon felt like her head was becoming hot, just like a CPU that had been given an instruction that it could not process.

It seemed impossible to get out of this situation smoothly. All the parties in question were gathered, and the entire situation was revealed.

Dawoon calmed her breathing. She would tell the truth. As a result of that, she might get on bad terms with Nayeon, but that was not something she could help.

I said that? she said with an expression of puzzlement.

Unni, I told you, didnt I? That I reconciled with Seungah-unni and that theres no bad blood between us. Did you perhaps blurt out what you were imagining to Maru-oppa? Dawoon said as she grabbed Seungahs arm.

Unni, Im sorry. Regardless of the circ.u.mstances, its my fault. I just felt like I had gotten close to Nayeon-unni so I told her that this kind of event happened in the past.

Seungah frowned and looked at Nayeon. Dawoon inwardly sighed in relief. It was fortunate that Seungah was a stupid woman. In any case, this cleared up the teams.

She just had to make it so that Nayeon misunderstood everything by herself and did everything on her own accord.

Dawoon, Nayeon said, her expression dazed.

Dawoon didnt give her any room and drove her back again.

Im really grateful that you were looking out for me. But I really cant have you misunderstand our relations.h.i.+p like that. When did I say that Seungah-unni did something like that because she liked Maru-oppa?

You didnt, but from your nuance.

Nuance?

Back in the bathroom too, you.

Unni, youre really going too far. Youre the only one I told that I was receiving psychotherapy.

Nayeon was probably going to bring up how she made Dawoon swear at Seungah in the bathroom. Dawoon expected that, so she quickly changed the direction of the topic. Psychotherapy wasnt actually anything special, but those who were facing those undergoing it were bound to become cautious.

Nayeon stopped speaking after letting out an empty chuckle. Dawoon could predict what she felt. Considering her personality, Nayeon would probably no longer speak.

Success, she thought, when,

Its been a long time since I thought someone could be so frightening. Nayeon looked at her with bitter eyes. Something was not right.

I really didnt think things would turn out like this, but it really happened as you said. Mr. Maru, Im sorry. Ill treat you out next time. And also, Miss Seungah.

Yes?

I apologize for being rude before. Ill leave it at this for now, and Ill apologize properly next time, so give me some time. I really want to try drinking with you once. Also, Jung Dawoon.

Dawoon gulped and looked at Nayeon.

Had you said sorry, had you said a single word of apology or that you did it out of jealousy, then I wouldve stood on your side. I really cherished you. But this is what I get in return, huh.

Unni?

Dont call me that. Ill leave first. Tell Jichan-oppa Im sorry that I ruined the atmosphere.

Nayeon turned around and left just like that.

It felt a little iffy, but things were resolved for now?

Im sorry. Im the cause of everything. Lets go inside and talk. Jichan-oppa is waiting, she said, looking fully apologetic.

It seemed that things were cleared up right now, however that happened. She just had to return and make some suitable excuses and call Nayeon later to.

Dawoon. Maru smiled. Dont we still have something to talk about?

She had forgotten.

The judge had yet to pa.s.s his sentence.