By Zephyria 
Around the time his contract with ENA ended and he left the company, he had arranged a formal introduction of Lee Hae-sung to Yong-jae. While President Lim Sang-jin might have framed the relationship between Lee Hae-sung and ‘Yoon Hye-an’ as a sponsorship, he was certain that Yong-jae would accept it exactly as it was told. He also trusted that Yong-jae would not leak rumors externally.
He had even suggested that Yong-jae leave ENA and work as his manager.
Yong-jae had politely declined, saying that while he was sincerely grateful for the trust and the offer, he owed a debt of gratitude to President Lim Sang-jin and could not leave ENA.
Even after that, the three of them continued to maintain a close relationship.
Yong-jae was scheduled to be promoted to team leader at ENA soon, and Dong-ha was busier than ever, active as both a solo singer and an actor.
“But that guy isn’t here today? Hyung, the bartender, Hyun-su.”
After placing his order, Park Dong-ha spoke while glancing around the empty shop. Since they visited ‘Jessica’ at least once every three or four months, not only Choi Hong-seo but also Park Dong-ha and Yong-jae had become acquainted with Song Hyun-soo. After learning that Song Hyun-soo was also active as an actor, both Park Dong-ha and Yong-jae grew closer to him, feeling a sense of camaraderie as fellow industry professionals.
“He’s probably filming a movie today.”
“How do you know that, Hyung?”
“I’m a fan of Hyun-su, remember? I saw it on the fan cafe.”
Drinking the water that had been served in advance, Choi Hong-seo replied with a smile.
He was happy just to be able to exchange greetings with Song Hyun-soo at this distance. Whenever they met, he could laugh along with the guy, who would raise his hand high and greet him enthusiastically. It would be a lie to say he was more than satisfied, but he wasn’t unhappy either; he knew he couldn’t have more than this, and he knew he couldn’t go back to the way things were.
He was the one who had decided to let go of that past, and this current life was a bonus obtained through mercy and miracles. A very precious bonus. Therefore, there was no reason to complain about anything.
“That movie starring Yoon Joo-ho, right? The one by Director Jung Joon-hee.”
“Yeah.”
“This is Yoon Joo-ho’s first movie, isn’t it? What was the title… what was it?”
“Dissolve.”
“It must be quite hard for someone who has only done drama acting to transition to film. Even if Yoon Joo-ho is a veteran.”
Yong-jae, who had been quiet while checking his phone for work-related messages, joined the conversation.
“Still, Yoon Joo-ho’s fans are already incredibly excited. Since it’s a work by a director whose specialty is traditional melodrama, they say there will be many beautiful scenes.”
“True. He has the kind of mask that’s worth appreciating on a big screen.”
Park Dong-ha nodded in agreement with Yong-jae’s words.
While Park Dong-ha rambled about how much he had struggled when he did his first movie after only filming dramas, the ordered drinks were served. Taking advantage of the gap, Choi Hong-seo quickly checked a message that had just arrived.
Carrot Seller: What is so special about 55 years old…
Carrot Seller: That our Hong-seo would want to turn 55 so badly? (8:12 PM)
An abrupt question had arrived. However, Choi Hong-seo immediately realized where Lee Hae-sung’s question originated. It was from an interview with a fashion magazine conducted alongside a photo shoot.
Me: How did you see it?
Me: It shouldn’t be the publication date yet (8:16 PM)
Carrot Seller: The editorial department sent it to me first, saying the printing was finished.
Carrot Seller: Hong-seo isn’t home.
Carrot Seller: I was bored, so I was doing some fan-girling.
Carrot Seller: But my actor is saying things in the interview that I don’t understand?
Carrot Seller: The fact that there are things about Hyun-seo that I don’t know…
Carrot Seller: Does that make sense?
Carrot Seller: There shouldn’t be secrets between people who share the same bed.
Carrot Seller: Why 55?
Carrot Seller: Just tell me that.
Carrot Seller: I won’t annoy you (8:19 PM)
Me: It’s really nothing.
Me: I’ll tell you when I get home (8:20 PM)
“Even for a rainy Sunday evening… isn’t this too few customers?”
It was just as Choi Hong-seo hurriedly typed and sent his reply and was sliding his phone back into his pocket.
A familiar and welcome voice entered ‘Jessica’.
The person who appeared, breathing life into the lonely interior, was none other than Song Hyun-soo.
“Oh? Our regulars are here again?”
Recognizing Choi Hong-seo’s group as soon as he entered, Song Hyun-soo acknowledged them and approached first.
“We’re regulars when we only come once every few months? That’s serious.”
Park Dong-ha, who was sitting in the hallway seats, joked while exchanging a fist bump with Song Hyun-soo.
“Does the frequency matter? If you come consistently, you’re a regular.”
“Wasn’t ‘Jessica’ on holiday today because it’s your movie filming day?”
“No, look at this. Popular actor Park Dong-ha has my entire schedule memorized…”
“It wasn’t me, Hyun-seo Hyung told me.”
“Ah… well, Hyun-seo is practically my sasaeng fan.”
Song Hyun-soo joked as he took a seat at the table next to them, separated by the hallway.
“That’s why you gave him a name similar to yours. Hyun-seo.”
He had once gone to see a play where the guy had a minor role and given him a bouquet of flowers; since then, whenever Song Hyun-soo saw Choi Hong-seo, he would introduce him to people around him as his ‘devoted fan’.
“Anyway, when on earth is the movie being released? I’m dying of anticipation. At this rate, our movie might be released first.”
He was exactly as he used to be, with his easygoing personality. It was a relief. That the ‘X-Boy Scandal’ hadn’t destroyed his strengths.
“Why are you waiting for <Cream Mansion> more than we are, Hyung?”
“Because it’s an important movie to me. Right, Hyun-seo?”
As he said this, Song Hyun-soo winked at Choi Hong-seo.
When he first came here after waking up as Yoon Hye-an, Song Hyun-soo had told ‘Yoon Hye-an’ that Choi Hong-seo was a special friend to him, and since <Cream Mansion> was an important work to that Choi Hong-seo, he asked him to take good care of him.
Even now, for a brief moment, Song Hyun-soo looked at ‘Hyun-seo’ with a gaze that mixed affection and bitterness, full of meaning.
He didn’t seem to say it aloud, thinking it might be rude, but Choi Hong-seo could guess the meaning of that gaze. The guy was seeing the image of his friend in the ‘Hyun-seo’ before him.
“There’s been so much noise for weeks about whether it’s going to Cannes or not. When do you find out if you’re invited?”
Choi Hong-seo answered the frustrated Song Hyun-soo.
“We don’t know the exact date either. Only that it’s early next month.”
“Tsk, they’re acting so high and mighty.”
Clicking his tongue with his characteristic slouching attitude, he pulled a vibrating phone out of his jumper pocket. And the moment he checked the sender’s name, his indifferent expression changed instantly. The tips of his ears turned red, he licked his lower lip, and swallowed hard.
“Ah, why is this person calling again when I’ve already clocked out? How annoying…”
Choi Hong-seo knew exactly what that expression and tone meant. They were Song Hyun-soo’s habits when he was pretending to be annoyed while actually loving it. Even as he grumbled crossly, he stood up to take the call. Before leaving, he widened his eyes specifically toward Choi Hong-seo and spoke as if giving a stern warning.
“Make sure you go to Cannes. Go and walk all over that red carpet or whatever.”
Then, he added with a wide grin.
“Because that was my friend’s wish.”