By Zephyria 
“Really?!”
Choi Hwan looked up with a beaming smile, his face so radiant it was almost blinding. Why did it feel like a spotlight followed only him? Were all actors like this? The way he utilized his visuals was always so powerful and effective. Yeon-rok felt he had grown accustomed to this appearance, yet he couldn’t help but be captivated every time.
“You don’t have to do anything special! You just have to sit there and watch the movie. Manager Hyung will be with us the whole time, too.”
Knowing Jo Jun-ho would be there made him feel much more at ease. Having secured the promise of attendance at the premiere, Choi Hwan was brimming with energy, as if he had never been discouraged. He was so spirited that the next day, he rushed straight to a department store and swept up a collection of luxury goods. He didn’t forget to pick some out for Yeon-rok as well.
“Wear this. You’re really bad at dressing yourself, so I have to take care of you.”
Even if he liked him, his characteristic bluntness didn’t go anywhere. However, compared to Choi Hwan’s sense of style, it was a fact, so Yeon-rok obediently accepted the clothes. Upon looking it up, he found that VIP premieres were events where family and acquaintances of the film crew were invited to watch. He didn’t want to go to such a place looking shabby.
However, on the day of the premiere, seeing how Choi Hwan was dressed, Yeon-rok finally realized the other man’s intention. Standing side-by-side with Choi Hwan, they looked like a couple to anyone watching. Moon Gyeon-woo, who until a moment ago had been praising Yeon-rok profusely for dressing up beautifully, suddenly scowled.
“Hey, this is a couple look.”
When Yeon-rok mentioned it with discomfort, Choi Hwan replied shamelessly, as if there were no problem.
“We’re a couple anyway, aren’t we?”
“Get your words straight. You’re just pretending to be a couple.”
An irritated Moon Gyeon-woo couldn’t hold back and pointed it out, but Choi Hwan acted as if he hadn’t heard a thing. He simply led Yeon-rok away, his face glowing more brilliantly than usual today.
“Let’s go! After the premiere, let’s eat something delicious at a fancy restaurant.”
Leaving behind the gaze of Moon Gyeon-woo, which grew more venomous and terrifying by the day, Yeon-rok followed Choi Hwan. Jo Jun-ho was waiting with the car ready. He checked Choi Hwan’s condition in the rearview mirror and turned around in surprise.
“Hwan, why are you dressed up so intensely today?”
“Me? I’m not. I always dress like this. Besides, today is the premiere.”
Choi Hwan answered with a clear, handsome face that practically radiated light. But even to Yeon-rok, Choi Hwan looked exceptional today. He found his gaze drifting toward him unconsciously. Whether he knew it or not, Choi Hwan kept clinging to Yeon-rok. Their faces were far too close.
“What do you want for dinner? A Hyung I know opened a restaurant that’s really delicious. I heard it even got a Michelin star; want to go there?”
“Uh, yeah, I’m fine with anything…”
Because Choi Hwan felt unusually different today, Yeon-rok answered somewhat awkwardly. It was a moment where it truly hit him that the other man was a celebrity. As Choi Hwan kept talking with a smiling face and constantly making eye contact, Yeon-rok’s cheeks and ears grew hot for no reason. He even broke into a slight cold sweat on his back. Although the destination was quite far, time flew by strangely, and before he knew it, they had arrived at the premiere venue.
Since there were commemorative photos to take, Choi Hwan, the lead actor, got out first and went inside. Yeon-rok watched from beside Jo Jun-ho as numerous reporters took photos. Standing in front of the photo wall with the other actors, Choi Hwan was truly like a crane among chickens, looking exceptionally striking. From a distance, the sounds of fans screaming Choi Hwan’s name could be heard. The reporters, who were firing off bursts of photos, glanced in that direction and chatted.
“Choi Hwan’s visuals have completely peaked since he started dating. Every shot today is an A-cut.”
“Ah, this is going to get a lot of views.”
“Didn’t his popularity drop a bit because he has a name partner?”
“Still, his market value is rising. Maybe it’s because he got sympathy votes due to the family issue. Lucky bastard.”
Not wanting to hear the gossip about Choi Hwan, Yeon-rok deliberately closed his ears and glared at the reporters.
At the same time, he was nervous that the reporters might realize his identity. In fact, a few seemed to have noticed, but they didn’t point their cameras toward him. Unbeknownst to Yeon-rok, a few reporters had previously been sued severely by the agency for trying to distribute photos of him. Yeom Cheon-ho’s law firm support was truly formidable.
“Shall we go in first? The photo time is taking longer than expected, so it would be better to be inside.”
Jo Jun-ho, noticing that Yeon-rok was bothered by the reporters’ conversation, suggested. Without insisting, Yeon-rok went into the theater first and waited. It was only after thirty minutes that the director and actors entered. When they stood before the screen, everyone applauded. Yeon-rok also clapped enthusiastically.
“I am actor Choi Hwan, who played the role of Lee Tae-yoon in the movie ‘Red Warrant.’ Nice to meet you.”
Introductions of the actors and a brief explanation of the movie followed. Because he couldn’t take his eyes off Choi Hwan’s face, which was smiling with his eyes and looking exceptionally handsome today, Yeon-rok let most of the words go in one ear and out the other.
‘He really is incredibly handsome…’
He had never particularly thought of himself as someone obsessed with visuals, but today’s Choi Hwan had a beauty that could make anyone a visual-obsessed fan. When it was time for the screening, Choi Hwan approached the empty seat next to him. He seemed quite triumphant, as if he knew Yeon-rok had been staring at him the whole time. He grinned and leaned toward Yeon-rok.
“The movie will be fun. You can look forward to it.”
The look in his eyes as he spoke was incredibly sparkling. More than the handsome face, the passionate eyes of someone who loved their profession touched Yeon-rok’s heart more deeply. Yeon-rok replied with a smile.
“Since you’re in it, of course it’ll be fun. You’re a great actor.”
“Uh…”
He had only said something obvious, but Choi Hwan’s face turned red. He seemed not to know what to do for a moment, then gave a shy smile. As the lights dimmed, he stealthily interlaced his fingers with Yeon-rok’s. Yeon-rok let Choi Hwan hold his hand.
Just as Choi Hwan had boasted, the movie was interesting. The protagonist, ‘Lee Tae-yoon,’ a kind and diligent man, graduates from the police academy and becomes a lieutenant. One day, while living a fulfilling life, he finds his respected partner murdered. A culprit is caught soon after, but something is suspicious. Thus, while independently digging into the case, Lee Tae-yoon faces the fact that there is a true culprit hidden behind his partner’s death…
And so, Lee Tae-yoon’s revenge begins. Every time he completes a revenge, he leaves behind a blood-soaked arrest warrant. That was the reason for the movie’s title, <Red Warrant>.
Even though he knew it was definitely Choi Hwan, the person on the screen was ‘Lee Tae-yoon.’ Immersed in the thrilling action with a racing heart, the screening time passed in an instant. To Yeon-rok, it seemed like it would be a massive hit. Choi Hwan asked with an expectant face.
“Did you enjoy it?”
“It was really great. But I think there needs to be a second part.”
Yeon-rok expressed his lingering regret. Lee Tae-yoon, who became a demon of revenge after realizing the injustice of a world where money buys innocence, eventually falls into the investigation net. Cornered, the protagonist ultimately chooses to jump into the river. Everyone assumed he died, but the movie ended by implying that Lee Tae-yoon was still alive.
“I did make it with a sequel in mind.”
“Right? I knew Lee Tae-yoon would be alive. It’s too sad for him to die yet.”
Choi Hwan’s gaze was infinitely warm as he looked at Yeon-rok, who had not yet escaped the lingering emotions of the film. He was experiencing a feeling for the first time that he had never felt from his actual family. It was a bond sprouting from a foundation of affection.
“Why are you looking at me like that?”
When a puzzled Yeon-rok asked, only then did Choi Hwan snap out of it and blink. Fearing that Yeon-rok might find this feeling burdensome, he hid it well and clung to him playfully.
“You’ll come see the sequel premiere with me too, right?”
“Tell me that after you’ve filmed the sequel.”
Despite the scolding, Yeon-rok readily nodded. As Choi Hwan smiled radiantly with his peak visuals, the sound of shutters clicking could be heard from all around. Jo Jun-ho’s gaze, watching the two, was also quite warm. From the perspective of someone who had stayed by his side for a long time, the current Choi Hwan was more stable than ever.
‘He stopped going to clubs. He doesn’t meet those delinquent guys anymore.’
Since he caused far fewer accidents, Jo Jun-ho couldn’t help but find Yeon-rok lovely. He was also happy that Choi Hwan, who had always been emotionally unstable, seemed to have found someone he could truly lean on.
Thus, the premiere ended in an incomparably heartwarming and pleasant atmosphere. Choi Hwan’s acquaintances pleaded with him to hang out, but Choi Hwan firmly cut them off. The acquaintances expressed their disappointment.
“You don’t even come to the clubs these days. If not today, when are you going to play?”
It seemed Choi Hwan had been behaving lately, but it was surprising that he really hadn’t gone to any clubs. Glancing at Yeon-rok as if to show off, Choi Hwan shouted triumphantly.
“I have to go on a date! All of you, get lost!”
Since he put it that way, no one interfered further. Thanks to that, while quickly exiting the premiere and pulling his cap down low, Yeon-rok asked Choi Hwan.
“You love playing at clubs. Why didn’t you go?”
“Isn’t it obvious? I have a lover, so I shouldn’t go to clubs.”
He said it with a grin, and the answer was worlds apart from when he had dated Moon Gyeon-woo. Yeon-rok barely regained his composure and retorted.
“Are you going to keep calling me your lover when we aren’t even dating?”
However, Choi Hwan only continued to smile with a joyful face.