By Zephyria “Just a moment. I’ll answer the call and give it to you right away.”
Looking down at the creature at his feet, he said that and hurried back towards the sofa. He figured it must be about the audition, and in that brief moment, sweat beaded on his palms.
The caller ID was Yong-jae. One, two, three… With a deep breath, he counted down his fingers to five and connected the call.
“Yes, Yong-jae-ssi.”
[Hyung, you got cast! You’re playing Hwang Ji-woo!]
As soon as he answered, Yong-jae’s excited voice poured out.
[The production company just contacted me. They said it’s completely confirmed that you’re doing it!]
“No more auditions?”
[That’s what I’m saying. They said you’re the final confirmation!]
Even if nine people were shortlisted, it was common for them to narrow it down to two or three for further auditions. He had braced himself for additional auditions even if he survived this round, so the news of final acceptance felt surreal.
[Starring in Director Kang Woo-hyun’s film… Is this possible? I can’t believe this day has come for us! You, who always got criticized for bad acting… Hyung…]
Yong-jae’s excited voice gradually slowed, grew quieter, and finally faded away. Then, a dejected voice followed.
[I’m sorry, Hyung. That’s not what I meant…]
“It’s okay. I know what you mean. Honestly, I don’t really feel it yet either.”
[But even during practice, I could tell you were really different from before! Everyone at the company is surprised, saying you’ve matured after the accident! I guarantee it, Hyung, you’re not the Yoon Hye-an of the past anymore! Starring in Director Kang Woo-hyun’s film! I’m so proud of you!]
Listening to Yong-jae’s excited voice, Choi Hong-seo also began to feel it sinking in. Having someone rejoice over his success as if it were their own, the joy felt contagious.
It was strange to feel happiness even in this confusing situation where his inner and outer selves didn’t align. Still, happiness was happiness. He had seized an opportunity to see him, to be even a little closer.
Tiffany, who had followed him from the kitchen, sat by his feet and wailed. He had stopped giving her treats to do something else, and she seemed displeased. Choi Hong-seo walked back towards the kitchen, trying to compose himself and maintain his composure.
[The President is planning a celebration for today, Hyung, is there anything you want to eat? Oh, you can’t drink alcohol yet, can you? Should I call the hospital?]
“Yong-jae-ssi.”
[Yes, Hyung.]
Near the dining table, Choi Hong-seo’s steps slowed again.
“Today, I have… a personal schedule.”
[Where are you going? Shall I pick you up with my car?]
“It’s okay. I can take a taxi. It’s not far.”
[Your body hasn’t fully recovered yet, why are you trying to go alone? What if something happens? Or, should I send another road manager?]
“It’s really okay. My body… it’s not actually sick.”
It seemed Yoon Hye-an always used a car driven by his manager for personal schedules. Yong-jae’s expectation of being ‘driven there and back’ was more than enough to predict this. However, Choi Hong-seo found such consideration burdensome. Perhaps it was because he had been an idol for so long, having to report even when going to the convenience store in front of the dorm. The suffocating feeling of being monitored every move wasn’t solely due to being an idol, though.
[Understood. I’ll tell the CEO the same then. But Hyung! You absolutely must keep next Monday free. There’s a meeting to greet the director and some other officials.]
“Officials…?”
[They’re probably the ones who judged the audition, right? It’s not an official film schedule, but it’s an important event, so please pay attention to your schedule, Hyung. Absolutely.]
“Yes, I understand. Don’t worry.”
When the casting was confirmed for Choi Hong-seo’s body, the same kind of event had been arranged. It was a meeting, more like a company dinner, where lead actors and film personnel gathered to informally greet each other and solidify their commitment to making a good film.
Everyone had expected that Lee Hae-sung, the Vice President of ARA Electronics, wouldn’t show up for such an event, even if he was investing in the film. However, he had attended, defying expectations.
He remembered how he had replied when Choi Hong-seo said he hadn’t expected him to come.
‘If I go there, I can see Hong-seo-ssi. So, I have to go.’
Will he come this time too? Even without Choi Hong-seo?
Choi Hong-seo, who stood there in a daze even after hanging up, snapped back to attention at Tiffany’s wails. The creature at his feet was very angry this time.
“I didn’t mean to tease you. Sorry. I’ll give it to you right now.”
Opening the plastic tip of the stick, Choi Hong-seo crouched down on the kitchen floor. An excited Tiffany placed her front paws on the hand holding the Churu and frantically slurped the treat. Churu time was the only precious moment when she initiated contact. Usually, he would have been busy capturing her cute appearance with his eyes and camera, but today, Choi Hong-seo just stared blankly at her.
Since waking up in Yoon Hye-an’s body, he had been solely focused on auditions. If he delved too deep into his current situation, he felt he might truly go mad, so he deliberately focused only on passing the audition.
He had seen the expression ‘the late Choi Hong-seo’ in some articles related to
But then, who was he?
Who was he, who recognized himself as Choi Hong-seo within Yoon Hye-an’s body?
He had decided that once he landed the role of Hwang Ji-woo, he would confront Choi Hong-seo’s death. No matter how confused or scared he was, he had to accept these circumstances one by one.
Now, he had to face his own death, or at least the death of the person he believed himself to be.
After giving Tiffany her treat, he prepared to go out with a relatively calm heart. He put on Yoon Hye-an’s designer clothes and packed his belongings in the least flashy designer bag. Yoon Hye-an’s closet was filled entirely with luxury brands, so there was no other choice.
“Tiffany, be good.”
Immediately after eating, Tiffany returned to the cat tree and was engrossed in her favorite toy on the highest perch. The creature, who hadn’t shown any interest until he finished putting on his shoes, stopped her actions and looked back at him.
“Should I not go? Are you sad?”
If Tiffany could speak, she probably would have chided him not to misunderstand. With that thought, he smiled wryly and waved as he squeezed through the closing door.
“I’ll be back soon.”
■
Around the ancestral shrine building, a green park was well-maintained, and people enjoying walks were often seen.
The sun was warm, and the air was pleasant. The temperature was neither too hot nor too cold, and the sky was clean and clear. It was a typical autumn day, bright and radiant.
Despite this, a somewhat chilling atmosphere permeated the area. It was the unavoidable shadow of a place that records and preserves death. It felt like a premonition that misfortune would soon strike, breaking the picturesque peace, a chilling sense of dread that made the back of his neck prickle, chasing him closely with hushed footsteps.
As he walked slowly along the path towards the building, Choi Hong-seo smiled wryly. No matter how beautifully decorated, this place, unable to shake off the shadow of death, felt like it resembled his former self.
Even with flashy clothes, makeup, and a fabricated smile, his darkness could not be fully concealed.
People who sensed the darkness clinging to him found him unsettling, saying they felt a shadow. Others said the poignant melancholy, as if deeply imbued with sadness, was Choi Hong-seo’s charm.
The same characteristic became a reason for dislike for some and a reason for liking for others.
At the time, Choi Hong-seo was solely obsessed with changing the minds of those who disliked him. Now, having lost everything, he felt he could focus only on the attention of those who liked him…
But now, there was nothing left for ‘Choi Hong-seo.’
Shaking off futile thoughts, he entered the building, and the chill became even more pronounced. It felt like a place where time had stopped and stagnated. A strange sensation, as if disconnected from the outside world, slowed his steps.
Choi Hong-seo’s ashes were enshrined in the VIP room, deep inside the building.
It was a room where natural light poured in abundantly through a floor-to-ceiling window on one wall. A luxurious wooden floor was laid, and a comfortable-looking sofa set, like a hotel lounge, was placed in the center of the hall.
Who would have enshrined me in a place like this?
My family certainly wouldn’t. Choi Hong-seo scoffed bitterly.