Life, Once Again!

After Story 82

“We’ll take a photo now, actors, please come this way.”

The actors moved when a staff member holding a camera said those words. Holding their scripts, the actors took a commemorative photo with the whiteboard in the background.

The director, writer, as well as lead and supporting actors, looked forward with bright smiles.

“Everyone else, please come this way.”

Maru stood up with the script in his hand. The minor actors stood in a row next to the lead actors.

“To the left a little more. Yes, good. If I say one, two, three, please say fighting. Well then, one, two, three!”

Fighting – Maru shouted while holding up the script.

The photo session ended with people clapping. He picked up his bag and went over to Seungah.

“Let’s eat before going home.”

Seungah looked at the actors gathered around the director. “They won’t call us to the after party, right?”

“No one said anything, so probably not. Why, do you want to go?”

“Of course I do. I would not have any other wish if I could see Sinseo-oppa eating from the side.”

“Even if you did go, our table should be very far away from the others’.”

“True. Over there, it’s the main characters, while we’re just minor characters.”

Seungah tapped on her chest.

“There’s a good pork cutlet restaurant in front of the TV station, wanna go there?”

“Sounds good.”

Seungah left the room first.

Maru looked at the lead actors jabbing and joking around with each other. He managed to come to this place much earlier than he had expected. He thought he would have to spend years doing part-time jobs and acting side by side to get here, but he already managed to get a role with a name. The objective that seemed so distant was now in his range of vision.

He was given the opportunity, so now it was a battle of skill. While opportunity could come due to a stroke of luck, popularity was not something that could be gained with pure luck.

“Hey, the elevator is here.” Seungah waved at him, telling him to come.

Just as he turned around after putting on his bag…

“Is there a place you must go in a hurry?”

…A voice grabbed him from behind. He quickly turned around. The elder was approaching him while taking off his glasses.

“No, I’m not in a hurry at all.”

“That girl over there seems to be waiting for you.”

“It’s okay. She likes waiting.”

The elder looked at Seungah waiting in front of the elevator. Seungah bowed before taking the elevator down. It was convenient that she was quick-witted.

“I saw you at the film festival too, and you look like you’re really enjoying acting. It’s good to see that. I want to cheer you on.”

“Thank you.”

“It might be some senile words from an old man, and it might be unnecessary advice, but I hope you can continue acting with that mindset in the future.”

“I’ll do my best with an always learning attitude.”

The elder put on a thick smile and grabbed his arm forcefully.

“I can’t hold a busy fella back for long.”

You definitely can – Maru swallowed the words that came up to the tip of his tongue.

The elder took out his wallet from his back pocket.

“Go eat something nice with that friend of yours. A good act can only be displayed with a full stomach.”

The elder urged him to take it, waving the check in the air. Maru accepted it with both his hands.

“Thank you. We’ll definitely have something nice.”

“Yes, yes. Good work today, and see you later sometime.”

“Yes. I’ll see you on the set.”

“We might see each other in a place that’s not a set.”

The director called out to the elder. The elder gestured to him to go and turned around.

He took the elevator down to the first floor. Seungah was waiting in the lobby.

“What’s up with that money? Did that person before give it to you?”

“Yes, Sir Yoon gave it to me to eat something nice with you.”

“Wow. He’s a great figure alright. Did I tell you before? One of the actors I respect is sir Yoon Moonjoong.”

“Did you say that?”

“I did, you just don’t remember. Anyway, I’m so touched. I can’t believe he looked after a junior like this. It’s also 100 thousand won. Hey, let’s eat something else, not pork cutlets.”

Seungah jumped around and left through the rotary door.

Maru looked at the check that the elder gave him. He really hadn’t changed.

He smiled and followed after Seungah.

* * *

“It’s about time I get up.”

“You’re heading home? We’re about to switch places, so come with us.”

“There’s someone I must meet.”

He originally planned to leave the get-together quietly, but thanks to director Cha standing up, he attracted all the attention.

The people drinking all put their glasses down and stood up with him.

“Leave it. Don’t come outside and just stay here.”

Those juniors still followed him out until the end. He was only able to leave after getting a grand goodbye greeting in front of the restaurant.

“Sir, I grabbed a taxi for you.”

“Thanks.”

He got in the taxi that the assistant director had called. He told the assistant director through the window to go back inside already and told the driver to go to Gwangwon tower.

“Yes, Jisook.”

He got a call from Jisook on his way. She was nagging him to come back, blaming him for leaving by himself.

Moonjoong asked Jisook to mind two things as she kept nagging him: one, to hold back on the alcohol, and two, to not bully the kids so much.

“I don’t need any change.”

Moonjoong got out of the taxi. He made a call in front of a building that pierced through the dark skies.

“It’s me.”

-Where are you? I was just about to call too.

“In front of your building.”

-You’re here? You said you had a get-together today.

“I left midway, using you as an excuse.”

-You should’ve called me. I would’ve gone to pick you up.

“It’s right nearby, so no need. Rather than that, where are you?”

-I’m in the office. I’ll go down.

“No, I’ll go up instead. Rather than coming down, make me some tea. It’s cold outside.”

-You prefer green tea, right?

Moonjoong hung up and entered the building. The guard in the guard office came out with a smile.

“Sir Yoon, what brings you all the way here?”

“I’m here to see someone up there. Right, how did the first celebration of your daughter go?”

“It went well, thank you.”

“I should’ve gone and congratulated you, but I was busy with work. I’m sorry.”

“Please don’t say that. I’m really grateful that you feel that way. Oh, it’s not just feelings you gave me. The stroller you gave us, we’re using it well. The girl’s mother loves it.”

He went upstairs after talking with the guard. When he walked along the corridor after getting off the elevator, he saw an office.

Although it was way past work hours, he could still see quite a lot of people by their desks. He walked right next to the wall so that he didn’t disturb them. Whenever an employee noticed him and looked like they were about to greet him, he quickly waved his hand to stop them.

“So the CEO of Evil Corp is here,” Moonjoong said as he opened the door inside the office.

Lee Junmin, who was working with a pure white kettle, made a thin smile.

“I’m paying them decently, so we aren’t exactly an evil company. Please sit down. The tea’s just boiled.”

Junmin tilted the kettle while Moonjoong took off his jacket and sat down.

A fragrance that cleared his mind wafted up from the tea.

As Moonjoong was about to lift the teacup, Junmin stopped him.

“Don’t be in such a hurry. Wait a little. It needs time for the flavor to come out.”

“What a picky guy.”

Moonjoong lifted the teacup up to his nose. His nose, which felt numb due to the cold air, melted down due to the heat from the tea. He could see the dried tea leaves slowly sink down.

“Please, try some.”

He took a sip. Contrary to the refreshing fragrance, it tasted really bitter. Even after it went down his throat, it left a thick aftertaste in his mouth.

“I think I prefer commercially available tea bags.”

“You’ll like it once you get used to it.”

“I still have great options, why do I need to get used to expensive tea? Well, I think it’s a great tea to go with some rice cakes.”

“Geez, senior.”

Standing up from his seat, Junmin brought some sticky rice cakes. They were packaged in newspaper too.

“What’s up with these?”

“I saw them on my way here. Some guy was shouting ‘sticky rice cakes’ while ringing a bell, and it reminded me of the old times so I bought them.”

“There are still people like that?”

“It was a young man too. I think it’s a great way of advertising if it’s for a short season. It’ll be profitable if someone like me buys them just once.”

Just as he was about to shake off some of the powder and put it in his mouth…

“Senior. How was he?”

“I haven’t even eaten yet.”

“Tell me as you eat.”

Moonjoong took a bite of the rice cake and didn’t even chew that many times before swallowing it. Junmin was staring holes into him, so he had no time to appreciate the flavor.

“If you’re going to urge me like that, you should’ve talked to him yourself.”

“You know that seeing him in person comes last. Also, I trust your assessment more than my eyes.”

Moonjoong rinsed his mouth with the tea and spoke, “He looks like a good man. I felt this back at the award ceremony, but today too, his eyes looked good during the practice run. He was polite and yet still bold. This is just my first impression though. I’ve never talked to him for long, so who knows what he’s thinking on the inside.”

“We can get to know his insides later. Also, in my case, there won’t be a problem even if he’s growing a viper inside his stomach. As long as he doesn’t show it, who would know?”

Junmin put a rice cake inside his mouth and chewed slowly.

It had been a very long time since Junmin showed this much interest in a young actor.

“In your eyes, senior, how was his acting?”

“I’ve only seen a fragment of that too, so I can’t judge. Acting is not something you can judge easily.”

“What if you have to assess him based on that fragment?”

“Well, the only proper thing I’ve seen about that fellow was the short film that he featured in, so if I have to assess based on that… I’ll say that he’s a smart actor. He has the basic skills down. He doesn’t look too soft, but not vicious either. He has a face that can perform multiple types of roles. Above all, his voice is really good.”

“His voice?”

“I got to listen to him during the read-through today, and he really seems to know his own tone. The thickness of his voice was different from the film, but it didn’t sound awkward. I’m sure he must have researched a lot. It’s not something luck can solve.”

“Even considering that you’re generally positive of people, your assessment is pretty good.”

“The things I see are good.”

“I see.”

Junmin took out his notepad. He never lost that notepad, even if he lost his phone.

Once, he got curious and asked him to show what was in it. Inside the notepad that he handed over saying that there wasn’t much in it, were rows of words that were hard to discern the meanings of.

Among those words were some names placed throughout, and most of the time, those people ended up under his wing.

Whether it was an object or a person, Junmin was someone who got his hands on the things he wanted.

Though, it was probably because of that greed that he managed to become the owner of this building, as well as the CEO of Evil Corp.

Evil Corp, it was such an addictive title to say.

“If you found anything interesting about him, then tell me about it too.”

Moonjoong laughed out loud before pointing at Junmin.

“I wonder if there’s anyone else who’s fit to be called the CEO of an evil corp.”

“I’m on the more angelic side. You know that. Also, don’t forget that you’re also a big pillar in that Evil Corp.”

“Haha, I forgot.”

He let out a low laugh and finished the rest of his tea.

“It really doesn’t taste that good.”

“Should I bring you some honey tea or something?”

“If you have it, then sure. Sweet is better than bitter.”

Junmin stood up while Moonjoong looked at the notepad.

Golden Retriever, cute, cheerful, good eyes, good smile, Han Maru, good or bad? — they were written like scribbles.

“Are you going to see him?”

“I’m going to hurry. If your opinion of him is that good, he’ll soon catch the eyes of the public, so I should call dibs on him before that,” said the CEO of Evil Corp while shaking a bottle of honey in his hand.