Stopped for a long while, then moved at a snail’s pace. Then stopped again.

The stylists were fussing over him, and Ji Ho was focused on his readings in preparation for the next interview and the screening. Bong Gi, who was behind the wheel, was the only one in a terrible mood.

Rrrr Rrrr

“Yes. It’s the author.”

His voice, usually angry due to road conditions, was a little louder than usual. Hence, he could attract Ji Ho’s attention at once. Ji Ho looked at Bong Gi when he heard a familiar word.

‘Hello, manager. Is it possible to talk now?’

“Yes. Go ahead.”

‘It’s not about anything else, but about our accommodation in Busan.”

“Yes…”

The cautious voice of Hye Yoon received a softened response from him, just a single ‘yes.’ Bong Gi’s emotions roughened again as the next car pushed its way into the lane beside him. His hand pressing the horn was full of force.

“How many times do I have to let in? Have a conscience, really!”

‘…What?’

“Ah, I’m sorry. The traffic is congested. But you said something about the Busan accommodation?”

Bong Gi quickly became courteous to Hye Yoon’s voice, which had become even smaller, as if she were frightened. Ji Ho was in a state of deep concentration, much like his gaze.

“Ji Ho, the side of your head….”

“Hold on.”

Ji Ho slightly refused the hand of the stylist reaching for the opposite side of his face, and put down the interview script he held. Looking at Bong Gi’s face reflected in the rearview mirror, it seemed like Hye Yoon was in the middle of a conversation.

‘Yes. A male friend is going with us. We need an extra room… The only ones left are the rooms assigned to Ji Ho’s party.’

“Ah……”

From the side, trying to cut in, the horns from all around were ringing nervously, the voice over the phone was small and whispery in the midst of all that. In fact, Bong Gi could hardly hear her whispering.

‘So we’d like to rent just one room for about three days. If it’s inconvenient, we can accommodate him in our room or find another accommodation. Just asking.’

“No, it’s okay. You can use it. We… should be in Seoul this week.”

‘Wow, thank you.’

As the car in front began to crawl forward, Bong Gi quickly followed.

“Ah, I’m not in my right mind right now. If you need anything else, please contact me.”

‘Yes. I will hang up now.’

As soon as he hung up, his voice, now completely free, excitedly talked to himself.

“Let’s go, go! I’m also a person who hates letting cars in.”

Watching Bong Gi press the accelerator in short bursts, Ji Ho opened his mouth. His voice was as calm as always.

“…The author?”

“Huh? Oh.”

“Why?”

“Ah, about the accommodation. She’s going with her boyfriend….”

“What?”

His shattered calmness hit the back of Bong Gi’s seat like shards of glass. Ji Ho’s upper body, which had slipped away from the backrest, had moved closer to the driver’s seat.

“No, no. A male friend. Anyway, they’re looking for different accommodation… wasn’t it? What did she say?”

Bong Gi, too, couldn’t remember well, although he wanted to inform Ji Ho as quickly as possible due to his persistent gaze. So he bluntly threw the conclusion. Otherwise, he felt like his back of the head would be penetrated.

“Anyway, she said it will be resolved if we just give one of our rooms. I think it was nothing serious.”

“……”

There were creases on Ji Ho’s forehead. Along with the wind leaking between his open lips.

‘It seems like a big deal though.’

He hadn’t contacted Hye Yoon in case she wanted to sleep in the car. She must have been tired from staying up all night. But he knew she was awake, and it seemed like there was something he needed to hear. He held his phone.

He decided to ask as simply as possible, hoping for a longer explanation than this.

[Okay, start explaining the situation. (2:30 PM)]

The tip of Ji Ho’s tongue pricked the inside of his mouth. Then the stylist, who had been closely observing him, reached out towards his face again. She was always puzzled about where she needed to touch up this perfect piece, but these days she felt particularly so.

“Ji Ho, why do you look so well lately?”

“Me?”

“Yeah. Wow……It’s surprising every time I see you. You look too good for being tired.”

“I wonder……”

“Is it because the movie is doing well?”

After more than 10 minutes of sporadic light conversation, a new message popped up on his phone. And Ji Ho, who had been reading the screen, slowly shook his head side to side.

“Really……”

A smile slipped onto the mouth that was murmuring low to itself.

[1. Originally, Hye Yoon, Min Joo, and Woo Jun were supposed to leave together. 2. But Min Joo decided to come a few days late due to personal schedule. 3. We were going to share a room with Min Joo…]

It seemed like a small yellow chick was continuously chirping in a very long text. And his lips rose a bit more certainly at another short message added.

[End of situation explanation. Additional questions are welcome. (2:49 PM)]

“Huh? What’s up with you? Is it something funny?”

The stylist who had been admiring his cool smile showed interest.

“No, it’s cute.”

Although it was a puzzling answer, she just nodded. His face was so much like a painting that she naturally found herself nodding.

“Sigh……Anyway, I want to go to Busan quickly and see the sea.”

Leaving her candid thoughts beside her, the stylist who had withdrawn her hand from his face looked at the congested roadway. Ji Ho also glanced at the same place and turned his gaze away.

“I wish. I also want to go quickly… and see.”

Skipping the object, he looked down once more at the message from Hye Yoon.

[I will give all three rooms, so don’t set foot in the author’s room for even a second. (2:57 PM)]

Seeing the response that had just arrived, Hye Yoon shyly turned her head. She quite liked the smile reflected in the window. Although the cold winter scenery was constantly passing by outside the window, her face, tinted with happiness, looked warm.

She tucked away that feeling for a moment and looked at Woo Jun. It was meant to tell him not to worry since all problems were resolved.

“Woo Jun, you can use Ji Ho’s room.”

“Sigh……I knew this would happen. I… I knew this situation would eventually come.”

However, it seemed like his worries had increased instead. When could this unbelievable delusion end? Hye Yoon didn’t even like the way he was nervously pulling his shirt up to his neck.

“Ah, such a fool. Even if Ji Ho wants to, he can’t come.”

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