“It’s an apology for something you didn’t know. It’s a meaningless apology.”
[Even if you don’t know what it is, it’s still an apology I’ve accepted. It has meaning. A lot.]Once again, Jun’s firm words, like magic, gave me a gentle sense of stability. The heightened tension began to break at that moment. Although I was late in expressing the words I should have said earlier, a small courage to bring them out now began to sprout.
“There was an exposure.”
[What?]“That.”
[That?]“So… you and me, our relationship, to Jung-eun, it got exposed. Because I was too careless. I’m sorry. It was really a mistake…”
Jun, who had been silently listening to my voice suppressed by worries, immediately pushed out my words with a long sigh.
[Ah… What am I going to say.]… Huh?
[The introduction was needlessly long, so I was expecting some impressive words. But, was it just that?]
“…….”
[If worrying is your hobby, let me know in advance. Don’t waste time on unnecessary things.]“……No, I… It’s just that you might feel uncomfortable. I’m worried. Since someone already knows about our relationship, I might become a burden.”
[Among the things you just said, there isn’t a single correct one. I’m not uncomfortable, I’m not worried at all, and you won’t be a burden. Oh, and the part about you running away because of me is also not true.]“Ah… It won’t happen, really…”
Jun’s voice, responding faintly with a ‘yes’ amidst a small laughter, mixed with the conversation. Then, he spoke in a leisurely tone.
If our relationship had been one where I would feel sorry just for revealing my existence to someone else important to you, we probably wouldn’t have started it in the first place. So, if you feel sorry for me now, it will come back to me as a wound.
It was a statement that made further contemplation impossible.
[So don’t worry. Don’t apologize. Instead…]“Yes.”
[I’m talking about what you said earlier. About Seo, the writer. I said you don’t have to worry too much because he’s a trustworthy friend even if he’s a bit taciturn. But honestly, I’m not sure about that.]“Huh? No, Jung-eun is really reserved. Truly.”
The small question mark that had come up felt like it was getting bigger as Jun spoke. Although I think others can relax a bit if it’s Jung-eun, Jun bluntly said.
[Really? I don’t think so. Did I tell you that I have a girlfriend? That person is Seo, the writer.]The unexpected difficulty was elsewhere.
Ah… Jun, you remembered it well. The person who said those words is indeed Jung-eun. That’s true. Um…
If I continued talking here, it seemed like Jung-eun would only lose trust. Instead of going straight, I decided to take a detour.
“Yes. But now, it’s all in the past.”
[Right. That’s true. All in the past. Except for the deeply engraved wound in my heart, it’s all in the past, with no traces left.]“Yes, Jun. I miss you. A lot, even now.”
Still, seeing a faint laughter immediately following, it seemed like I was saying unnecessary things. A cute sulk, like a child’s protest.
[Me too. I miss you, Haru.]Seeing him smoothly move on to the next topic after my subtle diversion.
A gathering where the rookie PD shares a video with subtitles for the first time, watching it together with fellow PDs and writers while sharing comments.
“PD Lim, have you ever experienced a subtitle mishap in the middle again? While the grandmother, who has been making rice cakes for 50 years, giggles and eats two thumbs up, saying, ‘Our store’s dish has come!’ Why are the subtitles so sad? 50 years of time spent with rice cakes, sauce, and me. This is really not right. Initially, you were in a good mood. Please read the flow where the conversation starts from the beginning and put it back in.”
Although it’s the same program, the subtitles of the rookie PD, whom I met for the first time today because we are in different teams due to different days, are sensibly done but do not match the timing of the video on the screen.
As Main PD points out, Im PD’s face, nodding continuously, is full of embarrassment.
Brief feelings of shame arose for a moment, but in fact, all the points Main PD is now pointing out exactly match the points where I burst into laughter several times while watching the video. Subtitles like the horns of a fearless bull that boldly ignore the emotions of the performers and go their own way.
But I can’t un-laugh what’s already laughed. It’s all part of the experience. It’s learning.
After exchanging comments, consolidating opinions, and even a brief planning meeting, I could finally leave the editing room.
As it was also a place for the screening of the video, I sat tightly packed in a narrow chair for a long time. When I left the room, it felt like all the joints, from the shoulders, were loosening up, asking for a bit of space.
Still shaking off the fatigue that hadn’t yet disappeared, I did a light stretch, moving my head from side to side. Suddenly, I felt a tap on my shoulder. When I turned around, it was Jung-eun.
“Now that the meeting is over, shall we have a relaxed conversation?”
It was right after the long meeting, and his face looked unusually bright. It seemed that he had confidence that he was holding the key to our upcoming conversation. In that moment, I felt a slight bead of sweat on my forehead.
“Yes. Writer Seo.”
Although my face was smiling, it was actually a self-deprecating feeling. Still, hearing from Jun that if I keep worrying and feeling sorry for this, it will come back to him as a wound, was a wake-up call.
I deliberately pushed up the corners of my lips. It looked awkward, and Jung-eun raised his eyebrows and said, “Well. Since the meeting ended earlier than expected, let’s go outside the broadcasting station and talk somewhere away from it today.”
Around the broadcasting station, there was usually a gathering place for broadcasting station employees. Moreover, going to a place on the list of good restaurants circulating among broadcasting station staff often ended up turning into a group dinner, even if it started as a two-person outing. I nodded quietly without any complaints. At that moment.
“I should join that conversation too.”
Jung-eun and I both turned our heads back simultaneously. Hyun-soo, with a subtle expression as if he knew something, was standing there, looking at us.
“Oh, suddenly I miss Director Kim Joon. Well, Director Kim probably has someone else he really wants to see right now.”
As Jun’s name flowed out of Hyun-soo’s mouth, I felt a dull thud in my chest, as if something heavy had fallen and rolled down.
It had been less than two hours since Hyun-soo conveyed to Jun that our secret had been exposed to Jung-eun. If my assumption is correct…
I couldn’t help but imagine Jun’s face, already laughing at me, saying, “Ha, Iha-ru, you.”
My Ex-Girlfriend Is The Regent In The Female-dominant World (Male lead transmigrates to the matriarchal world)
Two years ago, Gu Sui picked up a homeless woman in ancient costume from the street.
Apart from occasionally claiming to be a princess from a female-dominant country due to illness, her figure, appearance, intelligence, and martial arts skills were impeccable.
Naturally evolving from roommates to girlfriends, as time went on, Gu Sui found it increasingly difficult to tolerate her queen syndrome.
“Mu Jiulu, can you stop controlling me inside and out? Let’s break up.”
Gu Sui made a breakup call, and since then, he couldn’t find any trace of her.
A year later, Gu Sui, who was planning to move, woke up the next day and found himself in a different place.
“Young Master, today is the day you choose your Wife-master through martial arts competition at Jade Dew Pavilion. Please get up quickly.”
Gu Sui: Who am I? Where am I? What am I doing?
As the only son of a general’s mansion in a female-dominant dynasty, the young empress personally issued a decree allowing Gu Sui to select his Wife-master through martial arts competition. Whoever could defeat him could marry him.
Gu Sui: “……”
He didn’t inherit the original owner’s martial prowess, so anyone could defeat him! And what the hell is a Wife-master?
Forced to come to Jade Dew Pavilion, the densely packed women below made Gu Sui’s agoraphobia act up, and his face was full of resistance.
Until he saw the Regent sitting on the second floor, with a smile on the corner of her lips, her eyes wicked and nonchalant.
Hmm… she looked a little familiar.
It turned out that the Regent also found him a little familiar.
Mu Jiulu fiddled with her bone clasp, her deep gaze locked on the man who was out of place in this world.
“Finally, I found you.”
Male transmigrates into female-dominant world
One-sentence summary: What goes around comes around, taking turns in the crematorium
