All My Firsts Are You (Completed Main Story) - Chapter 43

“In fact, I never intended to reveal the meaning behind the director’s name in a public interview like this. So yes, you really did your research properly.”

A triumphant smile began to bloom on the reporter’s face. She nodded vigorously up and down and even gave Jun a quick, playful wink. Witnessing this, Jun barely tilted his head in the smallest possible nod, just enough to be polite.

Of course, I immediately turned my gaze forward again, cold as ice.

“Naturally, I’ve never openly explained it anywhere else either.”

Was he wandering through some old memory? Jun’s eyes, now lowered toward the floor, grew hazy. Then, as if pulling himself together, the color in his eyes gradually deepened again.

“So it seems today, in this moment, will be the very first time I talk about it.”

The very first time. A scoop. The reporter covered her wide-open mouth with an equally wide hand, alternating glances between Jun and the camera. Was it the off-screen staff cheering? Jun, who was about to continue, hesitated under the atmosphere and flashed an awkward smile.

These broadcasting people know exactly what they’re doing. They must have already cast countless nets around Jun, ready to snag any headline-worthy remark.

Jun spotted one of those nets, smiled, and lightly stepped right onto it. The calmer he usually is in these situations, the more unusual this felt today. Still, he’s a professional—he must have had his reasons and intentions—but my mouth was going dry all the same.

From Jun on the TV, there was this unreachable distance, like I could never quite touch him.

The reporter, probably already setting off fireworks inside, subtly urged him with her eyes to continue. Jun’s mouth twisted into a knowing half-smile, as if he could see right through her. Soon, calm and rhythmic words began to flow from his lips.

“You might not remember, but in my film ‘the train,’ after the male lead sends the female lead away, he becomes a railway worker at the small coastal village station where they once met.”

It was the first time I was hearing the story behind a film Jun made straight from his own mouth. My heart was pounding so hard I thought I might stagger.

“There’s one scene I deliberately put in. One day, a friend who’s in the area on business visits the male lead before heading back to Tokyo. The friend, who was doing well at a prestigious medical school, couldn’t accept that he’d dropped out just to guard some rundown station. So he gives him a harsh talking-to, and the male lead says this.”

Not just the staff gathered on set, but everyone in the entire broadcasting station watching—including me—seemed to be holding their breath, completely focused on Jun’s words.

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