Trying to appear that way to others, hoping that Eun Soo would come to think that way too, and if possible, even attempting to deceive himself.

To become as numb as possible to each other’s X, to that fact.

Since it was a relationship that had once been shattered, every moment of rebuilding was a series of tensions.

Like building a stone tower that could collapse at any moment if even one small piece was misplaced – a wrong word chosen, a single action.

Although it was fortunate that it ended up appearing as desired in everyone’s eyes, Joo Han’s mood kept sinking.

‘We… I think we were better when we were just friends.’

The voice and expression of Eun Soo saying that on the day they broke up was still vividly imprinted in his memory.

‘If you and I were friends, if we had stayed friends… I could have comforted you more.’

Joo Han remembered those words that came through the phone after they met again at his father’s funeral, even though Eun Soo claimed not to remember due to being drunk.

Ki Woo, who had been staring at the silent Joo Han, changed the subject.

“By the way, how’s the shop doing?”

“The atmosphere isn’t bad. But…”

After confirming that So Min had gone into the back of the storage room, Joo Han added:

“Honestly, there’s no profit. I think we’re spending more than we’re making.”

“What a Cinderella we have here. Pouring water into a bottomless pit?”

“No, not Cinderella but a toad. Blocking the hole with my whole body.”

“Oh boy.”

Ki Woo frowned.

“Hey, I’ve been in that toad situation a few times myself, so I know. You can’t keep that up for long.”

Ki Woo had experienced two major failures after being obsessed with startups and preparing all sorts of businesses since his college days when others were preparing for employment. After that, he had started a movie promotion company that grew from an old office to owning a building.

Ki Woo wore a rare serious expression.

“But the weird thing is, whether I come to see for myself or hear about it, even comparing it to other places, I don’t see any reason why this place shouldn’t do well. You probably know this without me having to say it.”

He said this keeping in mind that Joo Han had majored in business management and even worked in business consulting in the United States. Joo Han just shrugged his shoulders.

“From what I can see, the only thing lacking is promotion. In that sense, how about you try appearing on TV once, a bit aggressively?”

Joo Han stiffened slightly. He wondered if Ki Woo, true to his reputation of knowing many people and missing no gossip, already knew about Sol Hee’s broadcast appearance offer.

But from what followed, it seemed that wasn’t the case.

“Why waste your natural good looks? Use them generously. If I looked like you, I’d be showing off my face as easily as breathing. The kid’s body has even gotten bigger after carrying furniture and doing physical work…”

Joo Han stared blankly at Ki Woo while quietly breathing. Ki Woo looked satisfied and said, “Yeah, like that.”

“Yes, like that… No, don’t stare so intently. Why are you trying to seduce me?”

“I’m not seducing you. Don’t fall for it.”

“You’re something else.”

It clearly seemed like he had tried to seduce first. Ki Woo, who had looked wronged, clicked his tongue.

“Anyway, I think even a little bit of SNS would quickly spread word of mouth. Or why not aim for the big leagues from the start? Like appearing on a dating show for regular people, or briefly showing your face as a celebrity acquaintance, there are many ways. Want me to look into it?”

“No, it’s fine.”

“I know a lot of people in broadcasting stations too.”

“I said it’s fine.”

When Joo Han flatly refused, Ki Woo rolled his eyes. But he still added one more thing.

“Whatever it is, let me know if you need help. Don’t suffer alone.”

“Just introducing good customers like today is already a big help. Thank you.”

Joo Han smiled faintly.

Whether he became Cinderella or a toad, it was still bearable for now.

So there was no need to cross the line he was precariously maintaining.

No, he must never cross it.

Even if it was fake.

[This is the timeline separator] [Jokbang-i]

Eun Soo’s expression turned serious upon receiving an abrupt text message from Sol Hee after several days. While she was furrowing her brow, pondering whether it was an insult or a provocation, another message came.

[I’m going to drink soju with jokbang-i at your place today, you should come too.]

Ah, she must have meant jokbal (pigs’ feet) and golbaengi (sea snails).

Although the misunderstanding was cleared up, it was still baffling. It couldn’t have been more one-sided, from the date and place to the choice of alcohol and menu.

“Look at her depleted humanity. She’s truly an endangered species.”

While muttering like that, Eun Soo’s fingers tapped out a reply.

[Thanks for inviting me. I’ll definitely come.]

And a few hours later, when she entered her home, a delicious smell really did assault her nose.

“Oh, you’re here.”

Sol Hee, who was opening what looked like freshly delivered food bags on the table, glanced back and greeted her. She was even wearing Eun Soo’s pajamas as if it were the most natural thing.

“Wow… For a moment I thought I’d time-slipped back to college. I thought this wasn’t my house but our old shared room.”

“Brings back memories, right? I’m planning to stay over tonight.”

Eun Soo shook her head.

“Don’t you have work tomorrow? How can you suggest drinking all night on a weekday?”

“Don’t worry. I’m a slave to the broadcasting station anyway, working 7 days a week. Since I don’t have weekends, it doesn’t really matter if I drink on Friday night or Monday, it’s fine.”

“I’m not fine, I’m not.”

While grumbling, Eun Soo quickly gathered clothes to change into and went into the bathroom.

“I’ll wash up quickly, so just wait a bit.”

Sol Hee, who laughed silently, took out the jokbal and golbaengi muchim from the bag and spread them out on the table. After taking out the alcohol and glasses as well, Eun Soo came out with her wet hair roughly wrapped in a towel and sat down in a chair.

“Even though I had no thoughts of food or alcohol on my way home from work, I’m suddenly really hungry.”

“Come to think of it, this is my first proper meal today too. Let’s eat quickly.”

The two tilted their glasses familiarly. Time flew by as they chatted about broadcasting station stories, company stories, old stories, and so on, following the flow of consciousness.

Then Sol Hee carefully broached the subject.

“About that broadcast appearance I mentioned before.”

“Ah.”

Eun Soo subtly adjusted her posture.

They hadn’t talked about it at all since parting ways after Joo Han treated them to a meal at the restaurant. When Sol Hee suggested meeting, Eun Soo thought they should have a proper talk about it and move on, and it seemed Sol Hee had the same idea.

“I’m sorry it was so sudden. Honestly, the situation was quite urgent. The filming was right around the corner, and a couple we had already cast suddenly broke up and said they couldn’t appear. We needed to quickly fill the spot that fell through, and you and Kim Joo Han were the only people I could think of.”

Eun Soo just nodded silently. Sol Hee carefully observed Eun Soo’s reaction.

As the person who had watched Joo Han and Eun Soo’s relationship most closely from when they were 22 until they were 26, she had been shocked twice.

The first time was when they broke up.

When they said they were dating, she wasn’t surprised at all. She even said indifferently, “Weren’t you already dating?” showing how little impact it had on her.

But when they said they had broken up, it was a big shock.

She couldn’t believe it, as they were the kind of couple who had never once mentioned breaking up, even as a joke or during fights.

No way, they’ll probably get back together soon.

Wait, Kim Joo Han went to America? Leaving Sun Eun Soo behind? They’re really not going to see each other?

She felt unsettled for almost two months, unable to believe it. Eun Soo seemed to have calmed down quickly, at least on the outside, which made Sol Hee even more troubled.

That’s why she was shocked for the second time when she heard they were working together.

She thought a cool, or rather lukewarm, relationship didn’t suit these two. She had thought they would either get married and spend their lives together or never see each other again, one of the two.

So she had doubted it then too, but surprisingly, they seemed to be getting along well until now.

At that point, Sol Hee gave up on claiming to know or carelessly guessing what kind of relationship the two had.

So maybe her proposal would be accepted more coolly than expected, she thought it was worth a try and brought it up.

“Apart from being friends, from a broadcast writer’s perspective, I thought you two would create a huge buzz just by appearing. Your visuals, your setup, everything. I was tempted. I’m sorry, friend.”

Eun Soo let out a shallow sigh and smiled.

“I get it. It’s okay. I understand your situation, but that was a bit much.”

Sol Hee laughed similarly and shrugged her shoulders. Eun Soo continued.

“Even if it’s just a brief appearance, it’s scary. I don’t have the confidence to lie and act deliberately. When I think about not just becoming known, but my face too… Of course, I’ve never experienced it, but I think I know without experiencing it.”

“Of course, when you appear on TV once, various things happen. Both good and bad.”

Sol Hee took the two empty glasses and picked up a beer bottle.

“But in a way, it’s not something that lasts that long. Hey, let’s switch to somaek now. I’ll mix it coolly for you.”

Sol Hee started mixing somaek with such flashy hand movements that her real job seemed questionable.

“There was a really famous dating show a few years ago, right? Was it ?”

“Yeah. I know what you’re talking about. I didn’t watch it though.”

“Do you know how the people who appeared on that show are living now? Except for those who debuted as actors.”

Eun Soo just blinked. Come to think of it, no one particularly came to mind.

“They become a hot topic faster than you’d expect, but they’re also forgotten just as quickly. So I want to tell you not to be too scared in advance.”

“Didn’t you give up on casting? I thought it was over, but it doesn’t feel over?”

Sol Hee laughed suspiciously and handed Eun Soo a glass of somaek as if offering a bribe. Eun Soo glared at Sol Hee with eyes full of suspicion and distrust as she brought the glass to her lips. However, the moment she took a sip, her eyes softened.

“…Did you get a somaek certification while I wasn’t looking?”

“If there was such a thing, I’d have a Ph.D. in it.”

Taking advantage of Eun Soo’s momentary distraction by the perfect ratio somaek, Sol Hee said:

“To speak like a true broadcasting person for a bit more, the effect of broadcasting is beyond imagination. I want you to enjoy those incredible benefits. Of course, isn’t your shop, but don’t you think you’ll feel like your efforts are recognized when is recognized?”

“…”

Although she said it was the words of a broadcasting person, it was also something she could say because she knew Eun Soo well as a friend.

Whatever the initial process of joining was, Sol Hee knew well that Eun Soo now had a deep affection for , and that she wanted to prove her abilities there.

“The world doesn’t work out just because you work hard, nor does it work out just because you do well. There are things like inexplicable luck or timing.”

Those words, so realistic they sounded cold, struck somewhere in Eun Soo’s heart. Eun Soo mumbled weakly.

“…That’s true.”

A little past midnight, the two roughly cleaned up and lay down on the bed.

“Are you really not uncomfortable? I said I’d sleep on the couch.”

“I can’t let the homeowner sleep on the couch. Of course, I can’t sleep on the couch either. So let’s sleep together.”

Eun Soo, immediately persuaded by Sol Hee’s miraculous logic, closed her eyes obediently. The two giggled as they exchanged a few more words.

Then Sol Hee, lying on the wall side, drifted off to sleep and it became quiet. But Eun Soo couldn’t fall asleep.

The effect of broadcasting, the benefits of broadcasting.