Between Us is X (Completed Main Story) - Chapter 11

To make others see it that way, hoping that Eun Su would also come to think so, and if possible, even trying to deceive himself.

Until they could become numb to each other’s scars, as numb as possible.

Because it was a relationship that had once been completely shattered, every moment of rebuilding it was a continuous string of tension.

Like stacking a stone tower where even one wrongly chosen word, one action, any single small piece placed incorrectly could make it all come crashing down.

In the end, it turned out the way everyone wanted it to look, which was fortunate, but Ju Han’s mood kept sinking lower and lower.

“We were… better when we were just friends, I think.”

The voice and expression of Eun Su from the day they broke up still remained vivid.

“If you and I had been friends, if we had stayed friends… I could have comforted you more.”

He also remembered those words that came through the phone after they met again at his father’s funeral, words Eun Su claimed not to remember because she was drunk, but Ju Han remembered.

Gi Woo, who had been staring intently at the silent Ju Han, changed the subject.

“By the way, is the shop doing well?”

“The atmosphere isn’t bad. But…”

After making sure So Min had gone into the back storage, Ju Han added,

“Honestly, there’s no profit. It feels like more money is going out than coming in.”

“Look at this little Kongjwi. Are you pouring water into a bottomless jar?”

“No, not Kongjwi—a toad. One that’s blocking all the holes with its whole body.”

“Oh dear.”

Gi Woo grimaced.

“Hey, I’ve been in that toad position a few times myself, and let me tell you, you can’t hold on like that for long.”

Back in his college, while others prepared for jobs, Gi Woo had been obsessed with starting businesses and had failed spectacularly twice. The film PR company he later built started in a rundown office and eventually grew into owning the whole building.

Gi Woo wore a rare serious expression.

“But honestly, it’s kind of weird—no matter how I come see it myself, hear about it, or compare it to other places, there’s really no obvious reason this place shouldn’t succeed. You know that even without me saying it.”

He was referring to the fact that Ju Han had majored in business and even worked in business consulting in the States. Ju Han just shrugged.

“If I had to point out what’s lacking, it’s only the marketing. In that sense, how about being a bit more aggressive and appearing on a broadcast?”

Ju Han froze slightly. It was very Gi Woo-like to already know about Sol Hee’s offer, since he knew everyone and heard everything.

But the next words made it clear that wasn’t the case.

“Why save that natural handsome face? Use it without holding back. If I looked like you, I’d show off my face as naturally as breathing. The kid’s been hauling furniture and doing hard labor, so his body’s gotten even bigger than before…”

Ju Han silently stared at Gi Woo and breathed. Gi Woo nodded with satisfied eyes, saying, “There you go.”

“Yeah, just like that… no, don’t stare at me so openly. Why are you seducing me?”

“I’m not seducing you. Don’t come over.”

“You’re the one being weird.”

He was definitely the one who started it. Gi Woo clicked his tongue with an aggrieved look.

“Anyway, even just doing a little on SNS would spread by word of mouth fast. Or why not aim big from the start? Appear on a dating show for regular people, or casually show your face as a celebrity acquaintance—there are tons of ways. Want me to look into it?”

“No, it’s fine.”

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

“I said it’s fine.”

When Ju Han firmly refused, Gi Woo rolled his eyes but still added one more thing.

“Whatever it is, if you need help, just say so. Don’t suffer alone.”

“Introducing good customers like today is already a huge help. Thank you.”

Ju Han smiled faintly.

Whether he became Kongjwi or a toad, he could still hold on for now.

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

No—he absolutely must not cross it.

Even if it was fake.

[This is the timeline separator] [Jokbaengi]

A few days later, Eun Su’s expression turned serious upon receiving a sudden text from Sol Hee. While wondering whether it was an insult or a fight and furrowing her brow, another message arrived.

[I’m drinking soju with jokbal and golbaengi at your place tonight, so you come too.]

Ah, she meant jokbal and golbaengi.

The misunderstanding cleared, but it was still absurd. The date, location, type of alcohol, and menu choice couldn’t have been more one-sided.

“Look at this girl running out of humanity. She’s practically an endangered species.”

Her mouth grumbled like that, but Eun Su’s fingers quickly typed a reply.

[Thanks for inviting me. I’ll definitely be there.]

And a few hours later, when she got home, a truly delicious smell hit 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 already naturally wearing Eun Su’s pajamas.

“Hey… for a second I thought I’d time-slipped back to college. I thought this wasn’t my house but our old shared apartment.”

“Doesn’t it bring back memories? I’m sleeping over tonight.”

Eun Su shook her head.

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

“Don’t worry. I’m basically a slave to the broadcasting station anyway, working seven days a week. Since I have no weekends, whether I drink on Friday or Monday doesn’t make much difference.”

“I’m the one who’s not okay with it.”

While grumbling, Eun Su quickly grabbed clothes to change into and went to the bathroom.

“I’ll wash up quick, so wait a bit.”

Sol Hee smiled silently and spread out the jokbal and seasoned golbaengi from the bags on the table. After setting out the soju and glasses, Eun Su came out with wet hair roughly wrapped in a towel and sat down.

“I had zero thoughts about food or alcohol on the way home from work, but suddenly I’m starving.”

“I just realized this is actually my proper first meal today too. Let’s eat.”

The two tilted their glasses with familiar ease. Talking about the broadcasting station, work, old stories—whatever came to mind—the time flew by.

Then Sol Hee cautiously brought it up.

“About that broadcast appearance I mentioned back then.”

“Yeah.”

Eun Su slightly straightened her posture.

They hadn’t spoken about it once since the day Ju Han paid for the meal at the restaurant and they parted. When Sol Hee suggested meeting, Eun Su had thought they’d finally talk it through properly today, and it seemed Sol Hee had the same idea.

“I’m sorry it was so sudden. Honestly, the situation was really urgent. Filming was right around the corner, and a couple we’d booked in advance suddenly broke up and said they couldn’t appear. We had to fill the empty spot quickly, and the only people I could think of were you and Kim Ju Han.”

Eun Su silently nodded. Sol Hee quietly watched her.

Somehow, from age twenty-two to twenty-six, Sol Hee had been the person closest to Ju Han and Eun Su’s relationship, and she had been shocked twice.

The first time was when they broke up.

When they said they were dating, she wasn’t surprised in the least. She’d even said something lukewarm like, “Weren’t you already dating?”—that’s how little it affected her.

But when they said they’d broken up, it was a huge shock.

They were the kind of couple who had never once, even in fights or as a joke, mentioned breaking up, so she couldn’t believe it.

No way, they’ll get back together soon.

Wait a minute, Kim Ju Han went to America? Leaving Seon Eun Su? They’re really not seeing each other anymore?

Even after nearly two months, it didn’t feel real and left her unsettled. Eun Su at least appeared to calm down quickly on the outside, which actually worried Sol Hee more.

That was why she was shocked a second time when she heard the two were working together.

She thought a lukewarm “cool” relationship didn’t suit them at all. She had assumed it would be either marry and stay together forever or never see each other again—one or the other.

So even then she thought no way, but surprisingly, they had been doing fine until now.

At that point, Sol Hee gave up presuming or claiming to know what their relationship was.

So maybe they would accept her proposal more coolly than expected—she figured she had nothing to lose by asking.

“Setting aside that we’re friends, from a broadcast writer’s perspective, just the two of you appearing would create massive buzz. The visuals, the setup—everything. It made me greedy. I’m sorry, friend.”

Eun Su let out a small sigh and smiled.

“Okay. It’s fine. I understand your situation, but that was still a bit much.”

Sol Hee gave a similar smile and shrugged. Eun Su continued.

“Even if it was just a short appearance, it scares me, and I don’t have the confidence to deliberately lie and act. If it’s not just getting known but my face too… Of course I’ve never experienced it, but I feel like I already know I wouldn’t like it.”

“Of course once you’re on broadcast, all sorts of things happen. Good things and bad things.”

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

“But in a way, those things don’t last all that long either. Hey, let’s switch to somaek. I’ll mix it nice and cold for you.”

With movements flashy enough to make you doubt her real job, Sol Hee started making somaek.

“A few years ago there was that super famous dating program, right? Was it ?”

“Yeah. I know it. Never watched it though.”

“Do you know what the people who appeared on it are doing now? Except the ones who debuted as actors.”

Eun Su just blinked. Come to think of it, she couldn’t recall anyone in particular.

“It becomes a hot topic faster than you think, but it’s also forgotten just as easily. So I wanted to say don’t be too scared in advance.”

“Didn’t you already give up on casting us? I thought this topic was over, but it feels like it’s not.”

Heh heh heh—Sol Hee laughed suspiciously like she was up to something and handed Eun Su a glass of somaek like a bribe. Eun Su glared at her with pure suspicion and distrust, then took a sip—and her eyes immediately softened.

“…Did you secretly get a somaek mixing license while I wasn’t looking?”

“If that existed I’d have a PhD in it by now.”

While Eun Su was momentarily enchanted by the perfect golden-ratio somaek, Sol Hee spoke.

“To say just a little more like a broadcasting station person—the effect of being on air is beyond imagination. I really hope you get to enjoy that huge benefit. Of course isn’t your shop, but if gets recognized, you’ll feel like your efforts are recognized too, right?”

“…”

It was the kind of thing only a friend who knew Eun Su well could say, even if it came from a broadcasting person.

No matter how she had joined at first, Sol Hee knew very well that Eun Su now had deep affection for and wanted to prove her abilities there.

“The world doesn’t reward you just for working hard, nor just for doing well—there’s also luck and timing that can’t really be explained.”

Those words, so realistic they sounded almost cold, poked exactly somewhere in Eun Su’s heart. She muttered powerlessly.

“…That’s true.”

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

“You’re really not uncomfortable? I said I’d sleep on the sofa.”

“The homeowner can’t sleep on the sofa. And I can’t sleep on the sofa either. So let’s just sleep together.”

Convinced immediately by Sol Hee’s miraculous logic, Eun Su obediently closed her eyes. They giggled a bit more exchanging a few words.

Then Sol Hee, lying against the wall, quietly fell asleep. But Eun Su couldn’t sleep.

The effect of broadcast, the benefits of broadcast.