‘I dislike your attitude, not your past.’

Eyes dense as conifers, gleaming like a beast’s.

‘It’s terrifying that you don’t realize you’re wrong even after crushing others with a single word.’

Choi Yoon roughly got into the car.

He rummaged through the glove box and found a medicine packet. Ignoring the prescription date from months ago, he swallowed the pills.

‘I absolutely did not come in. If I had known it was your restaurant.’

Normally he wouldn’t take them. The medicine dulled his body and erased the lines he had painstakingly memorized.

But now he needed it. There was no other way.

The whole time he walked down alone from Hambok Flower Restaurant, his heart was pounding madly and he had trouble breathing.

The cause was obvious.

It had been over a decade of avoiding the past and skirting around wounds. Now he was paying the price for his complacency.

The restaurant. Dad. The village chief who remembered Choi Yoon. On top of that, a yokai who held a grudge against Choi Yoon.

He was already on edge when just one yokai staff member entered a set, but today he had lost count of how many yokai he had encountered.

And that wasn’t all. There was also the tenant who could steal one’s soul with a single glance.

“I’m going to die.”

Even after taking the medicine, he couldn’t calm down.

He leaned back in his seat and closed his eyes. He waited for the tension to subside.

‘I dislike your attitude, not your past.’

Attitude. Attitude, huh.

He knew what Kim Tae Rin meant.

The path he had walked so far.

After the war, the government had tried hard to control yokai. Sometimes forcefully. Choi Yoon had used his image as a national actor to softly blur that precarious boundary and present it to the public.

At the time, Choi Yoon did all of that without much thought. It was just work to him. He had no room to judge, and even if he had realized, he lacked the strength to refuse.

Then he gradually came to understand. Slowly.

Until he began to discern right from wrong in the jobs coming in, until he looked back on what he had done and regret spread.

And until he stood up to Lee Kang Woo, declaring that from now on he would personally choose which projects or advertisements to accept.

That took time.

So he decided not to think anymore about being hated. He had no right to feel wronged, as ignorance was also a mistake.

More pressing was the chill still in his chest. Why his emotions were so stirred up.

The well-tended garden. It was vibrant with all kinds of flowers, as if a dozen colored crayons had been crushed and scattered.

Just recalling that space vividly replayed the sizzling sound of meat cooking and the sweet smell of sautéed onions.

Hair flowing down with the sunlight, passing over a round forehead, eyes glistening as if coated with tears.

The same age.

When Kim Tae Rin was comparing Choi Yoon’s ID and contract earlier, Choi Yoon had also checked Kim Tae Rin’s resident registration number on the contract.

How did she end up here?

Isn’t it dangerous for a woman to be alone in the countryside like this? Is she dating anyone? With that temperament, probably not… Ah, that ill-mannered attitude was probably just towards me.

The ordinary Kim Tae Rin must be kind. Like when we first met last night. Smiling easily, without reserve.

Then she might have a lover.

But that wasn’t a big issue. Even if she did, now that Kim Tae Rin had seen Choi Yoon’s face in person, it would surely cause problems on her romantic front.

That’s how it usually was. After filming a drama together, the other actor’s partner would always disappear. Saying they weren’t satisfied. What used to be a joke he laughed off while keeping his distance suddenly felt desperate…

Woong, his phone rang, and Choi Yoon startled without realizing. He was dumbfounded at himself.

Am I crazy? What am I thinking like this?

He rubbed his face with one hand and answered the phone.

“Yes, Ji Ho.”

− Hyung! Are you on your way? You didn’t forget about Star Live today, right? You can’t be late.

“I’ll leave before lunch. I haven’t even seen the protest yet. I thought it was at night too, but it’s only during the day. I’m about to go check it out.”

− Then where are you now?

“The place I used to live.”

− …Why did you go all the way there?

“I got lost. While I was here, I visited the house too. And met the tenant.”

− Ah, that person with the pretty voice? Surfing?

“That’s right. That person.”

Hmm, Yoo Ji Ho paused.

− Is business good there?

“I’m not sure. She might have failed at some business venture. The rent here is really cheap, you know.”

− Still, it’s strange. Not even a local, but a young person deliberately moves to the countryside, and even participates in protests. You said she runs a restaurant so she’s not a yokai, but could she be mixed-blood?

“Human.”

− Are you sure?

“Her resident registration number started with 2. If she were yokai or mixed-blood, it would have been 6.”

Cold air was blowing from the air conditioner vent, but somehow he felt stuffy. He deliberately changed the subject.

“It was really pretty.”

− The woman?

“The restaurant.”

− Oh? More than when you were young?

“Much more. I was actually surprised. It was the kind of restaurant Dad always talked about. They had tended to it with such care. The feeling was like…”

Choi Yoon thought of the texture of sunlight held within the wooden building. He carefully chose his words.

“It was warm.”

How cliché. But there were no other fitting words.

“You know what I mean, right? There are houses that give you that feeling.”

Yoo Ji Ho laughed softly instead of answering.

− This is bad.

“Huh?”

− You’ve fallen in love at first sight.

“What? No, I haven’t. She’s pretty, but… She really dislikes me, and disliked me even before we met. She seems single but might be married. But did I say she was pretty?”

Heat rose unexpectedly.

Choi Yoon barely swallowed after speaking incoherently.

He hurriedly tried to unbutton his shirt, but his fingers slid uselessly over the bare sweatshirt.

Yoo Ji Ho really burst out laughing.

− Why are you overreacting like that? I’m talking about the restaurant, the restaurant. You fell in love with the restaurant at first sight.

“Ah… Yes, that’s right. I really like the restaurant. I really do.”

Choi Yoon rubbed his lips with the back of his hand. His hand was hot.

The car interior, solidly cut off from the outside and colorless, was somehow all summer.

“Whew, it’s really hot today.”

− Maybe it’s because you went somewhere you never go, hyung, you seem a bit out of it… Wait. Team 2 is calling me. Don’t hang up.

After the sound of urgent conversation, Yoo Ji Ho spoke in a flustered voice.

− Hyung, Team 2 is saying something strange.

It sounded ominous.

− We have Star Live this afternoon, right? They’re saying it’s been moved to the morning.

“Suddenly?”

Choi Yoon checked his wristwatch.

“It’s already 8 o’clock now?”

− They say it’s been changed to 11 o’clock…

“Are you kidding? Even if I left now, I wouldn’t arrive until after 12. What crazy person changes the schedule on the same day?”

− You did.

“I did?”

− They’re saying you bullied the program to move it to the morning. The PD barely managed to set it for 11 AM to not lose you, but then you canceled altogether saying you couldn’t do it. Team 2 is asking me if it’s certain Choi Yoon isn’t doing it, if the main spot is really empty.

Of course. Choi Yoon gritted his teeth. He spoke in a low voice.

“I didn’t change it.”

− I know. But the problem is only we know that.

“Lee Kang Woo called yesterday. He seemed to be in a foul mood.”

− Is this the end, or is there more?

“He’ll probably mess with the drama too. He’ll likely put out an article saying I made excessive demands and then capriciously requested to leave when things didn’t go my way.”

− Should we prepare a rebuttal?

“Against Lee Kang Woo? Is Sun Entertainment some hole-in-the-wall shop? They have Hae Woo backing them.”

− So we just take this lying down? The CEO is making you out to be a bully who throws his weight around.

Damn it. Choi Yoon pressed his forehead and lowered his head.

It’s not like he didn’t expect this. He came down here prepared for it.

Think. Think. How can I regain control? Without missing the broadcast, while explaining the bullying controversy, and simultaneously making both Lee Kang Woo and Jeon Min Seok eat their words…

Choi Yoon raised his head.

“So. If I can’t go, is there someone to replace me?”

− They say they’ll put in Seo Seung Min.

Seo Seung Min. A rising star who recently transferred to Sun Entertainment and was receiving full support.

− Team 2 is saying they’ll put in Seo Seung Min if the spot is empty, and they’re asking me if it’s true that Choi Yoon unilaterally changed the time and canceled.

“I’m sure people who were waiting to see me will be thrilled to have Seo Seung Min shoved in their faces instead.”

− We can’t have a no-show, so…

“Tell Team 2 clearly. Not to let even Seo Seung Min’s toenail in.”

− But…

“Contact Star Live and tell them I’ll go in as scheduled. Say I’ll explain the bullying allegations myself.”

− Even if you leave right now, you can’t make it in time…

“It doesn’t matter where I am. As long as I’m on the broadcast, right?”

Yoo Ji Ho was silent. After a short sigh, he asked.

− Will you be okay?

The wind pushed the light, and Choi Yoon narrowed his eyes.

The clouds moved.

The quiet country road with no passersby began to brighten from the edges. The dense trees shook once, and a side path was faintly revealed. From that gap, a figure popped out.

Dirty sneakers. Ankles exposed above them. The rolled-up blouse was crumpled inside the elbows, with sunlight pooling yellow in the hollow creases before flowing down. Cheeks and ears slightly flushed a pretty color in the sun. A glass-like sunken face suppressing all those fine things with a sigh.

− Hyung? I asked if you’ll be okay.

Staring intently at Kim Tae Rin looking around as if searching for something, Choi Yoon muttered.

“I’m not okay.”

He cleared his throat. He spoke again.

“Of course I’m not okay. Both the entertainment industry and politics are a complete mess.”

− Even if Star Live agrees, I’m not sure we can find people to film on site since there’s no time to get down there.

“There should be a half-moon bear documentary team filming near Seoju. If they’re on schedule, they would have finished last night and gotten lodging nearby. They said they’d be retrieving cameras from the mountain this morning.”

− How do you know their schedule?

“I heard the staff complaining when I recorded narration last week. Tell them to assign that team to me as is. The PDs are close, so they should be able to coordinate.”

− Okay, I’ll check.

While Yoo Ji Ho stepped away from the call briefly, Choi Yoon quietly watched Kim Tae Rin looking around.

Though not Choi Yoon’s intention, willow branches hung low over the parked van, seemingly obscuring this side from Kim Tae Rin’s view.

He could have gotten out of the car and waved or called her name. But he didn’t want to. It was nice watching her search for him, and he was curious about the expression she might make if she became a little anxious.

He turned the air conditioning down low.

− You’re right, hyung. The documentary team is packing up now. It takes less than an hour by car from Seoju City to Jangcheon County Office.

“Tell the PD to decide. Whether to put Seo Seung Min in and face viewer backlash. Or to put me on and get a scoop.”

Kim Tae Rin began to back away while surveying her surroundings. Her heels gradually moved backwards until they finally reached the edge of the road. One misstep and she could trip on the slope and roll into the rice paddy.

Choi Yoon hurriedly got out of the car. Just as he was about to shout for her to be careful, Kim Tae Rin stopped in her tracks. She squinted in the sunlight and shaded her eyes with her hand.

Choi Yoon walked a few steps out from the willow’s shade. His whole body was drenched in spring sunlight.

He adjusted his grip on the phone at his ear.

“If I say I won’t do it, tell them to give it to someone else. Just set up in front of Jangcheon County Office in time for the live broadcast. Then everything’s resolved, right?”

− Hyung, if something goes wrong…!

“Just trust me.”

He ended the call.

He immediately dialed the Star Live PD. Between the long ringing tones, Kim Tae Rin suddenly looked this way. Their eyes met.

Choi Yoon smiled. Kim Tae Rin furrowed her brow. That reluctant reaction left Choi Yoon unsatisfied.

After searching for me like that. She could at least look a little glad to see me.

When we first met, she smiled so brightly it was almost disconcerting. Now that I’ve seen that radiant face, I simply can’t give up. It was a strangely useless thirst.

As Kim Tae Rin walked towards him with an impassive face, Choi Yoon gave her a gentle look.

I’ll make sure to see it again.

He didn’t have to go far. Before the day was over, he intended to see Kim Tae Rin’s face bloom into a smile again. That seemed to be the only way to relieve this stifling congestion.

There was much to do. Seize control from Lee Kang Woo, put Jeon Min Seok in a predicament, change the damned government’s direction.

And from Kim Tae Rin, a favorable response. Even if just for a moment.

The ringing stopped and the other party answered. Choi Yoon began neatly.

“Hello PD-nim, this is Choi Yoon.”

Of course, he was overflowing with confidence that he could accomplish it all.