- Size or Direction (7)
That’s how business works. Regardless of what’s real, being faithful to the job at hand is considered virtuous.
In that sense, Na Jihan’s attitude was extremely practical and wise. After all, he and I had agreed to spread what people call “fanservice.”
But still.
‘Isn’t this too obvious?’
Sweetheart? And calling us a couple? I know he’s the type to say things that invite misunderstandings, but this goes beyond misunderstanding.
It makes it seem like we’re actually dating.
While I suddenly became serious, the staff exchanged playful glances.
“Jihan seems so innocent, but he’s only mischievous with Seowoo, isn’t he?”
“Oh my. Seowoo’s ears are turning red. He must be embarrassed.”
Hapil Jae, who was quietly getting his makeup done, glanced at me through the mirror and snickered.
“That’s closer to anger than embarrassment. I bet a rabbit punch is coming in three seconds.”
Hapil was half right and half wrong. I was indeed upset about Jihan’s slick attitude, acting like nothing happened, but with so many people watching and cameras around…
“It’s love taps, a kind of. He only hits people he likes.”
“Hey!”
Before he could finish speaking, my fist reflexively hit Jihan’s shoulder. It was instinctive, but I unintentionally ended up proving his point.
“It’s true.”
“Wasn’t that thud sound just now so weak? Cute…”
“If it wasn’t weak, wouldn’t that be a problem in itself?”
It seemed like I’d be teased no matter what I did. Deciding it was better to escape, I gathered my clothes and slipped into the changing room.
“Na Jihan, seriously…”
I could hear roaring laughter from beyond the curtain. If it weren’t for our busy schedule, I would have deliberately moved as slowly as possible. I grumbled quietly to myself while busily slipping my arms into the bright hanbok sleeves.
Though I complained, I wasn’t entirely unhappy. It felt like it had been ages since Jihan and I had been so close.
Before pushing aside the curtain to go out, I took a deep breath.
Then I imagined. I imagined placing a large box in my heart.
The box in my heart is enormous and sturdy enough that not even a drop of water could leak out. I would stuff my feelings for Jihan into it, close it tightly, and lock it. Then I’d hide the key somewhere even I couldn’t find.
That way, I thought I could hide how much I like you.
After pressing my lips together firmly to check if the box was properly closed, I looked up.
‘You think you’re the only one who can do Business Gay Performance?’
Getting revenge was just a bonus, I promised myself.
* * *
We successfully finished recording ‘Hitchhiking.’
Even though we’d been singing it almost daily for months, singing it outdoors gave it a special feeling. Looking up at the majestic and elegant dancheong patterns of the palace while wearing hanbok made even the midsummer heat seem somehow bearable.
“I heard Lee Seon was good with all string instruments, but I didn’t know he could play the geomungo so well. Amazing.”
“I learned in a hurry, so I’m still lacking.”
“Lacking? You didn’t make a single mistake… Oh, Haesol is calling you over there.”
I could see Ahn Haesol carefully wrapping a cold, wet towel around Joo Lee Seon’s hands. He’d been practicing the unfamiliar geomungo for months, and his hands were constantly covered with calluses and blisters.
In truth, Lee Seon didn’t necessarily have to play the geomungo himself. But he volunteered to do it, saying that since they were filming anyway, it would be better to have one more visual element.
Seeing members who work hard at everything makes me want to do better too. Just consistently studying songwriting didn’t seem enough.
‘That’s why I’ve been increasing my vocal lessons lately, but…’
No matter how consistently I work, the feeling of being stagnant makes me anxious at times.
Lost in thought with slightly furrowed brows, I felt a cold can touch my forehead.
“Here.”
Na Jihan handed me an ion drink.
“Even if you don’t like it much, you need to drink this. You could get dehydrated.”
My throat was parched from the long recording session and the weather. At this point, I felt like I could drink chicory juice if that’s what he’d brought me.
After I silently drank the beverage he opened for me, Jihan took out a small candy tin and began unwrapping it.
“Drink that and eat this too.”
“What is it?”
“It’s candy that helps reduce throat inflammation. It’s only sold in pharmacies, but I asked Hyeonjun hyung to get it.”
“…”
“You’ve doubled your vocal lessons lately. I want to tell you not to strain your throat, but I know you won’t listen.”
“…Everyone else must work this hard too.”
“Well, maybe they do.”
His large hand ruffled my hair. It was a rough yet affectionate touch.
“But it’s not easy to be as good as you.”
“…”
“Don’t be too impatient.”
His matter-of-fact, calm tone made his words more comforting. I touched my hair and replied with a small “yeah” before picking up the gat hat I had set aside.
Though I knew it was just a joke, after he called it a couple item, I wanted to try wearing it at least once.
“Since we’re here, can I look around for a bit?”
“They said cleanup will take some time, so it should be fine. Let’s go together.”
As I was tying the gat strings, the camera director suddenly called for Jihan. Poking my head out to eavesdrop, I heard him suggesting that they’d found some good filming locations and wondered if Jihan would be interested in shooting a solo dance video there.
“The instrumental version of ‘Primordial Dream’ from the highlight medley was surprisingly popular. People said the song was great even without vocals, just as an instrumental. How about adding a solo dance to it, about 90 seconds long? Can you do it?”
“I’ll need some time to organize the choreography. Could you wait? I’ll discuss it with Hapil for 30 minutes.”
“Oh, 30 minutes? That’s fine. I’ll get you something to drink, so sit in the shade. After you’ve decided, let’s look at the candidate locations and see which one works best.”
“Got it, Director.”
From the atmosphere, it seemed I’d have to go sightseeing alone. But I wasn’t disappointed at all, knowing I might get to see an unexpected solo performance.
I nodded to Jihan to let him know it was okay and started walking.
Moving carefully along paths with minimal sunlight and fewer people, I looked around.
The heat was a drawback, but the palace scenery under the vivid summer sunlight was dazzling. The golden light fragments scattered gently on the lake surface and the colorful patterned fish popping up to swallow food looked like a painting.
While enjoying this small moment of leisure, I suddenly felt someone tap my shoulder.
“Excuse me?”
Turning around in confusion at the slightly awkward pronunciation, I saw a foreigner, about a head taller than me, giving an embarrassed smile while gesturing to the camera in his hand.
“Taking memorial photo. Need help.”
“Help… Oh. Are you asking me to help? Would you like me to take your photo?”
When I pointed at the camera and mimicked pressing the shutter, the foreigner smiled, showing his white teeth, and replied.
“Yes! Take photo!”
Looking where he was pointing, I saw three or four foreigners who appeared to be his companions waving enthusiastically. Two of them were wearing hanbok that looked rented from a shop. Despite their faces being flushed red from the heat, they seemed thoroughly enjoying themselves.
Tourists visiting palaces was common. I nodded and took the camera, taking several commemorative photos for them.
“Where are you from?”
“Quebec City. First Korean summer.”
Quebec was in Canada. I’d heard they have summers too, but much shorter and cooler than Korea’s.
“Must be tough in this weather. It’s hot, isn’t it?”
“We’re having fun!”
It was a relief that they seemed to be enjoying themselves.
As I was returning the camera with wishes for a pleasant trip, suddenly a large hand grabbed my wrist.
“Photo.”
“Pardon?”
“Take photo together, pretty boy.”
…What boy?
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
