Chapter 80
Chapter 80
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 80
Chapter Title: Carried in Arms
-----------------------------------------------------------------
80. Carried in Arms
2022.04.05.
Oh dear.
Cameras flashed wildly from all directions at the rare mishap. I could see Sa Hyeok being interviewed off in the distance.
‘I could turn back, but….’
Teacher Yoon Mihyeon looked flustered, not knowing what to do. Well, even a seasoned actress like her would be startled by a sudden situation.
I gently released Eun Seongju’s arm. Then I whispered to Yoon Mihyeon.
“Teacher. Just trust me once.”
The middle-aged actress slowly nodded with a puzzled look.
“Put your arm around my shoulder.”
“Like supporting me?”
“No.”
That wouldn’t be enough.
I scooped her up by her waist and hips. She was heavy, but once I found my balance, it was manageable.
“Oh my, oh my!”
As I lifted and held her, the camera flashes went absolutely crazy. I could feel the cameras that had been on Sa Hyeok swarming over here in an instant.
I strode forward carrying Teacher Yoon Mihyeon. The MC who had been interviewing spotted us and cut Sa Hyeok off to approach.
“My goodness, how are you, Teacher? How does it feel?”
A mic was thrust straight at Yoon Mihyeon. She leisurely draped her arm over my shoulder and said.
“Feels like heaven. In all the world, even my ex-husband couldn’t carry me like this!”
I couldn’t help but chuckle.
“Doesn’t Dowon find me heavy?”
I looked at the cameras with a bright smile.
“Not at all.”
I held her up and casually posed for the flashes. Seeing I could hold steady, the reporters now called out requests directly.
“Dowon! Over here!”
“Here too!”
Had to give them what they wanted.
I shifted angles as they asked. Just as I turned slightly to the right, my eyes met Sa Hyeok’s.
Carrying Teacher Yoon Mihyeon, I gave him a slight bow. More flashes exploded.
‘Oh no.’
Sa Hyeok’s expression control was a total mess.
‘Shocked that the MC ditched you?’
Smaller fish than I thought. Oh well.
‘Gonna have to keep this up from now on.’
I leisurely passed him by and entered. As the flash sounds faded, Teacher Yoon Mihyeon whispered.
“What about the weight?”
“You’re light.”
No exaggeration. The veteran actress was quite slender.
Yoon Mihyeon’s stylists came running from behind. She patted my shoulder and said.
“That’s enough. You can put me down.”
I safely set her down on the floor. Her stylist rushed over as if waiting and handed her new shoes.
“Where are Seongju and Yumi?”
“Seems like they’re in interviews.”
“Good kids. They grabbed the MC to let us go first.”
I nodded slightly.
‘Worried I’d be tired, so they stalled him on purpose.’
Both had great senses.
“Didn’t twist your ankle too bad?”
“A little. Gotta go to the hospital later. Makes me dizzy thinking what would’ve happened without you.”
I smiled and patted my arm.
“Lean on me all you want.”
Yoon Mihyeon grinned widely and leaned her weight on my arm.
“Aigoo. Such a good boy.”
Nah.
‘Thanks to you, Sa Hyeok got a taste of his own medicine.’
Felt a bit sorry for using her like that.
“Let’s go in.”
“Yes.”
Supporting Yoon Mihyeon, I went inside. The awards ceremony, sparkling with dazzling lights, was still beautiful.
***
The awards ceremony was nothing special. ‘Country Life’ won an award, but only Teacher Yoon Mihyeon and the director went up. Eun Seongju, Yumi, and I sat in the guest seats clapping enthusiastically.
‘Wish Zenith had performed instead.’
No, maybe Yumi would’ve been better for that.
The ceremony ended. As we parted, Teacher Yoon Mihyeon handed me her smartphone and whispered.
“Dowon, what’s your number? Save it here.”
I entered my number myself.
“I’ll be in touch.”
“Ah, I’ll be waiting.”
“What makes you think I’ll call?”
“Anything would be an honor.”
“You always did have such a way with words.”
I said goodbye to them. After parting with Teacher Yoon Mihyeon and Eun Seongju, only Yumi and I were left.
“Looks like Senior and I are headed the same way. To the company?”
“No. I’m going home now.”
I grabbed her arm and supported her.
‘High heels are always a pain.’
Yumi smiled brightly at me.
“Reminds me of the old days.”
“Old days? It was just a few months ago.”
“We performed with a really pretty trainee.”
“Pretty? Handsome trainee.”
Yumi covered her mouth laughing.
“You were cool today too. You.”
“Teacher Yoon Mihyeon will head straight to the hospital, right?”
“Ankle sprain, yeah. She got your number? She’s usually so cautious, that’s surprising.”
“Well, an honor.”
After walking a bit, Yumi’s manager appeared. I bowed to her, then looked for my own manager.
‘Where is he?’
As I looked around, Sa Hyeok passed in front of me with his manager.
I politely bowed and straightened. Sa Hyeok, spotting me, raised his trophy like he wanted me to see it.
‘Ah, looks cheap.’
But saying that would hurt our senior’s feelings.
“Hey!”
“Ah, Senior.”
I smiled brightly. His face twisted even more.
“Even if you’re good at acting, think you can keep up with me?”
Oh dear. Straight out of the gate.
“Never even thought of following you, Senior.”
Why would I?
‘Unless I blow right past you.’
He seemed under some big delusion.
“Speaking of, ‘Choice of Flowers’ airs tomorrow, right? Must be filming hard now. Good luck.”
I was really looking forward to his acting.
“Group idol like you comparing to a solo like me? I’m Sa Hyeok. Top star who succeeded in albums and movies.”
Aha. Pride in being solo.
“I prefer groups. Don’t have the talent to go solo. Zenith has amazing members. Sometimes even I struggle to keep up. Acting’s the only thing I’m decent at. I barely manage dance and vocals. Can’t even dream of lyrics or planning.”
His face filled with confidence.
“Acting? You’re just a child role now. Best you’ll get is ‘better than the adult actor.’”
His face flushed red at my words.
“Y-you little shit!”
“Stay up high, Top Star.”
Should be fun watching you fall.
My manager came running from afar. Uncharacteristically fast for his build, he waved casually as he approached.
“Dowon! There you are. Huh?”
Spotting Sa Hyeok, the manager pulled me behind him.
“What business with our Dowon?”
Sa Hyeok looked ready to hit me.
Just then, others passed by. Seeing the crowd, Sa Hyeok punched the wall hard.
Bang-
The sound echoed loudly.
Punching a concrete wall like that? Bones’ll hurt. Bruised for sure.
“You’re dead meat!”
He stormed off fuming. The manager turned and checked me up and down.
“What was that? Why’s he acting up?”
“Must have a short fuse.”
“Hey, you okay? Arms, legs fine? Nothing broken or hit?”
The manager checked my limbs.
I groaned involuntarily.
“Ah!”
“Hey, what? Did Sa Hyeok really hit you?”
“No. Something else.”
Maybe from carrying Teacher Yoon Mihyeon. My arms and back ached.
“Manager, my phone please.”
“Huh? Here!”
I took the smartphone.
“Let’s go. No more schedule, right?”
“It’s already dawn. Wash up and sleep at the dorm.”
I smiled and started walking.
“Teacher Yoon Mihyeon took my number earlier.”
“Whoa, she doesn’t do that often.”
“Wasn’t why I carried her, though.”
The manager patted my back.
“You seem weak for older women.”
“Who isn’t?”
“You punk!”
Come to think of it, Teacher Yoon Mihyeon was really thin.
‘Reminds me of Mom.’
Mother’s final days left only bones. Even as a kid, lifting her fallen body was hard.
I shook my head to clear the thought.
No point dwelling.
‘But now it’s different.’
I’ve earned money. I smiled faintly. Yeah. 500 million won. A lot. Hard for a salaryman to hold.
‘At least enough for Sis’s med school graduation.’
Could even reclaim the monthly rental house if lucky.
‘Still far from real security.’
I patted my waist as I walked. Guess I’d use the cheat to heal my back first.
***
Med school freshmen had mountains to memorize. Cha Sora bit into some fresh kimchi and stared at today’s bone fragments.
“Sleep with the book under my head, will it stick?”
Another freshman muttered. Cha Sora chuckled and swallowed her rice. Honestly, not sure if it went mouth or nose, but had to eat to live.
‘Is Dowon eating properly?’
Cha Sora sipped her soup. Only realized it was doenjang after swallowing.
‘Worried.’
Lately, her brother appeared whenever the TV was on.
‘A med student cut off from the world suddenly aware of him….’
She shook her head. He was everywhere she turned.
‘Even casually at the canteen line.’
Her hand twitched. Brother grinning, stuck to sauce or ramen.
‘Is this blowing up?’
Cha Sora looked up from her book.
‘Idols rise that fast?’
No, out of 100 challengers, 99 flop, right?
Cha Sora stirred her anchovies.
‘Was gonna support him if he failed….’
Sudden rise was disorienting. Bro.
Cha Sora covered her mouth laughing.
“Hey, Sora, why the laugh?”
“Ah! Funny thought.”
“What?”
“Nothing. Gotta laugh. Laugh to survive these bones.”
The older senior across nodded.
“Right. Mental health matters. On that note, time to recharge.”
The senior pulled out his smartphone. Grinning, he tapped away madly.
Cha Sora chewed her potato.
“That’s recharging?”
“It’ll be a ray of light in my blood-and-guts vision.”
Bluetooth earbuds in, the senior played a video.
“Sora, wanna see?”
“What is it?”
Cha Sora scooped some doenjang soup.
“My beloved Cha Dowon!”
Cough-
Cha Sora clamped her mouth, coughing wildly. Chili hit wrong; nose and mouth burned like fire.
“Sora, you okay?”
Senior handed tissue, but the coughing took forever. Tears and snot streaming, she finally gasped.
“Cha… Do… Won?”
“Yeah. My Dowon. Sora, stan with me. Our Dowon carried Yoon Mihyeon into the awards today.”
“What the hell did he do!”
“See for yourself.”
Cha Sora watched her brother carry the middle-aged actress. Dressed in pricey suit, he walked casually, but she knew.
‘She’s gotta be heavy.’
That strained eye crinkle when struggling remained.
“One Cha Dowon per household would be ideal.”
Already have one, and he’s useless?
“Cha Dowon at home? Just looking would fill you up.”
No way. Fill what? Stomach? No matter how hard, never full.
‘He cooks well, though.’
Suddenly started cooking out of nowhere one day.
“Look at that face. God, that expression! Boyish charm and sexiness together!”
Cha Sora tolerated most, but sexiness? No.
“Him, sexy where….”
“Why! No way! Sora, I’ll show better pics!”
Senior dug through his gallery, shoving brother’s photos at her.
“Handsome, right?”
Swiping fingers scary.
“Pretty, huh?”
“Hahaha.”
“Look close. Eyes and expression killer.”
Cha Sora squinted at the screen.
‘He makes that face pranking people….’
What’re you up to with that face….
Cha Sora sighed deeply.
“Fine, fine. He’s handsome.”
“Right? Our Dowon acts great too. Wanna watch his MV with me? Has a kiss scene.”
Cha Sora dropped her spoon.
“Kiss scene?”
“Yeah. Pretty steamy.”
She rubbed her dry face. Really….
‘Who told you to mess around, Cha Dowon!’