Chapter 112
Chapter 112
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 112
Chapter Title: A Day Off with Yu-na
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The shoot with older sister So-young, which had felt longer than expected, wrapped up yesterday.
Now all that was left was the showdown with actor Ma Dong-sik.
His scenes were scheduled to start today, which gave me about four leisurely days.
‘The role he’s playing is the chairman.’
A man who routinely assaulted his company employees, he accidentally commits murder and covers it up.
‘That’s the inciting incident.’
From there.
A coworker who was once his friend learns the truth and seeks revenge—that’s the main storyline.
Naturally, a mere employee taking on a corporate chairman is like an egg smashing against a rock. Even Kwon In-joo, who plays the righteous detective…
…can only stand by sucking her thumb. That’s when I make my cool entrance.
Revealing him to be a devil, no less.
So.
Only after his inciting incident scenes wrap up will my schedule kick in.
‘A rare day off… What should I do?’
I’d been so busy lately that spending these four days focused on Yu-na sounded perfect.
Yeah, that’s the plan.
So… today, we’ll grab some fall clothes for Yu-na and me in advance.
‘What about tomorrow?’
Lost in pleasant imaginings, I turned my gaze out the window and called to the manager.
“In-cheol.”
“Why do you call, sir?”
He responded while focusing on driving. His indifferent tone, so unlike his usual self, made my head snap around.
In-cheol’s vibe was off today.
“You called, so speak up.”
“Oh, after the gym today, let’s head straight to the kindergarten. Drop me off there, and you can clock out.”
“Got it.”
His reply was curt.
Was he upset with me about something?
‘Oh, right.’
I recalled what the CEO had said, scolding me for being too stingy with my manager.
I still hadn’t given him the photo book.
Was that it?
I asked cautiously.
“Did you enter the fan event perfectly?”
“…Perfectly.”
His delayed response made me chuckle.
That confirmed it.
‘He’s sulking over that.’
Seeing In-cheol unable to hide his feelings made me want to tease him a bit.
‘Should I mess with him a little?’
Unable to resist my childish side, I smirked and probed slyly.
“Hmm, I never imagined you as my fan. You wanted the merch and photo book that badly? You could’ve just said so.”
“…….”
In-cheol’s eyebrow twitched.
Alright, joke’s over.
As we paused at a signal, I rummaged under the passenger seat, pulled out one of the remaining photo books, and handed it to him.
“Here. That was just teasing… I actually meant to give it to you but forgot. Sorry.”
The corner of In-cheol’s mouth twitched up.
He seemed in a much better mood now that he had it, even if late.
“Feeling better now?”
“…It wasn’t about this. Anyway, thanks for the gift.”
“What do you mean it wasn’t? As if I couldn’t tell.”
“Ahem! As requested last time, I sent photo books to your acquaintances’ agencies.”
He cleared his throat awkwardly, trying to brush it off, so I nodded along.
“Oh? More than I thought, huh.”
“Not that many. Also, today’s workout will be tough, so brace yourself. You’ve only done light stuff lately, so your body’s probably stiff.”
“…What?”
“I’ll drill you so hard you won’t be able to walk on both legs.”
It felt like a hammer to the head.
I’d scratched In-cheol’s nerves right before heading to the gym like an idiot…
Today was going to be hell.
“Yeah, good! Just one more time!”
I should’ve stopped my past self.
The one who teased In-cheol.
It was nice talking casually for once… but the workout intensity was worse than when I spoke formally, making it a real ordeal.
Teasing him today had turned that ordeal into hell.
“Hup!”
Clank. Clank.
Seated on the chair, thighs fixed, lifting only the legs.
My calves felt like they’d burst.
Oblivious to my suffering.
In-cheol raised his voice, urging one last rep.
Just like always.
“Alright. One more for the finale!”
That “final” word…
I’d heard it five times already.
Even as my legs trembled like a newborn fawn’s, he pushed on.
You can do more.
Just one more final time.
Those words echoed in my ears, turning my mind blank.
‘Why’s today’s workout so intense?’
My breath came in gasps, thirst overwhelming me—I could barely muster the energy to shout.
“Now, really the last one—go!”
Please let this be the end…
I squeezed out every last bit of strength.
“Huuuup!”
“Good. Done! That’s it for today.”
I’d been waiting for those words.
I let go immediately, wiping the streaming sweat with the towel around my neck.
I should move for the next person, but I had no strength left to stand.
Should I just flop over and lie down?
Yeah, that sounds good.
I tilted sideways and collapsed onto the floor.
“I was worried since you’d slacked off for days, but you kept up till the end.”
“Hey, does this look like ‘keeping up’ to you?”
“You can do the massage yourself, right?”
“Yeah, I can. So go help those guys over there.”
I nodded toward the right. The young guys I’d been side-eyeing since we started working out…
They never paid any attention to me, the actor, always asking In-cheol questions and seeking advice.
As if only the workouts mattered.
Even now, their eyes were fixed solely on him.
“Sigh, fine. Be right back.”
“Y-yeah… Then go shower first and wait. We gotta pick up Yu-na.”
“Right.”
After In-cheol left, I closed my eyes gently and took a deep breath.
How much time passed?
Finally, I had the strength to get up.
I hauled myself upright and headed to the showers.
After a quick rinse and changing back into my clothes, I straightened my outfit in the mirror.
‘Good, perfect. Time to head out?’
Stepping out of the locker room, I saw In-cheol surrounded by the young guys.
What? Still mobbed?
“Excuse me, could you check my form?”
“Me too, please.”
“B-bro! I changed my diet this time—any fixes?”
“I gotta go, so I’ll tell you later. For today…”
Who’s the actor, and who’s the manager…?
Right now, In-cheol was the gym’s idol.
Through and through.
We arrived at New Sprout Kindergarten, and I sent In-cheol off right away. I wanted some alone time with Yu-na on the way home.
It had been ages since we’d walked just the two of us.
My legs still felt weak from the gym, but it wasn’t unbearable.
Not when Yu-na was this happy.
“While we were playing, Min-jun said Ha-yeon was ugly.”
“Really? Min-jun was out of line.”
Yu-na beamed at my reaction.
“Hee hee hee. So Ha-yeon went pow! Pow! and fought him.”
“Who won?”
“Ha-yeon, obviously.”
Absorbed in her story, I realized we’d wandered to the neighborhood where we used to live.
Since we’re here, should I say hi to the market aunties and uncles?
Sounds good.
I gently stroked Yu-na’s head as she chattered on and asked.
“Wanna hit the market for old times’ sake?”
“Yesss! Yay!”
“Alright, let’s go.”
We turned and headed to our old neighborhood market.
The stationery shop bearing the marks of time.
The slightly changed butcher shop sign.
And the oh-so-familiar vendors.
We hadn’t even entered the market proper when the uncles and aunties spotted us and greeted us warmly.
“Oh my, Yu-na’s dad! It’s been forever. You doing well?”
“Yu-na’s dad, you’ve lost weight. Gonna have the strength for anything?”
“Yu-na, long time no see.”
“Haha! The market’s mascot has finally shown up!”
Suddenly, people crowded in, blocking our path.
An uncle naturally grabbed my arm, asking if I was eating properly, while an auntie scooped up Yu-na.
I hadn’t expected such a warm welcome…
“Oh, hi everyone. It’s been so long. Haha…”
“Hello! Hee hee hee.”
Yu-na bowed deeply and confidently, drawing bright smiles from all.
“Yeah, hi!”
“You’ve grown so strong! Come to auntie’s shop today—I’ll hook you up.”
“Hot dog?”
Yu-na gulped, clinging to my leg and shaking her head.
“Oh, we’re just here to say hi today.”
“Oh, really? Ho ho ho.”
“Daddy! Piggyback!”
Yu-na reached up to me.
My legs were shaky, but…
No choice.
I lifted her up without showing the strain.
My legs trembled.
‘Go easy today…’
The butcher uncle, who’d been eyeing me, grabbed my wrist.
Then dragged me somewhere.
We stopped at his shop.
He left me there and went inside, emerging with something.
“Uncle, what’s that?”
“Fresh pork belly and neck from today’s slaughter. Ahem! Yu-na’s dad, take it home and grill some with her.”
“Huh? I can’t accept this.”
“Take it. When adults give you something, say ‘thank you’ and accept. You need this for strength.”
Same as always…
I wasn’t hurting for money these days.
“It’s fine. How much?”
“No charge. Not looking for money.”
He rolled up the black plastic bag and tucked it neatly into Yu-na’s arms.
“Hee hee hee. Meat.”
“…Thank you.”
***
Wandering the market with Yu-na, we paused at a clothing store piled high with wares.
Some nice-looking clothes caught my eye.
Wasn’t the first time I picked Yu-na’s clothes here and got mine for free as a bonus?
Something like that.
“Oh! Isn’t that Yu-na’s father?”
“Haha. Hello.”
“Auntie, hi!”
The auntie’s eyes widened at Yu-na’s bold greeting, then she smiled and approached, gently patting her head as she spoke softly.
“You’ve grown so much. What brings Yu-na’s father here?”
“Came to say hi after ages, but saw some nice fall clothes.”
“Oh? Browse freely.”
She smiled and stepped aside, telling us to shop comfortably.
Thus began our fall shopping spree.
I flipped through the clothes, checking sizes for Yu-na.
“Huh? This looks good.”
I held up a polka-dot dress against Yu-na.
‘Not bad?’
That’s when I thought so.
The people trailing us whispered and shook their heads.
“Ah… That’s not it.”
“Yu-na’s dad has no eye.”
“The purple shirt on the right would suit her better?”
…If everyone thinks so.
I picked the purple shirt and grabbed the sky-blue one nearby.
Sighs erupted from behind again, followed by advice.
‘Aren’t you all supposed to be working?’ Dad Becomes a Top Actor