Chapter 65
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 65
Chapter Title: Irrevocable Words
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Kim Han-soo handed him what looked like a multivitamin and earnestly warned him again.
"Do-jun, you can't fall asleep. Your throat will get hoarse."
"Yes, yes. Of course."
But maybe because there was something to lean back on, sleep kept creeping up on him bit by bit. He figured it might be better to step outside, so he did.
Just then, a familiar car pulled into the parking lot as if it had been waiting. It was Park Min-ha's car.
"Oh my, Junior. You're already here?"
Park Min-ha's face shone whiter than the morning sunlight as she stepped out of the car. She didn't look like someone who had been filming until the crack of dawn yesterday.
'How is everyone's stamina like this?'
Am I the only one struggling this much?
Suddenly, a profound sense of doubt washed over him about his own endurance. He'd thought his stamina was decent from trainee life, but was this really okay?
While Park Min-ha stepped away to get ready, he chugged his coffee to pump some caffeine into his brain.
Not satisfied with that, he slapped his cheeks to chase away the drowsiness.
Preparations seemed nearly done. He checked if his face was puffy or if the makeup had gone wrong anywhere.
'I need to look good on camera today.'
Of course, he needed to look good every day, but today mattered even more.
It was the day they filmed what could be called the most crucial scene for him.
Lee Jung-woo had realized his feelings for Park Ji-eun, but it was too late. She was already in love with another man.
He tried to keep his distance, but she wouldn't fade from his mind. Then one night, she shows up at the darkened animal clinic.
Today's scene was exactly that—the moment Lee Jung-woo first reveals the emotions he'd kept hidden all along.
Even Writer Seo Ji-hye had stressed this scene. If his face looked sleep-rumpled, how could anyone focus?
Thankfully, the power of makeup was mighty. After one last check of his usual face, he did some light stretches to shake off the sleep.
The scenes they had to shoot today demanded deeper emotional layers. He doubted he could pull them off properly if he wasn't fully awake.
"Still not going in?"
"Huh...?"
He turned at Park Min-ha's voice from behind—and froze in shock right there.
The nearby staff were equally stunned. His expression probably matched theirs.
'Wow...'
In the drama, Park Ji-eun was an unemployed character who mostly appeared in training clothes or super casual outfits.
Even the scenes he'd filmed with Park Min-ha had all been like that.
But today was the scene where Park Ji-eun, finally successful in landing a job, visits the animal clinic after her first company dinner.
He'd expected her to be dressed neatly, but...
'Clothes make the woman, huh? Is that saying a bit weird?'
She'd been pretty even in minimal casual wear, of course. But dressed up like this, her vibe was completely different.
"What do you think? Does it suit me?"
Park Min-ha did a light twirl and asked. Her cheeks were flushed red, probably from makeup to make her look tipsy.
He hastily pulled away his dazed gaze and nodded.
"Yeah. It seems like it does."
"Either it suits or it doesn't. What's with 'seems like'?"
She pouted playfully, shooting him a mock glare.
"If you answer so half-heartedly, your girlfriend's gonna hate you later."
"Ahaha."
"You just laugh even when I say that? Our junior's in big trouble."
She let out a small sigh and turned to the stylist beside her.
"He's the type who isn't popular with girls, right?"
"Totally."
"No..."
Why did the conversation go there again?
But he couldn't exactly say she'd shocked him because she looked so good. Not with all these people around.
Right then.
"Rehearsal time!"
The assistant director approached them perfectly timed, signaling that all shooting prep was complete.
Thud, thud.
The animal clinic was quiet due to the closure. Lee Jung-woo, sitting blankly in the exam room, went out at the sound of knocking on the thick glass door.
No urgent patients should come with the closure sign up. Still, just in case, he opened the door—and a familiar face stood there.
"Hehe."
"...Ji-eun?"
It had been a month since he'd seen Park Ji-eun, smiling brightly in her neat attire. A faint whiff of alcohol clung to her.
Lee Jung-woo's mind went blank at her sudden appearance.
Realizing his feelings had made seeing her painful. She and "that guy" were already too close, and there was no room for him.
He'd tried to force himself to give up. Kept his distance. Avoided calls, was careful not to meet.
At first, she'd asked if something was wrong, but her messages gradually tapered off.
So he'd thought he'd never see her again... Why now?
"I figured you'd be here. Saw the light on, so I knocked just in case."
Ji's voice was excited, her tongue slightly slurred. She'd clearly drunk a lot.
"Are you drunk?"
"I'm not drunk at all!"
She shot up her right hand triumphantly, then suddenly wobbled with an "Uh oh?"
Definitely drunk. He quickly steadied her. A giggle escaped her lips.
"Truth is, we had a company dinner today, so I had just a teensy bit."
"Yeah, I can tell."
The word "company dinner" made her outfit stand out anew. No trace of her usual training clothes.
A pale peach blouse with subtle floral patterns and a navy skirt. It suited her as if she'd been born to wear it.
He'd distanced himself to let go, but seeing her after so long only made his simmering emotions boil hotter. She looked even prettier.
Even the dark waiting room seemed brighter.
"Can I have some water?"
"I'll get it."
Lee Jung-woo hurried to the water cooler. After seeing her stumble, he worried she'd collapse otherwise.
He handed her a paper cup of water.
"Here."
"Hehe. Thanks, Doc."
Even her laugh carried a hint of strong alcohol.
How much did she drink?
He grumbled without thinking.
"Company dinners in this day and age..."
"But they don't force it down your throat! Hehe, before getting hired, all I heard about dinners were horror stories."
"That's 'cause the bad ones are more common."
"Probably."
Park Ji-eun beamed. Moonlight filtering through the window lit her face.
Then, Jung-woo realized.
He'd never erase this moment, her smile, from his life.
It might fade in time like ink on paper leaves traces even when erased. But it'd linger faintly forever.
That thought made him sadder.
Memories are what's left behind, but only happy ones. He didn't want memories like this.
"...If you're done, go home now. I have an early night—heading on a trip tomorrow."
No such plans existed. But in this mood, he could just take off.
Yeah, head to the airport at dawn. Pick anywhere that catches his eye. Sort his head out there.
"A trip? Nice. Staying long? ...Then where do I get DHA food? We're almost out."
Her innocent question amid it all drew a chuckle. It reminded him why he'd fallen for her.
"Didn't I tell you to check and prep that stuff ahead? You planning to starve the dog?"
"What can I do? Work's crazy busy now that I'm employed! Still got a week's worth. Was gonna order online if the clinic didn't have it."
Even in the dark, her pouty red lips were clear in the moonlight. Jung-woo turned hurriedly to the shelves.
"Take the food—no charge. Now go sleep. You've got work tomorrow."
But then Park Ji-eun's voice came from behind.
"You said before, Doc. I could stay here as long as I want."
He froze mid-bend while grabbing the food bag.
"Said if the job was that important, I'd hire you on staff. I was really grateful then."
Jung-woo slowly straightened and turned. Her eyes were moist yet clear as she spoke again.
"I used to think I was useless everywhere."
"No useless people in the world."
"But everyone feels that way sometimes. Especially me back then."
His feet moved toward her despite knowing he should stop. His body wouldn't listen.
Her words kept flowing.
"What you said meant a lot. Come anytime you need. You did say that."
"Yeah. You were like a cat with all its fur bristled up."
"Geez, comparing a person to a cat."
Pouting, Park Ji-eun looked straight at him.
"And now?"
"Pardon?"
"How do I look now?"
"...Like a person."
"All that hard work paid off."
She bowed her head deeply, beaming. The alcohol haze gone, her mind clear.
"Thanks, Doc. I'll head out now."
A bad premonition hit. This felt like the last time he'd see her.
She'd answer if he called, sure. They might chat normally eventually.
But Jung-woo lacked confidence to face her with all feelings shed.
Would she look back in time?
The answer came instantly. No way.
Yet knowing all that, words spilled out anyway.
"Now I feel like the dog."
He regretted it instantly, but couldn't take it back. Nothing would change anyway.
He wanted to say he'd misspoke, but a sliver of hope foolishly craved her reply.
Her pupils shook briefly at his words, then she laughed good-naturedly.
"Well, you do understand the kids, so yeah—like a dog in human clothes."
She turned away again. Now it wasn't a hunch—Jung-woo was certain.
This truly was the end.
Knowing he'd regret it, he still called out to stop her once more.
"Ji-eun."
She only turned her head.
"Anytime..."
Words that lingered on his tongue forever, hidden so long, finally burst free.
"Anytime you want to come, do. I need you, Ji-eun."
"..."
"I'll wait."
Her face held an ambiguous mix of joy and sorrow.
"Thank you. But just as I'm not a cat, you're no dog."
Ji-eun's steps led unwaveringly out of the clinic. No backward glance.
Ding-a-ling.
The bell rang as a single tear dropped from Jung-woo's eye.
And.
"Cut!"
With PD Kim Shin-hyo's satisfied call, Lee Jung-woo and Park Ji-eun's world vanished.