Chapter 29
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 29
On an autumn night, a bonfire crackled to life.
The signature sweet aroma of marshmallows drifted through the air as they toasted over the gentle flames. Paired with the sweet potatoes and corn the lodge had provided for roasting and sips of low-alcohol sparkling wine, it was instant healing.
What else was rest to office workers trapped in a repetitive daily routine? It was sitting with like-minded people who shared the same exhaustion, whose hidden laughter and hopes were cut from the same cloth, and sharing stories on a similar wavelength.
I understand your story, and you understand mine. It’s tough, but what can we do? The weariness of life isn’t unique to us. So, let’s find a little strength, shall we? Let’s hang on just a bit longer.
Gathered around the bonfire, which seemed ready to burn away the worries piled high in their hearts, all sorts of conversations began to flow. It was amazing how those tiny embers could captivate a person, coaxing out deep, intimate stories they would never normally share.
"Yeon-ju, have some of this."
"Oh, thank you."
When Dr. Ju handed her a perfectly toasted marshmallow, Yeon-ju accepted it. A warm, tender atmosphere settled over them for a moment, bringing a pleased smile to Hae-young’s lips as she watched.
There was a reason Hae-young had invited Dr. Ju to this small gathering. Having sensed something unusual in the way he looked at Yeon-ju, she wanted to actively create opportunities for them to spend time together.
"You should have some too, Doctor. Here."
"Ah, thank you, Yeon-ju."
It weighed on Hae-young’s mind that Yeon-ju was always alone. She was still so young and beautiful. Hae-young hoped that if a good man appeared, Yeon-ju wouldn’t miss out on her destined partner.
Unaware of Hae-young’s motherly smile, Yeon-ju took a bite of the hot marshmallow. As her eyes widened at the gooey, stretchy texture, Dr. Ju chuckled.
"It's hot. Be careful."
"Mmph, hot, hot!"
Dr. Ju laughed a little louder at her childlike fussing. Whenever Yeon-ju, who usually kept a straight face, showed such an expressive reaction, it made him incredibly happy.
Realizing she must look a bit silly, Yeon-ju turned her head away and covered her mouth. Her gaze naturally drifted around, searching for Eun-seong, who still hadn’t arrived.
He said he was coming, so why isn't he here?
I told myself I wouldn’t do things like this—waiting for him, fretting over when he’d arrive or when I’d see him.
But contrary to her thoughts, her eyes kept wandering.
"Eun-seong! Over here!"
At Hae-young's loud call, Yeon-ju squeezed her eyes shut for a second before opening them again. Despite having searched for him so desperately just moments ago, the instant she heard he had arrived, her gaze dropped to the ground.
The sound of crunching gravel drew closer, stopping right behind her. Yeon-ju took another bite of her marshmallow, pretending not to notice. Though it had been so sweet and hot just a second ago, now she couldn’t taste a thing.
"Thank you for inviting me."
"Welcome, Eun-seong. Sit anywhere you like. Make yourself comfortable."
As Eun-seong stood behind Yeon-ju, the staff members voluntarily shifted to make room. With a space cleared for him, he sat down beside her, flanking her with Dr. Ju on one side and himself on the other.
As he settled in, the scent of a perfume reminiscent of bitter, fresh grass drifted over. He rarely wore any during filming, since most of his clothes were sponsored, but his personal clothes carried this pleasant fragrance.
Feeling a sudden tickle in her nose, Yeon-ju let out a soft cough.
"I didn't know you liked marshmallows, Eun-seong. So you like this kind of stuff."
Hae-young handed him a well-toasted marshmallow, and Eun-seong accepted it. Twirling the skewer as if he had no intention of eating, he stared at the marshmallow and spoke.
"I don't particularly care for them, but they hold a lot of memories."
"Ah, a snack full of memories. It always feels nice to come across something like that, doesn't it?"
Eun-seong offered no real reply to Hae-young's comment, his eyes fixed on the marshmallow. After staring at the golden-brown, pillowy treat for a long moment, he pulled out a dusty, long-buried memory.
"My ex-girlfriend used to love them."
Yeon-ju’s expression froze.
"It's a very old story, but she was quite fond of them. It was cute watching her eat one after another, even when she burned her tongue."
Everyone looked surprised by Eun-seong's unexpected revelation. A story about Im Eun-seong's past? This was practically a scoop.
Unsure of what to say next, even Hae-young, usually a master of conversation, was left speechless. Eun-seong stared blankly at the marshmallow before looking up with a smirk.
An age where existing memories are more comfortable than making new ones. A time when the memories already made are more than enough.
"It's an old story, so don't mind me. Seeing the marshmallow just brought it to mind. Suddenly."
"Yes, I know exactly what you mean. Everyone has at least one memory like that."
…The process of forging new memories had become a chore.
He no longer wanted to create something new to overwrite the memories that were already there.
It was already enough, already more than he deserved.
"Anyway, to be the person in your memories, Eun-seong… she must be lucky."
"I don't know. I doubt she'd particularly care."
And so, we become people who live in the past—
Reliving the same memories until we're sick of them—
"She's probably forgotten everything. I'm sure she's moved on and is living well."
We become ordinary adults.
* * *
Without finishing even a single marshmallow, Eun-seong continued to chat casually with the staff. Just then, the topic of the gifts from the first day of filming came up, and the staff thanked him once again, saying they were truly grateful and that it was an unforgettable present.
Yeon-ju was now on her fifth marshmallow. She was thoroughly sick of them, but she had nothing else to do but eat.
With Eun-seong sitting right next to her, chatting with Dr. Ju felt incredibly awkward, and for some reason, Dr. Ju didn’t initiate any conversation either.
"I think we need more wine here," Hae-young said, reading the room.
Dr. Ju quickly stood up. "I'll go get some."
"You, Doctor? Yeon-ju, why don't you go with him? Bring back plenty of it."
Eager to pair them up, Hae-young urged her to go, and Yeon-ju stood to follow. Though Eun-seong was talking to someone else, his ears had been wide open, and his brow furrowed involuntarily.
"We'll be right back."
As Yeon-ju left with Dr. Ju, Hae-young let out a small chuckle. That sound made Eun-seong’s heart sink, and a moment later, he stood up.
"Eun-seong, where are you going?"
"To the restroom."
"Ah, yes, go ahead."
Eun-seong naturally slipped away and walked straight down the path where Yeon-ju had disappeared. From what he'd observed, it was clear Hae-young was trying to push Dr. Ju and Go Yeon-ju together.
"Well, then I should give them a push too."
He might as well give them a proper push.
Right off a cliff.
* * *
My ex-girlfriend used to love them.
Walking along the well-manicured path, Dr. Ju recalled the words Eun-seong had suddenly blurted out. The ex-girlfriend who had crossed his mind at the sight of a marshmallow.
An ex-girlfriend.
Dr. Ju glanced at Yeon-ju. With her head hung low, lost in thought, she too seemed to be chewing over Eun-seong's words.
Ever since Eun-seong had appeared, Yeon-ju hadn’t smiled. She wasn’t angry, nor was she in a bad mood.
It was more like she was wrapped in tense armor, as if she might give something away if she let her guard down for even a second.
"Yeon-ju."
At Dr. Ju's call, Yeon-ju snapped her head up. Embarrassed by how deeply she had been lost in thought, she quickly forced a smile.
"Yes, Doctor?"
"Are you alright?"
"Of course. I think I ate too many sweets, so I'm feeling a bit dizzy. Must be a sugar rush."
When Yeon-ju laughed sheepishly, admitting she had foolishly overindulged, Dr. Ju offered a gentle smile in return.
Just as the lodge’s lobby came into view, Dr. Ju lightly caught the edge of Yeon-ju's sleeve.
"Yeon-ju, to be honest, it was a bit hot by the bonfire. Let's sit here for a moment before we go."
"Oh, was it? Sure, let's."
Yeon-ju sat down first on a bench in a quiet, secluded spot. Dr. Ju, about to sit beside her, paused as if realizing something and gestured toward the lobby.
"I'll go grab the wine first. If we're too late, there might not be any left."
"Oh, then I'll go with—"
"I'll be right back. Just stay here."
Dr. Ju started jogging, promising to return quickly. Watching him run and wondering if he should be exerting himself when he was already feeling hot, Yeon-ju quickly fell back into her thoughts.
My ex-girlfriend used to love them.
The ex-girlfriend he mentioned might not even be me. In fact, the chances are much higher that it isn't.
Yet, his offhand remark had sent her heart plummeting. It felt like his voice was still ringing in her ears. Yeon-ju stared blankly into space before shaking her head vigorously.
"I'm going crazy. I'm going crazy. Seriously, I'm losing my mind!"
"If you're going to go crazy, do it gracefully. Going crazy in a scary way is a bit…"
"Aaaaah!"
Startled by the sudden voice, Yeon-ju snapped her eyes open, only to find Eun-seong standing right there.
You again? Seriously, you again? Why do you keep popping up out of nowhere!
"I have no intention of going crazy gracefully, so you can just be on your way, Actor Im."
"Go ahead and go wild then. It's a rare show. I'll take it in as a learning experience."
Ugh! As Eun-seong sat down beside her, Yeon-ju sprang to her feet. For some reason, she found him particularly annoying today.
Even when he made her heart race without warning, she tried to endure it, chalking it up to karma. Since she was the one who had brought this on herself, she tried to bear it every single time. She tried to understand.
"Then enjoy yourself. I'm leaving."
"Hey, hold on."
"What? What is it? What do you want?!"
Her face flushed with irritation, Yeon-ju glared at him. She waved her phone back and forth as if to show him how busy she was.
Eun-seong raised an eyebrow. Pfft. He barely held back a laugh at how cute she was.
"I'm busy right now, okay? I need to call home, so mind your own business."
"Ah. Calling your husband?"
"Yes! Yes, I am! So if you'll excuse me!"
"Don't go anywhere else. Do it here."
Yeon-ju, about to walk away, froze. Eun-seong, leaning back with his arm draped over the back of the bench, looked up at her with a lazy expression.
"It's quietest here. Call your husband right here."
"I-I don't want to."
"What does your husband look like? Show me a picture."
What? Yeon-ju's mouth fell open at the unexpected request. Show him… what?
"I absolutely refuse. Why on earth would I show you my husband's face, Actor Im?"
"I'm curious. Your son looks a lot like you, so I wondered what your husband looks like."
"Of course he looks like me, he's my son!"
"That's a strange way to put it. Is he not your husband's son, then?"
As Yeon-ju, who was terrible at making excuses, looked like she was about to foam at the mouth, Eun-seong tilted his head.
"Just show me one picture. It's not that hard."
"It is hard! It's the hardest thing in the world!"
Because he doesn't exist!
If you're so curious, look in a mirror! Because it's you!
…The more she talked to him, the worse this would get.
Yeon-ju turned away, her face broadcasting that she was done with this conversation.
"Is it that you don't want to show me, or is it that you don't actually have a husband?"
Before she could even process it, her eyes went wide and her jaw dropped. Without even trying to control her expression, Yeon-ju whipped back around to face Eun-seong.
"W-what did you say?"
"I mean, think about it. If it were me, I'd just show a picture and be done with it. It makes me wonder if you can't show me because there is no husband."
"I-I do have one!"
"Then show me."
Lord… I'm coming to meet you soon…
"I'd love to show you, but I don't have any pictures of him on my phone. Happy now?"
I might not be dead yet, but I'm definitely on my way to heaven…
"In this day and age, you don't have a single picture of your husband? You expect me to believe that?"
At Eun-seong's retort, Yeon-ju's face crumpled. She had never imagined being asked something like this, and her mind scrambled for a way out.
I was planning to tell him we got divorced when the time was right.
Ah. Should I try to spin a story now? Is it too late?
"Do you realize you're being incredibly rude right now?"
With her mind in a tangle, she decided to buy some time by going on the offensive.
"Rude? No matter how rude I am, I could never match someone who dumped me by ghosting me with a single text."
Strategy failed!
As Yeon-ju bit her lower lip nervously, Eun-seong raised his chin, showing no intention of backing down.
"Rude or not, my curiosity is piqued, so prove it. Either show me a picture of your husband, or call him right here—"
"Honey! Yeon-ju!"
Just then.
Wondering what kind of absolute nonsense she was hearing, Yeon-ju slowly turned around.
Eun-seong’s expression stiffened.
"Honey, what's wrong?"
Dr. Ju, who had appeared clutching an armful of wine bottles, stood by her side.