Blushing Promises and Red Carpet Tease

The uproar over my Method acting for the Rookie Award had barely died down when everyone started applauding Sujin and me for wrapping up the final shoot so smoothly.

"Great job, you two!"

"Your synergy is insane! You gotta do a romance drama together someday!"

After all the enthusiastic cheers, we were able to slip out of the set without any after-party—thanks to our minor status. There was a heated chat with the director along the way, but even that got cut short for work hours since we were underage.

Leaving the bustling wrap-up behind, Sujin and I headed toward the waiting van.

"All cried out now?"

I couldn't resist the tease. "...."

But usually, she'd fire something back, right? Ever since her last reply, Sujin had just been nodding with minimal reaction.

Then, once we were far enough from the crowd that it felt like we were the only two under the streetlight glow, her lips parted slowly.

"Hey, Kim Donghu."

Her steps had stopped at some point, and without bothering to hide her apple-red cheeks, she stared straight at me.

"Keep your promise."

"What promise?"

At my question, she stretched out one hand in exasperation, pointing right at me—her fingertips slightly curled from the chilly wind, but unmistakable.

"You said you'd hold it."

Hand.

At that bold declaration, I almost glanced around before locking eyes with her again. Why would I frantically check for onlookers when she didn't care one bit? That'd just make me look like an idiot.

So I reached out too, our fingertips brushing—

"Heard it earlier? Our synergy's no joke—they said we should do a romance."

Sujin grinned wide, yanking her hand back into her pocket.

"How pretty do you think I'll be by then?"

That wasn't really a question. The answer was set in stone, no need to spell it out—I just had to affirm it.

"Insanely?"

"Duh, I'll be ridiculously pretty. You'll be shocked."

"You're pretty now."

"Duh, hehe... Wait, no, not that! You know what I mean!"

I shrugged at her words, face straight as if I had no clue.

"Hmm... Even after I spell it out, you're still playing dumb?"

She stepped toward my still-outstretched hand hovering in the air. Each step careful, like treading on feathers. What lay at the end of those hesitant strides?

She stopped right in front of my hand, then gently took it and placed it on her cheek.

"My lord, might this maiden humbly request that you promise to hold her hand whenever she weeps?"

"..."

I could only nod silently, entranced. Pleased with my spellbound reaction, she continued.

"This maiden worries. With your heart so soft, my lord, when she makes even greater requests... will you nod so innocently again? She eagerly awaits."

"...Weren't you just worried?"

"It's just a figure of speech, dummy. Anyway, clear your Christmas schedule—we're spending it together."

"Ah, that might be tricky this time. Family plans."

I wanted to, like last time, but with Mom pregnant now, I needed to cherish family time for a bit.

Before I could explain, Sujin nodded right away.

"Fine, whatever. Plenty of time."

"Huh?"

"But we're watching the Yeokjeok premiere together. Refuse, and I'll cry."

"Got it. We'll watch the first episode together for sure."

Satisfied with that, she breezed past me with light steps and hopped into the van.

Only then did I take in our surroundings. We'd been in a dim alley, and somehow pulled off this whole thing without a soul noticing—like magic. What the hell. It felt so unreal, I just chuckled.

With that lingering feeling, I reached the van—

Pop.

A tiny firecracker sound, and a cake popped up right in front of me.

"Congrats on the final shoot, Donghu!"

"You've worked hard. Time to rest now."

I thanked Seokho hyung and Miju noona—the stylist who'd joined us—for the modest celebration and boarded the van.

"But Donghu, wasn't it cold outside?"

"Huh? No, it was fine."

"Really? Your face is so red—I thought you might've been freezing."

"..."

Nothing I could say to that. Our little secret couldn't leak.

All I could do was smile faintly and pop some cake in my mouth.

Late November hit suddenly, and I was drunk on a rare sense of leisure I'd forgotten existed.

Taking breaks like this every now and then isn't so bad.

Excluding the upcoming awards and potential ad offers, all entertainment gigs were wrapped. Other "schedules" were basically...

Heading to the PC bang next week with the crew. Not even really a schedule—just hanging out.

But boxing, huh.

Coach Baek Sangha had drilled the basics into me most deeply. It's the foundation of striking, and a solid base makes everything else easier to pick up.

Whoosh.

Power flowed into my casual jab.

A medal, huh.

I'd thought about it. With talents ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠for anything, why not grab one for military exemption?

But I hadn't seriously considered it yet. Army's not urgent—go when phones are still usable.

Thinking about it now, it pisses me off.

I'd already done my service once.

...Any scripts with a boxing genius out there?

It was one of those nights that sparked the thought.

Late November. As awards buzz started trickling in,

one film festival beat everyone to the punch.

"Hello, viewers! The moment you've all been waiting for—the Blue Dragon Film Awards has begun!"

The Blue Dragon Film Awards, naturally.

Broadcast crews lugged massive cameras, capturing the scene: towering lights, fences, and guards to fend off crashers. Tension hung thick for what was coming.

The flower of the Blue Dragons—the red carpet—swept into frame with a flourish.

How stunning would the stars look? Curiosity peaked—

"A car's pulling up now—who'll be first?"

"Door's opening... Yes, oh!"

First out:

"It's the Endless Frontline team."

"Director Kang Sanghoon, actor Han Taekon, actor Seo Jinu, actor Ko Changshik entering ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠together."

But something felt off—one more was missing. The four were key players, sure, but no game-changer.

Skipping out?

Blue Dragons? No way.

As the Endless Frontline crew hit the photo zone, the MC fired off questions: resolve for Blue Dragon wins, mindset moving forward. Standard stuff.

Then, gearing up for the real question—but hesitating, swallowing regret—

"Our maknae's so bold, insists on her lead film first."

Han Taekon dropped the bomb out of nowhere.

"Pardon?"

Ignoring the flustered MC,

"Just wanted to ask you to take care of our baby later. First film fest and all."

"But she'll nail it. I scouted her, after all..."

"Aigoo, car's coming—gotta go!"

Han Taekon dragged the team away, cutting off the director's proud dad mode.

Short interview, but it landed like a grenade. MC and press alike were baffled. Who was the "maknae"?

Red carpet rolled on.

Then an unfamiliar car pulled up. Most expected faces were there—who now?

"Director, we gotta walk together for this."

"B-but how can I walk with actor Kim Donghu?"

"Come on, we're here already."

The owner of that mind-blowing face stepped out, tall and perfectly proportioned.

"Don't be nervous, okay?"

"Y-yes, sir!"

Hero star Kim Donghu and director Lee Sungdeok's arrival clicked it all for everyone.

Did a 10-million-ticket blockbuster, now hitting the fest for a short film lead?

That sheer audacity left jaws on the floor.