Short Reflection
Over the phone, Lee Min-woo fell silent.
U Hana had a vague sense of why.
It was because of that absolute declaration he'd made: he would never be disappointed in her. She'd asked him to confirm it one more time.
Sometimes, a casual remark takes on a whole different meaning the moment someone probes it.
He'd only said it to reassure her, and if she hadn't pushed, it could've just slid by harmlessly.
'And I couldn't hold back—I had to ask.'
U Hana let out a soft puh-huh chuckle. A deliberate, playful laugh to shatter the tension.
"What's up? You aren't already bracing for disappointment, are you?"
- Huh? No....
She amped up the teasing. "You said never, right, Min-woo? Even if I make you do my homework, borrow your clothes, carry me when I'm tired... you still won't be disappointed?"
She laid it on thick, and sure enough, he fired back with his usual response.
- If you actually asked, I wouldn't do it.
"That's why it's a joke—don't overthink it."
Her voice softened as she added, "I'm heading out first today? But about not worrying at school... I really won't."
His "Got it" came back, and with that, the call wrapped up naturally.
U Hana, who'd been doing her makeup when the phone rang, now found herself slumped on the mattress in the corner of her room.
She'd paced the cramped space a few laps during the call before plopping down there.
Once it ended, she flopped backward listlessly.
The old mattress creaked under her weight.
Her gaze fixed on the dingy ceiling—stained from water damage, wallpaper peeling at the edges.
But none of that mattered to U Hana.
'...I messed up.'
Her hands clenched tight around the phone.
When Lee Min-woo said he probably couldn't walk with her today, something inside her lurched—a sharp, physical drop.
The vague emptiness that hit with the thought he might drift away was crystal clear.
No, can't let that happen... But by the time the thought struck, it was too late.
All those bottled-up feelings had leaked out.
Even watching him grow closer to Lee Seol, or seeing how effortlessly he clicked with the new girl Yoon Seo-ha.
Times when she'd held back to give him space, feeling her own twisted jealousy.
She'd surprised even herself by voicing it. Why?
If she was just going to tremble with anxiety afterward... she shouldn't have said it at all.
But Lee Min-woo's reaction was nothing like the disaster she'd imagined in her panic.
No awkwardness, no disgust—just flustered surprise.
And then... he tried so hard to soothe her.
Carefully choosing his words, reassuring her it was fine, even telling her not to worry at school. Like someone desperate not to hurt her.
That kindness was too vivid—dangerously so.
'I'm gonna get addicted.'
U Hana closed her eyes.
His words had thrilled her, but another thought crept in from the corner of her mind.
A dirty, anxious one, even by her own standards.
How far would he tolerate it? How much would he put up with?
How much more could she push before he stopped soothing her?
It wasn't a good feeling. Definitely not healthy.
The urge to test that unwavering kindness. The sweet relief of reassurance making her crave the next hit.
She knew it all too well.
Where her greed stemmed from, how far it could spread. That if she ever made him uncomfortable, she'd be the one hurt worst.
She had a living example right outside the door.
So she had to be careful. Hide it more, suppress it harder, pretend it didn't faze her.
Humans were endless wells of greed, weren't they?
Little things piled up, birthing desires from nothing.
Making her wish he'd only look at her, prioritize her mood, stop showing that gentle face to other girls...
That was greed.
U Hana drew a long breath, then exhaled slowly. She pulled the phone to her chest.
The afterglow of the call still tingled in her fingertips.
...At this rate, I really might not be able to go back.
To that casual face from the start.
Smiling like a friend with no strings attached.
Was that even possible?
U Hana stared blankly at the ceiling, no answer coming.
The narrow room was silent, but her heart refused to quiet.
"Cut! Okay! That's a wrap!"
The director's call unleashed applause from everywhere, like everyone had been holding their breath for it.
The long final shoot was truly over.
Out of nowhere, a few staff pulled out flower bouquets and a cake—hidden god-knows-where.
I accepted them in a daze.
"You guys prepared this too?"
"It's standard."
We lit the candles, clapped together, posed for photos in front of the cake.
Song Eun-ha the writer even came over personally to congratulate us.
"Our actors were amazing. Your acting just kept getting better toward the end—thank you."
"We gotta do a wrap party, right?"
"Hell yeah!"
And just like that, it flowed into the afterparty.
I joined in, of course. My table was the no-booze crowd—mostly fellow actors from this project.
Since almost all the Eighteen's Temperature cast were rookies, talk naturally turned to future gigs.
Auditions lined up, agency buzz... Even those without firm plans looked upbeat. The drama had smashed expectations, after all.
The director and writer made rounds, thanking everyone for the hard work. Mentioning possible interviews or reshoots later.
"Our study group's forever, right? You won't ghost me now, huh, Min-woo? Answer me!"
"Whoa... Eunseol, no drinks for you."
Really...
Ji Eun-seol, my main scene partner, started at my table but soon roamed freely, snagging drinks here and there until she was tipsy fast.
Anyway, it all wrapped on a high note.
If asked what stuck with me most from this shoot, it'd have to be the experience.
First lead role, after all.
Plus unexpected perks: popularity I never saw coming. And... a spark of ambition.
Wanting to show more as an actor.
To nail it smoother, more naturally, deliver better in the next one.
Kinda corny, maybe.
But I wanted to be more than a pretty rookie face— a character that breathed on screen.
Relief from the wrap mixed with the thrill: Now it really starts.
After the party, I posted on Inbyul right away.
Ran it by my agency first—not required, but I asked. Better safe.
Greenlit. Posted.
On-set shots, director and me checking the last scene on the monitor, script, flowers, cake, group photo, ending with my selfie.
I checked in the morning, and the reactions were way bigger than expected.
Beyond colleagues and staff, comments from total strangers I'd never met.
Scrolling through the comments gave me a weird feeling.
More real than just hearing "views exploded"—like people out there were actually watching me, waiting, curious.
That's why people do Inbyul, huh.
I set the phone aside, stretched my arms overhead.
Now I could focus more on school for a bit.
Sports day was coming up, too.
...Not that I'm great at sports.
I kicked off the covers and sat up. Time to wash up and head to school.
U Hana would be waiting at our usual spot.