Chapter 34
Chapter 34
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 34
Chapter Title: Episode 12. Guest (3)
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After the recording wrapped up.
"You all worked hard."
Kang Han-do approached Jang Han-seon once more and extended his hand for a shake first.
Jang Han-seon, who had been silently sizing up Kang Han-do, finally gripped his hand in return.
With that, the shoot was over, and Jang Han-seon was about to leave the studio. Meanwhile, Choi Ye-hee seemed to be in a state of panic over his contrasting demeanor and couldn't even strike up a proper conversation.
It was clear that Choi Ye-hee was a fan of Han-seon.
But once she got a real glimpse of what he was like, even a die-hard fan would find it hard to hide her surprise.
She could only watch silently, like a mouse in front of a cat, as Jang Han-seon and his manager exited the recording set.
She had mustered up the courage to at least ask for an autograph but ended up chickening out.
Kang Han-do stared at Jang Han-seon and his manager as they left the studio.
Jang Han-seon's happiness level kept swirling in his mind.
If he let this slide, something might happen to Jang Han-seon for sure.
That thought spurred Kang Han-do's feet into quicker motion.
* * *
He was just about to head outside in search of Jang Han-seon and his manager.
"Han-do sunbae, where are you going?"
Choi Ye-hee's words grabbed him by the ankle.
He had planned to go to Jang Han-seon's manager and check if Han-seon had shown any signs of suicidal tendencies lately.
But he couldn't exactly ask that in front of Choi Ye-hee.
"Just heading to the bathroom for a sec."
"Oh, I see. Then I'll wait for you at the studio entrance."
"No, that's okay. Why don't you go back to the waiting room with Min-tae..."
"It feels kinda awkward without you there, Han-do sunbae."
"..."
He could somewhat relate to what Choi Ye-hee was saying.
It was her first time ever at a broadcasting station, and the only person she knew here was him.
With that realization, Kang Han-do nodded as if he had no choice.
"Yeah, got it. I'll be right back, so wait at the entrance."
"Okay."
He couldn't bring himself to tell Choi Ye-hee, a fan of Jang Han-seon, about his background story.
Kang Han-do started searching for Jang Han-seon's manager only after making sure she was well out of sight.
'It'd be great if the Happiness Level ability came with a people-tracking function too.'
He figured it wouldn't, but he made a mental note to suggest it to Nemid later.
In any case, he asked around and gathered as much info as he could on where Jang Han-seon and his manager had gone.
"I heard they stopped by the cafe on the first floor for a bit and then left."
"Thanks!"
He got crucial intel from one of the broadcasting station staff.
Kang Han-do quickened his pace toward the first-floor lobby.
A small cafe on the first floor came into his view.
'There it is!'
He flung open the cafe door and immediately scanned for Jang Han-seon and his manager.
But.
'The manager's alone?'
Han-seon must have stepped out somewhere; only the manager remained, ordering coffee by himself.
'No, this might actually be perfect. Better to talk to the manager first without Han-seon around.'
Seizing the coincidence as an opportunity, he headed straight for the manager, who had just finished ordering and sat at a table.
Meanwhile.
"Whew. This is exhausting."
Jang Han-seon's manager rubbed his shoulders, trying to shake off the fatigue for a moment.
Even as a manager, it was no easy job.
Driving for hours every day was par for the course, and he had to personally oversee whether the recording went smoothly.
If the celebrity under his care showed even the slightest sign of being off, he might need to tactfully request a halt to the shoot from the PD and staff.
Managers had it just as tough as celebrities.
Right after ordering his coffee, Jang Han-seon's manager pulled out his notepad and started checking the next schedule without a break.
At that moment, a stranger took the seat across from him.
"Hello."
"...?"
The manager's gaze shifted to the unfamiliar man who had spoken.
"Han-do? What brings you here...?"
"I have something I'd like to ask."
"Something to ask?"
"Yeah. It's important."
Kang Han-do, whom he'd just met today, had business with him—a mere manager—instead of fellow celebrity Jang Han-seon.
He couldn't fathom the intent.
"Has Han-seon showed any weird signs lately, by any chance?"
"Weird signs... you say?"
"Yeah. Like complaining that work's been too tough these days or something."
"Hmm, well. You might've noticed too, Han-do, but that hyung's always in a pretty down mood. Doesn't talk much. Hard for me to pick up on stuff like that."
"I see."
Of course. The manager wasn't glued to Han-seon's side 24/7.
He couldn't know everything. Kang Han-do scratched his head, sensing it was understandable.
"By the way, where'd Han-seon go?"
"He said he was heading to the bathroom. No idea why he's taking so long."
"The bathroom?"
"Yeah. It's weird. He's been gone too long."
The manager pulled out his smartphone and tried calling Jang Han-seon.
But it just rang without answer.
"Where'd that hyung wander off to now?"
He tried calling again.
In that instant, a bad premonition flashed through Kang Han-do's mind.
Jang Han-seon, with a happiness level under 100. Who knew what he might do.
"Excuse me for a sec!"
Kang Han-do bolted out of the cafe, his steps accelerating.
Only one thought filled his head.
He had to find Jang Han-seon.
No matter what, he had to!
* * *
Whether by misfortune or luck, the broadcasting station was teeming with people, so asking around quickly revealed the route Jang Han-seon had taken.
Especially since the guy they were looking for was Jang Han-seon. Who wouldn't remember the hottest celebrity passing by?
Kang Han-do finally pinpointed his destination and broke into an even faster run.
The place he was heading to was...
The rooftop of the broadcasting station building!!
"No way... Is he planning to jump from there?!"
If that were true, the impact on the industry would be massive.
Famous celebrity attempts suicide.
If such a headline broke, even Choi Ye-hee wouldn't escape unscathed.
She was a fan of Jang Han-seon. Few things could shock a fan more than hearing their idol tried to kill himself.
"Damn... damn it!!"
Jang Han-seon's happiness level still haunted Kang Han-do.
He wasn't the cold type to ignore signs of someone possibly dying right in front of him.
If anything, he was the sentimental sort.
Too impatient to wait for the elevator, he charged up the stairs.
His breath came right up to his chin, but the thought that arriving early or late could mean life or death for Jang Han-seon kept his feet moving.
Finally reaching the rooftop.
Clang!!
Kang Han-do yanked the door open violently, and just then, Jang Han-seon's back came into view.
He was perilously close to the rooftop railing!
"Jang Han-seon! No!!!"
Kang Han-do bellowed at the top of his lungs.
But in that moment.
Jang Han-seon turned slowly, faced him, and held up a cigarette.
"...Can't I smoke up here either? BLT Broadcasting Station's stricter than I thought."
"...?!"
Kang Han-do had been convinced he was about to climb the railing and leap to his death.
But his assumption missed the mark spectacularly.
* * *
Jang Han-seon held the cigarette expressionlessly as he replied.
In that instant, Kang Han-do felt an inexplicable sense of unease from his actions.
Embarrassment hit him hardest, of course. Imagine yelling "Don't jump!" at someone just smoking on the roof. How absurd would that be?
Kang Han-do had to concede the point.
But what was it?
'What's with this unease?'
An indescribable feeling enveloped him entirely. Still, seeing Han-seon safe with his own eyes was enough to satisfy him in the end.
As that happened, Han-seon narrowed his eyes.
He finally recognized who it was.
"Wait, you're... Kang Han-do, right."
"Sorry. Looks like I stuck my nose where it didn't belong..."
"No."
Another curt response from Jang Han-seon.
Kang Han-do felt awkwardly sheepish.
He'd rushed up here like the apocalypse was coming, only to find it was nothing.
It'd be too cringey to just apologize and head back down, so he approached Jang Han-seon.
But suddenly, Jang Han-seon's shoulder twitched slightly.
Kang Han-do caught the subtle change, and that same unease washed over him again.
'This feeling again.'
Yet he couldn't pinpoint what caused this odd sensation.
In any case, Kang Han-do stood side by side with Jang Han-seon at the railing.
Then, Jang Han-seon casually offered him a cigarette.
"Want one?"
In his past life, Kang Han-do had been a heavy smoker.
But since regressing, he'd worked hard to stay away from booze and smokes.
Thanks to that, he barely smoked anymore.
But right now, for some reason, he felt like he needed one.
In the end, Kang Han-do accepted the kindness.
"Thanks."
"Here's the lighter."
"Yeah."
He cupped his hand around the cigarette in his mouth to block the rooftop wind.
Sizzle, flick!
As soon as it lit, a long plume of smoke poured from Kang Han-do's mouth.
The taste of a cigarette after so long was incredibly sweet. He felt like he could fall back into the habit if he kept going.
Jang Han-seon, after handing one over, lit a second for himself.
Standing shoulder-to-shoulder with the superstar called Han-seon, sharing a smoke.
Kang Han-do never imagined this day would come. A no-name comedian smoking alongside a top star.
It felt refreshingly novel.
"I hear..."
Jang Han-seon spoke first.
Kang Han-do perked up his ears.
"You haven't been a comedian for long."
"Less than half a year, I think."
"Half a year."
An inexplicable emotion flickered in Han-seon's eyes.
"Back then, I was really enjoying broadcasts too."
"..."
"But things are different now."
Different how?
Jang Han-seon gazed off into the distance.
It was a loaded statement.