Chapter 101: Being Free from the Gaze
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 101: Being Free from the Gaze
As they headed to eat, Yeong-eun found herself deep in thought.
‘Even now, no one is looking at me.’
This shopping center was a place Yeong-eun often visited to relieve stress. Whenever she saw the envious looks of people watching her buy things most could never afford, she would be intoxicated by a strange sense of triumph.
But today was different.
Rather than the act of buying things, the simple act of walking around was enjoyable in itself. It was thanks to the liberation of no one paying her any mind. No matter what she did, people didn't look at her.
‘That’s strange.’
Usually, no matter how much she wrapped up her face, there was always at least one person who would look closely and wonder, “Wait, is that Yoo Yeong-eun?” Because of that, she was always on edge and tense, even when her face was thoroughly covered.
Now, there wasn't even anyone trying to deduce her identity. In fact, they didn't show any interest in the person named Yeong-eun at all. It was as if she wasn't even there. For someone who always felt eyes following her, it was an awkward sensation.
And yet.
‘It’s fun. This is great.’
Was being able to move and walk around outside as she pleased such a great source of happiness? This was the first time in her life she had felt this way.
She had been exposed to the media since she was very young. The granddaughter of a successful chaebol family. Having exceptionally good looks on top of that, she had always been the subject of people's envious stares.
She had learned from a very young age what kind of expressions to make to be admired and how to maintain a good image for the public. Perhaps that was why she chose the dream of becoming a celebrity, a profession that thrives on public attention.
It had always been that way. It was natural for people's eyes to gather on her, and she took it for granted. She never exactly enjoyed the attention, but she never felt it was uncomfortable either.
That was only natural. There had never been a time when the gaze wasn't there. She had never experienced anything else.
And now, for the first time, she felt the indifference of others. When did it start?
‘I think it was from the moment I met Jae-ho.’
While walking around the shopping center with him, no one looked at her as anyone special. Just a wealthy person spending a lot of money. That was all.
There were no fans clinging to her for autographs. No people looking at her with wonder because she was someone from TV. There weren't even any employees who became restless the moment they saw her.
‘Is this what it feels like for ordinary people?’
Could not feeling the gaze of others be this comfortable? It was so relaxing to know that no one cared what kind of expression she made.
‘If I had frowned even a little before, it would have been in the news.’
The feeling of being free from the eyes of others—that sense of liberation—made her heart race despite herself. She was as delighted as a child who had just been gifted a new toy.
As she walked with a spring in her step, she saw her reflection in a mirror. The sunglasses Jae-ho had given her. They were small-framed and shouldn't have been able to cover her whole face, but the attention had dropped significantly since she started wearing them.
‘They’re couple sunglasses.’
She saw Jae-ho wearing sunglasses with a similar design. Was he aiming for that? This had to be intentional, right?
Thump, thump.
Her heart fluttered for no reason. She had always been the one being admired and longed for. Even for her, who was professionally perfect and always stood at the top, this emotion was a first.
The act of liking someone.
She was always the one being loved by others, not the one doing the liking. The feeling of being the one pining was a foreign object to her. She still didn't even realize exactly where her emotions were stemming from.
Normally, she would have handled everything calmly, but in the face of unfamiliar emotions and situations, even simple coping mechanisms didn't come to mind. Perhaps that was why she had been swayed by the employee's words and had been smiling foolishly.
‘It’s strange.’
She found herself strange. The way the corners of her mouth quirked up whenever she saw Jae-ho’s face. The way looking once wasn't enough, so she looked twice, and twice wasn't enough, so she looked four times. It was a novel experience.
‘Do I really like this man?’
The reason she had called Jae-ho here today was to confirm this growing feeling. When Secretary Choi had spoken with a sly smile, she had denied it strongly, but she felt it deep down. She was preoccupied with Jae-ho.
And while spending time with him today, she became certain. She liked him. This man.
"Yeong-eun?"
"Yes?"
"Why are you staring at me like that? Is there something on my face?"
"No. I was just thinking that the clothes I bought you suit you quite well."
"You certainly have an eye for fashion, Yeong-eun."
Jae-ho laughed brightly and showed off the clothes she had bought him as if boasting.
"I-I just happen to have a lot of interest in fashion."
"I'll have to ask for your help in the future."
"If you want, I can coordinate your outfits for you later as well."
"Haha, thank you."
Was it an illusion that his bright smile seemed to radiate light? She stared blankly at Jae-ho's face for a moment.
‘I think I just made a really stupid face.’
Realizing it too late, Yeong-eun reflexively turned her head. It was because her instinctive intuition, honed by years of being exposed to cameras, had momentarily sent out a warning.
I let my guard down. How long has it been since I moved away from people's gaze...? If it weren't for the sunglasses, that stupid face would have been captured in a giant photograph.
"Are you okay, Yeong-eun?"
"Yes, I'm fine. Let's go quickly. We'll miss our reservation at this rate."
Afraid her face would be found out, Yeong-eun hurriedly took the lead.
*
We arrived at a high-end Japanese restaurant in the heart of Seoul. It was a top-tier establishment that served omakase. The building was built in a Japanese style, and there was even a wide garden spread out in front of the restaurant.
"Wow... isn't this place really expensive?"
"It is quite pricey, but don't worry. I'm paying for everything today. It's a token of my gratitude for coming with me."
"I already received clothes, so I'll pay for the meal."
"Hmm~. It's a million won per person, though?"
"..."
My jaw dropped. A million won for one meal?
"Just let me treat you today. There will be a chance for you to buy later, Jae-ho."
"Ha, haha. Right. Let's go together when the opportunity arises later."
What would I even have to buy for her to be satisfied? Full of worry, I entered the restaurant. It was a room-style restaurant. A staff member greeted us politely.
"We will take your bags for you."
The service alone made it clear how expensive this place was. Yeong-eun ordered the most expensive course.
"Eat as much as you like. It's all on me."
Soon, the food arrived. Japanese omakase. Unfamiliar dishes were served as appetizers.
"This is a maguro salad prepared as a pre-meal appetizer. The topping is caviar..."
Every time a dish came out, a manager would come by and give a brief explanation of the menu. I didn't understand half of the menu, but Yeong-eun picked up her chopsticks as if she were used to it. In fact, I mostly just followed her lead and ate.
Tuna, eel, abalone, truffles, and more. For a full hour, dishes I had only ever seen on TV came out one after another. When it was time for the final main dish, the chef even came out to explain how to eat it.
"Was it delicious?"
"It was great."
It was the best. Every single dish was top-tier, melting in my mouth. I wondered if the day would ever come when I could eat food like this again.
"I'm glad you're satisfied."
Yeong-eun said as she scooped up the ice cream served for dessert. She also had a gentle smile, looking satisfied.
And it was then.
Vrrr, vrrr!
The phone rang. It was Hyun-kyung. But...
‘A video call?’
"Do you mind if I take this call for a moment?"
"Who is it?"
"You probably know her. The person I was in charge of rehabilitating before."
"Ah."
Yeong-eun nodded as if she recognized who it was immediately. A smile spread across her face as she thought for a moment.
"Take it. Don't mind me."
"Is that okay?"
"Of course."
The corners of Yeong-eun's mouth, which had a bite of ice cream in it, turned up slightly. What was she thinking?
"Hello?"
—Oppa, where are you?
"Ah, I'm having dinner."
Hyun-kyung's energetic voice came through the receiver. Had she just washed up? Hyun-kyung, boasting skin as fresh as if she had just stepped out of the shower, looked at me.
—You know I have a match today, right? It'll probably be at 8 AM tomorrow, Korea time. I really wanted you to watch it.
"Of course I have to watch it."
Since I only managed to see the first set of the last match, I was planning to make sure I watched it tomorrow.
"I've even set all my alarms."
—I called to get some of your support, but... who is that person next to you?
"Next to me?"
Wondering what she meant, I looked to my side.
"Whoa! When did you move to the seat next to me?"
"I just wanted to see the face of the person you were talking to."
Yeong-eun, who had sat down next to me at some point, gave me a playful look. Then, she looked at Hyun-kyung on the screen and feigned ignorance.
"Oh my, it's the famous sports star Im Hyun-kyung. Hello."
She smiled and waved at the screen.
—Huh? Ha, haha... Wh-who... are you?
"Oh dear, I didn't know there was someone who didn't know me. I'm actress Yoo Yeong-eun."
—Why is a famous actress like Yeong-eun with Jae-ho oppa...?
"Jae-ho helped me with some shopping. I decided to treat him to dinner as a reward. Right?"
Yeong-eun asked, resting her chin on her hand.
"Uh, that's true, but..."
"But what brings you to call at such an early hour? It must only be around 6 AM where you are, Hyun-kyung. Did you contact him the moment you woke up?"
Hyun-kyung didn't answer Yeong-eun's provocative question. Instead, she questioned me.
—What's going on?
"Huh?"
—Don't tell me the reason you couldn't watch the match last time was because of that woman too?
"Uh, well..."
In that moment, while I was agonizing over how to make an excuse.
"That must be the day we were practicing our acting. Right?"
Yeong-eun added fuel to the fire.
"Ye-Yeong-eun?"
"Why? It's the truth."
No, how am I supposed to deal with the aftermath? Before I could say anything.
—I... I see...
Hyun-kyung, who was looking at me with hollow eyes, muttered in a dejected voice. The energetic vibe from just a moment ago was long gone.
—I-I'm sorry. I didn't know. Ha, haha. I'm sorry for interrupting your good time.
Hyun-kyung stammered as if flustered.
"Hyun-kyung, it's a misunderstanding. Hyun-kyung?"
Before I could say anything, Hyun-kyung hung up. I tried calling back, but...
—The phone is turned off...
She didn't pick up.
"What's a misunderstanding?"
"Pardon?"
"Was there a single lie in what I said?"
Yeong-eun asked.
"It's true you couldn't watch because of my acting practice, and it's true I'm treating you as a reward for helping me shop."
"That's true, but... Hyun-kyung will misunderstand."
"Are you two dating by any chance?"
"It's not that, but..."
"Then it doesn't seem like your relationship is deep enough for a misunderstanding to ruin it. Aren't you just close like an older brother and younger sister?"
I was starting to feel a bit displeased by Yeong-eun's words. It wasn't because I had a deep relationship with Hyun-kyung. It was because of the expression Hyun-kyung had right before she hung up. It was because she looked like she had just lost everything in the world. And because she was facing a very important tournament.
"Even so, this isn't right. How can you shake her mental state like this when she's working so hard overseas?"
"...What?"
"It's not polite to do that to someone who called to get encouragement and support."
"..."
Yeong-eun looked at me with her mouth open as if she were shocked.
"At the very least, I was Hyun-kyung's rehabilitation trainer. I'm someone who has an obligation to make sure she competes in the tournament in her best physical and mental condition."
Whatever the reason, it was true that Hyun-kyung took a mental blow and hung up because of Yeong-eun's words. Yeong-eun was definitely in the wrong here. I didn't know why she had treated Hyun-kyung so aggressively, but I had to get a proper apology for this. That was my thought.
"I-Is this something to get so angry about?"
"Of course it is. It's as serious as me shaking your mental state right before you go on standby for a shoot. Wouldn't you be angry if I did that, Yeong-eun?"
"..."
She kept her mouth shut and didn't answer. It seemed her pride was wounded.
"I thought well of you, Yeong-eun, but I'm a bit disappointed by this side of you. Let's end it here for today and head home. I'll contact Chief Park myself."
I stood up from my seat.
"Jae-ho!"
I heard Yeong-eun's voice calling me urgently from behind, but I didn't look back. Healing Hyun-kyung's mental state was the priority.
Ring, ring.
—The phone is turned off...
Hyun-kyung still didn't pick up.