Chapter: 05
The wind blew again. Maybe because it was a winter wind, my head felt oddly dizzy.
‘What is this?’
It wasn’t the first time I had experienced this sensation. When I was a rookie, there was a week I couldn’t sleep, and I felt something similar.
‘But I slept well yesterday?’
<Challani. Seems like you don’t remember. After you woke up, all you had was a glass of water.>
Ah.
Thinking back, after fixing my cracked head and cleaning the house, I had focused entirely on negotiating with the boss-grandfather and hadn’t eaten anything.
Still, I’m fragile, huh? Skipping a few meals shouldn’t kill me.
‘Hmm, is there anything to eat when I go back?’
No. There wasn’t. But I have a magical card.
I grinned at the fresh card I received today and looked around. Among the glittering city buildings, I saw a convenience store.
I stared at it intently. It was just an ordinary convenience store. Yet, for some reason, I really wanted to go in.
‘Weird. Why do I feel like this?’
Before I could think further, my head spun again, and the corners of my eyes twitched.
I gently touched the marks near my eyes and exhaled softly.
‘First, let’s at least drink something.’
I went into the convenience store and was choosing something to eat when it happened.
<Challani.>
‘Why are you calling me, damn fairy?’
<Your destiny is approaching.>
What?
I squinted. All I could see in front of me was a tuna mayo triangle kimbap.
That’s my destiny?
<Someone with a deep connection to you is returning.>
Ah! So that’s what it meant.
I picked up the triangle kimbap and blinked.
<Approximately one minute before you become intertwined.>
What the hell.
‘Destiny in a convenience store. That’s kind of funny.’
<Do not take destiny lightly. This person had a deep connection with you even in your previous life.>
‘Hmm, was there anyone in my life that deeply connected?’
To reach the pinnacle of glory, choosing and focusing were crucial. I chose popularity and focused on it.
I had close friends too, but my relationships were broad and shallow. Was there really someone I’d meet again in another body?
‘Seems like nothing special.’
<How dare you ignore destiny! Challani, are you doubting me?>
I ignored the fairy’s words and picked a triangle kimbap and a drink.
Then it happened.
A familiar voice.
“Excuse me, student.”
I blinked. I couldn’t believe it.
“That triangle kimbap is buy-one-get-one. I actually had that for lunch today, so I know. Wait, I’m not a weirdo or anything…”
I slowly turned my head.
“Student, ever thought about becoming an entertainer? I saw you from over there and couldn’t take my eyes off you. Uh, here’s my card. Please don’t look at me like that. I really am not MLM or some cult!”
Round eyes blinked. Funny enough, I knew this person.
‘Hanjeongsik.’
The person who had been my manager for ten years.
“If you’re interested, contact me, okay? I’m the CEO. Well, of a small company I just started, but still a CEO.”
How should I put it…
“You know Kim Seojin? Rising like a comet kind of actor. I brought him from my previous agency. He’s in a drama now. Minor role, though. Sigh. Between us, startups are tough. Feels like the big agencies would crush us. But I’m competent, so I fit him into schedules well. Though he went to the military yesterday.”
Still talkative.
I chuckled a little. Yeah, Hanjeongsik. Round eyes, round body. Everything about him seemed like it would just roll away.
“But my eye for talent is good. I think you should definitely become an actor. Already have an agency? You’re not aiming to be an idol, right? You’re slim, so maybe not…”
Two years was enough time to know him. Hanjeongsik talked a lot, but he genuinely cared about people.
‘That’s why he didn’t survive long.’
Hanjeongsik had died, hit by a falling light in my place.
A really shitty way to die.
<See? It’s destiny, Challani. How dare you ignore me, the fairy? Reflect on your ignorance.>
‘Yeah, this time, I get it.’
One of the few good people I met in my previous life.
I looked at Hanjeongsik silently. It was amazing that he was talking, breathing, and moving.
Because the last memory I had was him motionless, covered in blood.
“Student? Why are you staring at me so intently without saying anything?”
“Hanjeongsik hyung.”
“Huh?”
I remembered his funeral too. Little Jiwoo crying, Mrs. Juhee stunned. He was a good person, so there were an absurd number of people at his funeral.
I wonder if he knew how much I regretted it.
Thinking about it made my head spin. Maybe that’s why my strength left me.
Losing my balance, Hanjeongsik flinched and supported me.
I whispered softly to him.
“This time, don’t push me…”
“Huh?”
My vision blurred. Through my fading consciousness, I whispered.
“Don’t die.”
Hanjeongsik shouted, but I couldn’t hear well. I lost consciousness there in the convenience store.
I was a cosmic superstar.
Wherever I went, everyone knew me. Almost all my works were hits. My popularity soared, my value went up, and everyone sought me out.
I had reached great heights. But that didn’t mean anyone would risk their life for me.
Well, Hanjeongsik was a good person.
That was probably why he threw himself without caring about his own safety. Even if it wasn’t me, he would’ve done it.
‘Still, he didn’t have to die for me.’
I still remembered little Jiwoo and Mrs. Juhee’s faces. I always felt sorry for them. Overnight, their good father and husband were gone because of me.
‘No compensation would ever be enough.’
But Mrs. Juhee didn’t take what I offered. No matter how much I pleaded, she shook her head coldly. A good person always had good people around them.
‘So I gave it anyway.’
How old was Jiwoo the last time I saw him? Must have been wearing a school uniform.
I took a long breath. There was a diffused light. I exhaled and blinked. My focus wasn’t fully back, but I could hear the noise.
“Ma’am, sorry. The kid collapsed suddenly. I couldn’t just leave him. I brought him to the ER. I’ll be quick. He’ll wake up soon. By the way, Juhee, this kid is really handsome? Glowing even. Probably the most handsome I’ve ever seen.”
It was Hanjeongsik’s voice I had forgotten.
“Honestly, he must have an agency. A kid like this can’t not have one. I know, I want to get going too. But his mom and dad aren’t picking up.”
I chuckled.
“When he wakes, I’ll take him and go. But why am I being told to hurry? To say something… maybe that I’ll like it? Ma’am, did you win the lottery or something?”
I stood up.
“Oh, the kid’s awake. See you later. Love and loyalty, ma’am.”
Hanjeongsik hurriedly hung up. I took a deep breath.
I roughly understood the situation.
‘The ER, huh.’
IV drip dangling from my arm, noise all around.
Hanjeongsik must have brought me here when I collapsed.
“Are you okay? They say you’re malnourished. You look like a precious youngest child at home. Not getting fed?”
I glanced at the IV and smiled.
“I had some work, so I didn’t eat for a few days. Did you bring me here? Thank you.”
“You can’t leave a collapsed kid. That’s not Hanjeongsik’s style.”
I already knew that.
“You don’t have to give me the IV…”
“It’s expensive. Take it. But neither parent is picking up? They must be worried.”
“They usually can’t be reached. Probably not worried either. Oh, the hospital bill, right?”
I pulled the card from my pocket.
“It’s fine. I’ll pay with this.”
As I was about to swipe it, Hanjeongsik stopped me quickly.
“That’s not urgent. I already took care of it. But really, they usually can’t be reached?”
He looked at me and trailed off.
“Yeah. Must be some reason.”
Still the same person. I smiled faintly.
“You said you’re the CEO?”
“Uh? Yeah. Even though it’s a startup.”
I knew Hanjeongsik’s future. He had boldly started a company but soon closed it and returned to being a manager.
‘I didn’t expect to meet CEO Hanjeongsik…’
Perfect timing.
“Hyung.”
“Hm?”
“I want to be an actor. Please let me be an actor.”
Let’s do this right, Hanjeongsik.
“No agency, freelance. Bring the contract tomorrow. Parents unreachable, but there’s a guardian. I’ll review and sign.”
“Huh?”
“Just so you know, no signing fee needed. I’ll use it for hospital expenses instead, Hanjeongsik.”
He couldn’t say a word. I took out my phone, searched briefly, then put it down.
“Let’s go now. This looks like a nutritional infusion anyway; I’ll just eat.”
The doctor came at the right moment. With beds running short, they didn’t stop my discharge.
Hanjeongsik seemed unsure what to do.
“Hah, student. You make it so easy. Not that it’s bad, but being an entertainer is hard. If you try to do it for the TV’s sake, you’ll be in trouble. You have to be prepared.”
“I know it won’t be easy.”
“Also, my company’s small and tiny. It’s even a semi-basement. A friend got it for cheap, actually.”
“All startups are like that. It’s fine.”
Discharge went smoothly. Hanjeongsik followed me and spoke.
“You might be shocked when you see it. It’s rough!”
“Doesn’t matter. Just prepare to be busy.”
“Huh?”
I smiled and tapped his shoulder.
“No signing fee needed, but there’s one condition.”
“Huh?”
“There’s a famous cake shop nearby. Buy an expensive cake there. Bring it in with you.”
Seems like today’s the day Mrs. Juhee finds out Jiwoo is pregnant. At least buy a cake, Hanjeongsik.
