YDCF 32

Chapter – 32

It was the day of the Seohae Electronics commercial shoot. The studio was bustling with people.

“Dad, I’ll wait out here. If anything happens, make sure you call me, okay?”
“It’s just a shoot, why would anything happen~”

Today’s temporary manager—my dad, Han Junho—stayed outside as I stepped into the studio.

As expected for a commercial for Seohae Electronics’ Lunatic series, which Chairman Ryu had personally invested in, the shooting team, lighting crew, makeup team, and even the marketing staff were all lined up.

I silently imagined the commercial we were about to shoot.

‘This was the setup I suggested.’

I had already been briefed on the general concept through Ryu Do-kyung. The storyboard reflected many of my ideas from when I had met Chairman Ryu in the VIP room last time.

“We’ll adjust the setup here!”
“And over here! Don’t make any mistakes, everyone!”

Was it just me, or could a big corporation’s commercial set really be more chaotic than the set for Your Blue Name?

And even the marketing staff, who looked important, were moving busily as if…

‘Are some big shots coming?’

Yes, it felt like the teachers standing at attention on the day the school inspector visits.

Sure enough, not long after I sensed that feeling, two impeccably dressed people entered the studio under security escort.

“Welcome, Chairman!”

Ryu, the owner of Seohae Group, exuded a presence like a visiting king. Naturally, his grandson, Ryu Do-kyung, whom he had recognized as his successor, followed behind him.

Is it even okay for someone of that rank to come here?

Of course, there was no rule against it… but having the company head show up in person felt excessive.

It was well-known that Chairman Ryu had poured his heart into the Lunatic series. Perhaps he wanted to personally oversee the commercial as well.

‘No wonder everyone’s so tense.’

At least he’d given notice, because the set looked spotless—leaving me, not even a staff member, relieved.

The two of them split up as they entered. Chairman Ryu went to greet the marketing team, while Ryu Do-kyung…

“Joo Sae-i.”

The moment he stepped into the studio, he immediately looked for me.

I mean, I understood why the chairman would, but why did Do-kyung come?

Even if he always follows his grandfather like a shadow, he could’ve skipped this.

I shot him a look asking why he was here, and he seemed to realize how awkward the situation was and spoke.

“You look like someone who shouldn’t be here.”
“….”
“Why, is there a problem? It’s our commercial anyway.”

No, there’s no problem…

When I nodded as if I’d accepted that, Do-kyung said again in a slightly sharp tone:

“Don’t look at me like that. It’s not like I came here to watch your shoot.”

Ah, right. Sure. Just one sentence would have sufficed, but he had to make it two, making me feel a chill inside.

Even though he said he hadn’t come to watch me, Do-kyung stood right beside me, ignoring all the staff around him.

As the silent standoff between us continued, Chairman Ryu, who had been encouraging the staff, turned and walked toward me.

“Ah, Sae-i! You’re here too!”

…Did he just call me Sae-a? Did I hear that wrong?

He quickly corrected himself, waving his hand warmly. Unlike Do-kyung, his friendly demeanor stood out.

It was amazing—this “tyrant of the business world” who had cleansed his family of anyone who challenged his position looked like a friendly old neighbor.

“I’m glad to see you again, Chairman.”
“Don’t thank me. It’s thanks to smart little Sae-i that the ad team got the right direction.”

He looked at me with a fond smile, glanced at his grandson, and continued:

“So, did you greet Do-kyung properly?”
“Ahaha, yes….”

I couldn’t possibly reveal the grandson’s annoying remarks in front of his grandfather, so I chose to just smile awkwardly.

Perhaps I underestimated the business sense of a corporate head.

“You can tell just by his expression. Looks like he teased our Sae-i again.”
“Ah, no!”
“He said he wanted to see you shoot the commercial, tsk…”

Chairman Ryu clicked his tongue at his grandson.

Do-kyung, overhearing, flinched and quickly defended himself:

“Chairman, I never—!”
“You see, boy! A man should know how to show his enthusiasm!”

Even Do-kyung couldn’t win against his grandfather. He shyly avoided my gaze and scratched the back of his head.

But still… Did he really come here to watch me shoot?

‘It’s not like I came to watch your shoot.’

He definitely said that a moment ago.

“Do-kyung worked so hard to be here.”
“Really?”
“Look at his hair, he even fixed it. What a grandson…”

Chairman Ryu turned his head left and right. The more I heard, the more shocked I felt. He seemed to be teasing his grandson, and I had no intention of joining in.

‘Why is Do-kyung…?’

Had I changed since I came back? Did he find my sudden desire to act strange? Or… was he interested in my acting?

Do-kyung quickly answered the question filling my mind.

“Don’t read into what my grandfather said.”

As soon as Chairman Ryu left, Do-kyung hastily corrected himself.

“…There was no particular reason. Even if it weren’t you, I would’ve come to see it.”

Of course, that’s what he would say.

In times like this, Do-kyung was just like he was as a child—always making me wonder about his intentions, making my heart race.

I recalled little Do-kyung, who acted like he liked me and cared for me, yet rejected my confessions multiple times. Childish as it was.

The worst.

I pushed Do-kyung out of my mind and walked over to the director. It was finally time to be briefed on the storyboard and begin filming.

…The worst.

Left alone, Do-kyung replayed what he had said to Joo Sae-i.

“Don’t read into what my grandfather said. Even if it weren’t you, I would’ve come.”

All lies.

If it weren’t for Sae-i, he wouldn’t have come. While his grandfather cared about the commercial, Do-kyung cared about Sae-i filming it.

He remembered seeing her at Chairman Ju of Dongwoo Group’s birthday dinner—her face kept appearing in his dreams for no reason.

Naturally, he recalled the memory: Sae-i returning suddenly, leaving an impression on the chairman, her acting impossible to forget.

Wanting to see her act again was instantaneous.

‘He said he wanted to see Sae-i shoot the commercial, tsk…’

If only his grandfather hadn’t said that, he wouldn’t have made a careless comment to Sae-i.

Seeing her turn away with a cold expression made his heart sink. He felt his chest tighten.

‘…Stupid.’

Do-kyung, who was usually unflustered by others’ provocations, became strangely sharp, sensitive, and blunt when it came to Sae-i. He froze whenever she approached.

Even now, it was the same. Had it been anyone else, he wouldn’t have cared, but because it was Sae-i, he felt so unsettled.

Meanwhile, she laughed and chatted with the director, preparing cheerfully for the shoot.

Do-kyung crossed his arms and watched her from the set.

The ad was about a granddaughter in the city sharing her daily life with her distant grandparents, using the warmth of family bonds.

Once the lights were ready, Sae-i picked up the Lunatic series product she had been given.

“Ready, action!”

Following the director’s cue, Sae-i smiled brightly as she filmed a small garden set. Then she said:

“Grandma! Look at this! The cherry tomatoes I grew!”

Her clear voice and cheerful laugh, so natural and childlike, brought back memories for Do-kyung.

“….”

He recalled the past Sae-i in that exact pose:

“Oppa! Look! I lost a tooth!”

Always giggling for no reason, following him around like a pure-hearted child.

Feeling his heart ache again, Do-kyung squeezed his eyes shut, regretting coming here.