We decided not to cross the line.

Episode 83. Confession

Following the address Mr. Hoonji gave me,

it reminded me of the day I had secretly trailed after him back then.





Standing at the door, I

took a moment to catch my breath before ringing the doorbell.





When the door opened,

there stood Mr. Hoonji with his arm in a cast.




"No... what is this...

Why are there so many wounds on your face and body?

An actor’s body is everything...

How did you even film like this...?"





"My arm got about twenty stitches.

My face was only scratched, fortunately, so they say it won’t leave a scar.

Still, I’m so happy you’re worried about me...

Come in quickly."





"Why are there so many bruises too?"





I slowly walked a circle around him

and examined every part of his body.




The moment I saw the wounds left here and there and the dark bruises,

it felt like my heart was being torn apart.





Just how much he must have struggled while filming all this time

made my eyes burn, as if I didn’t even need to see it to know.





He, for his part, ignored his own injuries

and seemed simply delighted by my sudden visit.




"Come over here and sit down.

What would you like to drink?

What do we have at home?

If you want a latte, I’ll order one for you.

Did you search for articles about me?

How did you know I was hurt?"





"Hoonji... that’s not the important part right now...

Why did you film while getting hurt like this?

Are you okay everywhere else besides your arm?

You really got properly examined, right?"





He answered with a face full of mischief.




"Aww... it’s only this much, why are you making such a fuss.

I’m an action actor now too, you know.

This much is all a scar of honor."




"An accident can happen in an instant.

Please... take care of yourself while filming.

I’m begging you."





"All right.
 
I’ll keep that in mind.

I’ll be more careful from now on. Okay?

Come here and sit down.

We haven’t seen each other in a long time."





At that moment,

what Taehyung had said—that he had never told Hoonji

my number—

suddenly came back to me.





"By the way, how did you get my number?

I thought Taehyung had told you,

but when I asked, he said he hadn’t?"





"Ah... well...

I happened to overhear the CEO talking to Jeongah

when I went to the office.

So...

I waited for a chance...

and checked the contacts on the CEO’s phone."





"You mean you secretly snooped through Taehyung’s phone?

Hoonji... that’s a bit..."





"Even if I asked you to tell me,

I knew the CEO wouldn’t tell me anyway...

Sorry..."





"Since Paris, I’ve kept seeing this new side of you.

Your deduction and execution would make Conan cry too...

What even are you?"

"Then what was I supposed to do.





There was no way to get your number...

I didn’t even know Jeongah had a phone.

The moment I heard you talking with the CEO,

you have no idea how angry I got."

"It was the first time I called CEO Kim





after I got a phone made.

Before that, I didn’t even have a phone."

"Ah... right!!!!!! Julian..."




As we talked about phones,




I remembered why I had gotten one made.

And right after that, I also remembered the promise I had made


to meet Julian and his parents this weekend.

"Oh no... I think I’m really crazy...





What do I do..."

"Why? What’s wrong?





What happened?"

"My phone... it doesn’t have roaming.





Please lend me your phone, Hoonji.

I have somewhere urgent I need to call."

I took Hoonji’s phone





and immediately called Julian.

"What time is it in France right now?"





While the ringback tone played, I anxiously bit my lip.




"Hello?"





"Juli... it’s me.




What time is it in France right now?"

No, what day is it?"
 
"Jeongah? Where are you right now?





Are you in Korea by any chance?"

"Yes... I had to come to Korea urgently."





"Why? You were supposed to come to Paris this weekend.





Why did you suddenly go to Korea?

I kept calling, but your phone was off...

I was worried I might have to go to Spain instead."

"I’m sorry.. Juli..






Something urgent came up in Korea, so I ended up coming in a rush.

I’m really sorry. Did your parents arrive safely?

You must have been really disappointed that I couldn’t keep my promise?"

"Is there something wrong with your parents or family in Korea?





Is that why you left so suddenly?"

"Ah... yes..."

"You don’t need to worry about us.





My parents are planning to stay for about a month, so





we can meet next time.

By the way, is your family in Jeongah okay?

Did someone suddenly get sick?"

"Ah... about that... I’ll tell you in detail when we meet.

Things here got resolved well.





You don’t need to worry.

I’m really sorry I couldn’t keep my promise."

"Something came up all of a sudden, right?

You’re not that kind of person, Jeongah, so





I figured it must have been something really urgent for you not to call...

That’s what I was more worried about."

I didn’t know how to answer, feeling sorry.

"Jeongah?"




"Yes..."




"Don’t worry, and




take care of your business in Korea and come back.




Don’t go to Spain

come straight to Paris. Okay?"

"I will.
 
I’ll go straight to Paris from Korea.





I’ll 연락 you once I book the flight."

"All right.

Um... you know..."




"Yes?"
 
"...I love you..."




It was the first confession he had ever made.




"...Me too."




I glanced at Hoonji’s face for a moment.





His expression, while he listened to my entire call,





was calm like the stillness before a storm.

After ending the call with Julian,

I handed Hoonji’s phone back to him.





"Could it be...

you think I abandoned you?





Otherwise,

how could you make that call right in front of me?"

"... I’m going to choose that person."

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