We decided not to cross the line (Season 2)

Chapter 4. Coincidence

Introduced by the publisher, I was supposed to meet a representative from the film production company.






Even as I get older, trying something for the first time

still makes me nervous and tense.




I got up early in the morning,

hurried to get ready, and left the house.




'I’ve come all the way to a movie production company...

...Ah... I’m nervous...'




I got off the elevator and

headed to the place I’d been told about in advance.




I met the representative at the office and

was given a detailed explanation of the work I would be doing.




"I’ve only ever done translation work,

so I’m not sure I can do this kind of job well."




"You don’t need to think about it so hard.

Since you already know the feel and atmosphere of the original work,

just think of it as conveying that well to the set."

"Are the casting decisions for the actors already finished?"




"Ah, you mean the lead actor?




That’s still in progress.

The director is meeting the shortlisted actors

in person."

"Yes... then...




Even though it’s something I’m doing for the first time...

I’ll do my best."

"Yes, since you’ll be helping with the adaptation work,




it shouldn’t take that long."

"Yes. Understood."





"Then I’ll send the contract





to your email, writer.

Please check it,

and if you have any questions, just contact me."

"I will.





Thank you for making time for me today."

"We should be the ones thanking you




for accepting the offer.

Please get home safely."

Seeing me off to the entrance,




I left the office.

The tension in my heart seemed to ease a little.




To go to the underground parking lot,




I was waiting for the elevator.

The elevator doors opened,




and there were people inside,

so I stepped aside and waited.

Then I heard a familiar voice.



"Huh...?"



A familiar scent brushed past the tip of my nose.




It was the perfume he always used.

The moment I smelled it,

it felt like my heart dropped.

The moment I looked up and confirmed the owner of the voice,




I was so shocked I froze on the spot.

'Mr. Hoonji...'




I didn’t want him to notice how startled I was,




so I gave a light bow in greeting.

He said something to the person who seemed to be his manager,




telling him to go in first,

then got into the elevator after me.

"What are you doing here?




Have you been well?"

"Yes... Hoonji, too, right?."




"Me...? I’m the same as always.




But what brings you here?"

"I’ve got some business here."




"Do you not want to tell me what it is?"





I looked at him for a moment.





"Why are you so curious?





We’re not anything to each other anymore..."

He looked at me with a hurt expression.





"...I do have time for a quick cup of coffee...





Could you do that?"

"You and me... Hoonji?"




Sometimes I feel flustered




by how casual he still is.

"Come on, let’s go up.




Weren’t you here to visit the film company?"

"I came a bit early.




I’ve got about 20 minutes to spare."

Knowing how persistent he could be,




I got off with him on the first floor.

While we were still seeing each other,




I’d never even thought about

going to a cafe together.

But once we’d broken up,


something like this suddenly felt like no big deal.

"You’ll have a latte, right?"




"Yes."




"Wait here for a moment."




I stared blankly at him




as he ordered the coffee.

He was still radiant.

He still looked as cool as ever.

And then the times we’d spent together



in Spain flashed through my mind.

'It’s all over now... it's in the past...'




We loved each other so much, but




looking at him, now that we were nothing to each other anymore,

wasn’t entirely easy or comfortable.

"Can you come with me?"