Side Story Chapter 1 - What if (1)

Ji Han-Seok rose to the stage of the premiere while receiving fervent cheers from people. After that, he heard even louder cheers as Kang Ra-Eun rose up to the stage. The venue glowed with enthusiasm. Ra-Eun sat down on her chair while pulling down the hem of her skirt, and then smiled at Han-Seok. She seemed a little different from her usual self.

‘Why is she so affectionate today?’

She was being rather gentle-hearted. The Ra-Eun that Han-Seok knew wasn’t the kind of woman who would smile at him so affectionately.

‘She seems to be in a good mood today.’

During the three years since Just Like a Melodrama Protagonist had become a hit film, Ra-Eun had grown much more mature; of course, not in a physical sense, but in a psychological sense. Her words and actions were so relaxed despite being the center of attention in a film premiere. Even though Han-Seok also starred in the same film, he couldn’t help but be entranced by her. However, he couldn’t let himself be too entranced.

“...Han-Seok?”

He belatedly realized that the host was calling out to him, and hurriedly raised his mic.

“Y-Yes?”

“Could we get you to introduce yourself?”

“Oh... Y-Yes, an introduction. I apologize. I was in a daze for a moment.”

The audience laughed at Han-Seok’s honest confession. Ra-Eun, who was sitting next to him, also giggled while covering her mouth. Although he had been put in an embarrassing position, he was happy that he had been able to make Ra-Eun laugh, even for a short moment.

***

Han-Seok came down from the stage after the premiere and rolled his left shoulder while sighing.

“Haaa, I’m exhausted for some reason today.”

He had even forgotten his lines because he had been entranced by Ra-Eun. He was feeling more fatigue than usual because he had messed up from the very beginning. Ra-Eun, who had come down from the stage with him, tilted her head in confusion.

“Han-Seok oppa. Are you feeling unwell today?”

“No, I feel fine...”

“Are you sure? You weren’t being yourself earlier.”

Han-Seok couldn’t blame Ra-Eun for his mistake since she had done absolutely nothing wrong. It was best to just cover these kinds of situations up with an awkward laugh.

“I had a few things on my mind.”

“Is it about our film schedule? Or about the company?”

“Well, both.”

Chairman Ji would be retiring from his position in Do-Dam Group soon, and Han-Seok’s father would be inheriting the seat of chairman from him. The necessary procedures have almost been completed. Han-Seok would also become very busy the moment that his father became the chairman.

“Isn’t it hard on you?” Ra-Eun asked.

“Mmm, not that much.”

“Aren’t you busy?”

“I am, but I don’t find the work tedious, so I’m planning on continuing to do my part in the company even after my grandfather retires. After all, both my father and grandfather want me to inherit the company in the future.”

Han-Seok was a talented actor, but he was also very talented in business, so his family members were hoping for him to lead Do-Dam Group in the future.

“Even so, don’t get too immersed in the company. You have to spend some time with me too.”

Han-Seok doubted his ears from Ra-Eun’s unexpected comment.

“With you?”

“We haven’t been on a date in such a long time ever since we started dating. Have you forgotten already?”

“...Whaaat???”

Ra-Eun had blurted out something unbelievable.

“Dating? You and me?” Han-Seok asked.

Ra-Eun expressed slight anger at Han-Seok’s vague question.

“You confessed to me and I accepted, oppa. Are you really going to pretend like it never happened?”

“N-No, but...”

Han-Seok had indeed confessed his feelings to Ra-Eun, but it was news to him that she had accepted his confession. He had no memory of it. However, Ra-Eun linked arms with Han-Seok as if letting everyone around them see. The soft feeling on his left arm and her sweet scent that was enough to make him pass out, attacked his sanity.

“R-Ra-Eun! People are going to get the wrong idea...”

It would be a huge problem if another scandal broke out. Not just that, their film had yet to be released, so it would be terrible if they were swept into malicious gossip. However, Ra-Eun was acting like Han-Seok was the weird one.

“What’s wrong with a couple linking arms with each other?”

“A-Are we really dating?”

Before Han-Seok could get an answer from Ra-Eun, passing staff members whistled at them.

“You’re both so passionate.”

“It’s only been two days since you acknowledged the dating scandal. Aren’t you advertising that you’re dating a bit too much?”

“Oh, what’s wrong with that? It’s nice to see.”

Reactions of envy with slight hints of jealousy came from the staff members. Everyone was perceiving Han-Seok and Ra-Eun to be a couple; only Han-Seok was unaware of the fact.

“You really are acting a bit weird today, oppa,” Ra-Eun said as she extended her hand toward his forehead.

Her small hand embraced Han-Seok’s forehead.

“You don’t have a fever. How weird.”

Han-Seok was normal, but the current situation was not.

***

No matter how much Han-Seok thought about it, he couldn’t acknowledge this situation at all. Ra-Eun had come to Han-Seok’s family home as if it was completely normal.

“I’m here, Mother,” Ra-Eun remarked.

Han-Seok’s mother smiled more radiantly than anyone else from Ra-Eun’s appearance.

“My, my, my, You’re finally here, Ra-Eun!”

The two women lightly hugged. Han-Seok smiled bitterly as he watched his mother greeting his girlfriend more than himself. The situation truly felt like a dream.

‘Am I actually dreaming?’

As Han-Seok was about to pinch his cheek, Han-Seok’s father, who had come out of his room, stared at his son acting weird.

“What are you doing?” he asked.

“N-Nothing. That aside, why did you call us here?”

Han-Seok and Ra-Eun had been enjoying a short date after the shoot, but his mother had suddenly called to tell them to visit their home. They came without asking questions, but he had not heard the reason why yet.

“Your grandfather suggested that we all have dinner since it’s been so long. He also wanted to see Ra-Eun,” Han-Seok’s father remarked.

“And where is he?”

“Out there.”

Han-Seok could see Chairman Ji grilling meat in the middle of the yard while surrounded by other people.

“Are you cooking the meat yourself, Grandpa?” Han-Seok asked as he came out to the yard.

“I thought I’d show off my meat grilling skills since my granddaughter-in-law is here.”

Chairman Ji had owned a restaurant in his youth before building Do-Dam Group, so he had stepped up as the cook to relight his skills honed through that experience.

“What do you mean ‘granddaughter-in-law’? Ra-Eun and I aren’t like that yet.”

Han-Seok already couldn’t believe that they were dating, so marriage had been nowhere in his mind. However, Chairman Ji stared at him weirdly.

“What are you talking about? We had the bride-groom family meeting last week.”

Han-Seok almost choked on his own saliva.

“W-We had a bride-groom family meeting?”

“What’s wrong with you? Ra-Eun would be upset if she heard you say that.”

“No, I...”

Unbelievable events were happening one after another. At this point, he thought that there was something wrong with his memory. Just then, the glass door to the yard opened and out came Han-Seok’s mother and Ra-Eun linking arms with each other.

“Good evening, Chairman!” Ra-Eun exclaimed.

“There’s my granddaughter-in-law! Haha!” Chairman Ji said while smiling widely.

Han-Seok had been watching his grandfather ever since he was little, but he had never seen him smiling so happily. The entire family was all smiles thanks to Ra-Eun. However, while everyone was laughing, only Han-Seok was unable to laugh wholeheartedly.

***

After the dinner with Han-Seok’s family, Han-Seok, who was driving Ra-Eun home, still couldn’t believe this was reality.

“Ra-Eun. Are we really getting married? This isn’t a prank, is it?”

“What have you been talking about since earlier, oppa? Are you trying to make me mad?”

Han-Seok was actually scared to see Ra-Eun mad.

“I didn’t mean it in a bad way. I just... can’t believe it’s real.”

The almighty Kang Ra-Eun was about to become his wife. If this was reality, then he had likely saved the world at least three times in his past lives. He was extremely happy, but it was also very unbelievable for him.

Ra-Eun suddenly showed him her left hand. There was a ring on her ring finger.

“What’s this, then?” Ra-Eun asked.

“That’s...” Han-Seok slurred as he looked at his own left hand.

A ring with a similar design was on his left hand before he had realized it. Things were becoming more real now that he saw the engagement ring.

“Do you still not believe it’s real?” Ra-Eun asked.

“...”

As Han-Seok was lost for words, Ra-Eun pointed to the side of the road.

“Stop the car for a second.”

Han-Seok worried that she might be upset, but nervously did as she said. As he turned on the hazard lights and stopped the car on the side of the road, Ra-Eun suddenly closed the distance between them. Their faces were right in front of each other. Han-Seok forgot to breathe.

“Will you believe it’s real if I kiss you?”

“Well...”

He almost said that it would be great. Then, Ra-Eun smiled seductively.

“Or how about I spend the night at your place tonight?”

Han-Seok was about to lose his sense of reason from the gradually-rising level of proposals. Ra-Eun got closer to him. Han-Seok closed his eyes to accept her kiss.

‘Yes, this is reality. I’ll just accept it.’

As he was about to accept it...

Beep, beep, beep—!

An ear-splitting noise stimulated him.

***

“...”

Han-Seok blearily opened his eyes and picked up the smartphone that he had left next to his head. The 7 AM alarm continued to ring.

Haaa. Han-Seok sighed deeply and said while scratching his head.

“I knew it.”

***

Han-Seok, who had been spending time in the waiting room for a radio show recording, greeted Ra-Eun, who had arrived five minutes later.

“You’re early today, oppa.”

“Yeah. I had a weird dream, so I just came early.”

“A dream? Did you have a nightmare?”

Han-Seok quickly scanned Ra-Eun’s cherry-pink lips and her left ring finger. He shook his head as he noticed the nonexistent ring.

“No, it was a terrifyingly happy dream.”

“...??”

Ra-Eun couldn’t understand what Han-Seok was talking about.