Chapter 31
Startled by the sudden touch, Da-eun turned toward Si-won.
Si-won, who had been poking her with a single finger, didn’t pull his hand back and instead gently tapped her cheek.
“I should probably be going now.”
Da-eun subtly moved away and stood up. Slightly unsteady from being tipsy, she swayed a little, and Si-won quickly reached out to support her shoulder.
“Ah… it’s okay.”
When Da-eun declined his help, Si-won withdrew his hand reluctantly.
There would be scenes later in the drama where they would have to act intimate as a married couple, but for him to reach out so freely in private—it made her feel wide awake.
Da-eun tried to steady herself and walk properly.
“I saw the news. Director Ji Seung-gyun’s movie, right?”
“Yes.”
Si-won followed her slowly, keeping the conversation going.
“It’s such a shame that the drama is over. Let’s keep in touch, okay? Sometimes we can have a meal or coffee together.”
He said he wanted to get closer, lamenting that they hadn’t talked much even during Run, People, and that it was the first time they had acted together and yet hadn’t gotten close. During filming, he had been polite and kind, but now it seemed like he had another purpose.
However, Si-won’s words were vague, leaving Da-eun without a clear reason to refuse him outright.
“Let’s all meet up next time.”
Although she hinted that she was only interested in a rational way, without revealing any personal feelings, Da-eun answered evasively.
“Yes. Next time, all together.”
Si-won smiled, the corners of his eyes crinkling, echoing her words.
Da-eun politely smiled back and entered the shop again, immediately looking for Ha-jung.
“Have you finished eating, unnie?”
“Yes. We finished a while ago. I’m stuffed. Shall we go?”
“Yes.”
“Alright. Say goodbye and come out. I’ll move the car.”
Ha-jung grabbed the keys and went out. Da-eun greeted Director Shin, Writer Kim, and the other staff and actors before leaving the shop. Hye-young and Su-hyeok were nowhere to be seen.
“Da-eun.”
As soon as she stepped out, Ha-jung lowered the car window and called her.
“Drink this.”
Da-eun got into the car and drank the hangover remedy Ha-jung handed her, leaning back in the seat. The tension seemed to melt, and fatigue washed over her suddenly.
“….”
Through the black car window, the crimson streetlights flowed past.
‘Just give it back. Don’t care what the other person thinks. Just be blunt. You’re seeing someone right now.’
Suddenly, Yoon Ju-hyeok’s angry face flashed in her mind.
What?
I’m not seeing anyone right now.
Before she could dwell on the question, a wave of dizziness hit, leaving her no time to think further.
Da-eun stood in front of her house, supported by Ha-jung.
“Go inside and sleep right away, okay?”
“Yes. Thank you, unnie.”
She felt drowsy from the alcohol. Da-eun went straight inside and collapsed onto the sofa. She had tried not to drink, but with so many staff around, she had no choice but to have several drinks. Still, she was pleasantly tipsy.
“I’m sleepy.”
Her eyes, heavy and drooping, closed tightly.
I should shower.
Perhaps because the last thought before sleep had been about taking a shower, Da-eun found herself showering in an unfamiliar place.
Was this a dream?
Even though it was somewhere unknown, it felt oddly familiar. She used shampoo and body wash and dried herself with a towel without hesitation, as if it were her own home. Then she put on an oversized T-shirt and left the bathroom.
Where is this place?
Despite the unfamiliarity, her body moved naturally toward the kitchen. There, she embraced a man who was cooking.
The man, pausing from making toast, asked her:
“Coffee?”
He smelled fresh, as if he had just showered too. Da-eun nodded. It must be a dream, she thought, as her body moved on its own.
Who is this man?
Why am I having this dream?
Unlike her usual dreams, this one was vivid, but she couldn’t recognize his face.
Da-eun had breakfast with him, did the dishes together, stood side by side joking around, brushed their teeth, and then watched a movie on a large TV in the living room.
“Gang Da-eun.”
When she turned at the gentle voice, the man holding her pressed a kiss to her lips.
It was strange. She didn’t know him, yet his touch and kiss made her tingle and feel fluttery.
Who is he? Why does he cling to me so anxiously while holding me so tenderly?
After the short, yet long kiss, she finally recognized his face.
‘Sunbae…?’
Yoon Ju-hyeok.
Why am I having this kind of dream about him?
As if noticing her shock, the dream changed. He still looked anxious, but his words became sharp.
“Then, stop.”
Da-eun couldn’t answer. Her cheeks were wet, likely from tears.
Even though he said to stop, he didn’t leave. It was as if he wanted her to change her mind.
Bzzzz—bzzzz—.
Ju-hyeok’s face blurred as an unexpected vibration shook the dream.
Bzzzz—
“!”
Da-eun woke abruptly, sitting up on the sofa.
Bzzzz—bzzzz—.
Her phone in her bag was vibrating loudly. An alarm.
“Oh my… it’s morning already?”
She had fallen asleep without showering, and it was already morning. Turning off the alarm, she stared out the living room window. The bright morning sky was clear and sunny.
There was no hangover, and the clear sunlight should have made her happy, yet she rubbed her chest in frustration. It felt as though her emotions were clogged, like a lump of unresolved sadness.
“….”
She thought she had had a dream but couldn’t remember it clearly.
It left her uneasy.
Would taking a shower help?
Pressing on her chest, Da-eun sighed deeply and headed straight for the bathroom.
Da-eun had decided to attend action school regularly for the action scenes in Jackpot, and today was her first day.
In the large gymnasium, actors, stunt performers, and trainers were scattered, practicing individually.
Da-eun stretched deeply, exhaling slowly. A trainer handed her a towel.
“Shall we move over now?”
The action trainer, Choi Ji-ye, had ten years of experience as a stuntwoman. She had worked with many actors and was famous for teaching the action needed for productions well.
After finishing the warm-up, it was time to go to the main hall to teach the basic choreography and practice with a partner. Later, they would also learn wire stunts.
Da-eun listened carefully to Ji-ye, nodding politely.
“I’ll teach you the basics first.”
Ji-ye stood opposite Da-eun, scanning her body. She looked fragile but had good proportions and long limbs, which would look good on camera for action scenes.
“This is a simple move. Position the hand like a blade, strike the neck, block the stomach, then strike the neck again.”
Even with good physical structure, it was difficult to perform the action properly from the start. Timing with a partner was crucial. Even a simple move looked wrong if the sequence was off, and practicing carelessly could cause injury.
“We’ll start slow, then increase the speed.”
Ji-ye planned to teach step by step, even if it took time, as long as the partner followed along.
“Yes, understood.”
Da-eun’s bright smile made Ji-ye lift her own corners of her mouth in response.
Many actors tried hard at first but gave up if it got difficult, doing only as much as necessary. Some would only move to look flashy on camera, skip basic physical training, or leave everything to the stunt double. Only a few followed through until the end.
How about Gang Da-eun?
“Remember the sequence. Even if you make mistakes, just follow along.”
Ji-ye extended her arm first. Their arms met in the air as they struck the neck.
“Arm, neck, stomach, neck. Again, arm…”
Blocking and striking, the initially slow pace picked up quickly. Ji-ye instinctively followed the speed, raising her eyebrows.
She’s good.
The innocent look in Da-eun’s eyes had sharpened, glinting like a blade. Even though the moves were prearranged, Da-eun’s strikes were fierce enough to make Ji-ye’s hair stand on end.
“Good.”
After stopping, Ji-ye hesitated before asking Da-eun:
“Have you ever done stunts before?”
Da-eun’s movements already had the fluidity of someone experienced.
