Chapter 29: Going to Meet a Fan (2)

When I meet 100 people, all 100 cheer me on.

How does it feel? Honestly, I don’t know.

Gratitude, thanks, encouragement—these words come to mind, but they don’t stir my heart.

Instead, that sensation dulls, grows colder.

That’s how it is…

Maybe I was searching for the words I wanted to hear.

Nicole’s words were exactly those, and that’s why talking to her was so enjoyable.

Realizing this, a smile crept onto my face.

Clench.

Hiding my trembling hands from Nicole, I spoke.

“Have you eaten yet?”

“Not yet. Have you, Author?”

“Me neither. Want to grab something together?”

“I’d love that!”

Nicole smiled brightly.

Her smile somehow calmed my heart.

“Shall we? I know a great restaurant. Do you like steak?”

“Of course! Can’t get enough of it!”

“Then let’s go.”

We stood and headed to the restaurant.

***

Honestly, I’d never been to this place before.

I never wanted to come here, and with dining out being so expensive, I preferred eating at home.

But Mijeong, hearing about my date, booked everything for me.

Thanks…

Yesterday, her planning felt like a hassle.

Her enthusiastic explanations in front of the kids embarrassed me.

The kids cheered me on too…

I didn’t want to discuss dating in front of them.

But their eyes sparkled whenever they heard about it.

Well, except Jiyu, who seemed bored.

“This place is delicious!”

“Haha, yeah?”

“Yes! So good! Eat up, Author!”

“I’m eating.”

Nicole ate with such joy.

She must love meat—every bite brought a happy smile.

Like Jiyu.

Her expression reminded me of Jiyu, who smiled the same way while eating.

“If you want more, order it. My treat.”

“Oh, no, this is enough. I can’t eat too much.”

“Why not?”

She ate happily but sparingly, less than the kids, which puzzled me.

“I have to watch my weight.”

“Huh?”

Watch what?

Not to be rude, but Nicole was already slim.

No trace of excess fat.

“It’s my job. Flight attendants have to stay in shape.”

“Really?”

In Canada and other Western countries, flight attendants had diverse appearances.

When I visited Japan, I was shocked to see their attendants all had identical heights and builds.

Of all the Canadian flight attendants I’ve seen, none were as slim as Nicole.

Canadian airlines valued freedom—appearance, age, body type, all unrestricted.

“There’s no rule, just personal satisfaction. Clothes fit better when I feel good.”

“Ah.”

“You know, when I was a kid, all flight attendants were beautiful.”

Back then, they were all women, all stunning in looks and figure.

Airlines had strict requirements, so beauty was common.

Nicole set her goal watching them.

“Those memories are so vivid, so I work hard to stay in shape.”

“Isn’t that tough?”

She seemed to love food, eating with a childlike innocence.

“It’s fine! It’s for something I love!”

For Nicole, style trumped food.

It must be hard, but she stayed committed to her goal.

A dream greater than a goal…

She’d already achieved her goal: becoming a flight attendant.

But that didn’t mean she stopped.

She kept walking toward her dreams.

Unlike me, she never paused.

Goals and dreams.

Nicole’s sparkling eyes met mine.

“Aren’t you eating more?”

“No, I’m good.”

I didn’t eat much, less than usual.

I loved food, but watching Nicole eat was more enjoyable.

“Do you have any hobbies?”

“Not really.”

“What about photography? As a writer, you’d probably take moody shots.”

“Photography… sounds nice. I’ll try it sometime.”

Small talk flowed.

From trivial chats to hobbies, talents, and yesterday’s events.

Even pointless topics felt neither awkward nor annoying.

This moment was pure happiness and joy.

“Oh! Author! Author!”

“Yes?”

Her initial awkwardness was gone.

Her lively demeanor, so different from work, made me smile.

“I’ve been wanting to ask, if it’s not rude… is it okay?”

“If it’s something I can answer, sure.”

“Is the rumor about Rat Hole true?”

“Huh?”

“Rat Hole!”

“What rumor?”

“That Orange TV+ is preparing a rights deal meeting!”

It was just tabloid gossip, not official news.

Only that they were seriously considering a contract.

Just rumors, but they’d boosted Orange TV+ subscriptions slightly.

“Nothing’s confirmed, but I’m meeting them soon.”

Nicole wasn’t one to spread rumors, and it wasn’t a secret, so I nodded.

Her face lit up slowly at my casual words.

“Really? You’re actually doing it?”

“Just talks for now. Not sure about a contract.”

“Wow…”

Her eyes sparkled.

Her favorite work might be adapted—how could she not be thrilled?

If we weren’t in public, she’d probably scream and roll on her bed in joy.

“Guess we’ll see next week.”

“I’ll be waiting excitedly!”

“That much?”

I didn’t get it.

Nicole’s reaction was mild compared to some fans’ terrifying intensity.

Like they wanted to lock me in a room to write forever.

Why do people like my writing…?

Writers don’t always understand their work.

I might find it fun, but someone could hate it.

Yet so many loved mine, it was almost scary.

“You don’t know, Author! The magic in your words!”

Like wanting what’s forbidden, Adele Louis’s work drew people in despite resistance.

Once read, the devilish magic trapped them.

Of course, Yongsu didn’t realize this.

“You love writing so much, have you ever tried it yourself?”

“Huh? Uh, well…”

Caught off guard, Nicole stammered.

Then, with a sheepish look, she spoke.

“I have.”

“Oh, really?”

“Yeah…”

Anyone who loves writing dreams of creating their own at least once.

That’s how I became a writer.

“I write, but it’s never gone anywhere. Just dabbling.”

Nicole had free time outside of flights.

She spent most of it reading but wrote when she could.

“Can you show me?”

Her face turned beet red, and she covered it with both hands, unable to hide her embarrassment.

“I-I-I’ll show you… later.”

“If it’s embarrassing, you don’t have to—”

“Later! I’ll definitely show you later! Promise!”

“I mean—”

“Promise!”

“Alright, I’ll look forward to it.”

I smiled and nodded.

Her reaction made her smile brightly.

She must be writing for submission.

Otherwise, she wouldn’t be so shy.

“Oh! My flight’s soon.”

“Shall we head out?”

Dinner was done, and we couldn’t linger.

We stood and left.

***

One minute, ten minutes, one hour, ten hours.

Time with Nicole was blissful, fun, and I wanted it to last.

But happy times pass quickly, and evening arrived as we talked.

Walking together, Nicole looked at me.

“Are you heading back?”

“Yeah, I have to. The kids are waiting.”

She smiled softly.

“Author.”

“Yes?”

“Are you happy now?”

“Yes, I am.”

Time with Nicole, time with the kids—it was all happiness.

“But, Author…”

“Yes?”

“I wasn’t happy.”

Her words startled me.

Seeing my reaction, she grinned.

“It feels like we only talked about me, not you!”

“Well… true.”

Most of today’s talk was about her.

Even when I spoke, it was mostly in response to her questions or insights.

“So… Author!”

“Yes?”

“Can you make me happy from now on?”

“Huh?”

“From now on—make me happy!”

Gulp.

Her sparkling blue eyes left me speechless, swallowing hard.