Chapter 45: Reminiscence and Invitation

Hwang Kyunghwan looked down at Kang Myungwoo, who was about a head shorter than him.

Strange. There’s not a single resemblance in face or age…

Yet oddly, this child reminded him of his debut colleague who had passed away long ago, Han Minwoo.

The reason Hwang Kyunghwan had spoken to Myungwoo wasn’t anything grand. 

There was the excuse of wanting to talk to a promising junior, but the biggest reason was that.

A child who brought Han Minwoo to mind.

Clearly a completely different person, so why do I feel this way…

Perhaps he was just missing his debut colleague and close friend for no reason.

That made sense. Han Minwoo’s sudden death had been a tremendous shock to him.

He wasn’t someone who was meant to go like that…

Hwang Kyunghwan had hoped that one day, both he and Han Minwoo would become famous actors, reminiscing about their past over drinks with laughter.

But in reality, they had only been able to do that for the last few years of their long acting careers.

After that, Han Minwoo died.

Hwang Kyunghwan smiled bitterly as he thought of Han Minwoo.

I must be getting sentimental. Fussing over one child like this…

Missing a friend he could never see again was his own emotion alone, and because of it, he had made a vastly junior actor nervous.

But even so…

Last time, Go Yoonjung said the same. That somehow Kang Myungwoo resembled Han Minwoo.

Exactly, that Myungwoo seemed to resemble Han Minwoo, and she didn’t know why she felt that way either.

Clearly different people, yet the moment she saw him, she inexplicably felt that emotion.

And the same went for Hwang Kyunghwan after watching Myungwoo’s acting.

It wasn’t just the acting that was similar.

The bright yet restrained way of speaking, the slight tremble of eyelids when flustered—small habits like these were very similar to Han Minwoo.

Enough to evoke memories for both him and Go Yoonjung.

But that guy never even married, so he couldn’t have a child.

And he wasn’t the type to have a child out of wedlock either.

Hwang Kyunghwan, as his close friend, knew better than anyone that Han Minwoo had devoted pure love to Go Yoonjung.

“Hehe, Myungwoo’s acting is truly remarkable, so it’s no wonder people react that way. Everyone did, right? That’s why he won the rookie award and gets so much praise.”

“Haha, thank you.”

The way he smiles is exactly the same too.

With this child in front of him, there was only one thing Hwang Kyunghwan could do now.

“So, do you find acting fun?”

“Ah, yes. It’s so much fun. Really. Thank you for your concern.”

Just reminiscing about the faint traces of Han Minwoo felt through their conversation.

Hwang Kyunghwan hid his lonely smile and continued talking with Myungwoo.

For quite a long time, unusually so for a conversation between a great senior and a great junior with no prior connection.

“Hoo.”

***

After finishing his conversation with Hwang Kyunghwan, Myungwoo sighed in the car driven by his manager.

What was that all about suddenly?

Perhaps, like Go Yoonjung, Hwang Kyunghwan had also found traces of Han Minwoo in him.

Thinking that made him feel uneasy.

With both Go Yoonjung and now Hwang Kyunghwan, it somehow felt like he was lying to them.

People like Lee Yuhee, who were close but hadn’t known him long and wouldn’t mind much, didn’t worry him.

But Go Yoonjung and Hwang Kyunghwan had known him for years, and accordingly, they must have been deeply shocked by his death.

Thinking about that made his chest sting somehow.

But I can’t tell them. Not unless I want to be seen as crazy.

Even so, he couldn’t say it. 

That he was Han Minwoo, died in a traffic accident, and was reborn in this body.

He didn’t think even Go Yoonjung or Hwang Kyunghwan would believe it.

No, rather…

They might think I’m mocking them after hearing some weird story somewhere.

In fact, if the situation were reversed, he would have felt the same.

If Go Yoonjung or Hwang Kyunghwan died, and then a child who gave off their vibe suddenly claimed to be them?

He’d be lucky if they didn’t get angry or spread strange rumors.

…It’s frustrating.

The heavy emotions from meeting Go Yoonjung last year and now Hwang Kyunghwan made Myungwoo’s chest feel stuffy.

With Go Yoonjung, since she had completely moved on, it felt liberating, but with his close friend Hwang Kyunghwan, the heavy feeling didn’t fade.

Well…

Who knew there would be side effects like this to living again.

Of course, if he hadn’t become an actor, meeting them would have been unlikely, but acting was inseparable from his life.

He should have considered the possibility from the start.

That he would meet people he had been close to for a long time in his previous life.

Of course, if it were just meeting them, his heart might not feel this heavy.

But Go Yoonjung and Hwang Kyunghwan’s reactions were exactly…

Like they were missing Han Minwoo.

Inviting him or talking to him seemed like an extension of that.

Facing people who missed his previous self naturally didn’t make Myungwoo feel good.

Thus, Myungwoo’s mood sank endlessly lower.

Ring—

At that moment, his phone rang.

Myungwoo looked at it with puzzled eyes.

[Jo Seungha]

“Hmm?”

What could Jo Seungha want? 

Today wasn’t a day to hang out with Jeon Siho or Lee Yuhee.

Myungwoo answered the call without hiding his confusion.

“Hello?”

[Hey, filming wrapped up?]

“Ah, yes, hyung. What’s up?”

[Uh, are you free this weekend?]

“Weekend?”

Myungwoo thought for a moment. 

There was a long filming schedule ahead, but fortunately, this weekend was off.

“Yes. I’m free.”

[Oh, great? Perfect. It’s nothing big, but I was grateful for the invitation to Jeon Siho sunbae’s house last time, so… wanna come to our villa?]

“Villa?”

Ah, right, this guy’s from a rich family. Myungwoo nodded in understanding.

He hadn’t expected him to be this grateful. He’s really grown up. Myungwoo felt somehow pleased.

[Yeah. You, me, and Jung Inha. It’d be great if Jeon Siho sunbae and Lee Yuhee sunbae could come too, but I’m not that close with them… Ah, n-not that I don’t want to get close, don’t misunderstand!]

“Haha, no misunderstanding. I know how much you like those sunbaes.”

Inviting even Jung Inha meant that day of hanging out together had really been the start of improved relations.

For Myungwoo, it was very welcome. 

Given their acting skills, passion, and popularity, they’d likely cross paths a lot in the future.

[Ahem, anyway, what do you say? FYI, day trip is fine, or overnight too.]

“Uh, overnight’s okay?”

[Yeah. It’s our villa for me, so fine, but not sure about you and Jung Inha.] I should ask once.

“Hmm…”

Overnight without parents at eleven years old. Not easy.

[As expected? Then ask and let me know.]

“Yes. Ah, should I ask Yuhee sunbae and Siho sunbae?”

[W-what? That’d be great if you do, but is it okay?]

“Haha, I’m filming the same movie with them. They probably have the weekend free too?”

[Ha, but they’re top actors. Might be busy with other schedules?]

“That’s why I should ask. I’ll check with my mom first and ask them too.”

[Uh, th-thanks, Myungwoo. I’ll ask Jung Inha.]

“Okay, hyung.”

After the call with Jo Seungha ended, Myungwoo immediately contacted No Yeonhee.

The reply came quickly. When he mentioned it was the villa owned by the JB Group chairman who had given him a gift, she readily permitted it. 

On the condition that he stays in touch and goes with other adults.

That could be handled by going with Lee Yuhee and Jeon Siho, or if not, with his manager.

Myungwoo thought that and contacted Lee Yuhee and Jeon Siho.

[Lee Yuhee: What? Seungha’s villa? Oh, sounds great? Gonna be fun!]

[Jeon Siho: Ooh, Seungha has a villa too? I’m all in!]

Fortunately, both soon sent positive replies. Having smoothly wrapped everything up, Myungwoo contacted Jo Seungha again.

[Kang Myungwoo: Hyung, Mom says it’s okay. 

As long as I stay in touch and go with adults. And Siho sunbae and Yuhee sunbae say yes. Shall we go together?]

[Jo Seungha: R-really? The sunbaes are coming too? Wow, Myungwoo, you’re no joke. Thanks.]

[Kang Myungwoo: Haha, no big deal. Let’s have fun that day.]

[Good. Ah, Jung Inha says overnight might be hard, but she’ll come even if it’s a day trip.]

[Kang Myungwoo: Too bad. Can’t be helped.]

Not many parents in the world would allow a ten-year-old girl to spend the night away. Understanding that, Myungwoo nodded.

[Kang Myungwoo: Then shall we continue in the group chat?]

[Jo Seungha: Yeah.]

Myungwoo entered the group chat made during Jeon Siho’s housewarming. 

Lee Yuhee and Jeon Siho were already chatting there.

[Jeon Siho: Wow, invited to Seungha’s villa? Honored?]

[Lee Yuhee: Right. Gonna be fun. Should I bring a game console?]

[Jeon Siho: Hahaha good idea. Grill meat, enjoy the view, play games at night—sounds fun.]

[Too exciting~ So where’s the address? Meeting separately? Or gather in Seoul and go together?]

[Jeon Siho: Yuhee, you’re excited about driving again, huh?]

[Lee Yuhee: Kekeke caught me?]

Even without seeing them, he could feel their excitement. 

Myungwoo smiled faintly and sent a message.

[Kang Myungwoo: You two seem super excited.]

[Lee Yuhee: Of course! Going out is always exciting!]

[Jeon Siho: Obviously.]

[Jo Seungha: Address is here. Um, how do you two want to do it?]

[Lee Yuhee: Since there are kids, better to meet in Seoul and go together?]

[Jeon Siho: Yeah, parents would worry if kids go alone. We should properly play guardians.]

[Kang Myungwoo: Haha, I’d appreciate that.]

[Jo Seungha: Right. Thank you!]

Jo Seungha probably sent that with trembling hands. Imagining it, Myungwoo smiled.

Ah, this’ll be fun.

How long since a trip like this?

In his previous life, too immersed in acting, he barely even thought about outings.

He hardly went anywhere.

But in this life, work was going so well, and with more leisure in his heart, he could enjoy trips like this.

Myungwoo was very pleased with this change in himself.

Sometimes, times like this are needed.

His previous self didn’t enjoy life enough. 

Eyes always on acting.

Of course, thanks to that, he was reaping the rewards of effort in this life, but there was some regret too.

Lucky I can live like this now.

Myungwoo thought that and smiled brightly.