Producer with no Regrets - Chapter 569



Only Noblemtl

Episode 569

‘I don’t like it when the director talks casually with Seiko-senpai.’

Seongpil kept thinking about what Jang Ha-yang had said.

After Tomoe left, Jang Ha-yang said that in an unwavering tone.

And he added one more thing.

‘I know it’s off-topic, but I really wanted to tell you.’

Seongpil knows too.

It’s obvious that the Girls’ League doesn’t like Seiko. You can see it.

To begin with, my meeting with Seiko was not a friendly one. Seiko was an enemy of the Girls’ League.

The Girls’ League’s debut in Japan, which should have been full of bright futures, was greatly distorted by the character Seiko.

‘Now we are family!’

At the same time, the image of Seiko declaring the Girls’ League as family also comes to mind.

Since then, Webex has been very supportive of the Girls’ League. They have been given every broadcast they could get on, and they have been invited to every big event.

So, does that mean the Girls’ League’s grudge has been resolved?

‘no.’

In a way, that support was not obtained through the power of the Girls’ League.

It was a family relationship that was achieved through so-called equivalent exchange, after Seongpil threw himself into saving Seiko.

‘My ankle hurts.’

Seongpil once felt pain in his ankle while receiving personal training from trainer Kwon Kang-cheol.

Trainer Kwon Kang-chul said he didn’t know the reason. At least he said it wasn’t because of exercise.

‘Have you ever been injured in the past?’

Seongpil recalled the Seiko incident.

The sore ankle is the leg that had the cast on at the time.

When I went to a resort with people from Garo Enter, something ridiculous happened and I ended up twisting my ankle.

All I did was misstep a little.

From then on, my steps became strangely slow.

‘hand.’

Although he tries not to think about it, Seongpil’s left hand has become numb.

This was also a recent event.

When I went to the hospital, they said it was the aftereffects of the accident.

Seongpil touched the cell phone in his pocket. He could only feel the pressure, but it was difficult to tell what the material was like or what the temperature was.

Are you nervous?

I wonder if it will get better later.

“Director Paku.”

Seongpil looked at Seiko.

She had a satisfied expression. No, a happy expression. No one but a dull person could fail to sense the love she exuded.

“What are you thinking about?”

“I don’t really have any thoughts on this.”

“Lies. How many times did you call me?”

“why?”

“Is there a place of memory? A place that Director Paku cherishes. I want to go there.”

“yes?”

Seongpil burst into laughter.

I could guess why Seiko would make such a suggestion. Perhaps she had seen something like this on the Internet: ‘It’s good to go to places where you both have memories with your lover. Your relationship will deepen.’

But there is a problem with Seiko’s proposal.

“Well, it’s a place of memories. Well, the Webex building?”

“Huh? Are you kidding me? Is the place of your memories the company?”

“I’m Korean. If I were to add up the days I spent in Japan, it wouldn’t be more than a year.”

Only then did Seiko show signs of defeat.

Seongpil is Korean. He hasn’t lived in Japan long enough to have any fond memories. He probably doesn’t have any favorite places.

“Ah, ah, that’s right… … .”

“then.”

Seongpil held out his left hand.

“Seiko, do you want to go to the place of memories?”

“Me? Uh, um, the place of my memories… … .”

“Isn’t there any?”

Seiko thought deeply and then smiled, saying, “Ah!”

“there is.”

Then he stared blankly at the hand that Seongpil held out.

“So, do you mean catch it? Can I catch it?”

“You don’t feel like it?”

Seiko grabbed Seongpil’s hand urgently, as if he were going to take it away.

“It’s warm.”

“is it so?”

Seongpil squeezed Seiko’s hand once.

All I could feel was pressure. I couldn’t tell if her hand was soft or rough, warm or cold.

“Seiko, your hands are warm too.”

“Tea, isn’t it cold… … ?”

“It’s warm to me.”

“… … I, Director Paku. So, so, let me hold your hand, so, um, uh, that, is that right?”

“Didn’t you want to hold hands?”

“……yes?”

“It’s a reward. It’s a reward for showing a good performance. Is it strange to hold hands and do it with your body?”

“… … .”

“Is skinship without feelings vulgar?”

“……no.”

Seiko held Seongpil’s hand tightly.

“great.”

* * *

“This is… … .”

Seongpil smiled awkwardly, as if he didn’t know what to say. In fact, he had no choice but to smile.

The place Seiko brought Sungpil was the rooftop of Webex.

“This is the place of my memories.”

Seiko let go and went ahead.

She walked slowly towards the railing.

“memory…….”

Seongpil followed Seiko while reciting the words. Seiko walked a few steps and then looked up at the sky.

“The moon is pretty.”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“It’s like that day.”

“Is this the day I’m thinking of?”

“that’s right.”

Seiko looked at the railing.

It wasn’t at the railing level anymore.

Despite the damage to the appearance, the iron bars were installed.

It was because of the Seiko incident.

“Director Paku, do you know that? There are two types of memories. Words and images. When people remember the past, some people recall it with words, while others recall it with images. The same goes for thoughts. Some people think with words, while others think with images. I am an image. And that day… … I really remember everything from beginning to end, without a single blur.”

Seongpil took a step towards her.

My ankle was throbbing.

“Misato cried. It was like the world was falling apart. Himura was serious, which didn’t suit his personality, but he was even more serious that day. And Director Paku was really… … strange.”

“Was it weird?”

“Yes, really. Just go up there without any hesitation.”

Seiko pointed to the edge of the rooftop, which was high above the ground. That day, Seiko had climbed up there and hung on the railing.

From below, you can’t see above very well.

“No, he came up and came to me. I panicked. When someone comes close, I try to get away. But Director Paku stopped right where I thought, ‘This is it.’ And he said, ‘Sing me a song.’”

“It was strange. I wondered what kind of person this was.”

“No, I realized it then, but I was waiting for someone to tell me that. I wanted to sing. But, you know, it’s such a tragic moment, so what if I suddenly sing? So, I was happy. That there was someone who wanted to hear my song.”

“I don’t really want to talk about this story.”

“I guess so.”

Seiko laughed.

“I’m sorry, Director Paku, this won’t be a memory for you.”

“no.”

“… … Then lastly, do you remember what Director Paku said to me back then?”

“When?”

“It’s the last one.”

“I don’t remember exactly.”

“Can you tell me again? One last time. This is the last time. I won’t bring up that time again.”

Seongpil recalled his memories.

My left hand started shaking. The shaking started in my hand and spread down my arm to my shoulder.

“You must not die.”

“And?”

“It is a loss for humanity.”

Seiko bowed her head.

“I think life is beautiful.”

“That’s kind of it.”

“For me, music makes the world beautiful. Most of the world is trash, but sometimes good things happen. That’s why I love the world. Does Paku Isa have that too?”

“yes.”

“Idol?”

“yes.”

“Why do you like idols?”

Seongpil approached Seiko again.

Before he could answer, Seiko spoke first.

“Wait a minute, I get it. Of course it’s nice to have young, pretty girls dancing and singing like, ‘Look at me!’ I like that too.”

“That may be true, but in reality, it wouldn’t have mattered at all. To me at that time.”

“Is there any other reason?”

“I forget who said it, but there’s this saying that Debussy, if he had been born 30 years later, would have been a jazz artist. And Red Garland, if he had been born 30 years later, would have been a rocker. And Kurt Cobain, if he had been born 30 years later, would have been a pop musician… That’s the story.”

“Then Director Paku likes idols… … just because idols are popular?”

“I love culture.”

“That’s cool.”

“Of all the cultures, I love idols the most.”

“So in the end, you like idols… … .”

Seongpil took another step closer to Seiko. Now he could see her side profile.

Seiko still had her head down.

“Director Paku, if you have a child, what will you name it?”

“I’ve decided on my daughter.”

“That’s typical of Director Paku, who likes girl groups. What is it?”

“It’s ‘Saint.’”

“It’s a pretty name.”

“That’s my brother’s name.”

“You have a younger sibling?! I just found out! How old is he?”

“hmm…….”

As Seongpil folded his fingers one by one, Seiko said in disbelief.

“Are you calculating my younger brother’s age right now? Doesn’t that disqualify me as your older brother?”

“Yeah. Let’s see, you’re at an age where you can have fun and study hard in college.”

“You’re such a late bloomer. But you named your daughter after your younger sibling? You must be very fond of your younger sibling, considering you can’t even tell me their age right away.”

“I save it.”

“Paku, pa, ba… … .”

She pronounced the name carefully.

“Park Se-in. It’s a pretty name.”

“thank you.”

“… … .”

Seiko took a small box out of her bosom. Then she looked at Seongpil and slowly held it out to him.

“Director Paku, you said you wouldn’t date for the next five years… no, four years, right?”

“yes.”

“Then, hey, engagement, is engagement possible?”

“No, really, I never imagined that. I was wondering if it was a ring? Are you giving me a ring?”

“Oh, I’m not giving it to you yet! I’m asking if you’re getting engaged! Answer me!”

“sorry.”

“You’re going to answer right away?!”

Surprisingly, Seiko didn’t cry or hesitate.

She put the box back into her arms.

Seongpil sighed and looked at Seiko.

“Seiko-san. I’m glad that you like me, Seiko-san, but that’s… … .”

“I know. It’s my love for the prince who saved me. I don’t know much about the person named Paku Isa. It’s not because of the person named Paku Isa, but because of the things that Paku Isa did.”

“… … .”

“Maybe Director Paku has all the habits I dislike. He may have a pretty face and a pretty body, but his personality is trash. He may be a bastard who changes women like stars. It would be naive to talk about getting engaged just because of one incident or because he saved me.”

“… … It’s very different from what I thought.”

“Is that logical?”

Seiko smiled faintly.

“But isn’t love originally innocent? There are many people who fall in love just because they made eye contact. But isn’t it common sense to love someone who saved your life and want to get engaged to that person?”

“But after four years… … .”

“I know, too! In four years, both I and Director Paku can change their minds! But, if Director Paku accepts my promise here. Then.”

Seiko stirred.

She moved her hands slowly.

Her left hand grabbed Seongpil’s right hand.

“Even after four years, your mind won’t change, right?”

Seongpil looked at her. Even the white moonlight could not hide her flushed face.

And he looked down.

With his right hand held by Seiko.

He laughed.

“Ms. Seiko.”

“What, what is it?”

“Seiko, your hands are cold.”

“You said it was warm earlier?!”

“It’s cold.”

“Just answer!”

“……I don’t know.”

“Do you hate me?”

“no.”

“You don’t believe me?”

“I can’t trust time.”

“What if I write a report?”

“That’s a real marriage.”

“How on earth can I change Director Paku’s mind?”

“Have you forgotten what I told you before?”

“Remember. The Girls’ League will always be on your mind, so dating me would be rude or something… … But that’s okay. Think about it as much as you want. Think about it when you meet me, or just think about the Girls’ League whenever you want. That’s okay. I’ll let you have it.”

“… … .”

“Oh, now it’s done, really!”

Seiko roughly let go of Seongpil’s hand.

“I know that Director Paku is a kind person. I also know that he doesn’t want to hurt me. Then I will be the only one who gets hurt. It’s over now. Is that okay?”

“… … .”

“No, really? You have no words?!”

“today.”

Seongpil took off his scarf.

The weather was secretly warm.

He draped the scarf loosely around his shoulders.

“Let’s make it a second date. No one decides to date after meeting once or twice.”

“Yes? But Misato and Yuseon… … .”

“stop.”

I don’t want to hear about Darkest Seo Yu-seon’s love life. I want to respect his privacy.

Because that’s a ‘curtain’.

“Seiko-san is not my type to begin with. She doesn’t keep any of her promises. She said she would meet for dinner in five years, but we’ve already met for drinks and meals several times.”

“Not even three times… … . One of them was when I met the Girls’ League and Yuseon at Misato’s… … .”

“Let’s meet again when we’re both older. In four years.”

Seiko squeezed and released Seongpil’s hand as if massaging it to erase her regret.

“… … There’s a reward, right? I told you thank you for showing me the performance today. Do you still feel that gratitude?”

“yes?”

“Can you repay me with your body?”

As Seongpil’s expression grew darker, Seiko hurriedly made an excuse.

“No, hand! Like a hand! Holding hands! That’s what Director Paku said!”

“Yeah, well, I’ll take a look.”

“Why are you backing away?! Don’t say anything weird! T, t, would you like to listen to a song?”

“Is that the reward?”

“I wish Director Paku would listen. Here.”

“But why is listening to music a physical reward?”

“… … .”

“You were actually thinking of something else, weren’t you?”

“Key, kiss… … farewell… … .”

“With your tongue, or just your lips?”

“Will you do it?! Put it in!”

“No, I just asked.”

“I’m dying!”

Seiko punched Sungpil here and there.

“I’ll listen to the song.”

“Is it fun? Is it fun to play with? Is it fun to manipulate people’s minds?!”

“It’s fun being with Seiko.”

Seiko glared at Seongpil with all her anger. But that was only for a moment.

As expected of a skilled singer, she was ready to sing in no time.

Her request to listen to a song in return didn’t seem to be an impromptu one. There was a serious atmosphere.

“I will sing my new title song, ‘Faded Love.’ This song was actually written while thinking of Director Paku.”

“I thought so.”

“Is that the end of appreciation?”

“It’s an honor to be your muse.”

“I wanted to tell Director Paku about this. Somewhere just the two of us. I thought it would be best to do it here. It’s my thanks for saving Gahu.”

And then Seiko started singing.

Seongpil put his hands together neatly in front of him.

I clenched my left hand with my right hand.

I forcefully stop the trembling in my left hand.

It was a solo concert held under the moonlight. As he watched and listened to it, happiness spread across Sungpil’s lips.

‘This is the place of Seiko’s memories.’

And it was a place of memories for Seongpil as well.

It became a place of memories.

He looked at his hands.

‘If it’s to save someone like Seiko, this is nothing.’

Seongpil thought.

It wasn’t meaningful because he saved someone like Seiko, but because it was Seiko.

“How was it?”

“It was good.”

“thank you.”

It was a simple sentiment and simple gratitude.

“It’s cold, let’s go down now.”

“yes.”

The two entered the building together.

While going down the stairs, Seiko asked.

“Do you want to come to my house now?”

“no.”

“If you’re going to reject all my confessions, why did you come out today? Am I just a time-waster? Do you have pride, too?!”

“I missed you, Seiko.”

“Hey, Mr. Paku. It’s really bad to keep giving things room. Do you know that? Can’t you make it clear?”

“No, I made it very clear. Please remember what I said last year. What can I make more clear here… .”

“I forgot everything. What did you say?”

“… … Okay.”

The two stood in front of the elevator.

The door opened. Seongpil did not get on.

“Director Paku?”

“I have work left to do here.”

“Huh? Wait a minute!”

Seiko grabbed the elevator door and forced it to close.

“What do you mean, I missed you!”

“It’s literally true.”

“Is this love!”

“No. It’s friendship. It’s comradeship.”

“You could at least make up some words… … .”

“You said it was bad to give them room… … .”

“Seriously, really, do we have to wait four years? Isn’t there even a little deviation? A change of plans?”

“Who told you to wait?”

“… … .”

Seiko let go of the door.

Despite Seongpil’s kind words, Seiko was smiling happily.

“Thank you, Director Paku, for saving me back then.”

“Thank you for being alive.”

The door is closed.

Seongpil looked at his phone as he headed toward the stairs.

Jang Ha-yang got a text message. It looks like he’s still in the Webex building.

* * *

“Thank you for today, Sister.”

“huh.”

Jang Ha-yang waved at Tomoe and left the studio. The hallway was deserted and gloomy because it was late.

Jang Ha-yang walked towards the central staircase.

As she walked, the fluorescent lights came on one by one. Soon, Sungpil, waiting on the central staircase, came into view.

“Hayang-ah.”

“Director.”

The two stood facing each other.

“You’re late.”

“Yeah. That’s what happened. And Hayang, I thought about what you said, and it didn’t work.”

“……yes?”

“I know you don’t have any feelings for Seiko-san. But I don’t think that’s a reason for me to cut ties with Seiko-san or ignore her. You’re right. It’s presumptuous. It’s not right to interfere with my interpersonal relationships.”

The two of them didn’t move at all.

The sensor turned off the fluorescent lights when it detected no movement. Darkness settled between the two.

If only a wave of the hand or someone takes a single step, the lights will come back on.

But neither of them moved.

“Hayang-ah.”

Seongpil’s voice spread through the darkness.

“I like Seiko-san.”

When Jang Ha-yang heard that, he remembered what happened last year.

Seongpil, who had dinner at Seiko’s house, brought chicken to the Girls’ League dormitory. The members shared it with Seongpil.

And Seongpil cried.

Seongpil cried that day.

Seongpil, who had dinner with Seiko and rejected her confession, was sad.

‘ah.’

Thousands of arrows are flying.

The target is Jang Ha-yang’s heart.

The heart, which will soon be torn apart and crushed without a trace, is the only target.