Chapter 84: That’s cruel.

[Deer: ???]
[Monkeying: ???]
[Mouse: ???]

That was the beginning.

If the goal was simply to attract attention, Black Bear succeeded. They managed to collect an absurd number of hooks in an instant.

But at the same time, everyone knew well. Black Bear was not the type to joke around.

[Black Bear: Let’s meet up before I enlist.]

[Black Bear: Monkeying, where did you want to go?]

[Black Bear: A film festival? We can all go together.]

Enlisting in the military is not something to be ignored.

Thanks to this, the usually disorganized group chat started working together to set a date for a gathering, and they also agreed to visit the short film festival that Monkeying had been raving about.

Everyone.

Except for Sua.

[Deer: But why isn’t Lee Sua showing up?]

[Deer: So annoying.]

[Monkeying: Why do you like Sua so much?]

[Deer: What are you talking about;;;]

[Monkeying: But it’s true she’s not here.]

[Black Bear: Right? She used to be the most available one.]

[Mouse: She’s been pretty busy lately.]

The fact that Sua was busy was something difficult for the group chat members to adapt to. But no one felt particularly upset about it. Everyone had their own circumstances.

[Black Bear: She’ll reply when she sees it later.]

[Mouse: Yeah, let’s just wait.]

[Monkeying: She hasn’t even logged into the game for ages.]

[Deer: Hm;]

Oh, actually, there was one person who did feel upset.

[Deer: Why is Lee Sua acting so cocky?]

Who else? It was Deer.

Morning. Sua had just woken up.

But that only meant she had lifted her eyelids—it didn’t mean she had actually gotten up. She was still in bed, savoring the last remnants of sleep.

And then—

Her phone suddenly rang.

Without checking the caller ID, Sua answered the call.

“Hello?”

No response.

“Hello?”

“Hey!”

“…!”

Startled, Sua immediately sat up.

Jeez, that almost blew out her eardrums.

“H-Hello?”

“Lee Sua! Why haven’t you checked the group chat?!”

“Huh?”

Sua furrowed her brows belatedly.

There was only one person who would call her and had such a piercing voice—Go Eun-bi.

“What? What’s going on?”

“Black Bear is enlisting!”

“What?”

Sua was genuinely shocked.

“Wait, wasn’t Black Bear a girl…?”

Weren’t there only girls in our group chat? Now that she thought about it, maybe Black Bear was the only guy? He didn’t chat much, so she hadn’t really noticed.

“…Do you even care about the chat? Anyway, you’re coming too, right? Everyone else is coming, so you’re not going to be the only one missing, are you?”

“When is it?”

“A week from now. Monkeying has been desperate to see the short film festival this year, so we all decided to go together that day.”

Sua hesitated for a moment. Hmm…

Then Deer chimed in.

“I’m super busy that day too, but since it’s a rare chance for everyone to meet, I’m planning to join after work. So don’t be difficult, just come. I’ll even cover your taxi fare.”

“What’s with you? Suddenly offering to pay for a taxi?”

But soon, Sua had a realization.

“…Don’t tell me you were serious about spanking me? You’re acting way too suspicious. Why are you being so scary?”

“Hey, you’re the suspicious one.”

“What?”

“I heard from Mouse that you’ve been busy lately. Something about acting? Are you crazy? Why are you suddenly trying to become an actress at this age?”

“We’re not that old.”

We’re in our early twenties. Sua swallowed the rest of her words.

“That’s not the point… Your talent…”

Go Eun-bi trailed off, unable to finish her sentence.

But by that point, Sua had already made up her mind.

If it was on the day of the film festival, she would probably be too busy to make it. It was a shame she wouldn’t be able to see Black Bear before his enlistment, but she could just prepare a gift for him separately.

Sua nodded.

“Sorry, but I really don’t think I can make it.”

“See you next time. Next time.”

“…Are you serious?”

But Eun-bi’s voice suddenly turned serious.

“You’re really, really not coming?”

“Huh? Uh, yeah.”

Then, from the other end of the line, she heard a deep sigh.

Sua furrowed her brows instinctively, annoyed at the impending nagging she was about to receive.

And then—

Her phone buzzed.

Absentmindedly, Sua checked her messages.

“…!”

Her eyes widened in shock.

[You have received 1,000,000 KRW.]

[Accept]

Eun-bi suddenly sent one million won.

“…What is this?”

“Hey, Lee Sua.”

“Huh?”

“I know you’re feeling down and losing confidence because nothing seems to be working out, but don’t let it get to you too much. After all, we’re… friends.”

“Hmm?”

“Don’t avoid our gatherings just because you feel embarrassed about not having a job. That’s even more embarrassing. Got it?”

“Huh?”

“Just use this as pocket money. I’m making a lot these days.”

Sua understood the situation.

Eun-bi must have thought Sua was avoiding the gatherings because she was frustrated and blaming herself over repeated failures.

But? She was really just busy.

“And don’t fall for ridiculous temptations. If guys ask you to sleep with them, don’t just go along with it. You’re so naive that I worry about you.”

“What? No, but still, one million won is too…”

At that moment, Sua’s words stopped abruptly.

A few different versions of herself emerged in her mind.

Two versions, to be precise.

A tiny version of herself dressed as Kim Yuhan and another in Wi Ji-hye’s outfit. The two began an intense debate inside Sua’s head.

“Give it back!”

Wi Ji-hye Sua shouted.

“Humans are humans because they have a sense of shame. You must return it.”

Sua agreed with this thought. But then—

“But, senior, is that really the case?”

Kim Yuhan Sua shrugged.

“Actually, accepting it might make the other person happier.”

“What? It’s a million won! What are you talking about?”

“Think about what Sa-seum usually does.”

“What Sa-seum usually does…”

“Whenever they lost in a game, they blamed you. They always teased you in the group chat. Maybe it was their way of showing affection, but it wasn’t exactly nice, was it?”

“Yeah, that’s true. They tormented me a lot.”

“That’s why they feel indebted to you. They know they haven’t treated you well and want to make up for it. So you should accept it.”

“Huh?”

“You get money, and Sa-seum gets to relieve their guilt. It’s a win-win. Actually, you could even ask for more—”

“You crazy fool! Stop talking nonsense!”

Wi Ji-hye Sua started to freak out, but Sua had already made up her mind to side with Kim Yuhan Sua.

Decision made.

So—

“Hey, Eun-bi, can I also get a fried chicken…”

[ … ]

Two days later.

Special Task Force 808 filming set.

The scene was being filmed with everyone watching.

The main storyline had already been shot. The final addition was a product placement scene featuring the energy drink ‘Extreme.’

“Hwaang! Hwaaaang—!”

“Mom…!”

In a dark and cramped warehouse, children were crying desperately, calling for their parents.

Bang!

Someone started pounding forcefully on the firmly locked warehouse door.

Bang—!

Bang!

The children clung to each other. Their trembling was intense, and though the dimly lit space hid their expressions, their faces were paler than ever.

“H-heuaang…”

“No… No…”

Crash—!

But when the door finally opened—

It wasn’t an intruder who appeared.

It was Kim Yuhan.

Words were unnecessary.

His usual sharp gaze had vanished, replaced by a warm and gentle expression, as if he had switched faces entirely.

As Kim Yuhan knelt on one knee to meet the children’s eye level without saying a word—

The children had already stopped crying.

“Let’s go. I’ll buy you something delicious.”

That was all Kim Yuhan said.

And the next moment—

“Great! That’s a wrap!”

PD Choi Heewon’s satisfied voice rang out, and the staff, who had been silently watching, applauded.

Interestingly, the children clapped as well.

“Big brother, you’re so handsome.”

“Big sister, you’re so pretty.”

“Big sister…? Big brother…?”

Sua nodded slightly.

“Come closer, you guys.”

The children quickly ran away from the set.

Sua, now out of character, had a facial expression that was just too scary. She had wanted to hug them, but now she looked dejected.

Meanwhile, Lee Geum-sook approached.

Instead of the children, she pulled Sua into a warm hug.

“Sua, thank you so much. The long, long shoot is finally over. You worked so hard—perfecting an unfinished role, understanding my script. Really, thank you.”

With misty eyes, Lee Geum-sook looked at Sua. Sua had a faint idea of what that expression meant.

It was the kind of look someone gave when they had too much to say.

By then, Sua could feel many eyes on her.

All the staff were looking at her alone.

Finally, after completing all schedules, Special Task Force 808 only had to wait for the broadcast. At that moment, the lead actress, Lee Sua, seemed to be contemplating what to say to commemorate the end.

Sua pondered for a moment about what to say.

Then, she suddenly recalled an absurd slip of the tongue she had made before.

“I was Kim Yuhan, playing the role of Lee Sua. Thank you.”

She smiled as she said it, letting out a small chuckle.

That night.

With a relatively free schedule for the time being, Sua was enjoying her newfound freedom. Walking around her neighborhood alone after a long time, she found the experience strangely unfamiliar.

Had the world always been this beautiful?

‘I feel pretty happy.’

Her thoughts on finishing the Special Task Force 808 shoot were brief.

If she had been the only one enjoying it, it would have been a selfish shoot. But her efforts had become a source of motivation for others, and she saw the enthusiastic cheers of everyone. She wanted to work even harder.

‘I’m glad I started acting.’

The rewards she had received were enormous.

She had embarked on the path of an actress.

She had formed valuable connections.

And…

…She made a ton of money.

How cold and difficult had her life been during her unemployed days? Now, just looking at her bank account balance melted away all her worries. Her heart pounded.

What should she do with this money?

‘Order delivery food? No, let’s save it. Savings.’

Just as Sua quietly strengthened her resolve—

She stopped in her tracks.

Something had suddenly caught her attention, forcing her to a halt.

[Stuffed Toy Department Store]

Gazing at the transparent display case, Sua had a thought.

‘Ah, no.’

Stuffed toys were a hobby she needed to let go of.

Yes, she was past the age of playing with rabbit plushies. A dignified Arctic fox needed a more refined hobby. Either way, stuffed toys were a no-go.

It would even be bad for her public image.

No matter how many times she thought it over, the conclusion wouldn’t change.

And yet.

And yet…

“…?”

Her gaze was fixated on a fox plushie. When did it even appear? Her eyes were drawn to it like a magnet.

Ah, but a plushie… She wasn’t a kid anymore.

She was mentally mature now.

“…Nonsense. I have no interest at all.”

She muttered confidently.

Even as she pushed open the door of the stuffed toy department store.

“Welcome!”

“Huh?”

Meanwhile, a man and a woman, both wearing hats and masks tightly pressed down, were strolling along the street. Their proportions were so striking that even with their faces fully covered, they still attracted attention.

And for good reason. They were Kim Sun-il and Seo Yeon-ju.

Seo Yeon-ju grumbled.

“Are you serious? Buying a stuffed toy at your age?”

“It’s not for me. It’s for my younger sibling.”

“Then ask your sibling before buying it. I don’t get why you’re asking me. I don’t even like stuffed toys. There’s no space for them at home, and they’re totally for kids.”

Kim Sun-il remained silent as he walked.

The teddy bear his younger sister cherished was extremely worn out, and that had been bothering him.

Now that he had decided to change his own mindset, he wanted to replace his sister’s stuffed toy with a new one too.

So that she could also have a fresh start.

Yes, it was time for his younger sister to be happy too.

“So, how much farther do we have to walk?”

“We’re almost there. I’m sure it’s around here. Do you remember when we picked up Sua in the van before? It was in front of the stuffed toy department store. The store was huge, so we can just—”

“…You can’t just buy randomly. Watch your words.”

“Yes, yes. Oh, how scary.”

However, when they arrived in front of the stuffed toy department store—

Both of them suddenly stopped in their tracks.

Because they saw a familiar person.

Lee Sua.

She was far from her usual composed self. She had buried her face into the belly of a fox plushie, rubbing against it wildly. The sight was so shocking that it left Kim Sun-il and Seo Yeon-ju momentarily speechless.

“…What is that?”

It was brutal.

Like a predator tearing apart its prey, all the way to its organs.