* * *

Becoming a baby made me realize that being held by people is surprisingly uncomfortable.

‘It was fine when I was small, but now that I’ve grown, it’s not so great.’

However, larger the person holding me, the more comfortable it was.

‘Deok-soo is comfortable.’

Though he’s a bit hard.

But Han Woojin, on the other hand…

‘He’s not small, but as an actor, he’s quite lean.’

His bones touched me too much, making him not very cushioned.

‘Ah, I wish I could sit on a chair.’

Han Woojin kept gently squeezing my hand.

“You’ve really grown. You used to be smaller.”

I sighed.

‘Why do you think you can judge that?’

Seriously, what’s with you?

Han Woojin was now staring intently at my foot. At that moment, the host asked,

“Up next is Han Woojin, who plays Yoohyun. Woojin, we have a lot of questions for you.”

Han Woojin took the microphone and said,

“Yes, I’ll answer anything. Though I am a difficult man.”

Laughter erupted from the audience.

‘Hmm, I might need to learn how to make jokes like that.’

He’s good at this. Well, I was good too.

‘But the atmosphere wasn’t this lively.’

Maybe it’s the synergy from Han Woojin being handsome.

While I was lost in these thoughts, the host continued,

“There were several questions, but the most common one was if there was anything difficult about filming, Woojin.”

It was a very typical question. Han Woojin answered smoothly,

“The atmosphere was great, and the director was excellent, so filming was enjoyable. There was just one issue.”

“Oh, what was that?”

“Hmm, it’s a bit embarrassing to say.”

Han Woojin turned his head slightly and smiled. I blinked.

‘Was there really an issue?’

Honestly, I was curious. Probably everyone in the theater was, too. Han Woojin certainly had a talent for drawing people’s interest.

‘There are definitely things to learn from him.’

Then, suddenly, Han Woojin looked down at me intently. Then he smiled again while looking forward.

“Um, I had no scenes with Kongja.”

A murmur spread through the audience.

“Oh, Woojin?”

“I became close to Kongja while filming ‘Emergency Room.’ I thought I’d see him often while filming ‘When the Wind Touches,’ but it turned out he played the younger version of myself.”

Han Woojin shook my foot.

“I realized midway through filming that our schedules didn’t overlap, so I couldn’t see him.”

“You seem to have grown quite fond of Kongja.”

“Hmm…”

Han Woojin started gently squeezing my foot this time. I blinked as flashes went off everywhere.

‘This is crazy.’

Han Woojin smiled again.

“Do you think I just grew fond of him?”

Damn it.

‘What nonsense are you talking about?’

Why would you say that!

“Oh my, you really seem to like Kongja.”

“I’ve never seen such a cute kid before. Seeing Kongja makes me want to get married. But kids like him are rare, so I’m pondering.”

Don’t ponder.

Regardless of my feelings, the atmosphere in the theater was good. Laughter echoed all around.

“Oh, if you get married, your fans will cry.”

“Indeed. I’m quite the bad guy, aren’t I?”

The host covered her mouth, laughing.

“Yes, Woojin, you’re quite the bad guy. Ah, now we’ll ask Kongja. This was the most asked question. Kongja, what do you like the most in the world?”

A very clichéd question. Of course, my answer was predetermined.

“Mom!”

“Ms. Ma Soo-jung? Oh, you love your Mom the most! Then, Kongja, what’s second?”

Hmm, I didn’t expect this. It was a tougher question than I thought.

‘What should I say?’

As I hesitated, I felt a prick on the top of my head.

‘What’s that?’

Looking up slightly, I saw Han Woojin’s eyes sparkling.

‘Why, why! Why are you looking at me like that!’

Surely he doesn’t think he’s the second favorite?

I hurriedly answered.

“Mom!”

“Oh, second is Mom too?”

I smiled bashfully and said,

“The third is also Mom!”

My head still stung, but I didn’t look up.

“Oh my, Kongja. Is there nothing else you like? Like food…?”

Han Woojin grabbed my foot.

‘The pressure is intense.’

But I won’t lose!

Though I couldn’t think of anything to say.

‘Isn’t there something cute and childlike?’

Then it came to me. The bow tie around my neck.

Yes! That will work!

“Teddy bear!”

Thankfully, I found something appropriate!

“Oh, a teddy bear? Ahahaha! So cute!”

Damn it.

Saying it felt slightly embarrassing.

‘Now I’m suddenly a teddy bear fan.’

Come to think of it, what do kids this age like?

‘Is it just food?’

The grip on my foot tightened a bit. Looking up slightly, Han Woojin muttered,

“I lost to a teddy bear.”

What did you lose?

“Oh my, Woojin! You seem disappointed.”

“I might wear clothes with teddy bear patterns next time.”

Don’t wear them!

‘Ah, why do I feel slightly uneasy.’

I felt like I had dug my own grave.
The host laughed and said,

“I’ll wear a teddy bear patterned shirt too when I come to meet Kongja.”

Don’t wear it.

The interview moved on to Yoon Jeonghyeon. I sat quietly, half-listening.

‘Ah, but…’

The event felt longer than expected.

‘There are a lot of questions from the audience.’

Especially about the movie.

‘That’s a good thing.’

It meant they were focused on the film.

‘It’s a movie with a lot to ask about.’

But still…

‘I have a price to pay…’

The price I paid to fix Yoon Jeonghyeon’s ankle was sleep.

‘Hasn’t it been almost 4 hours?’

I didn’t expect the event to be this long. I blinked.
Han Woojin whispered.

“You can sleep if you’re sleepy, Kongja.”

Oh, no.

I forced my eyes wide open.

‘I can’t sleep in Han Woojin’s arms!’

Just as I was shaking my head to wake myself up, my consciousness suddenly dimmed.

‘This is crazy!’

My eyelids felt incredibly heavy. I took a deep breath.

‘I can’t let this happen…’

That was my last thought. The light faded, and I fell asleep.

* * *

“Try kicking here.”

“Yes, director.”

Ma Soo-jung kicked at the sandbag.

Bang!

An enormous sound was heard. The action director blinked in surprise.

“Soo-jung, that’s impressive.”

“I feel like I’ve gotten stronger lately.”

“You were already strong, but now you’re even more so. Sometimes I think if you were at Taereung, you’d win multiple gold medals.”

Ma Soo-jung laughed as she replied.

“Well, should I give it a try now?”

“What sport would you choose?”

“I’m not sure.”

The action director covered his mouth and laughed.

“Alright, take a break for now. You were perfect.”

“Thank you.”

Ma Soo-jung walked away lightly. Other actors were groaning here and there.

‘Maybe I’ve really gotten stronger.’

Ma Soo-jung thought while stretching her shoulders.

‘The action scenes are too easy now.’

She had always been told she had talent, but lately, she felt she had reached a new level.

‘I feel too good, even for having a good condition.’

Maybe that’s why she hadn’t been getting tired at all lately.

‘Honestly, I should be sitting down exhausted by now…’

Her stamina was overflowing, so even during break times, she stood around looking at her surroundings.

Just then, a close actor approached her.

“Soo-jung, you look really lively.”

“Yeah, I feel pretty lively too.”

“Have you been eating ginseng or something lately?”

Ma Soo-jung shook her head.

“No.”

“Then why has your skin become so smooth, and your beauty increased? It’s like you’re getting younger.”

Ma Soo-jung laughed out loud.

“Hahaha! Maybe it’s because I have an angel at home.”

Ma Soo-jung turned on her smartphone and kissed the screen.

On the screen, a cute Kongja was reaching out his hand.

“Wow, so cute.”

“Our Kongja is the cutest in the world.”

“I heard you went to a preview today? There were a lot of articles about it earlier.”

Ma Soo-jung blinked. She knew about the preview.

‘Articles pouring in?’

Did someone cause trouble?

She quickly searched. As soon as she typed Kongja’s name, new articles popped up on the screen.

‘Oh my?’

* * *