Why am I stranded in this shitty Island again? chapter 44

“I’m sorry for ruining our date…”

Dansol replied in a defeated voice to Yiyeon’s words, which sounded more like a reprimand.

“Oh… that’s not what I meant.”

Before Yiyeon could explain furthim, they were interrupted by the noise from a walkie-talkie.

The production crew had hidden cameras and walkie-talkies everywhere to minimize the awareness of filming.

“…Excuse me, sorry to interrupt!”

Judging by the tense tone, it was the youngest assistant director.

They had been trying to find the right moment to intervene, sensing the tense atmosphere between the two.

“Yes, go ahead.”

Yiyeon sighed and pulled the car over to the side.

The assistant director hurriedly got out of the following van and handed two bottles of drinks through the window.

“We have a PPL (product placement) drink today… we need you to do a tasting…”

Dansol suddenly realized they were still filming. He felt guilty for acting on his feelings, unaware of the hidden cameras.

Dansol took the drinks on behalf of the frowning Yiyeon.

“Do we just drink it?”

“Uh… just a moment!”

The assistant director read from a crumpled piece of paper they had been carrying around all day.

“Please emphasize the double dose of refreshing carbonation and that it has 30 times more vitamin C than lemons…”

“Okay…”

After the assistant director bowed deeply and left, silence filled the car. Holding the cold drinks that seemed fresh from an icebox, Dansol’s hands grew damp.

As Yiyeon restarted the car and soon stopped at a traffic light, he spoke up.

“Dansol, aren’t you thirsty?”

Used to PPLs, Yiyeon’s smooth line delivery made Dansol fumble as he opened the cap.

“Oh, yes… would you like a drink?”

“Sure, thanks.”

Yiyeon took a sip and widened his eyes.

Seeing this, Dansol hesitantly brought the bottle to his lips, but Yiyeon stopped him and continued.

“This has double the refreshing carbonation and 30 times more vitamin C than lemons. Did you know that, Dansol?”

“Wow… no, I didn’t.”

“Ha ha, really? I love calamansi ade…”

After those words, Yiyeon, seemingly choking, took the drink from Dansol and tightly closed the cap before tossing it to the back seat.

“Done?”

“Yes, all done!”

The assistant director’s voice came through the walkie-talkie, sounding brighter.

Feeling like he hadn’t contributed much, Dansol scratched his head awkwardly.

“This is the worst drink I’ve ever had.”

“What?”

Dansol’s eyes widened, thinking Yiyeon might have liked calamansi enough to keep it on hand.

“Why does this calamansi taste like cosmetics…?”

“Then…”

Realizing that Yiyeon had been considerate towards him, Dansol didn’t know how to react and fidgeted with his fingers.

Meanwhile, their car had arrived at the parking lot of Chunmong Pavilion.

Because the two people didn’t get out of the car for a long time, the staff outside had to wait around in the heat.

“Um… aren’t you going to come out, seniors?”

Unable to bear it any longer, one of the assistant directors asked, to which Yiyeon replied,

“We have something to discuss. Could you give us some privacy?”

“Ah… yes, of course!”

“Wh-what do we need to discuss?”

Ignoring Dansol’s question, Yiyeon locked the car door and turned off the camera, walkie-talkie, and microphone one by one.

With no streetlights around, Dansol felt a sudden fear, knowing people were gathered just outside the car.

“Wh-why are you doing this?”

“…I’m sorry. About earlier.”

“What?”

“I should have apologized properly, but I was too busy thinking about what I did wrong. You should have come first…”

Yeon bit his lip, still looking down. Dansol, who had been gripping his seatbelt tightly, finally released it.

“This is something I’m used to. Sometimes, I think more about others’ opinions than my own. Even if I don’t remember them, they will remember me. I know it’s a problem. I know I can’t be a good person to everyone, but… it’s not easy to be hated by someone.”

Dansol understood his feelings. At first, he thought he could change the minds of people who disliked him without reason.

But the more he struggled, the more people nitpicked and criticized everything he did.

Once labeled in this industry, it was hard to shake off the stigma.

He hadn’t expected Yiyeon to feel the same. He had always thought Yiyeon was someone who shone brightly and was only loved. He had assumed Yiyeon wouldn’t understand the pain he felt.

“I know, but for me… it hurts more when someone I like hates me than when many people do. What about you, hyung?”

“Huh?”

Unintentionally, Dansol called Yiyeon “hyung” like he did before the regression.

Hearing the familiar term, Yiyeon tried to hide his excitement as he answered. He thought if he showed any sign of knowing, Dansol might never call him that again.

“Would you rather have everyone in the world like you but the one person you care about hate you, or have everyone hate you but the one person you care about believe in you?”

Dansol thought neither was ideal. Both the world and the person he liked had turned against him. But maybe he could give Yiyeon another chance.

“If everyone hated me… I’d eventually break down. Even the one person wouldn’t be able to stand me.”

“I see…”

With a smile that was hard to read, Dansol pressed the button to unlock the door. In the dark, with his cap pulled low, Yiyeon couldn’t see the expression on his face.

“Could you… just apologize to me once?”

Dansol, who had gotten out of the car, bowed his head and asked Yiyeon, still sitting in the driver’s seat.

“Huh?”

“Don’t ask anything, just sincerely apologize. Just say… I’m sorry about that time.”

Yiyeon looked puzzled at Dansol’s cryptic words but soon gave the answer Dansol wanted. It wasn’t hard for someone in Yiyeon’s line of work.

“Dansol, I’m… sorry about that time. I’m really sorry.”

With those words, memories of the terrible past flashed before Dansol’s eyes. He closed them tightly, trying to regain his composure.

“Thank you for apologizing.”

“Wait! Dansol!”

Yiyeon, who had also gotten out of the car, grabbed Dansol.

They were much closer now. Dansol remembered the time before the regression when he avoided Yiyeon’s attempt to kiss him.

After that, they had grown distant.

The Yiyeon before and the Yiyeon now were different, yet similar. Yiyeon’s face moved closer to Dansol again.

“You haven’t changed at all, have you?”

Dansol shook off Yiyeon’s hand and walked into Chunmong Pavilion.

***

“Sol, are you back?”

In the living room, Jisoo was holding a drink, seemingly part of a PPL scene.

“Ew, have you tried this, Dansol? It’s the worst thing I’ve ever tasted… it feels like my throat is burning!”

Even Taeoh grimaced at the taste. Dansol, who had wiped away his tears before coming in, smiled brightly at him.

“I like it, but everyone seems to be overreacting. Have you tried it, Sol?”

“Uh… I…”

“Do you want to try?”

A large hand offered the drink to the hesitant Dansol. It was Daesoo, looking more serious than usual.

“Ah… no, I’m fine.”

“What did you do today? Did you have fun? Where did you go?”

Jisoo always asked a barrage of questions when Dansol returned from a date. Dansol liked it; it felt like having a mom who cared about his day.

“…I watched a movie and went to the Han River.”

“A movie? What movie did you watch? There are a lot of good ones out now.”

“Oh… I watched senior Yiyeon’s movie. An indie film.”

“Ah… that must have been boring. Do you want to watch a movie with me next week?”

“Ah… I have a schedule…”

“What should we watch? I’ll book a premium theater. Morning or late night is fine too, right?”

“Hyung! What about me? Can’t I come too?”

“No, you can’t.”

“Why not!”

Before Dansol could answer, Jisoo was already contemplating which movie to watch, while Taeoh begged to be included. The noisy, yet pleasant commotion made Dansol feel at ease.

But the peace didn’t last long.

—In 30 minutes, a game will start to earn voting rights. All participants, please gather in the front yard.

‘At this late hour… a game?’