Chapter 35: Soju and Vinegar

He didn’t particularly struggle with forming relationships.

Back then, though, volleyball had been the most important thing in his life.

He hadn’t felt the need to make friends.

But now that he was an adult, things were different.

To continue as an athlete—no, to live smoothly in this world—he had learned that some level of social connection was necessary.

He always told himself he should treat his fans well too, but even now, that part still felt difficult.

“Player Kang, you seem like you have such a great personality.”

“Really? If my fans heard that, they’d probably be shocked.”

At Woo-joo’s playful reply, the atmosphere warmed instantly.

“To be honest, your first impression seemed a bit sharp, so we were all worried.”

“I hear that a lot.”

Woo-joo smiled lightly, as if it didn’t bother him.

Still, he didn’t think he was particularly kind or gentle—one of those “good people” others described.

He just wanted to maintain good relationships with colleagues he worked with.

Come to think of it, maybe he wasn’t that different from Won Ji-tae.

Maybe it wasn’t just that guy who had changed.

The mood gradually loosened.

What had started awkward became lively with alcohol and grilled meat.

That was when Woo-joo noticed the youngest writer struggling alone at the grill.

Most people had already eaten their fill and weren’t paying much attention to the food anymore.

Surrounded by seniors, she probably felt she couldn’t put down the tongs easily.

“Writer.”

Woo-joo lowered his head slightly to call her.

“I’ll do it.”

“Huh? No, it’s okay!”

She waved her hands frantically.

Woo-joo smiled and gently took the tongs anyway.

He had already thought this through.

“Oh? Why is our player grilling the meat?”

One staff member, face already flushed red, exclaimed.

The youngest writer looked anxious.

“The writer grills it really well. I wanted to learn.”

Woo-joo’s lips curved smoothly.

“Our maknae is good at grilling!”

With that one sentence, attention shifted away from him.

Discreetly, Woo-joo placed all the perfectly cooked pieces of meat onto the youngest writer’s plate and told her quietly to eat quickly.

She smiled brightly and bowed her head.

Feeling relieved, Woo-joo casually checked his phone.

It hadn’t even been two hours.

Why did time feel like it was dragging?

When he was alone with Won Ji-tae, time always seemed to fly.

He glanced over instinctively.

Ji-tae was at a distant table, laughing and chatting with others.

Earlier he was looking like a drenched puppy.

For some reason, the seat next to him felt empty.

He wasn’t someone who got cold easily, but the air around him felt chilly.

“Why are your glasses empty over here? Come on, come on.”

That was when Camera Director Kim approached with a green bottle in hand.

One of the writers whispered that he was a notorious heavy drinker and to be careful.

Hearing that, the green bottle suddenly looked like a dangerous weapon.

“Oh, Player Kang. I held back during filming, but I’m actually a huge Baekyoung Construction fan.”

“Really?”

Director Kim extended the bottle.

Woo-joo politely lifted his glass with both hands.

The motion was clean and respectful from start to finish.

He clinked glasses and turned his head to drink the soju.

The entire sequence was proper and composed.

A few writers exchanged shy glances and smiles.

“I’m serious. I even went to away games.”

“Wow, really? I had no idea. You should’ve told me sooner. So who’s your favorite player?”

“Haha, is that a trap question?”

Encouraged by Woo-joo’s easy responses, Director Kim ordered more alcohol.

The writers watched nervously.

Woo-joo’s ears were already turning red.

Since Director Kim was such a dedicated fan, it was probably even harder for Woo-joo to refuse.

“Player Kang, you’ll be okay, right? Director Kim can really drink. If he targets you, there’s no escape.”

“But the flow’s already started… It’s awkward to step in now…”

The writers hesitated.

They pitied Woo-joo, but were afraid of drawing Director Kim’s attention themselves.

Eventually, they rationalized that some staff weren’t drinking since they had to drive everyone back.

It would be fine.

As they nodded among themselves, a large shadow passed by.

“Come on, have another.”

“Ah… okay.”

Under the table, Woo-joo clenched his fist.

How many glasses had it been?

Almost a full bottle.

And not beer—strong soju.

He had planned to slip away at the right moment, but Director Kim truly was a hardcore fan.

He talked about recent matches in detail—

Not just plays that had been incredible, but internal changes in coaching staff.

It was impossible to escape.

Unaware—or perhaps aware—Director Kim raised his glass again.

Woo-joo gave a bitter smile and lifted his own.

“Director, didn’t you say you were my fan too?”

A hand suddenly appeared and took Woo-joo’s glass, clinking it instead.

Then drank it naturally.

“Oh? Our Actor Won!”

Director Kim laughed in greeting.

Woo-joo stared blankly as Ji-tae casually sat beside him.

“Bring a glass!”

“Ah, I forgot. My seat’s over there, and I’m too lazy to go back. I’ll just use this one.”

Ji-tae shook Woo-joo’s glass lightly.

It was clearly someone else’s glass.

If Ji-tae took it, Woo-joo would have none.

That had been the plan.

But Kang Woo-joo was, in many ways, oblivious.

Which meant he had no ability to play along with Ji-tae’s quick lie.

“Hey, that’s my glass.”

“……”

Ji-tae stared at him, mouth open.

Woo-joo frowned and snatched it back.

“If you don’t have one, just ask. Wait a second.”

Director Kim, now even more excited at the thought of drinking with both of them, stood up and headed toward the kitchen to get a glass.

“Hey, you idiot.”

Seizing the moment, Ji-tae hissed at Woo-joo.

He had tried to help him drink less, and this fool had kicked the opportunity away.

“Idiot? Did you just call me an idiot? Won Ji-tae, are you saying whatever you want because you think I’m drunk?”

Woo-joo scoffed.

“…You’re drunk.”

“I’m not.”

“Kang Woo-joo. That’s not water. It’s vinegar.”

Woo-joo’s face still looked fine.

A little flushed, yes, but his eyes were clear and his speech wasn’t slurred.

If he hadn’t just poured vinegar from the water bottle meant for cold noodles into his cup, Ji-tae might not have noticed either.

“Oh. It is.”

Ji-tae sighed deeply, slid the vinegar away, and replaced it with an actual cup of water.

“Anyway, I’m not drunk, so don’t ignore me.”

“Yeah. Sure. Then give me the vinegar.”

Ji-tae snorted softly.

The suffocating feeling he had earlier at the other table vanished.

He felt like he could breathe again.

Keeping an eye on Woo-joo, he glanced toward Director Kim.

The director had stopped midway to chat at another table, holding the extra glass meant for Ji-tae.

This was the only chance to escape.

Ji-tae stood and headed toward Sun-hyuk at the opposite side.

“Hey. A second.”

He pulled Sun-hyuk aside discreetly.

“What?”

Sun-hyuk lowered his voice too.

People called Director Kim a heavyweight drinker, but the real powerhouse was this man.

After circulating all the tables, Sun-hyuk’s face looked completely normal.

“Woo-joo’s a bit drunk. I need to take him out for some air. Keep Director Kim occupied.”