Chapter 36: A Bench in the Dark

So the only one who could keep Director Kim occupied was Sun-hyuk.

At Ji-tae’s words, Sun-hyuk stretched his neck out to assess the situation.

Realizing what had happened, he clicked his tongue in pity, as if to say how did he get caught by that guy?

“Do me a favor.”

Sun-hyuk nodded.

He said he’d send a message once things started wrapping up, then headed toward Director Kim.

“Director, you’ve had quite a bit already. Now you’ve got to drink with me.”

Smiling broadly, Sun-hyuk approached him.

Relieved, Ji-tae returned to the table where Woo-joo had been sitting.

“…What?”

But Woo-joo—who had been sitting quietly just moments ago, who had been pouring vinegar into a water cup—was gone.

Thinking maybe he’d been dragged to another table, Ji-tae scanned the room.

Nowhere.

Did he go to the restroom?

Ji-tae sighed.

He shouldn’t have left his side.

He should’ve just called Sun-hyuk instead of moving.

From the very beginning of the dinner, Ji-tae had only been looking at one place.

People congratulated him on becoming a ten-million actor, asked about his next project.

He answered vaguely while watching only Kang Woo-joo.

He wanted to make excuses and switch seats.

But that table revolved around him—he couldn’t just slip away.

So he endured.

Telling himself an opportunity would come.

Even when Woo-joo leaned in to whisper something to the youngest writer with a soft smile.

Even when he laughed warmly with the writers, eyes full of kindness.

He endured like an adult.

But once Director Kim sat down in front of Woo-joo, Ji-tae couldn’t sit still.

He’d met Director Kim on other variety shows before.

At every dinner, he’d watched people fall one by one under that man’s drinking.

He had sworn never to drink with him.

Who would’ve thought Kang Woo-joo would end up on his radar?

Eventually, Ji-tae excused himself, saying he was going to the restroom.

When he had approached earlier, Woo-joo had looked up at him with wide, harmless eyes.

He had thought he looked pretty.

But that wasn’t the issue.

He needed to separate Woo-joo from Director Kim first.

Maybe create a moment alone naturally afterward.

That had been the plan.

But Kang Woo-joo, as always, refused to follow his expectations.

Ji-tae was wondering where to search first when someone tapped his shoulder from behind.

He turned sharply.

It was the youngest writer—the one Woo-joo had been helping earlier.

“Actor Won… are you looking for Player Kang?”

“Yes. We were drinking together, but I stepped away and he disappeared.”

Ji-tae quickly masked his urgency.

“I actually saw him step outside earlier.”

“Outside?”

His face still smiled, but his eyebrow twitched slightly.

“He looked like he was getting some air.”

Ji-tae clenched his fist.

“Thank you. I’ll go look.”

The writer nodded in relief.

She must’ve been worried but unable to leave her seat.

Ji-tae maintained a calm expression as he walked toward the entrance.

The moment he stepped outside, he raked a hand through his hair in irritation and looked around.

There were barely any people.

The place had been rented out for the team.

“Seriously…”

He dialed Woo-joo’s number.

No answer.

Normally, he wouldn’t worry about a twenty-seven-year-old adult man.

But Kang Woo-joo was drunk.

Ji-tae knew he had low tolerance.

He preferred beer to soju.

He always needed food while drinking.

The only glimpse of Woo-joo outside matches was through the Baekyoung Construction official YouTube channel.

Ji-tae had watched every video almost obsessively.

He knew how weak Woo-joo was with alcohol.

“Hey, didn’t the guy sitting on that park bench look familiar?”

“Who?”

Two women walked past the alley as Ji-tae searched nearby.

“Ah… who was it? Oh! Kang Woo-joo!”

“The volleyball player?”

“Yeah.”

“Really? It was dark, I couldn’t tell. But he was really handsome.”

“Right?”

Ji-tae froze.

Then he spun around and ran.

There was only one park nearby.

Thankfully, he knew the area well.

Because of Kang Woo-joo, he ran like he never had before.

He reached the park quickly.

“Ha…”

Catching his breath, he scanned the place.

It was late; barely anyone was there.

At the far end, on a bench, he saw a familiar figure.

Relief washed over him as he approached.

“Kang Woo-joo.”

“….”

Woo-joo slowly lifted his head.

He blinked his large eyes lazily.

His long, neat lashes caught the light.

His face was redder than before.

“Ah! It’s Won Ji-tae, you bastard.”

Familiar, yet unfamiliar.

Ji-tae sat down beside him with a thud.

“How’d you know I was here?”

Drunk Woo-joo’s voice dropped slightly.

His ears were red.

So was his nape.

“I came for some air too.”

“Really?”

Ji-tae nodded lightly.

This wasn’t something you’d ever see on official videos.

Only he could see this side of Kang Woo-joo.

“Then why are you here?”

“Ah, I…”

Woo-joo scratched his forehead as if his thoughts weren’t connecting.

“I came out for air… and next thing I knew, I was here.”

“You idiot. What if you got lost? You’re drunk.”

If he hadn’t overheard those women, he would never have guessed.

He would’ve searched endlessly.

“Hey, how old am I? Why would I get lost?”

“You’re directionally challenged.”

“….”

“On the first day of high school, you got lost and almost showed up late.”

Woo-joo slowly turned to glare at him.

Maybe because he’d forgotten.

Or maybe because it was undeniably true.

He looked wronged but couldn’t argue.

“Oh? Then were you so great you escorted me and still made it to your own school?”

Woo-joo’s tongue was starting to slur.

He was the type who seemed fine while drinking, then got worse with time.

“Wow, amazing. Must be nice knowing your way.”

His body swayed slightly.

Ji-tae stared at him.

“…I knew you wouldn’t find it.”

His voice was low.

Woo-joo muttered sarcastically, telling him to be king of the world or something incoherent.

“That’s why I waited. To take you there.”

It had been their high school entrance ceremony.

Ji-tae woke earlier than usual.

He got dressed in his stiff new uniform and left home ahead of schedule.

There was no one to see him off.

No encouragement.

It didn’t matter.

His destination wasn’t his own school first.

After walking five minutes, he hid in an alley beside a small house.

“I’m leaving!”

A familiar voice rang out.

Ji-tae peeked.

Woo-joo stepped out, dressed neatly in his navy uniform, smiling brightly.

He looks good in his uniform.

The navy Daehyun High uniform suited Woo-joo’s pale face.

Ji-tae followed quietly.

Maybe Woo-joo was excited for his new volleyball team.

His steps were light.