Chapter 296 (1/2)
“So in the end, both observation skills and expression skills are important.”
The students who were focusing on Joohyun's words all nodded. It had been around an hour since she started talking, but both Joohyun, the one speaking, and the club members were showing an incredible amount of concentration and were not going off track. Joohyun explained to them what being an actor was, as well as what acting is based on her own experiences.
Another thirty minutes passed while they listened to the vivid experiences. Joohyun ended her speech with ‘you’ll receive as much as you practiced’. The moment she laid back on her chair after heaving out a deep breath, one of the people in the café quietly approached her.
“I was waiting because it looked like you were doing something important. Uhm, excuse me, but can I take a picture with you?”
It was one of Joohyun’s fans who had recognized her. People inside the café started gathering around one by one due to the commotion. Joohyun did not get flustered and just smiled back at them as she took pictures with them and gave them autographs.
Meanwhile, Maru went to the counter and ordered some drinks for takeout.
“Is she Ahn Joohyun?”
“Yes.”
“Oh, my.”
Even the store owner left the counter to get an autograph. After a round of commotion, the group left the café while being seen out by the owner.
“Ahn Bangjoo. Have a talk with me,” Joohyun said to Bangjoo.
“Right now?”
Maru pushed Bangjoo’s back since he seemed rather hesitant.
“Go ahead. Practice is over now.”
Bangjoo politely greeted everyone that he’d be leaving first and disappeared along with Joohyun.
“Let’s finish up here for today. You guys should go back home.”
“Thanks for your work.”
“We’re off!”
Jiyoon and Aram crossed arms as they walked together, and Dowook soon disappeared on his bike.
“Be careful.”
“You too, Maru.”
Daemyung and Maru separated as well after talking about practice for just a little longer.
As quite some time had passed since they met Joohyun, the skies were pretty dark. The streets were filled with the light of street signs and all sorts of smells of food. Maru became somewhat relaxed due to the familiar night air.
Just as he was walking past a shoe store with a lot of students, his phone started ringing. The caller was Junmin.
“Yes, president.”
-Where are you right now?
“In Suwon.”
-Are you far away from Suwon station?
“No, I can get there in a few minutes if I get a bus.”
“Someone, you say?”
-He’ll tell you the specifics. Also, you’ll be receiving a phone call so don’t forget to take it.
Junmin then immediately hung up. Some thumping sounds from music could be heard in the background, and Maru was not able to guess where he was. An adult establishment? A night club? He didn’t even get to ask what it was about since it sounded like he should hurry. Maru got on the bus even while being a little confused. He got an empty seat at the back and was looking at his phone. Just then, his phone started ringing, just as Junmin said.
“Hello?”
-Is this Mr. Han Maru’s phone?”
“Yes. I’m Han Maru.”
-Oh, alright. You got a call from your president, didn’t you?
“I did, but I didn’t get to hear what it was about. What’s it about?”
Just in time, Suwon station could be seen ahead. After a buzzer sound, everyone stood up. As this was a full bus, Maru wasn’t in a situation where he could stand up while he was still on his phone. He told the other party that he’d call right back before standing up. When the bus arrived at Suwon station and opened the back door, there was a small turmoil.
“Hey! Get on after we get off!”
“You guys are really impatient.”
As it was rush hour, the bus spat out people from both the front and the back, and people got on from both the front and the back. Maru barely managed to get off the bus among the crowd of people that were rushing to get on. It was understandable that they wanted to go home early and rest, but who would be blamed if someone got hurt because of their actions?
Watching the bus take off with full passengers again, Maru redialled the phone number that he received before.
-Are you at Suwon station?
“Yes. I’m right in front of it.”
-I’m sorry, but can you wave your hand for me?
Maru waved his hand above his head beneath the pedestrian crossing in front of Suwon station. When he did, one of the cars parked on the side made a horn sound before approaching. It was a black middle-sized car.
“Mr. Han Maru?” The man asked with a smile as he got out of his car. The man, who seemed to be in his mid twenties, was wearing jeans and a hoodie.
“Yes. I’m Han Maru.”
“Looks like I was right. Should we go to a nearby café first?” The man spoke as he looked around.
“But you can’t leave your car here.”
“What?”
“The crackdown here is no joke. 30 minutes after your park, you’ll get a parking ticket, and if you’re unlucky, they’ll tow your car.”
Maru pointed at the car as he spoke. The traffic situation in front of Suwon station was very complex thanks to some traffic construction, especially since the construction was blocking three of the eight lanes. Thanks to that, cars parked here illegally were generally towed away immediately.
“Then what do I do?”
Maru wondered why he was asking him. He replied to the man who was slightly panicking.
“There will be some room if we go just a little further, so let’s go there.”
“Shall we?”
The man smiled and got in the car again. Maru also got in the passenger seat. It seemed like it was a new car as the smell from the air conditioner was quite intense.
“Please allow me to open the windows.”
The man turned off the air conditioner and opened the window. After going past the station, the car turned right. As that place was quite far away from the commercial district, the traffic situation was much better.
“That looks like a good place,” the man pointed at a café to the right and spoke.
While he looked for a place to park, Maru was looking at the piece of bread next to the gearbox. The surface of it was dried out as though it was left out after just one bite. Next to that was a pack of soybean milk that he hadn’t even started drinking.
“Have you had dinner yet?”
“Eh? Ah, not yet.”
The man smiled awkwardly.
“How about we go to that Gukbap place rather than a café? I think that looks like a better place to talk.”
“Shall we?”
The man visibly brightened up. Maru looked at the man with pity, thinking that he should at least work while having his meals. After getting out of the car, the two went through the entrance which had a big boiling pot right next to it. As this place had a shabby sign and was located pretty far away from Suwon, Maru thought that there wouldn’t be that many people here, but unexpectedly, there were quite a lot of customers.
“We have an empty table on the second floor.”
They were guided by an employee to the 2nd floor. When they sat near the window, one lady immediately brought them wet towels and a bottle of water.
“We only have seolleongtang on our menu. Do you want two portions?”
“Yes, please.”
Maru replied in the man’s stead since he looked like he was refraining from speaking as much as possible. The man poured some water before giving it to Maru. Maru felt rather unpleasant since the older person here was acting like the inferior person. Maru took the kettle away from the man and poured the man a cup.
“Thanks.”
The man quickly drank the water. After drinking, he heaved out a deep breath.
“Ah, that’s right, this isn’t the time for this.”
“Uhm, you can take your time and talk about it after the meal. If you aren’t busy, that is.”
“I have plenty of time. I was just worried that you….”