Chapter 464 (1/2)

“I started designing an open stage-play like this one year ago when I lived homeless for a while,” Ganghwan, who sat at the edge of the stage, spoke into a microphone.

The performance was over, but the audience stayed in their places.

“I came across all sorts of people in front of the station. Those that were born and raised in Seoul, those from Incheon, Busan, et cetera. Not only were our hometowns different, but our stories were also different as well. Writing a debt guarantee for someone else, failing business, familial trouble, and someone even told me that he was just fed up with the world. I could write dozens of books just by writing down the stories I heard there.”

The reason why people, despite the cold and the time, still stayed was probably thanks to Ganghwan’s voice. The strong sense of faith embedded in his nonchalant voice was what attracted people.

“Everyone was different, but there were a few things that were the same. It was that they all wanted to tell their story. They always said that they wouldn’t be in that situation if someone listened to their story. At that time, I felt the need for a window of communication. However, I didn’t want to do something amazing. That’s why I thought about something that I could do in a small scale play. That’s how this came about. I created a stage where anyone can talk about themselves. But today, I was a little overwhelmed, overjoyed, and even a little worried when I saw so many people here.”

Maru started cleaning things up as he listened to Ganghwan’s story.

First, he had to collect the heaters. As they weren’t topped full of lamp oil in case of an accident, they should all have been turned off by now. If they knew that so many people would’ve gathered, they would have prepared more oil.

“Anything I can help you with?” She, who was watching from the side, asked.

“Sit down. You’re a guest, you don’t need to do anything.”

“I don’t want to just stay still. Should I collect the blankets?”

“Your girlfriend’s pretty,” Sooil approached him and said in a small voice.

“She sure is. Not only that, she is cute and kind to boot.”

“Good for you. You’re dating and all.”

“You should do it as well.”

“I want to do it, but I can’t.”

“Is it because of your contract?”

“Our president isn’t that petty. It’s just… I become hesitant due to various reasons.”

“Sure, you do, even though you’re so young.”

Sooil raised his head and said that ‘he was an expensive man’. Maru suddenly remembered the lady in front of Sooil’s apartment last time. He came across that woman as he was going home after taking the drunk Sooil home. The way she offered him a 100 thousand-won cheque like it was nothing and then throwing it on the ground after he refused left a deep impression on him.

“I do have an older brother, but that doesn’t mean I was doted on when I grew up. I was raised quite strictly actually.”

“Really?”

An older brother huh. Then was that woman he saw back then a relative of his? Or perhaps his brother’s girlfriend? As it was never fun to pry into someone else’s family circ.u.mstances, he decided to put his curiosity to rest there.

“Please collect the heaters on that side.”

Sooil nodded and walked to the other side. Maru gathered the heaters on one spot before stretching his waist. He could see her walking amidst the audience collecting blankets. He would probably get hit if he described her as a weasel, so he decided to describe her as a squirrel instead. She was able to shuffle around in the crowd so easily yet she was had such a hard time joining the audience before.

“Here!”

She returned with her arms full of blankets. She looked dispirited when she was sitting down, but right now, she was full of vitality.

“She probably has itchy feet or something.”

“What was that?”

“So, you don’t like it?”

“It’s pleasing to my eyes for sure, but I was worried that you would feel cold.”

“Urgh, you’re such a creep when you talk.”

“Aren’t you used to it by now?”

“I hate myself for being used to it. Wait, now that I think about it, are you sure you didn’t get that habit from Hanna-unni?” She asked as she looked at Hanna on stage.

Maru shook his head lightly once.

“I’m still far off from reaching her level. The sheer concentration of jokes is different when it comes to her.”

“Well, I guess that’s true. If she decides to go at it for real….”

She became silent as though she had remembered something. The fact that her cheeks turned red shouldn’t just be because of the cold. Maru wanted to ask her what she heard, but he didn’t say anything when she clenched her fists and got into a boxing position. Just where the hell did she learn boxing?

Maru was startled and looked at his watch. It was just past 9 p.m.

“Wait a minute.”

“Uhm, I can just wait. I asked just in case. I mean it.”

Maru looked at her, who grabbed his arm and shook her head.

“Have you had dinner?”

“N-no.”

“When did you come to Daehak-ro?”

“Around four, I think? I walked around by myself for a while and then watched a play before coming straight here.”

“Hey, you should get your meals on time at least.”

“Who are they?”

“Journalists apparently. They’re doing an interview.”

“For TV?”

“No, I don’t think so. I think it’s the local newspaper.”

“Really?”

“Anyway, that’s some proper advertising. Low investment, high returns. My father would love to hear that.”