Chapter 592 (1/2)

“How can friends be so different?”

“It’s because we’re different that we became friends. There’s nothing more boring than two similar people getting together, you know?”

“I am always surprised because that naïve-looking Daemyung throws sharp questions at me from time to time, and that seems to be your influence, huh.”

“I think you’re wrong about that. He might look dense at first glance, but his thought process is thorough. He’s a smart guy.”

She looked at Maru and Hanmi alternately, as they talked to each other. 10 p.m. It was around the time when the lights on the tall buildings started turning off one by one, but the fire of conversation that was lit up in this space was burning brightly. Maru was on his third can of beer, while Hanmi was sipping on her first can.

“Hm? You finished that? You’re drinking more right?”

“If you’re giving me more, I will have to.”

“You’ll be in big trouble if you keep accepting drinks like this, you know?”

“If this much was enough to put me into trouble, I would’ve encountered it already.”

“Are you trying to score points with me? You’re a smooth talker.”

“I’ve been trying to do that since the beginning.”

“I didn’t feel good since it felt like you were trying to use me, but well, I’ll let you be since it was for her. Though, you still are despicable.”

She quietly looked at Hanmi, who was patting her head. Hanmi smiled pleasantly when she met eyes with her.

“I told you before, right? I’m not thick-faced enough to introduce a half-assed actor to an agency. Well, yes, my work has been horrible recently since I’ve hit a block. I will admit that, however, I’m doing that under my own name. Even if it goes horribly wrong, it’s me who ruins it, so I can endure that. Lending my own name to someone else is a different story. I will be much more meticulous when it comes to that. Recommending you to an agency simply out of pity or friendship or just because you’re unni’s daughter? Don’t joke with me. I’m not that cheap. Well, I might write cheap writing, but the author definitely isn’t!”

She still seemed slightly drunk. She poured a cup of cold water and gave it to Hanmi. Hanmi smiled.

“You’re so gentle. Hey, can you be my daughter? I’ll treat you nicely.”

“My mom will probably say no.”

Hanmi nodded and drank the water. Then, she sighed before semi-lying on the floor. She got a cushion from the sofa and pushed it beneath Hanmi’s waist.

“How did a picky woman like unni give birth to a pretty daughter like you? It’s such a mystery.”

After giggling, Hanmi abruptly sat up.

“This isn’t the time for this. Hey, Han Maru. I was about to give a touching speech to this girl. How dare you take that away from me?”

“I’m sorry. It looks like I was out of my place.”

“Yes, you were out of your place. This old woman was about to tell this girl that I am recommending her because I trust her, and then give her a touching hug, but you took that away from me.”

“Should I give you a hug now?”

She interrupted since Maru looked like he was in a pinch. Hanmi spread her arms wide immediately. She gave Hanmi a light hug.

“Pat my back, will you?”

“Yes, yes.”

“This ahjumma will never get married, right? There’s no man in this world who would likes a mischievous woman like me, right?”

“Of course not. Mom was joking with you. I’m sure you’ll get married to a splendid man.”

“If I grow old without getting married, you have to play with me, okay?”

“I’ll be your conversation partner.”

“Thanks. I feel much better after your consolation.”

Stepping back, Hanmi looked for some water. This time, Maru gave her a cup.

“But hey, you’re not normal, coming to this place at this hour.”

“There was something I needed to borrow, and I wanted to see her. So, I came here.”

“How daring. That’s right, a man should be like that. Though, I don’t know what ‘like that’ is since I never got married.”

It seemed that she really felt sullen. Although she acted like she wasn’t interested in marriage when talking to her mother, maybe she wanted to get married after all? She looked at Hanmi for a while before turning around to look at Maru. This boy talked about marriage whenever he had the chance. She knew that he was joking, but sometimes it did sound like he was serious. Was he really thinking about marrying her? Despite the fact that they were still too young to talk about marriage, she felt strange whenever she heard him talk about it. She still dreamed about such a scenario from time to time even though she treated it as a joke. The house the two would live in, the scenery outside, their neighbors, and a new member of the family. They would quarrel with each other from time to time, but then make up and confirm their love towards each other again. Even though she had never experienced a married life before, she could imagine one in detail as though she had experienced it before. There were times when she was surprised at how much detail she could imagine. She would also feel rather absurd since that made her seem like she was looking forward to their marriage.

“Since you’re here, let’s hear your opinions as well.”

Hanmi, who jerked her head backwards to flip her hair, took a big gulp of cold water before speaking.

“Opinion about what?” Maru asked back.

She could predict what Hanmi was about to say next.

“About going to the past.”

Yes, that. She nodded. The discussion between her mother and Hanmi never reached a conclusion and just ended in a drinking fest, so Hanmi brought this topic up again when there was a new person to talk to.

She looked at Maru. She felt a bit curious as well as to what kind of an answer Maru would give.

“You’re still young, so let’s imagine that you grew up a little. You’re going to the past in that state.”

“Do I have to go?”

“Why, you don’t want to?”

“If I am living a satisfying life, I want to keep that going. Going to the past is definitely a tempting thing, but tempting opportunities like that are bound to have consequences.”

“You know your stuff. We were quarreling about that as well. Well, then. How about this? You have to go back. You have all the memories of when you were an adult. What are you going to do first when a fifty-year-old you returns to your current age?”