Chapter 614 (2/2)

He could go to Junmin and learn from him directly, but he now vaguely understood what kind of meaning Haejoo had to Junmin. Perhaps the woman named Jung Haejoo might be an irrecoverable wound for his lifetime. He didn’t want to get on his bad side by poking that wound.

“Can I watch with you as well?”

“Come over to my house on Saturday. I don’t have a shoot that day.”

“Can I?”

“Can you not?”

Maru picked up his bag.

“Let’s go up. Everyone must be waiting.”

* * *

“Should I say my words more strongly?”

“Do you find them lacking?”

“No, it’s not like that, but when I see how the others are doing it, I feel like I need to do more.”

“If you think that way, then it’s not a bad idea to put more energy into your lines. However, what you need to think about more than that is the harmony on stage. Having one person receive all the spotlight doesn’t complete the play after all. Try doing it differently in the next rehearsal. Daemyung and I will have a closer look.”

“Yes!”

The junior returned to his original position after a short reply. Maru opened the script and picked up his pen. This was the first time he saw a full rehearsal run. He did watch it during practice, but he wasn’t fully paying attention because he was busy making props.

“Well then! You should have had enough rest. Let’s begin shall we?”

Aram shouted the moment the second hand on the clock hit the number 12. The first year students groaned before gathering in the middle.

“It really was unexpected. I thought Aram was more of a whimsical kind,” he said to Daemyung, who sat next to him.

“Maybe it’s because she’s someone who does sports, but she finds it natural to keep things on time. You haven’t seen her bring a stopwatch to do the stretches, have you? If anything, she’s even more strict than Miso-seonbae, not less.”

“I guess we picked a good president.”

Daemyung smiled.

“But hey, what have you been writing on your script this whole time?”

“Their habits and stuff like that. I’m just writing down what I can see for now.”

“You’re going to tell them about it?”

“I thought I’d act like a senior for once.”

“Everyone will like it.”

“I’d be thankful if they do.”

Practice began under Aram’s lead. The juniors split up into two sides of the imaginary stage and went up on the ‘stage’ one by one.

Maru spoke in a small voice as he looked at the juniors who were acting.

“Isn’t the topic of the play a little too heavy? It’s about just before the independence, isn’t it?”

“I thought so too, but the script is created for young people. I think it’s also made as educational material, but the content is good. I think everyone likes the tragic beauty too.”

“Miso-noonim had everyone go over the basic vocalization because of the pronunciation a while ago, right?”

“Yeah, she did.”

“I can definitely tell that their voices are a little weak. If they can’t fill this small hall, then their voices will be eaten up by the audience’s clothing on an actual stage.”

“We’re increasing vocal practice before and after practice, but it’s not something that improves in a short time.”

“That’s why practicing outside this hall is important. Do you think they’re practicing at home?”

“They’re all doing their best.”

“Do you really think so?”

“I believe them. They aren’t the type to lie about that.”

“Well, I wouldn’t be so sure about that. I don’t think Miso-noonim got angry over something they couldn’t do. It’s also true that she has better eyes and ears than us, and she definitely told everyone to practice outside of practice sessions.”

“Everyone’s fired up. They should be putting in just as much effort.”

“If you think so, then I guess that’s fine.”

Maru stopped talking and looked at his juniors. He might be asking for too much from students who had started learning just two months ago. However, Miso never asked people to do the impossible.

After thinking for a while, Daemyung spoke.

“You know? I sometimes think about this, but she…  Gaeul, I mean. You trust her fully, right?”

“Why do you ask?”

“It might sound strange coming from me, but I found it a little curious. I admit that your attitude towards the juniors definitely changed after you decided to change. However, you still sometimes choose to be doubtful instead of believing in them, don’t you? I’m not saying that it’s a bad thing. I know that it’s your way of doing things. Sometimes, I even want to try living like you. Not that it would work out. That’s what an innate nature is, right?”

“Maybe, maybe not. I think that human nature can be changed after being born. People change according to what they experience too.”

Maru paused before continuing.

“So the point of your question is, why am I so blindly faithful to Gaeul when I’m so doubtful of other people and like to make use of others?”

“You always put my words like that. Of course, you’re not wrong.”

“Aren’t couples all like this?”

“Probably not, I think? Normal people aren’t like that. That’s what makes me curious. Honestly speaking, I like Jiyoon, but I don’t think that everything about her is good. Jiyoon should be the same. When I look at you two though, no, when I look at how you treat Gaeul… how should I put this… I’m not sure if saying it like this is right, and I might be being rude to you, but I can only think of it like this.”

“What is it?”

“I think you’re afraid of her. And you look unstable.”

“...Really?”

“Sorry. I think I went too far. I’m sure it’s not like that.”

Daemyung quickly apologized with a complex expression on his face. Maru could only chuckle.

“Looks like everyone must be doing their best with their practice at home.”

“What do you mean by that so suddenly?”

“What do you mean, what? I’m saying that you’re right. Also, try to refrain from telling someone your honest words. People generally get angry, not embarrassed, when other people find out what they’re thinking.”

Maru closed the script.

“Maru.”

“I’ll go get some fresh air for a while. Also, don’t think about it too deeply. I am a little angry, but I also feel thankful. It’s quite interesting, you know? When I think about the fact that I have a friend who knows me better than I do.”

I’m off - Maru slapped Daemyung’s back before leaving the hall.