129 - I Unknowingly Rejected My Favorite

EP.129 #129. Aren't I pathetic? "It couldn't have been good." In a comic, there would probably be a "goooo" sound effect over Doa's head. While the atmosphere was certainly tense, in reality, the physical contact with a stranger wasn't pleasing at all. It was rather so uncomfortable I thought I might die from it. Handling my first acting role was already overwhelming, but physical contact with another actor made it doubly hard to focus. "Honestly, I wanted to say I didn't want to do it, but you know, there was no way around it." As I explained the situation with an apologetic tone, Doa finally averted her gaze. "I get it... I was just saying it..." Just moments ago, she was glaring like she was ready to devour me. Now docile, Doa munched on her kimchi like a herbivore. "Is the stew good?" "Better than buying it." She seemed content with my answer as a smile spread across her face. After finishing our meal, we decided to step out briefly to grab some drinks. Our destination was a nearby convenience store. Standing in front of the fridge, Doa stared intently inside. "What's up?" "Deciding." "On what?" "This one's buy one get one free, but it's a diet version." Her finger pointed to the promotional item. "Then why not just get the cheap one?" "But the regular one tastes better than the diet." "Then just buy the regular." "But that's expensive." What am I supposed to do then? Internally sighing, I wanted to react immediately but had no intention to rile up Doa. "...Should we just get both?" Offering a compromise, Doa finally grabbed the fridge handle. She placed both the diet and regular versions into the basket I was holding. Puffing out her chest, she declared proudly, "This is the grace of an idol!" "Phew." Her sudden Luca-like tone made me burst into laughter. But Doa, now determined to be shameless, paid no mind to my ridicule. "Since you're my fan, I'll buy you one, too. Pick something." I wondered how much of a big deal it could be, but I smiled and picked an orange juice. "Then I'll graciously accept this." "No, get something expensive. Go for the pricier stuff." She acted like a wealthy patron flaunting money. A playful urge to tease her had me looking around for something good. Tssss... Nothing seemed too exorbitant... Making a round through the relatively small store, I found a box that seemed fitting. "Hey, Idol." I called out to Doa, who was having another intense stare-off with some gummies. "Yeah, did you get it?" "Picked the priciest one as requested." "Ooo... what is it?" I showed her the item, and Doa glanced between my palm and my face. "...Are you really buying that?" "You asked for something expensive." "But I won't even use that." Doa's face gradually turned red. Her cuteness made me want to kiss her. "Alright, I'll put it back." I decided to stop teasing and turned around. "...Well, idols shouldn't exactly use those, but..." It was a voice even more Luca-like than Luca's. "Oh... alright, I'll let you use it specially." Indeed, my girlfriend knew too well how to drive someone crazy. * * * The web drama I was cast in was set to conclude after 12 episodes. The volume matched that of an anime’s typical one-season run, adding a peculiar feeling. In the animation context, I was cast as a minor bully character who occasionally appeared. The mere fact that my face would appear on screen still felt exceedingly surreal. Today was the airing of episode 9, where I would make another appearance. Having promised to watch it with Doa, I awaited her arrival at my place. -Knock knock At the sound of a knock, I opened the door to find my girlfriend, in a gray hoodie, quickly rushing inside. "Doa, where’s your outerwear?" Don't tell me you came without a coat or jacket? "Since it's just next door, I thought it'd be fine if I ran quickly... but it wasn't." As she sniffled slightly, I chuckled and handed her a tissue. Without hesitation, she blew her nose and crawled under my blankets like it was natural. "Ah... I feel alive..." Doa slumped against the bed. I gave her a pat on the butt before perching on the edge of the bed. "There’s a bit of time before it starts, though." "So, you're saying you don't like me coming early?" "I’m just saying. Why put it that way?" Tussling her hair in response to her cheeky tone, Doa protected her head with her arms. "Ugh... I just combed it." "Then who told you to be cheeky?" "Luca did." She used her go-to excuse as casually as having a meal. At 6 PM, Doa escaped the bed and turned off all the lights. The theater atmosphere settled in once more. We hit play on the tablet for episode 9. The opening melody, which had grown dear to my heart, began. Despite knowing the storyline was deemed disastrous, the affection lingering was a strange feeling. Scenes I had already seen through script reading passed by on the screen. Oh... this is the one I nervously watched back then. As about 15 minutes passed, tension crawled up my spine. Because next was... [So, Eojin, what do you want to do?] I wanted to cover Doa’s eyes. Ara wrapped her arms around mine on the screen. I was more focused on Doa’s face than my own on the screen. Her slightly parted, cherry-like lips. Doa’s eyebrow twitched. [That depends on what they decide to do. It’s not like I can just make things work.] [Is it enough to just trust you?] Things unnoticed during the shooting were clearer beyond the screen. Ara resting her head on my shoulder. Wait. When did she lean her head there? Was I too busy with my lines to notice? On screen, the two of us gave off the unmistakable vibe of a detestable delinquent couple. "...Ah." A small gasp slipped from Doa’s lips. Noticing her wavering eyes, I reached out and paused the video. "...Doa." "Why stop it? Let’s just watch the rest..." "No, it seemed like... it might be uncomfortable for you..." A truly awkward silence settled between us, something she clearly disliked. "I’m really okay..." Doa, unable to meet my eyes, lowered her gaze to the pillow. I briefly considered resuming the show but ended up turning off the tablet entirely. "You should have played it. There was still more left." "Doa." With the tablet turned over, I called her name again. The lights had been turned off beforehand, so with the tablet screen dark, it was pitch black around us. We couldn't see each other's faces in this state. Oddly enough, this might be more comfortable. "...Yes." "Are you feeling upset?" I figured it was better to be direct than beat around the bush. "...You told me about it all before." Her evasive response had no denial in it. I shifted, moving closer to her. "Kim Doa." "What." I cupped her cheeks with both hands. "What did you think of my acting?" "It was annoying." "So I nailed it, then?" I leaned in, resting my forehead against hers. Her body felt a bit warmer, a comforting warmth radiating from her. "...If it’s bothering you because of me, you really don’t have to." How could her words and tone be so contradictory? Her response made me chuckle softly as I pressed a light kiss to her pouting lips. -Smooch With the brief kiss, her whining subsided. "...I’m jealous." It was Doa who finally broke the silence. "I knew everything beforehand too, and I get why it's like that..." Her hand gently brushed my face. "It still really annoys me." "And do you know what’s funny?" Perhaps feeling pent up, Doa began to open up more about her feelings. "Even when I tell myself not to be, and knowing you were just doing your job, I still get all childish about it..." She trailed off. Though I was curious about what she was holding back, I didn’t want to rush her. I simply stroked her hair in silence. Doa buried her face into my chest. "...Aren’t I pathetic?" "Well, maybe that’s why people say birds of a feather flock together." I had a mindset where I refused to lose out on being pathetic. "You’re not pathetic." "Hey, remember when I secretly followed you because you were out drinking?" Thinking back, I was the one who seemed really pathetic. "Erm... That was... definitely a bit much at that time." "Anyway, Doa." I whispered her name. "No matter what I end up shooting in the future, or whatever else I might do..." It was cheesy, but I needed to reassure her. "I won’t waver." "It doesn't matter who I shoot with, or if someone makes weird passes at me." Yes, I should have gone straight for the word that best described me this whole time. "Because I’m a steadfast Lucario." Instead of words, Doa pulled me closer, wrapping her arms around my neck.