"Is something wrong?"
Ha Moo-young's innocent question.
Between her hat and mask, the stalker's hazy eyes narrowed. What the hell was this out-of-left-field remark?
"You calling me crazy right now?"
She snarled, swiping through the camera screen to Enbin's image. That kind of treatment wouldn't work on her. She was used to it by now.
"No, really just curious."
But Moo-young didn't back down. He needed to know what that unfamiliar black smog meant. What if the misfortune jumped from her to him?
"Over there?"
"Yeah. Hold on. Let me see..."
Moo-young stared straight at the woman. More precisely, at the black smog coiled around her neck and back. With her back against the wall, its shape was distorted and mushy.
"Hmm."
He observed it with utmost seriousness. Her face, hidden by the mask, flushed hotter than a furnace.
What's with this guy?
A man—no, a handsome man—staring her down like this for the first time. Even Enbin, whom she'd stalked for days, had shot her a look of disgust.
"Over there, seriously?"
"You stay put."
Moo-young scanned her intently with sparkling eyes. The stalker's face grew redder by the second. For some weird reason, she felt embarrassed. Good thing the mask hid it.
The shape's clear...
Meanwhile, Moo-young realized as he looked closer that it took the form of a person. His first impression from when she'd been standing was right. Like someone piggybacked on her back.
-Uh...
"Whoa."
That's when it happened. A voice came from the smog. Moo-young flinched back involuntarily. Black smog never spoke. It just appeared.
Then... a stray ghost?
Stray ghosts rarely made a peep either. The ones that did were usually full of resentment or didn't know they were dead. Either way, they were a pain.
"Wh-what's wrong?"
The woman panicked too, pulling back slightly. Was there something in her eye?
-Eujin-ah...
"Eujin-ah?"
"...!"
Moo-young unwittingly echoed the ghost's words. Judging by her reaction, that must be the stalker's name. The smog kept squeezing and tugging at her neck.
-Please snap out of it and go home.
"It says go home. Snap out of it."
"Wh-who said that?"
"The thing hanging on your back."
The woman froze. Was he messing with her? But Moo-young's face was dead serious. The ghost's voice was so faint, he had to concentrate or he'd miss it.
-Or else... it'll all burn up.
"Or it'll all burn up. But what?"
"You're nuts too, huh?"
As Moo-young muttered to himself, she let out a hollow laugh. A name like that? She must've overheard it from the manager or Enbin.
-Home... it's burning...
"Holy crap. Your house is on fire."
The stalker scowled. What nonsense in the middle of the night? Deciding to ignore him completely, she pulled out her earbuds.
That's when it hit.
"The 40 million won cash in the second drawer? The stuff in the pink box? Videos of that guy? Oh, right. That's called a USB."
She froze. Gasping silently, she stared at Moo-young. As a credit delinquent, she'd cashed everything out into bills. And above all—the USB's existence!
"H-how do you..."
"Better check before it all goes up in flames?"
Biting her lip hard, she dialed somewhere. The nearby chicken joint by her place.
"Sangdong O Chicken, right? Is there a fire around Love Villa—?"
Whatever they said, she listened blankly. Then she bolted up, screaming bloody murder.
"Aaaah—!"
"Whoa, you scared me."
She snatched the camera from her neck and bolted down the hall like a maniac. A hazy figure peeled away from the black smog enveloping her.
"Oh, got it."
The stray ghost and smog had been tangled together. The faint-colored soul bobbed a quick bow toward Moo-young. Judging by the resemblance, probably her mom.
"The black smog's still clinging, though."
Even if she rushed back, it was too late. Either the place burned to ash, or she'd get hurt in the blaze. Misfortune would hit her either way.
But videos of 'that guy'? Her reaction says it's huge. Hmm. Enbin maybe?
Whoosh. The ghost vanished through the wall, chasing after her daughter. Left alone, Moo-young straightened his clothes to stand.
Creeeak.
Enbin opened the door. He alternated stunned looks between Moo-young and the quiet hall.
"What the hell did you do?"
Nothing much. Compared to real annoying ghosts. He'd just passed on a message.
But...
"Wanna know?"
Did he have any reason to spill?
* * *
Enbin was speechless at the cheeky reply. Was that even an answer? Of course he wanted to know!
"Spill it. Now."
It wasn't just that stalker. In his career, he'd waded through all kinds of crap, but sasaeng fans wore him down the most. If there was some secret trick, he'd pry it out by any means.
"Told her to go home, and she listened."
"You expect me to buy that?"
"Don't if you don't want to. But us talking casual like this makes us sound like besties, huh?"
Moo-young slung his bag properly and waved. An innocent smile with his goodbye.
"See ya."
"Hold up."
Enbin blocked his path with his body. Moo-young crossed his arms and tilted his head.
"I don't get why you're doing this."
"Tell me properly. In detail. How the hell did you chase that psycho off? Even our company vets who've been in the game over twenty years threw up their hands at her."
"I did what the pros couldn't?"
"Yeah, so—"
"And you want it for free?"
Moo-young widened his eyes in mock surprise, his face comically serious. He wanted compensation. Enbin smirked and beckoned his manager.
"Hyung!"
"Y-yeah?"
"Grab my wallet."
Money. He could pay any amount. He raked in tens of billions a year. Stuff that hit his account every breath. For an easier life ahead, he'd shell out big.
"Hey. I never asked for money."
The manager came huffing with the whole bag. Moo-young leaned against the wall and muttered.
"Well, money's nice if you've got it. But—"
What did he want? Enbin's mind raced with possibilities. Agency intro? Hookup for gigs? Or maybe—
"Cancel my firing."
"Firing? This web drama?"
Enbin asked incredulously. Compared to his grand plans, it was pathetically small. Why else did "agency power" exist? Extras tagged onto leads all the time.
Idiot?
Or maybe he didn't know the industry yet. Either way, prime opportunity for Enbin.
"Deal."
"And apologize to me and the staff."
"Apologize?"
"You cut me on a whim. Company cast me, right? Isn't that overstepping?"
The door was open. Manager and staff all watching intently. Such a rare scene, everyone glued.
This guy's nuts. What's going on?
Way to ditch a sasaeng?
Enbin apologizing...? Jackpot!
Gaping at different points, holding their breath. Jo Mi-young alone savored the unfolding drama like it was gold.
Bold one. Ha Moo-young, was it?
Enbin chuckled, running a hand through his hair. Objectively, he'd overreacted, sensitized by the stalker.
"Fine. Sorry. I was short-sighted."
"Yeah, it's cool. Sorry I laughed at your acting."
Like elementary kids exchanging apologies. They traded sorrys and forgiveness mechanically.
Enbin turned and bowed to the staff.
"Sorry. I went too far today."
"No, no, it happens."
"Haha, yeah, all good."
The staff chuckled awkwardly too. Straight out of a textbook morality play.
Enbin spun back, shooting Moo-young a look. That enough?
"And one last thing."
"So many demands?"
"Practice your lines well."
"...!"
Jo Mi-young's jaw dropped in shock. Holy crap. The hole in the crumbling sky was right there. Named Ha Moo-young!
"First gig for me, super important. So cooperate, yeah? Need help? I'll pitch in."
"What help?"
"Line delivery, practice partner, whatever for acting."
"Ha! First gig? This is my third."
"Nice. You'll kill it then! Wrap filming smooth, and I'll spill. What I said to the stalker."
"For real? What if she shows up again before?"
"Doubt it. She'll be quiet for a bit."
"...You sure?"
A beat of silence, promising payback if joking. Enbin scowled hard.
"Yeah. Dead sure."
But Moo-young was thrilled just to stay on the project. Enbin's gruff tone didn't faze him.
Then, two cops climbed the hall's end.
"Here on a report—!"
"Yeah, right here!"
Manager and staff waved them over. Moo-young subtly shoved Enbin toward the conference room.
"Alright, shall we head in?"
"Continue reading in this mood?"
"Pros fill the time. Pick up where we left off. If not, call me. Student life, tons of time. I'll come over."
Does this guy even realize I'm a celeb?
Enbin laughed in disbelief. Sounded like a uni drama club vibe.
Director and writer shut the door.
"Okay, back to it quick-like."
"How much time left?"
"About an hour."
"Then guests do eps 2 and 3? Moo-young can meet Enbin separately."
"Why would I—"
As Enbin protested, Moo-young held out his phone.
"Number."
He'd have to meet again anyway for the stalker story. End of project or not. Enbin hesitated—manager's number or...
"Leak it and you die."
"Ooh, celeb digits."
His personal phone. Total psycho. First character like this. Annoying, but weirdly likable.
Moo-young texted Enbin.
Ding.[Ha Moo-young. Take care. But did the stalker film you or something?]"Film? No clue. Always toting that camera, so probably."
"Hmm. Figures."
"Let's start? Enbin."
"Yeah. Going. Don't talk to me."
Enbin eyed Moo-young, then his script. Much improved diction now. Moo-young sat quietly, watching the reading.
And outside the door.
Damn! I wanna see Ha Moo-young act too.
Jo Mi-young turned away, next schedule calling, regret lingering. Ha Moo-young. She repeated the three syllables over and over.
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