Chapter 139

**Birthday.**

The day of birth.

However, in Ha-eun’s case, it was a day that was a bit more special because it was not just the day she was born, but the day she was ‘reborn.’

A day when she could realize more than any other day that she was living a different life from her past life.

Unlike her past life, which was uneventful, it was a day worth looking forward to.

Birthday cake.

Faint candlelight.

Birthday songs.

People who would be there by her side.

It was a day when she could expect all of those things.

‘…Am I still too young?’

Of course, just because it was her birthday, it didn’t mean something extraordinary would happen.

Nevertheless, simply receiving birthday wishes like everyone else made her feel emotional in various ways.

The most crucial moment was the surprise birthday party organized by the staff and actors of [The Sunshine].

‘I didn’t expect to blow out candles on set.’

It had been like this for a long time, but Ha-eun tended to be significantly influenced by unexpected events.

For example, Shirooni’s sudden appearance.

Or, the unexpected twist in the Sea Butterfly.

In that way, things that were different from Ha-eun’s expectations ultimately heightened her emotions.

The surprise birthday party from a few minutes ago also made Ha-eun more emotional.

Perhaps that’s why.

“‘It seems like studying abroad in Tokyo was quite enjoyable.’”

“‘…Why do you think so?’”

“‘You forgot to write to me long ago. To be honest, I was a bit disappointed.’”

Today, Kim Jeong-hyun felt more like a friendly girl than a noble lady.

She interacted with Hwang Tae-seong, not as her fiancé, but as her childhood friend, showing a demeanor far from her usual dignified self.

There was a naturally youthful atmosphere.

The mood of the conversation between Kim Jeong-hyun and Hwang Tae-seong was not much different from their childhood.

“‘By the way, did you really come back to Joseon because of me? Was I that concerning to you?’”

“‘You got shot; isn’t it strange not to be worried?’”

It felt as if she were talking to the young Kim Jeong-hyun.

The gaze, expressions, and voice directed at Hwang Tae-seong showed no sense of distance, proving it further.

Even her graceful eyes seemed a bit excited, as if she was genuinely happy.

Today, Ha-eun looked younger in many ways.

If she were to say she was not the slightest bit flustered by Ha-eun’s acting, it would be a bold-faced lie.

The friendly tone of Ha-eun’s voice brought a few minor NGs from Bae Jin-hyuk.

“Ah, I’m sorry for laughing so much. It feels like I’m seeing my niece and I just can’t help it.”

“It’s okay.”

The reason was still unclear, but the boundary between Ha-eun’s acting and her real self felt more blurred today.

Bae Jin-hyuk’s tone kept getting disrupted because of that.

However, in the script, Kim Jeong-hyun regarded Hwang Tae-seong not as a fiancé but as a comfortable friend.

So, it couldn’t be said that Ha-eun’s friendly acting tone was wrong.

Hwang Tae-seong, whom Bae Jin-hyuk had to portray, viewed Kim Jeong-hyun not as a friend but as a fiancée.

Therefore, Kim Jeong-hyun should not laugh at Hwang Tae-seong treating her as a friend.

What needed to be captured on camera was Hwang Tae-seong’s duality—his exterior versus his inner feelings.

“‘Still, it seems you’re not seriously hurt. You don’t look like someone who’s in pain.’”

“‘Well, it wasn’t a small injury.’”

“‘Then why get into dangerous hobbies like hunting? You were the one who cried rivers at the slightest fall.’”

“‘Cry rivers? When did I?’”

“‘You know, on your 7th birthday. Didn’t you cry so much that the world seemed to stop?’”

Hwang Tae-seong seemed to talk to Kim Jeong-hyun like a comfortable friend on the surface.

However, he had to express internally that he was troubled by how to treat Kim Jeong-hyun.

What Hwang Tae-seong hoped for was the promise made long ago to be fulfilled.

He wanted to realize the promise of a lifelong bond made between Kim Jeong-hyun and himself during their childhood.

The real reason he returned to Joseon after finishing his studies in Tokyo was to establish a marital connection with Kim Jeong-hyun.

The news that Kim Jeong-hyun had been shot was enough to stir Hwang Tae-seong’s anxieties.

He could wait no longer.

He wanted to be connected with the woman he had been infatuated with since their first encounter long ago, the one who made his heart flutter just by looking at her.

However, he thought it best to first make Kim Jeong-hyun see him as a man, not just a childhood friend.

“‘Make sure to visit me often. Take care of yourself.’”

He left Kim Jeong-hyun’s house, leaving room for continued meetings between them.

Not long after, he arrived at his lodging, where he could finally pull out a small ring case.

*Click.*

“‘…I wonder when I’ll be able to show this.’”

A luxurious ring case made from a different material.

Inside it were two rings neatly arranged.

The attachment towards Kim Jeong-hyun that he could only reveal after leaving her was immensely clear.

Hwang Tae-seong’s feelings for Kim Jeong-hyun had never wavered even for a moment since their childhood.

That’s why he was all the more curious about who the man Kim Jeong-hyun had feelings for could be.

He wanted to know why she did not perceive Hwang Tae-seong as a romantic prospect.

His gaze shifted to the newspaper placed on the table right in front of him shortly after.

As he set the ring case down on the table, he began to read an article about a cold case.

The issue was that, for some reason, the more he read the article, the more ominous feelings he had.

The date of the assassination of one of the bureaucrats coincided with the date when Kim Jeong-hyun was shot; it felt less like a mere coincidence.

“‘They clearly said it was a mistake… Can someone get shot in the shoulder by mistake?’”

A subtle instinct slowly crept in.

A strange feeling emerged in Hwang Tae-seong’s mind, suggesting that the assailant responsible for the bureaucrat’s assassination was somehow linked to Kim Jeong-hyun.

The black ring case and the article about the bureaucratic assassination placed on the table right before Hwang Tae-seong seemed to be unrelated yet intricately connected.

Thus, as Hwang Tae-seong gazed intently at the ring case and the newspaper, the scene cut.

The filming of the scene foreshadowing various incidents related to Kim Jeong-hyun had finally come to an end.

“Thank you for your hard work~.”

Soon followed by a bustling scene.

The various lights and cameras at the filming set began to be organized by the staff.

Not long after, Ha-eun’s steps led her to the dressing room.

However, perhaps due to the fact that her buoyant feelings didn’t quite settle even after changing back into her original clothes.

“Is it because it’s your birthday? You seem especially excited today.”

The writer responsible for Ha-eun’s project, who had organized the surprise birthday party earlier, approached Ha-eun and spoke.

It was also evident that Ha-eun’s good mood was quite apparent.

“Did you receive a lot of gifts?”

“Ah, yes. The fans sent a ton of stuff.”

Continuing to talk about various things that happened throughout the day, they finally arrived at the parking lot of the filming site when she said once again, “Happy birthday.”

Soon after, Ha-eun returned a word of thanks.

She also added that she was quite touched thanks to the writer.

“This is the first time someone held a surprise birthday party for me. Thank you.”

“Well, it’s a day that comes only once a year; of course, I have to celebrate you.”

As Ha-eun got into Ju Jung-yun’s van, the farewell message echoed.

“Great job today~. Make sure to eat your mother’s seaweed soup at home~.”

In response to the writer’s farewell, Ha-eun waved lightly.

Not long after, Ju Jung-yun’s van finally began heading towards Ha-eun’s house.

“Jung-yun unnie, mom said for you to have a meal with us too.”

“Really?”

“Yes.”

Thus, Ju Jung-yun also entered Ha-eun’s house with her.

Immediately, a familiar voice filled with warmth reached her ears.

“Ah, Jung-yun! You worked hard until late~.”

Nay-eon’s words came after she had already set the birthday table.

Not long after, Ha-eun’s last birthday party commenced.

“Happy birthday to our beloved Ha-eun~.”

The three people singing the birthday song sounded just as pleasant as usual.

Soon after the soft candlelight flickered out, applause followed.

“………….”

When you think about it, they were sounds she had heard every year, but for some reason, it became difficult to open her mouth.

What she felt was a strange but complex sensation.

Still, it was definitely not a bad or unpleasant feeling.

“The seaweed soup… tastes great.”

“Isn’t it?”

While comfortably tasting the carefully prepared food by Nay-eon, they shared light conversations about ordinary matters.

It was a lighthearted exchange without heavy subjects, simply chatting about the events of the day.

Yet, it felt good.

Just talking at the same table, in the same house, was enough.

However, as dinner gradually approached its end, an unexpected story from Nay-eon came through.

“Did Da-yeon call your mom and tell her to wish you a Happy New Year?”

“Yeah. She asked me to tell you to have a good New Year too.”

The topic of conversation shifted to Da-yeon.

Soon, another new piece of information was revealed.

“Oh, by the way. Da-yeon wants to hang out with you to celebrate your birthday.”

From Nay-eon’s perspective, it was not bad that her daughter was not just working all the time but also playing with her friend Da-yeon.

Thus, she slightly fabricated Da-yeon’s cautious inquiry about when Ha-eun’s schedule was clear into a more active form.

Of course, Ha-eun had no particular reason to answer that she was busy.

Regardless, the importance of rest should never be overlooked.

So, in the end, just a week after Ha-eun’s birthday, she met Da-yeon.

Eventually, the first place Da-yeon wanted to go was a manga café located near Ha-eun’s house.

‘…Did she like manga?’

It was a café Ha-eun used to go to almost every day during middle school.

However, this was the first time Da-yeon showed interest in something like manga.

“Hey, Lee Ha-eun. Recommend me the most popular one.”

It felt quite unfamiliar.

While she did recommend various bestsellers, Da-yeon afterward fell silent, just reading the comic books.

Ha-eun couldn’t start a conversation because Da-yeon was literally absorbed in the comic book she had recommended.

‘Hmm…’

And so, ultimately, Ha-eun also sat beside Da-yeon looking at comic books in silence.

The only conversation exchanged between them was during the brief moment when they ordered snacks and smoothies.

Still, she thought it was understandable.

Once you get into a good manga, you could hardly pay attention to anything around you.

However, when their time at the café ended, when Ha-eun asked where they would go next, Da-yeon suddenly mentioned an unexpected place.

“An internet café.”

“…Really?”

“Why? Is it not allowed?”

“No, it’s not that it’s not allowed… It just caught me off guard.”

Ha-eun was once again taken aback.

Then, when they arrived at the internet café and sat on two-person seats together, she was further puzzled.

That’s because the prideful Da-yeon asked Ha-eun to teach her how to play games.

Specifically, the game that Diah played the most was Battle Island.

‘…Is she trying to take me out too?’

Of course, she couldn’t say no.

In case, she logged in using her old sub-account instead of Diah’s ID.

However, just a few minutes later.

“Lee Ha-eun! People keep throwing apologies at me!”

“It’s okay. You won’t die even if you get hit.”

The noisy appearance of Da-yeon in the waiting room of Battle Island made Ha-eun feel a bad premonition.

Unlike Diah, who pretended to be a newcomer in Battle Island, Da-yeon was a real newbie.

Still, her ambition to win was immense.

“Ah! I got hit!”

When she got attacked, she screamed as if she had really been shot.

Almost in sync, Ha-eun pulled her baseball cap further down.

“…Shall we do the tutorial again first?”

It was embarrassingly complicated in many ways.

Ha-eun couldn’t understand why Da-yeon suddenly showed interest in things like comics or games.

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