Chapter 80

A flight heading to Hawaii.

Sitting in the business class, enjoying a comfortable flight.

Suddenly, a thought crossed my mind.

'Something feels off.'

Tap, tap-tap─

While tapping away on my laptop, this thought suddenly came to me.

'I was supposed to rest...?'

Why am I working even on the plane?

Is this what they call a workaholic?

Tap, tap-tap─

On the top of the laptop screen, the title of the new work appeared.

"Love Methods of a Bad Man: Part 1"

With the system assigning me a mission, I couldn't help but write diligently.

Since it mentioned a second and third stage, it must mean there are more to come.

'This feels like it will keep me running until the contest...’

I can't produce a masterpiece just by scribbling casually like the system.

The time left until the TVM contest submission doesn't feel that long.

'Let's just relax.'

Thinking of it as a practice piece makes it easier.

Tap, tap─

While tapping away on my laptop, I heard someone calling me from the side.

"Excuse me, Mr. Author."

"Ah, Manager Seo. You're awake?"

"Yes."

"Sorry, did I make noise?"

Noticing me, Saerom, who had just woken up, stared at me and said,

"No, that's fine... but..."

"Yes?"

"Are you starting a new work?"

"Ah..."

I felt strangely embarrassed.

Thud─

I immediately closed my laptop.

"It's more like... self-satisfaction."

"Can I take a look?"

"Um, later. It's still in the conceptual stage."

I could feel Manager Jeong's gaze from the side but ignored it and closed my eyes.

I didn't want to show my raw, unpolished work to her, even though I could show it to anyone else.

"Mr. Author."

"Yes."

"Please show it to me later."

When I opened my eyes and looked at her,

Seeing the trust in her eyes, I thought,

'Contest preparation... I need to work harder.'

I want to polish it enough to show it proudly, to meet my own satisfaction.

I don't want to betray Manager Jeong's trust.

I want to show her a script I wrote, not one from the system.

"Sure, I'll show it to you later."

* * *

Honolulu International Airport.

We boarded the reserved shuttle van one by one.

Especially, the managers were careful to ensure the actors' faces weren't exposed even abroad.

After everyone boarded, I called Hyo-ju.

"Hyo-ju, let's go together."

"Sure!"

On the way to the hotel in the van,

Hyo-ju suddenly burst out,

"Ah, right! International driver's license!!!"

".... I got mine."

"Ugh, sorry. I should have gotten it earlier."

"It's fine. We're here for a trip, not work."

"Still."

"Manager Jeong and the other managers got theirs."

"Um…."

Three or four should be enough.

It's just a two-week trip, after all.

A little while later,

We moved to our respective reserved rooms as soon as we arrived at the hotel.

Upon entering the hotel room with a view of the emerald blue sea and Waikiki, I unpacked my luggage.

"Bro, this room is amazing, isn't it?"

"Sure is."

I shared a room with Jin-ho.

Team Leader Byeon shared a room with the actor managers.

'Still, it's more comfortable with Jin-ho.'

I'm grateful to Manager Jeong for considering such small details.

It would feel a bit awkward to share a room with Team Leader Byeon or the managers.

'Besides...'

The light on Jin-ho's head seemed to be a good place to clear the mission.

I was checking the script on my laptop when Jin-ho called out to me.

"Bro Jin-woo."

"Yeah?"

"Are you editing the script even on a trip?"

"Ah... yeah, something like that."

"Really impressive."

Nodding, Jin-ho, I casually brought up the topic.

".... Do you want to take a look?"

"Me?"

"Just take a casual look. I won't be hurt even if you say it's boring."

"Sure, sure!"

Jin-ho's reaction made me laugh.

Almost as respectful as Jae-joon.

I immediately sent a message to show Jin-ho the script.

A little while later.

"Bro."

"Yeah?"

".... It's interesting."

"Really?"

"Yes! It has a rough charm. It's different from Kim Na-yeon's, but..."

"Really...?"

"You gave a lot of freedom to the actors!"

"Um... yeah."

I couldn't write every action and expression of the actors like in previous works.

It can't be compared to a system that shows the entire drama.

"Actually, it's too much to my taste, so I'm not sure if it's objective. But I find it really interesting!"

"Thanks."

Ding─

Really, thank you.

【Mission: Get the script you wrote yourself recognized by the actor registered as 'Overseas Sales Team 3 Kim Na-yeon'. (1/2)】

The light on Jin-ho's head disappeared instantly.

It seems genuine, given how the system activates.

Feeling like I've overcome a hurdle, I broke out in a sweat.

'Good thing I came with Jin-ho.'

Maybe it's because he hasn't fully adapted to the theater yet.

He feels different from other top stars who only crave blockbuster works.

"Let's go out. We need to have some fun."

"Sure, bro!"

The balcony connecting the hotel rooms reserved by the Tempest members.

There were tables with snacks and umbrellas, and it was a premium room with a private pool.

"Wow... the view is amazing."

"No wonder it was expensive..."

As soon as we stepped outside, we could see Waikiki Beach spread out before us.

Many foreigners were lying on the sand, swimming, or enjoying leisure sports.

And,

A woman lying on a sunbed by the pool caught my eye.

'Yeo Min-seo?'

She was wearing a stylish straw hat, but I recognized her immediately.

The light on her head, not a balding beam, but the system's light, subtly highlighted her presence.

"Where are the others?"

"Ah, I heard from the manager. They all went shopping."

"Even Hee-jeong?"

"Yes! With Manager Jeong..."

"...."

Why are they so close?

Then, Yeo Min-seo slowly stirred and sat up.

"Um... Mr. Author?"

"Yes? Ah, you're awake?"

Yeo Min-seo, who had been staring at me, spoke bluntly.

"Have you eaten?"

"No."

What's with this sudden change?

"I'm hungry."

"...."

She was worried about her own meal, not mine.

Jin-ho, who had been observing the situation, spoke up softly.

".... Want to eat together?"

"Sure."

With Yeo Min-seo's response, the three of us decided to go out to eat.

I immediately sent a message to my sister.

Tap, tap─

[Where are you? Want to have lunch together?]

* * *

Ding─

Hee-jeong checked her smartphone and put it back in her pocket.

Seeing this, Manager Jeong Saerom asked with a puzzled look.

"Hee-jeong, did you get a message from someone?"

"Ah, my brother asked if I want to have lunch."

"Really? Then let's go eat together..."

"Ah, we came too far. Instead, recommend a good place."

"How do you know about good places?"

"I checked in advance. Hehe."

Surprisingly thorough.

Smiling, Saerom, who had a similar personality, said,

"But, sis."

"Yes?"

"You've been choosing only surfboards."

"Ah, yeah. I like surfing."

"Wow, are you good at it?"

"Not really. I just know how to ride."

No wonder she only packed a rash guard swimsuit for the trip to Hawaii.

Actually, Hee-jeong checked Saerom's swimsuit as soon as they unpacked at the hotel.

"Sis, the surfboard isn't the important thing right now."

"Yes?"

"The swimsuit is a serious issue."

"...."

"Why bring a rash guard on a trip?"

Are you trying to hide your beautiful figure?

It's a waste of the toned abs you built from daily exercise.

Even a brief glance at the hotel revealed they couldn't be hidden.

"Sis, come with me."

Holding Saerom's hand as she was choosing a surfboard, they entered a store.

A little while later,

Saerom looked at Hee-jeong with wide eyes and asked,

"Um... are you telling me to wear this?"

"Yes!"

".... Is this some kind of punishment?"

"Ah, if this is a punishment, it's too light."

"...."

"And I think you'll look really good in it."

A red bikini.

I've never even imagined wearing it, let alone tried it on.

"No, I'm good."

"Sis!!!"

"???"

"Please. It's my lifelong wish."

"...."

"If you wear this, my brother will definitely like it!"

"What? What does that have to do with me?"

Hee-jeong, flustered, delivered the final blow to the hesitant Saerom.

"Sis, don't tell me..."

".... Why."

"Don't tell me you've never worn a bikini before?"

"Of course I have."

"Really? Then it's settled. I'll buy it for you."

"...."

Saerom just stared blankly as Hee-jeong bought the red bikini.

She swiped her card without even listening to Saerom's answer.

"Here, a gift! Since you bought me a tablet for the audition, this is my way of saying thank you!"

".... I appreciate it, but..."

I got a tablet and ended up with a punishment.

I had no choice but to accept it.

Zzz─

At that moment, Saerom's smartphone lit up.

"Yes. Team Leader."

-Manager, this is Byeon Hyuk-ju.

"Yes. What is it?"

I wondered what urgent matter could come up on a trip.

-Actor Jin-ho suddenly has a stomachache.

"Really? Is it serious?"

-Luckily, it's not. He just needs to take some medicine and rest.

"Got it. I'll go now."

* * *

I never imagined I'd end up having dinner alone with Yeo Min-seo.

"Is Jin-ho okay?"

"Yes. I saw him take some medicine and go to sleep."

".... Suddenly getting sick like that."

Hee-jeong hasn't replied since.

Hyo-ju is busy on a date with Team Leader Byeon.

"Min-seo."

"Yes."

The seafood restaurant near the hotel recommended by Hee-jeong.

".... What would you like to order?"

"Something quick."

"Got it."

We surprisingly got along well.

The thought of eating quickly and returning to the room.

We quickly devoured the food as it came out.

"It's delicious."

"Agreed."

After eating, we ordered two glasses of lilikoi juice for dessert.

Feeling full, I suddenly felt greedy.

Seeing the light shimmering on Yeo Min-seo's head,

【Mission: Get the script you wrote yourself recognized by the actor registered as 'Overseas Sales Team 3 Kim Na-yeon'. (1/2)】

'Mission completion is just around the corner.'

I gathered my thoughts and called her.

"Um, Yeo Min-seo."

"Yes?"

"Would you like to take a look at a script?"

".... Suddenly?"

"It's not mine, but a script written by someone I know. So, if you criticize it, they'll get punished."

"...."

I dropped a hint and immediately sent a message.

Ding─

"Love Methods of a Bad Man: Part 1"

Yeo Min-seo checked her smartphone with a dubious expression.

She swallowed and I waited for her evaluation.

"Mr. Author."

"Yes?"

"The title is not good."

"Ah, I spent a long time thinking about it...!"

"It's not mine, right?"

"...."

Yeo Min-seo started reading the script from the beginning slowly.

My heart raced as I focused on her lips.

Finally, her lips parted slightly.

"I'm sleepy. I'll read it tomorrow."

".... Okay. Then."

We just don't match.

* * *

That evening,

Jeong Saerom tried on the swimsuit she received as a gift from Hee-jeong in her room.

"This is a bit..."

No matter how it's a gift, the red color was too much.

It felt like wearing underwear, not a swimsuit.

".... Maybe it's okay?"

What gave me the courage?

The moonlight shining through the curtains was beautiful.

There was no one around at this hour.

Creak─

She opened the large window leading to the balcony and stepped outside.

"It's refreshing."

The view outside the balcony, which she hadn't checked during the day.

There was no need to go all the way to Waikiki Beach.

The lights around the private pool were beautifully lit.

Next to it, a pretty table with snacks and a blue umbrella.

And next to that, someone lying on a sunbed enjoying the night air...

"Mr. Author?"

Turning around, Kim Jin-woo and Saerom made eye contact.

"Phew!"

What's with this guy, spitting out his cocktail through his nose.

".... You're here."

"Choke! Cough! .... Yes, Manager."

"...."

An awkward atmosphere hung in the air for a moment.

Kim Jin-woo, moving his arm robotically, said,

"You can sit here if you want."

"Ah, sure."

Saerom moved to sit next to him, pretending it was no big deal.

"The night has a different charm."

"Yes, that's why I came out."

The two of them enjoyed the cool night air and looked down at Waikiki Beach.

"Blue Hawaii?"

Kim Jin-woo nodded, and Saerom ordered the same cocktail.

'Thought it would be... uncomfortable, but it's not.'

She felt at ease with Jin-woo's casual attitude.

A gentle and different atmosphere from earlier.

They talked about the day's events one by one.

About Jin-ho's illness, the dinner with Yeo Min-seo, and the shopping trip with Hee-jeong.

"Hee-jeong is a bit like that."

"But she has a good heart."

".... Her?"

"Yes. Having a sister like her..."

"I would be like her."

"...."

The two continued their casual conversation, losing track of time.

How much time had passed?

Saerom, who had been enjoying the view, suddenly spoke.

How much time had passed?

Saerom, who had been enjoying the view, suddenly spoke.

"Mr. Author, thank you."

"Yes? For what?"

"Thanks to you, I got to come to Hawaii."

".... I think I came thanks to you, Manager."

Saerom just smiled.

There was no need to express it in words.

Seeing Saerom's bright smile, Jin-woo's face turned red.

"Ahem..."

"Mr. Author?"

"Yes?"

"Are you okay?"

".... Why?"

"Why are you sweating so much?"

"...."

Jin-woo wiped the sweat from his forehead with one hand and said,

"Maybe it's a bit warm."

"It's so cool here...."

"I tend to sweat a lot."

"Come to think of it..."

Jeong Saerom leaned in and touched Jin-woo's forehead with one hand.

"Your face is very red! Mr. Author, are you sick? Did you catch something from Jin-ho?"

".... Stomachaches aren't contagious."

Kim Jin-woo immediately stood up from his seat.

"I need to go in now. I need to give Jin-ho a chur."

".... Got it. Get some rest."

Watching him walk away, Saerom tilted her head.

"What is it? He doesn't seem to have a fever...."