Chapter 33

32. The Way to Seoul

Taeju was reading a book that wasn't a script, something he hadn't done in a long time. Mina, curious about the unfamiliar book in his hands, stealthily approached and peeked at it.

'Monthly Garden? Bouquets made with summer flowers? What on earth is he reading?'

"Why are you reading something like this? Is someone getting married?"

"Hmm. No. I just thought I'd get something as a gift."

The busking road movie meant that their accommodations kept changing. When he had his own room, it was fine, but when he had to share, it was hard to visit the garden.

A few days ago, he had to share a room with the manager and couldn't visit the garden. He tried to visit the garden whenever possible, but sometimes it was unavoidable to miss it.

On those days, Hee would take care of the garden alone. Hee said it was fine, but Taeju felt guilty and wanted to give her something as a gift. Since he couldn't bring real items, he decided to make a bouquet of flowers.

"I think sunflower bouquets are pretty."

"Huh?"

"Sunflower bouquets are really beautiful. Just saying."

"Oh, okay."

He felt he should make a bouquet in reality as well. When Mina, with a playful smile, suggested he order one instead, he had a strong feeling he shouldn't let it slide.

Taeju had once wondered what happened to him in reality while he was in the garden. He suspected he might disappear like a ghost.

So one day, he left his phone recording and entered the garden. The result showed that his body remained in reality, sleeping, while he was in the garden. Of course, Taesan, who he held in his arms, was the same.

During the 48 hours he spent in the garden, his body in reality was deeply asleep. According to Hee, a fake version of Taeju, made by magic, took his place. If someone touched or woke the fake body, he would be forced to return from the garden.

'It seems okay that I don't suddenly disappear, but I still need to be careful.'

After hearing this, he decided to only enter the garden when no one else was around and when he had free time. There would be unavoidable situations, like the first reading of the movie's script, but he promised to be as careful as possible.

*

The garden was filled with wildflowers. Besides those transplanted to the front of the greenhouse, they bloomed profusely in many places. Taesan and Dandan, who loved to explore the bushes, had made the flowers grow even more.

Today, after harvesting the vegetables from the garden, Taeju immediately went around the garden to pick flowers. He planned to make a bouquet for Hee, as he had decided in reality.

'I never knew I was so clumsy. Well, I did have some hints, but I didn't think I was this bad.'

Taeju was skilled with instruments. Piano, guitar, violin, and more. He could memorize sheet music and play even complex pieces without any issues. He thought he would be good at tasks requiring manual dexterity.

He was completely wrong.

Trying to make a bouquet to meet Mina's subtle request, he struggled for a long time. His clumsy hands made the flowers look pitiful, and even Mina suggested he just order one. In the end, he gave up on making a bouquet and decided to dry the damaged flowers to make a sachet.

Taeju washed a pretty cup and started arranging the flowers. Making a proper bouquet with his clumsy hands was difficult, so he decided to decorate the cup with flowers and a ribbon.

He mixed light pink and white flowers, which Hee liked, and tied a red ribbon in a bow. He wrote a message on a small card.

"Oh. My face is turning red."

Taeju blushed as he read the first line of the card he had written: "To the most sparkling Hee in the world." Hee usually liked being called sparkling. Her wings sparkled, and Taeju thought her actions were lovely and sparkled. However, writing it on a card made him feel embarrassed.

Still, thinking about how much Hee would like it, he bravely wrote a thank-you note on the card. After writing, he felt as tired as if he had read a two-hour script, but he felt proud.

Taeju carried the cup filled with flowers to the large tree in the center. He asked Hee to move the floating stairs to the front of her house.

"Taeju, what's that?"

Hee, curious about what Taeju was holding, flew around to take a look. It was the bouquet and card he had brought to give her, but he felt embarrassed and blushed.

"Hmm. I'll give this to Hee."

"Wow. A gift?"

"Uh-huh."

"Thank you, Taeju."

Taeju placed the bouquet inside Hee's house and quickly came down the stairs. He felt his face was flushed and didn't want to show it.

'Why am I so embarrassed?'

Fairy dust was spreading inside Hee's house, making it glow. Hee was lying on the card, kicking her legs.

"Hee, you're sparkling? Hehe. I like it."

Hee's playful rolling made the sparkling fairy dust stick to the card, making her even happier. The fairy house, placed on the large tree, continued to sparkle for a long time.

*

Taeju was on his way to Seoul for a violin lesson. He had been taking violin lessons for four months. The teacher was famous, so it was hard to change the schedule, and he had to go to Seoul even while filming in the provinces.

The songs he played in the movie "Melody" were all difficult. They were high-level classical pieces. Vivaldi, Bach, Paganini. There were also pieces by Kreisler and Tarrega.

When he went to Seoul for lessons, he usually went with one person, like Geunu or Hyungsik. Sometimes he would give a ride to someone who had business in Seoul. Today, Jeong Hansun was going to Seoul for business and was riding with him.

"Phew. It's so hot."

"It's really too hot."

"In the old days, we survived summer without fans, but now I don't even want to enter places without air conditioning."

"Ha ha."

The director, who was planning and filming the road movie, complained while preparing for the shoot and checking on the staff in the scorching midday sun. Taeju smiled at his joke.

Jeong Hansun was peeking into the Sumeumji installed in Taeju's van, teasing Taesan, who was trying to punch the string he was shaking. Taesan was only using his front paws to punch, not coming out of the Sumeumji.

'Pfft. It's not a turtle's shell; just come out and catch it.'

"Director, what are you going to Seoul for?"

"I told you about the theater group I support, right?"

"The young theater group Cheongsong?"

"Yes, that one. They want to adapt a play they did before and put it on as a drama on Mtube, so I'm going to check it out."

Jeong Hansun was actively involved in various activities. He acted in dramas and movies every year and also filmed independent movies during his breaks. He supported young theater groups and held free acting workshops for teenagers when he had time. His passion for his work and his willingness to help others made him look cool.

"Director, aren't you overworking yourself?"

"It's not overworking. I enjoy it. I learn more from the kids than they do from me."

"You're amazing."

"You're too kind. I just do what I can. And I really admire the young kids for their hard work."

Thinking about the theater group, a smile appeared on Jeong Hansun's face. Seeing this, Taeju also smiled.

Whether young or old, people who are passionate about their work are beautiful. Taeju saw Jeong Hansun, who looked tanned from the scorching summer sun, as a beautiful person.

"Taeju, try acting in a play when you have free time. It's different from movies. Performing and interacting with the audience is quite enjoyable."

"Sure. I'll try if I get the chance."

Influenced by his acting teacher, Park Jae-sung, Taeju also liked plays. Before the regression, he didn't have the time to stand on stage. This time, he wanted to try if he got the chance.

"Shall we stop at a rest area and grab something to eat?"

"Let's have a cup of coffee."

"Sure."

Since he started taking Taesan with him, he often stopped at rest areas. He made sure to let Taesan take care of his business and smell new places. Geunu and Hyungsik also considered Taesan's needs when planning stops.

The rest area was quite empty. It was a weekday afternoon, so there weren't many people. Taeju and Jeong Hansun found a table outside the rest area building and sat down.

"Phew. It's so hot."

"I'm sorry. I can't go inside because of me."

"Ah, don't apologize. If you apologize, it makes me look bad."

"Ha. Sorry, no. Oh, come on."

Jeong Hansun and the actors from Triz liked to tease Taeju. Even when they invited him for meals, they always played jokes on him. When Taeju was flustered and blushed, they would tease him even more.

While they were sharing the coffee and ice cream that Hyungsik had bought, a child at the next table, attracted by Taesan, tried to feed him ice cream with a spoon.

Taeju tried to stop the child but stopped when he saw the child struggling to scoop the ice cream with tiny hands.

"What's this?"

'Ugh. So cute.'

Taesan, unfamiliar with ice cream, sniffed it for a moment. After smelling it, he seemed to like it and opened his mouth wide to take a big bite.

Not from the spoon but from the large ice cream in the other hand.

"Whoa."

"Ah!"

"Sorry. Kid, I'm sorry. I'll buy you another one."

The child, who had his ice cream snatched away in an instant, started crying, and Taeju felt like crying too. Taesan, oblivious to the awkward situation, was busy eating the ice cream.

"Ha ha."

"Ha ha ha."

The young parents, initially surprised, soon burst into laughter. Taeju, feeling embarrassed and apologetic, didn't know what to do. Fortunately, Hyungsik quickly bought another ice cream and calmed the crying child. Taeju apologized several times, but the parents said it was okay.

The child, holding the new ice cream, started eating it, turning away from Taesan to avoid losing it again. Taesan, liking the ice cream, started showing affection to the child.

'Oh, Taesan.'

Taeju picked up Taesan to prevent him from eating the ice cream again. Taesan tried to get down by kicking Taeju with his back paws, but Taeju firmly carried him to the car.

*

After the violin lesson, Taeju returned home for the first time in a while. He had to go back to the provinces early in the morning, so he didn't have much time to stay. Still, it was nice to see everyone after a long time, and they had a lot to talk about.

Taeju told them about the mischief Taesan caused on the way to Seoul. Tae, proud of the prize he won from a lottery at the mart with Yeon, showed off the jerky he made using a food dehydrator, reminding Taeju to take it with him.

Taeju often watched the videos they made when he had free time, but he was worried about how they were living since he couldn't see them in person. With the provincial filming, it was hard to visit home once a week, making him even more worried. However, it seemed they were doing well. They smiled and made eye contact while talking, which made Taeju feel relieved.

When Taeju mentioned he had to go back to the provinces early in the morning for filming, Tae and Yeon started preparing things for him. They packed side dishes and snacks they had made in advance.

"Bro, I marinated some ribs. Take them with you."

"Huh?"

"You like rib stew, don't you