“Seo-eul-ahhh, pleaaaseee….”Where on earth does the CEO’s age actually go when he eats it?Watching Yeom Gang-sik call him without even bothering to move his mouth properly, Seo-eul hesitated briefly. Having known him since childhood, he knew full well that the man was forty-seven this year. And yet, the older he got, the more he seemed to regress into a child.Just look at him now.Dragging him into the office out of nowhere—only to start the conversation with that.As if Seo-eul didn’t already have a thousand headaches piling up. He let out a sigh that came on its ✧ NоvеIight ✧ (Original source) own and decided to speak first. One of them had to stay rational.“You know I’m terrible at talking on shows. And what’s with this out of the blue—? I don’t think my public awareness is that bad.”Of course, he knew this had nothing to do with recognition. He was simply trying to refuse politely, but there was no way that would work on Yeom Gang-sik.“Who said it’s because of your awareness? If there’s a single person in Korea who doesn’t know Lee Seo-eul, tell them to step forward! Huh? I’ll check their nationality myself!”“Then what? Was my latest movie that bad?”“What are you talking about? It was amazing! Didn’t I show you my own printed photo card? I watched it multiple times, multiple!”“Then…”“Oh, right—did I tell you I even got fan goodies? They made your company ID card look so damn good! Ha-ha! I even asked them politely, like a gentleman, where I could get one myself—just so they wouldn’t get the wrong idea, I flashed my own premiere goods right away, like this! Bam! See?”…Of course.The moment he brought up the recent film, hoping for a change of topic, Yeom Gang-sik lit up and launched into a flurry of fan-merch exchange stories. Hearing that familiar boisterous laugh, Seo-eul’s eyes dimmed a little.He couldn’t help but remember the final filming scene.That day when he couldn’t even manage a single simple line.Reshoots for better takes were common, but NGs were rare—so rare that even Director Na, famous for never commenting, had asked if Seo-eul was feeling unwell. He had brushed it off, claiming fatigue. But in that moment, Seo-eul realized something.There was nothing left inside him.Nothing left to give.The instant he understood that, his vision wavered, and he bit down on his tongue just to stay upright. Otherwise, he felt like he might collapse right there. They finished filming somehow, but Yeom Gang-sik must have already heard something about his condition.And the fact that he didn’t ask—that was his way of showing consideration.So maybe this situation was part of that same kindness.Forcing himself to calm the churn inside him, Seo-eul interrupted Yeom’s fifth retelling of the ID card story at what seemed like the least fatal moment.“…If it’s not that, then why are you suddenly bringing up variety shows? You’ve never done that before.”Yes, it all began with that one absurd line from the CEO. Out of nowhere, a ridiculous notice—so absurd that Seo-eul hadn’t even had time to change before running to the office.A variety show? A variety show?Was that even something you could say with a straight face?He had planned to go on hiatus after finishing his morning interview today. With stage greetings wrapped up and all his pending offers declined, it was supposed to be his longest break yet—maybe even his last. He’d even thought this latest film might close out his filmography. It felt… appropriate, somehow.No more postponing.It was time to finish what had been festering—ties strung together by excuses and lingering regrets.He had already made his move. Now all that remained was to find a new place to live, pack up, and move out as soon as possible.And yet—‘Oh, right, hyung. After your interview today, you’re being called into the company. Did you already have plans later?’Everything went wrong in that car ride to the interview venue. Gun-soo, his perpetually sunny manager, smiled as he spoke, hands light on the steering wheel. Seo-eul, looking over the interview sheet, blinked.A company summons? They’d already wrapped up all discussions about his break. There shouldn’t have been anything left to discuss. Considering how laissez-faire Yeom was, that made it even stranger.‘Not really… Why would he call me in suddenly?’‘Ah, well, um… I overheard the director and CEO whispering about it. Something about you doing a variety show?’‘…What?’Lightning, straight from a clear sky.Seo-eul froze, the human embodiment of a scorched jujube tree, staring at Gun-soo, who only smiled harder—so hard his eyes practically disappeared.Was he even looking at the road? Seo-eul didn’t need a smile right now; he needed answers.‘What are you talking about? Why would I do a variety show?’‘Hmm, I don’t know the details. I just overheard it by accident, that’s all. But since they called you in right after, maybe… you know… that’s what it’s about?’‘…….’‘Hyung? You okay?’‘…….’‘Uh, hyung-nim~?’‘…….’‘Heeey, can you hear me?’He’d been right.That careless statement had left him half out of his mind for the rest of the day.Fortunately, he knew the interview questions by heart, so the event went smoothly enough. But the moment it ended, he drove straight to the company and demanded the truth the second Yeom greeted him.Am I really doing a variety show, sir?Yeom’s already-too-big eyes darted away instantly. That, in itself, was an answer.When Seo-eul didn’t speak, Yeom grew frantic—asking where he’d even heard such nonsense before breaking into an over-the-top dramatization of his own misery.Seo-eul-ah, it’s been so many years since your debut, I know you only want to act but think of the fans, they’re begging, I don’t want to make you do something you hate but the situation, it’s complicated— and then he’d gone for the kill, flopping like a man about to die.Haa, I’m dying here too, okay? This blew right back on me! Ah, fine, fine! Just close your eyes once, huh? Just think of it like filming one more drama. Can’t we do that? Hmm?‘…….’Please, Seo-eul-ah, spare me. I’m the most pitiful one here.‘…….’Hmm? Seo-eul-ahhh, please, hmm?And that whining, dragging plea had somehow devolved into Seo-eulaaa, pleaaaseee, bringing us to the present moment.There was probably some reason behind all this desperate groveling, but since he wasn’t saying what it was, Seo-eul could only feel more irritated.Finally, with a weary expression, he sank into the sofa.Asking further would be pointless. At least Yeom hadn’t brought a drama script under the guise of a “next project.” That would’ve been worse.“So which show is it? Is that a secret too?”“Huh? Oh? Wait—you mean you’ll do it? Huh? Our Seo-eul’s gonna try it?”“If you keep pretending to act cute like that, I’ll terminate the contract right here.”“Ahem! Hem! Misunderstanding, Seo-eul-ah. I just happen to have a cute face, that’s all.”…Right.Of all people, him calling himself cute.Everything about Yeom—from his size to his face to his booming laugh—was about three spoonfuls too much. Put him in a leather jacket and he’d pass for a violent crimes detective; hang a gold chain on him and he’d look like a mobster.Still, the sad truth was that he did have natural aegyo. And pointing that out would only make things worse, so Seo-eul let it slide.“You’ve probably heard of it. Best Friend X Swap on WY. Directed by Jeon Jae-yeon. Ratings are practically guaranteed, and it’s not even filmed in a studio. Everyone wants to get on this show. The lineup’s packed, you hear me?”He wasn’t wrong. Jeon Jae-yeon PD—formerly from Ahn Seung-deok’s legendary team—had struck gold after going independent, and Best Friend X Swap was currently the hottest variety program on air.Its pre-release clips alone dominated social media, and people trusted any cast picked by “PD Jeon.” The show had even catapulted one obscure singer into fame after he appeared as a celebrity’s “best friend.”But Seo-eul, who’d never cared about variety shows, silently pulled out his phone. Sometimes one search said more than a thousand words.As he scrolled through the program’s official page, his expression turned increasingly strange.Because the show’s description was…“Anyway, PD Jeon’s a good person. I know her personally. I’ll make sure everything goes smoothly—you’ve got nothing to worry about. Just take it easy, think of it as clearing your head—”“Sir, but this…”“Huh? What about it?”“I can’t exactly go on this alone, can I?”A full-scale friendship-exchange observational variety show digging into the behind-the-scenes of celebrity best friends! How well do you know your bestie? Or… do you want to swap them?Best Friend☓Best Friend or… Best Friend☓Swap?Below the cryptic tagline were thumbnails of celebrity pairs appearing together. Recognizable faces, familiar actors—Seo-eul clicked one video and was instantly greeted by loud background music and flashy captions.As the interviewers laughed on-screen introducing “their best friends,” Yeom, sitting behind him, exhaled and flopped back on the couch like a man surrendering his fate.“Yeah… right. I mean, it’s a duo format, after all. So, uh, you two can handle it yourselves. I’m out of this….”“What do you mean, ‘you two’—”Before Seo-eul could finish protesting the sheer lack of responsibility, an all-too-familiar scent brushed his nose.Then, a hand landed on his shoulder.He flinched, starting to turn—“Do you have any best friend other than me?”

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