Episode 6
753 Words
After tucking Nila into bed, Choi Joon prepared to leave.
He turned to Shree and said softly, “Good night.”
As he walked towards the door, Shree suddenly stopped him.
“Wait a minute… can I ask you something? Only if you don’t mind.”
Choi Joon nodded. “Go ahead.”
Shree hesitated for a moment before speaking.
“Why are you being so nice to me and Nila? At first, I thought you were just acting nice because you're a celebrity… to avoid any scandals. But as time passed, I realized you’re the same both on-stage and off-stage.”
She looked at him sincerely.
“Even now, we’re still strangers to you… but you tucked her into bed like you’ve known her forever. Why? And… shouldn’t you be more careful? What if I told people that a famous K-pop idol lives in my apartment?”
Choi Joon gave a faint, bitter smile.
“Everything you said is right,” he replied quietly. “I’m not someone who trusts people easily.”
He paused for a moment.
“When we first met, all I wanted was to leave as soon as possible. But… do you know why I stayed?”
Shree looked at him, curious.
“Because you treated me like a normal person. Even after you found out who I was… you didn’t change. You just saw me as a man who lost his puppy.”
Shree let out a small embarrassed sound. “Ahh…”
Choi Joon chuckled softly.
“I could ask you the same question,” he continued. “You’re not even from here, yet you let a stranger into your house. Don’t you think that’s risky?”
Shree smiled gently.
“I let you in because… you trusted me first.”
For a moment, silence filled the space between them—but it was a comfortable one.
Choi Joon slowly extended his hand.
Shree looked at it, then shook it with a smile.
“Thank you for trusting me,” he said.
“Thank you to you too, Choi Joon-sshi,” she replied warmly.
“I’ll take my leave now,” he said, stepping out.
Before closing the door, he turned back, waved, and smiled.
“Bye.”
“Bye,” Shree replied.
On his way back, Choi Joon found himself smiling without realizing it.
“She’s really kind…” he thought.
“I should get her something. She treated me to coffee… I should return the favor.”
A few days later, around 6 PM—
Choi Joon was waiting for the elevator, wearing a mask.
Suddenly—
“AJUSSHII!!”
Nila came running towards him from the entrance.
Behind her, Shree called out, “Baby, slow down! You’ll fall!”
The very next second—
Nila tripped.
She fell to the ground and burst into tears.
Choi Joon rushed forward and quickly picked her up.
“It’s okay, it’s okay…” he said gently, comforting her.
Shree hurried over, her face full of worry.
“Where does it hurt, baby? Tell me…”
Still crying, Nila pointed at her knees. They were slightly scratched.
“Come to mama, let’s go home and put a band-aid,” Shree said.
But Nila refused to leave Choi Joon’s arms.
Choi Joon smiled softly. “It’s okay, I’ll come with you.”
Inside the house, Shree brought the first aid box and carefully placed a band-aid on Nila’s knee.
After a while, Nila finally calmed down.
Choi Joon stood up. “I’ll leave now, Nila. Ajusshi has some work. We’ll meet again soon, okay?”
Before leaving, he turned to Shree.
“Next Sunday, around 7 PM… I’m having a small party at my place. Would you come if you’re free?”
He smiled slightly.
“You’re always welcoming me into your home… I want to return the favor.”
Shree nodded. “Sure, I’ll try to come—”
“No, no… you have to come,” he said playfully.
Before she could respond—
“Ajusshi, we’ll definitely come!” Nila said excitedly.
“It’s been so long since I saw Yuki! I want to play with Yuki!”
Choi Joon laughed.
“Okay, it’s a promise,” he said with a bright smile before leaving.
Shree looked at Nila and raised an eyebrow.
“Baby… your knees don’t hurt anymore, do they?”
Nila immediately made a fake “ahhh” sound.
Shree laughed. “Wow… you’ll definitely become a great actor one day.”
- Writer
