Chapter 156

Wealth without envy.

A peaceful life under the protection of a prestigious family.

People who genuinely cherish her.

An old friend and fiancé.

Kim Jeong-hyun’s life was thus one with more to lose.

Since Ha Eun was something precious she had only just barely obtained, the weight of “loss” was something abstract to her.

Thus, Kim Jeong-hyun’s last emotional line as she turned her back on all her precious things and headed to Japan.

She had to ponder for days about that vague emotional line, which would become the conclusion of the drama The Sunshine.

“Trying to act 100% the same is unreasonable. The independence fighters are remarkable people.”

In response to Ha Eun’s question about Kim Jeong-hyun’s emotional line, Baek Tae-hoon replied thus. The strong resolve of those who had risked their lives for independence was something that was not easily understood.

He said that they were remarkable people because they chose a path that could not be understood rationally.

“We are ultimately messengers. Therefore, we must first clarify what we want to convey.”

The harsh yet sorrowful stories of those who dedicated everything for the independence of their country.

Rather than forcefully imitating something hard for Ha Eun to comprehend, Baek Tae-hoon suggested focusing on the overall theme of The Sunshine.

Extraordinary people in a harsh reality.

What began as enmity ended with them helping each other for something more important.

And then, in that process.

-Bang!

-Bang bang─!!

“…Run!”

A desperate struggle to save each other’s lives.

What Ha Eun had to express through her expressions, voice, and gestures was already predetermined.

She had seen it clearly once with her own eyes in her past life, and in the present life, she had been slowly following that trail.

-Crash!

“First, hide until dawn.”

“…Got it.”

A precarious yet anxious appearance.

For that tense moment that would be the end of The Sunshine, Ha Eun had to adjust her acting direction to the very last moment.

What was needed was acting focused on the overall situation.

Entering Japan by pretending to be Park Ju-ho’s wife, ultimately assassinating a Japanese bureaucrat, and then hiding in a shabby warehouse from the bullets of the Japanese soldiers.

“I’ll go straight to the embassy as soon as it gets light.”

“But do we really have to stick this close together…?”

“If you want to freeze to death, step away.”

“…It would be nice if you said that kindly…”

While looking shabby yet beautiful.

To clearly understand what the melange genre was like more than ever.

The beginning was guilt.

The next was embarrassment.

In the end, she quietly nestled into the arms of the man who became the target of gratitude and love.

Ultimately, it was a drama.

Ultimately, it was the actor’s acting, the lines in the script, and the directing on set.

Therefore, even more, Ha Eun remembered the last image of Kim Jeong-hyun.

A fleeting reflection of the small giant that was free yet regretful, sad yet intense.

-Swipe.

-Slide, swish…

Ha Eun poured herself into the form of acting, doing her utmost to capture it in front of the camera.

The Sunshine deserved to be evaluated as a masterpiece until the end.

Thus, the “situation” shaped by Ha Eun had to ultimately fall within the realm of “acting.”

Soon, letters began to be scrawled across the fogged window.

An unsteady index finger wrote down the word, which ultimately manifested clearly in front of Park Ju-ho.

Lost

“…The current Joseon is lost. Swayed by foreign powers, it doesn’t even know where to head…”

The letter L.

The past Kim Jeong-hyun had continued to study in front of Park Ju-ho.

What started as unintended misunderstandings had now become Kim Jeong-hyun’s last request.

“…I’m trying to save not Joseon, but you alone.”

“Joseon has abandoned you, but you haven’t abandoned Joseon… No, is that so?”

It passed on to Park Ju-ho, who was sharing his warmth with that small back.

Afterwards, a voice that had trembled periodically was interrupted and struggled to continue again.

Naturally, the eyes that were becoming increasingly blurry.

The remaining warmth felt increasingly colder than ever.

Yet Park Ju-ho was unaware.

He simply thought it was a painful request like any other time.

It was a heartfelt voice asking him to work hard for that damned Joseon he had already grown tired of hearing.

“Even if we don’t walk together… that’s fine. Just pass by, and I’ll be satisfied if you just look after me with your kindness.”

He thought it was merely words to persuade Park Ju-ho, nothing more and nothing less.

He was completely oblivious to the fact that a bullet was lodged in Kim Jeong-hyun’s thigh and that blood was continuing to flow from that gunshot wound.

However.

Right after the tranquil moment that lingered for just a moment came to an end.

-Tap.

“…I loved you. Even though I knew I didn’t deserve it without realizing…”

With a single tear that slipped down, her sincerity was conveyed.

The truth that Park Ju-ho had accumulated gratitude had, by now, taken the form of love could not be brushed aside.

“I was… happy to be your wife, even if for a moment. Truly.”

The gaze still looking at the cluttered bags and the window in front instead of behind Park Ju-ho.

The lady who was seated leaning against Park Ju-ho did not look back.

After all, it was purely Kim Jeong-hyun’s selfish desire to wish for an answer to her personal feelings.

She simply conveyed it.

The fact that she had communicated feelings she had long been unable to express was enough to end it there.

However, unlike her,

-Swipe.

-Slide…

Park Ju-ho’s hand slowly stretching toward the window did not remain silent.

Soon, a little curve was drawn over Kim Jeong-hyun’s Lost.

Lose

“I… lost. The woman you are is simply someone I cannot win against.”

In that moment, a gentle voice heard from behind momentarily halted her breath.

Yet, completely unconcerned, the American’s hand continued to hold Kim Jeong-hyun’s hand.

Still, Kim Jeong-hyun’s gaze was directed not behind but ahead.

She could not let Park Ju-ho discover her pale complexion.

That was the reason she thought Park Ju-ho should not waste his efforts on saving a lost cause.

However, she could not let go of the hand that was firmly yet gently held.

Even if it was just mere selfishness, for a moment.

-Tap.

-Tap, tap…

“…I’m sorry… really, I’m sorry…”

She truly wanted to be with Park Ju-ho.

She answered his heart with her tearful voice.

And so, time went by.

The dark night sky also gradually turned into the blue hues of dawn.

The sun that had risen over the horizon lit up the dawn sky with a deep yellow light.

Not long after that, sunlight filtering through the small window of the warehouse.

As it warmly shone down upon the two, Park Ju-ho opened his mouth, saying it was time to head towards the U.S. Embassy.

-Thud.

The hand that had been holding Kim Jeong-hyun’s weakly fell onto the wooden floor of the warehouse.

Only then could he face the large amount of blood leaking from Kim Jeong-hyun.

“…Hey.”

That call with a clearly defined destination received no response.

Naturally, her trembling hand began to shake.

“I told you I lost. But, why…”

-Thud.

-Thud.

“…It shouldn’t be like this. You shouldn’t be like this…?”

The redness around her eyes remained blurred as she watched her already closed eyes.

Liquid warmth fell upon Kim Jeong-hyun’s black suit, dusted with dirt.

Yet, the slowly zooming-out shot gradually moved away, ending with Park Ju-ho’s head hanging down toward Kim Jeong-hyun.

Not even a few seconds later, the view captured the entirety of the shabby warehouse, not just the two protagonists.

The gentle background music that had begun to play elevated the bitter atmosphere.

The scene gradually shifted to locations Kim Jeong-hyun had visited.

Eventually, the screen arrived at Joseon across the sea.

At last, familiar faces filled the screen.

Thus, countless people who had formed connections with Kim Jeong-hyun in The Sunshine appeared, unfolding one after another.

-Flick.

“…A butterfly?”

A white butterfly flew to the young crown prince, who had been sitting alone in the wide tiled house.

The butterfly, as if gazing at the young crown prince, soon spread its wings again and flew high into the sky.

What followed were scenes akin to an epilogue of The Sunshine.

How Park Ju-ho, unable to refuse Kim Jeong-hyun’s last request, continued to live on, and how Joseon fared after that appeared on the screen.

And finally.

The moment The Sunshine came to a full stop.

-Swipe.

“………….”

A picture of Kim Jeong-hyun and Park Ju-ho, taken long ago when they were pretending to be a fake couple, briefly appeared.

In Park Ju-ho’s gaze, silently staring at it, were memories of the past.

“Director Kwon, the ratings…”

“27.4 percent. …I thought I’d only see figures like these on public broadcasting.”

“Thanks to all of you. Thank you, everyone.”

The Sunshine came to a complete conclusion, unable to return but unable to forget moments that would be unforgettable.

The internet, which had become lively due to a not-so-happy ending, echoed with discussions about the last episode of The Sunshine.

Yet, it was clear that there were no harsh criticisms, which was evidence of the drama’s excellence.

However, because Ha Eun’s final performance had made a deep impression on people’s minds, interest in Lee Ha-eun had surged even higher.

Was that why?

[Pinocchio _ One day in spring]

The next day, a new album by Pinocchio was released right after the last episode of The Sunshine.

Among them, especially, the title track “One Day in Spring” briefly rose to the number one spot for trending videos.

Factors such as her unique clear tone and non-provocative lyrics contributed to the album’s success, but the lingering emotions from The Sunshine made Ha Eun’s fresh sensibilities reminiscent of recalling memories.

Ha Eun, donning her school uniform, strolled down the street.

She imagined the school days that everyone had experienced.

“You and I─♪ Will we ever be able to think that it’ll be okay someday─♬”

She also imagined a future where the girl named Kim Jeong-hyun became ordinarily happy.

Because it finished with a sad ending, the lingering emotions captured everyone’s attention.

This was also true for Na-eul, who had been a fervent fan of The Sunshine.

Ha Eun’s “One Day in Spring” was always included in her playlist.

However, at least until now.

“─────♪”

She never imagined a dream-like moment would come where she would join the afterparty of the broadcast with Lee Ha-eun.

That she would get to hear One Day in Spring live right in front of her.

“…I’m okay with dying now…”

“Uh, that’s a bit…”

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