“…Can’t you act?”
Park Mu-ryong crossed his arms, clearly bewildered. His expression was as if he had just heard that the Earth is square.
Seo Yeon-joo nodded her head.
“Yes.”
“Are you asking for a postponement of the filming date?”
“It’s not about that.”
“Then, are you saying you can’t act going forward?”
“Yes.”
“Hmmm.”
Director Park Mu-ryong let out a deep sigh.
“Can I inquire about the reason?”
“I’ve come to realize that it’s beyond my capabilities.”
Park Mu-ryong paused, then said, “So, why are you saying this now? From what I’ve seen, your acting today was flawless. There wasn’t much to criticize. This sudden declaration leaves me quite flustered.”
“I thought I was doing well, too.”
Seo Yeon-joo shook her head.
“But after seeing Sua’s performance, it’s clear that I am not.”
Seo Yeon-joo recalled the performance she had just witnessed from Sua—a flawless delivery that was deserving of the word ‘perfect,’ brimming with passion.
“I can’t pull off the climax scene like Sua can. Even if I try, it will only inconvenience her. And I shouldn’t force myself to do so; Sua is genuinely putting her heart into it right now.”
‘True self, and honesty.’
All day, Seo Yeon-joo had been pondering these things, but failed to find an answer once again. She wouldn’t find it tomorrow, either.
Thus, quitting now seemed like the best course of action. She would need to take responsibility for other matters as well, but what could she do?
“Sua seems to be deeply invested in this work and appears to have fully understood the character Lee Soo-hee. But I don’t feel the same. I don’t even understand the character Park Si-yeon. Hence, I don’t understand Park Si-yeon’s honesty either.”
“Why didn’t you say this earlier?”
“I thought I was capable. I believed that as time went by, I would grow closer to Park Si-yeon, but that hasn’t happened. Director, it seems that I can’t act like Sua.”
“Hmm, Sua’s performance we just witnessed…”
Director Park Mu-ryong mulled over what he had just seen.
◈◈◈◈◈
S # Climax Prelude
It all began with Kang In-hak’s decision.
…
Kang In-hak sat at his luxurious office desk reviewing a report. He chuckled, lighting a cigarette.
“What a delightful situation.”
The report detailed Park Si-yeon, including how she had spent money, the manpower she had wasted for various deeds, and how she had spent her time.
But Kang In-hak found it irritating.
A prosecutor isn’t a deity. Though superior to the common lot, one isn’t omnipotent. But Park Si-yeon’s actions had clearly crossed the line—too far to be excused easily.
Moreover, Kang In-hak was beginning to grow tired of Park Si-yeon. The decision was simple—discard her.
“Looks like this one is too ambitious. Her delusions of grandeur led to this. Time to cut her loose.”
Kang In-hak stubbed out his cigarette in the ashtray and spoke.
“Give some cash to Je Il-pa. Handle Park Si-yeon.”
.
A car speeding towards the scrapyard.
One of the organization members drove while Lim Soo-hee (Sua) sat in the passenger seat. The driver hummed a tune leisurely, but Sua was different.
Her clenched fist caught her attention when she unconsciously unclenched it and saw it drenched in sweat. Indeed, she was nervous.
It was natural.
The order was to eliminate Seo Yeon-joo.
The driver broke the silence.
“Sister, are you unwell?”
“Concentrate on driving.”
“I drive well regardless. But you look unwell. Surely you’re not nervous about dealing with just that girl. Want me to pick up some medicine?”
“I’m fine. Just like always.”
“Really? You don’t look like yourself.”
“Just drive if you don’t want to die.”
“Alright, alright. Finally sounds like Sister again.”
The driver grinned, whistling cheerfully. He obediently followed his “sister.”
!
The car sped on.
After focusing on driving for a bit, the driver spoke again.
“Sister.”
“What?”
“About these prosecutors. They don’t seem to all be geniuses, do they? There seem to be some dumb ones too.”
“What nonsense is this all about?”
“Isn’t there someone named Park Si-yeon? That woman who succeeded by bedding Kang In-hak and then got out of line? She’s scheduled to die today, yet she’s still called a prosecutor. Doesn’t that make us look better?”
The driver turned his head, smirking.
“You and I at least know our place. We don’t go against the will of Je Il-pa and work like dogs. Woof woof!”
“Dogs…”
“That’s right. You and I are dogs.”
Sua muttered the word quietly.
“Exactly. You and I are dogs.”
She was a dog with a leash held by her organization.
Reflecting on it, the reason she helped Seo Yeon-joo was probably similar. When she was younger, Seo Yeon-joo reminded her of another dog, bound by the collar of poverty.
But now?
Seo Yeon-joo had broken free from the shackles of poverty by finding Kang In-hak, essentially still remaining a dog, despite her attempts to improve her condition.
…Isn’t that why she helped her?
“Hey.”
“Huh?”
“How can a dog become a human?”
“…What?”
The driver erupted in laughter.
“I knew it. You’re a real gangster after all. You seemed too smart, but now you’re sounding more like the real deal. So, how can a dog become human?”
“…”
“By being reborn. That’s the only way.”
Lim Soo-hee leaned her head against the window.
Is that so? Is it then that once a human turns into a dog, there’s no going back? Do we only have the option to wait for death and hope for a proper rebirth?
There are so many thoughts to ponder.
Though her conflict at the snack stall still lingered, she couldn’t hate Seo Yeon-joo. She wanted to help, but it was unclear what that looked like now.
Clunk!
While lost in thought, they had arrived at the scrapyard.
“Sister, we’re here.”
The driver finished the drive and reached for a sandwich.
“Let’s wait here for an hour before heading out again. After kidnapping, we’ll dispose of the body, obviously.”
“Are dogs always dogs…”
“Huh? Sister, do you want a sandwich?”
Just then.
Pooock!
A sharp object had pierced the driver’s chest, causing his eyes to widen in shock.
The sandwich fell from his hand as he turned his stiff neck, gazing at Lim Soo-hee with widened eyes.
Yes, it was Lim Soo-hee who had attacked him with the knife.
“I’m sorry.”
Sweating profusely, Lim Soo-hee knew she was betraying the organization to protect Seo Yeon-joo. This act required massive resolve—breaking away from what she had loyally served all her life.
She kept her ears open, prepared to listen to whatever reproach he might hurl.
However…
“To tell you the truth…”
The driver had unexpected words for her.
“Some time ago, the boss thought you were acting suspicious and told me to dispose of you if needed. But I couldn’t do it. You were like a sister to me…”
The driver forced a smile through his trembling lips.
“So, I stood up to the boss, risking my life, saying that you were not suspicious.”
“…”
“Sister.”
Through his bloody hand, the driver held hers.
“I actually supported you. You didn’t want to be a dog anymore, right? So, just tell me this—will this make you human?”
“…”
Before she could answer, the driver’s breath left him. Even if he had a little more time, nothing would have changed. She didn’t know what to say.
“Da… Hee… Hee…”
But one thing was certain.
The driver had already known about Sua helping Park Si-yeon behind the organization’s back. Yet, even in his final moments, he didn’t blame her.
“Ah… Aaa…”
There was no turning back now.
Su-a sobbed, covering her face with her hands.
.
.
.
.
.
.
The filming was over.
“Cut! Amazing! Incredible! Absolutely insane!”
Director Park Mu-ryong erupted, holding the megaphone in sheer satisfaction. Supporting actors and the crew gathered around Sua, giving thumbs-up.
“Sua, that was amazing! Truly fantastic!”
“Sua, thank you so much for joining!”
The personnel also broke their silence, loudly expressing their feelings, resembling enthusiastic spectators at a sports event.
However…
“…”
Sua remained silent, her eyes glistening.
‘The way to make a dog human, the path that Lim Soo-hee chooses to save Park Si-yeon, the decision that Sua chooses to save Seo Yeon-joo—a move to solve it all…’
External noise didn’t register in her ears.
‘I think I’m close. No, I’m almost there. Think, think more. Push harder, Sua! You can do it!’
Oblivious to the surrounding praise and celebrations, she was completely immersed in thought. She was almost there. Just a little bit more.
However…
Pzzzzt!
‘Ugh!’
Once again, it was the problem of mental overload for Sua.
It was a painful sensation for her. Just when she felt like she could concentrate, her focus would break. It felt like pieces would fit together but then slip away.
But of course, it was only natural. This wasn’t some animated movie. It was absurd to expect Sua, who hadn’t relied heavily on her intellect in the past, to suddenly exhibit genius thinking.
—Even if I want to help her, it’s difficult…
—There’s no way out. I can teach her the dictionary definition of honesty, but this involves her relationship with a precious person. Something only she can do.
Even Sua’s association could only offer moral support right now.
Pzzzt!
Sua’s brain continued to strain. It felt like it might crack any second.
[ Warning. ]
[ Cognitive Overload. ]
[ Thought Termination Required. Dangerous. ]
Even the special warning alert had appeared.
Yet…
‘…’
On the contrary, Sua clasped her head firmly.
‘…Shut up.’
Using both hands to cradle her head, she desperately continued to think. Even if her intellect wasn’t the best, her intent to solve this problem was unwavering. She had to think more.
‘Uuuuuugh…!’
Ignoring the warning from the special status window, she persisted in her thoughts. Sometimes her brain crackled, and her eyelids twitched, but she pushed through.
And at some point…
Finally…
Drip drip…
The exact moment Sua’s nose began to bleed.
“S-S-Sua! Are you alright?”
“Tissues! Get tissues quickly!”
“Nonsense! We need the medical team!”
Everyone around her was in shock, but Sua smiled, breathing sharply. She may look like a lunatic, but that was okay. When was I ever normal?
I’ve always been like this! A dumb idiot! The crazy girl, Sua!
So what if I’m dumb? It doesn’t matter! What matters is only one thing!
What is honesty?
The answer came to her, an answer worth telling the person she treasures.
◈◈◈◈◈
Dawn.
After the medical team had finished attending to her, Sua immediately set out to find Yeon-joo. It wasn’t difficult. She found Seo Yeon-joo standing outside Director Park Mu-ryong’s waiting room.
“Sister.”
“A, Sua.”
Seo Yeon-joo seemed to have just finished talking with Director Park Mu-ryong and froze when she saw Sua.
Yeon-joo’s expression grew serious.
“I have something to say…”
“No, let me this time.”
With unusual confidence, Sua took charge.
Sua had never been this assertive in her life, but somehow, now she felt she could be. She felt an intense urge to share the answer she had just discovered.
“Therefore…”
“Sister, you asked that question before, right? About what honesty is, how we find the voice in our hearts, and follow it. You definitely asked me that, didn’t you?”
Seizing Seo Yeon-joo’s hand, Sua continued.
“Let me tell you. I’ve finished thinking about it.”
