While Hyuk was busy pondering about calling Yeo Ri, another man had already made the first move.
"Yeo Ri-ah!" the caller greeted amiably as Yeo Ri answered her phone.
Yeo Ri smiled, "In Guk-oppa!" she greeted with the same amount of energy.
"Sorry for calling you so suddenly," the young man apologised sheepishly. They usually spoke over texts, considering how Yeo Ri was often so busy. Her replies would come at random intervals, sometimes within minutes, and other times within hours or even days. She hadn't intended to be so antisocial to everyone, but that was just how it is for a budding actress like her.
"Nonsense," Yeo Ri waved away his apology. "It's nothing to be sorry for, Oppa. What's up?"
"It's nothing much... it's just," In Guk groaned as though he did not know how to deliver the news that he wanted to tell her.
"Hm?" Yeo Ri switched her phone to the other ear as she straightened her posture. Something about the way he was hesitating made it seem serious; she knew In Guk—he was always one to speak his mind, even unconsciously. It was rare that he agonised over his words like this, no offence intended.
"I..." he trailed his words, and Yeo Ri could imagine him sitting there, a furrow in his brows as he chewed his lips.
Yeo Ri patiently waited for him to continue.
"Well, it's just..." he sighed, "I received my conscription letter in the mail the other day... I'm slated for my mandatory military service soon." In Guk's tone was sombre, signifying his reluctance to enlist. He had applied for it a while back when Yeo Ri was still in the hospital, thinking to get it over and done with before his final year of university, but it had been a while and he had forgotten all about it. Now that the letter actually came, he was feeling rather anxious.
"What?" Yeo Ri jolted from her seat. It was a rather large bomb to be dropped. She knew the significance of the military service for the men; It lasted for at least 20 months, and even Gun was dreading his turn. She knew that her brother had intended to hold out until the very last minute before going to the military out of consideration for her.
"I'm alright," he replied, knowing that the girl would be surprised and concerned for him. Thinking of how close they had gotten over the years warmed his heart, but the fact that he wouldn't be able to see her for years was painful. But perhaps... it was for the best.
In Guk smiled wryly to himself.
"Anyways, I called because I was planning on holding a going-away party soon with everyone I know. It's this weekend, and I was wondering if you can come? Gun too, of course," In Guk asked with a hopeful tone. He had something important he had to tell her before going away. He had held himself back for so long, and knew that he should at least get it out before he lost his chance to make peace with his feelings.
Yeo Ri knew In Guk was the friendly extrovert type, and hearing that he had invited everyone he knew, she had an inkling that the party would be filled with people she didn't know. In Guk was different from her brothers, after all, and he had so many friends from all over.
"I'm sorry, Oppa... such a big crowd is..." her words trailed off, but In Guk caught her meaning instantly.
"Ah!" he exclaimed as though a thought had come to mind. "Of course, of course, sorry, Yeo Ri-ah! I know how uncomfortable you are with so many people around," he apologised, finally remembering that Yeo Ri was rather shy, and combined with her status as a celebrity, it would not be good for her to attend the gathering. He could just imagine how the others would react when she walks in—a bona fide actress who had debuted on the big and small screens—the way they would mob her and leave no space for the girl to enjoy herself. In Guk had no faith in his other friends that they would not make a ruckus with her around.
"I'm sorry, Oppa," she apologised instead.
"No, no! I'm the one who should be sorry," he reflexively denied her apology. "How about this, when you have the time, maybe we can meet privately instead? I'll treat you to a meal. I have something important I want to tell you."
"Something important? Can't you tell it to me now?" the girl asked curiously.
"Well," the young man cleared his throat awkwardly, "Uh, I think you need to hear it in person. Is that okay, Yeo Ri-ah?" he mumbled, his tone halfway between pleading and embarrassed.
"Um..." Yeo Ri wrinkled her nose, trying to remember what her schedule look like. Because it was the promotion period, and since she was preparing for a new role, there was little time to spare in her schedule. It was a request by Hyuk's precious friend, after all, and Yeo Ri would feel bad to turn him down a second time.
"Please, Yeo Ri-ah? It won't be something fancy; you can just call me whenever you have some time to spare next week, or maybe if you have some time between work?" he insisted. He really wanted to tell his feelings to her in person. No matter the outcome, he had to, or else he would regret it for the rest of his military service period.
"...Alright," Yeo Ri agreed, her lips quirked into a small smile. How could she say no when he was like this? He had always been a great help to them, and it was only right that she open up her time for him.
"Great!" he fistpumped the air.
Yeo Ri felt a tap on her shoulder before she could set a date with him.
She turned around, facing Tae Yang, who was gesturing to her that the break had ended, and her castmates were waiting for her to join them on the interview seats. She nodded to him in acknowledgement, to which he replied with raising his phone which showed the digital planner he used to keep track of her schedule.
"Will Wednesday next week, between 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. work?" he asked, having unintentionally eavesdropped on the conversation. Yeo Ri trusted the man's work ethics, and reiterated his words to In Guk who was still on the line.
"Alright! I'll see you then, Yeo Ri-ah!"
"Yeah! Bye, Oppa˜"