Chapter 26

Chapter 26

Scene Number 77 (Last), Seongtae staring at the coastal rocks!

It was the last scene of the indie film. Director Choi Taeseop and the other staff members were sweating nervously. They were capturing the back of a boy trying to climb up the coastal rocks blocked by an iron fence with a rear angle. Normally, they would have laid a rail for the shot, but where would an indie film find such equipment? The director followed the boy directly using a handheld camera.

Seongtae! Darn it! Where are you going?!

The police officer, played by Song Jeongseok, hurriedly tried to stop the boy. The waves rose as if to swallow them. If they were to slip even a little on the wet coastal rocks, they would be instantly submerged in seawater. Though it may look shallow on the surface, they would be pulled in by the tide in no time, like a vacuum cleaner sucking in dust.

I understand what youre feeling! So, lets stop here. Lets go back down.

Ajeossi, I have to make it to the top. I have to show it to Jiwhan!

You stubborn kid! If you slip and hurt your foot, what then? Would your friend in heaven really want that?Reêad latest novels at noov/e/l/bin(.)com

The police officer had been protecting Seongtae/Jiwhan for the past week. He gradually learned why the boy had come all the way from Seoul to Busan. It was to fulfill the last wish of his dead friend.

The waves continued to hit the rocks. The salty spray splashed on both the boys and the police officers faces. The waves were so strong that they almost knocked down the boy, but the officer barely caught him in time.

Kid, your friend must be worried watching you do such dangerous things! Lets go back to where your parents are waiting! Theyre rushing down from Seoul right now!

What about Jiwhan? My friend who died without seeing his mothers face one last time! Jiwhan told me while he was in the hospital. His wish was to visit the Busan coastal rocks where he took a picture holding hands with his mother when he was little. He really wanted to see it one more time!

If you go up there now, youll be swept away! Think carefully!

Today is his birthday! Today is the day I promised to give him a present! When the night is over, his birthday will be over too!

The officer tightly grabbed the boys shoulder and turned him around, holding him close. The boy desperately tried to escape with all his might, but a child couldnt overpower an adult. Its not an easy decision to let him go up the dangerous coastal rocks, no matter how justified the reason may be. The officer put more strength into his embrace. The boys shoulders shook violently in sorrow.

In the end, the boy could no longer move forward. The boy silently stared at the coastal rocks as dawn broke and the darkness faded. The officer could not find the words to console the devastated boy. The brilliantly shining waves were the only comfort for the boy. Trembling, the boy asked the only adult he knew.

Ajeossi, why is my friend still fourteen?

Time has passed, but death, like a sharp needle, remained in the hearts of young children. The officer couldnt find an answer to the boys question.

* * *

Taejongdae.

A famous tourist attraction in Busan and a popular honeymoon destination in the past. The cliffs of Taejongdae, curved by the waves, evoke admiration from those who see them. On a wide rock, theres enough space for the Haenyeo Village to satisfy the hunger of tourists visiting Taejongdae.

Ajumma, can I have some more sea urchin roe, please?

The last shoot was over. The shooting team was filling their empty stomachs with seafood after the arduous march that lasted throughout the dawn. The women at the Haenyeo Village constantly brought food to where they were, a place overlooking the sea.

Ajumma, has that coastal rock always been blocked like this?

You mean that iron fence? Its been like that for over a decade now. In the past, many fishermen caught big fish there, and many tourists took photos.

Why did they block it?

They blocked it because its so dangerous. People are curious, you know. The tide doesnt change much between high tide and low tide. In the past, there were times when the water receded a lot, and there was no control, but at some point, there was only neap tide, so the city hall blocked it off. Many people fell in. Some even died. Its a very dangerous place.

Really?

Thats interesting. Although born and raised in Yeongdo, I had no idea such a place existed. In that sense, Choi Taeseop was an amazing person. How did someone born and raised in Seoul find out about such a place and develop a screenplay?

Yeongguk! How could you keep this delicious taste a secret? I never imagined I would be eating sea urchin roe by the spoonful in Seoul!

Jeongseok-hyung, if you really like sea urchin roe that much, come live with me in Busan. Ill let you eat it every day.

Is it? Alright, lets stop listening to my dialect and listen to the directors toast! Everyone, get your drinks ready!

Everyone laughed at Song Jeongseoks playful appearance and held their drinks. Director Choi Taeseop slowly stood up from his seat. First, he deeply bowed to the merchant association chairman, who had personally prepared the celebration for them, and then he began to speak.

Uh, first of all, I dont know what to say, but in fact, I faced a lot of opposition at home for making an indie film. It was the same when I first wrote the script. I really worried a lot about whether my story could be made into a film. But after coming down to Busan, that feeling completely disappeared. I met many good people like the merchants association chairman, and my script seemed to really depict that time and place.

That time and place?

Since its an indie film, the shooting conditions were very poor. To get the best picture possible, we had to rent equipment, and I couldnt pay a lot of money to my college friends and hoobae who helped with the shooting.

Taeseop! When have we ever worked for money! Its all memories of our youth!

I feel terribly sorry that I couldnt pay the actors much for their appearances. Especially Yeongguk, who played the lead role in this film, decided to appear without receiving a single penny. Im really grateful that he allowed it despite the difficult decision.

Hyung, I liked the script so much that I just couldnt refuse, and while our CEO might be disappointed, I was really happy to appear in your movie. If you feel sorry, let me appear in another good script later!

Taeseop, me too!

Song Jeongseok suddenly interjected. At that sight, Choi Taeseop smiled and briefly nodded. He was the scriptwriter who had even gone to humble himself to actors who were like fleeting stars in his past life. In a way, I was lucky just to have worked with such a person.

Before we toast, Id like to introduce someone to you all! He made this film, To Jihwan, possible and is like a benefactor from my childhood. It took him a while to get here from far away, but fortunately, he arrived just in time!

Who could he be talking about?

At that moment, the spotlight shifted to one corner of the entrance. Passing through the streetlight, a robust middle-aged person appeared. He might have seemed rough-looking, but the downward slope of his eyes made him look sorrowful. At that moment, the merchants association chairman, who had been grilling galbi, lifted his marine hat and squinted his eyes as he approached.

Uh? Who is this? Kim Sunkyung?

Ah! Deokjin-ajusshi is also here?

How did you find us? Its been so long! I heard you were transferred to Ulsan, but your huge physique is still the same!

Ajusshi hasnt changed either! Im really glad to see you!

Hey, guys! Say hello, this is Kim Sunkyung, who used to live in the house where we filmed the mountain road!

Now, I am Lieutenant Kim!

But how did you get here?

Taeseop called and told me I had to be here today!

Taeseop?

Choi Taeseop looked at Lieutenant Kim with nostalgic eyes.

Taeseop, did you eat?

Were just about to. You must be hungry from the long journey. Please, sit down. How did you manage to arrive just before the toast?

Its a good thing I hurried. Anyway, youve grown so much. You were tiny just a few years ago, and now youve become a fine man. Just seeing you, I feel full even without eating.

Still, you must eat. I used to get a lot of soy sauce rice from you back in the day, so today its my turn to treat you.

The two looked at each other as if they had returned to the past and lost their words for a moment. Soon after, Lieutenant Kim looked at me.

Taeseop, is this the kid who played you when you were young?



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