3 One step towards you

A bright spring day has sprung, while the flowers bloom outside in the morning light, Jin Young fervently perfects his body and facial expressions within the confines of the agency.

In the mirror, his talent is reflected with tears, bright tears that reveal the unwavering dedication of someone who, like countless others, yearns to realize his dreams.

Ah Reum was also part of his morning, in the midst of all those expressions that followed one after the other, Jin Young was thinking about her. "Will I be able to see her today?" He wondered.

With the thought that her schedule might have changed, Jin Young decides to go a little earlier to Pâtisserie, at least to get to see her quickly.

However, a small accident happened to the cars ahead while he was in traffic, causing a small traffic jam.

It didn't take long for the traffic jam to increase, so a group of people on the bus behind him got off. Ah Reum is one of them.

"Oh," Jin Young exclaimed in surprise. "It's Ah Reum!"

He hurried after her, but his steps were faster. When he was close to Mode, he could see from afar Ah Reum enter through the small side door, but didn't have time to call out to her.

He rushed off happily, but for some reason she wasn't at the service hall. Ha Neul then attends to him.

"Here's your order! Classic Mille Feuilles!" Ha Neul said in French.

She noticed Jin Young's restlessness and decided to return promptly after leaving.

"Is everything all right? You seem a bit agitated..." she asked with concern.

"I'm fine, thank you," Jin Young replied gently.

"Alright! If you need anything, just...call...Excuse me." She said, still worried.

As Ha Neul left, Jin Young's thoughts raced.

"I'm certain I saw her! If she's not here, she must be inside. I'll wait for Ah Reum, no matter how long it takes. After all, today is the day – the day I take another step closer to her!"

However, he also realized that spending the entire afternoon at the Pâtisserie might be unusual. Moreover, Ah Reum could exit through the side door she used earlier. With this in mind, he chose to wait in his car.

Investigator mode activated.

After a few hours of waiting, the working day is finally coming to an end.

Jin Young, who was on the lookout for any movement from Mode 1896, receives a call from Kim Hyun Ah, his friend and colleague from Action Entertainment.

But the call doesn't distract him, he answers it promptly, but keeps his eyes fixed on the Pâtisserie.

"Hello," Jin Young answers.

"Where are you? Did you forget we were going to review the script? I'm already at your house..." Hyun Ah exclaimed.

Seeing Ah Reum on the move, Jin Young decides quickly. 

"I'll talk to you tomorrow, sorry!" Jin Young hangs up.

Ah Reum heads toward the nearest bus stop, completely unaware that Jin Young is walking toward her, slowly but surely.

"What should I do? Hi! (Serious) or Hi Hi (Cute)" Nervous, he pondered.

It's now or never! As soon as she arrives at the bus stop, he goes over and sits down next to her.

Jin Young's nerves are in overdrive; his palms are sweaty, his mouth is parched.

Before he can muster the words, she turns toward him, radiating a big serene smile.

Ah Reum shines in your eyes.

Suddenly, the bus arrives. "My bus! Bye!" Ah Reum says in a rush.

Jin Young, seized by a mixture of emotions, reaches out and grabs her arm.

She looks at him with a "Let me go now!" look He could hear her just by her expression.

Jin Young, feeling a bit bashful, spoke up, "Sorry, I'm taking this bus too." 

Ah Reum pulls him along "Let's go then" He smiles silly silly…

Now, sit together, a brief silence surrounds them. The cricket "Chirp Chirp Chirp"

He's conflicted, thinking about what he's going to say. 

Ah Reum is faster than him again, she says: "You really like the Pâtisserie, don't you? Me too! The atmosphere is sweet and pleasant, totally in keeping with the confectionery we serve."

She managed a somewhat awkward smile, revealing her own nervousness. "Oh, hold on... I've got something for you."

"Really?" Jin Young's excitement was palpable.

Ah Reum chuckled self-consciously, "Why does that sentence sound strange? I mean, I brought something you'll like. I have plenty, so... I'll share it with you."

She handed him a beautiful little box full of dasik.

Jin Young replied with a smile full of affection.

Then it was Ah Reum's turn to find herself lost in thought.

"I fumbled! I fumbled? Why? I only do that when I'm really nervous... Wait? Why did I give him my dasik?" She's making a very strange face as she asks herself these questions.

"Wow, that's delicious!" Jin Young exclaims as he savors the sweets.

"Hm?" She looks at him absent-mindedly, still deep in thought. Then, she realizes it's her stop. 

The ride to her house takes about 10 minutes by bus, followed by a 5-minute walk. 

"My stop," she announces, hurrying to disembark.

Jin Young also gets off the bus and calls out, "Ah Reum!"

"Ah Reum?" She turns around. "Hey, do you live around here too?" she asks curiously.

"Well, I'll accompany you to your house as a thank-you for the dasik…"

"Oh, it was free, lol... that's fine!" She remembered what So Hee and Ha Neul had mentioned about him having a liking for her.

"I didn't know they had traditional houses in Seocho-dong; I thought it was all modern buildings, lol. It has a unique charm, and it's nice to stroll through them!" Jin Young explained as he observed beautiful hanoks on the way to Ah Reum's house.

As they continued on their way, Ah Reum playfully asked, "You're not a stalker, are you? Just in case, I know how to fight, lol."

Jin Young reassured her, "No, no, I didn't mean to scare you. I just noticed you haven't been at the Patisserie these days, and it seemed unusual. So, I wanted to check if everything was alright."

"Unusual?" she inquired.

"Yeah," he replied, "But I'll explain it another day, if you'd like. Not today, okay? That way, I'll have another reason to see you..." Jin Young responded, careful and slightly daring.

"Why did he say that?" She thought, feeling a bit embarrassed.

As for Jin Young's feelings, even though he's handsome and talented, this is real life. 

Certainly, many girls are interested in him, but he's never truly experienced love, so he's never had a girlfriend. 

He's still learning how to navigate his emotions when it comes to someone he likes. 

Despite his lack of experience, he understands the importance of expressing his feelings when you love someone.

However, he's cautious not to scare her away, so he's attempting to take things slowly, which is why he hasn't confessed his feelings yet (I'm not sure he's managed not to scare her lol).

"Okay... I'll wait for you to explain," said Ah Reum with rosy cheeks. "I was there! A kitchen worker needed a few days off, so I filled in for her."

"You replaced her? Did you make the sweets?" He asked in surprise.

"Not alone, but what I gave you was." She replied.

"So that's why it tasted amazing!" Jin Young praised her cheerfully.

Ah Reum smiles. "If you don't see me in the service hall again, you know where I am..."

Slowly the conversation becomes lighter, Jin Young was so worried about one small step he would take towards Ah Reum, but now, he sees several steps coming up as they walk. They're getting to know each other!

"I really like that place, answering the bus question, there I didn't have much chance to answer lol. And now more!" He stares at her, his eyes expressing passion and purity.

Ah Reum is feeling enchanted, just walking alongside that person made her feel so good. But she had already realized how he had made her feel, even if not completely. She wants to know more about this person. 

"Can I ask you a question?" Ah Reum inquired, her eyes filled with curiosity.

Jin Young nods yes.

"From time to time, people say things about you, things related to the media, something like that. But I want to know about you, from you.

Are you a student, a youtuber, a model maybe? You're always around, so I was curious about what you do. I realize I might have been a bit intrusive, sorry," she says, a bit awkwardly.

"I'll rephrase, what do you do or like to do? But first I want to hear your name."

"My name?" He smiles. "Well, I'm Hwang Jin Young, I'm 22I have a degree in theater arts from New York University, and yes I work! I think.

I work at Action Entertainment, I'm an actor! Both my agent and I like the atmosphere of the Pâtisserie, it's calm and sophisticated. So a lot of our meetings take place there.... And I'm madly in love with you!" The last sentence, Jin Young just screamed in his heart.

Ah Reum's jaw dropped. "Wow, Hwang Jin Young, so that's your name... Wait, you're Korean, right? 22 years old? New York? An actor!

I even thought you might be unemployed, lol. Sorry, but... why did you say, 'I think'?" She asked, intrigued.

"Because I haven't made my debut yet! Since I graduated almost a year ago, I've been preparing for an audition next month." Jin Young replied.

He goes on to tell you a little of his story: "It's a fact that the Korean wave is taking over the world. Projects on a massive scale are popping up, and there have been rumors about this particular project since I was a university student. I thought it might be my big chance. Oh, and yes, I am Korean, but I studied abroad." His hope was palpable as he spoke.

"A year?" She asked in surprise. "Ah, my home is here!"

Rather than bidding farewell, they simply carried on with their conversation.

"My big chance" was the phrase that echoed in Ah Reum's heart, and she was suddenly moved; it was as if she was listening to herself. Someone who has studied hard, fought hard, and eagerly awaits their big chance!

"Why am I so proud of him? I'm happy and excited. It's like my dream! After all, I've been fighting for mine for years too." She said in her mind.

Jin Young continues: "Yes, it's a very important role. It's part of a huge project the company is doing in partnership with Netflix.

In addition to the drama, they want to cast new actors. A debut in a leading role would be incredible for any actor's career, and many people are participating..." Jin Young replied with a mix of excitement and nervousness.

"The promotion for the casting and the series premiere is all over social media, like a reality show. The company wants the public to get to know the actors who will bring this well-known plot to life. That's probably what the girls were talking about." Jin Young finished his answer, attentive to what Ah Reum would say next.

"You know? there will probably be a lot of talented people, but I'm sure you're the best! I'm rooting for you; you'll make it!" Ah Reum exclaimed with determination and a smile.

They exchanged smiles.

"I feel more confident now; I'm going to make it!" He said happily.

"Oh, we've been standing here for a while, it was nice... talking to you... I have to go in now." She said shyly. "Wait? Were you being sarcastic?

"No, no, really... I felt more confident." He said, full of hope, for the test and for what might happen between them in the future. "You should go in..."

Before they knew it, night had arrived.

"Wow, look at all the stars. They were walking with us the whole time and we only saw them now. It's amazing how beautiful the stars are every night!" Ah Reum said with his eyes shining for stars.

"Really... the beauty that the stars can bring to us is incredible." Jin Young speaks swetly as he looks at Ah Reum admiring the stars.