章 32: Disrupted Practice

Hearing his harsh words, the young miss's smile vanished. She stared at him, her expression hardening as she drove slowly ahead. But suddenly, a laugh burst from her lips, unrestrained and genuine.

"Oh, it's been a long time since I laughed like this while talking with a boy. You know what, little Joon-won? You're right. I shouldn't tell others not to be cocky when I am cocky myself. I hope we can talk a lot more in the future because you interest me." With that, she stepped on the gas and sped away, leaving Joon-won standing by the roadside.

Joon-won frowned, her words echoing in his mind. He didn't appreciate her invasion of his personal space or the way she casually called him "little Joon-won." He barely knew her, and she certainly hadn't earned the right to address him so familiarly. He shrugged off the encounter, hoping she wouldn't do anything reckless.

Back at home, he changed into more comfortable clothes and sat on the couch, massaging his sore muscles. Despite the discomfort, he decided to go for another run. The ache in his muscles was a sign of progress, and continuing to exercise would help build his stamina.

Following the same route as before, he jogged to the park, did some exercises, and then jogged back home. His body protested, but he pushed through, knowing the effort would pay off in the long run. After returning, he prepared a healthy dinner, watching a movie as he ate. The entertainment provided a welcome distraction, allowing him to unwind before bed.

The next morning, he woke up later than usual, enjoying the luxury of a day off. He brushed his teeth, washed his face, and decided to jog in the morning since he had the time. His body was gradually adapting to the routine, and he pushed himself to cover a longer distance, returning home drenched in sweat.

Seeing the pile of worn clothes in the laundry bin, he gathered them up and tossed them into the washing machine before heading to the shower. The hot water soothed his aching muscles, and he emerged feeling refreshed. After cooking a quick breakfast of bread, eggs, and fruit, he hung the clean clothes to dry on the balcony.

By the time he finished, it was already noon. He texted Jung-hwa to confirm the practice location, as he had heard that the final rehearsal would be in the auditorium. She replied promptly, confirming that they were indeed at the auditorium. Since he didn't know where it was, he asked her to meet him at the university gate. She agreed, and he quickly made his way there.

At the gate, he saw Jung-hwa waiting. "You're late, as always," she remarked, leading him through the campus.

"I stayed up watching a movie last night and didn't have work today, so I took my time," Joon-won explained. "How's the practice in the auditorium? What part are you guys at now?"

"It's much better than practicing in the classroom. More space, a big stage—it's a lot more comfortable. The drama is a few scenes away from your part, so you're not late for anything important."

"What? They haven't reached my scene yet? How late did you start?" Joon-won was puzzled. Practice usually started at 9 AM, and by now, they should have been past his scene.

"Oh, right," Jung-hwa said, suddenly remembering. "I tried calling you a few times. Why didn't you have your phone on?"

Joon-won recalled seeing missed calls from Jung-hwa after his shower and had dismissed them, assuming they weren't urgent. Now, it seemed like they had been.

"Okay, what happened?" he asked, curious about the connection between her calls and the delayed practice. "It's not like Roh Ji waits for a minor role like mine to start practice."

Jung-hwa opened the auditorium door, leading him inside. "You'll see for yourself. I was pretty surprised by today's events."

As they made their way backstage, whispers followed Joon-won, the other students covering their mouths and glancing his way. He wanted to ask Jung-hwa again, but she pointed towards the seats in the auditorium, her expression uneasy.

Peeking out, Joon-won's eyes widened as he saw the same young miss and young master from the store seated in the audience. They were watching the practice, with Roh Ji standing beside them, her face a picture of sycophantic adoration.

"They showed up this morning just as we were about to start," Jung-hwa explained, her voice low. "The young master demanded to see you and wouldn't let us start until you showed up. I tried calling because the young miss finally agreed to let us begin, but they've been sitting there watching, waiting for you. What did you do, Joon-won? Those are Star Batch seniors from the second year."