Chapter Twenty-Six: The Phone Call

“You should consider him properly,” said Ye Seo.

Ji Hyo adjusted the cellphone against her ear after the van hit a bump in the road. Her manager was driving her to that morning’s Running Man filming, and on the way, Ye Seo had called in order to scold Ji Hyo.

Last night, when Ji Hyo was visiting the C-JeS Entertainment offices, she had run into Baek Chang Joo. They’d talked for awhile about Ji Hyo’s work, about his work, about her upcoming trip to Hong Kong, about his family, about her family…and, after talking over coffee for an hour and a half, when they parted ways, Baek Chang Joo had invited her on a proper date. The answer should have been easy. Baek Chang Joo had been nice, funny, and attentive. They had a lot more in common than Ji Hyo had expected—their taste in dramas, their love of travel, their respect for their families. He’d helped her when Gyebaek was making too many demands on her. Ji Hyo had stammered a yes to the date but only because she couldn’t bring herself to reject C-JeS Entertainment’s CEO right away. She planned to go on the one date and then tell Baek Chang Joo that she wasn’t looking for a relationship.

“Don’t tell me you’re still hung up on your coworker,” said Ye Seo.

Ji Hyo winced. She hated it when her friend could read her mind. “It’s not like that.”

“It is like that,” said Ye Seo. “You refused to date the guy I wanted to set you up with because you still can’t get over your high school crush.” She avoided using Jong Kook’s name on purpose. “And now you’re going to turn down an amazing guy who you get along with because of that same high school crush.”

Ji Hyo took a deep breath. She didn’t know how to explain it. Her feelings for Jong Kook were no longer just the memories of a high school crush. They hadn’t been for a long time. She was a grown woman now, and even if she hadn’t been a Turbo fan when she was younger, she was certain that she would still have feelings for him now.

Glancing up at the closed window that separated her from her manager, Ji Hyo spoke into the phone. “I want a little more time. One day, I’ll realize this crush isn’t going to come true and I’ll move on—”

“But a part of you still hopes he’ll come around and realize you’re the woman of his dreams,” said Ye Seo dryly. “I know, I know. We’ve all been there. I’m not saying you have to put an end to your crush to go out with your CEO—I’m just saying that you shouldn’t ignore the CEO because of this crush.”

A part of Ji Hyo agreed with Ye Seo—she shouldn’t ignore other men for Jong Kook—but…Ji Hyo couldn’t give up yet. 

“Don’t say ‘no’ right now,” said Ye Seo. “Think about it.”

The van came to a stop, and when Ji Hyo looked out the window, she saw that they had arrived at Gangnam Station. She could see Jae Suk and Jong Kook’s managers standing outside their vans, talking to each other and laughing. She recognized Suk Jin and Kwang Soo’s vans. It looked as though she was one of the last members to arrive.

Ji Hyo said her goodbyes to Ye Seo before hanging up. Then, she slid out of the van and headed over to the two FDs that were standing outside the station. They directed her to the platform where the opening segment would be filmed. When Ji Hyo arrived, the rest of the cast was already there, standing in front of the cameras. She hadn’t thought she’d been that late, but apparently filming was about to start. She rushed through getting her microphone attached and raced over to the rest of the cast.

“You don’t look tired today,” observed Gary.

“Did something happen?” asked Haha. “You never look this awake.”

“I’m fine,” snapped Ji Hyo even as she smiled at them.

“You’re late,” said Jong Kook. “We thought we were going to have to start without you.”

Ji Hyo managed to greet him normally despite her conversation with Ye Seo still fresh in her mind.

“Sorry, oppa.” Ji Hyo took her spot between Suk Jing and Kwang Soo. She smiled at her oppas. “But I’m here now.”

Jae Suk turned to the cameras, and when Cho PD gave the signal, he started talking about how surprising it was to be meet at Gangnam Station and how impressive the Shin Bundang line was. Ji Hyo tried to look interested, but she rode the subway so rarely nowadays that it felt unimportant to her. She was glad when Jae Suk turned to the PDs and asked about today’s race.

“Today’s mission is a Telephone Race,” said Cho PD.

Ji Hyo blinked. She had no idea what a telephone race was, and it seemed neither did any of the members as they repeated the words. “Telephone race?”

“Every time you complete a mission,” explained Cho PD, “you’ll get a hint for the final mission. You will split into four teams to complete the missions. The teams are one person, one person, two people, and three people.”

The idea of being on a team by herself terrified Ji Hyo. She could already picture her screen time disappearing into nothing.

Suddenly, Ji Hyo’s phone beeped in the pocket of her jacket. She blinked, surprised at the loud volume. She almost always silenced her phone before a shoot, but she had forgotten today in her rush. All eyes turned to her, and Ji Hyo tugged the phone out of her pocket. On the screen was a notification of a message from Baek Chang Joo.

“Who is it, noona?” asked Kwang Soo with a laugh as he jokingly tried to take the phone.

Ji Hyo leapt out of Kwang Soo’s reach as quickly as she could. “Yah! It’s rude to look at other people’s messages!”

For a second, n-+o one moved. The entire cast looked honestly taken aback by Ji Hyo’s reaction. Kwang Soo’s mouth was hanging open, while Suk Jin had recoiled a little in shock. Even the PDs sitting on the floor in front of the cameras seemed stunned, their eyes wide. Ji Hyo felt her face redden, and she quickly switched her phone to silent. “Sorry, sorry.”

“Looks like Ji Hyo has a secret boyfriend,” said Jae Suk, recovering quickly from the shock. He grinned at Gary. “I told you there was no chance.”

“As long as she’s still mine on Mondays,” said Gary.

“He’s the Tuesday-Through-Sunday Boyfriend,” said Jong Kook with a laugh.

“I don’t have a boyfriend,” snapped Ji Hyo. She winced again at the harshness in her voice. She didn’t mean to be so angry; she just didn’t want any of them to know that Baek Chang Joo had asked her out. It seemed unprofessional somehow, to date the CEO of her management company. And, she thought with a glance at Jong Kook, she definitely didn’t want a certain someone to know.

“All right, all right,” said Jae Suk. “We won’t tease you anymore.”

 As she took the empty spot beside Haha, Ji Hyo glanced across at Kwang Soo and mouthed the word “sorry”.

Cho PD waited for them to settle down before continuing his instructions. “After splitting into teams, you will carry out the mission while on the train. At the designated stations, teams will get off one by one. There will be a guest waiting there.”

“Guest?” repeated Jong Kook.

“Will the teams be uneven?” asked Jae Suk.

“Not all stations will have a guest,” warned Cho PD. “The next train will arrive in roughly seven minutes. Before then, please use the method of going around in circles to determine the teams.”

“Such a childish method,” grumbled Jae Suk. He looked at the group of people around him and sighed. “As long as I’m not on a team by myself…”

“That would be the worst,” said Haha as the cast members moved, trying to figure out how to position themselves in front of the camera.

“You get a solo shot,” said Jong Kook.

Ji Hyo looked over at him. “Then you do it, oppa.”

“I don’t need a solo shot,” said Jong Kook quickly.

To form a circle, Jae Suk, Suk Jin, Kwang Soo, and Haha started moving to the front, discussing plans about how they wanted the teams to go. Jong Kook and Ji Hyo somehow ended up towards the back.

“I can throw you out of the group, Ji Hyo,” said Jong Kook. “And then you’ll have to be on a team by yourself.”

“I’ll get no screen time, oppa!” Ji Hyo wasn’t the best talker, and if she ended up on a team by herself, she knew she’d end up sleeping for most of the day.

Ji Hyo noticed that Gary had been hanging back with the two of them, but now he moved to the front. With a grin, Jong Kook reached for Ji Hyo, motioning that he was going to shove her out of the group. He touched her side, just below the rib cage, and she laughed, swatting his hands away. Their eyes met, and Ji Hyo’s heart skipped a beat when she saw his smile.

“Start!” shouted Cho PD.

Before Ji Hyo had a chance to properly recover, the cast walked in a circle, singing the children’s song.             Ji Hyo bumped into Jong Kook as he passed her, and she had to spin to find her place again. Gary gave her a little push in the right direction, and stumbling a little, she walked behind Jong Kook. His broad back, the muscles apparent even under the brown leather jacket he was wearing, filled her vision, and Ji Hyo had to look away. She couldn’t help but think that Jong Kook’s back was broader than Baek Chang Joo’s.

The cast sang and clapped as they skipped around in a circle in front of the cameras. Everyone was smiling, but their eyes flickered this way and that, trying to decide who they wanted to be on their team. Suk Jin was a mess and kept floating towards the center of the circle. Ji Hyo laughed when she realized he was trying to guarantee himself a spot on a team.

“Six people!”

Chaos descended. Ji Hyo reached for the two men on either side of her. Jong Kook moved out of her reach, but Gary grabbed her arm and pulled her into a group. Ji Hyo hugged Gary’s shoulders, desperate not to be on her own, while Jae Suk and Haha latched onto Gary’s arms. Kwang Soo flung an arm around Ji Hyo to keep her in the group. Someone else joined the group, reaching around to hold onto Ji Hyo’s waist. Then, that someone started poking her in the side, just below the rib cage.

“Hey, hey!” Suk Jin was shouting.

“How many people?” asked Jae Suk. “How many people?”

Ji Hyo couldn’t see him, but she knew Jong Kook was the one poking her. She laughed when she remembered him threatening to throw her out of the circle earlier. His eyes had been alight with some childish mischief. He couldn’t throw her out now, of course. Her body sandwiched between Kwang Soo and Gary. Ji Hyo shifted her head to look over at Jong Kook, unable to help the smile on her face.

He wasn’t looking at her, but he wore a wide grin as he called out, “Suk Jin-hyung was late! Let go, hyung!”

Trying to act all innocent, thought Ji Hyo as she turned away again.

“Ji Hyo!” shouted Jae Suk. “Ji Hyo’s clinging to Gary!”

“Ah, Ji Hyo!” Jong Kook couldn’t resist joining in. “She’s holding onto Gary!”

She was, but only because she’d somehow ended up in the middle of the group of six. The only place to hold onto was Gary’s back. And as the group jostled and turned, Ji Hyo decided that she would rather be the Monday Girlfriend than trampled under the feet of her Running Man cast mates.

The cast finally separated, and Ji Hyo stumbled a little as she let go of Gary. Her black hair was in disarray, and her side still tickled from where Jong Kook had poked her repeatedly.

“Today, towards Gary, Ji Hyo is really aggressive,” said Jae Suk.

“Ji Hyo, why are you like this?” asked Jong Kook. “We’re just dividing into teams.”

“What did I do?” cried Ji Hyo. She was smiling even as she argued with her oppas.

Gary held his shoulders where Ji Hyo had touched him and beamed at the cameras. “My day’s complete.”

“Hold on!” said Ji Hyo. She turned to the cameras. She hadn’t been trying to act the Monday Girlfriend. She just didn’t want to be on a team by herself. But with a disapproving look from Cho PD, Ji Hyo stopped herself. The Monday Girlfriend shouldn’t protest so much.

“Ji Hyo is really lonely today,” said Jae Suk.

“Oh, Ji Hyo.” Jong Kook gave her a pitying look, but before Ji Hyo could reply, Cho PD started to speak.

“One person will be on a team by himself—Ji Suk Jin.”

“Why?” asked Suk Jin.

“You were the last to join the group,” said Cho PD. He was trying to suppress his laughter, and Ji Hyo wondered what had happened.

“That’s right, hyung,” said Jong Kook. “You were the last, I saw.”

“Ah, I say.” Hands in his pocket and brows narrowed in annoyance, Suk Jin said, “He pushed me. You saw it, right?”

Laughing, Jae Suk tried to push Suk Jin to the side so they could continue the game. “This may be a good thing.”

“You saw it, right?” repeated Suk Jin, pointing at Cho PD. He stepped out of Jae Suk’s grasp, refusing to sidelined just yet. “Foul. It’s a foul.”

Ji Hyo looked over at the smug expression on Jong Kook’s face and laughed. So Jong Kook really had thrown Suk Jin out of the circle.

“Hyung,” said Jong Kook, “you will receive a solo shot today.”

“Then, you do it!” snapped Suk Jin. The rest of the cast laughed as Suk Jin continued his rant. “Why do you want to push me to one side? I already came despite my aching muscles. This hyung is diligently doing the show. I had bad aches yesterday, and I didn’t get enough sleep last night. Why must you push me out?”

“He really is sincere,” said Haha.

“You only have four more minutes to sort the teams,” Cho PD reminded them.

Suk Jin reluctantly stepped to the side, while the remainder of the cast lined up in front of the cameras to play the game again. Haha grinned Suk Jin and said, “Hyung is so cute.”

Ji Hyo looked over and saw Suk Jin’s sulky expression—brown eyes downcast and lower lip sticking out a little. He was forty-six-year-old man pouting. A giggle burst forth, and she and Haha were bent over laughing when Cho PD called out, “Start!”

Haha immediately stood upright and started clapping in time to the music. Ji Hyo had a harder time recovering, and she bumped into Jong Kook. He sent her a quick grin before stepping past her towards Jae Suk. Jae Suk saw his dongsaeng coming for him and quickly dodged out of the way. Still wearing that maniacal grin, Jong Kook followed Jae Suk around the circle.

For her part, Ji Hyo could barely clap in time to the song, she was laughing so much.

“Five people!”

Ji Hyo reached for Jong Kook and whoever was on her right. Gary, Haha, and Kwang Soo all grabbed onto Ji Hyo’s arm and she was pulled into a tight group. Jong Kook, on the other hand, caught hold of Jae Suk’s shoulders and gave him a hard push. Ji Hyo watched as Jae Suk stumbled away, not stopping until he was almost out of the camera shot. Jong Kook spun around and wrapped his arms around the two people nearest to him. His large hand came to rest on Ji Hyo’s back, and she tried to ignore the tingles running up and down her spine.

“Five people, right?” Haha asked the PDs. “Five people?”

“Yah!” Jae Suk had recovered and now walked towards the group of five with one finger pointing at Jong Kook. “This is a foul!”

The writers and camera men were grinning from ear to ear, and Ji Hyo found herself laughing until her sides hurt.

Even Jae Suk has a smile on his face, though he tried to hide it with outrage. “You saw it, right?” he cried, pointing at Haha.

“I saw you being thrown out,” said Haha, adjusting his hat. “I thought he was doing shotput.”

Ji Hyo actually had put her hands on her knees so she wouldn’t collapse of laughter as Haha mimed Jong Kook throwing Jae Suk out of the group.

“Really, you…really.” Jae Suk pointed at Jong Kook, trying his best to look had through his laughter. “I really have nothing to say anymore. Really!”

“Really?” asked Jong Kook.

“Yah, you!” Jae Suk continued to point at Jong Kook.

“I thought you had nothing to say,” said Haha with a smug smile.

“Come over here,” said Suk Jin. He motioned to the spot beside him. “You’re in the same boat as me today, Jae Suk.”

Reluctantly, Jae Suk stepped to the side to allow the rest of the cast to finish choosing teams before the train arrived.

The last grouping would be a team of two and a team of three, Cho PD told them. As they gotten into position, Ji Hyo glanced to her right where Jong Kook and Haha stood. It would be best to be in a team with the two of them, she thought. Kwang Soo would make her day stressful, and Gary would want to act the Monday Couple the whole time.

“For the last time, start!”

Ji Hyo started to move in a circle, but she was cut off. Jong Kook moved forward, singing and clapping like the rest of them, but rather than going in a circle, he paced back and forth in front of his hyungs. He even gave a cute stomp for added effect.

“Yah! Kim Jong Kook!” Jae Suk’s pointing finger was back. “You…”

“Are we not going to turn in a circle?” asked Gary.

Jong Kook finally left his hyungs alone, and the group started walking around in a circle as the song instructed. Ji Hyo wasn’t in the ideal position, but if she was quick, she could reach Jong Kook and Haha before Kwang Soo could join.

“Two persons!” shouted the PD.

Ji Hyo darted across the circle, reaching for Jong Kook and Haha. She saw Jong Kook’s left arm go around Haha’s shoulders and his right arm start to reach out to her, but before she could grab hold, she felt someone’s hands touch her shoulder. She glanced over and saw Gary. She couldn’t join Jong Kook and Haha now. There was a fleeting moment of disappointment, then Ji Hyo accepted his outstretched hand with a smile. Gary pouted, and Ji Hyo’s reluctant smile turned into a genuine laugh even as she cursed her fate as the Monday Girlfriend.

Gary pulled her away from the team of three by the hand, saying, “I deliberately stayed away from that side.”

Ji Hyo looked over at the group of Jong Kook, Haha, and Kwang Soo. They were her closest friends in the cast, and she could already imagine the fun she’d have in a race with any combination of them. This was one of the few times they’d been allowed to choose their own teams, and still she was partnered with her Monday Boyfriend. Unable to help herself, she cried, “This can’t be!”

Jong Kook sent her a knowing look and said, “It’s unnatural how you two always end up together.”

After the official teams were announced, Cho PD then directed them down to the station platform. They didn’t have to stay in their teams, and she drifted over to walk beside Kwang Soo.

“Monday Couple again, noona?” said Kwang Soo with a knowing smile. “You and Gary-hyung are made for each other.”

“Don’t joke around,” said Ji Hyo.

She must have been louder than she thought, because she heard Gary from behind her say, “My heart! It hurts!”

Ji Hyo looked over her shoulder, ready to apologize to Gary for being rude, when she saw Jong Kook grinning at her. He said, “I should have thrown you out instead of Suk Jin-hyung.”

“I’d get a solo shot today,” said Ji Hyo with a grin.

“Yah!” cried the solo-shot members.

The cast laughed as they made their way down the stairs to the platform. Ji Hyo couldn’t help but feeling a little sad as she walked beside Jong Kook. She’d been having so much fun, laughing and joking around with him when they’d started forming the teams. In her head, she’d already decided to be on his team today, and yet still, she’d ended up in the role of the Monday Girlfriend.

I wish you were the Monday Boyfriend, oppa.

The thought came to Ji Hyo unwillingly, and she dismissed it as soon as she had it. That was rude to Gary, who worked very hard in his role and was a very good partner for a love line. It was just…just that he wasn’t Jong Kook.

As they reached the bottom of the stairs, Ji Hyo snuck a glance at Jong Kook, but he wasn’t paying attention, focused instead on the train they were about the board.

Ji Hyo lowered her gaze and fought back a sigh. He wouldn’t want to be her Monday Boyfriend anyway. She knew that. She needed to snap out of it. Usually, she wasn’t so gloomy. She’d accept her team without complaint and have fun with Gary. However, something about today was different, and Ye Seo’s warning still rung in her mind: A part of you still hopes he’ll come around and realize you’re the woman of his dreams.

Thankfully, they reached the doors of the train and Ji Hyo was distracted from her thoughts. As soon as they entered the compartment, the cast started to cry out compliments as if this was the most amazing train they’d ever seen in the history of trains.

“It’s so clean,” said Jae Suk.

“Wow!” cried Haha, pointing to the front window that looked out over the tracks.

“Oppa, there’s nothing there!” said Ji Hyo. “No one’s driving!”

“It’s an automated system, right?” asked Gary.

“So that means we can see everything in front?” Jae Suk looked awestruck.

The members nodded and said, “wow”, in unison.

The train started moving, and Ji Hyo looked about her, trying to act amazed as if she’d never been on a train before. When they saw another train coming in the opposite direction, they all exclaimed in surprise, and Haha tried to act like an action star. Kwang Soo joined in and was criticized. Ji Hyo had to bite the insides of her cheeks. Sometimes the overacting required was too much for her.

“It’s like a movie,” said Haha. “Totally like a movie.”

Cho PD explained that one team would get off at each of the next four stations, and there may or not be a guest waiting for them. Suk Jin was the first to exit, and despite his hopes, Ji Hyo could already guess that there’d be no guest to partner up with for him. She hoped he enjoyed his solo shots today. At the station after, Jae Suk stepped onto the platform only to be greeted by the beautiful actress Son Ye Jin. Haha and Kwang Soo proceeded to shout in surprise and protest that Jae Suk was teamed with her. Their complaints continued even after the doors had closed and the train had left the station.

“It’s my first time seeing Son Ye Jin,” said Kwang Soo.

“I don’t even know what to say now!” cried Gary. “Daebak!”

“Son Ye Jin is here…” said Haha blankly, and Ji Hyo wondered how long it would take for his playboy character to appear.

Cho PD asked looked over at Jong Kook and asked, “Why did you have to push him?”

Jong Kook laughed and, with a dramatic sigh, hung his head.

“Really, this hyung has been working very hard, and he’s gotten his reward,” muttered Haha. He didn’t sound pleased that Jae Suk had been rewarded.

Jong Kook laughed. “She is very pretty.”

“She’s close with Yoon Eun Hye, isn’t she?” asked Kwang Soo suddenly.

At the mention of Jong Kook’s old love line, Ji Hyo felt a cold, uneasy feeling settled in her stomach. Her earlier thought about Jong Kook being her Monday Boyfriend returned to her, and she sent a silent apology to Gary for being such a bad love line partner.

Jong Kook’s head jerked at the Yoon Eun Hye’s name, but all he asked was, “How would you know that, Kwang Soo?”

“You…you know…” Kwang Soo shuffled his feet slightly, and Ji Hyo wondered what he was hiding. “I just know.”

“Are you a Son Ye Jin fan?” asked Gary. “Look, he’s turning red!”

“No, no.” Kwang Soo shook his head, though his face was slightly rosy. “That’s not it. I just happened to stumble across an article while looking with…” He stopped himself and sent a pleading look in Jong Kook’s direction.

“Leave him be,” said Jong Kook.

Ji Hyo tried to smile and laugh with the others, but she couldn’t rid herself of the sinking feeling in her stomach. Her hoobaes were both beautiful actresses, and while she didn’t mind complimenting them, Jong Kook calling Son Ye Jin “pretty” made her a little annoyed that the actress had come to Running Man. Ji Hyo quickly pushed those petty thoughts away.

“Yoon Eun Hye is pretty too,” said Haha with a grin at his hyung.

“She is,” agreed Jong Kook. Ji Hyo thought he sounded a little apathetic, but perhaps that was her wishful thinking.

“But Ji Hyo is still the prettiest,” said Gary abruptly.

The men made “ooh” sounds as if this was the most romantic thing they’d heard in their lives. Ji Hyo stood rooted to the spot, resigning herself to the teasing that was about the come.

“You’re standing in the wrong spot,” said Jong Kook, pointing at Haha and Kwang Soo who stood on Gary’s other side.

Immediately, Haha moved over to stand beside Jong Kook. Then, after a moment, Kwang Soo followed, so that only Gary stood on Ji Hyo’s right.

“You, go back there,” she snapped at Kwang Soo.

With one hand, Jong Kook gave her a little push closer. A jerk of train knocked her off balance, and Ji Hyo stumbled into Gary. With a cry of “aigoo”, he caught her in a hug. Despite her sour mood, Ji Hyo laughed. She really should appreciate Gary’s efforts to play the Monday Boyfriend more.

Still, her eyes drifted over to Jong Kook. A part of you still hopes he’ll come around and realize you’re the woman of his dreams.

Ji Hyo wrenched her gaze away. She was being silly. She needed to focus. She was at work. Silently, she cursed Ye Seo for calling her and saying such things. Now she couldn’t get her friend’s words out of her head. Focus, Ji Hyo reminded herself. Then, she turned to Gary with a smile and asked, “Are we approaching our station soon?”

She’s going to kill me. She’s going to kill me. She’s going to kill me.

“Could you two be the spies?” asked Ye Jin.

Jong Kook had his arms folded over his chest and his gaze on the floor as he muttered, “No…”

“No,” echoed Ji Hyo.

She’s going to kill me. She’s going to kill me. She’s going to kill me.

Ji Hyo charged at Ye Jin first, and Jong Kook followed. It was a practiced chase. Something the two of them had done multiple times before when they’d teamed up together to oust the other members. However, unlike usual, as soon as Ye Jin was cornered and Ji Hyo’s back was to him, Jong Kook reached for Ji Hyo’s shoulders. He twisted her around to face him, position her back towards Ye Jin.

As soon as she felt his touch, Ji Hyo sunk to the ground, her hands reaching for his arms as if she could stop him with strength alone. She let out a single cry before Ye Jin ripped off her nametag.

She’s going to kill me. She’s going to kill me. She’s going to kill me.

He released her immediately and stepped backwards, watching her carefully. She lifted her head, revealing the fire in her eyes, and Jong Kook sunk to the floor, covering his head with his hands and preparing to be murdered.

“Yah, Kim Jong Kook,” said Ji Hyo as she got to her feet.

“Sorry.”

Jong Kook expected it when she grabbed his hair, but it still hurt when she used both hands to pull.

“Sorry.”

Ji Hyo released his hair, and Jong Kook looked up, hoping she had forgiven him. Instead, she finished taking off her blue jacket and threw it at him.

For a second, Jong Kook had a face full of polyester. Then, he tossed the blue jacket to the side and found himself once again staring up at a seething Ji Hyo.

“Sorry,” he said again.

“I’m really angry now,” she snapped.

Ye Jin was somewhere behind him, but Jong Kook only noticed her shadow. He sat on the beige, linoleum floor, his legs crossed and his arms around them, still in a defensive position in case Bad Ji Hyo descended upon him again. Pitifully, he said, “I told you I wouldn’t tear off your nametag.”

Ji Hyo picked up her jacket from the floor. As she stood upright, she pointed at Jong Kook and snapped, “Don’t act like you know me!”

“What did you say?” asked Jong Kook.

But she turned away from him and let herself be led away to jail. As she moved farther down the corridor, Jong Kook could’ve sworn he heard her say, “Daebak,” but that could’ve been his wishful thinking.

Yeah, she was definitely going to kill him.

Jong Kook watched until Ji Hyo turned the corner and disappeared from sight. She was mad. Really mad. She’d pulled his hair and told him not to act like he knew her. Still seated on the floor, Jong Kook groaned and ran hand through his hair.

“She was furious,” said Ye Jin, crouching on the ground beside him.

Jong Kook could only nod in agreement with his spy partner. Their act had been successful and they’d ousted Ji Hyo together, but somehow, he didn’t feel good about it. Perhaps he should try apologizing to Ji Hyo properly after filming had ended. He didn’t want her to stop working with him just because of this one incident.

After the announcer said “Song Ji Hyo out, Song Ji Hyo out”, Ye Jin turned to Jong Kook and said, “If it’s like this, we just need to eliminate Chul Min-oppa to finished things out.”

“Suk Jin,” corrected Jong Kook.

“Suk Jin-oppa,” agreed Ye Jin, realizing her mistake. She gave a pretty laugh and then asked, “What should we do? Should we find him and accused him of being the spy like we did with Ji Hyo-noona…”

Son Ye Jin was only focused on the mission.

Of course, she was. Jong Kook chided himself silently. They were in the middle of recording. They were the spies. There was only them and Suk Jin left. They needed to solve the phone riddle and finish the game. Who cared if Ji Hyo was mad that he’d helped the guest rip off her nametag? It was part of the mission. He’d simply been playing his role. He was meant to help the guest win. Jae Suk, Haha, and Kwang Soo betrayed people all the time—was it really such a big deal if Jong Kook did the same once or twice?

Ji Hyo had been the spy multiple times before. She knew what it was like, that sometimes you had to lie to people. Surely, she would understand why he’d helped Ye Jin oust her even after he’d promised not to rip off her nametag.

Leaning back against the wall, Jong Kook said, “Suk Jin-hyung can just be left there. He’s not dangerous anyway.”

Ye Jin laughed. Then, when Jong Kook remained unresponsive, she pulled out her cellphone and started searching through it. Over her shoulder, Jong Kook could see that she’d typed out the letters F, A, C, and E on the screen.

“We need to figure out the code,” said Jong Kook.

“What do you think FACE is for?” asked Ye Jin.

Jong Kook shook his head.

Ji Hyo and him had discussed the code earlier when they’d been hunting the spy together. Ji Hyo had reckoned the letters stood for numbers, like the one where A=1, B=2, and so on. She’d come up with the number 6135, but they hadn’t known what to do with it.

Ji Hyo had been having so much fun earlier. Jong Kook had seen it in her eyes. Even as they were hunting together, luring the other members and guests into their trap, her eyes had been light with silent laughter. He should have stayed away from her. That way he wouldn’t have had to betray her like this.

Of course, he’d been the one to suggest them pairing up. After he and Ye Jin had discovered they were fellow spies, they’d made a plan for how to approach the rest of the cast and guests. Jong Kook had suggested that she pair up with Suk Jin, who was weak to women, and he would partner with Ji Hyo. Ji Hyo wouldn’t suspect much, he’d said, as they usually worked together during nametag ripping.

He’d been right unfortunately. She’d been all too happy to team up, though a little suspicious at first. He’d promised Ji Hyo that if he ripped off her nametag, he’d change his surname. And he hadn’t ripped off her nametag; Ye Jin did. Of course, he doubted Ji Hyo cared for this technicality.

“Have you solved the FACE code yet?” asked Ye Jin.

“No I haven’t,” said Jong Kook, who had gotten sidetracked very quickly.

“It seems to be connected to the phone,” she said. “What can be pressed with FACE?”

“Wait, let me see.” Jong Kook reached for her phone. She handed it over and he typed in the corresponding numbers, creating the number 3113. However, there was no way to dial a four digit number.

“Should we walk around?” asked Ye Jin.

“Yes. It might be connected to the building in some way.”

Ye Jin got to her feet first, and Jong Kook followed soon after. However, as she hurried down the hallway, Jong Kook took one last glance back at the spot where they’d ousted Ji Hyo. He fought back a sigh. There was going to be hell to pay when he saw Ji Hyo again.

“Kim Jong Kook, stop…stop talking to me from now on!” Though she tried to keep it light and funny, Ji Hyo felt the anger as she shouted at Jong Kook.

He smiled at her, his eyes becoming crescents. “I kept the promise not to tear your nametag.”

“Is not tearing it off the end of it?” asked Ji Hyo. “Is that all it’s worth?”

“What happened?” asked Jae Suk, tapping Jong Kook on the shoulder.

Jong Kook looked from Ji Hyo to his hyung before explaining, “I said I wouldn’t tear her nametag, and I really didn’t tear it.”

Ji Hyo saw red for a second, and she had to remind herself that she was on a variety show and keep it funny before she stepped towards him shouting, “Song Jong Kook! Song Jong Kook!”

Jae Suk grabbed her wrists as if trying to stop her from attack Jong Kook. She could see Jong Kook laughing, and her anger faded a little. Still, she continued the joke.

“Yah! Yoo Jong Kook!” she shouted over Jae Suk’s shoulder. “Yoo Jong Kook!”

Jae Suk released her, and as she backed away, he cried, “Yoo Jong Kook, you really?”

The cast was laughing, and Ji Hyo was all smiles as they closed out of the day on set. She’d scolded “Song Jong Kook” properly. She argued good naturedly with Jae Suk when he claimed Yoo was too good a surname for Jong Kook. She laughed when Kwang Soo had told a story about some antics on the set of Bachelor’s Vegetable Store. She even had a friendly conversation with Son Ye Jin, who was, it turned out, a big fan of Goong.

However, as time wore on, Ji Hyo felt her smile start to slip, and the little dark feelings started to slither back into her thoughts. Rather than angry, she felt exhausted, and she wanted nothing more than to crawl into her own bed and sleep for a week.

After changing into her casual clothes, she made her way across the parking lot to her van when Jong Kook stopped her. It took some effort to put the smile back on her face as she turned to look at him in his sweatshirt and shorts. He wore a thin smile, though there was some worry in his eyes, as he said, “I’m really am sorry, Ji hyo.”

Her chest felt tight as she returned his smile. “I know. You were the spy today. It’s how things go.”

“Son Ye Jin worked really hard,” said Jong Kook. “I did my best as her partner.”

Ji Hyo’s chest tightened. “I understand, oppa.”

Jong Kook hesitated. “Are you all right?”

“I’m fine,” snapped Ji Hyo. She winced at the sound of her own voice. “Sorry, oppa.”

“Are you getting enough sleep?” asked Jong Kook.

At first, Ji Hyo wanted to shout at him. It’s your fault! She had trusted him like she always did. She’d been having so much fun, thinking they were going to catch the spy and win together, the Commander and the Ace. She felt the fool now. She’d been having so much fun, and he’d been planning to rip off her nametag with Son Ye Jin.

“I’m just worn out from today’s filming,” said Ji Hyo finally.

She could tell Jong Kook didn’t believe her, but he wasn’t going to pry where his attention clearly wasn’t wanted. His voice a little stiff, Jong Kook said, “Rest well tonight, Ji Hyo. I’ll see you next Monday.”

“Bye, oppa,” said Ji Hyo.

With one last look at her, Jong Kook turned and headed across the parking lot to where his manager waited for him. Ji Hyo tore her eyes away and hurried to her van. Her manager was finishing up some details with the Running Man staff and had given Ji Hyo the keys. Ji Hyo slammed the van door behind her as she collapsed into the back seat.

She was a fool. All it’d taken was Jong Kook promising to change his surname if he ripped off her nametag for Ji Hyo to believe him completely. And he’d lied. He’d promised her and then he’d betrayed her. It brought up bad memories of an ex who had once promised to love her forever but had still found his way into another woman’s bed.

Ji Hyo quickly pushed those painful memories away. They had nothing to do with Jong Kook, who would never cheat on a woman.

She knew she was being unfair to Jong Kook. It was his job as the spy to deceive her and help the guest win. Ji Hyo knew that. Still, they’d had so much fun that morning, and she’d been so excited when they’d worked together during the final game. Hadn’t he seen how happy she had been? How could he let Ye Jin rip off her nametag like that?  

Part of her wondered if she was overreacting, and if she would have reacted more calmly if Jong Kook’s spy partner had been Park Chul Min or Lee Min Ki.

It didn’t matter now, Ji Hyo thought. It’d been a bad day. There’d been a few good moments, yes, but after her thoughts about switching love line partners and her moodiness towards Jong Kook, Ji Hyo felt small and petty.

Ji Hyo took her cellphone out of her pocket and ran her fingers along he edges.

She wasn’t really mad at Jong Kook, but rather at herself. For being a fool and getting so hurt over something that was simply part of their job.  

He wasn’t interested in her. Ji Hyo knew that. He’d never shown any interest in her beyond that of friendship, and it was a friendship Ji Hyo valued very much. Whenever things got rough in Running Man, Jong Kook would be there to help her. He would talk things though and stand by her, sturdy as a rock.

She remembered how he’d tried to apologize to her in the parking lot, and she’d snapped at him. Now that she had some space, she was starting to feel embarrassed for her immature behavior. She had pushed him away even though he’d done nothing wrong.

A part of you still hopes he’ll come around and realize you’re the woman of his dreams.

She flipped open her cellphone and searched for the recently used number.

It took three rings for her friend to answer. “Hello?”

“Ye Seo,” said Ji Hyo. She couldn’t help the whining note that crept into her voice.

“What happened?” asked Ye Seo immediately.

“I’m an idiot.”

“Well, yes,” said Ye Seo, “but why are you saying that now, all of a sudden?”

Ji Hyo closed her eyes and leaned back in her seat. “I should give up on him properly.”

There was a pause on the other end of the phone, and then Ye Seo asked, “Did he hurt you? Because if he hurt your feelings, then I’ll show him—”

“No, no,” said Ji Hyo quickly. “Jong Kook-oppa would never do that.”

“Good,” said Ye Seo. She hesitated. “Are you finished filming?”

“Yes,” said Ji Hyo. “I’m in my van.”

“Was it a bad day?” asked Ye Seo. “You know how they go. Sometimes you just need a long night’s rest and then time to think things through in the morning. We can grab coffee tomorrow during my lunchbreak if you’re not working.”

Ji Hyo considered Ye Seo’s offer, but she felt that no amount of sleep would change her mind. “I have work tomorrow. Thanks though. I just…”

Ye Seo hesitated. “What happened?”

“I just realized,” said Ji Hyo, “that it’s me. I’m the problem.”

There was silence on the other end of the line. Ji Hyo could imagine the lone wrinkle in Ye Seo’s forehead as she contemplated Ji Hyo’s cryptic words.

Gathering herself, Ji Hyo said, “I can’t keep doing this one-sidedly. Normally, it’s fine, but there are days when I get jealous and act immaturely even though it’s no one's fault but my own. And even though I keep saying that I’ll move on when I’m ready, I’ll never be ready when I keep standing still like this.” Ji Hyo took a deep breath. “I just don’t particularly like myself today.”

“It happens,” said Ye Seo. “There are days when I feel selfish and jealous too. A bubble bath usually helps me.”

Ji Hyo smiled. “I’ll try that.”

“Can I give you some advice?” asked Ye Seo.

“Don’t you always?”

“Go on the date with your CEO,” said Ye Seo. “Look at him properly.”

Sometimes falling for someone else was the best way to get over one-sided feelings. Perhaps Ji Hyo wouldn’t like Baek Chang Joo. Perhaps she’d go on one date and realize he wasn’t worth her time. Perhaps she’d go on a second date with Baek Chang Joo. Perhaps she’d fall madly in love with her. Perhaps she would come to think of Jong Kook as just a coworker and friend. Perhaps Ye Seo was right, this was what she needed.

Ji Hyo nodded. Then, remembering that Ye Seo couldn’t see her, she said, “I will.”

A/N: Hi, it's been a looooong while since I upated. Thanks to anyone who stuck with this story through a two year hiatus, y'all are the best.

 Sorry that I had to return on such a downer chapter, but that's where I am in the story (I needed something to push SJH to move on from her crush on KJK and date BCJ). Next chapter is spartace in Hong Kong so that'll be more fun, I promise. Spartace always seems more free when they're in another country. Plus, we're getting to the fun episodes like the Superpowers Ep and the Sherlock Holmes Ep. 

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