Chapter 4: Part 4

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Joong and Dunk are sitting at the dining table, enjoying their breakfast when suddenly there's a knock at the door. Joong looks up, slightly annoyed, and stands.

He sigh

Joong:

Who's here so early?

He walks to the door, leaving Dunk seated at the table. As Joong opens it, he's greeted by Gemini

Gemini:

Phi Joong! Where is your phone? I've been calling you all morning!

rubbing his temple

Joong:

Hey, Nong.. My phone-

Before Joong can finish his sentence, Dunk appears behind him, peeking curiously at Gemini. Dunk speaks with a hint of guilt in his voice.

Dunk:

I accidentally broke that thing

Gemini's eyes widen as he notices Dunk for the first time. He looks utterly captivated.

Gemini:

Hey, hey, Phi! Who's this pretty Phi?

Joong tenses slightly, glancing at Dunk, who stares at Gemini innocently

Joong:

Umm... he... he's my friend

Dunk:

Friend? You make me your friend, human?

raising an eyebrow

Gemini:

Huh? Human? What does he mean?

Joong:

Wait, wait! Just-wait a second!

Joong quickly grabs Dunk by the wrist and drags him inside, away from Gemini. He shuts the door halfway, leaving Gemini standing outside, confused.

Joong turns to Dunk, his expression exasperated but his tone hushed to avoid being overheard

Joong:

Listen, Dunk. You cannot just go around saying stuff like that! You can't tell anyone who you are!

blinking innocently

Dunk:

Okay, human

Joong:

And what's with this 'human' thing? Stop calling me that. Call me Joong

smiling softly

Dunk:

Okay, Joong

pointing a finger at Dunk

Joong:

And remember-while you're here, you're human too. Got it? No one can know you're... from the moon or whatever.

Dunk nods solemnly, his eyes wide as if taking the instruction very seriously

Dunk:

Okay, I'm human

Joong:

Good

Joong walks back to the door, opening it fully to let Gemini in. Gemini looks between Joong and Dunk, his curiosity clearly piqued.

Gemini:

So, Phi Joong... are you going to introduce me properly, or do I have to guess?

Joong:

This is Dunk. He's, uh... my friend

Dunk:

Hi, Nong Gemini!

Gemini's smile widens as he waves back, but Joong quickly ushers him toward the living room, trying to avoid any further probing questions

grumbling under his breath

Joong:

This is going to be a long day

Gemini sitting casually on the couch while Joong stands nearby, his arms crossed. Dunk watches curiously from a corner, his wide eyes darting between the two

Gemini:

Phi, you need to buy a new phone! Do you know Phi Tha was so angry? But he deleted all your videos from every platform yesterday! Thank fully

Joong:

He can do it for all I care.

Gemini:

Why are you so rude to him? He's only doing his job.

Joong:

And I'm only doing mine. Why not be rude when he never gives me normal people to work with? Every single time, it's a circus.

Gemini:

It's okay, Phi. You'll find someone or something better soon, I think.

Dunk steps closer, tilting his head innocently at Joong

Dunk:

What work do you do, Joong?

Gemini:

Wait, you're his friend, and you don't know he's an actor?

cutting in quickly, trying to cover

Joong:

Umm-Nong, he's from a village, so he doesn't know much about all this.

Dunk:

Oh, yes! Village. Joong is saying, so I must be from a village.

looking between them suspiciously

Gemini:

What?

Joong:

Ahhh! Nong, listen. He's new here, okay? Doesn't know how to act around people yet. Don't stress about it. I'll come to the company in the evening.

Gemini:

Okay, Phi. Bye! Bye, Phi Dunk!

cheerfully waving

Dunk:

Bye-bye!

As soon as Gemini leaves, Joong turns toward Dunk, his arms on his hips

Joong:

Listen carefully, Dunk. If you want to live here, you have to say you're my friend from the village. Got it? Nothing more than that!

pouting slightly, his doe eyes widening as he looks at Joong

Dunk:

Am I giving you a hard time, Joong?

hesitating, looking away to avoid Dunk's gaze

Joong:

Umm... no.

stepping closer

Dunk:

So will you tell me what work you do? All the details, so no one doubts me when they ask.

Joong:

You really want to know?

nodding, smiling brightly

Dunk:

Yes! If I'm your friend, I should know everything about you, right?

Joong sighs, running a hand through his hair. He gestures for Dunk to sit down on the couch, sitting across from him.

Joong:

Okay, listen. I'm an actor. It means I perform in movies, TV shows, and commercials. People watch my work on screens.

Dunk:

Screens? Like the shiny tools humans stare at all the time? The one i broke your's?

chuckling despite himself

Joong:

Yeah, exactly. That's where they see me

Dunk:

Oh, so you're a performer? Like someone who tells stories?

Joong:

Kind of. But instead of telling them, I act them out.

Dunk:

So That's why you're so grumpy.

Joong:

What?! No! Why would that make me grumpy?

Dunk:

Because it sounds stressful. All those people watching you. I'd be grumpy too.

Joong:

You're unbelievable.

Dunk:

But I'm learning, see? Now I know what you do! And I think you must be very good at it if so many people watch you.

Joong looks at him, surprised by the genuine admiration in Dunk's voice

But he shook his head

Joong:

Yeah, well, just remember everything!!

Dunk:

Got it, Joong!

Joong walks off to the kitchen, shaking his head but hiding a small smile.....