농담인 척
Ep. 3

Warmed Ahead

2026-06-10

Cast: 태훈

A warmth that arrived before he did.Warmed Ahead #2…So warm.It's just someone being kind. So why can't I let go?Heavy even before it's spread open.Warmed Ahead #6Drink it before it gets cold. Or I'll have to finish it all myself again.The exact same way he talks.Written… erased marks.…Should I even be reading this.My breath stopped before my mind did.This is as far as I go. I won't tear open the door he shut.Just one… and it's already inside me.…nothing.They were just here. They slipped away to avoid me.Move it, move it — all you hungry people, outta the way! Today's lunch? I got it covered — every single bite!Warmed Ahead #17Warmed Ahead #18You read it?Just 1 second. The one caught — and a face that couldn't hide it.Hey! You — tech docs team! You kept your promise and warmed it up, right? Huh?See? I always follow through. Well? Impressed? That's how the real world works — give and—I deleted it.What? Under the joke. What you typed and deleted.There was a line here. I erased it… but the mark's still there.…I wish I'd never read it.It was just the pen slipping. No big deal. Hey, your soup's getting cold. Just eat.I didn't read all of it. I stopped at 'you.' Everything after that — I didn't look. On purpose.That... ...What did I just do.It's fine. Seriously, it was nothing. I need to eat this quick and get back to the site—Don't go.That line— I'll never read it. Not ever. But don't you dare run.Warmed Ahead #33…Why do you. Why do you keep looking… at the places I'm trying to hide.I don't look at others. I live this way because I like it. When I smile, everyone smiles back. But no one ever sees what's inside me.But you always look. Before I smile. You catch that split second first. Yesterday, when our eyes met— I forgot to smile.That's why I was scared.I wanted to seem perfect. Especially to you. Playing it cool, acting like everything's fine, like I don't give a damn. I had to.I thought... that was the only way you'd stay.My mind, my fingertips — everything just stopped.Seeing me like this—weak, scared, hands shaking over nothing— I was afraid you'd be disappointed. So I laughed even louder.But it didn't work. Nothing works on you. Not a single thing.Once you erase it, hold the mark up to the light. God, you… you really have a gift for driving me insane.Who said I'm leaving. I'm not here for your jokes.I saw the cold coffee. I saw where you said you were shaking. The thing you want to hide most— that's what brought me here.…I can't… do this....Then you make me want to show you everything. Every weak, fragile part of me.Warmed Ahead #48This. Got it my first year on site. Hand got caught in a roller.I was so scared back then… couldn't even scream from the pain. Just smiled through it. I think that's when it started. Smiling whenever I'm scared.When you don't hide it… I can see you all the better.Warmed Ahead #52Warmer than coffee.I won't smile for you.If I'm scared, I'll say I'm scared. If it hurts, I'll say it hurts. Only to you. That one line I wrote and erased in that note— I—Taehun, Line 3 calling. Do you copy?…Yeah, I hear you. One minute. Just one more minute. I have to go. But this time I'm not running. I promise.Tonight. Let's finish this—just the two of us. Not at a restaurant. That one line, I'll say it myself. Not the one I deleted. The real one.Drink it before it gets cold. I actually warmed it up this time. If it goes cold… there won't be anyone beside me to drink it anyway.Warmed Ahead #60Still warm. I held it cupped in both hands all through lunch.I decided not to read it all the way through. For that one sentence he'd tell me himself, tonight.The afternoon drifted by in a strange haze.I won't smile for you. Those words just keep rewinding in my head.Don't come through the main gate. Use the path around back, behind the supply warehouse. I'll head over first and wait. …This time I'll make sure things don't go cold before you get there.Typed a reply. Deleted it. Typed again. Deleted it again. …Yeah.The quietest corner of the factory....You came.I come here alone sometimes. When smiling is too hard. I stay a while... then put my face back on and head back in.You're the first person I've ever brought here.I was worried you'd take back what you said at lunch. I won't. That's why I came somewhere we can't make excuses.This time, I didn't delete it.