Fifth Vital [EN]: Chapter 345

346. Motorcycle Maniac

“A favor?”

“Yes, I really hope the Director will grant it.”

“You sound serious, which makes me a little nervous. What is it? Are you not feeling well?”

When the writer opened the door and came in, Tae-kyung didn’t detect any Fifth Vital scent [a hypothetical scent indicating illness, based on traditional medicine], but he still asked.

It was something he often thought about, that some people might not emit the Fifth Vital scent even when they’re sick. That’s why he always paid close attention to the patient’s examination and symptoms.

“Besides the usual occupational hazards like a bad back, neck, and wrists, I’m thankfully healthy otherwise.”

“Working in the same position for long periods puts a lot of strain on the body, so make sure to stretch and exercise, even if you’re short on time.”

“I should, but once I get focused, it’s hard to get my butt off the chair. Look at me, I came to ask a favor and I’m already hanging on your every word, Director.”

“Tell me what the favor is.”

“Director, do you happen to know that my drama is doing well in the ratings these days?”

“I’ve heard the staff mention that your drama is popular.”

“It’s number one in its time slot.”

“Really? Congratulations. That’s amazing.”

“I was lucky to meet a great production team. Have you ever watched it?”

“I’m sorry. I don’t watch TV much, so I don’t really know.”

“I had a feeling. The reason I brought up the drama is because I’d like you to make a cameo appearance in the final episode.”

“Excuse me? A cameo in your drama?”

Tae-kyung, who had been expecting a request for medical consultation at most, was at a loss for words at the absurd suggestion.

“Did I hear you wrong?”

“No, you heard me perfectly.”

“Why would I be in a drama?”

“Oh, you have the looks for it. And it’s not as difficult or demanding as you might think.”

The writer’s current drama was about the work and love lives of a female doctor and a male prosecutor.

A key feature of the drama was its detailed portrayal of the daily lives of doctors and prosecutors, and the cameo appearances of popular actors and celebrities in each episode were also a hot topic.

“It’s just one line and one scene. You’d play the director of the hospital where the female lead starts working. And I’d like to film at our hospital… Of course, we’d do it without inconveniencing the patients, just using the hospital building and the street near the main entrance. That’s why I came to see you today.”

Unlike the writer, who was explaining everything in detail and with great sincerity, Tae-kyung wasn’t paying much attention.

“I appreciate the offer, Writer, but I’ll have to decline. I don’t have any talent for that sort of thing, and I don’t have enough time outside of my hospital work.”

“Of course. I know how much you care about your patients, Director. But you must have some free time during the day. We’ll film quickly so as not to disturb you.”

“Still, I don’t think a cameo is possible.”

“It would definitely benefit the hospital. When university hospitals film dramas, they don’t object because it helps with publicity.”

“I’m a doctor, not an actor.”

“That’s why I’m offering you the role. A few episodes ago, a real-life prosecutor made a cameo appearance. The response was great.”

“Writer, I…”

“Okay, I understand for today. I’ll be going now.”

*Thump*-

As Tae-kyung was about to refuse again, the writer spoke quickly and got up from her seat.

“We still have plenty of time to film the final episode of our drama. Please think about it until then. I’ll be going now.”

“Yes, be careful, and please find someone else for the cameo.”

“That won’t do. You’re my and the director’s top pick, no matter what. I’ll come again. Goodbye.”

After a quick goodbye, the writer left the hospital, telling Chief Choi and Nurse Lim Jeong-suk to persuade Tae-kyung.

* * *

Apartment-

“Alright! That’s it for today’s unboxing of the limited edition Nike Tom Sachs Ma**rd [a type of limited-edition shoe]. Stay tuned for the awesome video that follows right after. See you next time! Bye!”

“Okay. Pressed end.”

In an apartment near a university, two young men who looked like college students were filming something.

“How was it? Did it come out well?”

“Damn, you’re different as an influencer. You’re so good at being cheesy in front of the camera. Hehe.”

“Gotta make a living!”

“Hey, Sae-chan? How did you get these sneakers?”

“I’ve been asking a seller overseas that I always buy from for months.”

“Crazy, are these real? I saw them going for over nine million won [approximately $6,700 USD] last time…”

“Of course, they’re real. Your boy’s not an influencer for nothing. I got ads, man. Ads!”

Gong Sae-chan is a popular MZ generation [Millennials and Generation Z] influencer with a significant number of followers on Instagram.

“Yeah, if you’re getting paid from Instagram, YouTube, and ads, you must be making a lot of money, huh?”

“I just started YouTube, so the revenue isn’t that big yet. Hey, Geun-ho, wanna go downstairs and check out my baby?”

“What! It came today?”

“Yeah. Before you got here.”

“Oh ho! Then I gotta see it.”

Gong Sae-chan went down to the apartment parking lot with his friend.

“Holy crap~! You finally got a new one?”

“Your boy splurged and got a third one.”

“Even tuned it up?”

“Of course. Gave it a nice makeover. What do you think?”

“Damn, that’s crazy.”

What his friend couldn’t take his eyes off, snapping pictures and envying, was a motorcycle.

He loved fashion and motorcycles, and he was crazy about anything that had to do with style and speed.

He spent the money he earned as an influencer on clothes and motorcycles.

In particular, he would tune up motorcycles, ride them for a while, and then sell them for a profit to buy better models.

“What do you think? Pretty, isn’t it?”

“Honestly, it’s awesome. Really cool. But Sae-chan, you’re really something.”

“Suddenly?”

“No, honestly, if it were me, I’d be too scared to ride a motorcycle after what happened, but it’s amazing that you still like them so much.”

Gong Sae-chan, who had gotten a taste of motorcycles when a neighborhood older brother gave him a ride in middle school, had been a motorcycle maniac ever since.

In high school, he even bought his first motorcycle with money he earned from part-time jobs. But his parents found out and confiscated the motorcycle.

After that, he secretly stole the keys and had an accident, injuring his leg. He was scolded by his parents again and didn’t ride a motorcycle until he recovered.

But after he recovered, Gong Sae-chan rode a motorcycle again and had another accident a year later, injuring his arm.

He had several accidents like that during his three years of high school.

Fortunately, none of them were major accidents, but his parents were very angry and made him dispose of the motorcycle and sign a written oath that he would never ride one again.

“You still like motorcycles enough to ride them even after all those accidents?”

“Don’t people who have traffic accidents still drive?”

“Bullshit! That’s a load of crap. By the way, your parents still don’t know, do they?”

“Of course not. If I get caught this time, my dad might actually kill me, no joke. You know my dad’s personality.”

“And you still do this knowing your dad’s personality?”

Gong Sae-chan, who chose studying as a way to receive less attention from his parents and be more free, entered university and got his own place.

After that, he took a year off from school and invested the money he earned from part-time jobs and the allowance his parents gave him in fashion and motorcycles, becoming an influencer.

His parents still didn’t know about their son’s life.

“Seeing you still doing this when your dad is so scary, you still have a long way to go before you grow up.”

“If you’re jealous, just say so.”

“I hate dangerous things, so I’m happy as I am. And Sae-chan, stop uploading dangerous videos of you riding your motorcycle.”

“It’s not dangerous. It’s just a video of me riding a motorcycle in sneakers, what’s dangerous about that?”

“You drive fast at night when there are no cars. You always have to be careful with motorcycles. Min-gu had a motorcycle accident and went through hell for a while and never rode one again.”

“Damn, you nag a lot.”

“I only said it once. But have you still not been caught with your tattoos?”

“Not yet.”

Gong Sae-chan, who started getting tattoos after he turned 20, had quite a few on his body.

“I wear clothes that cover them up when I go home. I’m thinking of getting another lettering tattoo near my Adam’s apple this winter.”

“It’s your body, so I can’t tell you what to do, but I hope you don’t get any more.”

His friend was happy to see Gong Sae-chan’s success, but he didn’t like the way he was changing for the worse.

“Do everything in moderation. Anything in excess looks bad.”

“Alright, I get it. You’re giving me a headache with your nagging.”

“Seeing you like this makes me frustrated. Oh, right! You’re going back to school next semester, right? You have to.”

“No, I’m thinking of dropping out.”

“What!? Why?”

“I don’t want to study, and I’m thinking of expanding what I’m doing now.”

“You crazy bastard, you still have to graduate. Your popularity isn’t going to last forever. It’s all temporary.”

“Are you a nagging bot? Stop it and get on. Let’s go for a test drive.”

Gong Sae-chan said, twirling the motorcycle key on his index finger.

“No thanks. I have to do a TOEIC [Test of English for International Communication] study session with my girlfriend via video call later.”

“Bullshit. What kind of studying do you do with your girlfriend?”

“We do. Very hard. If I want to get a job, I have to work hard from now on.”

“Alright, alright. You cherish your girlfriend. Then I’m going for a test drive.”

“Hey, at this hour? It’s too late, go tomorrow.”

“I always go at this hour. There are no cars on the road and it’s easy to film. Don’t worry. Your boy’s a pro.”

“Still, always be careful.”

“I don’t get hurt. I’ve never been seriously injured in an accident before.”

“Stop tempting fate.”

“That means the motorcycle and I are meant to be.”

“Stop talking nonsense and wear your helmet and be careful, and be careful. Don’t run red lights just because there are no cars. Don’t speed. Okay?”

“Yeah, I know. Let’s get something good to eat this weekend. My treat.”

“That’s a deal! I’m off.”

After parting ways with his friend, Gong Sae-chan finished setting up the camera on his new motorcycle.

One in the front to show his face, one on the footrest to show his sneakers, and one on each side of the motorcycle.

It was to upload a nicely edited video of him wearing well-dressed clothes and expensive sneakers while riding his motorcycle.

Then the views would be pretty good. The number of foreign subscribers was increasing day by day, so it was fun to film.

-I wasn’t that interested in motorcycles, but seeing you ride makes me want to ride one too.

-Looking at your clothes, motorcycle tuning, and editing, this guy has amazing sense.

Moreover, every time he saw the comments people left, he felt like he had become someone great.

Gong Sae-chan thought there was no easier job than this, since he could make money while riding his favorite motorcycle.

“Alright! Shall we get started?”

Gong Sae-chan, wearing a helmet, started the motorcycle and drove out of the alley.

Vroom-

“That’s it!!!”

The motorcycle that came out of the alley quickly entered the road. There weren’t many cars on the road because it was late.

“Guys, I’m out riding with my new baby and awesome shoes, and it feels great. I’ll film a good video and upload it. This feels amazing.”

Gong Sae-chan, who liked his new motorcycle, was feeling the thrill of the increasing speed.

The speed kept increasing and the traffic light had turned red, but the motorcycle didn’t stop and kept going.

“Ah! It was a red light.”

Gong Sae-chan’s motorcycle was still running at high speed, and even though the next signal had just changed, he had no intention of stopping on the quiet road.

At that moment, as he was passing through the intersection, ignoring the signal,

Bang-

Gong Sae-chan’s motorcycle collided with a car that was entering after seeing the changed signal.

Screech-

The motorcycle, which had been running at a tremendous speed, slid across the asphalt road with a loud crash.

Gong Sae-chan, who had been thrown off the motorcycle, flew through the air and fell to the ground.

Thud-

“H-hey? Are you okay!”

The driver, who was driving while obeying the traffic signals, got out of the car with a surprised look on his face and approached Gong Sae-chan.