Chapter 6
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Translator: Wjin
Chapter: 006
Chapter Title: Sister
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An unbelievable day after returning to the past.
Not content with poking his nose into every corner of the set, he'd poured everything into that flashback scene and even joined the after-party wrap meal.
His body had already been exhausted.
Shin Yi-han, having poured out the scenario Innocent Boy from his head onto the page in one go, sent it off to Kwak Hoon via email and promptly passed out.
And just like that... he'd finally gotten a solid night's sleep after so long.
Shin Yi-han only cracked his eyes open around sunset.
Stretching, he glanced out the window.
The sky was already streaked with a ruddy glow.
Slept more than I thought.
He checked his phone.
Whoa. 5:13 PM.
He'd basically blacked out and slept the whole day away.
But hold on.
Why were there so many messages...
Texts: +63
Missed calls: +9
The first one that caught his eye was from Assistant Director Kwak Hoon.
- Yi-han, hey.
- What is this? What the hell is this?!
Judging by the timestamps, he'd fired these off right after reading the scenario. Oh, and he'd called a ton too.
He hadn't noticed because his phone was on vibrate. Though even if it had rung, he was sleeping so deeply he probably wouldn't have heard it.
Still, from the reaction...
- You asleep? Sleeping?
- Yi-han? No way you're just gonna send this and crash?
Looks like he loved it.
Shin Yi-han grinned.
The reactions were exactly like old times.
- Where'd you get this scenario? Huh?
- Who wrote it?! Someone from your acting academy? Or a friend? Tell me anything! I'll handle the rest, just make the intro!
So many questions.
- Anyway, this means you wanna do it with me, right? Right?
- You know that's how I see it? Huh?
- No reply in 10 seconds, and that's what I'm assuming.
- 10
- 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
- Time's up. No backing out now!
The messages came one after another every minute, ending with that "no take-backs," and an hour later...
- Let's do it.
- Let's make this. We have to.
Fast worker. He'd already started moving things along.
Exactly what Shin Yi-han had wanted.
- I showed the scenario to the CEO.
- Got the green light, so you absolutely can't bail.
See? So convenient. He wakes up, and it's basically all sorted.
- I ditched all my other scenarios to start this, so if you flake, I'm toast!
- Hit me up when you wake!
Shin Yi-han chuckled softly.
He could picture exactly how it went just from the texts.
Grabbing the CEO by the pant leg, begging to take a look at this new scenario. Brushing off whatever was planned before—who cares about that?—and pushing hard.
Just like before.
When Kwak Hoon had said he wanted Shin Yi-han as the lead, and he'd countered with his own scenario instead of acting.
Kwak Hoon had ditched his own script and plans on the spot to start fresh.
And it was the same this time.
Shin Yi-han's chest tickled with warmth.
The same path, but it felt like it would lead somewhere entirely new.
He was already excited at the thought of making a movie with Kwak Hoon again.
No, actually... at the idea of becoming the protagonist in the story he'd created himself.
Truly.
It thrilled him.
Shin Yi-han's eyes sparkled. He went to call Kwak Hoon right then.
But one message caught his eye—too nagging to ignore. Sent just five minutes ago.
- Yi-han, you free? Shooting's done, don't slack off, come shoot a drama.
Director Song Won-sik.
......?
Typos aside, fine.
A drama?
No explanation of which one or what he meant. Shin Yi-han tilted his head.
Was he recommending something?
What the heck could it be?
Shin Yi-han racked his brains, trying to recall from his past memories. What dramas were airing around now?
And right on cue.
Bzzz—bzz!
His phone buzzed first.
- Crazy Bitch
"......!"
Shin Yi-han's eyes widened. Whoa. Had he saved her like that back then?
It was his sister.
Click. Shin Yi-han answered, a bit tense.
[Whatcha doing? You home?]
Her voice was definitely younger than he remembered.
"...Huh? Yeah. Home."
His reply came a beat late.
[Perfect.]
On one hand, so familiar; on the other, it had been ages. That signature brusque tone.
The indifferent voice he hadn't heard since the burns. Echoing carelessly in his ear.
Plain old everyday talk, not a trace of worry or pity.
Felt weird.
[Got off early, I'm nearby. Come out. Let's eat. I'll buy something tasty.]
"OK. Be right down."
The call ended abruptly.
Shin Yi-han scrambled into some clothes.
The sudden, unexpected visit had him flustered.
How was she at this point in time?
Locked away in his room alone back then, all he remembered was her voice through the door.
He hadn't properly faced his family.
But now, facing her again like this.
With everything changed...
Shin Yi-han hurried out.
Normally, no way, but right now, he really missed his sister from the past.
Messages and all that could wait.
It wasn't like grabbing a quick bite would cause a disaster.
What mattered more was this touching sibling reunion.
Shin Yi-han waved from afar at his sister's figure.
He was so happy to see her.
"Sis!"
Touching sibling reunion, my ass.
"Are you insane?"
Only a cold glare came back.
"What? You're creeping me out all of a sudden. Why're you waving like that?"
"......"
Shin Yi-han was speechless at his sister recoiling like he'd overdone the enthusiasm just a bit.
...I'm the only one excited here.
But what the...
Shin Yi-han couldn't help staring at his sister's face.
More shocking than seeing Kwak Hoon.
Up close like this, she looked so young.
Just late twenties.
The sister who'd never given up on her brother to the end.
The one always by his side, holding everything together.
The one who seemed unbreakable no matter what...
Seeing her now, she looked surprisingly baby-faced.
Thinking about it, she really had been just a kid herself.
Taking care of him while she was still so young.
One screw-up of a brother had put this young sister through hell.
Shin Yi-han rubbed his face briefly.
He'd known, but facing her like this...
He was just relieved the past wouldn't repeat. All he felt was sorry toward her.
And grateful.
"Seriously, what's with you today? Staring like that."
"Just... your face looks weird, sis."
"Wanna die?"
Smack!
"Ow."
Her sharp hand made his eyes water.
"Drama queen. I went easy."
One joke, and his back's toast. Why was even this so endearing?
"No, really hurts. Feels like my spine snapped."
"Shut up."
At their sibling banter, they both snorted a laugh.
"S-So, how's work lately?"
Shin Yi-han casually probed her recent life.
Memories fuzzy, too.
Curious how she was really doing.
He vaguely recalled she'd just started at the broadcasting station around now...
As a newbie PD fresh out of training, she must be swamped.
"Why? That obvious on my face?"
Shin I-rim touched her face as she spoke.
She figured her brother kept staring 'cause her dark circles were extra bad today.
"Eh, it's killing me. Up till dawn 'cause some senior wouldn't let me go from drinks."
Washed her hair at home in the morning and straight back to work? Ugh.
Recalling today's grind, Shin I-rim groaned.
"But you got off early today?"
"Today? Yeah."
Shin I-rim answered, thinking back on the day.
"Got lucky. There was this role our team's been hunting desperately for..."
It was for the drama she'd just joined: Brilliant Sky.
The protagonist's son, Lee Ha-neul.
A key role setting the early tone.
Senior PD wanted a solid casting, so they'd been scouting everywhere.
With tons of hassle.
"Then this morning, senior says he found him."
Someone to take the role.
A total no-name rookie.
Honestly, even if he liked the guy, was it worth the fuss?
Found him! We got him! Woo-hoo!
He'd lost it in front of the writer and director.
I'll vouch for him! Stamp that Lee Ha-neul role right now!
Uh, no, PD Kim Geun-tae, we still need an audition...
I'm guaranteeing him! I'm the head PD here—cut me some slack! This kid's a goldmine. For real!
How do you guarantee a rookie with no credits...
Insisting no one else would do, hopping mad.
I'm vouching, OK? Ugh, can't just show unreleased footage. Frustrating!
We're the frustrated ones...
All over clips from an unreleased film.
Fine. Let's audition him then. Got his number? Let's see who he is.
Uh... number? Not yet.
......
He hadn't even met the actor.
Trying to cast without permission. Classic eccentric PD move.
Us junior PDs didn't even get a name.
Senior Kim Geun-tae bolted out to get the contact.
...Thanks to that, early quit today.
Shin I-rim shrugged.
"Dunno if it'll pan out, but seems like it might. That stuck role's finally getting filled."
"What role was it?"
At her brother tilting his head, Shin I-rim added.
"You know that drama I just joined? The one you skipped auditions for 'cause movies."
"Ah...?"
Shin Yi-han nodded like it rang a vague bell.
Memory hazy, but yeah.
Back then, he'd chosen movies.
As a no-name rookie, better to follow Kwak Hoon who'd spotted and cast him directly than risk high-failure auditions.
"Anyway, glad it's sorted."
And he could eat with his sister like this.
Shin Yi-han smiled, trailing off. Face looked beat, but solved is solved.
"Right? Let's get some hot soup. No time for proper hangover fix."
"What? You said tasty stuff."
"Know a killer sundae soup spot. Follow me."
Shin Yi-han laughed again at her words.
He followed obediently.
Deep down, he wanted to treat her to sundae soup or hanwoo gomtang or whatever. Just broke right now.
And as Shin Yi-han trailed his sister to the restaurant.
He realized they were near his acting academy. Where Kwak Hoon had spotted him and cast him.
Been a while.
Hadn't glanced this way since the accident...
Funny how it all felt like fond memories now.
Bustling area, tons of eateries.
"Auntie, two sundae guk please!"
Inside the sundae guk place, food came quick.
"Smells insane. Already delicious."
Gulp. Sis dove into the broth.
Shin Yi-han watched, then eyed his bowl.
Oh. Didn't realize how hungry I was.
Staring at the bubbling sundae guk made his stomach growl.
Come to think, too hyped yesterday—barely ate at the wrap party.
"Hey. You?"
Just as Shin Yi-han lifted his spoon for a bite.
"Went to that movie shoot yesterday? How's acting?"
Sis asked out of the blue.
Caught him off guard.
Shin Yi-han hesitated a sec.
"Yeah."
Then spoke from the heart.
"Love it."
A grin bloomed unbidden.
Words he'd thought he'd never say aloud in his life.
"Really?"
Her eyes widened briefly, then settled.
"Good for you. Makes me happy."
Her lips curved up.
"Eat before it cools."
"Yeah."
"Quit grinning like an idiot."
Affection seeped through the grumbling.
The sundae guk was killer.
True hidden gem. They scraped the hot pots clean.
Stomach warm, heart melting too.
But uh...
He glanced up suddenly.
Through the wide restaurant window, a familiar face.
Huh?
Assistant Director Kwak Hoon.
No idea why he was wandering there, but Kwak Hoon strolled the street.
Like a dog desperate for a dump, sniffing for something.
Their eyes met.
"......!"
Kwak Hoon spotted Shin Yi-han and leaped.
Bolting for the restaurant.
But this left Shin Yi-han flustered instead.
Uh... hmm.
Didn't see this coming.
He flinched.
Kwak Hoon closing in, and right across from him—sis.
How to handle his totally different-from-past sis meeting Kwak Hoon? No clue.
Sh-Should they meet like this?
Her post-work grimy self and that unshaven Kwak Hoon?
Had to think.
Kwak Hoon wasn't just a bro to him.
Precisely.
He was his future brother-in-law.
"Yi-han?"
No time to ponder.
Kwak Hoon was already inside, nearing the table. Sprinting full tilt.
And then.
Sis and future bro-in-law both in view. Eyes darted back and forth.
His still-so-young sis.
And mid-thirties Kwak Hoon.
Hold up.
My sister and that old guy got married...
What.
Thinking now, this...
Isn't he just a total thief?
This encounter felt glad and awkward at once.