Chapter 7: Actor's Face
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 7: Actor's Face
In the hierarchy of shitty college experiences, group projects sit near the top, but this one was being resolved much more easily than expected.
That alone was cause for celebration. I felt like I should offer a prayer of thanks to our self-proclaimed dictator and leader, Senior Min Ju-hee.
Usually, group projects start with a tense standoff over who has to be the leader—there are plenty of videos about it on Neutube.
I was lucky. I’d met a good senior.
If I ended up getting a good grade, I’d have to buy her a coffee or something.
But then there was this girl. Why was she like this?
The group project was sorted, and Senior Min Ju-hee seemed reliable and competent. Everything was going fine.
I had a cluster of lectures in the afternoon. On my way to the next classroom, I ordered a coffee at the campus cafe and finally replied to the inquiry from Seo Ye-rin that I’d been ignoring.
I suspected Seo Ye-rin used these outbursts as a way to vent her stress.
The problem was, I couldn't fathom what could have possibly stressed her out today.
Usually, she replied within three seconds, but this time it was taking a while. I wondered if she’d walked into another lecture.
The reply came back quickly after all.
Wait, did something stressful happen?
As I stood waiting for my coffee, trying to piece it together, a couple of familiar faces walked in.
They were members of the group I was making the movie with.
Kang Han-gang and Seo Ye-rin.
Seo Ye-rin?
She was just sending me inquiries a second ago. Now I knew why her replies were occasionally delayed.
“Ye-rin, do you want to go to that pub, Banjupocha, in front of the school tonight? The atmosphere there is pretty nice.”
“Ah, I’m not feeling great today, so I think I’ll just head home and rest. Ask me next time.”
After she replied, she quickly checked her phone, and the corners of her mouth twitched upward.
At that exact moment, a reply popped up on my screen.
Then who is this person I’m looking at right now?
There she was, wearing an awkward smile, unable to even shake off Senior Han-gang as she continued to listen to him drone on.
The two of them naturally walked toward the counter and ran right into me while I was waiting for my coffee.
“Oh, uh…”
Senior Han-gang locked eyes with me and started to say something, but trailed off.
Seo Ye-rin stepped past the stuttering, pointing senior and came up to me.
“Are you here for coffee too?”
“I’m not staying. Just grabbing one on the way to my next class.”
“Ah! Right! Woo-jin! It’s Woo-jin, right? Lee Woo-jin!”
I wondered what he was struggling with; he’d forgotten my name. Well, it happens. I should have had an easy name to remember, like Han-gang.
Something like Baek-du-san would have been good.
“It’s Kim Woo-jin, Senior.”
When Seo Ye-rin corrected him, he apologized profusely.
“Ah, sorry. Kim Woo-jin. I’ve got it now. I won’t get it wrong again.”
“We only met today. It’s easy to forget.”
Just then, my coffee was called, so I went to pick it up.
Naturally, Seo Ye-rin and Senior Han-gang moved to the counter to order, and our paths crossed again.
Seo Ye-rin, whose kindness toward others seemed ingrained in her bones, went out of her way to speak to me again.
“What class are you heading to?”
“Basic Japanese Conversation.”
It was an elective. I’d signed up thinking it might be useful to understand a little if I ever traveled to Japan.
But her response was unexpected.
“Oh? I’m heading to that one right now, too.”
“Really?”
“That’s perfect. I always get the classrooms mixed up. Let’s go together.”
“…”
I stole a glance at Senior Han-gang. He was wearing a pleasant smile, but he clearly wasn't thrilled about me suddenly intruding.
Ugh, what a pain.
I’d already dealt with Ahn Hyun-ho’s weird misunderstandings because of Choi I-seo; now I had to deal with a senior I barely knew getting the wrong idea because of Seo Ye-rin.
“Sure. I’ll wait outside.”
Then again, it wasn't like I needed to walk on eggshells. It wasn't as if I actually had any interest in Seo Ye-rin.
I waited outside the cafe, and a moment later, Seo Ye-rin emerged with a coffee in her hand.
Senior Han-gang didn't come out with her.
“Senior said his club room is in this building, so he went there. Let’s go.”
Perhaps she’d found Senior Han-gang burdensome, because her vibe was much lighter now, a faint smile playing on her lips.
She kept checking her phone as we walked…
Is she waiting for a reply?
I remembered I hadn't replied to Anonymous 69. A part of me wondered how she’d react if she found out I was the Manager, but I didn't have a hobby of intentionally humiliating people.
“It’s such a relief that Senior Ju-hee is the leader this time, isn’t it?”
Her "good girl" persona was on full display here, too.
I would have been fine walking in silence, but Seo Ye-rin effortlessly brought up a common topic.
“Yeah. I was impressed by how reliable she seemed.”
“Right? You looked really happy earlier. I even saw you about to clap.”
“…You saw that?”
“It was funny.”
She giggled, and she really was beautiful when she did. The phrase "the face of an actress" truly suited her.
“Senior Ju-hee will probably put you on editing duty, though.”
“Well, it’s just a matter of stitching clips together. I figured you’d be one of the actors.”
When I said that, Seo Ye-rin’s expression darkened slightly. She reflexively checked her phone, and for some reason, it looked a bit pitiful.
Naturally, her screen remained black. No reply had come.
“Right? I guess so.”
Her tone was subtle.
She seemed to have taken offense at the suggestion that she should be an actor.
“Yeah, you definitely have to be an actor.”
Sorry, but it wasn't my problem.
With that face and that hidden personality, what else would she do if not act?
“I think you’d be perfect for a certain kind of role…”
“…Like a tragic lover? Or a classic female lead?”
“A crazy bitch?”
“What?”
Seo Ye-rin stopped in her tracks and glared at me. Realizing I’d misspoken, I hurriedly waved my hands to explain.
“No, no. Sorry. I phrased that wrong. I meant like a role with some madness to it. Like Harley Quinn or Jinx.”
Think about it. The fact that Seo Ye-rin and Anonymous 69 were the same person was basically the pinnacle of method acting.
In my opinion, if she took on the role of a total psycho, she’d nail it perfectly.
“…Really?”
Seo Ye-rin stared at me blankly. However, the tension seemed to dissipate.
In fact, the corners of her mouth began to curl up slowly, as if she were strangely pleased.
“Yeah, for some reason, I think you’d suit that kind of thing. And you know, 'crazy girl' characters are only charming if they’re pretty. You’re a perfect fit.”
“Pfft, is that a compliment?”
“It’s the highest praise.”
You wouldn't even have to act; you could just show your true nature.
She should thank her parents every day for giving her a face like that to hide her Anonymous 69 soul.
“I think you’d be great at roles that involve a lot of sex jokes, too.”
It was an unnecessary addition, but I was speaking my mind. Having been harassed by Anonymous 69, I wanted to be a little mischievous.
“Sex jokes?”
Seo Ye-rin laughed brightly, as if she found the idea hilarious.
“I don’t even know how to do stuff like that.”
“Bull—”
I almost blurted out "Bullshit."
Honestly, for a split second, I felt the urge to show her I was the Bamboo Forest Manager, but I gripped my coffee cup and held it in.
I was proud of myself.
“Bull?”
Seo Ye-rin tilted her head, repeating the syllable. I forced a smile and finished the thought.
“Believe… me, you can just start learning now, right? I’m sure you’ll be great at it. You have talent.”
“Hehe, you think so?”
Your talent bloomed a long time ago.
It was supposed to be a shy smile, but to me, it felt like a martial arts master hiding their power while mocking an amateur.
“Just don’t try too hard.”
Because you’re already doing too much.
“Why would I need to 'try' at something like that, silly?”
Seo Ye-rin laughed and gave my shoulder a playful nudge. The casual physical contact made it feel like we’d become somewhat close, but I wasn't sure if that was actually a good thing.
Damn.
Speaking my mind had accidentally hit a chord with her, and now we were getting closer.
Naturally, once we reached the classroom, we ended up sitting next to each other.
“By the way, I didn't know you knew who Jinx was. Do you play LOF?”
As I finished my coffee and started crunching on the ice, Seo Ye-rin asked tentatively.
Judging by the question, it seemed she played LOF herself.
That’s actually surprising.
She didn't look like the type to play games at all.
Then again, did the girl sitting next to me with wide, innocent eyes look like the type to fire off non-stop sex jokes every three seconds?
Of course not.
You really can't judge people by their faces.
“I do.”
“Really? What’s your tier? I’m Bronze 4.”
Ah, I see.
I gave her a bright smile.
“Actually, I don’t.”
Knowing her personality, she’d probably ask to duo out of politeness, so I shut it down firmly.
“…”
Thwack!
Seo Ye-rin puffed out her cheeks and hit my shoulder for no reason.
“M-my actual skill level is Silver!”
“If you’re Bronze 4, your actual skill level is probably Iron.”
“Are you a 'T' or something?!”