Chapter 18
Chapter 18
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 18
Chapter Title: Is That Asking for More?
-----------------------------------------------------------------
“I should get some sleep, but I can’t. I barely slept last night because I was practicing choreography.”
It was impressive that she was holding out without even eating. I didn’t want to disturb her rest.
“Get some sleep.”
“Yeah. I’ll force my eyes shut.”
I stood up from my seat. As I returned to my original spot, the manager asked.
“How’s Yumi?”
“She’s asleep.”
“Tsk tsk. She won’t sleep well. One of the things she got from that accident was insomnia.”
I looked toward where she was. The road manager was handing her a pillow.
‘Honestly, it’s pitiful.’
Even in that wrecked state, she was pushing through so the shoot wouldn’t be affected. As expected of Korea’s top female singer—something was different about her.
I picked up my smartphone.
‘I never thought I’d use this for someone else…’
[Cheat Mode 1/3]
[Singer Yumi’s insomnia changed to always deep sleep.]
[Changed.]
[Side effect: Eyes will itch for 1 minute as a penalty.]
[Cheat Mode 2/3]
A laugh burst out of me for a moment.
‘Recovery’s still stingy as ever.’
Soon, my eyes started itching. I crossed my arms to resist scratching.
‘Well, good is good.’
If Yumi got even a little sleep and recovered, the shoot would go smoothly.
Soon, I heard that the lighting was fixed. A few staff climbed ladders and rehung the lights.
I rested my chin on my hand and watched the scene.
“Aren’t you gonna eat?”
“Oh, right, I should.”
I quickly opened the lid. Was it because the lunchbox had gone cold? Or because someone nearby was starving? It tasted awful for some reason.
***
The shoot resumed. I climbed onto the set in my changed outfit. Yumi was getting her makeup touched up while joking with the director.
“Yumi, you look in good condition?”
“Yeah. I took a short nap, but it was so deep. And I had a nice dream too.”
“Oh, does that mean this song’s gonna be a huge hit?”
“You think so?”
The director pointed at me with his finger.
“This kid’s better than I expected. Honestly, I was surprised.”
“Director, he says he’s never done any child acting.”
“Impressive. He seemed so natural.”
I smiled brightly and said.
“Some people are just good from the start.”
Knowing it was a joke, they finally looked at each other and laughed.
“It’s a relief. Yumi’s in better shape. I was worried.”
“What’s there to worry about? Have you ever seen me mess up a shoot because of my condition? You too, Director~”
The stylist noona came over and tugged my pants taut.
“The kid’s legs are so long, the pants are a bit short.”
“Ah, it’s fine. Only the upper body shows on screen.”
“Yeah. No need to fix it, Noona.”
The stylist nodded as if she got it. I quietly recalled the scene I had to shoot.
“It’s the part where she takes care of me after I collapse.”
“That’s right.”
“I just have to close my eyes.”
Yumi, in good condition, looked three times brighter than before.
“Leave it to me.”
“Please take care of it.”
Soon, the standby call came.
I lay on the bed and looked at Yumi.
“Cue!”
At the sharp clap, I pressed my ear to her chest. Then I grabbed her hair in my hand and smiled as if delighted.
The script board ended right there. But the director’s cut didn’t come.
‘Is that asking for more?’
If so, I’d make it cool.
I lifted my head and kissed Yumi’s hair. Then, as if gazing at the most lovable thing in the world, I gently caressed her cheek.
“Cut!”
Only then did the end signal come. I ran over to check the footage of my scene.
“Will you look at this guy.”
The director stroked his chin and grinned.
“I figured you might go further just in case, and damn, it worked?”
I shrugged.
“Cha Dowon, right? Same agency as Yumi?”
The manager jumped in as if he’d been waiting.
“Yes. Our Dowon—no, Cha Dowon is a trainee at Friends Entertainment. The kid’s very diligent and quick on the uptake.”
If you’re gonna promote, do it right. Diligent and quick-witted? Isn’t that a contradiction?
“Want my contact for next time?”
“Hic?”
The manager’s back straightened ramrod straight. Wait, why’s he the one surprised?
“Please give it to me. I’m a trainee, so I’ve got time.”
“When do you debut?”
“Not sure yet.”
“I like how sharp you are. The cockiness is a flaw, though.”
“Thank you.”
“That includes the shamelessness.”
But the director saying that didn’t look offended.
“Thanks to you, it’s intense enough to stick in memory.”
“It’s an honor.”
“You cocky, shameless punk, next scene’s hand shots. You can handle it, right?”
“Of course.”
That wrapped my scenes. Yumi had more shooting, but I could head back to the dorm now.
“Kid, you know we’ve been shooting for 20 hours?”
That long already?
‘I didn’t realize.’
Maybe because it was completely cut off from the outside.
“You look fresh as hell.”
“I’ve got good stamina.”
“You’re at that age where you could chew iron. Ambitious—no, our Dowon works out hard usually too.”
Truly, half-hearted promotion was worse than none.
“You like shooting, huh?”
I smiled and said.
“Busted.”
“Fifteen and acting like an old soul. Get lost! Back to your spot.”
I gave a slight bow and returned to position. Soon, the camera angled toward the hands.
Yumi said.
“You’re just background, right? My hand twitching?”
“Yeah.”
“If your lover’s hand moves after waiting decades to save you, what do you do?”
I stared straight at Yumi. She’d softened up nicely, blinking her pretty eyes.
“Grab it.”
“How?”
“Tightly, with all my strength.”
Yumi smiled brightly and said.
“Do it.”
“Can I?”
“I know the director’s style. He probably won’t cut.”
This was good for me. More footage in an impressive scene was better.
“As you command.”
“Do your best.”
The standby call came again.
At the cue, her hand twitched. I made my arm tremble a bit, then slowly grasped Yumi’s hand.
As she predicted, no cut.
I held her hand. Her slender fingers pressed into my palm.
‘If the lover you loved finally wakes…’
I slowly intertwined our fingers. Yumi’s body heat transferred fully. Her captured hand moved again.
After a long while, the cut came.
I turned to the director right away. He adjusted his cap and said.
“Not bad?”
I expected criticism, but he laughed cheerfully.
“Yumi, your order?”
Yumi stood from the set and said.
“I told him to try it once.”
“It’s fine. Hits much harder.”
“The slight tremble in my hand at the end was good too, right?”
“Yeah.”
I walked with Yumi to check the scene. It definitely looked more heartfelt.
“Kinda gives off a steamy vibe?”
“Yeah. No skin showing, and it’s like this.”
The director grinned and said.
“The feeling’s there! This MV’s gonna be legendary!”
“Wow! Director, you’re overhyping!”
Yumi and the director laughed together amiably.
‘I felt it earlier, but is this their usual vibe?’
Then, the director looked at me.
“Good job.”
Well, I did well.
“Thanks to your great directing. Thank you for not cutting.”
“Heading out now? See ya.”
“Yes. Thank you for your hard work.”
I bowed and straightened. The director waved me off.
“Good work, Dowon.”
“Yeah. I’ll say goodbye.”
I greeted everyone from the camera crew to the lighting staff one by one. They all praised me for doing well. After thanking the hardworking stylist noona last, she even gave me candy, saying to eat if I got hungry.
By then, it was pitch black outside. I got in the sedan and let out a deep breath.
My shoot was done.
“Tired?”
The manager looked back from the driver’s seat. I shook my head.
“I could do more, but no scenes left. Kinda disappointing.”
“Stamina for days!”
“Manager, you sure you can drive? It’s night.”
“Don’t underestimate my 20 years accident-free!”
I chuckled. Soon, the car smoothly pulled out.
“Sleep if you’re tired. Takes a while to get there.”
“You not tired, Manager?”
“Hey, kid. Know how many years I’ve got under my belt?”
The manager turned the wheel slightly and said.
“You slept before your shoot.”
Oh. That’s what he meant. Come to think of it, he ate early too.
‘Yeah, these folks can’t rest when the celebrity rests.’
No choice if they want to maintain stamina.
“How was the shoot?”
“Fun.”
Fun enough to wonder if I could do this forever.
“I could see your passion boiling.”
“Really?”
“Watching you feels like discovering a future legend in real time.”
What’s that mean?
“Like experiencing someone who’ll be an entertainment legend for the next 20 years, live.”
Aha.
“I’ll live up to the expectations.”
“Not backing down a bit. Tough one.”
I shrugged. The car with headlights on weaved smoothly through the quiet roads.
“Manager. About Yumi. She disbanded her group after the car accident, right?”
The manager maneuvered the wheel and said.
“Yeah. Two members couldn’t handle the trauma. The company tried to keep it going, but with the fandom and all, no dice.”
“Does losing members hit that hard? Even if they’re not popular ones?”
“Of course it does.”
The car merged onto a four-lane road.
“Fans love the chemistry between members too.”
Got it.
‘Sounds like managing members well is key.’
Zenith, who were doing great, ultimately fell because of that. Of course, the members who left didn’t succeed later. Underestimating Kang Minje’s role and the agency’s planning.
‘I need to remember that.’
Come to think of it, when did Zenith debut?
‘A year from now?’
I narrowed my eyes. If debut’s in a year, the lineup’s probably set at least six months prior.
‘I gotta get into the debut group somehow, fast.’
Monthly evaluation in two weeks. I checked my abilities.
‘Singing’s the issue.’
How do vocal skills level up? Only cheats? How does C become B?
I pulled out my smartphone from my pocket and tested it.
[Cheat Mode 2/3]
[Cha Dowon Eye for Detail]
[C. Change?]
[Change to B Rank]
‘It’ll say impossible in current body state, right?’
I used it on impulse, no real expectations. But the text appeared slowly.
[Changed.]
[Side effect: Blind for 1 hour.]
[Cheat Mode 3/3]
“Hah…”
I covered my mouth with my hand. A weird mix of laugh and awe swirled and faded.
‘It didn’t work two days ago.’
So why now?
A clue flashed in my mind.
“Experience?”
The only difference was experience. As I looked at the smartphone again, my vision went black as if waiting.
‘Ah, side effect…’
Too focused on the change, I missed it. I closed my eyes completely. Now I kinda got it.
‘Experience changes things.’
Amazing. Does it apply to vocals too?
‘Guess I’ll try.’
The more I knew, the stingier yet bolder it was. I pocketed the smartphone. A strange laugh leaked out.
“Experience? What experience?”
Ears sharp too. When’d he hear?
“Oh, just seems experience matters.”
“Yeah, it does. On that note, no matter how busy, finish high school. Skipping school to be an idol will bite you later.”
“I’ll discuss with Noona.”
I leaned my head against the back seat.
“I’ll sleep a bit.”
“Okay.”
Vision gone, but no fear. Might as well sleep properly now.
The boiling excitement cooled. I thought I wouldn’t sleep, but drowsiness hit instantly.
When I opened my eyes again, we were already at the dorm. My vision was back to normal, of course.