Chapter 191
Chapter 191
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 191
Chapter Title: It's the Climax, Of Course I Memorized It
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"If someone else said that, I'd think it was weird, but since it's you, Cha Dowon..."
The director thumped his chest with his fist.
"I really want to do well."
Then I'll just do well. No, I have to. Director.
*Every time I half-ass it, my jawline gets longer.*
With cheats, no less. Plus, it was a crucial time for Zenith right now.
*Though, is there ever a time that's not crucial...?*
I bowed to the director and turned around. Spotting Manager Han approaching, I touched the corner of my mouth.
I'd been slacking lately.
*Executive Director Joo said to show an awkward, honest side.*
But would that really work? Would clumsiness actually boost ratings?
*Whatever, it doesn't matter.*
I need to climb higher. The road ahead is so long and rough.
My mind sharpened. I grinned, flashing a toothy smile. Getting loose like that wasn't like me.
"I need to reflect on this."
I said to Manager Han.
"I've been terribly lazy lately."
"Pardon?"
"I've been resting on my laurels as a trendsetter. But that's not the issue."
Manager Han's eyes widened. Why is he so surprised?
"You're not satisfied even as a trendsetter?"
"How could I be satisfied with that?"
"W-What do you want, Dowon?"
"Hmm."
I took his bag for him as I replied.
"An idol who could even stop wars?"
Manager Han suddenly staggered like a threadbare rag.
"Pardon?"
"Why not? Dreams should be big."
Manager Han pushed his glasses back with a trembling hand.
"R-Right."
Huh.
*That was a joke...*
Why did he take it seriously?
"I'll work hard too."
How?
*He actually believes it?*
As I opened my mouth to say something, Manager Han muttered.
"This isn't the time to slack. I need to brush up on my English and Japanese. Oh, and modify that electric shock device a bit."
The front part, fine. But the back?
*Isn't modifying it illegally?*
Unaware of my thoughts, Manager Han kept muttering as he walked ahead. But his direction was off.
*Oops.*
I grabbed his shoulder and turned him around. Luckily, he listened.
"Modify it to a moderate voltage—not just a sting, but a slight prick..."
If he gets caught like this, he's done for.
I shook my head. That electric shock thing—I've got to make sure it never gets used, no matter what.
***
Drama filming felt like being chased right up to the end.
*I didn't realize in Flower's Choice because I was a child actor...*
Is drama always like this? The whole crew was exhausted.
*Everyone except one.*
I glanced at Senior Jeremy. At first, he'd been glaring without even blinking, like his eyes didn't hurt. But lately, he was busy on calls.
*Is he dating?*
Isn't he still an idol? Can he be that blatant?
*Not my business, though.*
Reporters, over here.
*But would VIP's dating scandal even be news at this point?*
It'd just make their fans a bit sad and fizzle out.
*Ultimately, it might reduce their popularity...*
Yeah, they probably still have room to drop.
Oblivious to my thoughts, Senior Jeremy kept talking on the phone. He was clutching his smartphone so tightly, I wanted to suggest earphones.
*Well, him not focusing on filming isn't bad for me.*
A staff member ran up to me.
"Cha Dowon, next scene's up soon."
"Ah, got it."
"Dowon, you know another coffee truck arrived?"
I sighed.
"Again?"
"You're so popular."
"I said it was okay..."
I'd posted countless times on my personal SNS saying it was fine—why do they keep sending them?
"Thanks, I've been enjoying them."
"No problem. It's from the fans."
"Thanks to you, Dowon, we're eating and drinking well."
I let out a deep breath. They're expensive—why send them so often?
As I headed to the set, I opened the SNS app. Sure enough, the coffee truck was trending.
-Dowon said not to send these, but we don't listen to Dowon!
-Maknae, eat well to grow! Oh, coffee truck! W-Want milk?
-Serenade's narrative team, enjoy! (Except V!)
*V for VIP?*
I looked at the coffee cup with my face sticker on it.
*I should thank them...*
But is it okay to keep spending like this?
*That meal truck back then looked pricey too—is this really fine?*
A sigh escaped me. I was deeply grateful for the overflowing love, but it worried me.
I resolved once more.
*Just watch.*
When that Idol Sports Day or whatever happens, I'll show them what I've got.
I smiled brightly, picked up the cup with my sticker, and snapped a photo.
That's when it happened. The senior who'd just ended his call spoke up.
"You're an orphan, right?"
Damn. Words that'd anger orphans nationwide.
*But now?*
Out of nowhere. Hardly anyone doesn't know I'm an orphan.
*They say it's a hurdle to becoming my fan?*
My family background was subtly unhelpful.
I nodded and replied.
"Yeah! Somehow it happened."
"What?"
"Most things like this just happen somehow. I didn't plan on becoming an orphan."
I snapped a pic of VIP senior's sour face with the camera.
"Hey, delete it!"
"Ah, sorry. I was trying to photo the coffee truck..."
I showed him the screen and deleted the picture.
"Because of 'family'..."
I smiled with all my heart.
"Cherish your family. That's your safety net. I lost mine young and suffered. Like getting random grief from you out of nowhere."
Come to think of it, isn't he the illegitimate son?
*He said he wants to inherit his father's business alone.*
Beautiful, inheriting the family business. That being the head of an entertainment agency, underworld ties included?
I crossed my arms and scanned him up and down.
*Hmm, it'll flop.*
If he weren't the CEO's bastard son, could he have climbed this high?
*Come to think of it, he mentioned his team feels unstable?*
Obvious at a glance. Looks like he's hogged everything.
"Hey!"
"Yes, senior."
"You're riding high, so nothing's in your eyes anymore? This world runs on money."
Got it.
"Thanks for the advice."
"You little shit. Hey, Cha Dowon."
I smiled at him.
"You have a sister, right?"
My expression blanked. I looked up.
"Does she look like you?"
I said nothing.
"Half and half?"
My mind went cold. I got it.
*He's trying to piss me off.*
The problem? This actually got under my skin.
*But getting mad here means falling into his trap.*
I clenched then unclenched my fist. Then spoke slowly.
"My sister?"
No chance for reply.
"She's beautiful."
I smiled, raising my voice projection. Making it carry far.
*I'm acting—better have an audience.*
Staff, listen up. This is our convo.
"My sister's smart too. Topped nationwide mock exams like it was nothing. And her hobbies? Kickboxing or MMA? Oh, and she looks like me. Full blood sister."
Damn, no lies mixed in. Should've thrown in a few to rattle him.
"Very beautiful."
True. Pre-regression, tons messaged after seeing my face, asking for an intro to sis.
*They were dogs back then.*
Still dogs thinking about it.
"Since I was little, sis had me whipped."
Why only truths?
"If sis said die, I'd pretend to. But senior, why the interest in my sister?"
I shrugged exaggeratedly.
"Surely not interest? Hmm. No way."
I scanned him up and down.
"First off, senior, you're not her type. Age disqualifies you. She likes younger guys."
I beamed.
"At least three years younger than me."
Total bullshit, of course.
*Honestly, no clue on sis's type.*
If I told her, she'd probably puke.
"And, well, no match personality-wise. Sorry."
I bowed deeply then straightened dramatically.
"Can't introduce you."
"Hey!"
"Ah, gotta film!"
"You bastard! Hey, Cha Dowon!"
I glanced back with a smile.
"Yes, senior."
"Friends is digging into our company, right?"
Whoa.
*What's this?*
For real?
*Our Pig President is stepping up.*
Hit-and-run related?
*He said he dreamed of being a detective once...*
Living the unfulfilled dream to the fullest? He did swoop in at the end with Sa-hyuk too, which I liked.
"What? You acting? Why the face?"
"No. Didn't know. Our company? Why?"
I smiled with my eyes.
"Hit-and-run?"
Jeremy's body stiffened slightly.
"Yeah, figured as much, but it's real. Suspicious accident. Clean, though."
Jeremy's complexion shifted.
"Something dragged you into spilling, huh."
Didn't know. Even if I did, I didn't.
I crossed my arms.
"I said as long as everyone's safe, but President thought it odd. Said he'd investigate—what'd he find?"
Strange how Friends turns out good.
"Looking forward to what's next."
What'll happen?
"Y-You little!"
"Whatever it is, if it blows up, this moment'll be memorable forever."
Why pick a fight now?
His drama role's been sidelined forever. Not the issue anymore, right?
Then the director spoke.
"Ah, what if both of you don't come?"
Both? Wasn't it just me?
"We said scene order 23 onward..."
"Ah, must've missed the staff relay."
"Right."
It was the scene where I call Jeremy "hyung-ah!" Pretty key, so lines memorized.
*So that's it.*
Laughter bubbled up. Smart for Jeremy.
*Probably told staff not to tell me.*
Then pick a fight to rattle me, ruin the shoot.
*Lame as hell.*
Our senior's an idiot—what to do?
*Petty. Too petty.*
Knew it wouldn't work. This only fazes bad actors.
"What now, Cha Dowon? The lines..."
Jeremy smirked then. Truly lame.
"It's the climax—of course I memorized it."
Senior's face twisted like he'd chewed shit.
*Whoa.*
Thought I skipped the script, huh, senior?
I beamed at the director.
"Been waiting forever for this scene. All conflicts resolve, Lee-yul reconciles."
"Right."
"'Hyung-ah' felt tricky. Ah, everyone's here—mind if I ask?"
I looked at Jeremy and said.
"Hyung-ah."
First, affectionate.
"Hyung-ah?"
Bit of doubt mixed in. That's Lee-yul's character—questions anything with dissatisfaction.
"H-Hyung-ah."
This was forced out, genuinely tough.
"Which sounds good?"
Director pondered briefly. But the answer was set.
*If you knew the script properly.*
Director smirked. Ah, he caught on.
I immediately asked Senior Jeremy.
"Senior, which do you prefer?"
"What?"
"It's our scene together. I say 'hyung-ah,' you smile and hug me."
Let's hear it. If you can.