Chapter 27

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Translator: penny

Chapter: 27

Chapter Title: The Angel's Desire

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I don't want to puke in the same place that guy shits either.

'What should I do?'

I ran through the simulation in my head one more time. Should I chew starting from the left? ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠The right? Or both sides? Should I smile? If so, how ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠much?

'Let's just try it.'

I picked up the croissant and stood.

"Cue!"

I chewed on the left side first, adding a slight smile. As I glanced down, the cut was called immediately.

I quickly checked the monitor.

'The camera angle looks better from the right. And I should tone down the smile.'

My improved eyesight made the image crystal clear in my mind.

"Director Lee, should I make the expression brighter? Or dial it back?"

"I think dialing it back a bit would be better. It's not bad, but too bright might make it look dumb."

Fair enough. They wanted a fresh boy vibe.

"Got it."

I returned to my spot.

"Cue!"

This time, I chewed on the right, minimizing the eye smile. As I looked down again, cut was called right away.

"Perfect!"

It always sounded so clear and pleasant.

"Wow, Dowon, you're something else. I was planning to eat that whole croissant myself today."

"Lucky me. Eating's fine, but..."

I shrugged with a slight smile.

"I didn't want to go puke where Director Han hangs out."

Laughter erupted from the staff. Assistant Director Lee adjusted his cap and said,

"You still nailed it. I'm picky about perfects, even if this is my first time directing."

"Thanks for the kind words."

"Next scene. Staff, get ready."

Some crew members rushed to adjust the lights. I smiled brightly at Ayoung.

"We filming together from the next one?"

"Yes! Oppa."

"Looking forward to it!"

"Me too!"

Her voice was clear and bright. She looked so innocently pretty from the outside—why did she feel so extraordinary?

"Oppa, you know. My dream is to make tons of money and have seven husbands in a big house."

A chill ran down my spine.

"R-Really?"

"If I make a ton of money, will you be one of my husbands, oppa?"

"Uh, um. Ayoung. Bigamy's a crime in Korea."

"That's fine! We can do it in Las Vegas!"

Who taught this kid this stuff?!

"Rolling!"

I grabbed the kid's hand and hurried to the set.

"Let's work first? I'll answer later."

"Okay!"

Her voice was still bright and chirpy, but I got goosebumps.

'She's scary.'

When shooting wrapped, I had to tell her no. I could let it slide, but something told me I shouldn't.

"Cue!"

I focused on the shoot. Ayoung looked up at me adorably, and I handed her the half-eaten croissant.

"Cut! Again! Dowon, make it more bewildered."

"Yes!"

I switched expressions instantly. It was easy. My current mood was pure bewilderment.

"Cue!"

I let my real feelings show on my face.

"Cut! Good!"

I let out a heavy sigh. It felt bittersweet somehow.

***

Despite her personality, Ayoung was a genius at acting.

'If only she acted like that all the time, she'd be an angel...'

Her round, sparkling eyes made me want to give her anything—not just bread.

"Cut!"

After her solo shots, Ayoung ran to me and casually stuck out her arms.

'She wants a hug.'

When the princess demands, you oblige.

I picked up Ayoung and sat in the chair. The director smirked at us.

"You two get along too well."

"Can't refuse the princess's orders."

"Oppa, how much? How much to become my husband?"

"Ayoung. Oppa needs money, but he doesn't sell ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠himself."

Why was I saying this to a kid? Would she even get it?

"Tch! Oppa's pretty anyway!"

"Couldn't you say handsome instead?"

"Pretty!"

Yeah, yeah. What was the point.

Then another camera filmed me and Ayoung. I tilted my head.

"What's this?"

"Oh, making-of footage."

Another video for the sites, huh. I nodded.

"Oppa! Do mine!"

"Ayoung. You're too hasty. We just met today."

"Fast is good. Plus, I gotta claim you first."

Am I on sale? More importantly, who taught her this?

"Well, I'd prefer you say that in like 20 years."

She probably wouldn't even remember this then.

"That's forever!"

"It's a life choice—can't wait for that?"

"Tch!"

I could feel the making-of cameraman laughing. Hey, you! Stop laughing and intervene!

"And Ayoung, I couldn't say earlier, but I don't like being one of seven guys."

"Tch!"

I spotted Ayoung's mom in the distance. I stood, handed her over to Mom.

From behind came Ayoung's tinkling voice.

"Mom! Oppa's not falling for it!"

Don't look back. Don't look, or I'm doomed.

The making-of camera kept following me.

"Only one scene left. Hi, I'm Cha Dowon."

I smiled at the lens.

'Should I play innocent too?'

First time doing this? Probably best.

I shyly flashed a V-sign and waved. The cameraman laughed, so I awkwardly turned away. That should sell the innocence.

The cameraman asked,

"Is this your first CF? You did great for a newbie."

"Really? Thanks."

"How's the set vibe?"

Like you don't know.

I flashed a bright smile.

"Feels good."

Well, better than having Director Han there shitting and hemorrhaging. With him, the vibe would've been obvious.

Then it happened. Murmurs suddenly spread.

'What now?'

I turned and ran over. The director was crouched down.

"Wh-What's wrong?"

A staffer answered.

"Oh, Director Han just got loaded into an ambulance."

"Guess hemorrhoids from shitting can land you in one."

"Puhahaha!"

The trailing manager laughed obnoxiously.

'I get it's funny, but tone it down.'

I shook my head.

"But why's the director like this?"

"Guilt."

The director looked around and said,

"Sorry. Give me five minutes alone."

The staff exchanged glances and dispersed. I started to leave, but my leg felt heavy.

I looked back. The director was clutching my pants.

'What situation is this?'

Part of me wanted to shake him off and run, but he'd cleaned up real shit. Out of human respect, I stepped back.

"What is it, Director?"

"Um, Dowon. You think I'll be okay? Wanted to ask staff, but they're too nice—they'd side with me."

Guess I had to hear him out.

"Director Han ragged on me, but he was the only one who took me in. Is it really okay to do this?"

Was that a curse or praise?

"Why ask the obvious? Of course it's fine. His personality was so foul, everyone was united in telling you to film."

I knelt to meet his eyes.

"Staff aren't idiots—they don't follow just 'cause you're nice."

"R-Really?"

"Why mope? This burdens them more."

His grip loosened. Assistant Director Lee wiped his dry face and nodded.

"You're right, Dowon."

I sighed softly.

'Want to get convinced by a 16-year-old?'

Poor adult.

I shook my head and walked on. The manager sipped cola and asked.

"Why's he like that?"

"No big deal."

"Everything's a lesson! That cocky attitude sucks, kid!"

"Manager?"

What lesson?

How to handle shit?

'Nope.'

There was a lesson.

'How to resolve conflict.'

Debut meant a group. Groups have conflicts.

'If I debut with Zenith, Kang Minje will be there.'

High chance he's leader.

'No way.'

But Zenith disbanded eventually. He wasn't leader material. Responsibility aside, he couldn't mediate fights.

'Will I fight Kang Minje in the distant future?'

Whose side would the members take?

'Silly to pick sides, but.'

I sighed heavily.

'But I don't see myself fighting and leaving Friends Entertainment.'

Their planning was no joke. Standard contract too.

I eyed the manager quietly. He hid the empty cola can behind him.

"Wild ambitionist! Don't tell Mira!"

"Don't know who Mira is, but..."

I smiled brightly.

"Thanks for the advice."

Mom once said: Learn from everything. Apply it right away so you don't forget.

'Forgot that.'

Listen to Mom, and good things come even in sleep.

"Next scene!"

I hurried over. Miraculously revived, the director had his arms crossed.

'Jekyll and Hyde much.'

Not my problem. I took position on set for the next scene.

***

Shooting wrapped easily. In the back seat, I pulled out my smartphone. Cheat had ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠only caused food poisoning.

'Hit the gym and recover?'

As I pondered, the manager said,

"Dowon. Your phone."

I narrowed my eyes.

'Busted something weird?'

It looked normal, but no charging port. Headache if caught—did he notice?

"It's always black screen. Broken?"

Huh.

"Can't see the screen?"

"Yeah. Wouldn't turn on even pressing power. Tried when you collapsed—no dice. Phone busted?"

I'd never cared how it looked to others.

'White text invisible to others?'

I quietly pressed power.

[cheat mode 2/3]

Huh?

A question hit me.

'What about non-cheat mode?'

I tapped the screen.

[nomal mode 전환]

No way.

The screen burst into colors. Whoa! My grip slipped, phone dropped to my lap.

I snatched it up. Familiar smartphone background.

[Press and hold c to return to cheat mode.]

Damn.

'Tell me about this feature sooner.'

Would've never known without typing normal mode!

Amazed, I poked around. No service for calls, but app market worked.

'Android.'

I sighed. What the hell.

Made an excuse first.

"Oh, Manager, must've been out of battery then."

I showed him normal mode.

"Huh? It is."

"But no activation. Dorm has no Wi-Fi? Company does."

"Yeah. Set up Wi-Fi. Know what you kids do. Probably porn."

I smiled wryly, checked the phone. No charger port, but SIM slot was there.

'What nonsense is this...'