Chapter 105
Chapter 105
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 105
Chapter Title: The Completed Photobook
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After wrapping up filming and heading home, I checked hyung Kang Su-ho's Starlight account to see the coffee truck proof shot.
As expected, Su-ho hyung...
had lightly mentioned Yu-na's embarrassing episode and pinned the blame on me.
What had he said again?
Something like, "Remember Yu-na's 'mistake' that happened midway through the sitcom shoot?"
That teaser sparked curiosity, and my usually quiet Starlight account was now blowing up.
Everyone was asking if it was that episode they'd tried to keep under wraps on the variety show.
And my job here was...
just one thing.
Put out the fire fast.
"I never thought he'd post that photo..."
Yu-na wearing a bamboo-keyed crown on her head, holding a drum, and on the verge of tears.
It looked cute as a photo, sure.
But the problem was that anyone could guess what had happened right before it was taken.
Young kids these days might not get it, but anyone with a bit of age would understand immediately.
That Yu-na had made a mistake.
And since he'd posted it, everyone was probably laughing and teasing her right now, right?
I could picture it without even looking.
So right now, I was...
"Haa."
letting out a sigh without thinking.
Feeling guilty, I'd decided to play with Yu-na until she conked out from exhaustion, even though it was late.
No matter how tired I was, I kept smiling.
"Hehehe. Daddy! There's one here too."
"...Yeah."
Oblivious that her embarrassing photo was spreading everywhere,
Yu-na sat in the middle of the living room, smiling innocently and handing me a toy.
My conscience was pricking me hard.
At least he hadn't posted the one where she had an accident in her pants and was crying?
'...Yeah, let's think positive.'
It was early morning.
Cars behind me kept honking impatiently as I drove at the speed limit.
Beep! Hooonk! Hoooonk!
This was a child protection zone.
Didn't they know that?
Even with the "Child on Board" sticker on the back, I ran into inconsiderate drivers like this all the time.
'If I snap back, I'll just end up more tired.'
Suppressing my irritation, I turned the wheel right, and the car behind sped past far ahead.
'Really, you see all kinds around here.'
I let out a deep sigh and glanced at Yu-na sitting quietly in the passenger seat.
She rummaged eagerly through her bright yellow bag, pulled out a hand mirror, whipped her head around, and flashed a big smile.
"My pretty girl."
"Hehehe. Yeah?"
"Where did we say we were going?"
"To meet the CEO."
Right.
Before heading to the set today, I'd planned a quick stop at the agency with Yu-na.
'The completed photobook.'
That's what for.
"...Wanna look pretty for the CEO?"
Yu-na shook her head vigorously without a second's hesitation.
Then just smiled.
Why was she putting extra effort into her appearance today? Was it because she was going somewhere fun with someone who takes good care of her?
If so, bad timing.
A few clouds hung in the sky—not exactly prime weather.
Stopped at a light, I rested my arms on the wheel and looked up at the sky.
I suddenly wished it'd pour all day.
Then filming might get canceled.
Even if I loved acting, sometimes I just wanted to head home early and relax without a care.
"Daddy, the light turned green!"
"Oh, yeah? Thanks for letting me know."
I snapped out of my haze, gripped the wheel properly, and started driving again.
Plop. Plip-plop.
Raindrops began pattering on the windshield. My wish had come true—a downpour.
"With this... maybe they'll call off filming?"
I shook my head.
If it let up even a little, they'd push ahead as planned.
No point getting hopes up.
"...Yu-na, no playing outside today. Stay home with Auntie."
"Huh? Yu-na has to go home?"
She dropped her hand mirror like she'd been shocked.
Glancing at her while driving, her shoulders slumped, lips pursed out like a duck.
Looks like she'd set her mind on tagging along since we left. Was that why she'd been primping in the mirror?
'This is making me soft...'
It happened to be a day off from kindergarten.
Plus, thinking about it, I'd never introduced Yu-na to In-ju hyung.
He'd seemed like he wanted to meet her.
'...Alright, just for today.'
Decision made, I reached over with my right hand and gently stroked Yu-na's head.
"...Okay. Just today, got it?"
"Hehehe, yes! I'll be good!"
Her face lit up instantly.
Smiling, I put my hand back and gripped the wheel.
Thirty minutes of driving later,
we arrived at Lunatic Entertainment, where a staffer in rain gear blocked our car with a glow stick.
Knock! Knock!
The staffer tapped the window.
Couldn't park inside?
I cracked the window just enough to keep the rain out and asked,
"What's up?"
"Oh, Actor Lee Jun-seo. I haven't memorized your plate yet... Sorry about that. Go ahead inside."
Newbie blocking us by mistake.
I gave him a bright smile and handed over a chocolate bar—Yu-na's snack.
"Tough working in the rain. Have this at least."
"Huh? Daddy! I was saving that for later!"
"Daddy'll buy you something even yummier later. C'mon, share this time. Okay?"
"Aww... Fine."
Yu-na pouted but fixed her face quick and beamed innocently.
"Bye, mister! Thanks for your hard work!"
Did "mister" hit him hard? The staffer's happy face from the chocolate darkened fast.
"...Can we head in now?"
"Oh, yeah. Drive safe."
I parked deep in the lot as usual, then slowly headed to the lobby with Yu-na.
First thing you see:
Me soaking my feet in a cool stream, smiling warmly... and Yu-na grinning ear-to-ear with a tiny fish she'd caught.
'Our photo really stands out.'
Everyone else's were cool shots against dark backgrounds.
"Daddy looks coolest here."
Yu-na's praise tugged my lips up. I stroked her obedient head gently and said,
"Yeah? To me, you look prettiest here."
"Hehehe. Really? Really really?"
By the way, Senior Kang Hee-won...
Senior Yu-na-hyun, Senior Oh Ji-hwan...
Since joining Lunatic, I'd never met any of the other members once.
'...Someday, I guess.'
The moment I sat where CEO Do Bong-seok guided us, a small sigh escaped him.
His face looked rough.
Deep, dark circles and sallow skin.
Clearly sleep-deprived at a glance.
'Is the photobook a dud?'
I poked Yu-na's side as she munched snacks casually, gauging his mood.
Nom nom. Chomp chomp.
Even after the signal, she kept grabbing snacks from the table.
Please, Yu-na...
In the heavy silence, the CEO sighed deeply again and spoke.
"Filming schedule's all wrapped up now, right?"
"Yeah, about three weeks left. Why do you ask?"
He scratched his head and handed me a paper labeled "Planner."
"Your fan meet schedule this time."
What, out of nowhere?
No preamble, and I was speechless.
'First... let's read it.'
I pored over the planner from start to finish, meticulously.
'Fan meet on November 11th.'
Total 100 attendees.
Format like the ones I'd been to in my past life.
Songs, Q&A, quizzes...
'Figures these never change.'
Finished reading, I calmly set it down.
"Fan meet's in November, still ways off... Looks good. But what about the photobook that's most important?"
Gulp!
Yu-na swallowed her mouthful of snack and chimed in loudly.
"Yu-na wants to know too!"
The CEO chuckled and pulled out the book with our photos.
"Give it free to the 100 fan meet attendees first, then sell the rest in reservation order. Good idea, huh?"
I snatched the photobook and flipped through page by page.
"Wow... It turned out great."
"Yeah, even I think so. Take that one. Need more, just say."
"Wooow! Daddy's so cool!"
Excited Yu-na lunged, so I pulled it away gently.
"...Sigh! Hands are all greasy now—can't touch it. Got it?"
"Aww..."
I soothed pouty Yu-na, then smiled at the CEO.
"You said speak up if I need more? Then gimme 30 copies including this."
"......What?"
Gotta hand them out to friends I've gotten close with—needed this many.
I asked generously, but CEO Do Bong-seok's face chilled.
"Oh, too many? Make it 20?"
"Sigh. Fine, take 'em all."
***
I shamelessly took 30 photobooks and headed to the set with Yu-na.
Two and a half hours of driving.
Exhausted from solo driving without In-cheol,
"Alright, we're here. You can get out now."
"Yessir."
While Yu-na hopped out quick, I grabbed photobooks for the director.
Wait...
Two more for In-ju hyung and So-young noona?
Three in total.
Light-hearted, I got out, following Yu-na's strides.
Hop! Hop!
"Hehehe. Daddy! Hurry up!"
"Yu-na, no running. You'll get hurt."
Long drive left me off, but her bright smile healed me right up.
That happy just 'cause I brought her after so long? She hopped back like a frog.
"Hmm, where's my girl? Daddy just sees a cute frog."
At my teasing, she mashed down her frog-hooded raincoat hat.
She was so adorable, I burst out laughing.
"Ready to go?"
"Hehe. Yup."
Into the main building, straight to the director. I bowed slightly.
"Director, we're here."
"We're here!"
His head whipped around.
Looked at me, then Yu-na, frowning.
"...Bring her to set like this once in a while."
"...Pardon?"
"Nothing. Go on."
He waved dismissively, annoyed.
"Oh, Director. Take this."
"What's this? I'm busy now..."
Director Han Mun-jin's face froze at the hot-off-the-press photobook.
Brief silence.
He handed it back indifferently.
"...Don't like it?"
"No signatures, you two. Gonna give it to me like that? Sign it quick and give it back."
"......"
I blinked, then burst into laughter.
Might be rude, but who'd have thought the director had a cute side?