Chapter 106
Chapter 106
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 106
Chapter Title: Yu-na's Surprise Cameo
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The corners of Director Han Mun-jin's mouth lifted slightly as he received the photo book with our signatures.
He seemed pleased.
"Now we're good, right? We'll be heading out then..."
"Hold on a second."
Just as I turned to leave, the director called us back in a serious tone.
Did he still have something to say?
I glanced back, turning only my head to check his expression. His thoughtful eyes were fixed intently on Yu-na.
"...Director?"
Finally, the director spoke.
"Jun-seo, how about having your daughter make a cameo?"
"Pardon? What did you just say?"
The sudden offer caught me off guard.
A cameo is when a famous singer or actor appears briefly in an unexpected scene for a short role.
They don't usually make offers like this out of the blue, though...
"I asked if you'd consider letting her do a cameo. Are you open to it?"
"Cameo? Daddy, what's that?"
At Yu-na's innocent question, I smiled brightly and explained it simply.
"The director wants to give you a small part in this drama, just a quick appearance."
"Oh, I see."
After explaining, I turned my gaze back to Director Han Mun-jin.
His expression was dead serious.
He means it...
I wouldn't stop Yu-na if she wanted to do it herself, but this was so sudden it gave me pause.
"I'm not trying to pressure you. Think it over without feeling burdened."
"Hmm... So, what role were you thinking of for her? There's no obvious spot for Yu-na here, is there?"
At my question, the director straightened up and patted his knee.
"A perfect role just came to mind. You know the character Kang Min-ji that actress Kim So-young is playing? How about as her little sister?"
The director continued.
"In that hellish environment, the student's unyielding heart despite not seeing a way forward."
"Daddy. Daddy."
"Wouldn't it be good to show why she can hold onto that kind of heart?"
"Daddyyy."
To sum up his explanation...
No matter how tough things get.
If she has her little sister by her side, she can overcome any hardship.
That's what he wants to convey, right?
Hence, casting the epitome of innocence, Yu-na, for the cameo.
'A little sister as emotional support.'
It was definitely a solid idea.
"Daddyyy!"
Suddenly, Yu-na puffed out her cheeks and poked my side repeatedly.
"Hm? Yu-na, why are you calling me?"
"If Yu-na does the cameo... then that means I get to appear with Daddy, right?"
"Probably so."
"Then Yu-na wants to do the cameo!"
Was he pleased with Yu-na's response?
The director flashed his pearly whites in a smile I'd never seen before.
"Perfect. I'll contact the head writer right away, then. We'll shoot tomorrow. It's just adding a short line, so it'll wrap up quick."
"Yay! Woo-hoo! We're coming back tomorrow too!"
When Yu-na got excited like this, what could I do?
I shrugged, then scooped up Yu-na, who was jumping in place.
"We'll get going now."
"See you later."
The drizzle was starting to let up.
Which meant.
We could proceed with today's scheduled shoot as soon as prep was done.
'I need to get makeup done...'
Eager to introduce Yu-na quickly, I quickened my steps.
Where on earth was it?
Thud!
Something rolled ahead, tumbling.
Yu-na, who'd been toddling after me, had kicked something with her tiny foot.
Was it important?
"...Oh, a tumbler. Phew."
I let out a deep sigh of relief.
'Might as well carry her.'
Filming gear covered in plastic sheets was scattered everywhere. I'd thought I'd be fine if I was careful, but after that close call, I couldn't relax anymore.
If Yu-na accidentally bumped something and broke it like that, it'd be a disaster.
I was staring at Yu-na, who blinked innocently with wide eyes, when...
Murmur murmur.
A familiar voice came from the classroom to the left. That voice... it sounded like In-ju hyung and So-young noona.
"Isn't it hilarious?"
"Right? I don't get why they'd hide such a cute episode."
"If it were me, I'd have..."
Sure enough.
Peeking through the half-open door, it was the two I'd been looking for.
They were gathered here.
I crouched down to meet Yu-na's eyes and whispered.
"Shall we go in and surprise them?"
"Hee hee hee. Yes!"
"Okay, then let's sneak in quietly."
Was it because Yu-na was with me? A playful impulse bubbled up naturally.
Suppressing a grin, I carefully slid the door open.
Tip-toe.
Lifting my heels to minimize noise, Yu-na mimicked me, stepping lightly.
Surprising them myself wouldn't be as fun as letting Yu-na do it, right?
They were so absorbed in their conversation they hadn't noticed us approaching.
"It looked exactly like that... Should I ask her little sister later? No, you're closer to her. You ask."
"Should I? Then..."
Before they could notice, I signaled Yu-na urgently.
Now, Yu-na.
Covering her mouth to stifle giggles, Yu-na raised both arms and smacked Kwon In-ju's knee.
"Waaah!"
"...Gah! What the—!"
Kwon In-ju jolted and gaped at Yu-na with round eyes. At the same time, Kim So-young jumped up in surprise.
Our plan had worked perfectly.
Holding back a laugh, I asked.
"Hyung, noona. I brought my daughter to introduce her this time. Yu-na, say hi to your seniors."
"Hee hee hee. Hello. I'm Lee Yu-na from New Sprout Kindergarten."
Her greeting was perfectly pronounced.
Good, she's almost in elementary school.
Time to fix any baby talk.
I nodded slightly, smiled brightly, and looked at them alternately.
"Speak of the devil... Hi, Yu-na. Your uncle's Kwon In-ju. Call me Uncle In-ju."
"Oh! It's Yu-na! Real Yu-na!"
Whoosh!
"Eek! Daddy! Help!"
While So-young noona hugged Yu-na, I asked In-ju hyung.
"I overheard you talking. What were you two chatting about?"
In-ju hyung composed himself and called me seriously.
"...Jun-seo."
"Yeah?"
"About those StarTalk photos you posted."
Ah, I could guess what In-ju hyung wanted to ask.
'Not sure if I should spill it myself.'
Oblivious to my thoughts.
He pressed on.
"Did Yu-na have an accident in her pants from holding it too long, so she wore the key on her head and held the bat?"
Spot on. My guess was right.
I let out a small sigh.
He asked, so.
I should answer honestly.
"Sigh, yeah. She had a potty accident in her pants from holding it at the bathroom."
"Ah, so I was right..."
"What? For real? Ahahaha! Our cute little Yu-na. So that's why you had the key on your head and the bat. Got it."
Our Yu-na?
When did she become 'our' Yu-na?
I snatched Yu-na back from So-young noona's arms as she wriggled.
But...
Yu-na puffed her cheeks, furrowed her brow, and glared at me.
"...Daddy. I hate you. You said it was a secret... You promised."
Her face flushed red with embarrassment, eyes misty.
Yu-na balled her tiny fists and started thumping my chest.
It didn't hurt.
Just guilt for breaking the promise.
No, I didn't break it, did I? This was Su-ho hyung's fault, right?
"...Yu-na?"
"I don't wanna talk to Daddy. I hate you..."
"Daddy kept it a secret."
"Liar... Sniff. Sniff."
I gently stroked the back of Yu-na, who buried her face in my chest.
"That was Su-ho oppa's fault for breaking his promise after giving you all those gifts."
Yu-na peeked up.
"...Really?"
I nodded slightly.
Yu-na mumbled with her little lips, grumbling softly.
"That uncle's mean..."
She used to call him oppa.
Calling Su-ho hyung 'uncle' now meant she felt really betrayed.
While checking the camera after the drizzle stopped, I was rehearsing lines with So-young noona in the center of the set.
Something felt off, though.
So-young noona wasn't focusing.
"Noona, let's run it again, so focus. Your eyes keep going the wrong way."
"Ah, uh... Yeah. Got it."
Why couldn't she concentrate?
I gave her cues over and over.
No matter how much I pressed her to focus, it was useless.
"Noona..."
When I called softly, she flinched and turned to me.
"Huh? Uh... Did you call me?"
"Why can't you focus on me? If this were actual filming, you'd have ten NGs by now. Then..."
So-young noona raised her hand slightly, cutting me off before I finished.
"Look over there."
"Yeah?"
"How are you supposed to hold it in seeing that cuteness... Can you?"
She pointed to Yu-na, who was fast asleep, sprawled comfortably on stacked folding chairs.
"......?"
I was speechless.
I knew she was a total pushover for cute things, but...
She couldn't focus because Yu-na was sleeping so peacefully right there?
Narrowing my eyes at her, So-young noona bristled and raised her voice.
"You see it every day until you're sick of it! Not me! Sigh... I want to take a pic and keep it. Can I snap one before we start shooting?"
"......"
What to do.
I couldn't send Yu-na away somewhere.
Then a good idea struck me.
"Noona, if you focus and we wrap this quick, I'll give you something nice."
"Something nice... like a kiss from Yu-na?"
"Wait here a sec."
Leaving her behind, I pulled the photo book from the paper bag next to Yu-na's chair.
"What's that?"
A familiar voice came from behind.
In-ju hyung, waiting for his turn, eyed what I held with curiosity.
'Oh right, I meant to give him one too.'
I pulled out another photo book.
And handed it to In-ju hyung.
"Here, hyung."
"Whoa! What is this? You did a photoshoot? The cover's killer. You sure it's okay to hand out unreleased stuff like this?"
I shrugged at his question.
"Yeah, no problem. It's for giving to acquaintances for promo."
"Hmm, so I can post this on StarTalk to brag?"
"The cover's fine, but try not to share the inside photos."
"Obviously. I know better."
After our brief chat, I returned and opened the photo book to show So-young noona.
"How's this? Motivated now?"
"Th-that's..."
What I showed her.
Was a photo of Yu-na curled up asleep amid pampas grass.
Heavy editing had added tiny angel wings to her back.
The photo's title...
'An Angel Baby Fallen to Earth.'
So-young noona's eyes trembled.
"Y-you're really giving this to me?"
"If you nail it without a single mistake today, it's yours. Deal?"
Her eyes sparkled.
Full of motivation.
"For real? Promise?"
"Ahaha! Yeah, of course."
I had planned to give it anyway...
But I kept that to myself.