Chapter 107
Chapter 107
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 107
Chapter Title: Perfect Take and Photobook Buzz
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Kim So-young was in special makeup that made her school uniform torn and ragged, her cheek slightly gashed.
In that state, senior Kim So-young sat waiting on the dirt ground.
"Let's start before the rain picks up again!"
At the director's booming call, the staff inside the camera tent poured out.
The shoot finally began.
She groped the dirt ground frantically without moving her eyes.
"Huh, where is it?"
I approached her pitiful figure and quietly spoke.
"Even after all that bullying, you're still..."
"...Who's there?"
Her eyes wandered blankly into space.
After a moment.
Rustle.
At the sound of my movement, Kim So-young's head turned toward me.
"T-Teacher? I, I tripped by accident... Could you find my cane and hand it to me?"
Her voice trembled as if trying to hide the bullying she'd just endured.
I clicked my tongue inwardly.
Why had she given such pathetic performances in practice when she was this good?
Targets... rewards. Did she only focus better than usual when there was something to gain?
I snapped to attention, picked up the cane, and handed it to Kim So-young.
Then I gathered my emotions and continued the scene.
"Aren't you angry after all that?"
"Teacher, I'm fine."
Her legs shook violently as she stood with a bright smile. It was to show the pain from the bullies relentlessly stomping her legs.
Thud!
She suddenly lost her balance and collapsed, then pushed herself up with her hands.
She nailed even the tiny unscripted details perfectly.
It all felt so natural that I wanted to rush over and offer my shoulder.
As that thought lingered.
She scratched her cheek and said.
"I'm used to it anyway. And..."
"And?"
"Even if I tell you the truth, Teacher, nothing changes."
Her words hit hard, and I was furrowing my brow deeply when.
"I'll be going now."
Her precarious solo walk forward ended the scene, and the director's booming voice rang out.
"Cut! That's it! Perfect! Haha! I was worried about the weather, but you two were flawless! The best!"
Leaving the unusually cheerful director behind, So-young noona came rushing back to my side, breathless.
"How was that? Good enough, right?"
She'd done better than expected, making me want to hand over the photobook right then...
But I shook my head.
"We still have a lot of scenes together, don't we? I'll give it after those are done."
Even though I'd said after everything, So-young noona didn't look disappointed.
She seemed even more fired up.
"Yeah! Let's wrap this up quick!"
"Cut! That's a wrap there! Prep the next scene, everyone! Move it!"
At the director's wrap-up call, I unbuttoned my stuffy dress shirt.
The blowing wind felt refreshing.
The scene of me in uniform watching student Kang Min-ji among the students.
The breaks where Kang Min-ji got bullied and I subtly helped.
It all flowed naturally without notes, and I finished my scenes for the day.
My body felt light.
Since we finished earlier than expected, what should I play with Yu-na when we get back?
As I happily imagined, stepping out from the camera.
"Wait!"
Grab!
So-young noona suddenly grabbed my wrist and narrowed her eyes.
"The promised item?"
"Oh! Ahaha! Of course, I have to give it."
"...You didn't forget, right?"
"N-No."
I hurriedly fetched the paper bag with the photobooks and carefully handed one to So-young noona.
Her sharp gaze finally softened.
She tore open the plastic wrap right away and flipped through, skipping all my photos.
She only checked Yu-na's, blushing happily.
"Wow! So cute! This one too!"
"Please don't share the photos inside publicly."
"The cover's okay, right? Then I gotta brag on Stargram right now."
As she snapped the cover and tapped away on her phone.
The director strode over and clapped a hand on my shoulder.
"Jun-seo, good work. You can head home with your daughter now. And... actress So-young, get ready quick."
Just a few more days of shooting, and So-young noona's storyline wraps.
It's a brief breather arc.
Very short screen time.
Today's scene might be the last with her?
"Got it, Director."
As I bowed to the director, So-young noona giggled.
"Comments already? They're all jealous? Of course they are! Ahaha! Jun-seo, check these comments."
So-young noona read me all the real-time comments.
"They want me to show it open? You think I will? Hehehe. Gotta snap the back cover instead."
Weird laugh.
So-young noona was totally lost in her own world.
"...Actress So-young."
Even the director's quiet call didn't faze her.
"Oh! Right, Jun-seo. Can you get Yu-na to sign this photobook? Hold on! Another funny comment."
"......"
I poked So-young noona's side. She still didn't notice her surroundings.
No choice.
Leaving her behind, I cautiously backed away, eyeing the director.
Not my fault—she ignored the signal.
Definitely not.
With that, I prepared to head home and looked around for Yu-na to go with.
Before shooting, she'd been quietly asleep next to the director, but now she was nowhere.
"Where the heck is she playing?"
She must be off with the staff somewhere quiet.
Step. Step.
Past the main building toward the field, and I heard Yu-na's voice.
I quickened my pace toward the lively sound.
"Ah! Yu-na, you stepped on the line."
"No, I didn't! I didn't step on it!"
"Hmm... Did sister see wrong?"
I peeked down into the gym. Five staff and Yu-na were playing four-square.
A square game board drawn on the rain-soaked dirt.
Yu-na hopped like a bunny inside, looking precarious.
Hop! Hop!
"Huh? Yu-na, you stepped again."
"No, I didn't!"
Even though she'd clearly grazed and erased the line lightly, Yu-na lied.
Cutely grinning, oblivious to the leniency, hopping to the end.
I leaned on the gym railing, watching Yu-na play.
A heartwarming sight.
The next day, at dawn, I rushed to get ready with Yu-na and stepped outside.
Shiver.
The night rain had dropped the temperature sharply—it was chilly.
Not even thinly dressed.
My shoulders hunched instinctively.
"Yu-na, you cold?"
"Nope! Not cold at all. Hehehe."
Her bright smile said she was fine. I picked up Yu-na and hugged her tight. Her warmth was like a big hand warmer.
Yu-na's steamed-bun cheeks.
Right in front of my nose, so tempting.
Gulp! I swallowed dryly and rubbed my chubby cheek against hers.
Yu-na pushed me away.
"Daddyyy! Don't!"
Shocked by her firm tone, I widened my eyes at her.
Yu-na pouted cutely, lips pursed.
"Don't do that—kiss me here instead."
Grumbling, Yu-na tapped her steamed-bun cheek with a finger.
I burst out laughing.
Hadn't kissed her lately?
"Ahaha. Okay."
As I kissed her cheek per request, her little mouth curved up.
"Hehehe. Here too. Here."
As I went for the other side.
Vrooom!
A familiar black car pulled up. The window rolled down, revealing In-cheol's big face.
"Jun-seo, hop in quick. We're late even now."
"Huh? Oh... right."
As soon as I got in the driver's seat—no, passenger—Yu-na wriggled out of my lap to the middle.
Wiggle. Wiggle.
Yu-na scooted back on her butt and finally sat.
For her, the manager—who hadn't started yet—smiled.
"Don't forget your belt. You learned at kindergarten, right?"
"I know that too."
Yu-na buckled up confidently, and In-cheol turned forward.
"Departing now."
"You're late—go already."
After leaving the apartment and hitting the main road, I pulled out my phone.
I'd played with her late last night, crashed without washing, charged the dead phone but hadn't checked.
"...Huh? What's this?"
The usually quiet chat had a red badge, and the preview mentioned my name.
Wondering what, I opened the sitcom cast chat first.
Yoo Seol-hwa: Hey! You did a photobook? Why not give us any?! Two people are bragging they got theirs from you!
Kang Su-ho: Not us?
Shin Dong-hyun: Me too! You holding out?
Yoon Mi-jeong: Director Lee Han-sol was pretty bummed too? Me too, obviously.
Kang Su-ho: After all I've done for you.
Kang Su-ho: Just business between us? Thought you were real little bro. Disappointed.
Yoo Seol-hwa: After all I've done!
Other chats too?
Back button, checked another—yep.
Cha Eun-hyuk: Photobook this time? You'll give me one, right? Trusting you.
Kang Min-woo: That's all our friendship means? Thought we were tight—you're the only one who thought so? Not even calling me bro...
Kim Sung-hyun: (sneaky emoji)
Lee Ha-yul: Uncle! Gimme one too! It's pics Dad took! We deserve some, right?
Kang Min-woo: ...Little bro? You didn't block us? Right?
Cha Eun-hyuk: You really blocked?
I'd planned to hand them out in person slowly, but So-young noona and In-joo hyung's ad ripple was huge.
My Stargram was blowing up too.
- Dad! What's the photobook? Going on sale? Tell us!
└ Luna agency staff is my friend—pre-distributing to fans, rest pre-order.
└ No way... fan meeting finally?
└ Lining up early.
- Waiting eagerly!
- Want that too. Yu-na pics in the photobook?
- Yeah, Yu-na pics too. So-young unnie posted on Stargram.
└ For real? Checking now.
└ Useless. Unnie only showed cover and back.
- Reveal soon!
- Dropped! Just posted a few!!!
I closed and reopened Stargram.
My recent post: full-body shot lifting Yu-na like an airplane.
Comments flooded in.
- No joke, buying that photobook no matter what. Just wait!!
- Quality insane. That's in the book?
- Wow... speechless.
└ Legendary. Always slightly bummed by posts here, but this feels good. Right?
└ Agreed! Agreed!
- So cool!! Waiting!!
Hyungs and noonas who'd seen quick were demanding the photobook now too.
Best idea.
Decision made, I looked at the driving manager.
"In-cheol."
"Yes?"
"Got a favor. Can you help?"
In-cheol glanced back briefly, then forward.
"Making me nervous... Shoot."
"Distribute photobooks to the seniors? They're all demanding we release it quick."
In-cheol's brow twitched. If no or busy, agency staff it is.
"Hmm... Easy. List the recipients, I'll send via agency."
I grinned and thumbs-upped.
"Our manager's the best."
"Hehehe. Uncle best! Number one!"
Our praise lifted In-cheol's mouth corners.
Good mood.