Chapter 118
Chapter 118
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 118
Chapter Title: The Final Scene
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After carefully checking the wires connected to my body, the shooting of this final scene finally began.
It was the scene where, in the midst of a shootout between the detective and Chairman Choi Deok-bae, I appear, tackle the chairman, and we both plummet from the building.
And in this scene, I...
turn into scattering dust and vanish without a trace. The punishment dealt to me for physically taking a human life.
And then.
I recall memories from when I was human and accept death.
A feeling that's both relieving and bittersweet.
To express that, while hanging upside down, I let out a bitter smile that would make anyone who saw it feel sorrowful.
"This is the perfect ending for us. Humans or... demons, excessive greed only brings disaster."
"Ugh... Damn it!"
"You'd better give up."
Maintaining a serene expression, I gently closed my eyes.
"...It's time to say goodbye."
"Nooo! Don't!"
How much time passed after Senior's guttural scream echoed through?
The chilling silence amplified the unease. I released the held emotion, opened my eyes, and scanned my surroundings.
The director stood with arms crossed, staring intently at his laptop with a grave expression.
Was my acting just now not good enough?
A moment later, the director bellowed so loudly that the entire set rang out.
"Cut. Haha! That was perfect. Now we just need to capture the detective's lines, and we're done. Alright! Hurry and release the actors dangling there, and let's move on to the next scene."
Having hung upside down for so long, we were helped down to solid ground by the staff.
Was it because all the blood rushed to my head while I was immersed in the acting? Suddenly, dizziness hit me, and I lost my balance, collapsing.
Plop!
As I sat there slumped, Senior effortlessly lifted me up like a child.
"Hey, you okay?"
I gave an awkward smile and expressed my gratitude to him.
"Ah, thank you. Hanging upside down for so long must've done it—suddenly got dizzy."
"Sigh, why are all my juniors so scrawny? You should exercise steadily like I do."
He slammed his hand down hard on my shoulder.
"Ah... Why'd you do that?"
Rubbing my stinging right shoulder, I asked, and Senior stared right at me.
"Did you like me that much, Jun-seo? You hugged me so tight when you fell."
He was talking about the moment when I tackled the chairman and we fell during the scene.
I recoiled at Ma Dong-sik Senior's lame joke and said,
"Uh... Senior? If I don't tackle you quick there, it's an NG."
"Haha! I know, I know. Just a joke—why so serious?"
"......"
I no longer felt hesitant about narrowing my eyes at Senior in annoyance.
It was possible only because we'd grown close over the week's shoot.
"And you're still calling me 'Senior'? So stiff."
Yeah, I'd been waiting for that line.
I couldn't just call him 'hyung' without permission. I immediately flashed a bright smile and replied.
"Then should I call you comfortably? Hyung?"
Only then did a warm smile spread across his rugged face.
"That sounds much better. Oh! I was planning to give my junior a nice gift today."
"A gift?"
My eyes lit up at the word.
So far, I'd only received gifts for Yu-na—none for me, so honestly, I felt a bit slighted.
"What kind of gift?"
"Not now—check it yourself later on my StarStar account. You'll love it. And you know there's a wrap party tonight? Don't skip it."
He flashed a meaningful smile and patted my shoulder.
A gift on StarStar...?
Not something material?
He left me full of curiosity and headed off to remove his makeup.
Coming to my senses late, I thanked everyone and stepped out of the set. Finding Yu-na, who'd been waiting for me all this time, was the priority.
'Where's she playing?'
Step. Step.
As I walked down the hallway, I nearly bumped faces with a middle-aged man around the corner.
I stepped back, frowning.
"Ah, you scared me. How can you run down the hallway like that?"
"S-Sorry."
"Gotcha! Hehe. Yu-na's not 'it' anymore? Now Uncle's 'it'."
Looking down at the familiar voice, Yu-na was clinging tightly to the leg of the unfamiliar man.
"Whoa! D-Dad! Your face is hurt?"
Pat pat pat!
Yu-na rushed over, reaching out with a worried look.
I smiled calmly and leaned my face forward. She must've thought it was real since I hadn't removed the makeup yet.
Her tiny, trembling hand.
Yu-na's touch on my cheek felt incredibly warm.
"D-Does it hurt a lot? Where'd you get hurt? Yu-na will go yell at them!"
Hmm, what to do? Should I trick cute Yu-na and soak up all her worry?
I shook my head.
I had that precedent of fooling her at the dentist last time.
Better to avoid lies for a while. Finishing that thought quickly, I grinned and patted my cheek.
"It's just makeup to look like a wound. Dad's not hurt."
"R-Really? Phew. Good."
Yu-na placed her tiny hand on her chest and let out a big sigh of relief.
By the way.
I glanced sideways.
Five young staff members were peeking nervously, then politely clasped their hands, backs to the wall, standing in a line.
No, this makes it look like I'm scolding them. I just wanted to thank them for playing with Yu-na...
"Um..."
"Yes, sir!"
The young staff who'd nearly bumped into me responded loudly, tense.
'...Better greet them quick and go.'
I gently stroked Yu-na's head, then pressed it down firmly, bowing my own head as well.
"Thanks for watching Yu-na in my place. Shooting's done now, so I'll take her with me."
"Thank you. Bye, Oppa! Unnie!"
At Yu-na's bright farewell, the young staff slumped their shoulders.
They seemed reluctant to part.
But what could be done?
My scenes were wrapped.
'Now it's my turn to play with her.'
The long, grueling omnibus drama shoot had finally come to an end.
At the wrap party where everyone gathered.
We'd rented out the entire restaurant, so even with all the cast and crew together, there was plenty of space.
In the boisterous atmosphere.
Seated right in the center, I kept getting offered drinks by the seniors and the director.
"If you don't drink now, when will you? Come on, drink up."
"Don't like drinks from this noona?"
Yoon So-hee Senior and Director Han Mun-jin...
They had me in quite a spot.
The reason? Yu-na, who'd only been eating meat, had taken an interest in the alcohol.
Look at Yu-na's sparkling eyes right now, staring fixedly at the frothy beer glass in front of me.
"Director, the junior says no."
"Yeah, stop pushing. I'll drink his share."
Kwon In-joo snatched my glass and downed it in one gulp.
"Hey! Why are you drinking that?"
"Well, for Jun-seo Junior..."
This wouldn't do.
I glanced around cautiously and moved to a spot with Yu-na where there was no alcohol.
There sat Kim So-young, along with Hyung Ma Dong-sik and some extras.
"Hyung, mind if I sit next to you?"
"Oh, yeah. Sit."
I sat and immediately placed Yu-na on my lap. Everyone watched us with fond smiles.
"Ah, kiddo. What drink you want?"
"Yu-na wants cider!"
"I'll... have water."
No sooner had I answered than a young extra placed glasses of cider and water in front of us and Yu-na.
"Here you go. Let me know if you need anything else."
"Thanks."
I sipped the cool water and fed Yu-na a small piece of meat into her little mouth.
Nom nom.
"Oh, right. Hyung."
"...Huh? What."
Ma Dong-sik, who'd been staring at us, flinched in surprise.
I continued.
"You said I could see it if I log into StarStar now? The gift you mentioned..."
"Oh! That? Heh heh heh."
Bursting into laughter, he pulled out his phone and showed me something.
"This is..."
What he showed was none other than...
the video from when Yu-na, in her bunny pajamas, had burst into tears.
Edited professionally, no less.
[Daddy! Yu-na was bad! So don't throw me away. Waaah!]
Gentle, wistful piano music.
Then the angles shifted completely.
Focusing on my face.
[...My daughter. What did you do wrong?]
[You ignore when I call Yu-na... Sniff! And this morning too... when Daddy was leaving, no goodbye... Sniff!]
[Hmm... Then Daddy should say sorry too? Lying at the dentist was Daddy's fault.]
[Sniff! Sniff...!]
[Daddy's sorry.]
[...Daddyyy!]
The video ended with me gently patting Yu-na's back.
"...What's this?"
"You two were filming such a drama, so I asked a friend to edit it."
"You're posting this on StarStar?"
"Yeah, already did. Titled it 'The Sad and Painful Story of a Father and Daughter.'"
What? Already posted?
I pulled out my phone to check but gave up.
The reactions? I could guess.
No one on my side, so mostly comments saying I was in the wrong.
Still...
They did a great job editing.
It felt like a real drama scene with pro touches.
As I rewatched the video on Hyung's phone,
Clap! Clap! Clap!
The director stood, clapping, holding a glass of white foam and shimmering orange liquid, drawing all eyes.
I handed the phone back to Hyung and looked at the director. He scanned the room and nodded.
"Alright! Everyone worked hard. Here's to reaping the rewards of that hard work—raise your glasses!"
"Cheers!"
How much time passed like that?
As the party heated up, I stepped out alone and gazed at the sky while the cool night breeze hit me.
The stars shining beautifully in the night sky seemed especially vivid tonight.
Creak!
"Acting all mopey—what's up?"
The director came out in his coat and lit a cigarette right away.
"Just... feeling stuffy."
He chuckled softly, exhaled smoke smoothly, and said,
"You worked hard all this time."
"You worked harder, Director."
"...Thanks, even if it's empty words. What's next? Variety shows to promote the project?"
"Hmm... Probably. For now, just variety—no acting gigs. Been running nonstop, so I'm worn out."
"...I see."
"Yeah."
Was it the alcohol?
Regret was plain on his face.
Two projects, back-to-back.
Of course he'd feel it was a shame. I felt the same, just like he did.
Finishing his cigarette, the director silently placed a hand on my shoulder.
"If you ever need my help... call anytime."
"Yeah, I will."