Chapter 195
Chapter 195
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 195
Chapter Title: Action Practice Hurdles
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Following the instructor's demonstrated action, I tried it out, and it demanded way more focus than acting did. Even though my partner was going easy on me with slow attacks...
It still felt incredibly fast in the moment.
Maybe that's why?
I was too busy scrambling to remember the next move.
'What comes next again?'
Right—dodge backward and then kick toward the face.
Gotta be gentle since it could hurt.
Like pushing them away...
That was exactly when it happened.
"...Huh?"
Thud!
I dodged back and went to counterattack right away, but my feet got tangled, and I fell flat on my back.
'Oh man, this looks pathetic...'
I felt like I could die of embarrassment.
What had I said earlier?
Something cocky like I'd nail it after practicing just five times?
Five times? No way that was realistic.
Pfft.
I bowed my head and covered my burning face with my hands. Then I heard footsteps approaching.
Someone was right in front of me.
"Um, are you okay?"
"...Yeah, I'm fine."
"More than that, you're really impressive. You nailed it after seeing it just once."
The unexpected praise made me slowly lower my hands and look up. The guy I'd been partnering with was smiling and extending a hand.
"Come on, grab on and get up."
"Yeah... Thanks."
I grabbed his hand and stood, chuckling awkwardly from the embarrassment.
"Thanks? You just tripped over your own feet, right? We trip up on that part sometimes too."
"Oh, really?"
"You did great. How do you memorize the moves so easily and follow through like that? I'm jealous of your talent."
The instructor, who'd rushed over, showered me with praise just like the guy.
"You're amazing! You could go pro as an action actor! Why not join our action school and learn properly? Even working actors come here."
The intense gaze directed at me.
The instructor's eyes sparkled eagerly.
"We don't do that whole 'senior class' hierarchy here based on graduation batches. So no need to feel awkward if you're starting late. What do you think? Sounds good, right?"
Why were these people suddenly like this?
I gave an awkward laugh.
"Ahaha... Well, that's a bit... Oh! This sequence is pretty tough, so five times might be pushing it. Can we start with what you were about to show me earlier?"
"Huh? You're not doing more like this?"
"It'd be a shame to stop now. Next, I'll be your partner myself since I'm the instructor. Get ready right—"
"W-Wait a sec. I was the partner. You can't just steal it like that."
"This is my job. I'm not stealing. Watch your words."
"You asked me to help out for a bit."
The instructor snatched the prop dagger from the guy's hand. Then he waved dismissively, like it was a hassle.
"You're done here, so you can go. Good work."
The guy, who'd been frozen stiff like a statue, furrowed his brow.
"...Hey. What batch are you from?"
"Eighth batch. You?"
"I'm from the fifth—earlier than you."
"What, want me to treat you like a senior?"
What happened to saying no senior treatment based on batches...?
I let out a deep sigh, leaving their childish spat behind.
In the end, they took turns partnering with me for the action. That supposedly toughest sequence... a total of fifteen times.
I had no strength left to move.
"Haa. Haa..."
I lay spread-eagled on the floor, catching my ragged breath while staring at the ceiling.
Man.
Five times really was impossible.
I messed up with tangled feet fifteen times in the exact same spot. They said it was because the moves were tricky...
"If you practice just a bit more, I bet you could nail it perfectly."
"Yeah, exactly. It took us over two days to master this part. Such an enviable talent."
"Next up... Oh! Ahaha..."
The instructor started laughing awkwardly, glancing at me nervously. Something was off.
"...What's up?"
"Well... you see. I got ahead of myself trying to impress you and skipped the basics."
"The basics?"
I hauled my heavy body up with effort and looked at the instructor. He was still peeking at me, forcing a smile.
"In my excitement to show off, I forgot to give you the pads. Hang on. I'll grab them right now!"
The instructor dragged the guy away with him. Come to think of it, we'd been doing this without any protective gear?
I flopped back down and rotated my wrists and ankles this way and that.
Then I bent and straightened my arms and legs a few times. No throbbing or pain anywhere.
It was a miracle nothing was hurt so far. If I'd gotten injured alone here... the schedule would've gone haywire.
Anyway.
I turned my head to the side.
I checked the clock on the big pillar. Yu-na should've finished class and be heading home by now.
'She'll be bored alone, huh?'
I fumbled for my phone. Judging by the vibe, I'd be heading home late tonight.
'Yoon Si-won's number...'
It connected right away.
-Yeah, Jun-seo? What's up?
"I'm gonna be late home today. Could you make sure Yu-na gets dinner?"
-No problem at all. Ha-yul's child actor gigs are on hold for a bit, so I've got time.
Oh, on hold for a while, huh.
I let out a small chuckle.
Back in the day, she would've pushed Ha-yul to keep going, saying playtime could wait.
-...What? Why are you laughing all of a sudden?
"Nothing. Just thinking about the old you."
-The old me?
"You told Ha-yul she had to keep working steadily to succeed. Play when you're older, right?"
-Oh, that... Forget I said it!
I could picture her face flushing red. Keeping my smile, I spoke up.
"I'll probably have to ask this a lot for the next couple months. So, take good care of Yu-na in the meantime."
-No worries. We walk home from school together anyway.
Crunch. Crunch.
Seeing the instructor and guy return with the gear, I sat up and adjusted my phone grip.
"Oh, gotta go—busy here."
-Okay, good luck.
As soon as I hung up, the pads were gently set beside me.
"You know how to put them on?"
"Yeah, I got it."
"Alright, gear up and let's start. Still a long way to go."
Yeah, a long way indeed.
After finishing all her elementary school classes and polishing off lunch, Yu-na meticulously swept under her desk.
"Hehehe. There, spotless."
"Yu-na, can I use that too?"
"Sure! I'm done. Here!"
"Thanks."
Her desk mate started sweeping her own spot with the broom Yu-na handed over.
The other kids waited their turn.
Such a fresh, innocent sight.
Homeroom teacher Kang Yu-jin sat at her podium, quietly watching the kids clean their areas.
'It's so fascinating.'
First graders usually had upperclassmen do the cleaning for them. So the kids just had to pick up visible trash.
Yet.
They didn't.
No matter how many times she stopped them, it was no use.
What an ironic thing.
Soon, the kids finished cleaning and sat down, facing forward.
The classroom fell silent in an instant.
Snapping to attention, Kang Yu-jin cleared her throat.
"Ahem! All done cleaning?"
"Yes! All done!"
"It's clean!"
"Yeah! We're finished!"
With their cheerful responses, Kang Yu-jin handed out parent notices, one to each child.
"Everyone, give this to your mom or dad. And go straight home—no detours. Got it?"
"Yes, Teacher!"
"I have piano lessons! Can't I go there?"
"You can go to lessons. I said the same yesterday, right? If you wanna skip, get permission from your mom."
Clap! Clap! Clap!
Kang Yu-jin clapped to refocus them. The kids stopped giggling and turned back to her.
She smiled.
"All set. Great job today, everyone. You're free to go home."
After goodbyes, they all dashed outside toward home.
Watching their boundless energy, Kang Yu-jin turned her gaze forward.
'Huh? When did Ha-yul get back?'
Next to Yu-na, who was stuffing the notice into her little bag, sat Ha-yul—nobody knew when she'd slipped in.
The two together practically glowed with cuteness.
No wonder they were child actors.
How much prettier would they be grown up?
"Yu-na, wanna hit that place today? I got allowance—I've got tons of money. Three thousand won!"
"For real? But I spent all mine... My savings are gone."
Yep.
Yu-na had blown through every coin she'd saved.
Her once-bulging coin pouch.
Now it was flat as a board.
She pulled out the pitiful pouch to show Ha-yul and drooped her brows.
"It's fine. I'll treat this time."
"...Really? Then let's go!"
Up!
Yu-na's face lit up as she jumped from her seat and bowed to the teacher still at the podium.
"Bye, Teacher!"
"Oh! Bye, Teacher!"
"Alright, get home safe. You two especially—be extra careful, okay?"
"Yes!"
"Mom gave me this whistle to wear, so it's fine."
"And Yu-na's with me!"
"Hehe. Right. Blow it if there's danger, and watch for cars."
"Yes."
"Yes! Pretty Teacher!"
And so Yu-na and Ha-yul exited the school gate and zipped straight to the snack shop on the way home.
Dash!
'Rabbit Snack Shop.'
This cheap eatery had captured Yu-na and Ha-yul's taste buds.
Spicy aromas mixed with greasy fried smells.
The appetite-teasing scents had them wiping drool as they claimed an empty table.
"Auntie!"
"Auntie! Yu-na's here too!"
The kind-faced auntie turned at their calls. She must not have noticed them come in.
"Oh my! When did you get here? If it isn't our pretty princesses? It's been ages!"
"Got allowance, so we came."
"She said she'd buy. Hehehe."
"How much? One serving? Two?"
Ha-yul shook her head side to side and held up one finger.
"Two servings that are one serving each. Super grateful for some fried stuff on the house."
The auntie found Ha-yul's antics utterly adorable and burst out laughing.
"Oh yeah? Two one-serving servings. And mandu and kimchi rolls as fried service, right, princesses?"
"You know it."
"Hehehe. You know it."
Yu-na mimicking Ha-yul's expression doubled the cuteness.
"Yes, princesses. Just a moment—Auntie will bring it right out."
And just like that, the kids had a full snack binge for three thousand won.