Chapter 196
Chapter 196
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 196
Chapter Title: Yu-na's Acting Academy Visit
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“See you next time!”
“It was yummy! Yu-na will come again too!”
“Sure thing. Come back anytime, princesses.”
After school lunch and tteokbokki on top.
With their bellies stuffed full, Ha-yul and Yu-na held hands tightly as they left the snack shop.
“Boo-ra—we are—cheerful children—”
“Brighter than—the sun—”
They were marching forward proudly, singing the school song they'd learned.
That's when they spotted a very familiar figure at the apartment complex entrance. Ha-yul and Yu-na stopped in their tracks and let go of each other's hands.
Then they bolted off running.
“Huh? Mommy! Mommmmy!”
“Auntie!”
Yoon Si-won checked around their lips and pulled out a handkerchief.
“Sigh, what did you eat?”
“We ate tteokbokki. Hehehe.”
“I bought it for you today? Good job, right?”
She wiped around their lips clean one by one, then casually asked,
“Ha-yul. What about lunch at school? You didn't eat it?”
“It was meh. Mom's cooking tastes better. The meat was like chewy gum and hard to eat...”
“...So you're saying Mom's cooking is bad? Say it straight.”
Ha-yul glanced at her mom's suddenly sharp eyes, then clung to her and rubbed her face against her.
“Hey, I mean Mom's cooking is delicious. So... I don't wanna go to acting class today. Can I skip?”
“It's only once a week. Skipping means wasting tuition.”
“Still. It's really no fun.”
At the mention of acting academy, Yu-na's eyes lit up with curiosity.
“...Academy? You go to academy, Ha-yul?”
“Yu-na, academies are no fun at all. It's just voice exercises and acting presentations all the time? The older kids give lots of snacks... but that's it.”
“Snacks... Yu-na wants to try too.”
“What? I told you, it's no fun.”
“Ssugh! Ha-yul.”
Yoon Si-won silenced Ha-yul and looked straight into Yu-na's eyes.
Sparkling bright.
Her pupils were shining extra.
“...Yu-na. Do you want to go to academy?”
“Yes! I'll be good, so can Yu-na go with Ha-yul?”
“Hmm...”
If she brought Yu-na, the academy would welcome her with open arms.
She's the daughter of famous actor Lee Jun-seo, after all.
One day should be fine.
They'd said before it's okay to bring acting friends.
“Hold on a sec...”
Yoon Si-won pulled out her phone.
And immediately called Lee Jun-seo.
“Oh, Jun-seo. Busy right now?”
*-Hah. Hah... Yeah, pretty busy.*
The voice on the other end sounded rough, like he'd just worked out.
She must be interrupting.
“Oh, sorry. It's about Yu-na showing interest in acting academy.”
*-Really?*
“Yeah, I called to ask if it's okay to bring her for one day to the academy Ha-yul goes to.”
*-Sure, that's fine.*
“Got it. Sorry for calling while you're busy.”
*-No problem. Sorry, but I can't talk long...*
“Oh, yeah! Hanging up now.”
Click!
Yoon Si-won slipped her phone back in her pocket and let out a small sigh.
Meanwhile.
Yu-na was jumping up and down happily, grabbing Ha-yul's hand.
“Hehehe. Yu-na's going to academy too!”
“You like it that much? I hate it...”
“Yeah! Let's go get tons of snacks!”
“...So snacks were your goal?”
“Haa.”
I finished the call and pocketed my phone. Yu-na interested in acting academy...
Wait a minute.
‘Having her spend after-school time at acting academy doesn't sound bad.’
It's not like regular study academies where she goes every weekday. Maybe sign her up on this chance?
And honestly.
I could teach her acting myself, but building connections at an academy isn't bad either.
“I overheard something about acting academy just now... Planning to enroll? Enroll here instead. You've got action talent...”
“Not me. My daughter.”
I cut off the instructor.
He kept pushing me to join action school. I'd said no a million times already.
“What a shame. But... why send your daughter to acting academy? Can't actor Lee Jun-seo teach her himself?”
That's when it happened.
Clap! Clap! Clap!
We paused the sparring and turned toward the sound.
“Great work, everyone. Let's take a break. Cool off with some cold drinks. Oh, and Yang Hyuk-su's fans sent a coffee truck.”
Director Park Mu-jin's words instantly lifted the students' spirits.
“Thank you!”
“We'll enjoy it gratefully!”
“Awesome! Thanks, actor Yang Hyuk-su!”
Thud thud thud!
They all rushed outside with thanks. The floor shook like an earthquake.
Everyone must've been parched.
No need to run...
“Instructor, good work... Huh?”
The instructor who'd been there vanished. Must've joined the crowd rushing out.
“Sigh...”
“Jun-seo, junior. Let's go too.”
“Ah... Senior. Don't stick.”
His workout clothes were soaked with sweat and clinging uncomfortably.
I gently peeled off senior Yang Hyuk-su and wiped the sweat from my forehead with the towel around my neck.
“Jun-seo junior.”
“Yeah?”
“I saw you practicing a tough part earlier. Why start there?”
“It just kinda happened that way.”
“That's the scene where I find you in the countryside and pick a fight first, right?”
“Yeah, exactly. It's the most intense part. Super tough.”
“Actually, I practiced that part following your lead. Wanna run it together after a break? I pretty much memorized it.”
“Sure, sounds good.”
“Then let's head out, cool off, and grab a cold drink.”
Stepping outside slowly, I saw a crowd around the coffee truck.
And the banner above it.
[Actor Yang Hyuk-su! Don't get intimidated by the junior! Take our strength!]
[Surprised by a coffee truck on a drama set? We were surprised sending it here too.]
I couldn't help but burst out laughing.
“Pfft!”
“...Our fans have a habit of teasing me mischievously. Kinda embarrassing it's today.”
“It's a warm... no, cool gift from fans. It'll boost your energy.”
“You're mischievous too.”
Yoon Si-won drove slowly toward Seoul Acting Academy with Yu-na and Ha-yul in the car.
“La la la— la la— la la la—”
“...Haa. Don't wanna go to academy.”
One side sulking gloomily.
The other humming happily and kicking her feet in excitement.
“Ha-yul. You finished practicing the two-person scene? Today you're doing the mom-daughter argument, right.”
“All done. Don't worry.”
“Really? I can trust you?”
“Woo! Ha-yul! You're acting there? Can I watch from the side?”
“...You're just here to watch. Go ahead.”
“Hehehe.”
They soon arrived at Seoul Acting Academy.
After parking, Ha-yul hopped out first, and Yu-na followed carefully.
“Mom's working nearby, so when it's done, stay inside the academy. Don't go out.”
“...Got it, Mom. See ya later.”
“Yu-na, you know not to go out alone, right?”
“Yeah! See ya later, Auntie!”
Yu-na answered energetically and turned to follow Ha-yul.
Hop! Hop!
With bouncy steps, she climbed the stairs and passed the glass door.
There stood three adults.
They smiled brightly and waved as soon as they saw Ha-yul.
“Ha-yul. Hi? Long time no see.”
“How was school?”
“Haa... Hi, unnie, oppa.”
“Why so down... Huh? It's Yu-na?”
Yu-na met their eyes, smiled brightly, and clasped her hands neatly.
Then bowed politely.
“Hello! I'm Lee Yu-na from class 3-1 at Bora Elementary School!”
The ones receiving Yu-na's greeting gaped and looked around.
Glance. Glance.
“Yu-na here means actor Lee Jun-seo is coming today too?”
“What do we do! I'm a huge fan! Can I get his autograph today?”
“I'm a fan too. A photo together would be great.”
“My dad's busy, so he won't come.”
At Yu-na's words, the man peeking outside drooped his eyes.
“...Really wanted that autograph.”
Maybe because he didn't greet back?
Yu-na's face fell darker.
A quick-witted young woman hurriedly crouched to Yu-na's eye level.
And smiled brightly.
“Nice to meet you. I'm Yu Ji-won, chasing my acting dreams.”
Finally getting the vibe, the men smiled warmly too.
“Oppa is Ko Seong-kwon. Call me Seong-kwon oppa.”
“I'm Lee Jae-jin. Nice to meet you.”
Yu-na's darkened expression brightened instantly. Her mouth curved up to her ears.
“Hehe. Ji-won unnie, Seong-kwon oppa, Jae-jin oppa. Hello! I came to play at Ha-yul's academy today. Can I watch?”
Yu Ji-won answered.
“Of course. Want unnie to show you to the practice room?”
As Yu Ji-won reached out.
Ha-yul grabbed Yu-na's hand first and narrowed her eyes slightly.
“Unnie, I brought her, so I should guide Yu-na. Gotta introduce her to teacher too.”
They burst out laughing at Ha-yul's protective-sister vibe.
“Haha. Okay?”
“No choice then.”
“Take her quick. Bye, Yu-na.”
Step. Step.
Led by Ha-yul's hand, they entered a small office.
“Who comes in without knocking?”
“Teacher. It's me, Ha-yul.”
The middle-aged woman rising had deep laugh lines around her mouth. And very sharp eyes.
Looking scary, Yu-na hid timidly behind Ha-yul.
“Who's the kid hiding back there?”
“My friend. Yu-na. Greet like before. She's our academy teacher.”
“...Teacher?”
Peek.
Peeking out, the woman's eyebrows twitched.
Her forehead creased deeply.
Her expression growing scarier, Yu-na trembled.
“H-Hello... I'm from Bora... Elementary, first grade... class 3. L-Lee Yu-na.”
Step. Step.
As the woman closed in, Yu-na squeezed her eyes shut.
What do I do? Scary...
Daaaad...
Clutching Ha-yul's clothes while inwardly calling desperately for Dad.
“Teacher looks kinda scary, huh? Sorry. Is this better?”