Chapter 28
Chapter 28
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 28
Chapter Title: Early Arrival at Ace High School
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I stood stock-still in front of Ace High School, gazing up at the sky.
A sky like a sheet of blue drawing paper.
Perfect weather for filming.
Yet, for some reason, my heart felt heavy, like something was missing, leaving an emptiness.
Was it because Yu-na wasn't with me?
I let out a chuckle and shrugged lightly. Feeling this way just because I hadn't brought Yu-na to the set...
'I really have turned into a doting dad.' I looked at the photo of Yu-na I'd set as my phone wallpaper from before and smiled. She was sticking out her belly with a triumphant expression—it was so cute. Just seeing the photo melted away the emptiness, filling me with energy.
"Alright. Let's do this."
Steel-ing my resolve, I scanned Ace High School, the location for today's shoot. An artificial turf field. Even if the wind blew, no dust would kick up. It didn't look like you'd get seriously hurt even if you tripped while running. The school flag emblazoned with its iconic emblem and the Korean flag. A podium inscribed with the motto: 'Never lose sight of your dreams and hopes.' Taking it all in left a bitter taste in my mouth. 'Not that I'm saying this now.' Honestly, I'd rather play a student than a teacher. That way, I could at least recapture a bit of the high school vibe. 'But... what's this memory?' When I closed my eyes, fragmented, unfamiliar memories flooded into my head. A sunlit windowsill. Students gathered around, giggling at lame jokes. It seemed like a perfectly peaceful classroom scene. But at the back of that classroom... It was a completely different story. A hazy memory surfaced of Lee Jun-seo being dragged along by some student. 'Is this Lee Jun-seo's memory?' My fists trembled. I realized I'd been clenching them so hard my hands had gone numb. It was deeply unsettling. I shook out my pale hands in a fluster and tried to shove the memory away. It wasn't a good one, after all.
The staff bustling with equipment transport spotted me and froze.
They clearly hadn't expected an actor to arrive two hours early.
Shouldn't a rookie actor show up early to the set full of passion?
'That's just a minor excuse.' Truth be told, there was a real reason I came early. To blend into this unfamiliar high school for the long shoot ahead, I'd come early to scout the place. 'They might think it's trivial.' But it was far from trivial. Acting naturally and familiarly in a new environment is never easy. Even for me, with my exceptional talent for adaptation, pulling off a "comfortable" performance in unfamiliar surroundings was tough.
"Actor Lee Jun-seo, you're here early."
"Hello."
"Haha, hello, everyone."
I bowed to the greeting staff, then resumed my paused steps slowly. Passing the main building, climbing a small hill, and going by the second building—that's when it happened. In the distance, extras in school uniforms clustered together, chatting amiably. They looked just like real students amid their laughter. 'No, they probably are real high schoolers...' The faces of those youthful students. They didn't look like adults at all. I might come off as an old guy saying this. But just watching them stirred a sense of fresh youthfulness. 'That's youth for you. Pure youth.' Smiling warmly, I turned away—only to bump into a girl running up.
"Eek! Y-you scared me!"
"Sorry! I arrived late... Huh?"
The girl's gasp drew the eyes of the gathered group.
"Huh? Isn't that Jun-seo oppa?"
"Yeah? He looks even more handsome in person. Is he looking for someone?"
"Wow! It really is him!"
"Kyaa! I'm a huge fan!"
"Hyungnim! Hello!"
Suddenly, a crowd of students swarmed me.
"Can I get an autograph?"
"I want a handshake!"
"I want a photo..."
With no manager yet, I had no one to fend off the kids pressing in close. Where'd the staff go? They were everywhere when I didn't need them. 'Where the hell are they...' Reeling from the cheers, I raised my hand high.
"Uh, excuse me... just a sec..."
If I pushed away these fans who'd come up to me excitedly, who knows what headlines might pop up online. [Shocker! Rookie Actor Lee Jun-seo Shoves Approaching Fans, Causing Injury!] [The True Face of Actor Lee Jun-seo?] Sweat soaked my back. This was my first time surrounded by students, past life included. I'd never been popular with the young crowd. 'What do I do?' No matter how hard I racked my brain, no good solution came to mind.
"Excuse me, sorry, but... everyone, could you back up a bit?"
"Wooow! His voice is amazing too!"
"Oppa!"
"I loved watching your debut in Guard the Pojangmacha!" "Can I call you hyungnim?"
"Your punches in the sitcom were awesome. You any good in real life?"
The barrage of questions left me speechless. 'Hey, popularity's great and all...' Can't they ask one at a time? That's when it happened.
"Jun-seo! Run!"
"Y-Yes?"
Someone grabbed my wrist and bolted. The wind flipped the name tag around her neck into view. Only then did I realize who my rescuer was. 'Ah, a staff member...' Relieved, I followed her lead, picking up speed. We arrived at a quiet classroom. Panting hard, I glanced at her. She was breathing heavily too, clearly exhausted.
"Thanks for the help."
"No problem. You looked troubled, so... I hope I didn't butt in unnecessarily?"
"You saved my life."
The kind-faced staffer smiled gently.
"Rest here for now. The extras will head to the second-floor classrooms soon."
"Oh, got it."
"Good luck with the shoot today."
She gave her encouragement and left without lingering. 'What a nice person.'
"Hmm..."
A teacher popular with students.
To fit that concept, my makeup took over an hour.
'...Isn't this a bit much?' I looked handsome enough to slap a celebrity across the face. Staring in the mirror, I barely recognized myself. This was less "teacher" and more... Idol material. With the lenses in, my eyes sparkled intensely. Plus, the stylist had given me a side-parted perm showing a bit of forehead. This would steal the spotlight from the leads. It was all wrong. Sensing a problem with the production's direction, I cautiously raised my hand.
"Um, isn't this idol-level makeup? Seems over the top."
"The director said to make you as handsome as possible, so..." "So you're saying I'm not handsome without it?"
"Haha, that's not what I meant..."
"It's fine. I'm ugly anyway."
I feigned tears to sway the makeup artists. Luckily, they caved quickly and started toning it down. 'Yes, perfect.' I inwardly cheered. Out came the uncomfortable lenses. Lighter brows—and finally, I nodded in satisfaction.
"Looks good. Shall we go with this?"
The door burst open. Director Han Mun-jin stormed in, face scrunched in frustration.
"Ha, this is so annoying."
"Director, something wrong?"
"Nah, nothing. Anyway..."
He scanned me top to bottom and nodded.
"Not bad. The outfit gives a fresh, spring vibe."
Everyone in the dressing room agreed.
"Right? We aimed for spring freshness. The bright blue suits Actor Lee Jun-seo perfectly."
"Ready to get up?"
"Yeah."
Standing with staff help, they straightened my new outfit. The director's furrowed brow relaxed, a smile creeping in.
"Suits you well."
"Phew, does it meet your approval, Director? My masterpiece."
"Yeah, proceed like this. Have the actor rest now. Dealing with the extras will take time."
"Got it."
His mood brightened as he left. Prep done, I followed him out and wandered around. Makeup had run long—I hadn't greeted the seniors yet. 'Heard they were here somewhere...' Passing a classroom marked "Class 2-3," I spotted Kim Sung-hyun alone inside. 'What's he doing by himself?' I crept up quietly. Scritch. Scritch. He was sharpening a pencil with a small cutter knife, focused intently.
"...Whoa! Wow!"
I couldn't help but gasp at the intricate drawing on the desk. A swan on a lake, wings spread wide.
"What, a junior?"
Kim Sung-hyun turned, his face serious—no trace of his usual playfulness.
"Senior, you draw really well."
Teasing lightly, he smirked and resumed drawing. Scritch. Scritch. His careful layering showed it wasn't finished yet. Watching silently, he spoke quietly.
"Sitting here alone brought back old memories, so I sketched a bit."
"How about simplifying that part? Stroke upward from top to bottom, like lifting."
His head whipped around. Realizing what I'd said, I backpedaled.
"Ah, sorry. I shouldn't have chimed in when I know nothing about drawing."
"...No, that might work."
He moved his hand again. Just as I'd suggested, upward lifting strokes to shade. How would I, who couldn't even draw a "he," know that? Swish. Swish. As Kim Sung-hyun's drawing neared completion. Another of Lee Jun-seo's memories seeped into my head. A thug student snatching his paper while drawing at school. A headache hit; I clutched my head and staggered. Even though it wasn't my memory, nausea welled up.
"Urk..."
"...Jun-seo, you okay?"
His hand reached out; my body flinched. His hand froze in midair. '...I'll head out now.' "If you're not feeling well, go to the nurse's office. Medical staff's there..."
"I'm fine. Just an old memory resurfacing."
Deep breaths to steady myself, a bow, and I left.