Chapter 31
Chapter 31
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 31
Chapter Title: The Ugly Duckling
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It was around the time the minute hand on the infirmary wall clock had made three full circles. The silence was so thick that even the sound of swallowing felt loud.
[I wonder how long this guy's gonna stick around?]
Every time our eyes met, he flashed a fresh, bright smile. Like right now. As I swallowed dryly, he came closer and asked,
"Need anything?"
"...No."
My stomach was full now, and my body felt fine.
He'd been tending to me like I had some terminal illness, and the moment I so much as twitched, he'd pop up asking if I needed help.
I could feel his genuine concern, and I appreciated it, but it was starting to feel like too much—more annoying than anything.
"Um..."
"Yes? Need something?"
"When do I start shooting?"
At my question, he scratched his head and pulled out a paper with today's schedule scribbled on it.
"Hmm... When the executive director sent me here, he said they'd move up tomorrow's schedule. The scenes with you, Jun-seo, they'll decide based on your condition later."
"So then..."
"Basically, your scenes might happen today, or maybe two days from now."
The staff member finished speaking and tucked the schedule back into his pocket.
Then he flashed that bright smile again.
"Curiosity satisfied?"
Hearing that made guilt wash over me. The shoot was delayed because of me alone.
The staff.
The students here as extras.
I felt bad for all the seniors.
"If you're bored, why don't you read this?"
"Oh, sure..."
The book he handed me on impulse was a fairy tale for kids.
"Reading stuff like this sometimes takes you back to a childlike peace."
"......"
A fairy tale I hadn't read in my past life.
In this one, it was the book I read Yu-na to sleep every night.
['The Ugly Duckling.']
Haven't read this one to Yu-na yet? What's it about?
Unable to resist, I cracked open the fairy tale and read slowly.
A story about a little bird bullied by others that grows into a beautiful swan.
It didn't feel like someone else's tale.
It overlapped with Lee Jun-seo's school days, when he'd been tormented by friends.
Lost in it, I finished the book without noticing time pass, then closed it with a sudden thought.
Even as a beautiful swan, wouldn't the memories of being bullied as a duckling haunt it?
Just like how I was struggling now.
"Ugh..."
I put the finished book back on the shelf and stretched. Overthinking had left me sluggish and irritated.
It wasn't even something that happened to me, anyway.
No need to dwell on it.
I got down from the bed, slipped on my shoes, walked to the window, and stuck my head out.
Whoosh.
A cool breeze blew in.
[...Time to go see the director?]
My mental fatigue had lifted; I felt ready to shoot now.
With that thought, I turned to find the staff member.
"Um... Huh? Where'd he go?"
Looking around, the overly attentive staff was nowhere in sight. He'd must've slipped out while I was reading.
I'd meant to ask where they were shooting now...
I gave up searching for him quickly and headed straight out of the infirmary.
There were plenty of other staff around.
I'd just ask someone nearby.
Step. Step.
I walked down the hall and pushed open the door to the outside, but a strong gust hit me.
The sandstorm was fierce, so I squeezed my eyes shut, then opened them and froze.
"Wha—what? You..."
Why was that little kid here?
It was Ha-yul, the kid I'd met before. And her guardian, whose first impression hadn't been great.
Pat-pat-pat.
Our eyes locked, and Ha-yul ran over, bowing politely.
A cherry blossom hairband that suited spring perfectly, and a pure white dress.
Her long hair fluttered in the wind, giving this kid around Yu-na's age an oddly mature vibe.
"Mister! Hi!"
Ha-yul looked up with a pure, bright smile.
She seemed even more radiant than last time.
"Hi. Your name was... Ha-yul, right?"
"Yes, that's me."
"What brings you here?"
As I asked, the middle-aged woman who'd been watching cautiously shuffled forward and spoke.
"We heard shooting starts in two days, so we came to greet the director early."
There was none of that snappy tone from our first meeting at the set that had grated on me. Maybe that's why her current demeanor felt so awkward.
I gave an embarrassed smile and looked at her. The moment our eyes met, she looked down and clamped her mouth shut.
Wait, hold on...
What did she just say?
Two days from now for shooting, so they came to greet the director?
[Then... no way.]
The role of the director's daughter living in the dorms with Teacher Ha Jung-min, not yet announced.
It clicked.
[Is Ha-yul playing my daughter?]
Better to ask directly than guess.
I knelt to meet Ha-yul's eye level and asked carefully.
"So, Ha-yul's playing my daughter?"
"Yes! That's right."
"When the 'High School 2022' casting was announced, she was over the moon about working with you again, Jun-seo."
Ha-yul was one of the top child actors.
CFs, magazine models, dramas.
Everything recent had been a hit, getting her tons of press. Meaning she was super comfortable in front of the camera.
[Shooting with her should be easy, then.]
Experienced kid? Perfect.
So why hadn't the director announced Ha-yul was in it?
"Um, did I do something wrong...?"
Her hesitant words snapped me out of it. I shook my head.
I'd probably been frowning in thought.
"Just lost in thought for a sec."
She let out a relieved sigh and continued.
"There's another reason we came today..."
"Yeah?"
"Truth is... I wanted to meet you in person and apologize sincerely."
Her words startled me.
Hadn't the apology already happened?
"I meant to come find you myself... I'm truly sorry back then. And thank you."
Her shoulders shook as tears dropped onto the sandy ground.
Feeling sorry for her, I gently took her shoulder and spoke.
"You already apologized over the phone."
"......"
"That's enough."
She wiped her tears with her sleeve and shook her head.
"No. You woke me up to something important, Jun-seo. I'm so grateful."
No stopping her.
Her resolve was firm.
"Mom, Mom!"
"Yeah? What is it, Ha-yul?"
At Ha-yul's cheerful call, she wiped the last of her tears and smiled brightly.
Anyone could see the love for her child in that smile.
"Can I play with Mister?"
"You need to greet the director first."
"No, after that."
Frustrated, she shook her head vigorously and widened her eyes. It overlapped with Yu-na so perfectly, it tricked my eyes.
Same age as Yu-na?
It felt off, but I shrugged it off.
"Huh? Really no?"
"Ha-yul, ask Jun-seo, not me."
"Hee hee hee. So just get permission?"
She turned to me, twisting her feet and mumbling with her lips.
"Can I play with you, Mister?"
Was my eyes playing tricks? Ha-yul and Yu-na overlapped.
Not the speech, but the vibe.
I smiled and gently stroked her head.
"Sure, if there's time."
I stood and asked her guardian, the middle-aged woman.
"Mind if I show you to Director Han Mun-jin? I was heading there anyway."
"Oh, yes. That'd be great."
"I'll lead the way."
Come to think of it, what was her name? Eh, whatever.
I'd learn eventually.
With light steps, we headed to the active shooting site.
After asking around staff for the director's location, we finally entered the space packed with shooting gear.
And there was the director, up ahead.
I quickened my pace and stood behind him.
"Director, got a sec?"
"What? Don't interrupt..."
He'd been reviewing footage but turned, scanning me head to toe.
"Feeling better?"
"Yeah, I said rest fixes it."
He snorted a laugh and spun his chair, crossing his arms as he faced me squarely.
"Fine. So why ask for time?"
"Oh! A child actor wants to greet you."
I turned hurriedly and called them.
"Over here. Ha-yul's mom? You said you wanted to greet him. Come on."
"Hello. We came to say hi ahead of tomorrow's shoot."
As she greeted, Ha-yul ran up pat-pat-pat and bowed.
"Hi, Director."
"Ha-yul. Long time no see. I kept my promise back then. Did it work out?"
"Hee hee hee. Yes. Mister was so surprised. Mom, greetings done, so can I play with him now?"
Succeeded? What?
"Yeah? Play?"
"Sip! Ha-yul!"
She raised her voice, and Ha-yul flinched, glancing around. Then she gave an awkward smile, covering her mouth.
[Still got that temper, huh.]
People don't change overnight. Still, seeing her put her daughter first was reassuring.
"Ahaha. Sorry I yelled, Mom startled you?"
"Yeah, I was scared. You got mad, so two snacks today. Promise."
Ha-yul boldly stated her feelings, sticking out her belly and nodding.
"Pfft..."
The bold belly thrust was just like Yu-na from the sitcom.
Might be rude, but she was Yu-na No. 2—the vibe was that similar.
"Puhaha!! What do you think? I picked the child actor who acts most like Lee Jun-seo's daughter. Impressed?"
"Huh?"
"How was it, Mister?"
The atmosphere around Ha-yul, whom I'd just met today, had shifted completely. Now she felt like a sly little fox.
"Where'd I find two gems like this? Kahaha!"
His hearty laugh cleared it up.
That's why her actions had felt off.
Meaning she'd been acting since we met?
Realization hit—first absurd, then whatever, seeing her cheeky face.
I mean, I'd done it too.
The thrill of fooling people while acting.
Definitely fun.
I'd pranked seniors so many times, got scolded...
That was then.
Poke. Poke.
Ha-yul sidled up casually, tugging my pant leg.
So cute, I gently stroked her head.
"You're good. Speech is different, but the vibe's so similar, it surprised me."
Like my past life's talent, I was curious how far Ha-yul would go.
She'd probably analyzed Yu-na from the ongoing "Guard the Pojangmacha!" sitcom.
If Yu-na became an actress later, they'd make great rivals.
If Yu-na was puppy-like, Ha-yul now was cat.
No, fox-like.
[Wish they could be friends.]
Regretted not bringing Yu-na today.
"Mister, let's play now."
"Uh? Uh, well..."
I glanced at the director.
He'd check my condition before scheduling.
"Your shoot's later, so scram. You're in the way."
Hearing that, my smile returned.
"Director, see you when it's my turn."
"Go."
After bidding the director farewell.
Ha-yul, mature beyond her years, took my hand and led the way.