Chapter 33
Chapter 33
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 33
Chapter Title: Yu-na's Set Debut
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I had come to greet the director with Yu-na first. She clung tightly to the hem of my pants, scared by the sight of him yelling at the bustling staff.
"Hello, sir!"
I bowed politely to the director, and Yu-na followed suit.
"Hello."
"Yeah, you must be Yu-na."
The director, who had been wearing a fierce expression, looked at us and smiled warmly, like a completely different person.
'He's such a kind person...'
It was the weekend, so I couldn't leave Yu-na at home alone, which put me in a tough spot.
That morning, I explained the situation and asked if I could bring her along, but the director said I didn't need to ask and readily gave his permission.
"Oh my. Who does she take after? She's so pretty. I'm Director Han Mun-jin. You're Lee Yu-na, right, little miss?"
"Yes! That's me!"
The director's face softened at Yu-na's bright, sparkling response.
'Does he like kids?'
I stared at him blankly.
"Mister, are you the strongest person here?"
"Yeah. I'm the strongest around here."
Yu-na seemed to think for a moment at his words, then bowed her head deeply.
"Please take good care of my daddy."
"Hahaha! This kid's sharp."
The director laughed heartily at Yu-na's words and handed me a paper bag from the floor.
"Don't eat any of this yourself—give it all to Yu-na. Shooting will run long today, so she'll get bored otherwise."
"Huh? Oh... Thank you."
The paper bag the director handed me was filled with all sorts of snacks and candies.
It seemed like he had taken a real liking to Yu-na, even though it was their first meeting.
Hop! Hop!
Smelling the sweets, Yu-na bounced up and down, reaching for me.
"Daddy! Daddy! Can I have one now? Just one. Please?"
Even after a full breakfast, she wanted snacks? I stared at her bulging belly, shrugged, and spoke.
"Just one, okay? If you eat too many, you won't have room for lunch later."
"Hehehe. Okay!"
I lowered the bag so she could choose and turned my gaze away.
"Director, please take good care of us today. I'll go greet the seniors now."
"Yeah, come back once you're ready."
"Thang goo cawe of us today."
The director chuckled at Yu-na's muffled pronunciation as she stuffed a carefully chosen snack into her mouth.
"If you're bringing Yu-na next time, don't even ask—just bring her. Make yourself at home."
"Got it, Director."
After saying goodbye to the director, I held Yu-na's hand tightly and wandered around.
'Where are the seniors?'
As I moved here and there, the students' eyes were all on us.
They started whispering and trailing behind us like ducklings.
"Yu-na's the cutest child actor, hands down."
"Can't argue there. Her dad's hot as hell, so it's no surprise."
"Wow... I want a cute daughter like Yu-na someday."
"Get a girlfriend first."
"Isn't hitting me with facts considered school violence? No committee for that?"
Hearing the students' praise made my shoulders lift a bit. Enjoying the reactions, I scanned eagerly for the seniors.
"Daddy, where are we going?"
"Oh, to greet the seniors."
"The oppa and unni?"
Yu-na meant the seniors we'd met while filming the sitcom. Knowing that, I shook my head.
"We're going to say hi to some new oppa and unni."
"Oh. Got it."
As I quickened my steps a little to find the seniors, I spotted Senior Kim Sung-hyun in the distance, dressed in a sharp black suit.
I'd already greeted the seniors at the start, so I was fine, but it was Yu-na's first time, so she needed to meet and greet them properly.
If Yu-na was going to act, she had to be remembered as a polite junior.
And if I introduced Yu-na to all the seniors while working as an actor...
'It'd build connections.'
No one would mess with her easily when she started acting later.
The thought crossed my mind.
Should I bring her to set for the next project too?
My whole body tensed with determination.
"Come on, Yu-na, let's hurry."
"Huff. Huff. Daddy. Go slower."
"Oh... Was Daddy walking too fast?"
"Yeah."
Seeing her panting made me feel guilty. I picked her up, brushed the stuck hair from her face.
I was so focused on networking that I neglected Yu-na...
My actions just now were no different from Lee Ha-yul's guardian in the past. Reflecting on it, I patted her back.
"Sorry, Daddy feels bad."
"Hehehe. It's okay."
The senior who'd approached us looked back and forth between me and Yu-na.
"What's this, Junior Jun-seo? What are you doing out here? Is this your daughter?"
"Yes. That's right. Yu-na, say hi."
"Hello. New Sprout Kindergarten, Sturdy Class. I'm Lee Yu-na. I'm six years old."
After her introduction, he laughed heartily, just like the director.
"Hahaha! Way cuter than in 'Guard the Pojangmacha!'"
"Hehehe. Am I cute?"
"Of course. Obviously."
After the brief greeting, I introduced our Yu-na to the other seniors.
They were all fond of her.
I could really feel how my connections in this life were overflowing.
Morning shoot.
Maybe because Yu-na was watching from off-camera this time? My body wasn't shaking as badly as before.
'Yu-na really is my lucky charm.'
I wiped the dripping sweat and delivered the final line.
"No matter how hopeless you kids are, your teacher will never abandon you. So can't you believe in your teacher, not Ha Jeong-min?"
I gave a bitter smile, looking back and forth between Kang Min-woo and Cha Eun-hyuk. Their eyes shook intensely.
A heavy silence flowed.
The camera's red light went out.
"Cut! Good take!"
The staff swarmed over at the director's joyful voice.
The staff quickly fixed my costume with careful hands.
Next, makeup.
As the staff touched up the sweat-smudged spots, she smiled and asked.
"You seem in great condition today? Nailing it in one go."
"Hahaha. Feels like it."
It really did.
If my body shook badly again today... Just thinking about it was dizzying.
'Is it really because of Yu-na?'
At this rate, the morning shoot would wrap up quickly.
"There, all done. Good luck!"
"Yes, thank you."
"Move it, people! Let's finish morning shoot fast and take it easy!"
"Yes, sir!"
Their unified voices echoed loudly.
You could hear how much they wanted to finish and rest.
I followed everyone to the warehouse for a break with Yu-na.
"Hehehe. Daddy was so cool."
"Really? Isn't Min-woo oppa cooler than Daddy?"
He was a hot idol right now—didn't he look handsome even to Yu-na? I asked teasingly.
"Daddy's cooler though?"
Her immediate answer made her so admirable. I hugged her tight and kissed her cheek as much as the heavy makeup allowed.
"Daddy! Daddy! Here too!"
She whipped her head around, pointing to the other cheek impatiently. How could everything she do be so lovable?
Mwah!
"Sigh. Total daughter-con. Daughter fool."
"Kiddo. I'm way more handsome than Daddy, right? And I have more fans."
Cha Eun-hyuk and Kang Min-woo had snuck up.
Cha Eun-hyuk looked at me pitifully, while Kang Min-woo frowned at Yu-na.
Did they hear what I just said?
"No! Daddy's cooler!"
"This kid really..."
"And Yu-na's not a kid!"
Seeing them bicker childishly, Cha Eun-hyuk and I sighed in unison.
"Sigh, you'll make Yu-na cry."
"Cut it out. What are you, kids?"
"Oh..."
Tears were welling up in Yu-na's eyes before we knew it. She must've been upset at being called a kid over and over.
"I'm not a kid..."
"Oh, uh... I mean."
Scratching his cheek apologetically, he looked down.
"Sorry, Yu-na. Oppa was wrong. I won't call you kid anymore."
"...Really?"
"Yeah, really."
"Ehehehe."
The tears pooled on her cheeks finally fell as she smiled again.
"See? Know your limits."
"Sorry. And apologies, junior."
While we talked briefly, shooting prep had just finished.
"Hey! You lot! Quit playing and get ready!"
"Oh, yes!"
"Got it!"
Cha Eun-hyuk and Kang Min-woo shouted back and moved into camera range.
My turn to prepare now?
I handed Yu-na to a female staff member and timed my entrance from behind the camera.
"Alright! Here we go! 5! 4! 3!"
Silence descended in an instant.
As the camera rolled, they pulled cigarettes from their pockets.
"Sigh, seriously. What's with that teacher?"
"Leave him be. He'll quit soon anyway."
"Gonna tattle to your grandpa again this time?"
"......"
Cha Eun-hyuk lit his cigarette and glared. Kang Min-woo realized his slip and checked his expression nervously.
"Hey, you crazy? I told you not to mention my grandpa in front of me."
Cha Eun-hyuk tossed the just-lit cigarette to the ground and grabbed Kang Min-woo's collar with blazing eyes.
"S-sorry..."
In the script, Cha Eun-hyuk... no, Yoo Sung-min, had a bad relationship with his grandfather.
He was the type twisted by constant oppression and control.
'He nailed that part.'
Cha Eun-hyuk's acting had improved a lot. At first, it was around my level after four years as an actor.
Now his acting...
Felt close to when I was at my peak popularity.
'But.'
That last bit felt familiar...
I shook my head.
It felt like a fragment from Lee Jun-seo's memories.
It's wise not to dwell on bad pasts.
Shaking off stray thoughts, I stepped out at my cue.
"What are you punks doing there!"
Whoosh!
Just then, the tossed cigarette sparked on a paper box, creating a small flame.
Smoke rising steadily.
"You two, get out now!"
I acted fumbling for a fire extinguisher.
The flames grew, Kang Min-woo and Cha Eun-hyuk panicked in character and fled.
"You little... If you cause a big incident this time, I can't save you from expulsion..."
That's when it happened.
"Bad uncles!"
Yu-na, who had been waiting quietly outside with a female staff, came inside.
Without fear of the fire, she stomped it out with her tiny feet.
"NG!"
I rubbed my throbbing forehead and shook my head. Oblivious to my feelings, Yu-na stood with hands on hips, throwing a tantrum.
Where was my sweet Yu-na?
The director, who had yelled "NG" loudly, was doubled over laughing.