Chapter 42
Chapter 42
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 42
Chapter Title: Im Ju-ho's Jealousy
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Splash!
Im Ju-ho stared intently into the mirror, the faucet blasting full force. He clenched his fist tight.
"Excuse me. Could you wash your hands and move aside?"
"......"
"I said move after you're done."
Im Ju-ho's ears, blinded by jealousy, heard nothing.
"Goddamn it. What a weirdo."
Even after the person trying to use the sink stormed out, Im Ju-ho kept staring at the mirror.
"......"
How much time passed like that?
Only after five more people had come and gone did Im Ju-ho finally speak.
"Why does that guy Lee Jun-seo keep showing off in front of me? Is he bragging now that he's on a roll?"
At first, it was just annoyance at his good looks. Now, even seeing Lee Jun-seo's shadow pissed him off. Every action seemed twisted.
The hatred had peaked that afternoon.
Watching him sign autographs for female staff by the coffee truck, laughing and chatting—it pushed his jealousy to the limit.
"Why do I have to waste time on this useless role?"
Meanwhile, Lee Jun-seo had snagged the most eye-catching teacher role.
"...Fuck. It's gotta be his looks, right?"
Im Ju-ho had auditioned for countless projects, only to face rejection after rejection because of his pudgy, unattractive face.
Still.
He'd chased his dream of acting without giving up. Plenty of successful actors weren't handsome.
He didn't blame his skills falling short.
The reason was simple.
Every time he bombed a lead audition, the judges had regretted passing him and offered supporting roles instead.
But every project he'd done had flopped hard.
So even after years in the industry, no one recognized him.
"......"
His mouth clamped shut again.
Lost in thought, he roughly washed his face, then slowly lifted his head.
The venom in his eyes made the guy waiting behind him flinch.
"Cut! Perfect! Haha! You're amazing—one take, just like that."
I snapped out of it at the director's voice, exhaling deeply.
I'd fully immersed in the character, so it took time to return to normal.
'This is draining...'
No need to dive that deep for minor scenes.
"Whew..."
Only then could I look around.
The director was laughing heartily, delighted, while the staff stood frozen, mouths agape.
'Why's everyone acting like that?'
Their whispers explained it.
"Is he really a rookie? His acting's better than pros."
"Whoa... Did you see him smiling at the kids? Insane. And that expression when he runs out—pure life in it."
I scratched my cheek, embarrassed.
'Wanna see how it turned out?'
I approached the director, mesmerized by the footage.
"Director, can I watch too?"
"Yeah, come sit here."
Sitting beside him, I couldn't hide my shock at the playback.
'...Is that me?'
Banter with students, tapping a cheeky kid's head with a book, lips curving into a smile.
Even I found it charming.
Then my eyes widened at a student bursting through the back door.
Kim In-hyuk and Yoo Sung-min were fighting in the fields near school.
If Kim In-hyuk screwed up now, expulsion. Yoo Sung-min, as the chaebol heir's grandson, would get off light.
'Hmm, yeah. My shifting expressions carry all the emotion.'
Self-blame for failing to guide the kids, worry gnawing at me.
The clip ended with me rushing out of the classroom.
"Kyaa! What do you think? No need for a follow shot, right?"
"Why ask me...?"
"Anyway! You're done for now, so rest easy. Got it? The next ones will take forever—might even push to tomorrow. Relax."
"......"
No telling when my next scene was.
The thought of waiting hell drained my energy.
'No way they're really bumping me...'
Then.
Someone placed a hand on my shoulder.
"Unlike Min-woo, you nailed it without a single mistake? Good job. Our turn now—take it easy."
"Ah, sunbae! We're different. I was an idol. This guy's a natural actor."
Gu Bon-seung had his hand on my shoulder, Kang Min-woo beside him.
Bickering like that, they'd clearly bonded after rehearsing together.
"A rookie's a rookie—same boat as you."
"You gotta rub it in like that?"
"Ahaha!"
"You two, quit fighting and prep."
"Yes, sir!"
"Junior. Catch you later. Gonna wrap this punk today."
"Yeah..."
I got booted from the set. What was next?
'Oh, right. That scene.'
Next, a kid from the next class picks a fight with Cha Eun-hyuk returning to the classroom.
Already on edge, Cha Eun-hyuk snaps, decking the guy in the face.
"Who was the punk from the other class? Im Ju-ho?"
I'd never seen this Im Ju-ho guy. Not even during script reads.
Short-lived extra, then.
"Ah! Yeah! Why'd it click now?"
Recalling the cast, the chubby guy who'd shoulder-bumped and provoked me came to mind.
That was actor Im Ju-ho.
Why so late?
Did he hassle me 'cause he didn't recognize the sunbae?
"Nah... No way."
I shook my head.
Even as a sunbae, pulling rank like that invites scandals.
I always tread carefully there.
A sunbae shoulder-checking and starting shit first?
That celeb's done—blacklisted, can't show their face.
Should I apologize?
"Hmm... Nah, it'll be fine."
I'd been around years.
If I ran into him again, laugh off the past with my past-life savvy, keep distance.
I shook off the thoughts.
'Wander around?'
Far from my next turn, I strolled the main building, then the grounds aimlessly.
Rusty pull-up bars in the corner.
Wrestling sand pit.
Worn basketball hoop.
Strolling alone, boredom crept in.
"Sigh, so boring..."
Past life me could've waited hours without a yawn.
I'd chat up busy staff, help out, kill time productively.
But lately, everyone shoved me away to rest quietly.
'Why?'
First project, now this.
Worried I'd get hurt looking fragile?
On a bench, I flexed my slim arm. No manly muscle like others.
Pale skin, soft flesh.
Not masculine at all.
'Might start working out...'
Sighing at the sky, I felt a piercing stare.
Looking around, eyes met a guy smoking far off.
Im Ju-ho.
Wasn't he shooting?
And this was a no-smoking zone?
Too nosy to call him out—too much hassle.
'Whatever, his problem.'
Ignoring him, I gazed skyward, eyes closing.
Breeze carried acrid smoke my way.
I wrinkled my nose.
'Why's the wind blowing here?'
Pinching my nose, I endured till it shifted.
Finally released, I breathed deep.
"Whew..."
Subtle floral scent soothed me.
Boredom won—I begged to help staff despite protests.
Busy principal's office for next setup.
"This here okay?"
Gently set down the 20kg camera, asked.
"Yes! Right there."
"Whew..."
Wiping sweat with my sleeve, I smiled.
Moving gear here meant my scene soon.
"We'll handle the rest. Lee Jun-seo, fix your costume and makeup."
"Yes, after this. Like so?"
Helping a young staff untangle floor cables, I asked.
He grinned, nodding.
"Yeah, tripping could break gear. Tuck 'em in the corner like that."
I knew, but.
His smile at my questions kept me asking.
Didn't peg him for liking it...
My mouth and throat ached more than my body.
"I'll take the right."
"Sure?"
Silently sorted the right-side cables, stretched my back rising.
"Ugh!"
Groan escaped.
'Huh? Still tangled?'
Squatting again to fix it.
Footsteps behind me.
"What're you doing here?"
"......"
I flinched, turned, sighed softly.
Kim Sung-hyun stood arms crossed, stern-faced.
"Sigh, you scared me."
"Your moves looked suspicious. Haha! What're you up to?"
"Bored waiting, so helping staff a bit."
"What if you get hurt?"
"Not a chick actor—being careful."
"Aren't you though?"
I winced.
"Ahaha, second project. Not a total newbie."
He blinked puzzled, then smirked.
"You are. For now."
His playful face turned serious.
Another prank?
"...If it's tough, tell me."
"Huh? What do you—"
Then.
Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding!
My pocket phone buzzed nonstop with KakaoTalk alerts.
Startled, I fumbled it out.
"...What?"
[Yoo Seol-hwa invited @Lee Jun-seo.]
[Kang Su-ho invited @Lee Jun-seo.]
[Shin Dong-hyun invited @Lee Jun-seo.]
[Shin Dong-hyun invited @Lee Jun-seo.]
"What's with everyone?"
Swallowing hard at the weirdness, I opened the group chat.
"Junior, what's up?"
"Hang on. Gotta check something..."
Told him to wait, eyed the phone.
Shin Dong-hyun: (link)
Shin Dong-hyun: You really do this?
Yoo Seol-hwa: Hey! Our junior wouldn't! Jun-seo! Need help?
Kang Su-ho: Say if you do.
Kang Su-ho: No agency yet—tough solo. I believe you.
Yoo Seol-hwa: Tell me too!!
"Why the link?"
Clicked what seemed the culprit.
Title: Anonymous Tip.
Content: Some actor's riding a "doting dad" image lately. Laughable. No one knows how wild he was in school... (excerpt)
An anonymous site post sniping me.
"What the hell?"