Chapter 48
Chapter 48
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 48
Chapter Title: Overnight at the Inn
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Late shooting ran longer than expected, so the buses had stopped running, leaving no way to get home.
With no other choice, I ended up staying at an inn near Ace High School with the rest of the crew.
Outdated furniture that had been trendy ages ago, tacky wallpaper patterns.
And the overpowering air freshener stench that made me grimace the moment I walked in.
Still, it was a relief, I guess?
There wasn't another inn perfect for everyone to crash at. If we hadn't found this place, we'd have had to split up and find separate lodgings.
"Haa, I'm beat..."
I dragged my exhausted body to the fluffy bed and flopped down.
Yu-na followed suit, scrambling up and collapsing beside me.
With cookie crumbs all over her mouth, she rubbed her bulging, tadpole-like belly and closed her eyes.
"Waaah. So tired..."
"Yu-na, what did you say Daddy has to do first when we get home?"
She whipped her head toward me, eyes still shut, and flashed a bright smile before speaking.
"Brush brush."
"Right. Want to go wash up with Daddy first?"
"Yeah!"
By the way... would they even have a kid-sized toothbrush that suits her taste here?
I hauled my heavy body upright.
Rustle. Rustle.
"Hey, Min-woo. Can I borrow your razor? Mine's dead—battery must be shot."
"Sure, I'll lend it. Oh! Hyung! Got any foam cleanser and sheet masks?"
"Yeah, got some. I'll leave them on the shelf—grab if you need."
Cha Eun-hyuk and Kang Min-woo, sharing the room with us, were unpacking their oversized adult-sized bags while chatting.
[They drop the formal speech when it's just us?]
Guess that means we're close now.
I slung the inn's towel around my neck and approached the seniors.
"Seniors, mind if I wash up first and come out?"
They turned at my polite question, furrowing their brows.
"Hey, what's with the stiff 'senior' talk?"
Kang Min-woo spoke up, and Cha Eun-hyuk nodded in agreement.
"Call us 'hyung' casually. Doesn't matter around others, but when it's just us, let's keep it chill."
"Haha. This feels more comfy right now. Okay if Yu-na and I wash up first?"
"Speak casually like me."
"This is comfy for me."
"Fine then. Oh! Don't wash with that towel—you'll wreck your face."
"Use mine. Actors live by their faces, you know? Sheesh... these juniors..."
Cha Eun-hyuk clicked his tongue while eyeing the dark bruise on Kang Min-woo's skin.
"Ah, hyung! That jerk on set punched first! Laying hands on someone older..."
"Word is, that guy's been in the biz longer than you."
"I know that. But! You saw it today, right? Those eyes—he meant to hit me for real! What does he think acting is...?"
"Go change into something comfy."
I watched the two seniors bicker, then let out a deep sigh.
"Yu-na, let's go wash up."
"Yeah."
"Hey! How can you leave the camera gear outside? You nuts?"
"No one's staying here but crew. Who'd haul this heavy stuff?"
"Hey, got a razor?"
"Lend me a towel!"
When I came out, it was unusually noisy outside. I toweled my wet hair as I scanned the area.
"Took you long enough."
"Yeah. Yu-na was playing around."
"Euuuck. Tastes bad."
Yu-na trailed behind, clutching my pant leg, her face scrunched up adorably.
That bad, huh?
Guess the inn's toothpaste didn't agree with her.
Well, that was to be expected.
At home, she uses strawberry-flavored kids' toothpaste.
But... what's that?
Two water-drop-patterned pajama sets sat on the bed.
"No comfy clothes? Wear those."
Even a perfectly sized set for Yu-na, from who-knows-where.
"Who brought these?"
Kang Min-woo mumbled around his toothbrush in answer.
"Oh, staff dropped them off."
With that, he headed to the empty bathroom with Cha Eun-hyuk.
"Yu-na, let's change into these."
"Yeah!"
After slipping into pajamas, Yu-na and I played patty-cake.
How much time passed?
The seniors, makeup wiped clean, sat side by side at the mirror, applying skincare.
"Blue sky—uuunh, Milky Way... Daddy?"
"Hmm..."
I paused, staring blankly at the seniors.
[Should I start a skincare routine too?]
In my past life, my plain looks meant no need for celebrity-level maintenance.
[I don't know much about products...]
That's when it happened.
Maybe my stare was too intense.
Kang Min-woo whipped around, frowning at me.
"Why are you staring like that?"
"Oh, just... you guys seem really thorough with skin care."
"You don't do it?"
"Nope. Just wash my face and call it a day."
"Lucky. Jealous. Mine breaks out if I slack even a bit."
Did that sound like bragging?
Bang!
The door to our room flew open. Seeing the director in cute pajamas, I couldn't hold back the laughter.
"Hahaha!"
The seniors burst out too.
The bright yellow chick and pure white bunny prints clashed hilariously with the older director.
"Hahaha! Director, what's that?"
"Pffft."
"Hahaha!"
Even Yu-na clutched her belly laughing, turning the director's face beet red as his broad shoulders shook faintly.
"Hey! Early call tomorrow—no getting caught boozing, got it?"
He couldn't scold Yu-na, so he let us off easy too.
I wiped tears from laughing and replied.
"Yeah, got it."
"No worries, Director. I'll keep my eyes peeled."
"Hah! Think I don't know actor Cha? Clear that booze right there first."
"Haha! That's not booze—it's facial lotion."
Han Mun-jin's face flushed at the mix-up. After a silent beat, he slipped out quietly.
The seniors, who'd been holding it in, erupted in laughter.
[Who'd drink with an early morning shoot tomorrow?]
Staff might sneak a beer, sure.
But we're actors.
In my past life, some cast had a few cans, delaying the schedule.
Director's face was priceless then.
Lost in old memories, I noticed the seniors pulling pajamas from their bags.
"Good thing I packed these knowing it'd happen."
"You too? Haha, same."
"Being here like this makes me wanna crack a beer. This junior's last shoot's coming up soon."
Only then did it hit me—my final scene was near.
Leaving the dorm with Ha-yul, waving goodbye to students.
That was my last take.
The mood sobered.
Kang Min-woo broke the silence first.
"Still, working in this industry, we'll cross paths again. Right?"
I gave him a wry smile.
Truth be told, acting with them had been a blast.
Maybe that's why?
Like with my first drama's seniors, regret welled up.
Even though it wasn't over yet.
"Daddy?"
Yu-na suddenly grabbed my hand tight.
I smiled with my eyes, scooped her up, and hugged her close. Then, looking at the seniors, I spoke.
"Yeah. We'll meet again someday."
Unfamiliar place kept me from deep sleep; my eyes opened early.
I dragged my heavy body up, shuffled to the bathroom, and turned on the faucet.
Splash!
Staring at my reflection, I narrowed my eyes.
Yeah, today was the day.
Early morning shoot: guiding students' uniforms on the way to school.
One slip in tension, and it could go south.
Because today was...
The second fight with Lim Ju-ho's gang.
I get knocked down by a student, then Yoo Sung-min and Kim In-hyuk show up to help.
As the teacher, I can't hit students.
Just sprawled on the ground, watching them fight.
That's when I...
My lips curled up.
This was the spot Kang Min-woo hyung and I planned. Trip Lim Ju-ho secretly as he lunges, sending him sprawling.
Then, hyung rushes over "worried," kicks his face—or lightly steps on his hand. Our scheme.
To avenge Lim Ju-ho without the director noticing—make it look like an accident.
[Play it like a mistake.]
I clenched my fist.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
"Hey! Hurry up! I gotta go!"
The knocking snapped me back; I rushed out of the bathroom.
Waiting outside was Cha Eun-hyuk hyung.
Happened last time too...
Nah, couldn't be.
I headed back to bed without washing, gently stroking sleeping Yu-na's belly.
Her cute forehead wrinkled like "don't wake me."
"Yu-na, time to get up."
No kindergarten today—I'd called ahead.
It was Friday anyway.
Tomorrow was their day off.
"Hmm..."
She wriggled, burrowing deeper, her plump butt tempting.
"Time to rise."
Softly.
Stroking her back, her butt twitched cutely bit by bit.
Too adorable.
Tough to wake her when it's not quite time...
Kang Min-woo, already up, yawned hugely and stared at me.
"...Your face doesn't puff up either?"
"Hyung snaps to quick."
"You'll get it if you debut as an idol. Wanna try singing while you're at it?"
"No interest in singing."
"Right, right. Ugh!"
His tousled hair and stretch screamed photoshoot.
Idols were idols, alright.
[Damn, he's handsome...]
Not one to talk, but even I could see his looks were top-tier.
[Cha Eun-hyuk hyung's no slouch either.]
If I still looked like my past-life self...
I'd be too intimidated by their visuals to hang around.
But now? Different story.
"Hmm..."
I turned to the vanity mirror, lifting my head.
Freshly awake, yet no puffiness—just my usual face.
"Caught up in self-admiration? What's up?"
Splash!
Cha Eun-hyuk burst out from the bathroom, pale-faced. Bad vibes.
Not food poisoning again?
"Hyung, you okay?"
"Yeah. Mornings hit me like this—should be fine. Oh, wait to wash."
"Huh?"
I got it later. A foul stench seeped from the bathroom crack.
"Ugh, what is that? Hyung..."
"Ugh! What reeks?"
"Haha, weak gut since I was a kid. Ugh. Hold on..."
With a determined look, he dashed back in. The brief door gap unleashed more stench.
Yu-na, huddled under the covers, started squirming.
"Uuek! Stinky..."
Silver lining? She was awake. I scooped her up and fled the gas-choked room.
The hallway buzzed.
"Hey, anything missing?"
"Get up and help! You gonna sleep through?"
"No, that's my sock!"
Out in pajamas with Yu-na, early-rising staff hustled about.
"Hey, up already?"
"Oh, Director. Good morning."
"Yeah. Why aren't you prepped?"
"Oh, Cha Eun-hyuk hyung looks rough. Food poisoning again?"
The director's face twisted at my question.