Chapter 74
Chapter 74
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 74
Chapter Title: Rival's Confidence
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Average looks and a plump build.
And a black bowtie that didn't suit him at all. Seeing a man who looked about my age, I was reminded of Im Joo-ho.
[Why does this situation feel so familiar?]
Not just once, but twice now.
I must have a talent for getting on the bad side of guys like this.
"This is what the senior said..."
"......"
I was really curious.
What kind of guts made him show up for this audition? [Devil's Errand Service] was a drama aimed at young women. Just like my supporting role in [High School 2022], it was all about looks.
A plain guy like the one in front of me didn't fit the bill. No matter how good his acting skills were. His chances of passing were slim to none.
[In my past life, I avoided projects like this too.]
Even I, who prided myself on my acting, had passed on roles like these back then.
Well, I'm different now.
"Hey, are you even listening to me?"
While I was sorting through my thoughts, a vein popped on the man's forehead.
[Trouble is the last thing I need.]
I closed my notebook and stood up abruptly.
He pursed his lips and looked up at me, and the plump guy backed away.
"W-What? Why'd you stand up all of a sudden!"
"......"
What did he expect me to do?
He'd complain if I just sat there blankly. I stared down at him, all shrunk up, then bowed my head.
"Ah, yes. Hello, senior. I apologize for not greeting you properly—I've been focused on prepping for this audition.
"Y-Yeah. You should greet seniors right away when you see them."
"I'll be more careful from now on."
I bowed toward the people watching from the corner, then sat back down and turned my eyes to the script.
How much time passed after that?
The atmosphere had returned to normal before I knew it.
If I listened closely, I could hear people murmuring lines from the script they'd prepared. Voices chatting without a care for others...
I covered my ears with my hands, but they still rang clear.
"Yesterday, I was drinking with my little bro..."
"Haha! For real? You passed out after one bottle? Not much of a man, huh."
"Aw, come on. So what if I can't hold my liquor."
It was hard to focus with the seniors' conversation drifting over from nearby.
If you're gonna chat, do it outside.
What are you doing in the audition waiting room?
"Oh! Hey, you guys ready for this audition properly?"
"Haha! What's there to prep? We're pros. We can just wing it live—no need to prepare."
"M-Me too."
Some of them had switched to casual speech, like they'd been buddies forever.
Did they really need to get that chummy?
Watching their laughing faces closely, it felt all fake. Probably cozying up to rivals to fish for what scenes they'd prepared.
Their intentions were crystal clear.
[Seriously...]
Were they completely writing off rookies as competition? Even me, a rookie award winner, apparently didn't count.
They weren't approaching me at all.
[Fine. Let's see who makes it.]
***
Meanwhile, at that moment.
Kim Mi-so was supervising Yu-na's workbook while soothing her bored mouth with homemade drinks and cookies she'd brought from home.
She glanced over. And over.
Every time Yu-na's tiny hand paused, Kim Mi-so wondered at her suspicious gaze.
[Is the problem too hard?]
The scribbly handwriting was hard to read, but all the answers were correct. Her hand wasn't stopping on tough questions.
So what was she looking at?
Watching closely, she saw Yu-na's eyes fixed on the cookies on the folding table.
[So that's what she wanted. I wasn't supposed to give snacks...]
Every time a cookie vanished from the basket, Yu-na's lips poked out.
Her eyebrows drooped a little more.
[This is playing dirty...]
Kim Mi-so's resolve weakened. She stopped her hand and smiled warmly.
"If you finish all those problems, you can have some. And the drink too, of course."
"R-Really?"
"Of course. Auntie made them at home myself. They're super tasty, so hurry and finish your workbook, then we can eat together."
"Hehehe. Okay!
"But if you take too long, Auntie might eat them all. Better speed up."
She said that, but had no intention of touching the cookies. Who'd want to compete with that eager look?
Soon, her hand stopped again.
At an addition problem with fruit drawings, Yu-na spread her tiny fingers wide.
"One, twooo. Three."
Was it so hard she needed fingers? Kim Mi-so checked the problem.
Apples: 3 + 2.
The answer was obvious at a glance, but Yu-na used her fingers anyway.
[This is too cute!]
She wanted to hug her tight right then, but pinched her thigh to hold back and waited for her to finish.
Actor Lee Jun-seo sure has it good. So good.
[My son and daughter...]
Her kids, who used to say Mom was the best in the world when they were little, had grown up so fast the cuteness was all gone.
Piling clothes on chair backs.
Trash piling on desks...
She let out a deep sigh when suddenly Yu-na jumped up.
"All done! Can I eat now?"
"Yes. But wash your hands first."
Thud thud thud!
Yu-na dashed to the bathroom, washed up, and returned to the living room. Water dripping from hands not properly dried.
How badly did she want those cookies to skip the towel?
While Yu-na munched on cookies, Kim Mi-so checked the workbook.
But what do you know?
She'd thought it'd be sloppy guesses, but every answer was right.
They said she was behind for her age!
Was it all a lie?
"Oh! Right!"
Kim Mi-so hurriedly pulled out her phone from her pocket.
Click! Click! Click!
One shot of Yu-na chomping cookies heartily.
One of the workbook, full of red checkmarks after hasty grading.
And one of the tidied-up living room.
She sent the three photos to her employer, Lee Jun-seo. With an excuse about rewarding workbook completion with cookies.
The reason for sending photos was simple. Lately, news stories about babysitters abusing kids who wouldn't listen were popping up.
Those people aren't human.
So she had to reassure the parents this way.
"He's not checking texts... Busy?"
"Hehehe. All gone."
Yu-na had polished off the basket clean, smiling with crumbs around her mouth.
"Alright, now brush your teeth, and let's head to the park for the slide?"
She thought Yu-na would love going out to play, but her smile vanished.
"...When's Daddy coming?"
"He'll be back soon."
"I'll play when Daddy comes."
Yu-na's face darkened, smile gone. Was she worried Daddy wouldn't come back? Her sharp kid instincts were telling her so.
***
The receptionist who'd dragged away the guy who'd picked a fight with me returned early.
Which meant...
His acting wasn't worth watching, so they sent him packing quick.
You could tell by checking how long others had been in there.
Talented actors took longer; rookies or unknowns wrapped up fast.
"Kim Won-jun? You here?"
"Yes!"
"Next, Lee Sang-woo."
"Present."
"You two, follow me."
The next actors went in the same way.
Receptionist back quick, calling and leading others away.
[When the hell do they call me?]
It'd be four hours here soon.
I closed the script I'd been jotting in on the way and pulled out my phone.
[Is Yu-na behaving with the auntie?]
Texts had piled up unnoticed, but I checked the babysitter's first.
Kim Mi-so: (photo)
Kim Mi-so: (photo)
Kim Mi-so: (photo)
Kim Mi-so: Yu-na got perfect scores, so I rewarded her with cookies and juice.
I chuckled at the photo of Yu-na with crumbs all over her little mouth.
"Getting along fine without me."
Smiling, I replied that I'd be later than planned.
The reply came fast.
Kim Mi-so: Told her you'd be a bit late, and she looked bummed. I'll cheer her up, so no worries.
Hiring a babysitter was a smart move, even if I do say so.
"Lee Jun-seo! You here?"
My name was finally called.
I pocketed my phone and stood quickly.
"Yes, right here."
Eyes snapped to me instantly.
Whispers and glances all around.
"Kwon In-joo."
"Yes."
The guy who stood with me was plump-built. Tall too. Lose the weight, and he'd look pretty handsome.
Wonder how his acting is.
"You two, follow me."
"Yes."
"Ah, yes. Got it."
Step. Step.
Glancing at Kwon In-joo as we followed the receptionist.
Solid shoulders, confident stride.
[Thoroughly prepared, huh?]
Staring openly, our eyes met when he turned. He scanned me head to toe, then looked away.
Seemed like the quiet type.
[Whatever, he'll do fine on his own.]
I just need to nail mine.
We reached the door marked "Audition Interview Room." The receptionist opened it and stepped aside.
"Go on in."
Kwon In-joo entered first, then me.
Three judges sat there, scoring the actors' performances.
Center: Director Han Mun-jin.
Middle-aged man and woman flanking him.
"No time to waste—let's start."
Director Han didn't even glance my way.
No hard feelings.
This wasn't personal.
Gulp!
I swallowed dryly as Kwon In-joo raised his hand high.
"Can I go first?"
The female judge adjusted her glasses and spoke.
"Lee Jun-seo is up first... but if you both agree, we can let you."
Eyes turned to me.
Fine by me...
Might as well see Kwon In-joo's acting. I nodded, facing forward.
"I'm good either way."
"Alright. Kwon In-joo, go ahead then."
I stepped aside as he began. There had to be a reason he showed no nerves.
A strange aura emanated as Kwon In-joo closed his eyes gently. Heavy silence flowed.
Then his eyes opened slowly.
"This place..."
His voice brimmed with dignity, evoking a monarch on his throne.
[Whoa... impressive.]
His acting was beyond what I'd reached in my past life. I was stunned.
The way he handled gestures and gaze.
I watched, mesmerized, then snapped to and hunted for lessons.
"You can read that human's heart with this."
His lip curled slyly.
"Human, think it over. Isn't it a fine deal? You wanted revenge bad enough to risk your life."
A devil—near perfect.
No awkwardness in that tempting revenge ploy.
What experiences and effort got him there...
Kwon In-joo's scene ended before I knew.
Three minutes that felt long yet short.
I rubbed the goosebumps on my arms.
What if...
[I end up dropping out?]