Chapter 81
Chapter 81
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 81
Chapter Title: Devil's Errand Center Shoot
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The day the final episode of the miniseries *High School 2022* aired.
An astonishing phenomenon swept the nation: everyone dug out their old diplomas from storage to hunt down their former homeroom teachers' contact info.
The reason?
To say thank you.
*"The true heart of a warm teacher."*
I'd left the audience touched with those words, only to make a triumphant return at the end, hugging students Yoo Sung-min and Kim In-hyuk as they held their diplomas and bouquets of flowers. That scene wrapped it all up.
And apparently, that's what did it.
*"What an incredible thing."*
To think that just a performance could convey such emotion.
Is this why I love acting?
Every time I see reactions like this, my lips curl up on their own, energy surges through me, and I feel true fulfillment in this profession as an actor.
*Click!*
The sound of the seatbelt unbuckling snapped me back to reality. I turned my gaze out the window.
Nothing but massive trees and warehouse-like buildings.
Or rather, just rice paddies and fields?
I'd clearly told the manager we were heading to the filming set...
*"We didn't take a wrong turn, did we?"*
I eyed the manager fiddling with his phone.
"In-cheol, where... are we?"
"We're behind the set warehouse."
Ah, behind the warehouse.
"Why park here? You said there was a parking lot in front. Shouldn't we use that?"
The manager let out a sigh.
"Heat advisory today. Parking in the direct sun would turn the car into an oven—we wouldn't be able to get back in later."
"Uh, yeah?"
"I asked the staff. They said it's fine here. Didn't you see me talking to them up front?"
"Oh, right... Ahaha..."
"And why didn't you show up at the gym today? I called, but you didn't pick up. Don't tell me... you ignored it because it was a hassle?"
I flinched.
"I-It was just one day off."
*"Just? One day off causes muscle loss, you know... Just?"*
The manager's glare was no joke.
Thoroughly cowed, I turned to stare out the window and pretended not to hear. But his nagging didn't stop.
"You're wearing a no-shirt outfit for the first scene, right? That's why you've been building your body. You think you're done now, Jun-seo?"
Everything he said was spot on.
I kept staring out the window through the endless lecture until, moments later, the machine-gun rant cut off abruptly.
The manager was squinting at his phone screen.
"What? Someone calling?"
"My junior messed up the schedule. I'll take this call and be right out, so go ahead without me, Jun-seo."
Looks like that nagging was getting redirected.
"Alright, see you in a bit."
"Be right there."
The moment I stepped out, a scorching wave of heat hit me first.
It was suffocating.
*"Can't let this heat get to me."*
*Crunch. Crunch.*
Striding confidently over the gravel to the front of the warehouse, I saw staff bustling about everywhere.
"Hey! Jun-seo! Hi!"
"Hello! Jun-seo!"
Staff in white tank tops soaked with sweat brimmed with energy despite the brutal heat.
It was almost scary to watch.
A touch of madness, maybe?
"Yeah, stay safe in this heat, everyone. Coffee truck's on me today—help yourselves."
As the lead, the company president had instructed me to provide the first coffee truck.
I'd reserved it a week ago. Enough for every staff member to grab dozens of drinks.
Without that reminder...
I'd have totally forgotten.
That's why he's the boss—attention to detail.
"Ahaha! For real? Thank you!"
"Thanks in advance!"
"Hey! Guys! Jun-seo's treating us to the coffee truck today!"
"Wooow! Thank you!"
"Ahaha, no problem."
Exchanging greetings as I walked, I soon found myself inside the warehouse.
The humid, musty air matched the filming set perfectly, freezing me in place.
*"...They really put a ton of work into this."*
Every sign showed signs of age, trash and junk scattered chaotically.
Black fabric blocked out all sunlight, making the indoor set feel like another world from outside.
*"This production's budget... hope it's solid."*
An odd worry popped up.
Before changing into the staff-prepped costume, I stripped off my T-shirt and checked myself out from every angle.
Poking my once-soft flesh made it sink in no more—it was firm now.
My shoulders looked broader too.
The changed physique boosted my confidence, but eyeing the outfit dangling from the rack made me sigh.
*"They want me to wear that?"*
Black fur pants...
Shoes like hooves.
That was it.
No top.
So that's why they'd pushed me to bulk up.
With a quiet sigh, I changed into the rack outfit.
Then stood before the full-length mirror.
*"...Not bad, actually."*
Still way too out there.
Feeling embarrassed, I hastily draped my discarded shirt over my shoulders.
Time to head out?
As I grabbed the curtain, a calm woman's voice came from outside.
"Jun-seo? All changed?"
"Ah! Yep!"
"Then hurry out. We've got a lot to do—can't be late."
"Got it!"
*Swish!*
The curtain parted, revealing a young woman right there. She adjusted her horn-rimmed glasses and scanned me head to toe.
Then flashed a bright smile.
"Looks great on you. Mind taking off that shirt over your shoulders?"
*"...Huh? Can't I do it later?"*
"Nope. Need to do makeup to highlight those upper body muscles too."
"You do makeup on the body?"
"Of course. Sit there quick."
I glanced at the spot she pointed to. Next to an empty chair sat a familiar face.
*"The supporting actress, Yoon So-hee."*
She was getting her makeup done, oblivious to my approach.
Guess I should greet her first.
No time for second thoughts.
I stepped up beside her and murmured softly enough not to disturb.
"Hello, sunbaenim."
"Oh, Jun-seo junior. You're here? Hmm..."
Her up-and-down gaze made me shiver.
"Not bad. Looking good."
"Th-Thank you for the kind words."
"Jun-seo, sit in the empty spot."
The woman handling my makeup patted the chair impatiently.
*"...Right."*
"Your skin's so smooth. Getting treatments? Makes me jealous—better than mine."
"Ahaha... Really?"
Mid-makeup, I kept feeling her persistent stare from the side. Like sitting on pins and needles.
Does she have something to say?
Soon enough, the silently watching senior spoke up.
"How long have you been working out, junior?"
"A few months, I think. Ahaha."
"Hmm, yeah?"
I glanced sideways with just my eyes.
She stood abruptly, smiling in a way that felt heavy.
"Good luck today. I'm heading out first."
Once she vanished from view, I let out the breath I'd been holding.
Goosebumps prickled my skin, chicken skin rising on my arms. I rubbed them absentmindedly and brushed off my shoulders.
"Um, Jun-seo."
"Yeah?"
The young woman who'd been scanning around suddenly bowed her head and whispered.
*"...Watch out, Jun-seo."*
"Huh? Watch out for what?"
"Her... Word is, since her divorce, she flirts with every handsome actor she sees."
*......*
"You're so innocent-looking—unlike your vibe. Just be careful."
"Oh, got it?"
So that's what that look was.
"A scandal could tank your image."
Better put some distance between us—build a wall.
I'm 27.
Senior Yoon So-hee is 33.
Six years older...
Not that much, honestly.
Considering my past life's age, ten years older—she's practically younger.
Even so,
I had zero intention of getting involved with another woman.
This was my conviction.
And respect for this body.
"No worries—nothing like that'll happen."
"Huh?"
"Oh, nothing. I'll be careful. All done now?"
"Just powder to make those muscles pop."
"Then let's get it over with."
Finally, filming for *Devil's Errand Center*.
I stood blankly on the rooftop set, dressed like a crumbling building.
"Looks real up close."
As I scanned around, staff tugged the wires harnessed to my body, double-checking safety multiple times.
"Hey! Up top! All good?"
"Yes! All clear!"
"Raise him once!"
At the staff's signal, my body lifted, feet leaving the ground.
*Whirr!*
Rising high gave a full view of the warehouse interior. Part-timers chatting in the corner.
The director seated regally in a white chair, staring right at me.
Staff rechecking gear.
*"So this is the view from the sky."*
Everything looked tiny.
"Good! Lower him slow!"
"Yes! Got it!"
*Whirr! Clunk!*
I'd been descending smoothly when a jolt stopped me.
"Hey! What's up!"
"Line snagged! Should go down fine now!"
As the voice from above promised, we resumed, and my feet touched down.
*"This... is kinda fun?"*
Felt like riding an amusement park ride solo.
With gear checks done, Director Han Mun-jin shot to his feet.
"Wires good—recheck all other equipment for safety!"
"Checked!"
"All set here!"
"Get ready to roll! Everyone out of camera frame!"
Left alone on set, tiny raindrops began plinking down.
The artificial rain rig made it feel like real indoor rain.
"Actress Yoon! Starting now. Get inside and prep!"
"Got it."
Yoon So-hee waved at me with a smile from below.
*Why's she doing that to me?*
Can't ignore a senior's greeting as a rookie.
No choice.
I bowed my head in response.
Filming began.
Yoon So-hee's acting from outside the camera was phenomenal.
*Splash!*
Huddled on the wet floor, she clenched her fist and slammed the puddle.
Water sprayed everywhere.
"Why do I have to go through this filthy crap!"
Her venomous glare as she looked up was chilling.
In this backstory, she'd been framed by a junior at the company and was about to get fired.
*"As expected. An actor's an actor..."*