Chapter 84
Chapter 84
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 84
Chapter Title: Hectic Morning Rush
-----------------------------------------------------------------
From the morning, a text came from an unknown number, and I couldn't eat breakfast while pondering what to do about it.
[Hey, junior, did you get home okay last night? Save this number—it's mine. Let's power through today's shoot.]
Even without a name, I could roughly guess who sent it.
‘It must be Senior Yoon So-hee.’
Every time she messaged me acting friendly because of the rumors floating around, it made me uneasy.
Of course, I shouldn't take rumors at face value, but if they were true...
‘For now, no reply.’
I set my phone down.
"Ah, I'm full. Thanks for the meal."
Yu-na patted her bulging belly.
She must have finished all her beans without leaving any.
I looked at her proudly and said,
"Good. Time to brush those teeth then. Want Daddy to help?"
"I can do it myself."
"Then Daddy will clean up here. You go wash up first."
"Okay~"
After sending Yu-na to the bathroom, I let out a quiet sigh.
"I haven't eaten anything... No time, so skip breakfast, I guess."
I stood up without regret and started clearing the dishes, when I spotted something black and round.
When did she hide this?
I'd been distracted and hadn't noticed she'd stashed her beans in the corner.
"Sigh."
No choice—I dumped all of Yu-na's leftover beans into the food waste bag.
I quickly cleared the table.
There wasn't enough time to nag Yu-na, who was already washing up.
It was because of today's kindergarten supplies.
‘What were they again...?’
I stuffed a dry towel and spare clothes into her bag, then added the swimsuit, goggles, and swim cap.
"Anything missing?"
To check for anything I hadn't thought of, I pulled out the home-school notice from last time.
Ah, that's what I forgot.
Nearly missed something important.
The most crucial item for water play: a water gun.
Without it, she couldn't play with her friends. I dug out the penguin-shaped water gun we'd bought at the department store with Yu-na last year and crammed it into the bag.
"Perfect."
Ding!
Just as I finished packing, another text came in. Another unknown number.
[You sent the coffee truck last week, right, junior? I'll send one today. So make sure to enjoy it.]
Why is this senior like this?
I have no idea how she got my number, but these personal texts put me in an awkward spot.
"......"
"Daddy, can I bring this?"
Yu-na's sudden call snapped me out of it. I quickly composed my face and smiled.
"You mean what's in your hands?"
"Yeah~"
Her cute little hands clutched a beach ball, her eyes pleading.
I laid my phone face down on the table, walked over to Yu-na, and knelt to meet her eye level.
"You wanna take it to play?"
"With friends at the pool."
The home-school notice said not to bring beach balls if possible, so I had to be firm here.
I couldn't let those earnest eyes weaken my resolve.
I cleared my throat and shook my head firmly.
"No. It's not on the supplies list."
Yu-na's eyebrows drooped.
Her head hung low, her cute lips pouting like a duck's.
"Daddy always says no to everything... Really no? Last time I didn't bring one and couldn't play..."
"What if the teacher scolds you?"
"...Tch."
"Daddy's getting ready. Go change and come out quick."
"Okay~"
I finished getting ready for the set in short order and straightened up, turning my head.
Sure enough.
Yu-na was sneaking the beach ball into her bag while watching me.
‘...Let it slide just this once?’
She said her friends snuck theirs last year and played.
Plus, it said "if possible," not "absolutely not."
Yeah, just this once.
I pretended not to notice Yu-na's actions and picked up the bag I'd packed.
"Yu-na, let's go. A scary-looking manager uncle's driving us to kindergarten today."
"Okay!"
In the warehouse set, Han Mun-jin watched Kwon In-ju lying on the bed. In this scene, Kwon In-ju...
...would have a precognitive dream and prevent an upcoming incident.
A detective thwarting plans versus a demon fulfilling a human's request.
People might say how could a human stand against a demon, but...
The demon in the story had various rules preventing it from using full power against humans.
That would be revealed later.
Han Mun-jin raised his hand to pause filming. He raised his voice enough for Kwon In-ju to hear.
"Cut! That was decent, but the expression lacks life. Like waking from a nightmare. Can you do it?"
"Yes. I'll give it a try."
Filming resumed.
Kwon In-ju delivered even better acting as directed. Beads of sweat on her forehead, her face pale as a ghost.
Harsh breaths and trembling hands.
As she bolted upright, she clutched her forehead and parted her quivering lips.
"Th-this dream... what is it?"
The fear in Kwon In-ju's expression felt alive, and Han Mun-jin smiled.
‘This guy's got talent.’
Since they first met, his body had improved, pushing his looks beyond average.
And his acting skill too.
How had no one noticed until now...
Still, he lacked one thing: experience.
Even raw, his talent covered for it, sparking greed in Han Mun-jin.
Greed to capture even better takes.
After that, they repeated the scene dozens of times before finally getting a satisfying one.
"Cut! Good. Everyone, move equipment! On to the next shoot!"
Filming wrapped, and break time arrived. Kwon In-ju wiped sweat as he got off the bed and sighed deeply.
He'd lost weight too aggressively; his condition was shot. But he'd seized this chance and wanted to succeed no matter what.
So he'd resisted cravings, stuck to grueling workouts, and hit average weight.
"Junior Jun-seo shaped up too..."
Not as extreme as me, probably.
He chuckled wryly at himself worrying about Lee Jun-seo's health first.
Who was worrying about whom?
He couldn't even manage his own condition.
Step. Step.
Kwon In-ju cooled off with a damp towel as he stepped outside.
A fresh breeze soothed his sweat.
"Next shoot... investigating the scene and realizing it's a precognitive dream?"
His shoulders slumped involuntarily.
Even psyching himself up with this key role, confidence plummeted.
Fatigue was expected.
"Do I lack acting talent...?"
Unable to hide his frustration, Kwon In-ju sighed.
Time flew, and the next shoot began.
"Cut! That was good, but..."
The director trailed off, and he sensed it instantly.
Problem with his acting.
"...Was there an issue?"
Han Mun-jin scratched his head and stood as Kwon In-ju asked cautiously.
"Kwon In-ju, no need to go heavy there. Loosen up a bit. You were too tense."
"Got it."
Han Mun-jin nodded slightly and glanced sideways.
The extras were glancing nervously.
"The extras' reactions are too strong, drawing eyes. Meaning no need to stand out. Match Kwon so it doesn't feel forced."
"Yes! Understood! Sorry!"
Filming restarted.
Kwon In-ju steadied himself, relaxed fully, and delivered his line.
"Th-that can't be..."
"What's so impossible?"
An extra investigating the scene asked. Kwon In-ju snapped to and shook his head.
"Nothing."
Ending there, Kwon In-ju muttered softly.
"It's just like the dream..."
I arrived at the set later than expected today. After parking behind the warehouse, I unbuckled immediately.
"I'll head in first!"
"Sorry for the wrong turn."
I should've said no problem.
But no time.
I rushed out, entered the warehouse set, and bowed politely to everyone I passed with apologies.
"Sorry I'm late."
"Nah, it's fine."
"Bound to happen sometimes."
They all smiled it off.
But I couldn't smile like them.
The director in the distance, beckoning with a finger, looked upset.
Gulp!
I swallowed dryly and hurried to him, bowing as I had to others.
"Sorry I'm late!"
"Why were you late?"
His voice was icy.
"W-well... I dropped Yu-na at kindergarten. And then..."
I skipped the part about the manager taking wrong turns.
Honestly, even without that, I'd have been late.
No need to throw the manager under the bus.
"Hmm, I see?"
Director Han Mun-jin's expression softened after hearing me out.
Forgiven?
"Ahem, in that case. Work extra hard to make up for it. Got it?"
I bowed deeply at once.
"Yes!"
"Go get makeup. If I don't like this shoot, I'll work you to the bone. Know that."
"Y-yes, got it."
I scurried off, changed into the staff-provided costume.
Then sat in an empty chair under the makeup artist's guidance.
Two women's hands moved swiftly.
As makeup finished, the woman neatening my hair spoke.
"Jun-seo, don't you carry your script like other actors?"
"Pardon?"
The sudden question.
She continued.
"Actors I've seen always murmur lines from their script during makeup. You seem so relaxed compared to them."
Ah, so...
I must look weird.
I'd memorized the whole script, so no need to carry it—but admitting that might seem arrogant.
Then...
"I came late and left it in the car. Planned to grab it after makeup."
"Oh, gotcha. Jun-seo, all done. You can get up."
"Fight on for today's shoot!"
"Thanks. Appreciate it today too."
I thanked the two and headed back to the car where the manager rested.
"In-cheol, where's my script..."
I stopped mid-sentence, covering my mouth. The manager was asleep; didn't want to wake him.
"Ugh! St-stay back... Keep your distance... Yeah..."
I carefully found the script without waking the mumbling In-cheol.
‘Sleep well, In-cheol.’
I quietly shut the door so it wouldn't make a sound.