Chapter 93
Chapter 93
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 93
Chapter Title: The Shoot Runs Long
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The shoot was taking longer than expected.
If only the supporting actors and extras hadn't made so many repeated mistakes...
I'd probably be home by now, playing excitedly with Yu-na.
Was that why?
In the corner of the police station set, the group of chattering and laughing supporting actors looked utterly annoying.
The seniors and I hadn't made a single mistake. Instead of just laughing and talking, shouldn't they apologize to us and the staff?
How could they be so brazen?
'The seniors aren't saying anything either.'
I couldn't bring it up myself...
Their behavior kept nagging at me, so I let out a quiet sigh.
Well, still.
Not all the extras and supporting actors rubbed me the wrong way.
'The rookie actress was the only one without mistakes.'
In the middle of that group was the rookie actress who'd greeted me that morning.
'What was her name again?'
Kang Joo-hee, who was playing Im Soo-young.
I was looking at Kang Joo-hee, who'd awkwardly forced a smile to blend into the group.
Our eyes met exactly.
She glanced around cautiously, then bowed her head with an apologetic look.
It seemed like she was apologizing on behalf of the immature, laughing bunch.
'She's a good kid.'
The extras and supporting actors watching from the side turned their heads.
They made faces like they'd bitten into a bug, then looked away. Their reaction was so ridiculous I let out a hollow laugh.
"...Do they have time for that?"
Their frequent mistakes meant they hadn't memorized the script.
If it were me, I'd open the script during chit-chat time and read every single line.
"Excuse me, Jun-seo."
"Yeah?"
I just turned my head at the manager's call.
He slumped his shoulders, eyeing things nervously like a dog desperate to poop.
"...Why'd you call me? Spit it out."
"Is this really okay? If we're late for the appointment, Yu-na might..."
"Pfft!"
I burst out laughing at my manager's timid attitude, which didn't match his burly build.
Last time Yu-na was upset.
I'd blamed it on the manager dawdling, making up excuses. And he ended up taking the brunt of Yu-na's glare...
"So, what... Can't I just say the manager dawdled again this time?"
"No! This isn't my fault..."
That was when.
The director's voice boomed out.
"Alright! Is everyone ready now?"
The scattered crowd turned their gazes to the director.
Looks like we're starting now.
I folded the script and tossed it to the manager. I placed a hand on his wide-eyed shoulder.
"I was kidding. Not this time. A gift will smooth it over."
"Really?"
"Yeah. So, after shooting wraps, let's swing by downtown. We need to bring something for Yu-na so she won't sulk as much."
"Okay..."
Step. Step.
I slowly made my way to where the director was, then followed staff guidance to stand behind the camera.
"Alright, this is a simple scene, so let's get it right without mistakes. Think about heading home early and give it your all. Got it?"
Everyone roared back in response to Director Han Mun-jin's shout.
"Yes!"
"Yeah!"
"Got it!"
It was around sunset, when the sky was turning red, that the shoot finally wrapped.
"Great work, everyone!"
I'd finished greeting everyone and was hurrying to the car.
Grab!
Someone clutched my shoulder.
I stopped my rushed steps and turned to see Senior Yoon So-hee.
"Haa. Haa..."
"...Senior?"
She caught her breath roughly, wiped her sweat haphazardly, and spoke.
"Jun-seo. Wait a sec. I asked you to hang on earlier. Forgot?"
Oh, right. I'd blanked on that.
"I'm kinda busy, so unless it's important, can it wait...?"
"It's important. Just give me a minute. I have something to tell you."
Her clear eyes trembled faintly. This feels like...
Exactly that vibe.
'No way, right?'
I turned to face her squarely. I swallowed dryly and asked carefully.
"...What is it?"
Her moist lips twitched frustratingly several times.
"If there's nothing, I'll just..."
Suddenly, a strong gust blew, shaking the lush tree leaves violently as her mouth slowly opened.
"Won't you... go out with me?"
Thud! Her bombshell confession startled me into wide eyes.
Did she just say she likes me?
I didn't mishear?
Her face flushed red like it might burst. Her face looked redder than the sunset.
'I hoped it wasn't...'
How should I turn her down?
Her serious gaze staring straight at me felt heavy.
What do you do in a situation like this?
In-joo hyung's words popped into my head: "Think of a rejection line in advance."
I hadn't even prepared...
This was awkward.
"Ah... I'm sorry."
No good rejection came to mind, so I just said sorry briefly. Senior Yoon So-hee's eyes drooped sadly.
Her pupils shook intensely.
"...Can I ask why?"
Her voice trembled faintly.
I scratched my nape lightly, then met her eyes directly.
And so my honest feelings would reach her.
"I have no intention of ever dating anyone in my life. No matter what happens, this won't change."
"Ah..."
A heavy silence fell.
But only briefly.
Her manager came rushing over just then.
"Sister! If we don't leave now, traffic will be bad. We gotta go!"
"J-Jun-seo. I'll head out now. And... sorry."
"Oh, yeah. Take care."
After she left, I stood there blankly, gazing at the blazing red sky.
Sometimes, from acting to dating.
From dating to marriage.
In that process, I'd seen people heartbroken from rejection or breakups multiple times.
Would Senior Yoon So-hee be okay? I worried for no reason.
"...With the personality I've seen so far, she'll bounce back quick, right?"
Beeeep!
"What, what is it."
The sudden horn jolted me awake. I peered out the window.
While the manager drove and I'd dozed off, we'd arrived downtown.
Rush hour traffic was a mess.
"When'd we get here?"
"...I sped up a bit. Figured if we arrive earlier, Yu-na won't sulk as much. So..."
"You sped?"
"No. I stuck to the limit."
"Good. Then find a parking spot quick. This place is way busier than my old neighborhood."
"I know the roads here. Head straight this way, and we'll hit Citizen's Park. We can park there."
As the manager said, we turned into a narrow alley, and soon a packed parking lot appeared.
"I'll park and wait in the car, so grab Yu-na's gift quick and come back, Jun-seo."
I nodded, put on a cap and mask, and hopped out fast.
"Be right back."
"Yeah, I'll call the babysitter watching Yu-na."
After sending off the manager, I headed straight into the streets and wandered around.
What to get as a gift?
Toys are cliché. Pass.
Snacks? We have plenty at home. Nah.
Then...
I was walking aimlessly when I passed a big toy store.
A kid Yu-na's age holding a toy that looked like a phone caught my eye.
"...Should I get her a toy phone?"
I didn't dwell long.
A real phone's too soon for Yu-na.
What then?
Bzzz!
A sudden call made me flinch.
I pulled out my phone— it was the babysitter.
'Need somewhere quiet.'
I slipped away from the crowded street into an alley. Luckily, the call hadn't cut off while I found it.
"Ahem! Hello?"
-Oh, Jun-seo. When will you be here?
"Just stopped downtown. Be there soon."
-I see. Yu-na's sulking now...
Murmurs.
I felt lots of eyes on me.
Looking around, passersby had recognized me and were whispering.
They gathered one by one in the narrow alley until it was packed, hard for even one person to pass.
"Isn't that actor Lee Jun-seo?"
"Looks like it? Hey! He looked this way."
"His eyes match this photo exactly."
"Wow! Quick, snap pics to brag to friends."
Click! Click! Click!
Shutter sounds nonstop.
How'd they crowd like this so fast?
I rushed to end the call and find an escape.
The alley was jammed with fans.
No way out.
'This is... bad.'
Streetlights cast a serene glow over the small playground.
Creak— creak—
I tried pushing Yu-na on the swing as fun as possible.
But I couldn't melt her heart.
I'd broken my promise to come home early.
My damn manager had ditched me the moment he saw Yu-na's state outside, fleeing like a fugitive.
The babysitter had eyed things and gone home too.
So, to soothe Yu-na's hurt feelings, I ended up stuck at the playground instead of going inside.
"Yu-na. Daddy's sorry. Tomorrow from morning till late night, we'll play. Okay?"
"......"
Her cute duck-lip pout showed no sign of receding.
Yu-na wasn't speaking.
Just nodding or shaking her head.
One or the other.
Creak— creak—
"Tomorrow's no kindergarten, right? Wanna go far away and play with Daddy?"
Yu-na froze.
She turned, stared at me blankly, then bowed her head.
"You're busy anyway, so you won't. Yu-na knows."
"N-No. We can sleep over. So tomorrow, play with Daddy. Cheer up. Okay?"
"......"
Nod. Nod.
Yu-na finally nodded, late but sure.
Her sulk easing a bit. Seizing the moment, I kept talking.
"Anything you wanna do tomorrow?"
"......"
"Then..."
That was when.
A familiar voice called from afar.
"Huh? It's Yu-na and Uncle! Uncle!"
Ha-yul, who'd run over in a flash.
Ha-yul grabbed pouty Yu-na's hand and shook it happily.
"Yu-na! Long time no see. You good?"
"...Yeah. I was good."
I was so surprised I forgot to greet her.
Then Lee Jong-min approached late. He was Lee Ha-yul's dad.
A big camera around his neck gave pro photographer vibes.
Plus broad shoulders and sturdy build.
Similar to my manager, he felt oddly familiar.
Maybe that's why.
I spoke first.
"Hi. Jong-min. Long time. Hope you've been well?"
"Yeah, great to see you. Haven't met since the amusement park outing. Heard you're prepping your next project, super busy..."
Ha-yul suddenly jumped in between us, hopping in place.
"Daddy! Take a pic with Yu-na."