Chapter 99
Chapter 99
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 99
Chapter Title: BBQ Coincidence
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As soon as filming wrapped, cheers erupted from the people around me.
“Wow!”
“Jun-seo oppa! Good work!”
“Hyung-nim, great acting. You're even cooler in person than on TV!”
“That was seriously awesome!”
Amid all the excitement, I panted for breath and wiped the sweat from my brow with my hand.
I'd fully immersed myself in the role again, forgetting we were even filming and focusing solely on the acting.
Maybe that's why...
The mental fatigue was intense.
Still, at this level...
'The director must be satisfied, right?'
The director was replaying the scene we'd just shot, a thick smile spreading across his face.
He looked pleased, thank goodness.
Really, thank goodness.
I felt like I could collapse any second from exhaustion, but for some reason, I couldn't stop smiling.
Was it because of those students' conversation?
“Insane, right? Actors are just different. His eyes and vibe changed in a split second.”
“Maybe I should become an actor? I'm killer at faking being sick, you know?”
“Forget it. If you debut as an actor, I'll stroll around Seoul Station in nothing but my panties.”
“I'll grill some meat right next to you.”
“Heh heh heh. I'll do the hula right beside you.”
Overhearing the students who'd helped with the shoot, I couldn't help but chuckle.
“Huh? Feels like he's looking this way.”
“Did he hear us?”
“...!”
The students who made eye contact with me suddenly flinched, dropping their gazes like they'd run into someone terrifying.
Weird. Why were they acting like that?
'...No way, is it my expression right now?'
Touching my face, I rushed toward the camera that was still on.
I turned the LED screen to check out my current face.
'No wonder the students freaked out.'
My blank expression radiated a seriously dangerous aura. I tried lifting the corners of my mouth by flexing my facial muscles...
'Yeah, that's pretty scary.'
The epitome of a villain.
I turned the LED screen back and let out a quiet sigh.
“I should've been more careful after immersing... ended up scaring them anyway...”
Anyway.
I should probably apologize to the guy who played the department head. I'd glared at him with way too much killing intent.
He must've been pretty shocked.
The staff, busy packing up equipment, whispered while glancing at the man still collapsed on the floor.
“Was there a peeing scene in that bit? It looked so real.”
“Maybe? They didn't cut, and Jun-seo didn't even flinch.”
I approached the man, who was turning away the staff's help with a flushed face.
A guy nearing fifty had pissed himself—embarrassment was natural.
Some staff thought it was intentional direction. Should they use it?
Finishing that thought, I raised my voice so the staff could hear.
“You were great even in that small role. Felt totally real.”
“Ah, th-thank you...?”
He grabbed my outstretched hand with a bewildered look. Then I whispered just for him.
“Play along with me right now.”
He gave a small nod.
“No, the direction team. Isn't that too much? What if a misunderstanding spreads without telling anyone?”
“Y-Yeah, you're right.”
Right on cue, my manager showed up.
“Jun-seo. What're you doing? We have a reservation—if we don't leave now...”
“In-cheol, got any spare pants?”
“There are some in the car... Why?”
“This guy needs them.”
In-cheol eyed the man up and down, then nodded.
“Got it. Wait here a sec. I'll grab them right away.”
In-cheol dashed to the car and back, handing me the pants. I passed them straight to the man.
“As an apology, these are yours. No need to return them.”
“Th-thank you.”
“No, no. It was my glare—too much killing intent.”
After bowing politely several times and watching him walk away, I smacked In-cheol hard on the back.
“Come on, let's go eat some meat.”
Whoooosh!
Something suddenly flew straight at me.
Before I could react...
In-cheol threw himself in front to block it.
Thud!
'What was that?'
What hit his big frame and dropped to the floor was a chocolate ice cream bar kids would love.
Still wrapped, so no mess on the manager.
Who threw this at me...
It happened in front of everyone, so I spotted the culprit right away.
I smirked.
“Jun-seo, you okay?”
“Hey, quit overreacting.”
Pushing the manager aside, I walked toward where all eyes were turning.
The closer I got, the clearer the young woman's crisp voice became.
“What if you just throw stuff like that! Mom said not to toss things around!”
“But it's food...”
“What gives you the right to talk back!”
Smack! Smack!
A little kid who looked elementary-school age was getting his back smacked repeatedly by the young woman.
She seemed like his mom.
Relentlessly whacking his tiny back while scolding him fit the picture perfectly.
I hoped she wasn't going too hard.
“But... he looked hot. And I couldn't go myself! Had to do something!”
“You're getting the switch when we get home. Got it?”
Step. Step.
Only when I was close enough to touch her did she notice me, bowing deeply in a fluster.
“Ah, sorry. It's my fault for not raising him right. Truly sorry.”
“Wh-what'd I do wrong...”
“Ssh! Son, bow your head.”
“Ah! Don't push!”
She pressed down on the head of the kid, who was staring up at me stiffly.
He dodged her hand and dashed right up to me.
“Mister.”
“What're you curious about, kid?”
“Where's Yu-na?”
Yu-na.
The name from the kid's mouth hushed the area for a beat, then laughter burst out here and there.
Of course, I couldn't laugh.
“...Kiddo.”
“I'm not a kid.”
At his bold retort, I crouched to his eye level and flicked his forehead with my finger.
“I'm not giving my daughter to anyone.”
“Watch me. I'll become cooler than you and marry Yu-na for sure.”
“...What?”
“Mom said it. To date the Yu-na on TV, you gotta be a cool guy.”
At the kid's spirited vow, the young woman who seemed his mom flushed red with embarrassment and bowed her head.
“...Still not giving you my daughter.”
That's when it happened.
The people around us, clutching their stomachs laughing, started backing me up.
“Yeah! No way you're getting Yu-na!”
“To date Yu-na, you'd need permission from all the aunties and uncles who are fans.”
“Exactly. That's right. Haha!”
Suddenly, the young woman scooped up the kid and bolted like they were fleeing.
Even then...
The laughter didn't stop.
Wrapping up the little mishap, I headed to the famous BBQ spot reserved with my manager.
A variety show had featured it as a must-visit.
Photos of broadcast scenes lined the walls, proving its cred.
Guaranteed tasty.
We followed the staff to our prepped room and sat.
Side dishes galore and seasoned short ribs.
The moment In-cheol silently picked up the tongs and laid the ribs on the grill...
Murmurs.
What was going on?
Noise from outside.
Peeking out, someone was getting an apology from a staff member.
“No, we reserved for today. And it's canceled?”
“S-Sorry. Must've been a staff mix-up.”
“Sigh, look at me. Everyone makes mistakes. No choice then— we'll go somewhere else.”
It was Yoon So-hee sunbae.
Heading to another place?
As she turned to leave, I called out without thinking.
“Sunbae! Want to join us?”
All eyes snapped to me instantly.
Oh no. Did I butt in for no reason?
I regretted it immediately.
A brief silence.
Sunbae glanced at the unfamiliar man beside her, then nodded.
She came into our reserved room with the stranger.
Thus, an awkward group seating was born.
Regret city.
I alternated glances between sunbae and the stranger sitting next to her.
“Um... what's your relationship?”
“He's my ex-husband.”
“She's my ex-wife.”
I'd stepped on a total landmine.
The awkward silence wouldn't break.
Tried breaking the ice with chit-chat.
No flow.
This called for booze...
Asked the manager, grilling away happily.
“In-cheol, order some drinks?”
“...You should avoid alcohol normally, but I'll let it slide today.”
“Cool. You drinking too?”
“I've got stuff to do back at the agency.”
“Then...”
I looked at the pair ahead.
“Beer's fine for me.”
“I'm good. Got to head out far later.”
So sunbae and I split a simple beer order.
One glass. Two.
The beer's magic livened things up a bit, but sunbae's face turned strawberry-red after just a few.
“Hahaha! So yeah. I...”
“Stop drinking. You're a lightweight.”
“What do you know?”
She glared at the guy next to her, clutching her chest and sniffling.
“You don't even know my heart...”
The handsome guy with the neat goatee silently snatched her glass.
From the story so far, he seemed her ex-actor spouse.
“Give it back. I'm not drunk yet.”
“You're clearly drunk. I said I'm sorry. After the divorce, I realized how precious you were.”
“Liar...”
She turned to me, folding her eyes into crescents.
“Jun-seo. Why won't you accept my confession? Don't like me?”
Her words startled me.
Manager and the guy both looked shocked at Yoon So-hee sunbae's outburst.
I sighed softly and downed the rest of my beer.
Then spoke.
“I'm not interested in dating anyone. Not with Yu-na by my side.”
“Tch. My bad. You're seriously the world's best husband material. Jealous...”
Yoon So-hee sunbae dropped her head, poking at the sides.
“...Honestly, my liking you is probably just fan feelings. Figured it out holding hands on set. Confessed just in case...”
“......”
The middle-aged guy silently watching her seemed full of lingering attachment.
She seemed pretty wasted now...
“Those times were good. Miss 'em...”
At sunbae's mutter, the man's lips curved up gently.
“Wanna go back to then?”
“I said no...”
He shrugged.
“Even so. Until your heart turns back like before. I'll keep trying.”
“Trying what... You're busier as a regular guy than me the actor.”
“...That I'm truly sorry for.”
Watching them quietly, I could see reconciliation potential.
Wonder how it'll play out.
Munching ribs silently, I watched their convo with keen interest.
“So. What're you gonna try?”
“Like today—make a promise to have all the talks we've missed.”
“If I say no?”
“I'll come find you myself.”
“Even if you do and I don't meet you?”
The talk was getting...
Childish.
How long do I have to watch this kiddie spat?
“Childish... What even is that?”
“You get childish around someone you like.”
I shuddered.
In-cheol and I brushed our goosebumped arms at the same time. Meanwhile, sunbae face-planted onto the table.
“Sunbae, you okay?”
“She's fine. Just asleep.”
Gathering their stuff, he hoisted her onto his back.
“We should head out.”
“Ah, wait.”
As I started to stand, he gently pressed my shoulder.
“No need to get up. Had a great time today. See you...”
After they left, I let out a deep sigh.
Drained.
Catching my breath, I saw half the piled seasoned ribs gone from the plate.
In-cheol had eaten them solo.
“Hey! Eating alone?”
“Late one's fault, no?”
We had no clue.
Bickering away.
That sunbae's ex had secretly paid the bill.