Chapter 42
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 42
Chapter Title: I Want to See the Scenario, Actor
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Stepping through the door, I spotted Song Ji-hyun standing there in the store uniform.
"Whoa! Amazing!"
"Huh?"
Her eyes widened as if she'd recognized me.
Even in just a store uniform, why did she look so stunning?
Sometimes the saying 'clothes make the man' just doesn't hold up.
It's because the hanger is pretty that the clothes get wings.
"Actor, what are you doing working here...?"
"Well..."
She glanced around shyly at my question.
No one was there except the guy frying chicken in the back.
'There it is. The camera.'
I got the concept right away.
Song Ji-hyun working part-time, capturing citizens' reactions to it.
'Thanks, Kang Seo-yoon.'
She must have known about this.
'She's gotten cuter in her antics.'
Maybe it was a reward.
Either way, I was thrilled to see Song Ji-hyun again.
"The uniform suits you perfectly."
"R-Really? That's a relief."
"You're filming a chicken ad episode, right?"
"Oh, that..."
Why was she so embarrassed?
It didn't match her aloof, chic image at all.
She'd been like that when she came to the office before too.
'Is her real personality different?'
Song Ji-hyun, who'd been fidgeting alone, suddenly hardened her expression.
"Customer. How can I help you with your order?"
"Pardon?"
Her face and tone flipped in an instant.
"I'll help you with your order, sir."
"Ah, yes. I think I have a pickup order waiting."
"Please wait just a moment."
Yeah, that was the Song Ji-hyun I knew.
A slightly cool expression and chic vibe. That's what melted guys' hearts.
'But it feels like she's acting.'
After seeing her embarrassed face earlier, it felt a bit off.
Maybe she panicked running into someone she knew.
Either way, her flustered flailing turning into robot-mode hard work was refreshingly cute.
"Sir, your to-go order is almost ready. Just a bit longer, please."
"Can I add an order?"
"P-Pardon? S-Suddenly? No, no. Yes, yes. Anytime."
"Then I'll order an autograph from the actor."
"P-Pardon?"
She panicked again.
Then the store door opened, and a woman walked in.
"I'll take a quick break."
Probably the ad team's writer or PD.
"Whew."
Only then did Song Ji-hyun sigh and slump into a nearby chair.
"Hey, Ji-hyun. Looks like you know him?"
"...Yes. Writer Choi Min-seong."
She remembered my name.
The conviction I'd planted back then was still working. Felt good.
"Writer?"
"Yes. The maknae writer working with... Kang..."
"I'm Choi Min-seong, the maknae writer at Orem Pictures with Star Writer Kang Seo-yoon. I've met the actor once by chance."
"Ah, I see. That's why you got flustered, Ji-hyun. Running into someone you know out of the blue."
"......"
"You almost ruined the shoot because of it. Hehe."
She grinned slyly, stabbing with words.
I got it. She had to maintain that aloof, chic image, and I nearly wrecked it.
"So, cooperate with the shoot, and I'll be grateful."
"Pardon?"
Scouting like this.
Veteran. So smooth.
"I'll head back out and come in again. You can act like you know me, but please nail the performance, Ji-hyun."
"Mm. Fine, whatever."
"Yes, ma'am."
"Before that, can I chat with the actor for a sec?"
"Sure. You need to shake off the nerves anyway. Sit over there and talk. We'll regroup."
I moved to a table and sat right across from Song Ji-hyun.
"I'm honored you remember my name, Actor."
"...You told me to."
"Still. You don't remember everyone like that."
"Unnie said you're the maknae writer she acknowledges..."
Conviction ability working perfectly.
"How'd you end up here?"
"Kang Writer told me to pick up chicken."
"That's far from the office."
"Right? I wondered why here, but since I'm a huge fan of yours, it must be a reward."
"A reward..."
"Seeing you washes away all my day's fatigue."
"......"
Song Ji-hyun sipped water, embarrassed by the praise.
Up close, she was ridiculously pretty.
I wanted to keep this connection going. How?
'Ah!'
My brain's not bad.
"Right, Actor. You know my dream is to be a scenario writer?"
"Yes, I heard back then."
"So, can I ask a favor?"
Song Ji-hyun. Age 26
Favorability:11%
No special fondness for you.
Trust:35%
Some trust due to working with her favorite unnie.
Conviction Tip:Emphasize learning.
Favorability hadn't risen much, but trust was decent.
Kang Seo-yoon effect for sure.
"I'd love to see various scenarios, but I never get the chance. Could I look at the ones you have, Actor?"
"S-Scenarios?"
"Yes. I promise no leaks."
"T-That..."
"Please. It's my dream. I want to study steadily, but I'm short on materials. Think of it as helping one man's dream."
"......"
"Who knows? I might help you someday. People say I'm pretty creative."
"Unnie said that?"
"Yes. That's why she keeps me around. Next shoot's using my idea too."
"Already?"
"Yep. Might help with script analysis."
Dream of being a scenario writer. Wants to study. Helps with script analysis.
Logic solid. But as a top rookie actress, I was tense.
Song Ji-hyun pondered, then nodded.
"...Okay. Got it. I'll make time."
"Thank you! Actor!"
I quickly handed her my business card.
"Contact me when you're free."
"I will. Writer."
C-Grade Conviction successful.
10 points awarded.
Current points: 80
"Why're you so late?"
"Heehee. Writer, I love you."
"What's with that creepy talk? Fix it before I kill you."
"Hehe. Thanks so much."
Securing another chance to meet Song Ji-hyun made the day plenty satisfying.
After giving her my card, I helped with the shoot.
Song Ji-hyun, responding chic and aloof, was total pro.
They said it'd go up on Mitube in chicken ad episode format.
My over-the-top reaction and her cool response would make a fun scene.
"Something good happened, huh."
Even Kang Seo-yoon pretending not to know till the end was cute.
"I'll do my best from now on! Loyalty!"
"Then do better. Actually do it."
Kang Seo-yoon chuckled and tore into the chicken.
"Ji-hyun doing okay?"
"Yes. It cut once because of me, but we reshot."
"Sigh. That's why Ji-hyun can't do variety."
"To me, her personality seems... different. Right?"
"Yeah. Known as aloof and chic, but she's actually shy and quiet."
"Ah, so that's how the image stuck."
"Doesn't talk much on set, so the misunderstanding. That's why no variety. Oh, secret. Spill and die."
"Getting death threats a lot today."
"Image formed by accident, but it suits her. Can't break it."
"True. But with that personality, chicken ad's impressive."
"Top actors do it, so agency pushed hard."
"Trading that info shows you're close."
"We have history."
"Tell me more, Writer."
I slyly pulled beer from my bag.
"Bribe."
"We gotta work. Booze?"
"One cool can to start."
"Mm. Hot out, maybe one."
She seemed more relaxed with me now.
Grinning at the beer, she crossed her legs and chugged.
Beer trickling down her jaw felt insanely sexy.
My eyes naturally scanned her figure. Still couldn't believe I'd groped that body wild.
'Huh?'
Setting down her beer, our eyes met. Caught red-handed ogling.
But no scolding, just a smirk.
"Can't help those instincts, huh."
"What instincts?"
"Getting bold now? You were eyeing my body."
"Was not."
"Hilarious. Seriously."
Her gaze slyly drifted downward.
Her reaction's off today. No anger.
Good mood day?
Come to think, just us two this evening.
"Back when I was maknae writer, I went to her theater for research. Found Ji-hyun practicing acting alone in hiding. Wow, amazed. How's she so good solo? Approached her first."
Shy Song Ji-hyun tried avoiding, but visiting often and chatting warmed her up.
"Knew she'd make it. 26 now, rookie buzz, but watch. She'll soar. Top actress in Korea, for sure."
"You really cherish her."
"Personality grows on you. Once close, impossible not to like. So happy at my success like her own. How hate?"
"You light up talking about her. More stories?"
I used D-Grade Conviction ability.
Info on Song Ji-hyun helps the more I know.
From then, Kang Seo-yoon spilled anecdotes about Song Ji-hyun.
Beer and chicken fueled the chat, packed with useful info.
Meanwhile, legs crossing nonstop. Practically flaunting sexy moves.
"No recent worries?"
"Worried about that. Agency pushing vlog."
"Vlog? Yeah, everyone's doing it."
"As I said, Ji-hyun's introvert. INFP. Homebody hates going out, meeting people."
"INFP... yeah."
"Vlog would freak her."
"You help her."
"Me?"
"Yes. Our company assists vlog, easier for her?"
"Mm."
"I'll help hard!"
Chance to get closer.
"Thought of it. But we're swamped?"
"Hire more."
"That easy?"
"Great Kang Seo-yoon Writer tells higher-ups."
"Getting cheekier."
She chuckled, downed her beer.
"Drop it."
"If vlog happens, I'll help tons."
"I'll think. Enough."
"Tell me if you do!"
Packing to leave.
"Wait, Min-seong."
"Yes?"
Kang Seo-yoon stopped me, eyed my crotch again.
"First item, stressed and tense?"
"Yes."
"Push through. Ratings up, gift for you."
"Gift? For real?"
"Yes. Work hard."
Saying that with that sly smile.
Feels purposeful.
After ordeals from my requests, bets, responsibilities, why gift? Curious.
Maybe real gift.
'That gaze...'
Eyes flicking face to crotch, lewd as hell.
'No way.'
Other intentions?
If what I think, kinda cute. Kang Seo-yoon.
Should probe her intent.