Chapter 64

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Translator: MadScientist

Chapter: 64

Chapter Title: Friends Help Each Other

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"Have you had dinner yet?"

"Not yet."

"I figured as much, so ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠I brought this."

He pulled a packaged raw chicken out of his backpack.

"What's... that for?"

"The shoot's completely wrapped up now, right? No need for diet control anymore, so let me make you some spicy braised chicken today."

"Ah..."

"What? Is it too much?"

"It's just..."

[I didn't plan on eating dinner together, too.]

I knew that, but I pushed ahead anyway.

"After Actor—no, Ji-hyun—made such a tough decision for me, I feel like I should give something back. Unless... you don't like spicy braised chicken?"

"It's not that."

"Then just wait a bit. I'll whip it up quick."

"...Okay."

[She went out of her way to prepare it. How could I refuse?]

This person's really kind.

After hearing nothing but stories about shitty celebrities with bad personalities, seeing a genuinely nice one felt refreshing.

While I cooked, Song Ji-hyun brought over her scripts. I was shocked by how many there were.

"Are these all scripts?"

"Yeah. Some old ones and some recent."

"You're a total A-lister, alright."

"..."

There had to be dozens at a glance.

Skimming them, some were already aired, others upcoming.

"Her Utterly Cold Self—this one's recent, huh? Looks pristine."

The others were marked up with underlines and notes everywhere, but this was spotless.

"Yeah, it came yesterday..."

"Title fits your image perfectly. Mind if I take a look?"

"...Sure. Just don't leak the content..."

Instead of answering, I mimed zipping my lips.

While the chicken soaked in sauce and the water boiled, I skimmed the early parts.

"Did your agency approve this?"

"Yes."

"What'd they say?"

"Why do you ask?"

"It seems perfect for you. They must've thought so too."

"Yeah, they did."

"So this is your next project."

"No... I'm not doing it."

"Huh?"

[My first romance... I want to do it with Jin-seong oppa.]

Jin-seong oppa? Who’s that?

Huh? No way, Lee Jin-seong?

Was she talking about the top male star actor Lee Jin-seong?

Did they have some connection?

Thinking about it, Song Ji-hyun had never done a romance role.

She'd only risen recently, so she hadn't led many projects anyway.

"Th-the water's boiling."

"Oops."

I focused on cooking. Soon, a delicious aroma filled the air.

I microwaved some instant rice, set the table, and grabbed kimchi from the fridge.

While setting out side plates and such, I spotted some pills in the corner.

Sleeping pills.

She must be really stressed.

I'd heard most celebrities suffered from stress and insomnia.

The pressure of success or failure, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠the burden, and the frustration of not relieving it—leading to illness.

It was obvious how much pressure her agency was putting on Song Ji-hyun, just starting to blow up.

Kang Seo-yoon had mentioned her agency wasn't big, so they were banking heavily on her.

Probably why she's doing vlogs—for the money, too.

I pretended not to notice and didn't bring it up.

Instead, I pulled out a bottle of soju I'd brought just in case.

"How about it, Ji-hyun? A shot?"

"Ah... soju?"

"Goes perfect with spicy braised chicken."

"Mm. Sure."

I thought she'd hesitate since we weren't close, but the booze must've tempted her.

[Soju... love it. Been ages.]

Her face brightened for the first time today. Her smile was stunning.

[But... is it okay to drink?]

Still some wariness left, huh.

She'd already said yes, so I ignored it and set up the drinks.

Once we were seated, Song Ji-hyun dropped her guard and took the glass.

She bit into the chicken and grinned widely.

"It's delicious, Writer."

"Glad it suits your taste. Cheers?"

"Cheers!"

[Doesn't seem like a weirdo.]

One INFP trait: once you're comfortable with someone, your mind relaxes too.

Hates going out, awkward with people, but once out, has a surprisingly good time.

Whether it was the chicken or soju, Song Ji-hyun smiled throughout the meal.

"You don't get to eat like this often, right?"

"No, gotta watch my diet."

"Must avoid spicy stuff. Relax today, though."

"Yeah, thanks."

"Was gonna do mala tang, but that's too intense."

"I can't handle super spicy anyway."

"Good call. Your manager won't drop by suddenly, right?"

"I told them not to when I'm resting."

"Then let's drink up."

We chatted casually over the food.

With Kang Seo-yoon as common ground, praising her chipped away at the walls.

College stories got laughs, and I shared the recent chicken ad bit.

"Saw your chicken part-time vid the other day. Mine was edited out. Boo."

"They said my expressions were shaky. Guess I couldn't keep a straight face looking at you, Writer."

"So you're saying I made you happy to see me?"

"A little?"

"Admiral Yi Sun-sin! Your helmsman has succeeded!"

[This guy's funny. Must be the writer thing.]

Every compliment boosted my ego.

"Your acting blows me away every time. That's why I'm a fan."

I hyped her skills plenty.

"Everyone does it."

[Bottle's empty.]

Sweet like Han Yu-ra, but a bit naive.

Drinking heavily alone with a strange guy in her house.

What if she gets wasted?

"Whoa, bottle's gone. Another!"

Her wide-eyed surprise at the second bottle from my bag was adorable.

"Hehe."

[Feels good after so long.]

She giggled happily, tipsiness showing as she took the glass.

Chatting away, she got comfy—big chest on the table, arms cradling it like a pillow, beaming.

Oversized tee hid everything, but the jiggle was obvious.

I barely kept my eyes up, kept talking, then got to today's goal.

"Ji-hyun, you're twenty-six, right?"

"Yeah, just turned."

"Me too. We're fated that way. Wanna... be friends?"

"Friends...?"

"Yeah. We both know Kang Writer. We'll see each other for scripts anyway. What do you say?"

She's hot right now, so I used D-grade Conviction Ability.

[Not a bad guy, so it'll be fine. Unnie knows him well.]

"Mm. Sure."

"Thanks!"

Emotions surged. Friends with A-list actress Song Ji-hyun.

Fans would freak. Plenty of guys want that.

Shoulders squared, pride swelled.

"No big deal."

"Then, Ji-hyun, casual speech okay?"

"Ah... y-yeah."

"Sweet! Friends with Song Ji-hyun!"

She smiled at my antics again.

[This kind of friend... should be fine. Seems nice. Kinda comfy.]

Goal achieved.

As friends, she'd treat me easier. Visits less awkward.

"Ow."

She bit big into spicy chicken; red sauce splattered her white oversized tee.

She naturally grabbed a wet wipe and scrubbed.

"..."

‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

Hot.

Her chest shook wildly as she wiped.

"..."

Hot again.

The wet spot revealed her bra and cleavage.

Even from outside, it looked huge.

Inside, it exceeded imagination.

Not sure if it was tight, but that cleavage was deep.

That's a straight-up valley.

How big to make that gorge?

D-cup? E?

Her fans multiplied thanks to those.

Won't say anything this time.

Naive Song Ji-hyun didn't care, kept drinking casually.

My eyes feasted.

Any upper body move let me glimpse the jiggle and valley.

Greedy now.

Those breasts, that figure, that gorgeous face.

Actress quality—lust crept up.

But not today. Don't overplay now that we're close.

Need to read her psyche better first.

Used 40 points for Psychological Analysis skill.

Her attitude toward me was great, but the inner conflict was pitiful.

Jin-seong oppa probably is Lee Jin-seong.

Lee Jin-seong—top ten male actor in the country.

Some bond; she seemed attached.

Can't ask her directly—I'll hit up Kang Seo-yoon.

"Ji-hyun."

"Yeah?"

Conviction Target Designation. Song Ji-hyun.

For more meetings and easy access.

I used C-grade Conviction Ability.

"Friends are for sharing tough worries, helping each other through hard times, and overcoming together."

"...Yeah."

"So if you have troubles or need help, tell me anytime. I'll do my best."

Harmless words.

But to fully convince her—make her come to me when needed.

[Yeah. Nowhere to vent... Getting closer to Min-seong means I can talk freely.]

Kang Seo-yoon said Song Ji-hyun had few friends.

Shy personality—hard to approach or accept others.

So make her rely on friend-me more.

"Yeah. Thanks. Feels reassuring."

"Right? Kang Writer leans on me plenty."

"Really? Must trust you a lot."

"She even told me about your vlog. See? I'm trusted."

"She did? That's still secret."

"That's why I suggested we do it together. Less pressure for you."

Her face lit up.

"Great idea. With you and unnie, I might actually relax."

So please convince your company.

Then we meet often, build bonds, and eventually...

Jiggle jiggle.

I'll grope those big breasts freely.

"Talk to your company. I'll keep pushing Kang Writer."

"Got it. I'll try."

Post-friendship, vibes were warmer.

[Vlogs with Min-seong sound fun. He's capable. With unnie too? Awesome. Gotta pitch to company.]

Trust up—I was pleased.

Time to go. Regretful, but no clinging.

"Gotta head out, Ji-hyun."

"Yeah. But I barely looked at scripts."

"Next time. Today, befriending a star actress is plenty."

"Embarrassing—what star?"

"A-list actress, though."

"Just got lucky."

"Haha. When next?"

"I'll check schedule and text."

"Cool. Hit me up."

"Mm."

"You rest. I'll wash up."

"No, let's clean together."

For a moment, newlywed vibes.

I soaped, she rinsed beside me.

Standing together felt happy.

Wanted her sooner.

First, get Lee Jin-seong intel.

Felt like it'd play big.