Chapter 67
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 67
Chapter Title: The Trending Actress Who Likes Another Man, Turns Me On?
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Chiieee—
Even calling it cooking, it's just grilling at best, but she's really giving it her all.
That earnest personality of hers in everything she does must be what made her who she is today.
"But Ji-hyun, you're just eating the meat plain?"
"Huh? Does it seem like something's missing?"
"What about the sesame oil? Ssamjang? Cabbage or lettuce? No green onions either?"
"Ah!?"
All that was on the table was meat and kimchi.
Only then did she flush with embarrassment and hurriedly open the fridge.
Meanwhile, the meat was burning.
"...W-What do I do? If this were filming, I'd be done for, right?"
"Nah. It would've been fun instead. Too bad. We should've recorded it."
"You think this is fun?"
"It's quirky and cute. How adorable was that."
[Cute? I'm embarrassed though. But he softened it, so it sounds nice. Min-seong really is kind.]
Song Ji-hyun beamed and pulled out the only ssamjang they had.
"Sorry, this is all there is."
"Salt?"
"Ah! It's over there!"
Even the salt was coarse grains, hard to dip into.
She really only studied, huh.
I had to wonder how she'd been eating at home all this time.
"Eating this way, I might die from sodium overload."
"Sorry. Sorry. No fine salt."
"Then sprinkle it on the meat. It'll season it just right."
"Yeah. Let's do that."
[Am I coming off too dumb? He'll think it's weird a girl can't do this stuff, right?]
She was subtly checking my reaction, full of worries and a bit timid.
But that personality only boosted her charm.
She wasn't arrogant or haughty—instead, her casual, clumsy side felt approachable.
"No booze in the fridge at all."
"Yeah. My manager unnie won't let me drink. Says I gotta stay in check."
"Figured as much, so I brought some. Ta-da!"
"Wooow! Min-seong's the best!"
"Gotta have this much sense to be a writer."
"You're a star writer!"
She was even joking around now—must feel totally comfy with me.
The grilled meat and drinks were set out.
"Alright, let's eat."
"Dig in. Ji-hyun."
"Yeah! Eat lots. It's a bribe for handling my vlog well."
"Meat grilled by Song Ji-hyun. Your fans would kill me if they knew."
"My fans are nice. They wouldn't."
"Your male fans definitely would."
The meat was delicious. Top-grade Hanwoo, as expected.
[Mmm. Tasty. Soju's sweet too. This is happiness.]
Her cute inner thoughts brought a smile to my face.
We filled up just right, buzz kicking in.
Time to build it up. I knew she was all about Lee Jin-seong so far, but for more precise info, I'd start with conversation.
"Ji-hyun. What happened with that script from before?"
"Which one?"
"The romance."
"Decided not to do it."
"Why? Seemed perfect for you."
"Just..."
[Gonna film it with Jin-seong oppa. My first romance.]
Lucky Lee Jin-seong.
"Noticed you've never done romance. No rom-coms either. Special reason?"
"Hmm. Not a special reason, really. Just... didn't feel like it."
"Agency didn't say anything?"
"They chewed me out over it. Said I'm just starting to blow up, can't be picky yet. Gotta be grateful and take the work."
Song Ji-hyun pouted sullenly.
Those plump lips were plenty alluring too.
"Then just do it."
"Thing is..."
"Problem? Spill it. I'm your friend. I'll listen."
Reminded her of the time I'd convinced her before.
Told her real friends hear you out whenever you need, for worries or help.
"Actually... that movie. Too many kiss scenes."
"Huh? Really? Didn't see any early on."
"Bunched up in the latter half."
"How many?"
"...Over ten. Deep kisses too."
[Never even kissed. Hate doing it with some guy who's not Jin-seong oppa.]
That's the reason. Total stan, never even kissed.
Even stage plays do it sometimes.
"Felt uncomfortable, huh."
"Yeah. A bit."
"But Ji-hyun, as your friend, lemme say something."
"Yeah. Go ahead."
"Your agency prez is right. You're too full of yourself."
"..."
"Others slave away for one role. You pull this, you're in trouble."
"...Guess so."
Someone prickly would've snapped—instead, she blamed herself.
"It's not like you haven't kissed. What's uncomfortable? It's just acting."
Pretended not to know.
"W-Well..."
Song Ji-hyun downed her soju, face red, then continued.
"I've... never kissed anyone."
"For real?"
"Yeah. Not once. Turned down every role with that. Even in plays."
"Why on earth?"
Would Lee Jin-seong's name drop?
"...Reasons."
"Hard to share?"
"It's... something I haven't told anyone."
[If I mention Jin-seong oppa, Min-seong'll think I'm pathetic?]
[But what can I do? I've only ever eyed Jin-seong oppa. Saved myself 'cause I wanna give him everything.]
What kinda bond makes her think like that?
Makes me want her even more.
A top actress in love with another man. Kinda hot.
"Rejecting 'cause you haven't kissed and can't do it?"
"N-No, not that."
"Not that? Then you could nail your first time?"
"I've seen tons of videos. Probably could?"
"Different from videos."
Song Ji-hyun's face reddened further.
[Imagined kissing Jin-seong oppa a million times. I know I could do it well.]
"Surprising. Song Ji-hyun can't kiss."
"I can! How good are you, then?"
First time she got feisty.
"Me? Pretty good. Got experience."
"Hmm. Really? Kang Writer said you're a total stan."
"Whoa!? She told you?"
"Yeah. Said you're all about one. Warned me not to shake your heart."
"..."
She almost got me. Gotta play it cool.
"Still, you seem sweet and caring. Not too worried."
Caught off guard by her unexpected words, but they calmed me.
She trusts me—that's why no suspicion. Good enough.
"Ugh. Dying of shame."
"Heh. I'm a stan too. So what."
"Huh? You too?"
"Oops!"
Song Ji-hyun's eyes darted around.
"S-Secret. Min-seong. Pretend you didn't hear."
"Hmm. Song Ji-hyun's a stan? Scoop of the century."
"Yeah? Keep it secret."
"Fans would love it more. Why hide?"
"Kinda... lame, right?"
"Lame how? Doesn't make sense to me."
[If Jin-seong oppa knew, he'd think I'm pathetic. Never dated at this age? Laughable.]
Makes sense.
Lee Jin-seong's such a big star, she feels unworthy.
Could use that psychology.
"Anyway, secret. Got it?"
"Got it. We're friends."
She zipped her lips with a gesture, smiling prettily enough to stir my heart.
Laughing and chatting, two bottles of soju vanished before we knew it.
"One more?"
"Sure. Off tomorrow too."
"Off tomorrow? Drink up!"
Drunk, she puffed her cheeks like a hamster, grinning cheekily.
Usually cool and expressionless, but like this with me—heart raced.
Not from the booze, but Song Ji-hyun's charm.
And those boobs too.
Leaning on the table again, chin on hand.
Did she know how tempting that was?
No good. Gotta push forward.
Won't get Lee Jin-seong's name out with hints.
"Gotta hit the bathroom quick."
"Okay."
Meanwhile, I queued up a Mitube review of Lee Jin-seong's movie.
Specifically the kiss scene.
Song Ji-hyun emerged and frowned at it.
[I could do better. That role suits me more.]
Even jealous.
"Hot, right? Lee Jin-seong. Total fanboy here."
"Uh, y-yeah. He's cool."
"If I write a movie or drama script later, gotta cast him. So..."
"I'll be the leading lady!"
"Huh?"
"Ah... n-no. Gotta have a female lead, right? W-Wanna help you. We're friends."
[Ugh. Embarrassing. Blurted it out. Too drunk?]
Forced back my smile at her fatal cuteness.
"You and Lee Jin-seong. Hmm. Sorry, you two don't match."
"What!?"
Her tone shifted.
Prodding worked.
"He's got charisma, you're similar vibe. Won't fit."
"No way. I can do anything."
"Some things willpower can't fix. You and him don't go."
"What do you know?"
"..."
"Ah... sorry. Didn't mean to dismiss you. Really sorry."
Meant to prod, didn't expect that much bite.
Hard, sharp tone unlike her shy self.
That reaction—she's seriously into him.
Perfect. Double down.
"Stings. That comment."
"Really sorry. Wasn't my intent..."
"Ji-hyun. You've been fired up about Lee Jin-seong stuff. Why?"
"Ah..."
"Something I don't know? That's why it bugged you? I'll apologize then. Sorry."
"N-No, not that."
[Didn't expect Min-seong to apologize first. I'm the one wrong. Ah...]
Song Ji-hyun refilled my glass carefully.
"Sorry. I'll tell you everything. It's a secret, but..."
Finally, the secret.
"Truth is... Jin-seong oppa and I go way back. Childhood neighbor kid."
"Really?"
"Yeah. Loved him so much... Became an actress to follow him. Wanna act together."
"Ultimate stan, huh."
"Yeah. So... I snapped without thinking. Sorry. Really."
Soothed her near-tears apologies.
"Got it. My bad then. Talking smack without knowing."
"No. I'm sorry."
"I'm sorrier."
"I'm more sorry. Don't do that, Min-seong."
"Reconciliation shot then?"
"Ah... yeah!"
We bloomed into Lee Jin-seong talk, just as planned.
Learned tons about him.
"Back in elementary, saw oppa practicing lines alone in the alley. Looked so cool, fell hard."
"Right! Almost got bit by a dog once, oppa saved me."
"He'd wave at me sometimes. Heh. Even bought me tteokbokki."
Six-year gap. High schooler Lee Jin-seong must've dazzled elementary her.
Handsome enough to ignite her young heart.
"Came to my play once too?"
Stories about Lee Jin-seong kept flowing.
"You really like him. Lee Jin-seong."
"Yeah. That's why... never dated. Wanna meet him someday."
Her pure devotion shone through.
But no plans to cheer it on.
I want you. For myself.
Gonna use that love for him.
Scummy? Whatever.