I'll Take Full Responsibility
927.
For reasons she couldn't quite name, this was someone who placed infinite trust in her—and held equally infinite expectations.
And now...
Someone who had never once texted her first had called her out of the blue.
...Why?
From the conversations they'd shared over the past few days, she knew this was a person who hated putting themselves forward. The pen name. The fact that, as the story writer, they had never once shown their face on set. She didn't even know for certain whether this person was a man or a woman. The voice of their messages carried a distinctly masculine feel, but that was only a hunch—nothing she could stake a claim on.
Either way, Seol Soyoung turned the reason for the call over carefully in her mind.
"Don't tell me..."
Has word of all my NGs reached him?
It made sense. As the story writer, of course he'd grow restless if the shoot wasn't progressing.
So then this call was...?
A bad feeling began to settle over her.
...What if. Just what if. What if even the trust this person had placed in her shattered. What if there was no longer a single soul left who believed in her acting. Then she would...
"...Hello?"
With trembling fingers, Seol Soyoung finally swiped the screen and answered the call.
"Hello, Soyoung. This is Writer 927."
A man's voice—no question. She'd assumed a story writer would be somewhat older, but the voice coming through the receiver was distinctly young. And for some reason, it sounded as though he were deliberately putting force behind it. As an actress, she could catch that kind of detail, however faintly.
"Do you have a moment to talk?"
The writer asked.
As if she were receiving a terminal diagnosis, Seol Soyoung could only answer in a thin voice, "It's fine."
"Actually, I snuck onto set today. So I got to watch a little of your acting."
"...What?"
The words hit like a bomb. Her heart lurched.
He saw my acting...?
Writer 927 had been the first person—more than anyone—to recognize her talent and place expectations on her. Because of that, she had always hoped that someday she might stand before him and deliver a performance worthy of that faith.
...But what had her acting looked like today?
Honestly, after stringing together that many NGs, no one could have called it good. And of all people, the writer had witnessed every last second of that disaster.
From Seol Soyoung's perspective, nothing could have been more humiliating. She would almost rather have stood naked in front of him.
"Th-that is..."
Her thoughts tangled so thoroughly that her words began to snarl. What was she supposed to say? Right. An apology first—
"Soyoung. I think I may have been wrong."
Just as she was about to apologize, the writer spoke.
She didn't understand. She needed him to explain.
"...Wrong about what?"
"Well, honestly, I thought if I gave you the role of Gyeoul, you'd nail it no matter what. But after watching your performance with my own eyes today, I've changed my mind a little."
Listening in silence, Seol Soyoung clenched her fist so hard her nails dug crescents into her palm.
She had already guessed what would come out of Writer 927's mouth. But the fact that it was no longer a guess—that it had become reality—drove a spike of pain through her chest.
"But it's all right. For you, that's only natural."
Wait—this bastard... no, this person?
The way he wrapped a dig inside words of comfort made something flare hot in her for a second. And that heat quickly turned into raw resentment.
"...What's so natural about it? That I can't act? I already know that perfectly well! But what am I supposed to do when nothing works no matter how hard I try? And you of all people—"
You were the one who said I'd definitely pull it off and handed me Gyeoul. You of all people aren't allowed to say that to me...
A crushing sense of betrayal made her eyes prickle and grow wet. Her emotions were slipping out of control; if this kept up, she was going to spill every last humiliating line she'd been holding inside.
But then—
"Yes. So I'll take full responsibility."
The writer's firm answer shut her mouth for her.
...Responsibility? For what?
"For your life, Soyoung."
"What?"
She was so startled the question flew out on reflex.
Wait... did I just get a confession...?
"Ah—that might have come out a little wrong. I meant I'll take responsibility for your life as an actress."
"My life... as an actress?"
"When I stop and think about it, you're still a middle schooler."
"Well... yes?"
"And this is your first role—the female lead, right from the start. And the story writer who dumped that weight on you is just spouting irresponsible nonsense. Seriously, am I out of my mind?"
Suddenly the writer was cursing himself.
"That's not—"
"Not what? It absolutely is. I'm a complete lunatic. You could cuss me out as hard as you want and you'd still be not guilty. Not guilty."
He sounded ready to demand she actually swear at him if she didn't agree, so she blurted out, half dazed, "Y-you're right."
"Hah... Who the hell expects first-rate acting from someone who's never acted before? And a middle schooler, at that."
A sigh of self-reproach came through the receiver. Only then did he seem to settle a little.
"Soyoung, can I ask you one thing? Why do you want to act?"
Why she wanted to act...
The question came a little out of nowhere, but Seol Soyoung gave it serious thought. In truth, her dream of becoming an actress had been heavily shaped by her mother, Lee Hwayang. But filming Welcome to Cafe Violet had shifted that reason somewhat.
She had simply started to enjoy acting. Analyzing a character through the script, breathing with other people to build a single work—the whole process felt strange and fun in a way she couldn't quite put into words. So for now she settled for a rough answer: "Because it's fun."
"Of course. Anything's only worth doing if you enjoy it yourself. So from now on, Soyoung—if acting ever stops feeling fun, just run. Right then and there."
"...Run?"
"Yes. Run if you want. Or if you hate the atmosphere on set, or the director, or anything else—throw a spectacular fit. And whatever happens, the responsibility won't be yours. I'll take all of it."
Every mistake that happened on set because of her—he would carry it himself. He was saying it to her in complete earnest.
She was beginning to understand what he'd meant earlier about taking responsibility for her life as an actress.
"Really?"
"Of course. I was the one who pulled you onto this path. The least I can do is take some responsibility. If you still don't trust me, should we draw up a contract?"
"Over a quiet little dinner for two?"
"Ah... that might be a bit..."
The same person who had just boldly declared he would take full responsibility was suddenly flustered by the mere suggestion of sharing a meal. A small laugh slipped out of her.
Honestly, Seol Soyoung didn't even need grand promises like that. Simply knowing that no matter what happened, this person's faith in her would never change—that was enough. More than enough. It was almost more gratitude than she knew what to do with. It was so steadying that confidence she hadn't had before rose up on its own.
So—
"Thank you. I think I've got a little more strength now."
All she could do for him now was offer her thanks, and simply enjoy acting.
"Oh—Writer. Since you've so boldly declared you'll take responsibility for my acting career, would you grant me one small favor first?"
"...A favor?"
"Yes. You'll do it for me, of course?"
"Well... let me hear what it is first."
With a fluttering face, Seol Soyoung told him what she wanted.
"If that's what you want, Soyoung, I suppose I have no choice. Honestly, it isn't even that difficult."
And so Writer 927 had no choice but to grant her small request.
"I'm sorry."
When break ended and Seol Soyoung stepped back onto set, she bowed her head to the crew without preamble.
Filming director Go Dongbin scratched his head and spoke to her.
"Uh... you all right?"
"Yes. I don't think I'll be giving any more NGs."
"No—I mean your cheek, Soyoung. It's pretty red."
"...My cheek?"
Thanks to Go Dongbin, she became aware of the heat rising in her face. The hard slap earlier had something to do with it, but there was another reason as well.
...Probably.
"Makeup team! Get over here and fix Soyoung's makeup. Once that's done, we go again!"