Chapter 116: Take a Hint!
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 116: Take a Hint!
“Great work, everyone!”
“You all worked so hard!”
By the time filming wrapped up, darkness had already begun to settle over the streets.
“Taemin-ssi! Good work today!”
“...Ah. Yes.”
But I couldn't help but wonder if I'd actually done anything to deserve the praise.
I had spent barely two minutes in front of the camera.
The rest of the time, I was just huddled in a corner, waiting for the day's shoot to end.
I didn't have much to do, but my manager had told me it was a good idea to stick around and show my face to the director.
“I’ll give you a ride home.”
I told him I was fine and would take the bus, but he insisted it was part of his job and opened the passenger-side door for me.
It was around rush hour, and the streets were starting to get congested.
Maybe taking the subway would have been better after all.
“How was the shoot today?”
We started a conversation we couldn't have earlier, with all the staff around.
“It was just... fascinating? I think that’s the main feeling I got.”
Since I’m a homebody, I'd never had a chance to see a film set before, so I found myself looking around curiously, as if I wasn't even part of the crew.
I even saw the main actors coming and going.
Of course, I didn't recognize any of them.
After all, the only celebrities I knew were top-tier idols or actors.
“Were there any actors you recognized?”
“No. To be honest, I don’t really watch much TV...”
“Oh, that’s fine. This web drama isn’t exactly cast with A-listers, so unless you’re really interested in the industry, you probably wouldn’t know them.”
An awkward silence fell, and I secretly wished he would turn on the radio.
“They said what we filmed today will be edited and uploaded in about two weeks.”
“Ah... in two weeks...”
“Yes. And from what I heard, you're scheduled to appear in episode 3 or 4.”
Just as you'd expect for a fleeting minor role, I was set to appear early on.
“By the way, what is this drama about?”
Come to think of it, I’d just done what I was told without even knowing what the show was about.
Not that the artistic merit of the show mattered much for my three-second appearance, but I was curious nonetheless.
“I don’t know the details either, but it seems to be a typical youth drama. The scene you filmed today is a flashback to the main characters' past.”
Ahh... so I’m not even a real supporting character, but one buried in the past.
The thought of being like cosmic dust felt a bit empty, but at the same time, it felt just right.
Taking on a role beyond my abilities would just be a burden to everyone involved.
“Director Jo Gyu-hyuk is known for having a good eye, though. The fact that he gave you a part means he must have seen some potential.”
“...In my face?”
What potential? It had to be my face.
“Having a good look is like wielding a powerful weapon in this industry, you know.”
He explained in a relaxed tone, as if telling me not to be offended.
“Of course, a good face isn't everything for an actor or an idol, but it's true that this is a tough market to break into without one. Many people never even get a chance.”
My face was reflected in the side mirror, my makeup still perfectly intact.
“If you just work hard, Taemin-ssi, I'm sure many people will come to like you.”
“Thank you.”
The manager's words, which felt like the kind of pleasantries you hear during the holidays, only made me feel more conflicted.
Me... becoming a celebrity and getting fans...
Shit... Why would an otaku who just sits in his room scratching his belly and watching VTubers get a fan club?
Ugh...
Perhaps noticing my serious expression, the manager let out a small chuckle.
“Ah, Taemin-ssi. Today's shoot was pretty tame, wasn't it? Don't be so hard on yourself.”
“No, it's not that... Ah, it's just...”
It was too embarrassing a concern to confess, so I decided to keep it to myself.
“We're here. I'll contact you about the next schedule! Also, let me know if you have any questions or need anything!”
“Ah, yes. Thank you for today.”
After getting out of the car, I trudged towards my house.
-Bzzzzzt-
My phone vibrated.
It was Doah.
[Hello?]
[Ah, hello?]
[Yeah.]
[You weren't reading my texts. Are you done now?]
Only then did I realize I hadn't looked at my phone at all.
[Ah, I was in the manager's car until just now, so I couldn't see them. Sorry.]
[Mm-hm. It's okay. So where are you now?]
[In front of my place.]
[I was about to order chicken. Want to eat together?]
[Sure.]
[Come on up.]
With that, the call ended. I turned back around and headed into Doah’s apartment building.
-Ding-dong, ding-dong-
Soon, the door opened, and Doah, in her pajamas and a headband, greeted me.
“Oppa! Oppa! Hurry, come look.”
“What's all the fuss about?”
My girlfriend was calling for me urgently before I could even take off my shoes.
I wondered what she was so worked up about, only to see her holding out her phone, asking me to help her pick a chicken brand.
“If we order from here, we can get half-and-half boneless, but if we get it from here, I want to try the new item.”
“You can just get whatever you want.”
“Ugh, I'm asking because I can't decide.”
Seemingly displeased with my lukewarm answer, Doah sat on the edge of the bed, grumbling as she fiddled with her phone.
“Then let's just get the half-and-half.”
“Nooo. I'm gonna order the new one.”
Doah retorted in that signature, infuriating Luka tone. After placing the order, she stared intently at my face.
“...Oh.”
A short gasp escaped her lips.
“What?”
“Oppa, you're wearing makeup?”
“Ah, I got it done for the shoot and haven't had a chance to take it off yet.”
“Come here.”
At Doah's gesture, I leaned down and moved closer to her.
“Wow... with all this on, you really do look like an idol, Oppa.”
Doah held my face with both hands and turned it from side to side.
“Aww... it's a shame I'm the only one who gets to see this.”
“I'm happy if you're the only one who sees.”
“This face is about to set the internet on fire, so I should probably stamp my claim on it first.”
Sitting on my lap, Doah gave me a quick peck on the lips.
I was disappointed that it was so short, but reassuring her came first.
“You don't have to stamp your claim. I'm already your boyfriend.”
When I gave a simple smile, she narrowed her eyes and pinched my thigh.
“You were so popular in school, but now that your face is going to be all over the internet, won't it be on a whole different level?”
“But they're all strangers.”
The reason Doah had been able to break down that boundary of being a stranger... was because Doah—no, Luka—had been my long-time companion in the corner of my room.
“Well... I was a stranger at first, too.”
When Doah replied with a bitter look, I felt a pang of guilt and wrapped my arms around the back of her neck.
“I don't think I could ever be a stranger to you now.”
“Me neither.”
Her deep brown eyes seemed to pull me in.
The silence led us to action instead of words.
For some reason, the thought of becoming strangers felt terrifying. I wanted to show Doah, right here and now, just how precious she was to me.
In a way I wouldn't for anyone else. In a way I wouldn't even think of.
I was usually one to disagree with the saying 'actions speak louder than words.' Paradoxically, I was now kissing her lips so intensely they glistened.
Doah's lips moved as if they were a living creature with a will of their own.
Love was conveyed through breath and engraved through saliva.
“Haa...”
When we parted our lips, a faint breath escaped.
My heart wanted to move on to the next step, but with the clothes I was wearing... and the fact that I hadn't even washed up yet, it wasn't the right time.
“...Oppa.”
Doah looked straight into my eyes.
Within them dwelled a beast that couldn't hide its lust.
“Yeah.”
“I love you.”
Words I'd been hearing a lot more lately. And yet, they were words that made me happy no matter how many times I heard them.
“I love you, too.”
As I pressed my forehead against hers, conveying my sincere, honest feelings, she gave a bashful smile.
Doah's smiling face looked so much like that character I adore, which seemed to make the moment twice as moving.
“...Kiss me.”
At her request, I pressed my lips to hers once more.
Doah slowly unbuttoned my shirt.
My heart began to pound so fast it hurt.
Just when I thought we were about to go all the way, to that deep and secret place...
-Ding-dong, ding-dong-
“Delivery!”
At the sound of the deep voice from beyond the door, both Doah's and my eyes flew open.
A wave of irritation rushed over me.
Mister! Take a hint! Please! I'm in the middle of something! Right now! C'mon! Ugh! Argh!
It seemed the wise choice from now on would be to tell her that her home cooking is much more delicious than any delivery.