Chapter 235: Surviving in Japan (1)
Chapter 235: Surviving in Japan (1)
"It would be a nuisance to the other guests, so I would appreciate it if you would take your seat."
Rosalyn’s words were soft.
Yet, there was a considerable weight behind them.
The previous softness had been shattered by Yuina’s sudden appearance.
At Rosalyn’s remark, Yuina shifted her gaze away and moved toward her designated seat.
She didn't even bother to reply.
Her attitude made it clear: someone like Rosalyn wasn't even worth her notice.
"My lady, that girl is here too," Yeon Seon-ye whispered into Michiko’s ear while watching Yuina.
Her hushed tone gave off a rather timid impression.
"Of course she is. The item I want today is quite important to Yuina as well."
"Really? What on earth is it?"
"I told you. It’s a necklace."
With that conversation, the auction began.
Rosalyn presented the items one by one, explaining their history as they were brought out.
The audience marveled at each piece, showing genuine interest.
It was as if the items were truly authentic.
‘Yes, as if they were real.’
The actors present couldn't help but think that.
"Speaking of this item, it dates back to 1680. It was discovered on a pirate ship that once roamed the high seas. As you can see, this large chest is crafted entirely of solid gold."
Her eyes sparkled.
Looking into those blue eyes felt like being pulled into a trance.
The props prepared for the scene were quite convincing, but everyone knew they were fakes.
However, listening to Rosalyn’s explanation made people let out involuntary gasps of admiration, despite knowing it was all an act.
"You talk too much. I get the point, so why don't we just get on with the auction?"
That was when Yuina spoke up sarcastically.
She had been quiet until now, but it seemed Rosalyn’s calm explanation had rubbed her the wrong way.
In the first place, Yuina had no interest in anything other than the necklace.
A collective gasp filled the room at her words.
Yet, no one dared to reprimand Yuina.
The Kasugayama family held that much power.
As a family that ruled the night streets of mainland Japan, they were people one absolutely must not cross.
"Oh, my."
A smile played on Rosalyn’s lips at Yuina’s remark.
Her blue eyes narrowed as her gaze fixed on Yuina.
"Her personality is just rotten, isn't it? Does she even know how an auction works?"
"Seon-ye. Didn't you say this was your first auction as well?"
"At least I don't speak so recklessly."
The conversation between Yeon Seon-ye and Michiko echoed through the now-silent auction house.
Yuina, possessing sharp ears, seemed to have caught it, as she whipped her head around to glare at Yeon Seon-ye.
"Oops."
Yeon Seon-ye quickly hunched her shoulders and looked away.
It was a playful reaction, as if she hadn't expected to be heard.
Up to this point, it was a lighthearted, comedic moment.
And then.
"You must be Lady Kasugayama Yuina."
Rosalyn continued, leaning her weight onto the cane in her hand.
The light atmosphere turned chilling in an instant.
"Auctions have their own rules. I suppose someone who is more accustomed to stealing from others wouldn't be familiar with them."
Her words were soft, yet laced with thorns.
It was an attitude an auctioneer shouldn't take, but given Yuina’s earlier disrespect, it was a justifiable retort.
Furthermore, Rosalyn was an aristocrat in the story.
Though she was a merchant and the host of the auction, she was by no means an ordinary trader.
Thus, such a remark wasn't out of place.
Yuina’s behavior had been that rude.
‘That’s the setting of the story.’
Goto Isamu, standing right beside Yuina—or rather, Lee Sang-soo—realized that Rosalyn’s—Stella’s—acting had deepened.
It was a layer thicker than the tone she had initially set.
She had likely realized during their first encounter that her acting was being overwhelmed by Seo-yeon’s presence.
So, she had gone on the offensive.
‘She realized her opponent isn't someone to be taken lightly.’
He could tell at a glance.
Stella was a magnificent actress, a heaven-sent genius without peer among her age group.
Because she possessed such innate talent, she naturally tended to look down on others.
To put it kindly, she was being considerate.
Even if she intended to crush her opponent, if she displayed acting that was too intense and trampled over the other actors, the production itself would falter. Then her own acting would look strange in turn.
So, Stella had been trying to match her co-star’s level in her own way.
‘But Seo-yeon’s acting was far more intense than expected.’
Even without lines, just by looking at Rosalyn, Seo-yeon’s "black" aura dominated the play.
That was an intensity permitted because Yuina was the "villain."
Even if she completely killed Rosalyn’s presence, the main villain, Yuina, was allowed to do so.
However, it seemed that had wounded Stella’s pride quite a bit.
Now, her offensive was incredibly sharp.
"You certainly have a lot to say."
"By nature, merchants have long tongues. However, it seems the Kasugayama family doesn't even understand the basic etiquette between nobles."
"Isn't avoiding unnecessary explanations a virtue a merchant should possess?"
"That is not for you to decide, Lady Kasugayama. It is for the guests gathered here to judge, is it not?"
Yuina continued her sharp verbal assault, and Rosalyn parried each blow with grace.
"Hmph."
At Rosalyn’s retort, Yuina toyed with the long pipe in her hand.
The momentum of the crushing black aura faltered for a moment.
Faced with that pointed acting, Yuina’s intense atmosphere momentarily shrank.
There was nothing to refute in Rosalyn’s words, and perhaps she couldn't find the right "color" to counter the sharp hue of the acting flying at her like an arrow.
In a sense, the situation and the dialogue had combined to suppress Seo-yeon’s intensity.
Since it would have been strange to get angry there, the range of emotions she could show was extremely limited.
On top of that, Yuina’s acting remained strong, but Rosalyn handled it as if dealing with a child.
Yuina’s eyes narrowed as she stared at Rosalyn.
In the scene just now, neither had been consumed; it was a perfect draw.
However, in terms of the scene's impact, Rosalyn’s presence would have been more emphasized.
If one had to declare a winner, it would likely be Rosalyn.
"Furthermore, it seems the item isn't the only thing you're interested in, My Lady..."
As Rosalyn delivered that line, her gaze briefly shifted toward Yeon Seon-ye, who was with Michiko.
Her words carried a double meaning.
One was the reason Yuina was after the necklace.
The purpose of the auction wasn't the item itself, but to take "revenge" on Michiko by obtaining it.
The other was Yeon Seon-ye, whom Yuina’s eyes had sought out the moment she entered the auction.
As a merchant, Rosalyn had instantly noticed what Yuina held dear.
That realization was clearly visible in her twisted smile.
It was acting that showed Rosalyn had seen right through Yuina’s emotions.
"Let us leave it at that. We must proceed with the auction."
Faced with that performance, Yuina—Seo-yeon—looked at Rosalyn with a cold gaze.
It felt as if her insides were boiling.
This wasn't because she was surprised by Stella’s acting, but likely because she had synchronized with Yuina’s emotions.
She didn't like it.
Stella’s acting was exactly like the Rosalyn Seo-yeon had imagined.
Just looking at her was irritating.
That attitude.
That fluttering smile.
And the fact that Rosalyn’s gaze had landed on Yeon Seon-ye.
In that moment, Yuina knew.
Rosalyn’s true nature was the same as her own.
She possessed a wicked temperament that made her want to destroy the things others loved.
However, Seo-yeon knew.
Yuina was not a wild beast.
She wasn't a creature that would pounce and tear at an opponent's throat.
Unlike her temperament, Yuina’s method of hunting was incredibly cold-blooded.
She would set a trap and quietly wait for her opponent to cross the line and crawl into it.
Just as she had done to Michiko.
And now, looking at Rosalyn, her lips twisted into a faint, predatory smirk.
Yuina understood Rosalyn’s nature.
If so, predicting what she would do next was an easy task.
*
There is a term often used: an "acting masterclass."
Everyone present likely had that thought.
The series of scenes.
The feast of acting displayed by the young actresses was very different from what they had expected.
Usually, filming involves several NGs and a relaxed atmosphere.
But today’s shoot was razor-sharp.
It felt as if one mistake would result in a literal cut.
If the staff watching the performance felt it, what about the actors?
No, perhaps they weren't thinking of anything at all.
Having come to Japan and performing on an unfamiliar set, it felt as if they had truly traveled to the Gyeongseong of the past.
They weren't just acting; they were reacting with genuine surprise as if they had become the characters, overwhelmed by the atmosphere created by Rosalyn and Yuina.
They were showing reactions that were fiercely faithful to their roles as extras.
"This is just acting, right?"
"It’s almost... unsettling."
The staff for this shoot weren't just from Korea.
It wasn't just the broadcast crew who had gathered to film the documentary; there were also professional film staff present.
These were people from the production committee assembled for Asher Baldwin’s film.
Of course, Stella wasn't starring in their film.
She had only come to Japan to follow Asher.
They were here primarily to stay in the good graces of a master like Asher Baldwin.
And to look after his daughter, Stella.
That was about it.
"The sensibilities are certainly a bit different."
"I think I understand why Korean dramas and movies are so strong lately. Especially..."
The actress playing opposite Stella, Seo-yeon, wasn't backing down an inch.
She was the actress who had made a cameo in the drama Goto Reika starred in.
She had been impressive then, but who would have thought she was this good?
The acting she had shown in the cameo was only a tiny fraction of what she was capable of.
"Actress Ju Seo-yeon is one thing, but how should I put it... their colors are all so distinct."
"You mean those two?"
Jo Seo-hee and Lee Ji-yeon.
Those two were also delivering appropriate performances in their respective roles.
They didn't show the same intensity as the other two, but that wasn't due to a lack of skill; it was a matter of the scene's requirements.
"Hmm."
"What is it?"
"I was just thinking it would be fun to film a variety show with those four."
"Oh, really? But you're right. Their colors are so different that it would definitely be interesting to see them together."
"Instead of just talking about it, maybe... it would be good to bring it up? It would be great for promoting Gyeongseong Lady too..."
At those words, the Gyeongseong Lady staff member shuddered as if having a fit.
"Eh~, but I don't think Director Baldwin would ever allow that."
"You never know. I've seen Actress Stella perform many times, but she seems to be having the most fun today. Maybe it's because she hasn't had many chances to act with people her own age."
"Hmm."
As they chatted with the staff filming the Gyeongseong Lady documentary, it seemed like a pretty good plan.
Four people, four colors.
If the four of them appeared on a variety show together, it would feel quite right.
As their conversation continued, the "Auction House" part was nearing its end.
The final scene where the minor role of Rosalyn would wrap up her performance.
The scene where Rosalyn lays a hand on Yeon Seon-ye.
*
With Stella’s participation, the role of "Rosalyn" was newly created, but the overall framework of the story didn't change much.
The mother’s necklace appears, Yuina and Michiko compete for it in the auction, and Michiko buys it for an astronomical sum.
Up to that point, it was the original storyline.
The part where the newly revised script began was right after that.
"I will give you the auction item, so you can just send your maid over."
Rosalyn said this to Michiko.
Michiko waits outside for a moment and sends only Yeon Seon-ye to Rosalyn.
And then.
"I'm sorry, but I can't give you the necklace."
Rosalyn smiles as she says this to Yeon Seon-ye, who has come to her.
"Don't worry, the necklace will be delivered properly. I've already sent someone to your lady waiting outside."
Rosalyn says this with a kind smile.
She had been interested in Yeon Seon-ye, who was always by Michiko’s side, from the very beginning.
"Actually, I was curious from the start. Who exactly is this maid that the ever-wary lady keeps so close?"
Her wide blue eyes take in every inch of Yeon Seon-ye.
As if the kind face she had shown until now was a lie, the twisted emotion in her eyes was enough to overwhelm Yeon Seon-ye.
No, it wasn't Yeon Seon-ye who was overwhelmed.
Ji-yeon couldn't help but be crushed by Stella’s acting, which vividly displayed such emotions.
But because of that.
"I have one thing I want to ask as well."
Yeon Seon-ye was being pinned against the wall, her arms held tight.
In that situation, she spoke in a small voice.
"Why did you have that necklace in the first place? My lady said so. Her mother wore that necklace to a party. And she never saw it again after that."
A necklace that suddenly vanished one day.
The time it disappeared was supposedly after she attended a party.
"At that time, you..."
"And what if I did?"
Rosalyn spoke, bringing her face inches away from the girl who was whispering.
"You see, I simply can't be satisfied unless I take away what she has. The lady of the Amanabi family. Truly, I haven't liked her since we were children."
"You... you didn't even meet that often, did you?"
"That doesn't really matter. What matters is that I don't like her."
Yeon Seon-ye was completely suppressed by Rosalyn.
Both in terms of atmosphere and the scene itself.
Her words.
Her acting.
Yeon Seon-ye...
Ji-yeon realized this fact and concluded that she couldn't take that acting head-on in this situation.
But was this scene awkward?
‘No.’
It was still fine.
In the first place, this was a scene showing Rosalyn as a "villain."
This level of intensity was within the acceptable range. It was actually fine for an ordinary person like Yeon Seon-ye to be helplessly victimized here.
Stella knew that too.
She was performing like this because she knew it.
At the same time, her blue eyes seemed to want to ask Ji-yeon.
‘Now, what are you going to do?’
Even if asked, Ji-yeon had no proper move.
To begin with, there was a massive gap in acting skill between Ji-yeon and Stella.
In that case.
‘I’ll just pass it to someone who can handle it.’
Ji-yeon shifted the direction of her acting.
She couldn't counter Stella’s acting anyway.
"W-why are you doing this to a lowly servant? I'm just an ordinary, ordinary maid?!"
What else could she do?
She just had to run away.
"What?"
Stella looked at her as if she were being absurd.
In that moment, Stella’s own emotion preceded Rosalyn’s.
In this scene, Yeon Seon-ye was supposed to snap back at Rosalyn.
The lines were the same, but snapping back and retreating in a panic were two different things.
It fit the character, but what about as a protagonist?
Thanks to that, Rosalyn was in a position where she had completely dominated Yeon Seon-ye.
‘Ah.’
At the same time, Stella realized.
Considering the scene that followed, this direction didn't matter.
‘The next part is where Yuina appears.’
Then the response could be left to Yuina.
Stella realized this and looked at Yeon Seon-ye.
The scene had already shifted to her.
Ji-yeon didn't even look her in the eye.
She had literally fled.
But this actually suited Yeon Seon-ye quite well.
Was it improvisation?
If so, it was quite impressive.
‘...But why isn't Yuina coming?’
Just as Stella thought that.
"NG! It's an NG!!"
"Pardon?"
Stella’s bewildered gaze turned toward Director Baek Min.
At the same time, she realized everyone else’s expressions were strange.
"Ah, well, Yuina is supposed to push past Rosalyn’s guards at the door and enter..."
Stella looked behind her.
There, she saw two guards sprawling on the floor.
And Seo-yeon, standing beside them, was subtly avoiding everyone's gaze.
‘I got too immersed in the scene.’
It was all because Rosalyn was pinning Ramiel down the moment the door opened.
Because she had momentarily become "Ju Seo-yeon" instead of "Yuina," she had accidentally put too much strength into her hands.
That was why she had thrown the guards she was supposed to just lightly push aside.
"...Hmm."
However, Director Baek Min, who had seen the scene, stroked his chin.
"No, this is actually good."
"Sir?"
"Let's just go with a long take for this scene, following Yuina. Instead of at the door, let's have the guards attack Yuina in the hallway."
In other words, Yuina would fight her way through the guards.
"Well, since the setting was changed to Yuina being from a Yakuza family, it's not impossible. It looks quite good from a directorial standpoint. What do you think, Seo-yeon?"
"That's..."
I mean, it's fine, but...
Is that okay?
‘Yuina suddenly became way too strong.’
Even Seo-yeon, who liked strong characters, was a bit flustered.
She wondered if it was okay for the setting and scene to be changed so suddenly like this.
And the person most flustered was...
‘...Don't tell me I have to get into a physical fight with Seo-yeon too.’
The actor playing Goto Isamu, who would have to face off against Yuina later.
It was Lee Sang-soo.