Chapter 68: Natural Talent
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 68: Natural Talent
The tour of the drama set was far more interesting than I had expected.
Perhaps it was because the drama was being filmed by NHK, Japan's public broadcasting station, but it seemed an enormous amount of capital had been invested into this single production.
Not only were there classrooms and hallways, but also realistic recreations of the protagonist, the hot-blooded teacher Agito's, studio apartment and the students' homes.
I’d heard that filming technology had advanced tremendously these days, but I never imagined this was all part of a set.
I had naturally assumed they were just renting out similar locations to film.
When I went to an area piled with various props, a staff member, who must have already been briefed by the director, handed me a few items to check out. There was everything from a rubber steel pipe and a sugar glass bottle to a wooden plank designed to shatter on impact.
As I wandered around the set, I got to see the main and supporting actors performing in front of the camera.
As befitting a youth drama broadcast nationwide, the cast was composed entirely of popular idols, handsome and beautiful actors, or seasoned middle-aged veterans.
There was an actor who looked vaguely familiar, an actress who always seemed to play the role of a refined lady, and an idol who was currently all the rage.
And shining confidently among them all was Minato Nao.
"You don't know me, teacher! So stop acting like you know everything!"
"Sato!"
Tears streaming down her face, Minato ran down the hallway as if escaping, while the handsome actor playing the teacher watched her back with a wistful gaze.
"Cut! That was great!"
The director swung his rolled-up script and gave the cut sign. Minato, who had run far down the hall, came dashing back with a smile and asked.
"How was my acting?"
"Your acting is always great, Minato."
They seemed quite close, exchanging feedback while joking around with the actor playing the hot-blooded teacher, Agito.
Perhaps because they were such a good-looking pair, they made for a pretty picture even from a spectator's point of view.
I imagined the director, capturing the scene on camera, felt the same way.
As I stood with my arms crossed in a spot where I wouldn't be in the way, a growl from my stomach prompted me to check the time on my smartphone.
I had been so engrossed in looking around that it was already 2 PM.
Normally, I would have eaten by now.
Unsure how to get lunch here, I was glancing around when a person who appeared to be a drama staff member shouted towards the director and actors.
"The food truck is ready! Everyone, go eat!"
At that, a noticeable wave of energy swept through the film set.
Whether actor or staff, they must have all been starving, having focused solely on filming since morning without a proper meal.
I had been observing from as far away as possible to avoid interfering with the shoot, so I turned my gaze in the direction the crowd was heading.
The food truck must be over there.
I should follow them, get something to eat, and then head back to the waiting room.
I’d been told the scene I was an extra in would be filmed in the afternoon.
*
The food truck was parked in an open lot outside the set.
Many people had already arrived and were standing in line, creating what was practically a sea of people.
I found a spot at the very end of the line.
Instantly, I felt the curious gazes of those around me boring into the back of my head.
"That's the guy who was wandering around the set earlier."
"I heard he's an extra the director cast himself."
"His vibe is no joke. Did they bring in a real gangster?"
"Look at those muscles, you can see them even through his clothes."
"Aren't his pecs bigger than your boobs?"
"Hey! You wanna die?!"
Hearing that, I unconsciously pulled my collar tighter.
Regardless, the murmuring from the people behind me didn't subside.
After a moment of deliberation, I decided to speak up.
"Could you please keep it down a bit?"
The moment I turned around and said that, the people in line behind me fell silent in unison.
It was as if they had planned it.
Finally able to escape the grating noise, I let out a faint sigh and faced forward again.
Finally, some peace and quiet.
About fifteen minutes passed.
The people in the back, who had been chattering amongst themselves until I said something, remained completely silent.
*
The food from the truck was served buffet-style.
Thanks to that, I was able to pile as much food as I wanted onto my tray. Looking for a place to eat alone in peace, I spotted an empty table in a secluded corner.
Just as I sat down and was about to take my first bite, I heard a familiar voice.
"Ah! Sunbae! There you are!"
“……”
Why can't I even eat a meal in peace?
I turned my head slightly to see Minato, a bright smile on her face, standing there with the handsome actor I’d seen earlier, both holding trays.
He was definitely the actor playing the drama's lead, the hot-blooded teacher Agito.
"Hello."
As I said that and gave a slight nod, the actor asked with an affable smile.
"What's your name?"
"It's Kim Yoo-Sung."
"Oh, you must be Korean."
"Yes. I'm a second-generation Zainichi Korean."
After the brief introductions, I was about to resume my meal when the two of them naturally took the seats next to me.
"Judging by your outfit, you must be in the scene today where Minato gets captured by delinquents, right?"
"Yes. I somehow ended up appearing as an extra."
"Well then, it looks like we'll be working together today. Let's do a good job!"
He said, extending his right hand toward me.
It seemed he wanted to shake hands, so I accepted it with a light grip.
After that, the two of them chatted about various things related to the drama filming.
Since I wouldn't have understood any of it anyway, I just ate my food in silence.
Just as I quickly cleared my plate and was about to escape the uncomfortable spot, Minato saw me and exclaimed.
"Huh? Sunbae? You're already done?"
"I ate breakfast early, so I was pretty hungry."
"Then let's go together! I'm on a diet these days, so I don't have much of an appetite."
Minato started to stand up, holding her tray which was still half-full, but I declined, telling her it was fine.
"You need to eat well to stay healthy. It doesn't look like you have any weight to lose, so don't overdo the diet and eat up."
At that, Minato suddenly looked up at me with a touched expression.
"Sunbae…"
Feeling like I might have overstepped, I belatedly regretted my words and pulled my hat down.
"I'm leaving. Take your time eating."
"Okay! I'll be sure to finish it all!"
I gave a nod to the actor playing Agito and headed toward the food truck to return my empty tray.
*
After lunch, I went back to the container and began to wait indefinitely.
I had already seen everything worth seeing in the morning, and I felt self-conscious about wandering around any more.
The only fortunate thing was that it wasn't long before a staff member came to get me.
"Actors for the delinquent roles, please get ready!"
"Yes!"
At the staff member's call, actors dressed in black gakuran like me began to stand up one by one.
Unlike me, who was wearing a modified gakuran that looked like it came straight out of a delinquent story from the 80s or 90s, everyone else was in a standard uniform.
Seeing the direct comparison felt a bit unfair, but I decided to think of it as a way to clearly mark me as the delinquent leader.
Following the staff's guidance, we headed to the set.
The location was a dimly lit warehouse. Drums were scattered about, with wood and newspapers burning brightly inside them.
The walls were covered in colorful graffiti, giving the space the unmistakable feel of a delinquent hideout.
After a short wait, the other actors, staff, and the director, who seemed to have just finished another shoot, entered in succession.
Minato waved at me cheerfully, but given the heavy atmosphere of the set, I simply returned her greeting with a slight nod.
Soon, a staff member approached and began explaining the situation to each of the actors.
For me, however, the director came over himself.
"Kim-kun, your presence alone sets the mood, so when filming starts, just sit on that box, lean against the wall, and when I give the signal, slowly stand up."
"What do I do after that?"
"When the others are done talking, all you have to do is say one line: 'Let her go.'"
"...Understood. I'll give it a try."
With all the explanations finished, the drama shoot began in earnest.
Minato, captured by delinquents who were presumably this character's underlings, was tied up with a rope and thrown to the floor. The actor playing the hot-blooded teacher Agito followed her in and shouted with a furious expression.
"What do you think you're doing! She's my student!"
As the other extras and the protagonist grabbed each other by the collar and started to scuffle, the director gave the signal by waving his script.
On cue, I slowly rose from the wooden box, my right hand tucked into my pants pocket.
The moment the eyes of everyone in the warehouse turned to me, I delivered the single line the director had requested.
"Let her go."