Chapter 104
Chapter 104
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 104
Chapter Title: The Coffee Truck War
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Unfortunately, it seemed there was no quest this time.
But just because there was no reward didn't mean I could pretend not to know a way to help.
"Ah! Hyung, where are you going?"
"I'll be right back."
I looked for a place that could help the cast and crew who were about to starve.
The presence of construction workers meant there had to be a workers' cafeteria nearby.
"I'll go with you."
Choi Yoo-jun followed me.
"It's not far, you don't have to come."
"Where are we going?"
"That PD or writer, whoever she is, looks like she's in a tough spot. And it's a shame to let the crew go hungry."
"So, are we going to drive somewhere and arrange for some food?"
"No. There's probably a Korean buffet just around this corner."
"A buffet? When we were coming in, I just saw a big, lone container building..."
As we rounded the corner, a container building with a banner that read 'Korean Buffet' came into view.
"Whoa! I'm sure we saw the same things. How did you know?"
"I didn't see it. It's just that places with construction workers usually have their own dedicated cafeterias."
"Amazing. Hyung, are you some kind of god? You know everything."
"You have to experience a lot to write lyrics."
"Man... you're only a year older than me... I'm suddenly having an existential crisis."
Sorry for making you feel inadequate. You're an amazing guy too. Even if you haven't had your chance to shine yet.
I opened the door to the Hamba restaurant and went inside.
"Welcome..."
The owner of the restaurant looked us over with curiosity.
"Excuse me, how many servings of food do you have left?"
"...Even if about thirty people came, we have enough for all of them. There's plenty."
"What's on the menu?"
"Today it's osam-bulgogi and cheonggukjang."
Given that these places have to cater to picky construction workers, the food was guaranteed to be good.
My parents had always said that construction workers were the most demanding customers, so a restaurant that specialized in serving them couldn't possibly be bad.
"Got it. I'll send everyone over right away."
"I was just saying we had a lot left over today, and now it's all selling."
"I know, right? They said some film crew was here. Must be them."
"They're celebrities, alright. You can tell just by looking at them, can't you?"
I heard the owners talking as we stepped outside.
"...I think I picked the right person to follow."
"Of course. Just stick with me."
"If anyone else said that, I'd probably find it super annoying... but not when you say it, Hyung. You're different, really different."
When we returned to the set, the reprimand was far from over; in fact, the main PD, Hwang Beom-seok, had joined in and was now losing his temper.
It seemed like he was taking this as a perfect opportunity to vent his frustration.
"...I only arranged for the number of meals I was given."
"Look at you, talking back with every little thing. Shouldn't you have checked for a final update?!"
Seeing the incredibly wronged look on her face made me feel frustrated for her.
I walked into the tense atmosphere, and the fuming main PD, Hwang Beom-seok, shot me a look that said, 'And who the hell is this?'
For a moment, I was reminded of that bastard who'd sexually harassed Director Lee Sun in the control room at the broadcast station.
"Son of a bitch, just like Gyeon Sang-jin."
As I muttered this while looking at the crew member taking the heat from PD Hwang, the assistant director flinched and glanced nervously at the main PD.
It would have been abnormal not to realize my sneer was directed at him.
Answer's performance was already starting to pique viewers' interest, and with Department Head Lee Joo-won backing us, it wouldn't be easy for him to mess with us.
"There's a Hamba restaurant around that corner."
"...?"
He clearly didn't know what that was.
"A workers' cafeteria. It's a Korean buffet."
"Oh! Really?"
"Yes. They have enough for about 30 people, and the main dishes are osam-bulgogi and cheonggukjang."
"Oh! Thank you! Can we proceed as he suggested?"
"...Wow, for fuck's sake. Everyone's just ignoring me now, huh."
PD Hwang Beom-seok was dumbfounded by how I treated him as if he weren't even there, but he couldn't come up with a proper response.
"Got yourselves a good manager, huh? Answer is going to do sooooo well. Right?"
PD Hwang Beom-seok sneered threateningly before heading into the resort.
Sorry, but I'm not scared in the slightest.
Getting on the bad side of a guy who was already looking for any excuse to penalize Answer wouldn't change a thing.
It was better to just watch out for any potential 'evil editing' and plan a good defense or counterattack.
"There's a Korean buffet over there with osam-bulgogi and cheonggukjang, so anyone who hasn't eaten or is still hungry, please go eat there."
Once the main PD was gone, the assistant director shouted to the staff, who headed off with looks of relief.
* * *
"Thank you."
"I'm sure you would have found it eventually, even without me."
"No, it never even crossed my mind. I was actually wondering if I should try to get some cup ramen."
"Well, I'm glad I could help."
The junior writer broke into a cold sweat again, thinking about what had just happened.
"If you're curious about anything at all, just ask. I'll do everything I can to help you."
"Thank you, just for saying that."
No matter where you go, the junior writer is always the punching bag. I don't know why people are so eager to tear down those who are struggling to adapt while suffering from low pay...
I returned to the van where our members were resting.
"Wow, Oppa! That was so delicious, I was shocked."
"The Hamba restaurant?"
Seul-bi spoke to me, her face full of admiration.
"Yup! It was the best osam-bulgogi I've ever had."
"I mixed it with rice, and it was seriously amazing."
It seemed Yi-na had gone with her.
"Seul-bi can eat a lot and still manage her figure, but it might be tough for you, Yi-na."
"Hee! Then you can be my personal trainer, Oppa!"
As Yi-na said this, as if it would be fun, Choi Yoo-jun chimed in with a meaningful smile.
"Hmm... I think we'll need Artist Seol-ah's opinion on this one."
"Why me?"
"That time... with the kettlebell training."
A cheesy grin appeared on Choi Yoo-jun's face.
"Pfft!"
A burst of laughter erupted from Seol-ah, and my own forehead grew cold with sweat.
"You, man. It's because you have a dirty mind."
"No! Hahaha. I knew you two weren't like that! But think about it. Who would ever imagine doing vocal training with kettlebells, sweating buckets? If there's anyone who could imagine that, I'd like to meet them!"
Seul-bi, Ro-si, and Yi-na, who had no idea what was going on, looked completely baffled.
"Are you talking about Seol-ah unni's kettlebell training?"
"It was a little funny."
Sorry. Can't tell you, it's R-rated. Yi-na's here.
"Anyway, if I do become your personal trainer, Yi-na, it won't be all fun and games."
"I don't think so. I think it'll be fun."
Yi-na's face lit up with a grin again.
Yi-na, you're asking for a scolding, aren't you?
"Ah... there are only five minutes left."
"Hic? Already? I could really go for an iced Americano."
Seul-bi expressed her disappointment at Ro-si's words.
"The Fire Emblem members said they were sending a coffee truck earlier. It's taking a while, isn't it?"
"Huh? Really? How do you know, Yoo-jun oppa?"
Seul-bi asked in surprise at Choi Yoo-jun's words.
"I heard SJ Enter is sending a coffee truck in Fire Emblem's name to promote Your Girl."
"Ugh. I'm not drinking that."
Yi-na pretended to gag at my explanation.
"That's not the end of the story. I contacted the Fire Emblem members so our Answer artists wouldn't feel discouraged. I asked them to send a real coffee truck, not one that was just using their name."
"...They're really sending one?"
"Right? When you think about it, it's kind of like friendly fire."
Fire Emblem's popularity was so immense that even Ro-si's eyes sparkled as she spoke. I wondered if our members were fans of Fire Emblem too.
"If we have time later, should I invite you to meet them?"
A sudden curiosity prompted me to ask the members.
"Why would we?" Seol-ah.
"What if dating rumors start for no reason?" Ro-si.
"Right. Technically, we debuted first, so the relationship would be awkward." Yi-na.
"We're only curious because Min-jun oppa almost debuted there. We don't really have any personal feelings for them." Seul-bi.
The Answer members' reactions were surprisingly lukewarm.
"Ooh. As expected of our artists, you have principles."
"Let's go. Filming is about to start."
Seol-ah let out a small laugh at Choi Yoo-jun's words, got out of the van first, and everyone headed for the resort lobby.
There was no signal to resume filming yet, but most of the cast members were already in their positions from before lunch.
"We'll combine the break with filming. Your Girl's company sent a coffee truck, so please grab a drink."
"Ooooh!"
The cast, who had expected to go straight back to filming, let out cries of joy at the unexpected news of a coffee truck.
The previously sullen expressions on the Your Girl members' faces brightened.
"Should we leave our suitcases here?"
When Your Girl's Mi-ji asked, the assistant director, who was heading outside, turned back and shouted again.
"Yes. We'll shoot the room entrance scene after the coffee break."
"Ah! I hope they have cocoa too!"
The participating teams went outside cheerfully, and the production crew prepared for the outdoor shoot.
"It's cold. Should we just wait here instead of going out?"
"Yeah, Unni. Going back to the van might look arrogant."
The Answer members scurried over to a lobby sofa that was still wrapped in plastic.
The Your Girl members snickered as they looked at us, and then Mi-ji started to approach.
"What's so funny? Why are you grinning like that?"
Yi-na crossed her arms and turned away from Mi-ji.
"Yi-na. Aren't you getting any coffee? I bet it's delicious."
"Not interested."
Yi-na snorted at Mi-ji's spiteful tone.
"Oh! Ah, that's right. Yi-na's too young to drink coffee, isn't she?"
"!"
"They might have milk and cocoa, so why don't you go check?"
"Im Mi-ji. Stop being so childish and get lost."
Hearing profanity from Seol-ah, who always spoke so properly, left all of us, including Mi-ji, with shocked expressions.
"...I didn't know you could talk like that, Unni..."
"Want me to say it again?"
"Well, if you don't want any, I can't force you."
Mi-ji started to walk away, then paused and turned her head.
"By the way, they'll probably get some insert shots of us drinking coffee. Won't it look weird if only Answer isn't there?"
"..."
"What are you going to do if you get branded as the outcast team?"
Mi-ji sneered, but the Answer members, already knowing that coffee and dessert trucks were on their way for us too, simply responded with meaningful smirks.
"Don't worry about us. You guys go ahead and stuff yourselves."
"...Hah! You really won't regret this?"
Was she hoping we'd scowl or something? Mi-ji walked away with a sour expression, thrown off by our unexpected reaction.
Bzzz. Bzzz.
The phone call came at the perfect time.
"Hello?"
-Yes, the coffee and dessert trucks have arrived. Where should we set them up?
"You see the light blue coffee truck that's already there? Please set up on either side of it."
Hearing my phone conversation, relaxed smiles appeared on the faces of Choi Yoo-jun and the Answer members.
"Answer! Aren't you shooting the coffee scene?"
The assistant director yelled impatiently.
"Yes! We're coming now."
We watched the coffee trucks being set up through the glass wall and walked over in high spirits.
When we got outside, some of the production staff and the people from Your Girl were staring, bewildered, at the new trucks being set up.
"What is this? Call Team Leader Joo."
The addition of another coffee truck and a snack truck of the same type next to the first one created a jarring sight.
Anyone could see that the message, [To my friend Min-jun's group Answer, may you have a good competition with Your Girl and make a fun show. Fighting! -Fire Emblem's Tae-in, Seul-chan], felt far more sincere than [Fighting, my little sisters, Your Girl! -Fire Emblem].
"What? They sent two more coffee trucks? Why?"
"The first one was sent by Your Girl's company, and the second ones were sent by the real Fire Emblem, right?"
"Ooh. That makes sense."
"Considering what they were about to film and all, it's pretty obvious what's going on, isn't it?"
Murmurs rose from all around, and the Your Girl members' expressions twisted.
"Seul-bi."
"Yes, Op-?"
"Aren't you going to invite Mi-ji to come get some chicken skewers and churros?"
"Oh! Should I?"
As Seul-bi grinned mischievously, the faces of the other Answer members filled with anticipation.