Chapter 45
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 45
Chapter Title: Victory Lingerie
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<Male–Female Just Friends> filming alternated between outdoor locations and indoor sets.
"Okay! Great! Woo-jin and Eun-ha, touch up your makeup, and in the meantime, I'll check the extras' movements for the PE class scene!"
"Extras playing high school students, gather over here! Huh? Why haven't you changed yet? Hehe! Hurry and change into your gym clothes!"
The tight shooting schedule hadn't changed, but the worry had largely lifted from the staff's faces. The atmosphere had loosened up a bit.
Jung Woo-jin, whom they'd thought was just a temp fill-in, was displaying astonishing poise and composure, delivering brilliant performances. Thanks to him, the shoot was progressing almost without any NGs.
Okay, okay, okay in a row. Director Min Woo-jung was busy calling out approvals while staring at the monitor with an excited face.
Astoundingly fast shooting pace.
With some breathing room regained, the staff gathered in small groups for chats whenever filming paused. Their minds at ease.
"Actor Jung Woo-jin is incredible. He stays completely immersed without a flicker of expression even in this whirlwind shoot."
"His acting is great and all, but I'm really in awe of that stamina. It's been days of grueling shoots, yet he shows no signs of fatigue."
"Must be born with it. I saw his skin up close during makeup earlier—it's flawless. Just glistening and smooth..."
"Ugh, so jealous. I want to get that close to Woo-jin actor's face too..."
It wasn't just the staff who had regained some mental leeway.
During a break in filming.
Director Min Woo-jung was chatting with the two leads, who had come over side by side.
Im Eun-ha had brought Jung Woo-jin along to suggest including him in the OST work.
"When 'Seo-ha's inner thoughts are revealed, use a track I recorded. For 'Ho-young's inner thoughts, use one with Woo-jin oppa's voice. And for the perfect punctuation at the end where their stories connect, how about a duet? It'd make such a nice picture, right?"
In other words, instead of Im Eun-ha recording the OST alone, they would split it into three versions.
One with Im Eun-ha's voice, one with Jung Woo-jin's, and one duet to wrap up the film.
Director Min Woo-jung's reaction seemed quite positive.
"I had no idea Woo-jin could sing too? If Eun-ha says so, no need to doubt the skill. Looks good to me. What do you think, producer and music director?"
The producer lit up and agreed with the idea.
"If both of you can sing, it paints a perfect picture. Great for promo too. The lyrics already reveal their inner thoughts, so it'd come off even more heartfelt."
The music director didn't outright say yes but didn't oppose either.
"I know Eun-ha's tone already, and I'll need to hear Woo-jin's, but as long as it doesn't stick out too much, it should be fine. We can't scrap the tracks already made, so best to test and match if possible."
"Hm..."
Director Min Woo-jung pondered briefly before making a decision.
"Then let's set up a studio meeting soon. Sorry to Woo-jin, but with so much music already produced, we need to check if your voice blends with the overall tone before deciding."
Jung Woo-jin's response was calm and concise.
"That's fine."
Hyosung Department Store main branch near Si-chong Station.
Two women of similar height wandered the fourth floor of Hyosung Department Store. The floor with women's lingerie displays.
Lee A-ram, Lee Jae-hoon's sister, poked the side of the woman following her and said,
"You little missy. Spill it already. Who are you trying to impress by asking me to pick out victory lingerie with you?"
The woman, decked out in a cap, sunglasses, and thick mask even inside the store—Im Eun-ha—swatted A-ram's arm in a fluster.
"V-victory lingerie? What are you talking about? Quiet down!"
"You've been super suspicious lately."
"N-no. This is just in case."
"So who is this 'in case' guy, you wench!"
"...There is one. It's not certain yet, so later. I'll tell you later."
"Ugh, fine. Anyway, how old are you and still wearing teddy bear panties? Aren't you embarrassed?"
"Hey! That's my lucky charm...!"
"Shut it! Oh? This looks good. Hey, come check this out quick."
Lee A-ram entered the store and held up a pink lingerie set toward Im Eun-ha.
"Hold it up to yourself."
"Uh... Isn't this a bit too slutty?"
The color itself exuded a subtle erotic vibe. Especially the bottom piece barely covered the triangle, with see-through straps hugging the hips that let skin peek through.
As Im Eun-ha hesitated at the provocative design, Lee A-ram got annoyed.
"You little missy. I don't know who you're seducing, but if you're doing it, go all in. Got it? Half-assed won't cut it. Tempt him hot and heavy so he'll be convinced to pin you down!"
"......"
Im Eun-ha glanced around furtively, then held the lingerie up to her body in front of the mirror.
Thump thump-.
'Tempt him hot and heavy...? Pin me down...?'
Thinking of Jung Woo-jin already made her heart race.
Soon, Lee A-ram, who had been meticulously browsing the store, came back with three or four sets draped over her arms and handed them to Im Eun-ha.
"This one too. How's this? You've got money—don't skimp. Pink and cute on Monday, all black and sleek on Wednesday? Variety's the spice of life."
"...You damn girl."
Im Eun-ha glared at Lee A-ram with flushed cheeks but ultimately headed to the register with all the lingerie in her arms.
Before the OST production meeting with the [Male-Female Best Friends] crew.
Im Eun-ha managed to lure Jung Woo-jin to her private studio again, using song practice as an excuse.
"Whoa...! Woo-jin oppa, you're picking it up so fast? I thought your basics were solid last time, but today your phrasing at the ends is way more natural!"
Im Eun-ha was startled by Jung Woo-jin's ability, which improved noticeably with every bit of feedback.
Like he was remembering a skill he'd momentarily forgotten and pulling it out. And once pulled out, he wielded that vocal talent freely, as if it were ingrained.
Unlike her original plan to seriously seduce him, Im Eun-ha found herself utterly absorbed in the joy of harmonizing with him.
[If only I'd been a little more selfish back then. What if I'd confessed? ♬]
[If only I'd~~♬. I should've confessed♬]
The harmonized song came to an end.
"Oppa! Anyone would approve this one!"
Im Eun-ha bounced over, offering her palms for a high-five.
But Jung Woo-jin clasped both her outstretched hands and locked his fingers with hers.
"Wh-what...?"
Im Eun-ha's face turned beet red, and Jung Woo-jin tugged her clasped hands, pulling her close.
His face closed in instantly, lips parting with heated breath as his tongue invaded.
Lips, tongue tip, teeth, and gums all stirred up, mixing saliva—Im Eun-ha's mind went hazy from the tongue's movements.
This time, his hands gripped her waist firmly, as if vowing not to let go.
Im Eun-ha wrapped her arms around his neck and leaned into him.
A sticky, scorching kiss. Jung Woo-jin broke it first.
"Haa..."
Im Eun-ha's chest heaved with ragged breaths, but she met his eyes. Unlike her disheveled state, he looked utterly composed.
Which only made him seem cooler.
"You like kissing?"
With a playful tone, his hand slid down to her chest. Gently kneading her breasts.
Im Eun-ha surrendered her body to his soft touch amid her gasps.
Swish, swish-.
The sound of fabric brushing, and suddenly her top slipped off onto the studio floor.
"Oh?"
Jung Woo-jin let out an impressed exclamation.
Pink lingerie nicely cupped her plump white breasts.
"Came prepared today, huh?"
"......"
Im Eun-ha fidgeted her fingers and nodded slightly.
"J-just as Woo-jin oppa wants..."
"Thrilled. Pretty."
'Thrilled', 'pretty'—words that made her heart pound, and the hook of the bra she'd prepared for today unclasped, dropping to the floor.
Plop-.
From that tiny sound, Jung Woo-jin's movements turned boldly intense.
He kneaded her breasts like clay, rubbed her nipples lightly, then lowered himself to take one in his mouth.
Smack, suck, smack-.
The novel sensation of her nipple being sucked sent shivers through Im Eun-ha.
"Ahng...! T-tickles..."
It tickled yet sparked with thrill. Her spine kept tingling.
Im Eun-ha cradled Jung Woo-jin's head as he suckled her nipple noisily.
His mouth was warm and wet, his tongue relentlessly lapping at her nipple.
That lewd sensation drew out whimpering moans she never knew she could make.
Such obscene sounds she'd never uttered in her life...