Chapter 73
Chapter 73
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 73
Chapter Title: Erina's Studio
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We arrived at Erina's studio, and there were already a ton of people there.
'Ugh, so many people.'
I'd figured there'd be some folks around since they were filming a broadcast, but this was way more than just one or two extras.
At least dozens.
The studio had seemed huge before, but now it felt cramped.
There were tons of people, tons of cameras, and even some pretty intimidating types.
'Is that the director?'
His face was completely covered in beard—who knew how long it'd been since he'd last shaved.
Maybe because of that, a heavy aura naturally hung around him.
Swish.
Just then, Daeun was craning her neck this way and that through the crowd.
Like she was searching for something, but maybe scared of all the people, she stuck tight to my leg while peering around.
I chuckled and asked her,
"Daeun, honey, are you looking for something?"
"Yeah, Daeuni needs to find it."
"What are you looking for? Want Daddy to help?"
"Yeah! Help Daeuni find it, Daddy."
I crouched down, following her gaze as I turned my head, and asked,
"So, what is it?"
"TV!"
"Huh? What did you say you're looking for?"
"Need to find TV! Auntie might go on TV!"
So that was what our chat on the way here had really been about—actual television.
Pfft.
Her super kid-like talk made me laugh as I pointed.
"Daeun, see that over there?"
"The uncle holding it?"
"Yeah, that's called a camera. They film videos with it, and then you can watch on TV."
Daeun's eyes went wide as saucers.
"R-Really?"
"Yeah, really. You know those TV shows you've seen?"
"Yeah!"
"They're all filmed like that. Auntie Erina's getting filmed with it too."
Daeun was still just a little kid.
No matter how smart she was, she couldn't know what she hadn't learned yet. Moments like this, when she got curious, were precious to me.
'Can't be helped.'
Her ability to remember everything after one glance stole away chances for us to chat multiple times.
Not that I was blaming her talent, of course.
It just made questions like these feel all the more treasured because of it.
"So coool!"
"Right? Maybe later we can ask them to film us too."
Whoosh!
At that, Daeun's eyes sparkled as she looked up at me.
"Really? Even if we do?"
"Of course. If they won't film us with that, Daddy'll use his phone to make a video. It might not make TV, but it'll be on the phone."
"Yeah! Thanks, Daddy!"
No big deal.
If it made Daeun happy, I could've done even more.
But it was a little surprising.
I'd never imagined she'd be this into filming videos.
'Maybe buy a camera for shooting videos later?'
I'd heard even compact ones these days came out great.
The trend lately was shifting from photos to videos anyway.
'Oh, and come to think of it...'
This kind of video filming might even be a way for her to indirectly experience her own abilities.
We could watch the footage back and chat about all sorts of things—might be helpful.
Especially since her teacher had advised having as many conversations with Daeun as possible.
Nod.
'Might be a good idea.'
I was lost in these positive thoughts about video filming when someone approached us.
"Oh my! Our cute little artist is here!"
It was today's star, Erina.
"Hello!"
Daeun greeted her happily, but then...
Zing!
She stared at Erina in surprise.
Erina grinned mischievously at Daeun's reaction.
"What, totally different from yesterday?"
"Auntie looks super pretty!"
"That's the power of makeup for you."
Full makeup, I guess you'd call it.
Unlike yesterday's super natural look, today she was all glammed up.
Not that full makeup meant heavy everywhere.
It just brightened her skin tone and amped up the impact.
Daeun, curious about the new word, asked,
"What's makeupy?"
"Hmm, our cute artist, do you know what makeup is?"
"Makeup! It's drawing pictures on your face!"
"Yeah, that's right. It's like drawing pictures, but magic that makes you as pretty as can be."
Erina smiled, and Daeun looked super intrigued by this thing called makeup.
"That's makeup! Can Daeuni do it too?"
"Yeah, our artist can too."
"Yeah! Mommy did it a long long time ago! She said she'd do it when Daeuni's big!"
I'd heard about Hyorin ahead of time, so I could chime in without missing a beat.
"Oh really? But if Mommy said so, doesn't that mean you have to grow up first?"
"Daeuni's big! Was this big before, now like this!"
Daeun stood on tiptoes to show how tall she was.
"See? Daeuni's super big now!"
She must really want makeup. But Erina couldn't do it for her.
She was working right now, and we couldn't disrupt the shoot.
So I pondered how to explain this to Daeun without upsetting her.
A way to keep her happy and clarify the situation...
"But what about this?"
Erina had the answer.
"Yes?"
"If Daeun gets makeup, she'll be way prettier than Auntie, right?"
Beam!
Daeun lit up at that.
Her smile was brighter than usual.
"You're the star today, so Auntie might get jealous."
She pouted as she spoke, and Daeun shyly giggled back.
"Auntie's super pretty today! Daddy said so! Auntie's the star today!"
"Oh, did he really say that?"
"Yeah! So Daeuni'll wait today! Can't make Auntie sad if Daeuni gets pretty!"
Erina caught the implication in Daeun's words and grinned playfully.
Who wouldn't, with that confident declaration that she'd outshine Erina with makeup?
"Thanks. Thanks to our cute artist, Auntie can keep being the star, right?"
"Yeah! Auntie's the star today!"
That generous concession made Daeun beam with happiness.
Everyone parted happy, and I subtly nodded my thanks to Erina.
Just then.
Swish.
From behind her approached the bearded middle-aged man radiating intimidating vibes.
"Erina, ready?"
"Ah, Director. Almost done."
"Then let's start soon."
"Yes."
His gruff voice matched his rugged look.
Daeun naturally shrank a bit at his full intimidating package.
But.
Beam!
He smiled brightly at her instead.
No words needed—the atmosphere shifted completely just from that smile.
Maybe people really do need to smile, I thought.
Then the director spoke.
"Oh, but wasn't there a guest coming today?"
"Ah, yes. They called this morning saying they were on the way. Should be here soon."
"Hmm, gotta hurry for makeup and all."
"I'll call them again."
"Sure."
Erina pulled out her phone and dialed, smiling brightly once it connected...
"Hey, where are you! Why aren't you here yet..."
But her next words took things in an unexpected direction.
"What? An accident?"
The word "accident" brought urgency to the director and Erina's faces.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
So, the plan had been for Erina's friend to come, watch her paint, then try painting themselves for the show.
Dinner together in the evening to wrap up—that was the script.
'A car accident... Worst timing.'
The director sighed and asked,
"Any other friends you can call?"
"Well... Someone to drop everything and come..."
"Ah, this is tricky."
At best, they had an hour or two.
Finding someone to join the shoot on such short notice wasn't easy.
"Even solo, the footage might be too thin."
"Yeah, it was planned around prepping together."
They looked really stuck.
No other options, so they were deep in thought, sighing heavily.
Rustle rustle.
Daeun whispered super softly.
"Daddy."
At her sudden whisper, I leaned in carefully.
"What?"
Something was up—her face looked urgent.
Then what she said next...
"Daeuni needs potty!"
"Oh!"
I grabbed her hand quick and headed to the studio bathroom.
"H-Hurry."
The tense vibe must've made it hard for her to speak up.
Even kids could sense things weren't normal.
Click.
We barely made it, and soon a relieved Daeun sighed lightly.
"Whew, made it."
"If you need the bathroom, tell me anytime. Got it?"
They say holding it in can make you sick.
No matter the situation, bathroom needs come first.
Daeun nodded with a smile at my worry.
"Got it, Daddy."
We finished up quick and headed back...
"Um, artist!"
"Yes?"
But Erina blocked my path with a desperate look.
"This might be super sudden."
"Yes, wh-what is it..."
"I'm really sorry! But would you consider appearing on the show?"
"Yes? B-Broadcast?"
Broadcast out of nowhere? I'd never done it, and had no desire to.
Someone—can't recall who—had suggested it once before, but I'd turned it down.
Totally natural for me.
Painters express themselves through art.
"Oh... I guess that's too much. Sorry, with no one else available right now, I just blurted it out..."
But Erina was in a real bind.
Who could she call right now to help with the shoot?
She couldn't drag her accident-bound friend from the hospital either.
"Th-that's tough."
I smiled as I shared my thoughts, and her face fell dark.
I felt bad, sorry, regretful—but no other way.
Couldn't just jump on a show I had no interest in.
Then, an unexpected turn.
Whoosh!
"Daeuni!"
Daeun, who'd been listening beside us, shot her hand up and shouted.
"Daeuni wants to do it!"
Did she even know what she was volunteering for?
If she wanted to, I wouldn't stop her—but would the director allow it?
But.
Swish.
Guess my doubts were off base.
Whoosh!
The director rushed right up to me, bowed at a full 90 degrees, and said,
"It's like saving a life here. Could you just... help us out this once?"