9. As If It Never Happened (2)
9. As If It Never Happened (2)
"Um, by any chance, did Mother not tell you why she came?"
"Well? She just said she came to see her daughter... Do you know how flustered I was? This is the first time since I became Miyagi-ssi's manager."
Word started spreading that Kaho had shown up on the Advertising shoot set, and before long, everyone from the junior staff to the Director-nim gave up their break time and headed to the set just to meet her.
I followed behind my Manager, who'd tipped me off about the news, to the set as well, but by the time I got there, Kaho was already surrounded by the filming crew.
My Manager scratched the back of his head with a sigh as he watched the studio turn into a total marketplace with Kaho at the center.
"Sigh... This is exactly why I tried to guide her to an empty Reception Room..."
"...Mother really is popular, huh."
My Manager, standing next to me, shot me a baffled look when he overheard my mutter—like he couldn't believe I didn't know how popular his own mom was.
No, of course I knew Kaho was popular, but...
"It's just... kinda novel, you know? Come to think of it, I've never actually filmed with Mother before. So..."
This was probably the first time I'd directly felt Kaho's popularity like this. And these weren't just random civilians—they were all industry pros from the shoot.
Sure, from the outside, it might look like the crew was overreacting, since they deal with hot actors and idols every day, but when the star was Kaho? Totally different story.
I was admiring how she could draw this kind of crowd even from fellow pros when—
"Wakayama Actress-nim is still crazy popular, huh. Super popular, but..."
My Manager whispered to me as he eyed the mob around Kaho, scratching his head again. He gestured toward the PD and Director-nim like, check that out.
"They're not all just fangirling, y'know?"
I scanned the faces in the crowd around Kaho. The younger staffers were gazing at her with pure admiration, but...
The older PDs and Director-nim types were fidgeting and sweating bullets at her sudden appearance.
The moment I clocked their panicked expressions, I instantly got what my Manager was driving at.
Well, yeah... Kaho's status is on another level...
Kaho had been acting since her Child Actor days—that's over 30 years of career under her belt. And she was still a top National Actress with ratings to prove it.
To the rookies, she was the beloved icon who'd held onto the public's love for decades.
But to veteran PDs and directors who'd been grinding for years, Kaho was a towering industry titan even a big network Bureau Chief couldn't just casually chat up.
Heck, that Bureau Chief-nim from yesterday was a die-hard fan of hers.
So yeah, when someone like that drops in unannounced with zero heads-up, no wonder the PD and Director-nim were scrambling.
I was blankly watching the swarm buzzing around Kaho when our eyes met as she was signing autographs for the staff.
"Eep..."
The second our gazes locked, memories of last night flooded back, and I whipped my head away to dodge her stare.
I figured we wouldn't cross paths for a while...
Why show up out of nowhere? She'd never once come looking for me in all the time I'd been alive, so of course I was thrown.
Was it because of last night? Did she not see the note? Were we gonna have to hash this out face-to-face? Talking about it directly would be so awkward...
—Lost in those thoughts—
"What're you thinking so hard about?"
Kaho had snuck right up to me before I knew it, tilting her head to peer at my face.
Her violet eyes pierced right through me like they could read my mind, and in an instant, I slapped on my actress mask, switching expressions like flipping a switch.
"Guess I'm just thrilled Mother came to see me. Never dreamed I'd get to see your face today too."
Kaho's brows furrowed slightly, a flicker of displeasure crossing her face as she clocked my performance, but she quickly masked it and continued.
"...I came because we need to talk. Got a sec?"
"Uh... well..."
I flicked my eyes toward the Director-nim, who was eavesdropping on our chat. Sure enough, he was frantically drawing a big X over his head like say no.
Of course—my shoot was supposed to wrap by morning, and it was already dragging because of me. Any more delays, and my next schedule would be toast.
"Sorry, the shoot's super tight today... Gotta jump right back in, so I don't think I can spare time. Can't we talk at home?"
"...You are coming home tonight, right?"
"Dunno yet—gotta check my schedule. I've been so slammed lately..."
I trailed off vaguely, dodging a straight answer.
Truth was, even if I had time, I had zero plans to set foot in that house again. That's why I'd left the note saying to treat last night like it never happened.
"You have no intention of coming back, do you..."
Kaho glared at me with a low growl, like she'd seen right through me. Her reaction made it clear she'd read the note I left, but...
...I couldn't pin down what she was thinking at all.
Last night was a total 'accident' that never should've happened—for both of us.
I thought forgetting it was the best call for her sake... so why was she showing up here with that pissed-off look?
"Ahem!"
The awkward silence stretched, and the Director-nim sidled up, forcing a grin as he addressed Kaho.
"W-we really gotta get back to shooting... Non-crew folks, mind stepping outside? N-not that we don't want you here, but y'know, NDAs and secrecy stuff...!"
Kaho shot the Director-nim a death glare at the 'get out' implication, and he instantly shrank like a scared puppy tucking tail.
As I saw the crew wrapping up prep around us, Kaho let out a ground-shaking sigh and turned to the Director-nim with an outrageous demand.
"Director-nim, mind if I observe the shoot today?"
"Uh, no, see, regular TV's one thing, but this is an ad shoot... We'd need you to sign an NDA... Kinda tricky... And an actress observing...?"
"I just wanna watch how hard my daughter works. You're not worried I'll spill the ad details, are you?"
"N-no, of course not..."
"Then get me that NDA. I'll sign it right now."
"B-but... it'd disrupt the shoot..."
"Would I disrupt it?"
The Director-nim looked beyond pained as Kaho dug her heels in, but he scratched his head and nodded.
"...Fine. Miyagi-ssi, ready to start...?"
The same guy who'd been red-faced yelling at me earlier was now giving me an awkward smile, gauging my reaction.
He looked so pitiful I nodded quick, hustled to my mark, took a deep breath in and out.
The delay was my fault anyway—this time, I had to nail the ad shoot in one go. It wasn't even that tough, but...
The walk from start mark to the Perfume spot was the issue—the weird foreign sensation in my lower belly was throwing off my stride.
Acting? I could handle. But when your body won't cooperate? No fix for that. Normally I'd just grit through, but...
"Miyagi-ssi! Your steps are wobbling again! I've told you a million times—walk all haughty and elegant! How many takes is this?! Why do you keep trembling like a newborn fawn—! Uh... ma'am...?"
The Director-nim, barking at me with wild-dog eyes, suddenly went deer-in-headlights wide-eyed staring at me.
He'd just realized he'd trash-talked someone's kid in front of their parent. Clearing his throat, he waved me back to position.
I started to apologize and reset quick—but—
Kaho suddenly piped up to the Director-nim.
"Hang on, Director-nim. Mind if I talk to my daughter real quick?"
"Huh? But timing right now..."
"Just a sec—not chit-chat, actual advice."
"W-well, if it's that..."
With his okay, Kaho sauntered over slow. What's she wanna say that she'd halt filming for? I wondered.
Then she closed in till our chests nearly touched, her hand slowly kneading my lower belly. That touch alone didn't just bring back last night's memories—it reignited the sensations...
Hell, it even tricked me into feeling like her fingers were sliding back inside.
"Eep..."
"Does it hurt here?"
She stroked firmly over my lower belly—precisely the thick flesh below my navel—asking softly. Not pain, exactly... more the weirdness making it tough...
"...Thanks to someone."
For some reason, I got snippy, turning my head with a grumble.
Kaho's eyes went round as she stared...
"Hehe... yeah, my fault, huh."
A smile I'd never seen from her before.
Like she genuinely found me adorable.
Dazed by that smile for a beat, she stroked up from my lower belly, grabbed my waist, and started coaching.
"Straighten your back more, narrow your stride from usual. There—feel like your feet stay under you."
"L-like this...?"
Doing as she said—back straight, steps tighter—the weirdness inside eased up for real.
I shot her a curious how? look, and she smiled crinkling her eyes, stroking my back.
"This'll nail exactly the image that Director-nim wants."
With that, she stepped off the set. As she got back to her spot, a crew guy came in with the slate.
Director-nim called standby again, the guy shouted the number on camera.
Slate clapped—and I started walking toward the Perfume on the vanity, just like Kaho taught.
Back a tad straighter, stride narrower, feet tucked in—no splaying out—keeping the Director-nim's image locked in.
Haughty yet confident expression to match the Perfume's vibe, I picked it up.
Slowly spritzed it on, flashing a sharp, edgy smile at the camera.
Voiceover was pre-recorded anyway—just runway this preset stage.
This was the shoot I'd NG'd over ten times all morning...
"...Cut! Yes! Knew you could do it—why not from the start...?!"
One take. Kaho's single tip nailed it.
I stared at her in disbelief, and she just smiled, waving.
I waved back in reply, and she strolled over, asking,
"Shoot done for today?"
"N-no... Next one soon..."
"What time?"
I checked my phone. Next schedule at 2 p.m., so...
Factoring travel to the next set... about 30 minutes spare.
"...Drama shoot nearby at 2."
"Oh? So 30 minutes free then. In that case..."
Kaho crooked a finger at me to come closer, so I stepped up.
She pulled something from her bag, placed it in my palm.
The crinkly paper texture hit, and my breath caught.
Sure enough, in my hand was...
"Then we've got time for a little chat."
The tiny Post-it Note I'd left for Kaho.