Chapter 51
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 51
Chapter Title: #Bridge Our Relationship
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Reviews:
- Perfect immersion from the actor
- Story was nothing special, but the actor's passionate performance
- Director's obscene one-track path
- New actor, but an excellent choice
💎 Points:4
+20% Immersion on next work
-20% Discomfort on next work
Cooldown: 2d 14h 18m
Another fine work.
"Oh... really...?"
I hadn't expected a fine work. I would've been satisfied with just average, so this was a small joy.
It seemed immersion had influenced the grade too, and influence had nearly doubled to 228.
Even when it hadn't broken three digits, it had subtly affected the real world. I wondered how this would play out.
On top of that, 4 points.
With this, even a more obscene and intense scenario seemed feasible.
Of course, thanks to the buffs on immersion and discomfort, even a tame story would be fine.
"There must be something above fine work, right?"
It felt like there was definitely a higher grade.
The reviews were decent too, now that it was a fine work.
No one was writing them, so it must've been the Scenario Book's built-in evaluation.
One review caught my eye.
[Director's obscene one-track path]
The last word: one-track.
"So sticking to a concept boosts the score."
It seemed maintaining the director's color earned points. Adding originality on top might yield even higher scores.
Thud.
I closed the Scenario Book and stretched my stiff body.
"Ugh~, time for a break."
With all the sex nonstop through July and August, I needed rest.
Clatter.
I pulled out the laptop and camera I'd been using, cleaned them thoroughly, and backed up the files to my email.
"Alright... time to head out."
The upload finished, so I grabbed the camera and stepped outside alone.
We'd parted at the hotel this morning, so U Dahee wasn't with me anymore, but it wasn't bad.
It felt refreshing, like calling an upscale concept escort.
U Dahee.
Chirp chirp!
Listening to the cicadas blaring wildly, U Dahee returned home and sank into the wide sofa.
The only noise in the spacious house was the kettle boiling water for tea.
"......"
Sitting alone, a wave of loneliness hit her.
Her husband was on a business trip and wouldn't be back until Friday.
And she had nothing to do.
She'd retired from acting, and there were no good projects to make a comeback worthwhile, so her fame had faded.
"......"
She scrolled for an interesting drama but soon felt bored.
They were all the same, and spotting an acquaintance made it awkward.
She rooted for them sincerely, but since she'd given up her own dream, it stung.
"Haa."
She sighed, got up from the sofa, and fetched tea from the kitchen.
Sitting at the table, staring blankly out the window, an idea struck her. She opened the fridge.
Cool air whooshed over her. She carefully gathered some side dishes.
She grabbed a folded shopping bag she hadn't used and headed out with the containers.
Vroom.
Nothing to do at home, so she figured she'd go out.
She drove to a second-floor door with a small company sign.
[Neulsom Studio]
Her little sister's boyfriend's company.
Knock knock.
No response, so she knocked harder.
Bang bang!
The door finally opened, revealing a plump guy whose name she didn't know.
"Hello~."
U Dahee smiled and greeted him. He smiled awkwardly back.
"You recognize me, right?"
"Ah, yeah."
"Anyone inside?"
"Yes, come on in."
She heard music from inside; they must've been working with tunes on.
Kim Woohyun and U Dayoung spotted her and stood.
"Hmm~, hi~."
They looked cute and funny, surprised at why she was there.
"What's up, sis?"
At U Dayoung's question, she held up the two shopping bags.
"These~, homemade water kimchi for Mom and Dad. Dad loves this stuff. Oh, and there's one more downstairs—Woohyun, you take that~."
"Whoa, what's the occasion?"
She shrugged at her sister's words.
"Came to see Woohyun~."
Kim Woohyun beamed and checked the kimchi tub inside.
"We could've picked it up... Thanks~."
"Hmm~, what thanks~."
She went to hug him, but he stepped back, drawing a line.
It felt oddly disappointing.
She thought they'd gotten close, but he always kept distance.
She just wanted a friendly big sis-little bro vibe, no ulterior motives.
"Aw, you hurt my feelings~."
"Haha, sorry."
He drew lines, but U Dayoung looked fine with it.
She knew Woohyun's personality and her sister's feelings.
"But what's the other one?"
U Dayoung glanced back at the guy who'd opened the door.
She honestly couldn't remember his name.
"Water kimchi—have some at home~."
"......Sure, thanks."
He took it without reading the room, but she smiled brightly.
Good thing she'd brought plenty just in case.
"Oh, the last one's for Siwoo? I'll give it to him."
As U Dayoung reached for the bag, she snatched it back hurriedly.
"Nah~, I was gonna give it to him~. He really suffered dragging me around for three days and nights. Felt bad~."
"Must've been tough moving with you."
"Where's Siwoo anyway?"
She'd heard he was heading to the terminal after they parted in the morning, but it was past lunchtime now.
"He said he'd film there and head straight home."
"Oh, really? Hmm~, what to do~."
She knew the answer but played stumped, and U Dayoung shrugged it off.
"Me and Woohyun can drop it off after work."
"No~. You guys don't even have a car. I'll deliver it."
She grabbed the bag to leave when Kim Woohyun asked from behind.
"Sis, so you came to see Siwoo?"
"Huh? Yeah, and you guys too while at it. Siwoo worked so hard~."
She smoothly covered her tracks and left the office.
Only one tub left—kinda disappointing, but okay.
Meanwhile, inside, Kim Woohyun looked at U Dayoung.
"Siwoo must've had it rough......?"
"Yeah... Tough inheriting your personality, sis... She'll cling and chat for an hour dropping that off......"
He just gave an awkward smile.
On the bus home after filming, I stared blankly out the window.
Basking in the hot sun and the bus's cool AC.
Hiss.
I got off, adjusted my bag, and walked home.
"Sigh, hungry......"
I bought kimbap and cup ramen at the convenience store and returned home.
Beep beep beep.
Door unlocked, bag slung over one shoulder, when kitchen noises hit.
"......"
Chills ran down my spine—burglar? I clenched my fist, tiptoed to the kitchen.
Chop chop chop.
Someone cooking in my house on a cutting board? No one should be here.
"......?"
Through the living room, U Dahee chopping away.
"Sis?"
Scenario over—no reason for her here.
"Oh~, Siwoo's home?"
"......Why are you here...?"
"Noo~."
She stopped chopping and smiled at me.
"Saw you only had ramen and stuff~. So I brought sides."
"Huh...? Why......?"
Genuinely curious. No obligation, so there must be a reason.
"Can't a sis cook for her lil' bro living alone?"
"Ah... Y-yeah."
Was influence this strong?
Still, post-scenario, I couldn't grab her from behind or make sex jokes like before—kept it cautious.
"Filming done?"
"Yeah...?"
"Then unpack quick and come taste this~."
"Okay."
Weird, but I unpacked anyway.
Immersion: 99%
Discomfort: 7%
Scenario'd just ended, so immersion was high.
But not like with U Dayoung—wasn't just immersion.
"Influence, huh......"
I hid the Scenario Book deep in my bag and went to the kitchen. She was making various sides.
"Picked up ingredients on the way, but not sure if it'll suit your taste?"
"Ah... But how'd you know the passcode?"
"Huh? I saw you punch it."
"Aha......"
She'd snuck in without telling, but I wasn't mad or scared.
"Whatcha making?"
I asked, lightly resting a hand on her waist. She flinched.
Post-scenario, discomfort crept in despite influence.
I eased off, tasted the side she offered.
"Like braised burdock and beans?"
"Yeah... I do. Eat it if it's there."
"Made simple kimchi too, lasts longer. Oh."
She sucked sauce off her fingers, wiped with a cloth, and pulled a tub from the fridge.
"Homemade water kimchi—try it."
"Ah... Sure."
Her mom-like doting felt so foreign.
Seven years away from home including military— this care was alien.
Even at home, no one brought food, and no girlfriend had been this sweet.
"......Guess that's why guys want a big sis."
A college buddy used to whine about wanting one—made me think of him.
"Pfft, really? Haven't had dinner yet?"
"No, not yet."
Non-scenario, so I felt awkward too.
"I'll make dinner. Cook from now on—I'll prep sides."
"Ah, okay."
Time or more works might change her, but for now, I enjoyed the awkwardness.
Click.
She plated the finished sides, sealed tubs, fridge'd them.
Clatter.
Eating at the table, her fond gaze felt weird.
No older acquaintances? Or unpredictable sans scenario.
"Tasty?"
"Yeah, eat up too, sis~."
"Pfft... Okay. Why no girlfriend, Siwoo?"
We chatted casually over dinner.
Nothing spicy—just typical sis-bro talk.
Influence only touched surface relations.
"I'll do dishes."
"I can......"
She did dishes, then tea while talking.
"Friends all married, so no one to hang with?"
"Aha, I see......"
I became a nodding machine.
Next day.
Microwaved leftover rice with U Dahee's sides for breakfast, headed to work.
On the bus, pondered influence.
"......If it works like this......"
Stories to leverage it came to mind.
One thing clear: yesterday's actions weren't bad.
Hiss.
At the office, aired it out, sat.
Notebook open, twirled pen, thinking.
Now, U Dahee and I were super close sis-bro.
"Grants any request....... Keep that."
Make her a doting sis who obeys me blindly.
If pregnancy happens later, she'll handle everything.
"Then Dayoung......"
Post-Scenario Book, no goals—just winging it, so U Dayoung and I were just friends.
"......Like sis, obeys everything...... Gotta go that route......"
Pen on upper lip, pout, leaned back, stared at ceiling, deep in thought.