Chapter 60
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 60
Chapter Title: #bridge We're Pretty Close
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Anything but a college junior I could handle, but starting from scratch with someone completely green? My head throbbed just thinking about it.
"Looks like I'm gonna have to teach someone..."
I scratched my forehead and glanced at the studio we'd set up.
Two chairs sat side by side for the interviews.
One candidate was already inside, the interview underway.
Tap tap.
I saved my work and turned to Won Yuchan, who was sitting next to me.
"How long does it take to go from total newbie to competent?"
"...A long time, probably?"
"Guess I should start with the shortcuts."
Luckily, the rough edit was done, so we had some breathing room. Still, I didn't want to waste time playing teacher.
Click.
The first interviewee emerged after about twenty minutes.
The next one took roughly the same.
"..."
The last one was the girl who'd borrowed my lighter earlier.
She was in a suit, but her flawless skin made her look like a kid.
She seemed fresh out of school, and the suit hung awkwardly on her.
"Anyone but her."
I hoped it'd be the sweet, innocent-looking first girl.
She'd probably listen without much fuss.
Click.
The interview ended. She bowed politely and headed out.
"..."
I was working, but my eyes kept drifting to the studio.
I rushed over as Kim Woohyun came out with his clipboard.
Won Yuchan followed right behind me.
"...?"
I caught his puzzled look and asked,
"So, who'd you pick?"
He and U Dayoung, who'd come out with him, exchanged knowing smiles.
A clear sky stretched overhead.
The evening breeze was cool enough now to call it autumn.
Days were still scorching summer, though.
"You gonna tell us who got it?"
Kim Woohyun gave an awkward laugh and waved the clipboard.
"Haven't decided yet. I'll let you know. Won't start right away—probably September."
"...Tch. Tease."
I wanted details, but the scribbled notes suggested he was mulling it over hard.
"You good at teaching?"
"...Me?"
I lit a cigarette between my lips and headed downstairs to the first floor with Kim Woohyun.
He didn't smoke but came along to chat.
Hiss.
"Suck... whoo."
"Going for the most passionate one. Someone eager to learn."
"..."
No clue why, but I had a hunch who.
"...Not the bob cut, right?"
"Huh? You clocked her too?"
"...Fuck my life."
My gut feelings never missed—small ones especially. That's why I never gambled.
"Fine... gotta trust the boss."
"Bad vibe?"
"Yeah. Kinda off."
"Really? I liked her."
We'd been friends seven years, but tastes didn't align.
Like how I never felt that spark for U Dayoung.
I scratched my cheek with the hand holding the cigarette.
"If she pisses me off teaching her, can I cuss her out?"
"Huh? Your call."
He called it freedom but probed anyway.
"You won't go too hard, right?"
"Depends on her."
Anyway, the new hire was set.
"So when's she starting?"
"Thinking early September. Still a couple weeks out."
"Why wait?"
"Seminar then. Come with—you can show her the ropes."
I exhaled smoke toward the sky.
"Whoo~."
Just imagining working with a total noob choked me up.
A few days later.
Editing wrapped up; time for final tweaks.
"..."
Office empty after hours, I pulled out the Scenario Book.
Six stories so far.
Four with U Dayoung, two with U Dahee.
Honestly, sex with proactive Dahee beat awkward Dayoung every time.
"Hmm... Dayoung's character is the issue..."
Time to lock in her archetype.
Going full concept slut would make it hotter.
Scenario Book wasn't just for sex, but to me, that's all it was.
A tool for themed fucks. Writing masterpieces came second.
"Nail the character, and it'll write itself hornier..."
I scratched my forehead. Nothing sparked.
"Sis handles easy spreads... so, something... different."
Dahee owned 'easy.' Time for a new flavor.
Scratch scratch.
I flipped open the book and jotted concepts beside it.
[Sex-obsessed friend.]
[Frustrated friend]
[Friend who grants any request]
Nothing fit Dayoung.
I kicked off my shoes, propped my feet on the desk, and leaned back.
Creeak.
Repeating write-erase amid the chair's groans, something caught my eye.
A half-crossed-out one-liner.
"Hmm... this could work... Ah! Yes, this. Hot as hell."
I copied it fresh on new paper.
[Friend secretly cheating]
Cheating on Kim Woohyun with me. Secret from everyone else.
"Suck... damn, that's hot."
Needed extras, sure.
Boost Influence later, savor the thrill more.
"Then... Woohyun's character too..."
Scratch.
Ideas flowed; I fleshed them out fast.
[Boyfriend who trusts girlfriend no matter what]
He already did unconditionally, but locking it in.
Might change, but nothing better now.
"All three set. Sorry, Woohyun. I'm just that guy. Haah~."
I lit a cigarette.
Hiss.
Office empty; cracked window dispersed smoke. No complaints.
Smell gone by morning anyway.
I admired the trio, then refined the plot.
"Start with close friends."
Plus,
"Sis... both Dayoungs... sisters it is— they are anyway..."
I sketched plausible—or porn-realistic—beats.
Totally fresh tale.
"Childhood friends with sisters, co-living... perfect."
Made the backstory believable.
Shoot spanned six days exactly.
Build-up weekdays, marathon weekend filming.
"Characters locked; writes smooth."
Too many reasons to smile lately. Pure bliss.
"Sages nailed it—it's all mindset."
Happy days.
Story done, onto props.
Ordered a vanity online first.
"Fuck, pricey."
Cheaper than parlors, but still stung.
Next, cameras.
Only one on hand—limits galore.
Editing grind? Worth it.
"Camera fits in-scenario."
Added clothes/makeup to script—they'd bring what I lacked.
"Next..."
Hand on hip, I eyed the book with dread.
"Handwrite this shit."
I shook out my aching wrist, sat, and scripted.
First page: archetypes.
U Dahee: compliant big sis, same as always.
U Dayoung: secretly cheating friend.
Backstory: sisters co-living; I'm Dayoung's boyfriend.
"Outwardly..."
Wove characters deep beyond plot.
Thus, the seventh scenario began loading.