Chapter 75
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 75
Chapter Title: #8 Scenario Praise
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Studio.
Since I'd made it myself, I could spot the shortcomings here and there.
Thud.
I handed her a cup of warm green tea as she sat and took a seat across from her.
First things first, she was staring at me all tense, so easing that tension was priority one.
"So....... Have you gotten a bit used to company life?"
"......Yes."
"For real? You like it?"
"Yes, I like it."
She was the type who hardly ever spoke, so this was unexpected.
There was one absolute rule in this scenario.
She had to answer my questions truthfully.
"Glad to hear that."
I flashed a bright smile at her, unable to lie.
"Your name's Maeng Soyul, right? Pretty name."
"......Thank you."
With that rule in place, knowing her words were sincere put my mind at ease.
"Is what I gave you manageable?"
"Yes, it's fun."
Her replies were still short, but at least they weren't lies, so that was a relief.
Maybe her tension had eased some; Maeng Soyul picked up the warm green tea in front of her and took a sip.
I waited for her to set the cup down before asking.
"You know it all already, but I'll just ask a few things lightly. Answer casually—it's just your senior talking."
"Yes."
The short scenario didn't involve any sex, so no risk of discomfort spiking.
I framed it as a casual senior-junior chat and fired off questions.
"I'm 27. How old are you, Soyul?"
"23."
I smiled at her quick response and moved on.
"First job and not even your major—how's Neulsom Studio treating you?"
"I like it. It's fun."
This time, she met my eyes straight on while speaking.
Her sharp, city-girl eyes were right there in full view.
I realized after just a week that her eyes were bigger than I'd thought.
"First job, not your major—any reason you picked our studio?"
"......I wanted to learn."
I watched her silently, waiting for more.
Maeng Soyul held my gaze quietly before speaking up.
"I want to take photos for my little siblings."
It felt abbreviated, but it was the first personal story she'd shared.
"Your little siblings? Much younger?"
"Yes. They're starting elementary school next year, and I want to take nice photos and videos for them, but academies are too expensive......"
"......"
"......I can't study well...... so I can't go to college."
She hesitated on the studying part—looked like trauma there.
"How old are they?"
"......Seven."
"Oh, late surprises. The other one?"
"Twins."
The more she talked, the more new details emerged. Still, no one quits school just to snap sibling pics for a job.
In truth, she'd only learned a slice of editing—not shooting or color correction.
"Doesn't seem like you came just for photos. Real reason?"
It felt like an interrogation, but I needed the full scoop on Maeng Soyul.
Before scripting scenarios for U Dayoung and U Dahee, I wanted a practice run.
I needed someone easier to handle.
"Only Grandma's at home."
"Hm......?"
Meaning she was the only one left to capture photos and videos.
The plot thickened; I scratched my forehead.
This quick interview started out of frustration with her curt answers, but her family situation was a mess.
"No childhood photos left at all. Even when my siblings got sick because of work, I found out too late....... That's why I came to Neulsom Studio."
Maeng Soyul's eyes locked onto mine, clear as day.
Everything clicked after hearing her out.
Practicing till 9 was still way earlier than her usual quitting time.
Couldn't study, so job options were slim.
Pieces falling into place, Maeng Soyul looked different now.
"You're something else. Impressive. Matured fast, huh?"
Pure, offhand praise—'cause I know I couldn't do it—but her eyes shook hard.
Using the scenario book on a kid like this for my kicks? A twinge of pity hit.
'Overnights are out. Day trips only for scenarios.'
Not dropping her from the book, though.
Her situation was hers; I'd navigate it my way.
U Dayoung and U Dahee? Just temporary loans in theirs.
But no making her shop for my whims like with U Dahee.
"......Thank you......"
I was scheming trashy future plans when Maeng Soyul suddenly bowed deep in thanks.
"For what?"
"......First time an adult's praised me......"
Her eyes glistened with tiny tears as she looked up.
Cheeks flushed; one poke and she'd bawl.
"......"
Time to build some goodwill here.
Post-scenario, it'd fade outside influence, but I could chain them as a series.
Plant now, paste into the next.
"Glad you joined Neulsom Studio. I'm team leader and your mentor—hit me up for anything tough."
"......Yes......"
"Senior perks: I'll help where I can."
I stood.
"Head out? It's late."
"......Yes."
Left the studio, grabbed my bag.
Click.
Killed the lights before glancing at Maeng Soyul behind me.
"School next year? Plenty of time—I'll teach you photography."
"......Thank you."
"Got a camera?"
"No."
Nice kid, but a pro at driving people nuts.
Scratched my forehead, shut the door, headed down, lit a smoke.
She followed suit beside me.
"Whew......"
Long exhale, glanced over—she'd turned her back to me.
"No need to turn away."
Her habits made sense now.
"Bus stop where?"
"Across the street......"
Checked the opposite side per her words.
Chicken joint by the stop.
Tap tap.
Stubbed my smoke, stood at the crosswalk, beckoned her.
"C'mere."
"......?"
Puzzled but obedient, she followed my gesture.
Doesn't express much, but listens like a champ.
"Fried, half-seasoned. Large cola instead. Yeah, yeah."
Paid via phone, turned to blankly waiting Maeng Soyul.
"Bought anything home since starting?"
"......No......"
"Take it when it's ready then."
"Ah! N-no! It's fine!"
Flailing no's, too flustered to cancel.
I reached out, ruffled her hair roughly.
"Not eating? Ditch it and bus it. Light's changing—go."
She dashed across right before.
Caught the perfectly timed bus.
Out the window: at the chicken shop, hands clasped politely, bowing my way.
Snorted a laugh, cracked the window, waved back.
Vroom.
Bus pulled off; she faded from sight.
Scenario ended post-interview.
Moon hung center sky already.
Home at last, ditched the bag, scratched my ear.
"Sigh, flop means....... Next scenario's gotta be brutal, burn points too......"
Deep breath, pulled the scenario book from my bag.
§
Maeng Soyul.
Rattle.
In the jostling bus, she cradled the precious chicken on her lap and gazed at the sky.
A full moon glowed bright overhead.
Then she noticed her window reflection: smiling.
"Ah......"
Her face flushed for no reason.
First gift she'd ever gotten.
Today—no, two hours ago—he was just her boss.
Nothing more, nothing less.
Relationship unchanged, but he'd planted a tiny spark in Maeng Soyul's heart.