Don't Talk to Me So Casually!
"Don't talk to me so casually! Why the hell are you here?"
I wanted to blurt that out right then and there, but I couldn't. Immersion meant living out the life of the character in the script—to the letter. I couldn't ad-lib or take control on my own. So, even as shock gripped my heart,
"I'm watching because I like you."
Those blunt words tumbled out of my mouth just like that.
"...How dare you say such things so lightly."
Sujin's scolding expression was stunningly beautiful. Especially in the hanbok she wore for the historical drama shoot—it suited her with such elegant simplicity. Even as she flushed with embarrassment, she seemed determined to say her piece. I could see the last traces of baby fat on her cheeks glowing pink.
Was it my imagination, or did my fingertips tingle? No, maybe it was my heart. Part of me wanted to claim her right then, skipping every damn step—
No, what the hell am I even thinking?
Judging the situation was going off the rails, I snapped out of the immersion immediately.
"...What the fuck is this?"
This had never happened before. How could a script character be replaced by a real person's face?
Those questions raced through my mind, but only for a moment.
Ding! Ding! Ding!
The answer arrived swiftly in a text from [Sims - The Real Life].
[The current script has been judged as a romance, not a simple story.]
[For deeper immersion, the role has been replaced with a real-life counterpart matching the script character.]
[To disable this feature, end 'Romance Mode.']
[The toggle method is the same as immersion—ON/OFF anytime.]
"Why do this without even a heads-up?"
Sure, everything so far had proceeded without a word, but this was different.
'End Romance Mode.'
It was the ability I'd gained that hit hardest in real terms. The good news? Even with the face swap, I was still bound to the script's actions—no extras.
...Wait, why am I relieved about that? And why was I even thinking that way to begin with?
For the first time, my fifteen-year-old pubescent body started reacting in earnest—something I'd never truly dwelled on. The age when hormones rage, when secondary sexual characteristics kick into overdrive. It sounds ridiculous, but only now did I start to truly notice the opposite sex.
I'd endured discrimination for my ugly looks, and in my past life, I'd never even dated. That carried over as habit in this life too—I'd simply ignored it entirely.
But this situation reminded me: I could date now. A tiny trigger pulling me free from my past life's inferiority complex.
Thump-thump-thump.
Am I losing it? Why's my body acting up like this?
It was driving my heart wild. Suddenly, moments I'd brushed off flooded my mind: reuniting with Sujin in that winter classroom, Jaerin bursting into the waiting room and calling me sweetly, Yerim so startled she lost control and wet herself—
Why is my brain only dredging up these intense first encounters with girls around me?
Amid the chaos, one thing was crystal clear.
'No way I can read scripts today.'
Right now, I just wanted to crash and sleep it off.
Geomgeom Baek Dongsu was off to a solid start, with ratings climbing steadily day by day. At its center, as expected, was Kim Donghu's dazzling action.
No matter how much they tried not to emphasize Jaun being superior to his peers, Kim Donghu's Jaun outshone everyone. His swordplay, in particular, drew gasps.
Episode 3 hit a whopping 20%—not peak, average ratings. SKS Drama Director Jeon Do-seon wore a calm smile.
"Looks like the brutal Mon-Tue wars end here."
As if declaring he'd claim the slot, he murmured coolly. Episode 4 climbed to 22%, bolstered by Episode 5's 24%. Ratings felt like child's play. It seemed 30% was just around the corner—
Until an unforeseen variable blocked Geomgeom Baek Dongsu's path.
"Episode 6 at 22%...?"
Ratings dropped suddenly. By a full 2%.
"What's the problem?"
"W-We haven't pinpointed it yet, but we're investigating quickly."
"Don't investigate among yourselves."
That's loser's logic. Check public opinion first—that's where the answer lies.
Under Director Jeon Do-seon's command, the cause surfaced fast. Incredibly simple, the one scenario they'd assumed impossible.
"Because Kim Donghu's scenes are over?"
"Yes, exactly."
The anxiety they'd only thought about. But they hadn't seen it as a big deal.
'It's natural, right?'
Child actor arc ends, adult story begins. A classic drama cliché.
But,
'I overlooked one thing.'
What Jeon Do-seon hadn't predicted: Kim Donghu's looks. Beyond "handsome"—he was the personification of handsome. Who could follow that up?
No one. His appearance was off the charts. Plus, his sword skills factored in. Looks aside, swordplay should improve post-childhood—but it fell short.
"What the hell."
Jeon Do-seon rarely panicked, letting out a hollow laugh. This data rippled beyond SKS.
"Hoo... So you're saying Kim Donghu is irreplaceable?"
"Y-Yes?"
"Nothing. Rest up—you haven't slept properly these days."
"Th-Thank you, Director!"
A wake-up call for MNC, soon to shoot Ilsik.
Communities buzzed about how much fun Kim Donghu brought. Finally,
"So, with a decent script, you could do it?"
"Do what?"
"A lead role for Kim Donghu."
"...That's not a decision to make lightly."
Expectations stirred for his lead potential. Meanwhile, Kim Donghu himself was...
"Turning on Romance Mode once in a while wouldn't hurt, right?"
But Sujin appearing meant she'd pass the audition—a spoiler?
"This is driving me nuts!"
I still couldn't shake thoughts of Romance Mode.
Time flew to September. Second-half dramas were gearing up.
"Yah-hoo!"
Kim Sujin couldn't hide her excitement, yelling outright.
"You scared me! My ears almost fell off."
"Sorry sorry, but it's just too good~!"
"Acting with Donghu makes you that happy?"
"Wh-Who said that?! I just mean shooting a historical drama is great!"
Kim Yuryeon chuckled at her blushing daughter. Knowing why she'd prepped extra hard for the audition, she watched Sujin sneak peeks while KakaoTalking someone.
"Why not just call instead of that?"
"It's nighttime—what if I bother Donghu?"
"You've been talking to Donghu?"
"Mom, seriously!"
Sujin yelled and bolted to her room.
"If she's like this already, how'll she act with him on set?"
Despite her worried words, Kim Yuryeon smiled, opening the Ilsik script. It demanded intense romance from the child actors onward—a high-difficulty beast. Nailed perfectly, it'd be a smash hit.
Problem: Her daughter sucked at "romance acting."
'She's already in her first love.'
Acting love for Kim Donghu—or his role? Easier said than done.
And that worry became reality.
Thump-thump.
What do I do? I can't even look at his face properly.
On Ilsik's shoot day, Kim Sujin couldn't meet Kim Donghu's eyes.
Thump-thump-thump.
Her oblivious heart pounded toward him. Stop thumping already!
Sujin cursed her too-honest emotions. But what she resented most was,
"Sujin, you okay? Your cheeks are super red."
Kim Donghu, approaching cluelessly.
Kim Donghu!
'Don't talk to me so casually!'
Of course, Sujin lacked the guts to say it aloud.