Chapter 330
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 330
Chapter Title: A Star and His Fan
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“H-Hello! Jun!”
As if someone had shouted “Unfreeze!”, the previously frozen Andrew Walker began to move. His greeting was a mix of slight hesitation and immense excitement. Seojun smiled and patted the seat next to him.
“Want to sit here?”
Andrew Walker’s eyes widened at Seojun’s words. He beamed and quickly ran over to sit beside him.
“You’re here early.”
“Well… I was so excited for today’s shoot that I woke up a little early.”
As Andrew replied with a shy laugh, Seojun also chuckled and glanced somewhere off to the side.
Andrew Walker’s mother, who had come with him, was standing a short distance away, smiling and holding up five fingers.
He must have woken up at 5 AM.
*…That’s more than a little early.*
Even Seojun, a model youth who slept and woke early, didn’t get up at that hour.
“You must be tired, then.”
“Not at all! I slept soundly on the way here, so I’m fine! I can do a great job! With the shoot! I’ll work hard! I’ve memorized all my lines!”
Worried that Seojun might suggest postponing the shoot if he seemed tired, Andrew chattered on, making Seojun laugh again. The sight of him, with his tiny fists clenched, insisting with his whole body that he was ready to film, was just too cute.
“Andy, what are you doing for Christmas this year?”
Filming for *The Survivors* was scheduled to take a two-day break for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, and another two days for the New Year.
The scenes to be filmed in between weren't particularly crucial or time-consuming.
At Seojun’s question, Andrew, who had been excitedly swinging his legs, thrilled to be sitting and talking with his favorite actor, Seojun Lee, answered.
“I’m having a Christmas party with my friends! What about you, Jun?”
“I’m having a party with my friends, too.”
His mom and dad were coming to the US for the New Year. Even though they video-called every day, it felt like it had been a long time.
Andrew’s eyes sparkled at Seojun’s response.
“Your friends? You mean Evan Block and Richel Hill?”
Andrew’s mind was already picturing a party of superstars straight out of a movie. The image of a dapper Jun in a handsome suit, holding a wine glass, was as vivid as a painting.
Seeing the sparkle in Andrew’s eyes, which betrayed his thoughts, Seojun laughed and shook his head.
“No. I’m getting together with friends I’ve played with since I was little.”
“I know them! You mean Jack Smith, the athlete!”
Seojun’s eyes widened, not expecting to hear that name from Andrew. At his reaction, Andrew Walker, the ultimate Seojun Lee fan, puffed out his chest proudly.
“I’ve seen it! *Us and Loki*! And the documentaries *Now We Are* and *In the Sea*. I’ve also been to the Sea Save Center!”
Andrew Walker's talk, which started with the documentaries, continued on to Seojun's other works.
“My favorite character is Gray Vainie! My mom told me the first thing of yours I ever saw was an ‘eating show,’ but I was too young to remember. After Gray Vainie, my favorite is the Blue Dragon. My mom even bought me a dragon orb online! Oh, I like Go Joowon, too! And Jin Natra! Ugh. I love them all!”
Faced with a fan practically radiating an uncontrollable adoration, Seojun felt a blush creep up his face and his shoulders straighten with pride. He could only laugh.
*He seems like he’d get along well with Taeyoung Hyung.*
For some reason, he was reminded of Kang Taeyoung back in Korea.
Time flew by as he chatted with Andrew.
While Seojun and Andrew were eating snacks prepared on set, Milan Chelan and Vanessa Olson arrived. Not long after, Davis Garrett also showed up at the studio.
“This is our first time acting together, right? I look forward to working with you.”
“I look forward to it, too.”
Seojun’s eyes twinkled in anticipation of Davis Garrett’s improvisational acting. And watching Seojun Lee, Andrew’s eyes twinkled as well.
***
Once all the actors had arrived, preparations for filming began.
A team of skilled special effects makeup artists created faint scratches and darkened the actors' faces.
Seojun sat down and held out his hands.
The most significant part of ‘Lee Hyunwoo’s’ makeup was his broken fingernails and the dark, dried blood beneath them. It was fascinating to watch, no matter how many times he’d seen it, how a few strokes of a brush could create such a realistic effect.
In particular, the nail on his right index finger was made to look like it was barely hanging on, using a prosthetic nail that dangled precariously, making even onlookers cringe.
“Ugh. That looks like it hurts.”
Andrew Walker, seeing Seojun’s makeup for the first time, grimaced.
He knew it was just makeup, but seeing his favorite actor’s hand in such a state made him sad for some reason. The other actors, who had finished their makeup, burst out laughing at the sight of Andrew fidgeting anxiously as he looked at Seojun's hand.
***
“Please, let’s just have a calm day today.”
The planning team leader clasped his hands together as if in prayer for Davis Garrett’s scene. Although Davis Garrett had stuck close to the script in previous shoots, there was no telling what he would do from now on.
“Please, no overtime…!”
Unlike the worried planning team leader, Director Jeffrey looked perfectly at ease as he prepared for the shoot. He checked the set and confirmed the actors’ movements with the staff.
“Makeup is done!”
The actors, now in dirt-stained clothes to match their makeup, appeared on set. If not for their healthy complexions and bright expressions, they looked as if they had just escaped a disaster zone.
The planning team leader and Director Jeffrey noticed Andrew Walker trotting along, sticking close to Seojun Lee. Seeing the two of them chatting with bright faces, the planning team leader spoke up.
“He’s been saying it since the audition, and it seems he really is a fan of Jun. Won’t he be too distracted to act properly?”
It was a valid concern, as Andrew Walker had never acted alongside Seojun before.
An adult actor would have the sense to separate the two, but it was hard to expect that from such a young actor. It had been a point of debate during auditions, but he was the most talented of all the child actors who had tried out, so they couldn't not cast him.
“I don’t know. If it were me, I’d want to show my best side to an actor I admire.”
Director Jeffrey’s gaze fell on Seojun and Andrew, who were smiling at each other.
***
“Ready, action!”
Jackson Miller, carrying an unconscious Lee Hyunwoo on his back, followed a path illuminated by dim lights. He maneuvered around debris that had fallen from the ceiling and carefully navigated the cracked floor, scanning his surroundings.
An emergency sign, dangling from the ceiling, caught his eye.
*The nearest exit from here is…*
Exhaling, Jackson Miller started walking again. His destination was the east-side movie theater, the closest exit.
As he moved, Jackson Miller spotted a group of people. Seeing them sitting slumped over with exhausted faces, he took a breath and assessed the situation. The people merely glanced at his arrival before looking away.
“Why is everyone gathered here?”
Jackson Miller addressed the person closest to him.
It was a woman dressed in the uniform top of a Galleria Mall information desk employee, but she was wearing sweatpants instead of a skirt. A young boy was next to her, which made her more approachable.
Cynthia Lindberg looked at Jackson Miller once, then at Lee Hyunwoo on his back, and sighed.
“First, put that boy down here. You’ll need your strength to get out of this place.”
At Cynthia Lindberg’s words, Jackson Miller nodded and kicked away some large stones with his foot. Cynthia Lindberg also swept the floor with her palm. The boy next to her, Ian Weaver, also helped, his little hands moving busily.
Jackson Miller laid Lee Hyunwoo down on the cleared space, then sat down himself to catch his breath. He wanted water, but a look around told him it would be hard to find any. As Jackson Miller swallowed dryly, Cynthia Lindberg spoke.
“A bomb went off in the south shopping district, and right after that, another one went off at the east gate, where the broadcasting room is.”
Jackson Miller drew a sharp breath.
So that was why there had been no further announcements after the initial one.
“The east gate, too?”
Cynthia Lindberg’s gaze remained fixed on the boy sitting next to Lee Hyunwoo.
“Yes. And after that, they said there was an explosion in the west-side food court. The only exit left is the north gate.”
The fact that three of the four entrances had been blown up gave him a headache.
“Then why aren’t we heading north?”
“The path to the north is blocked, so we’re trying to find another way now. It’s a relief the building is sturdy enough that there hasn’t been a major collapse.”
But there were likely many other groups like this one trapped inside the mall, their paths blocked. A man in the corner, who seemed to have been listening to Cynthia Lindberg’s explanation, grumbled.
“A mall this big with only four exits… What were they thinking when they designed this place?”
Cynthia Lindberg sighed.
“To make people stay in the mall longer.”
The Galleria Mall was shaped like a diamond, with exits at each of the four points, and the wide central areas connected the different zones.
The amusement park to the north.
The food court to the west. The movie theater to the east.
The shopping district to the south.
Of course, the east and west zones also had shops mixed in with the theater and restaurants.
“Are the phones not working?”
“Either the lines are busy because of the high call volume… or…”
Cynthia Lindberg trailed off. Understanding her unspoken words, Jackson Miller crossed his arms and sighed.
“The terrorists wouldn’t have left the cell towers alone, would they.”
“No.”
While the adults were having a serious conversation, the boy, Ian Weaver, was looking at Lee Hyunwoo. Even though he was unconscious, his pale face and sorrowful expression made Ian Weaver—no, Andrew Walker—feel sad, too.
*No. I have to act.*
Andrew wanted to show his best acting to Jun, his favorite person.
Unafraid of the crimson blood and the dangling nail, Ian Weaver took Lee Hyunwoo’s injured hand in his small one and held it tight.
“I’ve found a way.”
A former soldier, Raymond Wish, emerged from a corner, brushing dust from his hair. One by one, people got to their feet with brightened faces.
“Where is it?!”
“L-Let me go first…!”
“Hey! I was here first!”
Looking over the shouting people, Raymond Wish let out a heavy sigh and ran a hand through his hair.
The voices of the crowd slowly brought Lee Hyunwoo back to consciousness.
The surface against his back was cold. The air was heavy. As his mind slowly cleared, he could hear the words of people desperate to escape.
He heard cries that their young sons, daughters, and families were waiting for them outside.
Hearing those voices made him not want to get up.
*Just… just…*
Just then, he felt a hand gently grasp his cold one.
It was a warm, delicate touch.
Lee Hyunwoo flinched and forced his heavy eyelids open.
A young child with clear eyes was looking down at him. The child broke into a wide smile when their eyes met, and then—
Smack!
Without thinking, Lee Hyunwoo slapped the child’s hand away.
***
“He doesn’t really hate you.”
“…I know.”
Seeing Andrew Walker’s crestfallen expression, Seojun scratched his cheek, looking troubled.
The actors, and even the staff, were shaking their shoulders, trying to hold back their laughter at the sweet interaction between the two.
Seojun’s acting had been so realistic that the moment the “okay” sign was given, Andrew had become completely dejected. The boy who had been looking at him with sparkling eyes all day was now slumped over and avoiding his gaze, making Seojun feel a pang of guilt.
“Andy, that was Lee Hyunwoo reacting to Ian. Lee Hyunwoo is in so much pain that he hates everything.”
“I know, but…”
The energy that had kept Andrew practically bouncing all day vanished, his metaphorical tail and ears drooping.
“…I know, but…”
Andrew Walker knew full well that it was acting. If it had been any other actor, he would have understood and laughed it off.
But it was Seojun Lee.
His favorite actor in the whole world.
His head understood, but his heart ached. Unconsciously, his eyes welled up with tears.
*Don’t cry.*
*It’s just acting. Don’t cry.*
He repeated it to himself, but his lips still jutted out in a pout. He hated himself for being so pathetic, which only made the tears fall.
It was a vicious cycle.
“…but I really, really like you, Jun…”
“I really like you too, Andy!”
Oh, dear.
Seojun pulled Andrew into a hug, rocking him gently to soothe him.
*This feels a bit like cheating, but…*
At the same time, he unleashed his sparkling aura.
Andrew Walker, whose heart had been slowly mending, sniffled at the sight of the glittering star and finally broke into a sheepish grin. Seeing Andrew back to his usual self, Seojun smiled brightly.
“Kids these days are so cute!”
At Vanessa Olson’s words, the people who had been watching the scene with bated breath finally burst into laughter.
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