Chapter 144
Chapter 144
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 144
Chapter Title: Training Request and Sneaker Photoshoot
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“Training? You want to give it a try?”
“Yes......”
Even as she talked with me, Seong Yona's gaze never left Kang Han, who was in the middle of training.
This girl's serious.
“Sure, then.”
“Really?”
Seong Yona's face lit up bright as fire—she must have thought I wouldn't agree so easily.
“Yeah. She's the one we brought in from the start to be like a teacher for the whole Justice Guild. And you're part of the Justice Guild too.”
“That's true, but......”
I wonder what kind of treatment she got at Fantasia.
Still, the fact that Seong Yona wanted training was incredibly encouraging.
She was desperate enough to ask even though she figured I might say no.
“But what kind of training do you want?”
This time, it was simple curiosity on my part.
“For now, I want to redo the trainings I did at Fantasia. It's been so long since I took a break......”
“So, like basic stamina training, the way Ji-seong oppa does it?”
“Hmm, no. More like Yu-eul, actually?”
Yu-eul? Lee Yu-eul?
The one who does explosive training—sprinting up walls and doing handstand push-ups with nothing but her body?
“Really......?”
“Yes. Of course, since it's been ages, I'll need some prep time. But if you're supporting from the middle of the formation while attacking, body techniques are essential, right?”
Suddenly, Seong Yona looked completely different.
Body techniques, huh.
“Yona, no wonder you whip up meringue so well.”
I should have realized it back when she frothed egg whites by hand without a mixer.
Seong Yona took my genuine admiration as a compliment and grinned.
“Thanks, unnie. Then I'll head up and get my training clothes ready.”
“Sounds good.”
As I watched her trot away, I felt a faint, inexplicable sense of betrayal.
I thought you were a softie like me.
Turns out you're combat-oriented.
A few days later, in a studio in Seogyo-dong, Mapo-gu.
It was finally the day to shoot the Nice Sports sneaker pictorial.
The schedule had originally been set earlier, but the Justice Guild had been so hectic lately. Plus, since they were splurging big on a hunter ad, the company president was determined to launch proper new products.
“Makes sense. They're really pretty.”
I nodded as I looked at the sneakers prepared as props.
Seeing all the new models lined up by size, color, and design made me want a pair for myself.
“Wow.”
“Eek.”
“Insane.”
Suddenly, exclamations erupted all around me.
I turned to check out the scene, and yeah, it was warranted.
Kang Han and Han Ji-seong were sitting side by side, getting their hair and makeup done.
They hadn't changed into their outfits yet, but their styles were already worlds apart.
“It's been a while since I showed my forehead. Feels kinda awkward. Is it okay?”
“More than okay! Ji-seong-ssi, your mask—er, your whole body—is a work of art!”
“Th-thank you.”
Han Ji-seong had let slip one wrong word and plunged into a hell of praise from his stylist, his face beet red.
Meanwhile, Kang Han stared quietly at his reflection with his bangs neatly lowered.
“Is this really it? Don't I need to do something more with my hair?”
“Oh, no. Just the bangs down, and you already scream 'storybook college athlete'—cough—total hotshot vibe!”
“I see.”
“With your height, you give off basketball player energy, and those broad shoulders scream swimmer!”
Han Ji-seong and Kang Han were just that stunning to begin with.
Even the ad staff, who saw celebrities like they were daily bread, were stomping their feet in excitement.
Speaking of which, Kang Han's going with the college athlete concept.
Definitely sparked by that promo team lead who fell for him at the last Justice Guild meeting—fresh out of the shower, comfy in training clothes.
“What are we wearing?”
“I wanna do pants. Something fresh like light-wash jeans.”
“Ooh, nice.”
The three high schoolers waiting their turn—since they were last—were buzzing about their concepts while watching Han Ji-seong and Kang Han.
“Nayeo-ju-ssi, how's it feel? Outfit comfortable?”
“Yeah, it's just a dress. Nice and roomy.”
My outfit was a dress.
They wanted to emphasize sneakers that worked with sporty looks or any attire.
“Good to hear. It suits you perfectly. Your skin's so flawless, barely any touch-ups needed. Quick makeup, then hair.”
“Sure.”
The pros would handle it.
I'd just closed my eyes when—
Knock knock.
Someone knocked on the open dressing room door.
“Hello. I'm Director Yoo Ki-hwan, in charge of today's shoot.”
A man with a stylish chin beard and tied-back hair grinned brightly.
He had that perfect artistic look for a photographer.
Seemed like the good first impression wasn't one-sided—the director beamed too.
“Wow, the models today are so hot, my eyes hurt!”
Not empty flattery; he clapped like a seal, eyes sparkling at his subjects.
“Stopped by to explain today's concept before shooting, get familiar. Listen while you prep.”
The director's rundown went like this.
Nice Sports' main customers were young students, late teens to mid-twenties, so the pictorial targeted them.
“Overall concept is campus life. University backgrounds will be composited in. And for our three high school hunters, we prepped cute uniforms.”
Solid logic; I nodded.
But chaos erupted behind me.
“Ugh. Uniforms even at a pictorial shoot......”
“Can't we just do jeans?”
“Yeah! Campus life, but why uniforms for us?!”
These brats.
They could goof off in the guild, but not out here—especially not on a job.
“Hold on.”
I paused my stylist's hand mid-application, swiveling my chair to glare at the hellhounds.
“Lee Yu-eul, Lee Yu-chan, Im Cheong-su.”
Calling their names shut the three puppies up like they'd rehearsed it—they knew they'd messed up.
I addressed them.
“Just pretend you're visiting college.”
“Hiiing.”
“Tch.”
Finally quiet.
“Sorry about that. Please continue the makeup.”
“Ah, yes!”
For some reason, the slightly stiff stylist dove back in at my apology.
“Ahem. Anyway, concept's set like this. More details on set. See you out there.”
After the director left, Kang Han and Han Ji-seong's outfit covers came off.
Han Ji-seong, whose pupils had quaked at the 'campus life' brief, hesitated at his named black suit.
“Uh, campus life, but why a suit for me......?”
“Oh, Ji-seong-ssi, you're the young, handsome professor! Gotta have a teacher if there are students!”
“R-right.”
Han Ji-seong nodded vaguely, unable to picture it, but I cheered inwardly.
Han Ji-seong in a suit and crisp sneakers?
This'll work.
Shooting hadn't started, but I could already hear the Justice Guild's value skyrocketing.
Shooting began.
First up: Han Ji-seong, quickest to prep.
Too perfect; no heavy makeup needed.
“Glasses up once! Perfect! Eyes this way! Yes!”
First impressions didn't lie—the director masterfully directed.
“Director's hyped today.”
“Check the monitor. Wouldn't you be?”
“What monitor? Too much glow—can't see a thing.”
I agreed, peering at the live-upload monitor behind the camera.
Thought I'd gotten used to Han Ji-seong's killer looks.
Bangs swept back to bare his forehead, gold-rimmed glasses, suit, white sneakers—and silver hair.
The aura punched through the screen.
Plus, unlike his pre-shoot nerves, he was a natural model.
“Yes! Sweep that hair back! Perfect!”
His long limbs and lean muscles made him look born for a suit.
“Oh boy, trouble.”
The Nice Sports project manager beside me muttered.
“Ji-seong-ssi's too hot—the sneakers look dead.”
“But we can't just shoot feet with a model like that.”
“You're on point today.”
Han Ji-seong wrapped quick.
Director griped about how to pick A and B shots.
Finally escaping the blazing lights, Han Ji-seong wobbled to me.
“Nayeo-ju-ya......”
He thunked his forehead on my shoulder.
Had to hunch way down due to height, but if he's comfy...
“Good job, oppa.”
“So tough.”
“You did great, though.”
“Powered through.”
“Wanna bolt to the lab?”
“Yeah.”
“Wipe off makeup, nap in the empty car.”
“Yeah.”
For a guy locked in his room daily, a crowded shoot with all eyes on him was poison.
After a few pats, he staggered off: 'Can make it to the waiting room now.'
Next: Kang Han.
'This company's got it together.'
His sneakers matched Han Ji-seong's design.
To show they fit diverse looks.
“Feels like a青春 movie right now.”
“Real life, but zero realism. Handsome, sexy, wholesome college athlete—insane.”
“......Why hunters instead of actors?”
“Hunters make more money.”
“Right. Still a waste. Need those faces on screen daily.”
Staff reactions: pass.
“Yes! Hands in pockets like that!”
Director pleased too.
But monitoring, I felt a twinge of regret.
'Handsome, sure, but face too stoic?'
That was Kang Han's default.
No big expression changes unless something major.
'Wish for one killer shot.'
The photographer thought so too—shoot dragging.
I edged close without disrupting.
Close enough for Kang Han to spot me.
Raised index fingers to my smile lines: smile!
“......?”
He frowned slightly, head tilt.
Click, click!
Pro that he was, director snapped silently.
'Smi. Le.'
Blinding lights to normals? Indirect to S-rank.
Why so dense?
I jabbed cheeks, dragged cheeks up high.
Pfft.
Kang Han pulled left hand from pocket, lightly covered mouth—smiled.
Yes! Looks good when you smile!
I glared approvingly.
Click, click, click!
Shutter rained like downpour.
Kang Han's rare boyish grin captured perfectly.
Checked monitor once, turned away clean.
High school trio after him, then me.
Finish makeup, hair.
“Whew. Busy, busy.”
Still, picturing his smile—proud.
Worth the meal today.
“Hmm. Not knocking the concept, but... doesn't this feel off?”
I sighed softly at my mirror image.
But my stylist looked baffled.
“It suits you too well! Your skin's fair, hair's light—floral dress pops!”
“If the pro says so......”
Frilly dress was one thing, but these long, wavy extensions to my lower back felt weird.
Do kids go to school this dolled up?
Never went to college—too busy working— so campus vibe's hazy.
“Perfect blind date look. But comfy shoes essential even then! That's the vibe.”
“Ah, blind date look.”
Of course.
I checked the mirror again—got it.
Didn't erase the unfamiliarity, though.
'Never dressed up like this in my life.'
Staring more, it grew on me.
Then—
“Nayeo-ju-ssi, enjoying the coffee!”
A staffer entering held up an iced Americano, yelling at me.
“Coffee?”
“Yes! Coffee truck outside in your name!”
What now?