Ha Yu-ri 2
"Do you really have to do it that way?"
"Yes. I really do."
"For real?"
"For real."
I was sitting across from Director Yang, sipping coffee. A strange tension hung between us. It was a battle of wills.
-Cast Ha Yu-ri as the protagonist of this film, no exceptions. That was my demand. My condition for starring in his next project. Naturally, the director wasn't thrilled. He'd been pushing hard for me to take the lead in his next film too.
"That girl's a nobody actress. Any other role, maybe, but the protagonist... it's a bit..."
The director glanced at me cautiously, testing the waters with his opinion. I took a leisurely sip of my coffee, flashed a bright smile, and replied.
"In that case, I guess I won't be working with you on any more films, Director."
"!?"
His face froze solid, like lightning had just struck him right on the head. My final ultimatum. I felt bad for him, but I really wanted Yu-ri to have the lead in the next movie. Otherwise, my conscience would never let me rest easy.
"So, what's it gonna be?"
The director snapped out of it, smacking his lips with a resigned look.
"...Fine. From our side, we're already grateful just to have you in the next one."
He'd accepted my condition. That wrapped up all the groundwork. All that was left was to meet the person in question and sign the contract.
No sooner had I thought that than someone knocked on the office door.
"...Um, excuse me."
Yu-ri peeked in cautiously, stepping inside. She looked stiff as a board, clearly uncomfortable in unfamiliar territory.
"Over here."
I waved her over warmly and patted the seat next to me. She bowed politely to the director and me in turn, then sat down gingerly beside me.
"So you're Yu-ri. Let's get straight to it."
The director repeated our earlier conversation for her benefit. Yu-ri's reaction was pure shock—she nearly fainted on the spot.
"H-how could...?"
It wasn't disbelief so much as outright refusal to accept it. That caught me off guard. I'd expected her to jump for joy right there.
...What's her problem?
I didn't have to wait long to find out.
"How could I take the lead role over Ruti...?"
She kept stealing apologetic glances my way.
"...The protagonist suits Ruti way better than me."
She was trying to hand the role I'd given up right back to me. It was driving me insane. There were limits to humility. Come on, show some ambition!
"I mean, I agree, but... ow!"
I subtly stomped on the director's foot under the table. Luckily, it was hidden from Yu-ri's view. Read the room, Director, I shot him a pointed glare. He finally caught on and played along.
"This is my call as the director. For this film, I think Ha Yu-ri fits the protagonist better than Ruti. The character's vibe, your acting style... everything lines up."
He said it, but he didn't hide his regret at all.
...You're too obvious.
I jumped in to smooth things over.
"I totally agree with the director. Plus, I've always wanted to try a role like this."
The part I'd agreed to was the protagonist's rival—practically a second lead in terms of screen time.
"Is that so? Well, then..."
Yu-ri nodded hesitantly, her pale cheeks flushing pink. Then she looked at me with renewed determination.
"I'll do it. For Ruti."
"For me...?"
I wasn't sure what she meant, but I let it slide. Her enthusiasm was through the roof anyway—that was what mattered.
"Great. Shall we draw up the contract right now? Do you have an agency already?"
"No. But I did get a scouting offer once."
"Oh? From where?"
She pulled a business card from her pocket and showed it to us.
"Ugh!?"
"Ack!?"
The director and I recoiled in unison. Goosebumps prickled our skin at the logo on the card.
AJU Entertainment
CEO Kim Yong-jin
The very agency Lee Si-woo was with. Infamous for trapping rookies in slave contracts.
Rip———!
I tore the card to shreds right in front of her.
"You can't join a place like that."
"But then where else could I...?"
"If you're really stuck, how about I recommend a good agency?"
Yu-ri blinked at me, tilting her head. I grinned and thumbed toward the door.
"Got time? Wanna come with me somewhere?"
SJB Entertainment CEO's Office.
Kim Baek-ho nodded in satisfaction as he reviewed the contract pages one by one.
"Just need your parents' consent form now. When can you bring them?"
"Tomorrow. I'll bring them right away."
"Sounds good. We'll wrap up the rest tomorrow then."
We finished up and left the office. Yu-ri clutched the contract to her chest, her face beaming with excitement.
"Thank you so much. Introducing me to an agency too..."
"No big deal. It's a win for us too."
Ha Yu-ri was a promising actress with a bright future ahead. No agency would pass up a talent like her. The CEO had seen it instantly and signed her on the spot. Win-win all around.
"Take care going home."
We'd covered everything, and it was time to part ways—until Yu-ri grabbed me with a reluctant tone.
"Um, when can we do a rehearsal together?"
"Rehearsal?"
Not a bad idea. We'd be acting together soon; getting comfortable with each other early couldn't hurt.
"Thing is, my schedule's..."
It was about to get packed. Open days were rare—and today was one of the few.
Strike while the iron's hot, right? We decided to dive into rehearsal right then.
"But where do we rehearse?"
"Oh."
The agency's practice rooms were for dance and vocals. Too noisy with all the trainees around—not ideal for acting.
Where else? I racked my brain and landed on the perfect spot.
"Come on in."
"Ex-excuse me."
The A-Star dorm, right near the agency. The other members were all out on schedules. No distractions here—we could focus.
"Have a seat. I'll be right back."
I grabbed drinks from the kitchen and returned. Yu-ri sat ramrod straight on the sofa, tension etched on her face. She looked like a fresh recruit on their first day.
Ah, was she uncomfortable because it was a shared dorm?
"Don't worry. The others are swamped with schedules—they won't be back today. It's just us, so relax."
"Just... us...?"
She tensed up even more, for some reason. Ha Yu-ri had that diligent image, but she had a quirky, fourth-dimensional side too. Not sure if we'd get through rehearsal normally at this rate.
...She's so unpredictable.
"Yu-ri, you really joined SJB Entertainment?"
"Did you see Ruti too?"
"What's Ruti like in person?"
The rumor that Yu-ri had been scouted by our agency spread like wildfire. SJB Entertainment—the hottest celeb agency right now. The classmates mobbed her with questions.
Normally, anyone would get a swelled head in that situation. But Yu-ri stayed humble as ever.
"I'm just a trainee who hasn't even debuted yet. No way I'd run into someone amazing like Ruti."
She'd kept our one-on-one rehearsal a total secret from everyone. Agency rules.
Do not disclose any private information about agency artists under any circumstances.
She was following it to the letter. Such a good kid.
I was smiling to myself at the sight when Yu-ri suddenly approached me.
"It's lunchtime—what're you doing here all alone?"
"Huh? Just hanging out."
"Eaten yet?"
"Was gonna grab something from the vending machine."
"Don't do that. Wanna eat lunch together? I just transferred, so I don't have anyone to eat with yet."
She was being unusually friendly. But right now, I was Kim Siyeon, not Ruti.
A chill ran down my spine.
...Did she figure out I'm Ruti?
She'd revived a dream I'd thought was lost, and showered her with endless support to make it real.
Ruti.
The girl had received so much from her. She wanted to repay the favor right away, but she had nothing to offer in her current state.
Was there some way to give back? Lost in thought, she came up with a great idea.
Pay it forward—pass on the kindness Ruti had shown her to someone else. That way, she could at least touch Ruti's heart a little.
Someone who needs help...
The girl scanned the room and spotted a female student in the corner. Kim Siyeon, was it? She was always alone, except when the class president checked on her. Total outcast vibes. That must be why the president bothered.
She looks like she needs help.
With resolve on her face, the girl approached her—to share the same kindness Ruti had given her.
Kindness had a way of coming full circle.