Acting Genius
Rain pounded fiercely against the window, the thick downpour turning the world outside into a sea of gray. From the 22nd-floor apartment window on a stormy day like this, the cityscape below had a certain poetic charm. I savored the view while sipping warm herbal tea. The subtle herbal aroma spread through me along with a comforting heat.
"Phew..."
I loved rainy days like this—the cheerful patter of raindrops, the moody scenery. Of course, only if there were no performances scheduled.
Checking my phone, I saw a text from Manager Unni.
I'd half-expected it. No way they'd hold an outdoor show in this weather.
With the performance off, I could've lounged at home for a rare day of peace. At least, that's what would've happened normally.
"Ugh, I told you, it's my friend's house! Why would I lie to Mom?"
Ga-young, who was crashing at my place for the day, was on the phone with her mom in my room. First time for a sleepover, apparently, and things were getting a little heated with her parents.
Soon after, she came out to the living room and made a request.
"Um... Mom wants to see my friend on video call. Is that okay?"
"Sure."
I nodded and took the phone. On the screen was a woman who screamed "Ga-young's mom."
"Hello. I'm Kim Siyeon, in the same class as Ga-young."
I bowed politely. A brief silence followed, then a relieved voice came through the speaker.
"So you're Ga-young's friend? You look so sweet. Bet you're good at studying too."
She dropped her guard the second she saw my face. My glasses gave me that ultimate "interview pass" vibe—plain, trustworthy, no threat.
"Take good care of our Ga-young, then."
"Yes, ma'am."
Call ended smoothly. Ga-young, slouched on the sofa, let out a sigh of relief before snapping to attention. The gym clothes I'd lent her hung a bit loose.
"Dryer's almost done. Hang in there a little longer."
"...Yeah."
I headed to the kitchen and checked the fridge. Plenty for two. I grabbed the ingredients, tied on the apron hanging nearby.
"I'll help."
"No need..."
I knew her cooking skills from home ec class. And the fridge had exactly two servings. One slip-up, and we'd starve all day.
"Just chill on the sofa and watch Netflix or something. Only one set of utensils anyway."
"Tch, fine."
She pouted back to the sofa. I started prepping the ingredients on the cutting board.
Chop, chop—
Three years living alone had honed my skills. I was confident in the kitchen.
Soon, two steaming, appetizing omelet rices were ready.
"All done."
"—"
Ga-young was on the phone again, still on the sofa.
"Oh, you made it already? Sorry."
"Who're you talking to?"
"Dad and little bro. Checking if everyone got home safe."
Heavy rain warnings nationwide—she was just being a good daughter.
"You call your family?"
"Me...?"
I bit my lip, unsure how to answer. Ga-young's face fell in panic, and she quickly changed the subject.
"W-Wow! You made this omelet rice? Looks delicious!"
She dug in eagerly. A bit over-the-top, but it lightened the mood.
After eating, we crashed on the sofa and flipped on the TV. Some random Netflix movie, but it was meh.
—Splash! Boom!
Movie sounds mixed with the rain, creating an odd stillness. Staring blankly at the screen, I started brooding.
...What do normal high school girls do on a rainy day like this?
With the members, it was always work talk—not great reference material. Doing nothing felt awkward, though.
Time to consult the social butterfly Ga-young.
"Wanna do something together?"
"Something with you...?"
She leaned back, eyes darting as she pondered. Her cheeks flushed, she shook her head and thought some more.
Taking her sweet time. I figured it'd be instant.
Finally, she clapped like she'd struck gold.
"I've always wanted to try a pajama party."
"Pajama party?"
"Yeah!"
She nodded eagerly. Basically, chilling in PJs all night, girl talk show-style.
Tricky. I'd planned separate rooms—me in the master, her in the guest. But this? We'd end up sharing naturally.
...I wanna sleep without glasses, though.
I wanted to suggest separate beds for comfort, but her beaming face made it impossible.
This is awkward. Really awkward.
Kim Siyeon - 61 points
I'd barely scraped by on the makeup exam. Ga-young, who dragged herself to school during break to tutor me, sat at the desk looking like her soul had fled.
"...That kid, I raised her."
Teaching me must've been torture. Sorry for being so dense.
Anyway, makeup classes done. Summer break proper started tomorrow—busy with shoots, but still.
"See you, Teacher."
"Yeah. Enjoy the rest of break."
I waved goodbye and headed out. Ga-young stretched with relief beside me.
"Phew. No school tomorrow."
"Not coming tomorrow?"
I'd had to come for makeup, but she chose to—loves school that much. Figured she'd keep it up.
She averted her eyes.
"Family stuff starting tomorrow. Can't make it. Yeah..."
"Oh, gotcha."
Perfect timing—my schedule freed up too.
As we chatted and neared the gate, a hulking figure blocked our path.
"Eek! W-Who are you?!"
Ga-young balled her fists, facing him down. As if those tiny hands would help.
"You... Siyeon's friend?"
The giant called my name warmly. I waved back happily.
"What brings you here, Uncle Kim...?"
Our agency CEO, waiting at the gate. Manager Unni off-duty, so he came himself. "Uncle" to dodge questions from Ga-young.
She gawked at us alternately, incredulous. His gangster vibe probably didn't help.
"U-Uncle? For real?"
"Yup! Right, Uncle?"
He scratched his head sheepishly for some reason. Gross, cut it out.
"Yeah, I'm Siyeon's uncle."
I hopped in the car smoothly.
"Gotta go. Thanks for break."
"Uh, yeah..."
We drove off. Ga-young watched worriedly for a while.
SJB Entertainment.
I ran into Yuri by chance in the third-floor lounge.
"Hi, Ruti sunbae."
"...Hey."
We're same age—she could drop the formalities, but she insisted it felt right.
"What're you doing here?"
"Rehearsing."
"Solo...?"
"Yes."
No one to read lines with. SJB was idol-only till now; Yuri's our first actor trainee. The system's still half-baked for acting.
Gotta mention this to the CEO.
For now, I'd step in.
"Want help with rehearsal?"
"Really? I was hoping to practice your scenes together."
"Cool. Lend me the script?"
We ran lines on the spot—I memorized instantly.
2% short.
Rehearsing with Yuri made it clear. My acting was missing something—just 2% off.
Not like with Lee Ha-eun. That felt 100%—emotions, breath, heart, all synced perfectly.
Now? Slightly off-kilter. But I couldn't pinpoint why.
Asked Yuri, who'd watched up close.
"Hey, did my acting seem off anywhere?"
"No way! Sunbae's performance is award-worthy this year!"
Her eyes sparkled. Predictable. She idolized me way too much—blinded to flaws.
Admiration's the farthest thing from understanding, huh.
Needed an outside opinion. But no one at the agency fit.
"We need an acting coach."
"Oh, then—"
Just mumbling, but she grabbed my hand.
"Come to my acting class sometime?"
"Acting lessons...?"
"Yeah! Heading there now. Got time to join?"
"Won't it be a bother if I just show up?"
"Nah. Coach is a huge Ruti fan."
Solid pitch. No better options right now.
"Alright. Where is it?"
She beamed proudly.
"Theater Troupe La Luna."
La Luna—the biggest troupe around. Suddenly, I got nervous.
...What if they yell at me for sucking?