La Luna
La Luna. The fitting room was filled with clothes of every color and style, all neatly displayed by category. They were all sponsored items sent specifically for me. Before heading to the lesson room, I'd decided to change into something else here. The outfit I had on now was a bit too eye-catching. Normally, I could just put on my glasses like usual and blend in, but with Yu-ri right there, I couldn't wear them. She still didn't know I was Kim Siyeon. Anyway, that's how it happened. For once, like other celebrities, I figured I'd try some proper disguise.
"All these clothes... they're all sponsorships for you, sunbae?"
"Yeah."
Yu-ri looked around my personal fitting room in awe. Meanwhile, I'd been picking out something to change into. What would work best? I wanted to avoid standing out, so I aimed for the most ordinary stuff possible. Spot on—I found just the thing. Oversized jeans and a plain white tee. Casual, perfect for the hot weather. I'd go with these.
That's when I was about to yank off my top.
"S-Sunbae!"
A panicked voice came from behind me. I turned to see Yu-ri covering her face with both hands, blushing furiously.
"D-Don't just strip like that out of nowhere..."
She whipped around in embarrassment. I thought it'd be fine since we were both girls, but she must be the shy type.
"A-All changed."
I finished up with a hat and mask to completely hide my face. No way anyone would recognize me now, even without glasses. This was pretty much my first time heading out like this. My heart was pounding for some reason.
...Thump thump.
We arrived in front of the building where the theater troupe was located. Above the entrance, styled like a movie theater, hung a sign with the troupe's logo: La Luna.
La Luna theater troupe. The place changed completely depending on the time of day. During daylight hours, it offered acting lessons for aspiring actors. At night, it transformed into a musical theater for the public. In short, it was a space where education and art coexisted.
The building was bigger than I'd expected—practically the size of a large cinema.
"You can go in here."
"Oh, okay."
I followed Yu-ri inside. We were all carrying stuff in our hands. It felt awkward showing up empty-handed, so we'd stopped by a café on the way and grabbed coffee and cake.
We walked down a sleek hallway and got into the elevator. As the doors closed, I noticed a poster on the wall recruiting students. But why no prices listed? I asked Yu-ri next to me.
"How much is a year's lesson here?"
"They don't do yearly plans. It's usually per session."
"Per session, then?"
"It varies by coach, but for me, it's 90,000 won each time."
"...90,000 won?"
It was pricier than I'd thought. Sure, it wasn't a huge amount for me, but it had to be for her. I'd seen her working part-time every weekend.
"That's pretty steep."
"Yeah, it's a bit of a burden for me too, haha..."
Yu-ri brushed it off with a casual laugh. There had to be a reason she pushed herself this hard for lessons. And I found out the moment we reached the lesson area.
"Whoa."
The lessons took place right on the actual performance stage. Under the lit-up lights, a few students were visible onstage. They were getting one-on-one sessions from their coaches, and those coaches' faces looked oddly familiar. Where had I seen them? Oh! The musical posters in the elevator. These were the actors from those shows.
One-on-one lessons from active musical theater actors—on a real performance stage, no less. No wonder the fees were high. 90,000 won actually felt like a bargain.
"Who's your coach?"
"That guy over there."
Yu-ri pointed to a man standing below the stage. Neatly combed-back hair, crisp white shirt, arms crossed, sharp eyes fixed on the stage. Sorry to judge on first impressions, but he looked pretty strict.
Yu-ri hurried over and greeted him.
"Coach, sorry I'm late."
"Ha Yu-ri."
He frowned slightly the moment he saw her.
"I specifically told you not to be even a minute late for lessons."
Yu-ri bowed repeatedly, apologizing over and over. ...This was my fault. I'd suggested stopping at the café, making us a little late.
"Um, this is my fault we were late. Sorry for the trouble."
I stepped forward and apologized on her behalf. The man gave me a look like, What the heck is this?
"You a student? Or Yu-ri's friend?"
"I'm her sunbae. Here to observe today."
I took off my hat and mask, then bowed properly.
"I'm Siyeon from the same agency as Yu-ri. Nice to meet you."
I kept the intro short with a bow. In that instant, the noisy performance hall went dead silent. Not just the students, but even the coaches stopped and stared.
"Wha—huh? Wait?!"
The man in front of me pointed at me with wide eyes. Then, a quiet mutter escaped him.
"...No way, Ruti?"
That one word sent ripples of shock through the room.
Gu Min-jun, affiliated with the La Luna theater troupe. He hadn't been a fan of Ruti at first. If anything, he'd viewed her negatively. He'd thought she stole the role his prized student Ha Yu-ri had been aiming for.
Want to Reach You—protagonist audition. Among the students he taught, Yu-ri had the best acting skills. For her to lose out to some idol contestant? Obviously name recognition, he'd figured. The film industry ran on commercial viability. Unknown actor versus popular idol? Producers would pick the idol every time.
That's what he'd assumed about Ruti too. But after watching the movie...
What the...?
Ruti's portrayal of the protagonist Lee Ha-eun was flawless. So natural it felt like you were watching the real Ha-eun, not Ruti. That's when it hit him. She'd been cast not for fame or looks, but because no one could play the role better.
Was I the one wearing colored glasses...?
She'd gone from "the thief who took my student's role" to just another actor chasing the same stage. Honestly, impressive. Pulling off that schedule as an idol and delivering such great acting—at just 17. Age didn't matter; it was pure admiration.
From that day, Gu Min-jun started seeking out Ruti's variety shows and music videos. At first, simple curiosity. But the more he watched, the more he fell for her. From her radiant stage presence to her emotive acting on screen—it all captivated him. Before he knew it, he was a fan.
Wonder if I'll ever meet her someday.
A small wish, but one he figured was pointless. She was a famous idol; no connection to him. Or so he'd thought—
"I'm Siyeon from the same agency as Yu-ri. Nice to meet you."
The girl he'd only seen on screens stood right in front of him. Small, refined face; sharp features; sparkling eyes under long lashes. Undeniably Ruti herself. She smiled lightly and bowed—humble, polite, but with that unmistakable idol aura.
Gu Min-jun stared blankly before muttering to himself.
...The real thing's way better.
The man stayed silent for a long while.
"Um?"
"Ahem!"
Only after I spoke up again did he snap out of it with a few coughs.
"I'm Gu Min-jun. You're Ruti, right? I knew you were from the same agency as Yu-ri, but what brings you here?"
"Oh, just observing. I'd love some advice if possible, but..."
I glanced at him cautiously. From earlier, he seemed strict about time and schedules. An unscheduled visitor might not be welcome. I didn't want to put Yu-ri in a tougher spot.
"Sorry for showing up out of the blue. I'll head out for today."
I set down the coffee and cake I'd been holding and started to leave. He blocked my path, looking flustered.
"N-No, wait! You came all this way—I'd feel worse sending you off like that."
"Really?"
"Yes. And you mentioned wanting advice—what exactly? If it's something I can help with, I'll do my best."
His eyes sparkled as he offered his help eagerly. Contrary to his stern looks, his attitude was surprisingly kind.
...Maybe he's not so bad after all?