Flashback - Euna's Audition Miracle and Birthday Kiss

Past Recollection: Seo Euna, Han Ga-eun (Episode 14)

While I was talking with Senior Sua, this mister barged in and even hypnotized her. I tried to say something, but at the worst possible timing, the announcement called my name, so I had no choice but to go. I was anxious, but since the mister was a good guy... I trusted him and headed to the audition. Maybe because of his hypnosis, I wasn't nervous at all. I went in and greeted them.

A few people who looked like the director and production staff were sitting at the table, and that guy was Director Christopher. The one they call the world's best...

"Show us what you've got."

The man sitting next to the director spoke. Instead of just walking confidently to the chair and sitting down, I snapped a salute. That's what the protagonist does when joining the Hero Alliance.

"Hello! Seniors, Chandra Yoo reporting for duty!"

I performed as Chandra Yoo, the protagonist I'd inferred from the publicly released synopsis. Yap! I struck a Taekwondo stance and unleashed a head-height kick, then whoosh—a backflip landing perfectly on the chair, followed by a front flip to the floor in a hero landing. Then the dazed stare into empty space, imagining a villain flying right in front of me, grinding my teeth in uncontrollable rage, and finally slamming my fist down—boom—with a line full of unyielding determination to catch them no matter what.

"Oh..."

As my performance continued, the director's eyes and expression changed by the second.

"Bravo! Good! Yes!"

He jumped up clapping before I'd even finished. He came over himself and offered his hand. I shook it in a daze.

"Chandra Yoo! Only you can play Chandra Yoo!"

I didn't understand the English, but... that had to mean I passed, right?

"Director, you're going with this girl?"

"From the moment she walked in, I saw Chandra Yoo. And with acting skills like that! No reason not to use her! Dialogue, performance, action—everything's perfect! Even scouring the US, Canada, and UK, we couldn't find talent like this, and here it is in Korea!"

The interpreter relayed the good news.

"P-pass...?"

"Yes!"

The news was thrilling, but a part of me felt uneasy, sorry for the others. It felt like it was all because of the mister's weird hypnosis. Acting was my dream, and I was grateful, but this wasn't the way I wanted it to happen. I didn't want to achieve my dream like this.

I'll talk to the mister. And undo it.

If it was really his doing, expressing refusal to the director wouldn't matter anyway. Smile for now, then...

"How'd it go? Huh?"

The mister came rushing over as soon as I came out, his tension obvious.

"I... passed."

"For real?"

The next passer came out, and the announcement told everyone to gather. The mister...

"Congrats for real!!!"

"Eek?!"

He scooped me up and spun me around.

"You have no idea how nervous I was that it wouldn't work."

Wait. He was... nervous?

So he didn't do anything?

I was confused.

"The mister... didn't do anything?"

"Huh? You told me yourself—you wanted to become an actress on your own strength, no shortcuts or cheating to achieve your dream."

"......"

"This is all you. I didn't do a thing."

It didn't feel like a lie. He did something, but maybe not what I thought—just gave me a chance? So... I really passed?

"Got it? Congrats again, Euna!"

He set me down with a smile. Thump. My heart started pounding wildly.

Why was this happening? From passing the audition? That was part of it, but... something else too.

I hugged him wordlessly. My heartbeat grew even louder.

Warm. Broad. Feels good...

What do I do? I don't want to let go.

He'd approached me like fate, a total stranger, listened to my worries, saved me. And that wasn't all—he helped me achieve my dream.

"Hey, Euna? Hugging too tight is a problem, you know?"

"Just... a little longer."

His embrace was so warm, he smelled good—maybe just my imagination—and above all, so comforting that even with my heart racing happily, I couldn't let go.

"Hic."

Suddenly, I felt sad. He'd given me everything, but I had nothing to give him back.

"Crying? Why?"

"I... have nothing to give the mister. I'm so grateful, but..."

"Euna."

"Yeah."

"I didn't help you expecting anything in return. I helped because I wanted to. No strings attached."

"Mister..."

"So don't think like that. It's rude, actually. If you really want to repay me, use this chance to rise high and do for others what I did for you. Help those in trouble, lead the juniors... Got it?"

Why was this guy so purely good? With that strange power, he could've used it for evil, but instead he helped me...

"Um..."

A familiar voice suddenly. It was Senior Sua.

"I... I was kinda harsh, huh, Euna? Sorry."

She apologized sheepishly. At least she bowed at the end—not total crap.

"Th-that... I know it's weird to say, but uh, from now on... I'll h-help a l-lot, so... Ah! Not asking you to accept right away or anything..."

"It's fine."

Not empty words. Once I met the mister, it hit me—Senior Sua's behavior was all fate's design for me to meet him. If she hadn't cut me down, I'd have risen higher sooner, achieved my dream early, but lived without knowing the mister. Actually a blessing.

So I forgave her. Even shook hands so she'd believe it.

Today was truly the best day ever.

In conclusion, medetashi medetashi. Gave Euna, who hadn't been breaking through, the chance and snagged her the role. In Christopher's film, no less—one of the master directors! Plus, reformed the very Chae Sua who'd blocked her rise, making her apologize properly.

Hypnosis forever!

"Euna. They're calling you—go on."

The director's voice came, so I sent her off. Probably for the contract.

"Um..."

"Yeah?"

As I waited after sending Euna, something tapped my shoulder. I turned. It ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠was Sua. Face flushed, holding out her phone with both hands. A girlish move totally opposite her image from articles and screens.

"Y-you get it, right? I never approach guys first... but you're just so my type... Can I have your number?"

Hmm.

"I-if you don't want to, it's fine. Y-you look like you have lots of girlfriends... At least your name?"

"Girlfriend?"

Just Heena. Dahyeon? She's a 'girl' friend. Anyway, hypnosis side effect? Before hypnosis, she barely noticed me—why this sudden change?

No. If it's a side effect, I can't accept these feelings.

Not real. Unless the nonsense setup where she's hypnotized but mentally fine—which makes no sense—there's no reason to accept.

"Sorry."

"Ah..."

She deflated instantly. Her hand holding the phone dropped limply.

"Wh-when you complimented me, where was that?"

"Huh?"

"Y-you said I was pretty and a good actress earlier. You say that to girls, then reject me like this?!"

Didn't she just say no pressure if I didn't want to? More importantly, she remembered what I said.

"Okay, okay. Here. But don't message too much."

I added the condition thinking it'd be a hassle, but her face bloomed anyway. I entered my number and name; she clutched the phone like treasure.

"Thanks. Geon-woo, right? How old?"

"23."

"Oh? I'm your noona then? 25."

"Yeah..."

"Hehehe, see ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠you later~"

Sua left with light steps. I waited for Euna to finish contracting.

"Mister!!!"

Soon after, as expected, she came running with a beaming face—everything went perfectly—and we headed to the waffle shop.

"Eek, why waffles?"

"You said last time we should."

"That was just... changing the subject."

"So you hate it?"

"No!"

We had waffles with milk. Euna's face, eating happily, wouldn't stop smiling.

Who gave me this hypnosis app?

A sudden question. No effect without cause. Whoever—or whatever transcendent being—gave ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠me the app must have intent. God? Alien? Don't know. But I get the purpose: use me to help those in trouble, make the world better. If evil, they'd give it to trash criminals, fitting their vibe.

I'll use it well!

Not for me, but for those struggling.

Time flew by relentlessly. Months and years changed. Using the hotel voucher from Euna, I waited for her in a room at the far end of the 10th floor, called the royal suite level of the Empire Hotel.

"Nice, nice."

"Whoa~"

The more I scrolled, the more I clapped involuntarily. This is what hypnosis is for! Not harassing women or padding your wallet—use it for good!

Look at me! How great! Huh?

"Kukuku, kahahahahaha!!!"

"What's so funny, mister?"

Euna approached, hands behind her back. Already a global star from Heroes of the Night's success, plus ads, head-to-toe luxury.

"Nice clothes?"

"Uncomfortable. But they begged me to wear them, so on condition some profits go to Africa..."

"Ha, nice, nice."

"Mister. What's this~?"

"Wine?"

Hands behind: wine. New year, she's legal now.

"Yeah. And do you know what today is~?"

She plunked her resident registration card on the table. It revealed today's her birthday.

"My birthday."

"Oh, really?! Happy birthday!"

"Thanks, mister."

Her eyes pouring wine weren't on me—fixed on the wall clock.

The wine from Euna: rare. One sip, luxurious grape aroma hits, blissful.

"Euna, what're you looking at?"

She ignored me, counting down the clock.

"11:59:58, 11:59:59, 12:00. There, birthday passed. I'm a full adult now, even by full age."

"Ah, the adult ceremony... that's why?"

"Yes."

What? Her eyes look... dangerous.

"Euna? You okay?"

"Of course. And I've always thought about it."

"What."

"What I could do for the mister I like."

"Hey, I told you last time. Wait, like?"

Like? Oh, just friend-like, right? Don't overthink.

"Yes. Conclusion: give you my first time. Don't misunderstand. Not repayment or debt. Purely my will. I want my first with someone I like."

Right. I didn't do this expecting that. Saw her as a talented little sis wilting without blooming.

"Euna. I've never seen you that way."

"I know. You're not that kind of guy. But I'm the problem. Know what I did while filming away, thinking of you?"

"Euna?"

"I love you."

Euna lightly pressed her lips to mine.