Chapter 91
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 91
Chapter Title: A Date with Su-ah
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"Sun-hu, you look tired."
"Ah."
Morning in actress Hwang Su-ah's waiting room.
I thought I looked fine enough, but apparently not from the side.
"Sorry. I didn't sleep well last night."
I got home late yesterday and got too worked up, overexerting myself until dawn.
Then I had to head out early in the morning, so I got less than three hours of sleep.
I was okay with it, but Mom looked really worn out.
I'm worried if she'll be alright with today's shoot.
"Because of that weird thing I did yesterday... I'm sorry."
Huh? Yesterday? Weird thing?
Oh, right. When we parted yesterday, Su-ah had kissed me.
After that, the time with Mom was so intense that I'd completely forgotten about it.
Su-ah quickly rattled on, as if trying to hide her embarrassment.
"It didn't mean anything deep, so don't take it too seriously. They say kisses are just greetings among young people these days. Between you and me, isn't it at that level too? It was also to thank you for helping with manager duties. And yesterday was tough."
Does she think my sleeplessness was because of her kiss?
I'm not some pubescent kid who would lose sleep over a innocent peck like that...
...Now that I look, Su-ah seems like she hadn't slept well either.
"Then, can we do that greeting one more time?"
She was so cute that I teased her a bit.
"...Sure. It's just a greeting."
Su-ah clasped her hands tightly and closed her eyes.
Eh? She really means it?
Hmm. My conscience is pricking me.
But backing out now wouldn't be fair to a woman who mustered her courage.
*Smack.*
A cute kiss, just like the one Su-ah gave me yesterday.
Worlds apart from the melting, tongue-entwined kisses with Mom.
But plenty enough to dye Su-ah's face bright red.
...If you're that embarrassed, it makes me embarrassed too.
After a brief silence, Su-ah spoke up.
"Sun-hu, do you... have someone you're dating?"
It felt like a fresh middle school conversation.
Made me feel like a kid again.
Not that I want to go back.
"No one's I'm dating, but there's someone I like. I'm working on making it happen right now."
"I see..."
Why that expectant look?
It's not about you.
Hmm. I want to keep things as good friends with Su-ah...
Am I toying with an innocent girl?
But Su-ah's older than me. By six years, even.
Over twenty years in the industry.
With her looks, talent, and money.
No way she has zero experience with guys.
But what's with this naive reaction?
Hmm. I'm worried.
What if she falls for some bad guy?
If that's the case, better me instead.
No, no. What am I thinking?
If I can't take responsibility, I shouldn't touch.
....
But I'm curious, aren't I?
"Does Su-ah have anyone you're dating?"
"Do I seem like it?"
"If not, that's weird. How could someone like you be single? Guys wouldn't leave you alone."
Su-ah gave a small laugh and said,
"I debuted so young that my parents always managed everything. Mom's the agency president, Dad's my manager. Even after becoming an adult, they kept handling it, so I never had a chance to date."
"Ah."
"And since kissing scenes and skinship were banned from childhood, yesterday's kiss with you was my first."
"...I, see."
Su-ah bowed her head slightly, looking embarrassed.
Ugh. The guilt is no joke.
Stealing her precious first kiss like that.
No, I didn't steal it.
She did it on her own.
The one just now doesn't count as first, so it's invalid...
Invalid, right?
"Child actor days aside, they should've loosened up after adulthood. I didn't see the need to force it, so it stayed that way..."
"Ah... yeah."
"Don't overthink it. I'm not hung up on it either."
Su-ah fanned her face with her hands.
Her face had been red since earlier.
She totally seems hung up on it.
"Then I'll head out, Sun-hu. To the set."
Still time left.
Su-ah stood up quickly, as if hiding her embarrassment.
Should I say something?
I don't mean it that way.
But Su-ah looks like she might.
What if she says later, 'If you were gonna do that, why be nice'?
...Who knows if it'll come to that.
For now, there's something more pressing, so I'll put it off.
I stood up following Su-ah.
On set, I plan to apologize to actor Joo Jung-hwan, who we fought with yesterday.
Given his personality, he'd prefer a public apology in front of everyone over a private one in the waiting room.
With people watching, he'll be less likely to spout nonsense.
I don't think I was wrong, but since we'll keep running into each other, better for me to bow and smooth it over.
If words fail, I'll take a few hits—no choice.
I grabbed his collar first anyway.
To avoid harm to Mom or Su-ah, I have to yield.
Thinking that, we arrived at the set.
"Um, some of you may have heard, but since actor Joo Jung-hwan is unreachable, we can't shoot his parts today. We'll film only the scenes without him first. If you have no separate shots, feel free to head out."
No way.
No-show?
"What the hell is that guy's deal? Is the drama a joke?"
Mom vented loudly enough for others to hear.
She's genuinely pissed, and probably backing me up too.
A no-show, though.
Is this because of me?
"Not at all, so don't worry. It was like this even before you came, Sun-hu. He picked a fight with you because he's lost it."
Is that it? Still feels off.
"Su-ah sunbae."
"Ah, Ji-hye."
Ah, actress Shin Ji-hye.
Didn't see her yesterday. No shoot?
"What happened yesterday? Why isn't Jung-hwan sunbae coming?"
"Eh, just..."
"When we're already behind schedule. PD's head must hurt."
Unlike the recently struggling Hwang Su-ah, actress Shin Ji-hye is a rising young star.
With her warm image and straightforward personality, she's top pick for roles like 'plain-looking but popular heroine' (though she's far from plain).
If Hwang Su-ah is a classic beauty actress, Shin Ji-hye is definitely new-gen.
"And who's this?"
"Hello. I'm Jin Sun-hu. Manager for actress Hwang Su-ah."
Shin Ji-hye pointed at me, so I introduced myself.
"Manager?"
"...Im Shin-hye's son. I asked him to help personally."
"Ah! The one in the photo! Nice to meet you. I'm Shin Ji-hye."
Shin Ji-hye extended her hand, so we shook.
She grabbed it and shook enthusiastically.
Photo?
Did Mom show her a picture?
"You're even better in person. How old?"
"Twenty-one."
"Twenty-one? Total baby! I'm your noona, call me noona!"
"Pardon?"
Shin Ji-hye was still shaking my hand.
I couldn't pull away, just went along.
"Noona! Say Ji-hye noona."
"Ji, Ji-hye noona?"
"So cute!"
...Calling a grown man cute.
Shin Ji-hye's way brighter than I thought.
Like that one hyper kid in school.
Honestly, wanna run.
Feels like PTSD...
"Hey, wanna be my noona manager instead?"
"Pardon?"
She draped her arm over my shoulder.
Scouting offer not even three minutes in.
Should I be happy?
"Ji-hye, what are you doing? He's my Sun-hu manager."
"So what~ We're friends, sunbae~."
"Sun-hu, don't listen. Ji-hye's managers are infamous for quitting or running in under a week."
What does she make them do?
Of course, even if asked, I won't.
She's a black hole.
Being around drains my energy till I wither.
"Let's go, Sun-hu. No personal shoots, so we can head out."
"Ah, okay."
"Hit me up later~."
"G-good luck."
I greeted the waving Shin Ji-hye and left.
I followed behind Hwang Su-ah, who led the way.
Total bust today.
No shoot, no apology to Joo Jung-hwan.
Rare motivation wasted.
Tomorrow again?
Or let it fizzle out?
Ah~ annoying.
Hate dwelling, just wanna end it quick.
"...Sun-hu."
"Yes?"
In the parking lot, as we got in the car, Su-ah called seriously.
"......"
She called but said nothing.
Not looking my way. Staring at the windshield.
Seems mad.
Hmm.
"Anywhere you wanna go? Shall we stop by?"
Su-ah thought long, then said,
"...The sea. Let's go see the sea."
"The sea? Now?"
"Yes."
Still early.
Not peak season, awkward time, but for a celeb like Su-ah, this quiet time might be perfect.
"Sure. Let's go to the sea."
"Really?"
My answer surprised her; eyes wide.
"Why not? If you wanna go, we go."
I'd driven to Oido alone at night a few times.
About an hour away.
No big deal.
If fans spot Hwang Su-ah and swarm like zombies, she's light—I can scoop her up and run.
Not that it'll happen.
Even after starting the car, Su-ah stayed quiet awhile.
"Sun-hu..."
"Yes?"
"Would you... wanna manage Ji-hye?"
"Huh? Why that?"
The quiet Su-ah suddenly brought it up.
"Don't you prefer someone like Ji-hye? Hanging with me's no fun..."
I laughed.
Why think it's no fun? It's plenty fun.
Su-ah or Shin Ji-hye—not my choice anyway, but even if, I wouldn't pick Ji-hye.
Can't handle that brightness.
"Ji-hye's too bright for someone gloomy and quiet like me. As you see, I prefer low-key."
Su-ah smiled her brightest all day.
"Wow! The sea!"
At the beach, Su-ah ran toward it like a kid, thrilled.
Like a movie scene.
Would frame it as art if I could.
Ah, no need—photos work.
I quickly pulled out my smartphone and snapped.
Su-ah beaming against the sea.
Planned to delete if she hated, but she noticed, blushed, and posed for the camera.
True actress.
Every shot's a masterpiece.
Scattered families and couples on the beach, but no one minded us.
To them, we're just a normal couple.
I followed Su-ah's light steps.
Good call coming.
Su-ah's happy, and seeing the sea with her heals me too.
Gazing at the open sea widens my chest.
My worries feel trivial.
What’s Su-ah thinking, staring blankly at the sea?
Su-ah suddenly yelled at the top of her lungs toward it.
"Mom—! Dad—! Sorry—!"
Did that voice reach the horizon?
Everything about her is cinematic.
I silently wiped the tears streaming down Su-ah's cheeks.