Chapter 99
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 99
Chapter Title: Celebration Party
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"Sun-hu, head home with your mom today."
"Huh? What about you, Sua?"
"I've always driven myself before you started chauffeuring me around. I can get back on my own."
I gratefully accepted Sua's thoughtfulness.
Today, I'd clocked in as Sua's manager and clocked out as an actor.
On the way home.
I rode in Mom's car.
Mom and I sat side by side in the back seat.
At the wheel was the familiar face who'd been Mom's manager for years.
"My goodness. The day Sun-hu joins our agency as an actor has finally come. I had no idea you were such a natural performer. You really caught me off guard."
"Looking forward to working with you, Manager Sister."
Come to think of it, Mom's manager was with J-Up too.
It felt surreal to be coworkers with her now.
"You should've seen his audition. He was incredible."
"Got it, got it. That makes twelve times you've said that."
Mom had apparently been bragging nonstop, and Manager Sister laughed like she was worn out from it.
"Sun-hu, you did great today. Get some rest, even if it's just closing your eyes for a bit."
"Yeah......"
I wanted to chat with Mom on the way, but I didn't have the energy.
With the tension from the whole day finally easing up, drowsiness hit me like a wave.
From the surprise audition to signing the contract and shooting my scenes.
It had been a whirlwind of a day.
"Mom......"
I leaned on her shoulder and closed my eyes.
Her scent calmed my heart.
I fell asleep in no time.
"Take care, Manager Sister."
"See you, Shin-hye Sister. Sun-hu, tomorrow."
After Manager Sister dropped us off at home, Mom and I took the elevator up alone.
I held Mom's hand and casually suggested,
"Mom, can we celebrate after the party ends?"
"......No. So-young and Mi-so are both home."
Mom didn't seem opposed, but with Noona and Mi-so around, it might be tricky.
Heading to a hotel alone with just the two of us in the middle of the night without an excuse would look suspicious.
What to do.
Hmm.
As we opened the front door, fireworks exploded right in front of us.
Bang! Boom!
They were the small kind you set off on birthdays.
"Oppa! Congrats on your acting debut!"
"Mi-so...... you......"
I was speechless at the sight of Mi-so.
She was dressed as a bunny girl.
Her shoulders and collarbone fully exposed, her ample chest especially highlighted.
Complete with a high-cut leotard and fishnet stockings.
If Noona wasn't glaring daggers from the side, I might've pounced right then.
"It's not like you won an award. You're just debuting—why the fuss?"
"Unnie! Landing the lead role right out of the gate is huge! It's like a rookie golfer scoring a hole-in-one on their first swing!"
I didn't think it was that big a deal.
"Anyway, that outfit."
"Oh my. How cute."
Mom was surprised by Mi-so's getup too, but that was her only reaction.
Cute?
Isn't it too sexy?
"Doesn't it look great? I wore it to celebrate for Oppa!"
Mi-so struck a pose, raising one arm.
Her underarm was fully visible. So was the side of her breast.
"Just walk around naked then. Go on, naked."
"It's home—what's the big deal?"
Noona's response was the most normal one.
She shot me a dirty look for stealing glances at Mi-so.
"Hey, Jin Sun-hu. Staring too much?"
Noona poked my side threateningly.
No, but, come on.
Any guy would be drawn to that.
"Oppa, I got cake and champagne. Eat up and crash."
"Yeah. Thanks."
Mi-so hooked her arm through mine and led me to the dining table.
A small whipped cream cake, champagne, and four glasses sat there.
"Then, to Sun-hu's successful debut—cheers!"
"Cheers!"
Clink.
The four glasses met at Mom's lead.
"Thank you."
......It almost brought tears to my eyes.
This was pretty much the first time anyone had thrown a celebration for me.
I was thrilled.
Lately, Noona's wins felt routine,
Mi-so's rising fame felt expected,
and Mom went without saying.
So there hadn't been much to celebrate lately.
Everyone was busy too.
Being together as a family like this after so long, celebrating and being celebrated—it was pure joy.
"Hey, Jin Sun-hu. How old are you and you still can't drink?"
"No...... I just, y'know."
Noona teased me as I set down my glass after just the toast.
I didn't like alcohol much.
Bad memories of my biological dad reeking of booze while hitting me.
Plus, I worried what might come out if I got drunk.
I had no appetite for it.
"Come on, you're in the real world now. You can't dodge drinks forever. You'll have to drink on the job eventually. Better not screw up outside—practice at home first. Know your limits."
"Noona's right, Sun-hu. You need to know how much it takes to get you buzzed."
"Yeah......"
They had a point.
I couldn't refuse every time.
Especially if a senior like Actor Kang Chang-jae offered.
Better to learn my tolerance now than mess up then.
"Alright...... just one glass."
The champagne was 14% ABV.
No clue if that's high or low.
I took a sip.
It felt like sweet carbonated soda.
"See? Not bad, right?"
"Yeah...... Seems fine."
No different from soda.
I downed the whole glass.
Gulp gulp.
"Ooh, knocking it back like a pro? Here, pour your noona a drink too."
"Huh? Oh, sure."
Noona, sitting across from me, filled my glass, and I filled hers.
Clink.
"Congrats, Jin Sun-hu."
"......Thanks, Noona."
Her gruff words touched me deeply.
I was happy.
I got why people drink during celebrations.
"Oppa! Fill mine too."
"Oh? Yeah."
Mi-so, next to me, topped off my glass.
"Mi-so, don't overdo it."
"Why? I'm an adult now. Gotta learn to drink."
Mom scolded, but it bounced right off Mi-so.
"Yeah, don't go chasing weird guys when you're wasted. Figure out your limit too."
"I don't chase. Speaking from experience, Unnie?"
"Hey."
It was a warm, feel-good drinking session.
My heart felt cozy.
"Sun-hu, pour for Mom too?"
"Sure."
Mi-so and I emptied our glasses, then it was Mom's turn.
As I filled hers and mine, the champagne bottle ran dry.
"You worked so hard today, did amazing, and I'm so proud."
"Thank you, Senior."
I bowed my head, and Mom looked like she might cry.
Then we emptied our glasses together.
How many was that? Four?
"How's it feel? Buzzed?"
Noona asked.
I tilted my head.
"Not sure. Do I look drunk to you, Noona?"
"You seem fine on the outside. Low alcohol content maybe?"
With that, Noona stood up.
Surprisingly, it didn't faze me much.
Maybe I wasn't buzzed yet.
Should I drink more?
"Oppa, how do I look today? Pretty?"
Mi-so pressed her chest against my arm as she asked.
"Yeah. Pretty. You're pretty every day, but extra pretty today."
Huh?
Am I acting weird?
Am I drunk now?
"Say it more. That I'm pretty."
"Pretty. Mi-so's pretty. So pretty."
Mi-so clung to my arm happily, resting her head on me.
Like a cat high on catnip.
Mom watched us with a fond smile.
"Here."
Noona returned.
And set a wooden case on the table.
"What's this? Valentine's?"
"What else? Booze."
"Fancy liquor? Isn't it expensive?"
"It's a gift—free."
Noona boldly ripped open the box and uncorked the bottle.
Mom watched with a worried look.
"So-young, nothing too strong. The kids'll get wasted."
"They're drinking to get buzzed. If Sun-hu causes a scene, I'll put him to bed. Don't worry."
How exactly?
Sing him a lullaby?
Not knock him out physically, right?
"Glasses out."
Should I?
I glanced at Mom.
"Just one glass."
"Got it. One glass."
With Mom's okay, Noona poured the liquor into our champagne flutes.
"......So-young."
"Noona, isn't that too much?"
Noona filled my flute nearly halfway.
In movies, they poured a splash with ice.
"What? Can't handle my pour?"
"No, I'll gladly drink."
"Me too!"
"Fine, you too. Mom, have one."
Noona filled all four glasses evenly.
"A bit left? Might as well finish it."
She shook out the rest.
The glasses were brimming.
"Noona, this seems dangerous."
"Hmm."
Noona sniffed her full glass and grimaced.
"You first, demo it."
"......"
No one sells poison.
I touched it to my lips.
Bitter.
Nothing like champagne.
"Down it."
Prodded by Noona, I took a gulp.
"Ugh! So bitter!"
This must be what a burning throat feels like.
How do people drink this?
Noona cackled at my scrunched face.
I felt annoyed.
"You try it, Noona. Bet it's the same for you."
"Hmph."
Noona swigged confidently, but her face twisted right away.
"Blech. What is this? Spoiled?"
"Huh? Tastes fine to me."
Mi-so took a sip too.
Surprisingly unfazed.
"Mom?"
"Mom's fine. Adult here."
Mom elegantly tilted her glass.
Gulp.
A true actress.
Even drinking was picturesque.
"Whew. Still pretty strong."
She sighed, touching her flushed cheek.
Even her breathing was sexy.
That's my mom.
"Unnie can't handle it? You're weak for booze?"
Mi-so giggled, provoking Noona.
But Mi-so looked pretty tipsy to me.
"Hmph."
Noona chugged a big swig like it was nothing.
Couldn't hide the grimace though.
"Hey, Jin Sun-hu. Your turn."
"Huh?"
"Drink."
Oh. Right.
Gulp.
"Ow! It's harsh!"
Noona laughed at me.
I'm feeling it now.
Huh?
Why's Noona doubling?
"Oppa, cheers."
Mi-so clinked my glass.
Oh. Drink.
Gulp.
"Sun-hu, cheers with Mom too."
"Yeah. Cheers, Mom."
Gulp.
"Hey, Jin Sun-hu. Forgetting someone?"
"Oh. Cheers, Noona."
Gulp.
......30 minutes later.
Four drunken louts were complete.