Chapter 15
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 15
Chapter Title: The Final Performance
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Siu, thank you so much...
Uwung. Its weally okay.
After all the ups and downs, the final show wrapped up without a hitch.
I couldnt even count how many times Choi Isub repeated his thanks and apologies as he came down off the stage.
Its over safely now, so thats what matters. Your moms waiting. Hurry on.
Yes, yes! Ill apologize properly later, formally. Thank you!
With reddened eyes, Choi Isub slung his bag over his shoulder and rushed out.
Before he left, he bowed repeatedly to me, Kang Yonghwi, and the troupe members in the backstage area.
Then he hurried up to the ground level.
What a relief.
His personal situation hadnt improved yet, so maybe relief was the right word.
Still, at least the heavy guilt weighing on him from his mistake seemed a little lighter now, and that much was a relief.
I watched his retreating back as he vanished in a hurry, lost in thought.
Life throws curveballs like this sometimes.
When something more important than standing on stage as an actor comes up.
Choi Isub chose the stage.
He nearly ruined it in the end, but he didnt abandon it.
And above all, he was able to help us protect our stage.
Siu, ready to go? The fans are waiting upstairs.
My uncle spoke to me as I drifted in my thoughts.
Since it was the final performance, he added that even more fans than usual were waiting.
Ung! Lets go quick!
Pitter-patter.
I gripped my uncles outstretched hand tight and hurried up the stairs to the ground level.
For now, it was time to celebrate making it through the final show safely.
Left alone backstage, Kang Yonghwi headed to the stage.
He climbed onto the stage, lit only by low house lights, and gazed out at the dark, empty auditorium.
Empty seats.
Somehow, we pulled it off.
Even for a veteran like him whod seen it all, today had been shocking.
The moment Choi Isub forgot his lines and froze, Kang Yonghwi had sensed disaster looming.
Under normal circumstances, he wouldnt have been this anxious.
Hed dealt with worse surprises than a forgotten line on a live stage.
But today was different.
A lead actor whod just gotten bad news right before curtain, and his scene partner was a kid who was barely five.
The whole situation left Kang Yonghwis mind blank, unable to think of any way to fix it.
Yet, unlike his own panic, that five-year-old kid handled the crisis perfectly, like it was nothing.
Hes the real deal, the real deal...
Kang Yonghwi let out a small chuckle despite himself.
Even he had harbored some prejudice about Han Sius age, it seemed.
It was such a natural anxiety that calling it prejudice felt off, but today hed finally shaken it off.
The one who saved him and several actors today was that little kid.
At first, hed cast the five-year-old out of half curiosity, half sincerity.
No matter how talented, he was just five.
Getting through the run safely wouldve been a blessing.
But today, People in the Attic House survived thanks to that little kid.
Of all days, hed been paired with the rattled Choi Isub.
Thered been no words of warning before the show started.
It mightve been different with another actor.
He couldve said to push through somehow.
Or prepped them for some ad-libs.
But he couldnt bring himself to say anything to Han Siu.
He was only five, after all.
Pros have no age, sure, but no one would demand this of a five-year-old.
Yet Han Siu pulled it off alone.
More brilliantly than any veteran.
And he even made it a better scene.
He stayed in character, didnt alter the plot.
He used Choi Isubs real emotions while seamlessly leading into the next beata masterful ad-lib.
Haha, what a riot...
The more he thought about it, the funnier it got.
How many people in the audience even noticed that kid ad-libbing on this stage today?
Kang Yonghwi scanned the empty seats as he pondered.
It was a shame that only a handful of them would remember this great moment.
Those few seconds of miracle.
So many more wouldve gasped if they knew.
The thrill of discovering this genius made him want to shout, but Kang Yonghwi just gave a quiet, hollow laugh.
But that person earlier... could it be...?
Kang Yonghwi stared at a seat in the center block, second aisle back.
Empty now.
But earlier, someone had been sitting there...
No matter how he thought about it, it was weird.
Someone who had no business being there had caught his eye.
Smiling quietly, watching Han Siu on stage.
Our Emergency Iron 777s twinkling star, dashing across this vast stage on those short legs.
The dark theater.
Hed been in the back corner, hat pulled low over his face, but Kang Yonghwi recognized him.
And doubted his own eyes.
Nah, no way.
Why would that person come to a little theater like this?
The question faded as another arose.
Did that person catch Han Sius ad-lib just now?
At that thought, Kang Yonghwis lips curved into a long smile.
If he did, what would he think?
A killer curiosity bubbled up.
Uh, yeah. I saw it too. Yeah. Glad it ended well. Nah, its fine. Wasnt a big deal. ...Isub. If you keep apologizing like that, Ill feel bad. Weve been through years together, right? Yeah. Lets talk face-to-face next time. Go take care of your mom. Yeah, got it. Uh-huh.
Kim Sangcheol hung up with Choi Isub and gazed out the window.
Hed watched the final performance too.
Hed heard about Choi Isubs bad news from Kang Yonghwi after the show.
Choi Isub had called him just now, probably feeling bad about rushing off without saying goodbye in the office.
He was on his way to the hospital where his mom was in surgery, having grabbed a cab in a hurry.
Since thered been no issue with the show, Kim Sangcheol comforted the distraught man and ended the call.
Phew... What a relief, though.
Kim Sangcheol sat in the prime spot on the office sofa, tapping the armrest.
He wanted to summon Han Siu right then and ask what the heck hed been thinking.
Hed seen People in the Attic House from the scripting stage and watched rehearsals countless times, so he knew todays line from Han Siu was an ad-lib.
And it was hilariously perfect, exquisitely so.
No way those lines came from a five-year-olds head, so Kim Sangcheol quickly pulled out his phone and called Kang Yonghwi.
...What?! That wasnt from the heads-up you gave him?
Of course not, hyung. You think Id feed lines to a five-year-old on the spot and tell him to ad-lib? Im not that crazy.
You sure about that? Kim Sangcheol shot him a look, then refocused.
Hold on. So youre saying that was really Siu coming up with it on his own?
Thats right. Nailed it, didnt he?
Yeah... But does that even make sense?! Hes really five?
You saw the family register. Forgot already?
Im about to forget I even saw it. Too shocked.
Kim Sangcheol stuck out his tongue and shook his head.
Come on, hes five. Five! I naturally assumed you at least gave him a tip, but even thats not it?
Kang Yonghwi nodded calmly at the double-check.
Sius a natural. I didnt tell him a thing in advance. When Choi Isub blanked, my mind went white too. I was like, what do we do?
Whoa...
Seeing Kang Yonghwi admit it so candidly made Kim Sangcheols jaw drop.
I hear crazy a lot, but no ideas came at all. Without Siu today, we were done fordone! That scenes too crucial.
Man, heh, man...
Lost for words, Kim Sangcheol crossed his arms and let out empty laughs at the ceiling.
Anyway, get it now? I told you, that kids a genius.
Got it, got it! Out!
What? Not coming? Everyones hyped for beef on your card tonight.
Only then do I get called theater owner. Fine. Ill come soon. Take the kids ahead.
Kang Yonghwis eyes flashed as he stared at Kim Sangcheol.
Hey! If you go ahead, go ahead.
Nah, give me the card first. The-a-ter Own-er.
You little punk...
Finally, Kang Yonghwi took the black card from Kim Sangcheol and left.
Hey! Skimp on the spending today, and youre dead!
Yehey.
Kim Sangcheol yelled at Kang Yonghwis back as he left the office, then sank deep into the sofa with a heavy sigh.
Bickering with him always drained him.
Alone now, Kim Sangcheol thought back to Han Siu and his parents, whom hed met here.
What if Id let that kid slip away by mistake back then?
A chill ran through him; he hugged his arms and shuddered.
Just thinking about it was horrifying.
That exquisite ad-lib.
Like Kang Yonghwi said, natural-born was the only explanation.
And that wasnt all.
Han Sius contribution was undeniable in making this play such a hit.
Cant just let him be.
Innate star quality.
Skills and reflexes unbelievable for his age.
With decades in the industry as an actor manager, Kim Sangcheols gut screamed it.
Han Siu couldnt be left as is.
He could soar higher than anyone, or face a bleaker future than any actor.
Kim Sangcheol pondered what was best for Han Siuwhat he could do for the boy.
Knock knock.
Thats when it happened.
As Kim Sangcheol lay there catching his breath, a polite knock sounded.
Uh, yeah! Come in!
Hello.
Whoa, look who it is. Never thought youd grace this humble office. Haha! Come in, come in.
The very person whod kept Kim Sangcheol from rushing to the grill house showed up.
His lips curved sky-high in welcome, refusing to come down.
Kyaaah.
So cute!
The moment we stepped out the theaters back door that my uncle opened, a massive cheer erupted.
I stood before them with a pleased smile.
Pitter-patter.
Hewwo. Im Han Siu.
Kyaaah!
This was my routine whenever I left these days.
Greet the fans waiting for me.
Normally, Id exit the back door, say hi, take some gifts, soak up the cuteness compliments, and sometimes let them hug me if I felt like it... But!
Today was different.
It was the final performance, after all.
Fans who came to see Han Siu with his face out, not the Golden Mask.
Wondering if there should be a special event, Mom gave a great idea.
Take pics with the sisters today!
Siu... Oh my god.
Kyaa! Yayyy!
I had some skill at posing for photos.
I flashed a bright smile at the shrieking fans.
Hm?
One of the sister fans was waving something Id never seen before.
Sister. Whats that...?
A black paper about five palm-sized, with fluorescent yellow writing: Han Siu .
How could my eyes not lock on it!
Its a placard. I made it myself to cheer for you!
Wooow... Weally?
A placard.
What a wonderful thing.
My first piece bearing my name, my face.
I couldnt tear my eyes from it, like it symbolized that.
That bizarre fluorescent color felt so beautiful.
Here. For you, Siu.
Huh? But you made it. Can I have it?
Yup. Brought it just for you.
Such a gracious fan.
I clutched the placard she handed me with both hands.
Lets take a pic with it!
Yeah, yeah! Aww, so cute. Siu, can sister hug you?
Uwung!
After a gift like that, why not.
She scooped me up high.
One, two!
My uncle, todays impromptu photographer, snapped us.
The placard sister took her phone back with a dreamy expression.
Sister, Ill twesure this fowevew.
S-Siu. Really? Ohhh.
Tears of joy welled in her eyes as she stepped aside.
Then the next fan.
And the next.
I took photos one by one with the dozen or so fans.
They all beamed with flushed, satisfied faces.
Siu, sisterll come see your next show too!
Uwung! Pwomise!
Whoosh whoosh.
The last fan gripped my little hand so hard in a shake that it whooshed.
I grinned wide despite my arm nearly coming off.
Shed even come to my next show!
What a gem.
Wook forward to my next wowk too!
At my final line, a few fans nodded through tears.
Guess Id better prep a new show soon.