Chapter 79
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 79
Chapter Title: Back in London
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Huh? Whats going on? Whys the atmosphere so weird?
Ah, Jessica, actually
Jessica picked up on the unusual vibe the moment she walked in and turned to her closest aide, Joey Su.
I quickly shook my head at Joey Su, who was about to answer right away.
Hm?
Ah, ah no. Siu just got here, and we were about to introduce him to everyone. Right?
My vigorous head-shaking behind Jessicas back paid off.
Joey Su shifted his gaze to the actors and smoothly passed the buck.
The actors chuckled and played along.
Mm, yeah.
Yeah, yeah, thats right. Gordon?
A few mischief-makers even deliberately directed their comments at Gordon.
But in the end, Gordon never opened his mouth.
Serves you right for picking a fight. Go ahead and try.
I flashed a bright smile and turned to Jessica.
It was the best way to divert her suspicious gaze from the actors.
Jessica, its been so long. Weve only ever talked on the phone.
Youre right, Siu! I missed you so much. No matter if it was Japan or America, no one compares to you.
As expected.
Jessicas attention shifted right away at my words.
The British troupe members let out surprised noises at the sight of her bending down slightly to match my height.
I missed you too. Glad to see you looking healthy.
You too. I feel bad asking you to fill in right after your drama wrapped.
Its fine. I was just looking around for my next project anyway.
Kim Sangcheol had suggested taking a break, but honestly, since I was resting anyway, Id been thinking about gracing the Emergency Iron 777 stage again after a while.
Of course, I hadnt mentioned this to anyone.
If I had, Mom wouldve spent the days before our trip force-feeding me health tonics.
Jessica placed a hand on her chest and gazed up at the rehearsal room ceiling at my mention of a next project.
Oh my. Looks like the goddess of luck is smiling on me again. Honestly, Im thrilled to have you here more than anything. I even want to take you to America and put you on stage there.
Hope you make a formal offer if theres a good project later, Jessica.
I shrugged lightly, meeting her serious gaze.
Of course. Ill think about it seriously. Got it? Lucas is waiting for you too.
The actors watching us had their jaws practically dropping at Jessicas enthusiastic scouting pitch.
Haha, Jessica. We can catch up later. Dont you need to introduce me? Practice isnt over yet, right?
Oh, right. Everyone, this is Han Siu, joining our team starting today. Dont underestimate him just because hes small. Hes the talent of talents, handpicked by me, Jessica Brown.
At my words, Jessica introduced me to the troupe.
But the reaction wasnt much different from when Joey Su had done it.
Maybe because Id just shut Gordon down, he stayed quiet, but the others werent exactly rolling out the welcome mat either.
Why are they so negative?
Puzzled, I scanned the expressionless troupe members when one actor tentatively raised his hand to speak.
Jessica, even so, five years old is a bit much, isnt it? Its been less than a week since the kid who was originally playing Johnny ran off.
With so little time left, wouldnt it be better to compromise a little instead of going with someone this young?
They all seemed on edge because the previous child lead had bolted.
No wonder the mood turned so chaotic the moment I was introduced Their anxiety hadnt eased yet.
I get what youre all thinking, but you dont need to worry about that anymore. Siu is the actor I chose. He might be the only one in the whole world who meets my standards.
Even so
Hes too young.
Isnt the scale of our UK show much bigger than the Korean one?
Actors gathered in twos and threes, muttering about whether the show could even go up properly like this.
They didnt seem to be sneering like Gordon, but their distrustful stares pierced right through me anyway.
If were just talking scale, the Korean show doesnt lose to this one at all.
That aside this isnt good.
At this rate, even a workable rehearsal wont happen.
I didnt like that Jessica was having to explain herself because of me either.
If Im the lead, I should act like it.
I took a step forward and addressed the troupe.
So, if I prove it right now, thatd be fine?
What?
Right now?
My bold statement caused a stir among the actors.
The eyes that had been looking at me with suspicion shifted slightly.
Glimmers of expectation, thinking someone this confident must have something special.
Of course. Its not a big deal.
I nodded calmly under the barrage of stares.
Jessica immediately stepped in front of me.
Hey, Siu. I appreciate you thinking of me, but its okay. You just flew twelve hours straight here, right? Lets show them what youve got tomorrow.
But will it really be okay?
Of course. Theyve waited a week for you. They can hold out one more day, right? Youre all adults over twenty.
A few bit their lips at Jessicas provocative words.
Even if were a team, is it okay to come down that hard?
I wasnt one to talk, having buttered up Gordons mouth before Jessica arrived, but team unity was starting to worry me.
I glanced worriedly at Joey Su, who grinned back as if to say it was fine.
Well, Brits are pretty chill.
I nodded, saying I understood.
Seeing this, Jessica shouted to the troupe.
Youll have nothing to worry about tomorrow, so lets all hold tight. Siu must be tired, so Ill send him off now. Well see for ourselves in the rehearsal room tomorrow, right?
Jessicas unwavering trust in me from start to finish.
The troupe members looked a bit flustered at the sight.
Those whod protested the strongest exchanged glances before finally speaking up.
Got it.
If Jessicas going that far
Jessicas charisma worked even in distant England, it seemed.
They might doubt my kid self, but they listened to her to some extent.
Then shall we get back to practice?
With Jessicas booming voice behind me, I left the rehearsal room with Joey Su.
But they all seem really surprised by Jessica?
Wed been practicing together until now, yet the troupe kept staring at her in astonishment.
Joey Su shook his head right away at my words.
No, theyre actually surprised by Jessica when shes with you.
Huh?
What did that mean?
He laughed at my baffled expression and explained.
Come on, didnt you notice? Jessicas vibe changes a lot depending on whether youre around.
Oh really?
Is that so?
What was Jessica like when I wasnt there?
I wondered briefly, but Joey Su laughed at my puzzled face.
Haha, of course you wouldnt have seen Jessica without you around. Anyway, they just need time to adjust. Alright, lets head back?
Yeah, sounds good.
I didnt quite get it, but if Joey Su said so, it must be true.
I decided not to dwell on it.
Just then, Joey Su opened the car door, and I slipped inside.
I hadnt noticed until now, but the fatigue from the long flight hit me all at once.
In Joey Sus car on the way to the hotel, I dozed off.
Im back.
I greeted Uncle, who was staying next door, and entered the room I shared with Mom.
Using the card key Uncle had given me, I stepped inside to find Mom in the bathroom washing up.
I took off my jacket and headed to the wide-open window.
Standing before the floor-to-ceiling glass, I took in the darkened London cityscape.
Between meeting the UK show team and chatting with Joey Su, this was my first calm chance to look around England.
My homeland, England.
I hadnt expected to return so soon.
It was quite different from Seoul.
Unlike Seouls tall, slender skyscrapers, the buildings here were modestly low with elegant, old-fashioned designs.
Glowing neon signs wrapped around them.
Staring down at the sight felt strangely unfamiliar.
The London I knew wasnt this bright and dazzling.
The massive Big Ben and, astonishingly, Tower Bridge spanning the Thames River.
They were landmarks that had popped up when Id searched recent famous UK sights before the flight.
Back when I lived here, none of those existed.
Id truly become a tourist from Korea.
Every glance revealed unfamiliar, wondrous corners of England
At this point, Seoul felt more familiar than London.
It had already been six years since I started living in Seoul.
The daily TV scenes were Korean, and my commute was there too, so of course it felt familiar.
Seoul had become home, but my memories of England clashed too much with the current reality.
Maybe the outskirts still held scenes from my memory?
As the capital, London had almost none left.
Four hundred years had passed, after all.
Amazing.
In just a month, Id be showing my acting here.
Not with the Oscar Theater Troupe or at Oscar Pitts theater, but still.
Since it was a show prepared by my reliable friend Jessica, Londoners would surely love it.
On top of filming a variety show in England, now I was performing here too.
Was there such a thing as fate?
It felt like England was pulling me back.
A wondrous, subtle feeling.
Whatre you looking at, Siu?
Oooh, the citys all sparkly and pretty.
Yeah? Hows it in person? You searched tons online. Recognize any buildings from the photos?
Nope. Not a single one.
Huh? Really?
Mom tilted her head, surprised by my firm answer.
But it couldnt be helped.
The streets I remembered were gone everywhere.
Wanna take some photos to show Dad?
Yeah! Lets do it!
I excitedly headed to the suitcase at Moms words.
Inside were the camcorder and big camera Moon Heesung had lent me for the England trip.
Id intensively learned how to use them just days before leaving.
I hung the camera around my neck, removed the lens cap, and dashed to Moms side by the window.
Practice would keep me busy starting tomorrow, so wed decided to snap photos whenever we had a moment.
Its not too heavy for you, Siu?
Mom had worried ever since I first borrowed the camera that it was too expensive and I might break it.
My hands are still small, Mom, but Ive got the knack.
I gripped the camera firmly and clicked away at the view outside.
Big Ben filling my eyes for the first time, spots all over Englands streets.
Look at this!
You took some great shots, Siu.
Mom filmed me doing it all with the camcorder from the side.
From the moment I borrowed it from Moon Heesung, shed held it nostalgically without letting go, and it was the same here in England.
This ones for Dad, Uncle Heesung, the theater owner oh, and Director Kang too.
The long-missed English scenery.
I eagerly captured it all to share with my precious people now.
Before I knew it, Id started missing them.