Chapter 49: Actress Yoo Young-eun (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 49: Actress Yoo Young-eun (2)
"Usan University... it’s one of the top universities in the country. I never imagined the photographer who rejected me would be a student here."
Young-eun spoke as she sipped her coffee.
We were at a small cafe located right next to the student cafeteria. I was sitting at the same table as Young-eun, both of us with drinks in hand.
I had an Americano; Young-eun had a caramel macchiato.
That thing must be loaded with calories.
Shouldn't an actress be managing her physique?
A single cup of that sickly sweet macchiato—dripping with caramel, sugar, and a mountain of whipped cream—clocks in at about 400 calories.
That tiny cup was a staggering 400 calories.
To burn off those 400 calories, a woman weighing 54 kilograms would have to run for a full hour. Not to mention the carbohydrates and fats...
Ah, get a grip.
That’s not the issue right now.
I looked around the nearly empty cafe. Usually, this place would be swarming with students heading to class, but now it was deserted. Every other student was huddled outside the door, busy staring at Young-eun sitting across from me.
"Isn't that Yoo Young-eun? I heard she hasn't been to school in ages. What's she doing here?"
"Who's the guy sitting with her? Is he her boyfriend?"
"Wait, isn't that the guy from the Computer Engineering department?"
The whispers and murmurs from outside the door tickled my ears.
This kind of attention... I didn't like it.
How did it come to this?
I had been "kidnapped" by Yoo Young-eun on my way to the lecture hall.
The reason for the kidnapping?
'Shall we finish the conversation we started yesterday? It’s fate that we ran into each other like this.'
'Let’s have a cup of coffee. My treat.'
Coffee at this hour? When class starts in a few minutes?
'If you refuse, I’ll make sure you pay back the rudeness of rejecting me yesterday—with interest. So, follow me.'
I couldn't believe she was still hung up on being rejected.
Ah, I shouldn't have gotten in. I thought it would be more comfortable to go by car, but getting in was a mistake.
Damn it.
"People are taking pictures. You're a celebrity; you should think about your public image and the eyes around you."
"So what? I can just say it’s not true. Besides, I can overcome any image issues with my acting skills."
You might be able to ignore it, but I’m just an ordinary person.
I swallowed those words.
"I thought you’d be a photography major, but I guess not. Computer Engineering? You don't really look the part."
"And what exactly is a Computer Engineering major supposed to look like?"
"You know, like the ones you see on the internet. Flannel shirts and horn-rimmed glasses."
She mimicked the shape of glasses with her fingers.
"It’s not like that."
"Really? That’s how they describe them on TV and the internet, so I thought everyone in Computer Engineering dressed like that."
"What brings you here, anyway?"
I hurried to change the subject.
"Didn't you know? I attend this school."
I didn't.
"I guess you really don't watch TV."
She then took a nonchalant sip of her coffee.
Slurp.
"So, have you given it any thought? I don't think it's a bad deal."
She was using polite speech, but her tone was brimming with confidence and arrogance. She was certain that I would eventually accept her offer.
"I told you. My skills are lacking..."
"I believe I’m the one who should judge whether your skills are lacking or not. Is it the money? Or do you need other conditions met? Should I buy you more equipment?"
If I keep refusing even the best terms in the industry, won't she start wondering if there's another reason?
I thought I had clearly rejected her.
Apparently, it didn't register that way with this woman. She was already prepared to make an even bigger offer, assuming her previous terms weren't enough.
Should I just say it?
That working with her would be exhausting because of her personality?
That I don't think I can handle her prickly, prideful nature?
The words were right on the tip of my tongue.
"I'm sorry. I don't think it's going to work out."
I expressed my refusal again today.
Then.
"You're playing hard to get. Double. I'll give you double the amount I first suggested. I’m the type who rewards those with proven talent properly."
Double the industry's best.
It was an offer that would be strange not to be tempted by.
"Wouldn't that be unprofitable for you?"
"I don't care. These are photos I’m taking to capture my most beautiful moments and show them to others anyway."
"..."
"And if it’s a photo of me taken by you, I’m confident it will sell no matter what."
This woman’s confidence was incredible. Is this what they call "chaebol energy"?
"..."
"Tempting, isn't it? No matter how much you play the humble card, an offer like this..."
"I'm sorry."
To be honest, I was 90% of the way there. For a moment, the astronomical amount of money really did tempt me.
However.
It wasn't a matter of money. The problem was that I would be under extreme stress. My gut instinct was screaming that I’d get dragged into something incredibly bothersome.
"Ha... Another rejection? Is even this not enough? Then triple—"
"It’s not a matter of money."
"What?"
"I said, it’s not about the money."
She looked stunned. Her expression suggested she couldn't properly process my words, as if she were hearing a combination of terms that had never existed in her world before.
"Not... about the money?"
"Yes."
"Then what is the problem?"
"The problem is your personality, Ms. Young-eun."
I had debated whether or not to say this. But considering how she would likely keep pestering me in the future, I figured it was better to just be blunt.
"My personality is the problem? What’s wrong with it?"
"Are you really asking because you don't know?"
"I have no idea. In all my life, I’ve never heard anyone say there’s a problem with my personality."
Ah.
That answer explained exactly why this woman was so arbitrary and self-centered.
Of course. There was probably no one around her to keep that personality in check.
Fine. To solve a problem, one must first know what the problem is.
"I can't work with someone as rude as you."
"W-what did you just say?"
"That’s all I have to say."
Even so, I had no intention of acting as her tutor. I stood up from my seat.
If I said this much, she probably wouldn't approach me again.
However.
"Wait a minute. Did you just call me rude? Just now?"
"Yes, and very much so. Even now, aren't you forcibly holding back someone who’s trying to leave?"
"..."
"I’ve said my piece, so I’ll be going."
I gave a slight nod and walked out of the cafe.
Ah, I almost forgot. I went back in, grabbed the Americano I’d left behind, and walked out again.
I could feel Young-eun glaring at me with gritted teeth, but I made a conscious effort to ignore her.
More than her, though...
"Did Yoo Young-eun just get dumped?"
"It looks like... a lovers' quarrel?"
"What is going on?"
I was more afraid of these rumors that seemed destined to spread. Today was turning out to be a horribly unlucky day.
*
"What is the meaning of this?"
When I finally made it to the lecture hall, Shin So-eun was glaring at me with her arms crossed. My dear classmate, who always shows up just when I’m about to forget her. She had a fire in her eyes.
"What is it?"
I was already exhausted from dealing with Yoo Young-eun. I had hoped to relax until the professor arrived, but this woman wasn't going to give me the chance.
"Are you close with the actress Yoo Young-eun?"
"What does that have to do with you, Shin So-eun?"
"W-what?"
I didn't care about her glare. Perhaps it was because I had just finished dealing with Yoo Young-eun, but Shin So-eun’s hysterics seemed almost cute.
Not "cute" in a romantic sense. I mean it didn't bother me at all.
"T-that’s..."
"If you have nothing else to say, please move. I want to get some sleep."
After finishing my sentence, I slumped onto my desk.
"Unbelievable!"
I heard Shin So-eun let out a scoff of disbelief before stomping away. Honestly, I never thought I’d be able to talk to her like that.
The trait effect is amazing.
[Gym Rat's Audacity: Rank (A)]
I really lucked out getting this one. It’s all thanks to Miju. It was an ability I gained after spending the night with her.
Thinking about it reminded me of Miju.
-[Miju]: Oppa, did you wake up okay?
-[Miju]: I’m sad because I don't have classes today. I won't get to see you.
I read the text she sent along with a crying puppy emoji.
-[Miju]: Should I go and audit your class right now?
-[Jae-ho]: Don't come. You should rest when you can. You said you have assignments, too.
-[Miju]: I do, but I still want to see you ♥♥♥.
What kind of relationship do we have?
We haven't officially confessed to each other. But we’ve already spent the night together and shared our bodies. It wasn't even under hypnosis.
A couple... right?
Since I hadn't heard a definitive answer, it was hard to define.
Just as I was replying to Miju saying I was about to start class...
Tap, tap.
Someone tapped the shoulder of my slumped body.
"Senior."
It was Ye-seul. With her bobbed hair that barely brushed her shoulders, she had tapped me.
"Oh, Ye-seul. What’s up?"
"Senior, is it true you were with Young-eun earlier?"
"Ah, yeah."
"It’s because of that, right?"
Ye-seul asked in a lowered voice, glancing at our surroundings.
"It’s because of my profile picture, isn't it?"
"Yeah. She said it was shot so well that she wanted to work together."
"Wow... I knew your skills would get noticed, Senior. So, did you decide to do it?"
"The job?"
"Yes!"
Ye-seul asked with sparkling eyes, clearly harboring admiration for her industry senior—and a famous actress at that.
"No. I told her I couldn't do it."
"Why?"
"Just... our personalities didn't really mesh."
Only then did Ye-seul nod as if she understood.
"I did hear that Young-eun has a bit of a strong personality. I guess it didn't sit well with you, Senior."
"A bit strong," huh? Rumors always tend to get distorted. I didn't feel the need to ruin her image of a senior she admired.
"Something like that. I guess, 'a bit'?"
...was what I was saying when.
Ding!
[Recruit Level 7 Yoo Young-eun as an Official Member.]
[Success Reward – Special Random Trait (B~S)]
[Failure Penalty – A random current member will terminate their contract.]
What the hell is this now?