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In a quiet meeting room filled with numerous people, everyone seemed to be holding their breath.

“Secretary Choi.”

Nam Han-kyung’s low voice echoed.

“Yes, Young Master.”

A senior actor responded.

“Did I do something wrong, our Secretary Choi?”

Nam Han-kyung’s voice rang out again.

“…No, Young Master.”

“Then why is this happening?”

It was just an ordinary question, but the tone was chilling. I nodded to myself softly, feeling impressed.

Hmmm… not bad.

It was hard to believe this was the same person who had been trembling with nerves earlier.

“I will do my best.”

“Good, that’s how it should be.”

Even stating the lines felt filled with pressure.

It looked like they didn’t dub the main villain of the drama for nothing.

And sitting right next to him made it clearer.

Having already finished my part as Sera earlier, I listened to the script reading with a slightly more relaxed mind.

“But why are you struggling, huh? Get it together.”

Oh.

His voice growled with a raspy edge that sent chills down my spine.

The more I listened, the more I realized his voice was genuinely good.

He could have made it big as a virtual YouTuber.

In an instant, I recalled the male virtual YouTubers I saw at The Six studio who were set to debut.

I wonder if they’ve debuted by now?

Well, since I haven’t heard any news, it’s likely they haven’t.

As I was comparing the voices from that day with Nam Han-kyung’s in my mind…

Crinkle.

“Senior, that’s not what I meant…”

I must have spaced out for a while because soon enough, the page turned, and I heard the voice of the female lead, Han Ye-eun.

Uh, hmm.

I think I was in the next scene?

I hurriedly glanced at the script, and indeed, it was only a few lines ahead of my lines.

“Phew….”

I almost made a mistake among all these people.

Thinking I couldn’t let my guard down, I reviewed the script.

**

“Okay, let’s take a break here for a moment.”

After the first reading ended, we took a short break.

“Phew….”

It felt like we’d been at it for quite a while, but looking at the script, it was still less than halfway.

I wondered when we’d finish this.

Looking around, I noticed I wasn’t the only one holding my breath. The other actors seemed to be resting as well.

Moon Chang-sik caught my eye, surrounded by other actors.

…He really is a popular actor; I wonder if he can actually get any rest?

As for me, I don’t know anyone here, so nobody is coming to find me.

Having just entered the industry, I’m a complete outsider among the actors.

Now I can finally tell the viewers that I’m an outsider too, so let’s be friends.

Man, where do I get off calling myself an “insider”…

While sipping the water I received from a staff member earlier and observing my surroundings…

“Kim Soo-hyun, your vocalization was great! You enunciated clearly too.”

Nam Han-kyung, who was sitting beside me, spoke up.

“Oh, really?”

“Yes, I thought you were a former announcer.”

“Oh dear, even if you say that, I don’t get anything out of it.”

Come to think of it, Nam Han-kyung seems to also not have many familiar faces around him.

It appears he doesn’t have any close friends since he hasn’t been in the industry for long.

“How did you practice? For me, script readings are quite challenging.”

Oh man, saying it’s challenging is an understatement.

While he pretends to complain, I’ve already heard him do a great job next to me.

“I have to be the one groaning. It’s just killing me.”

Unlike Nam Han-kyung, who seemed to be feigning difficulty, I truly struggled, flopping down on the desk.

But then, I was a bit curious.

In a way, he’s been gaining attention since debut and quickly landed a leading role, so there must be some method to his success.

“Can I ask you something?”

“Yes? What is it?”

“You got cast as a lead role really quickly after your debut. Is there a secret?”

I asked out of genuine curiosity, but Nam Han-kyung looked at me oddly instead.

“I don’t think you should be the one asking that, Kim Soo-hyun.”

“Excuse me?”

“You’ve had a quicker rise than me, right? You can count the number of works you’ve filmed on one hand, can’t you?”

“Ah.”

Oh, right?

I did come up quite fast.

“Well, would you like me to share my secret?”

“Ahahaha!”

When I said it playfully, Nam Han-kyung burst into a fit of laughter.

“Is it that funny?”

I mean, I wasn’t cracking a phenomenal joke or anything, but he seemed to take great joy in it.

“No, no. I just get why you rose so fast.”

“Really? How did you figure out the secret that I don’t even know?”

As I replied with fascination, Nam Han-kyung steadied his laughter and answered.

“We’re the same.”

“Oh, really?”

“Yes, after talking, I realized we have something in common.”

He said this, then opened his phone.

While he was looking at something, he suddenly turned the screen towards me…

“What do you think? Do you understand?”

“Oh dear.”

Nam Han-kyung had his phone in selfie mode, showing my face clearly.

“Ah ha.”

“We’re both, well, here because we relied on our faces in a short time. These seniors over there are the ones with real substance.”

Umm, calling it “relying on our faces”…

It does seem fitting.

“Then what about that person?”

I pointed to Moon Chang-sik, who was now deep in conversation with the director, far exceeding mere actor status.

Is he the epitome of established actors?

He’s risen quickly and steadily, after all.

At my observation, Nam Han-kyung glanced over before lightly chuckling.

“Over there? That’s a star.”

“Ahahaha.”

“That’s on a different level. You can’t even compare.”

“Well… that’s true?”

Yeah…

I recalled how Moon Chang-sik read the script earlier.

Even just sitting and reading, he did it with such flair.

No matter how well Nam Han-kyung performed, he couldn’t compare to someone like Moon Chang-sik, who’s been honing his acting since childhood.

Seeing my acknowledging reaction, Nam Han-kyung smiled with a hint of mischief.

“Oh come on, you should at least say something nice since we’re on the same side.”

“Oh no.”

Come to think of it, we are allies.

Not only that, but he’s the villain I have to face off against in this creation while wearing the protagonist title.

It’s a fight doomed for defeat.

It’s already tough enough to lose, but shouldn’t we at least get along among ourselves?

“Next time, I’ll make sure to say something nice.”

“Well, I would appreciate that. But if possible, I’d prefer a genuine compliment over just empty words.”

He seems to be a bit cheeky now.

Earlier, he had such charisma while acting, but it seems the performance was just that.

“Alright! Everyone, please return to your seats!”

In any case, while we were chatting, the break was already over.

There’s still the second round to go; we have a long way to go.

“Well then, let’s go back to where we left off.”

With the director’s words signaling the beginning, the reading resumed.

As I listened to the other actors delivering lines, I sought out my part.

Let’s see… Sera is next.

To be honest, I don’t have an overwhelming number of lines, but with the need to appear in between, I can’t relax.

And….

“Don’t you know who I am? If you don’t, you’d better find out.”

I felt it again in this first reading, but Sera’s lines are somewhat embarrassing.

If it were action while performing, it might be acceptable, but reading these arrogant lines while sitting pulls down my mental state.

“Those who can’t live like this…”

The other actors seem to do alright, but Sera’s lines especially feel this way.

I don’t know how it’ll all come together for filming, but right now, just reading the lines feels a bit cringe.

Attempting to hide my face’s slight flush, I read the lines.

Still, I have to put in the effort.

There’s a long way ahead.

**

As the bright view outside turned dark,

“Thank you all for your hard work!”

With those words from the director, the lengthy script reading finally came to a close.

“Now, let’s go!”

“Let’s go eat!”

It wasn’t just me who found it tough; the other actors rose energetically from their seats.

Yeah, everyone worked really hard.

It’s quite tough sitting and only listening during the reading without doing anything else.

“Let’s go as well.”

Just then, Nam Han-kyung, who had been sitting next to me all day, spoke up first as he stood.

“Oh, sure.”

I wasn’t too keen on the gathering, but I can’t skip it either.

“The barbecue restaurant for the gathering is a bit far, and you don’t have a car, right? How about I give you a ride?”

“Uh? Is that alright?”

“Of course! We got close today, so I’ll take you.”

As we chatted while moving to leave…

“How was the script reading?”

Before I knew it, Moon Chang-sik approached me.

“Oh, it was tough.”

After spending all day with the other actors, I finally felt a sense of relief now that it’s time to gather.

“Still, you did well.”

“Oh my, I’m hearing compliments for the second time today.”

“You don’t have a car, right? I can drive you to the gathering venue.”

“Oh, the car?”

The car.

Since Nam Han-kyung already made the suggestion, I covertly glanced at him.

If I’m going to catch a ride, wouldn’t it be better with Moon Chang-sik who’s more acquainted with me?

“Hmm, since we’ve become friends today, I was thinking of giving you a ride.”

But Nam Han-kyung, who was eavesdropping, said.

“Ahaha, it’s hard for Soo-hyun to become friends with someone in just one day.”

“Really? You seemed friendly.”

“Well, I guess so.”

The two men, who had been chatting for a moment, exchanged glances.

Hmm… two young popular male actors are in a rivalry over me.

This feels like some romantic fantasy novel.

So, am I the female lead now?

But if things become too intense, that would be troublesome, so I spoke up.

“Hoeyeng, please don’t fight over me.”

“Yes?”

“What did you say?”

At my words, the mood changed from tense to chilly.

“Um, no… just trying to lighten the mood?”

Being taller and more athletic than the average person, it was indeed intimidating for them to stare at each other like that.

So, our cute Miro attempted to lighten the tension, but it clearly didn’t work.

“Come on, no… no. Just go over there and get in the car.”

“Oh.”

Seeing me in this state, Moon Chang-sik quietly yielded to Nam Han-kyung.

“Master, are you abandoning me?”

“Abandon? It seems you had prior plans.”

“Well, that’s true.”

In that case, I guess it’ll be better to ride with Nam Han-kyung.

When I looked over at him, he smiled and said softly.

“No, how about I just say you should take a taxi?”

“Ah.”

Uh… did I say something unnecessary?

“Don’t abandon me!”

I hurried after the two who were ahead.

 

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