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What kind of situation is this…

As I cautiously approached, Han Se-ryeong noticed me in front of Park Kang-seok.

“…The actor has arrived. Then I’ll be on my way.”

Oops.

I’ve been caught, and now it’s over.

Han Se-ryeong quickly left her seat and I approached Park Kang-seok, attempting to strike up a conversation.

“Do you two know each other?”

“Oh, that’s… I sometimes substituted as a road manager when I was working as a manager at the agency.”

“Aha.”

Hmm, so they must have gotten close at that time?

I wanted to ask about their relationship, but since I had just met him today, it felt too forward.

“By the way, why are you here? What about Han Kyung?”

“…Se-ryeong called me over for a moment.”

“Ah.”

Speaking of which, calling her by her first name is quite friendly.

I harbored a slight suspicion but decided to return to the filming location.

I’m curious about that situation, but for now, work comes first.

Up ahead, I spotted the café we rented for filming.

Inside, the leading actress Han Ye-eun and Han Se-ryeong, whom I had just seen, were already seated.

As I arrived, the director nodded at me.

“Okay, then let’s do a light rehearsal and start.”

With that, I took my seat.

Today, I needed to deliver some harsh lines.

Recalling the expressions I practiced beforehand at home, I resolved to forget about earlier events.

“Okay, starting now.”

With the director’s cue signal, the serious acting began.

**

“Great work!

Filming for the scene has wrapped up.

Since it wasn’t a one-take shot, we finished up quickly in a couple of takes.

“Phew…”

After a short break, I was just catching my breath, preparing to film the next scene in the café restroom, when…

“Excuse me…”

Han Se-ryeong approached me during my rest.

“Yes?”

Usually, people only come to apologize for NGs, so I was a bit puzzled by her approaching me for conversation…

“Um, I heard that Kang-seok oppa is your manager…”

“Oh, that’s right.”

The reason became clear quickly.

So, it was because of Park Kang-seok?

Do they really have something going on?

“I’ve been assigned today.”

“Oh, I see…”

Hmm.

Seeing Han Se-ryeong hesitate at my answer sparked a good idea in my mind.

If asking Kang-seok feels a bit awkward, should I ask Han Se-ryeong instead?

“Do you two know each other?”

“Ah, yes… He helped me a lot in the past…”

“Oh really?”

“Yes, he wasn’t my direct manager, but he substituted quite often.”

Quite often? Kang-seok said it was only occasionally; seems like there’s more to it than I thought.

“But then he suddenly moved to another place, so… please take care of me.”

Hmm…

Seeing Han Se-ryeong’s slightly disappointed expression makes me feel like I’ve inadvertently taken her manager.

“I understand.”

But well… I can’t give him back anyway, so it can’t be helped.

Since Han Se-ryeong has asked me to take care of her, I resolved to do my best.

“Oh, then I’ll go prepare for the next shoot.”

“Yes, it’s a scene where we shoot together, right? Let’s do our best!”

“Sure…!”

With that, our conversation came to an end, and after a brief break, we dove straight into filming again.

After several takes in the café scene concluded,

“Ah, Soo-hyun, hold on a moment.”

Just as I was hurrying back to rest before the next shoot, the director called me.

“What’s up?”

“Actually, I noticed the scene turned out well.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes, take a look here. Your expression is good!”

Saying that, the camera director showed me the footage they just shot.

“Oh…”

I couldn’t help but admire my reflection on the monitor.

“It turned out just as I imagined.”

“Did you think about it beforehand?”

“Yes, I practiced in front of the mirror for today’s scene.”

It’s the expression I practiced standing in front of the vanity.

I also tried taking photos of it.

I wanted to capture a slightly cold but subtly trembling detail for the role of Sera, and it seems I pulled it off well.

“Wow… You practiced well. The feel is great.”

“Ah, thank you.”

So all that practice was worth it.

“By the way, do you usually practice a lot?”

“Ahaha… Not as much as others, but I’m doing my best.”

The director and writer know about my main profession.

In fact, it’s something they could find out just by searching the internet.

So knowing that, the director nodded reassuringly.

“Just keep doing like this. I was worried since your main profession is different, but now I feel more at ease.”

“Uh, well, when you say something so touching suddenly…”

“I said it to move you. Now go take a break.”

“Yes.”

Having received praise from the director, I returned to my seat feeling good, only to find Han Se-ryeong from earlier.

“Oh, actor-nim…!”

“What are you doing here?”

“Here… I have some leftover coffee… would you like some?”

She presented me with a refreshing iced coffee.

Is this a bribe?

I mean, I’d do just fine without this sort of thing.

“Ah, thank you.”

But since it was hot, I gratefully accepted it.

“By the way, you didn’t come to see your manager, did you?”

“Oh, no…”

“Ahaha, just kidding.”

Han Se-ryeong visibly flustered at my playful jab.

Is it because she’s an idol? How cute.

She probably has a lot of fans, right?

If someone like her is that taken with Park Kang-seok, something must be going on between them…

I shot a glance at Han Se-ryeong before eventually looking away.

Well, she doesn’t seem malicious towards me.

She just came over and even gave me coffee, so I don’t think much of it… or so I thought, but…

After the next shoot ended,

“Ah, this is a handheld fan. I have an extra…”

“…Oh, thank you. I was just feeling hot.”

After yet another scene finished,

“Would you like to try this cool sleeves? They’re nice when it’s hot.”

“Oh, cool sleeves… Hmm, they feel refreshing.”

Once again, Han Se-ryeong offered me cool sleeves, and I looked up at her slightly dumbfounded.

“…By the way, you’re here to see your manager, right?”

“Excuse me? Oh, no…”

Sneaking glances.

Even while speaking to me, she was eyeing Park Kang-seok beside her; by now, I can guess what’s going on.

“Manager.”

“Oh, yes.”

“Could you please stay here with Se-ryeong for a moment?”

“Excuse me?”

Park Kang-seok looked surprised at the suggestion of being alone with Han Se-ryeong.

However, I smiled at him and pointed to my jacket.

“I’ll go change my outfit.”

“…Understood.”

Park Kang-seok looked a bit reluctant… but well, that’s for him to handle.

I can’t keep letting Han Se-ryeong come looking for me.

And honestly, I had to change my clothes eventually, so I headed to the wardrobe with both of them in mind.

We’re filming later in the afternoon, so I thought I’d change into something comfortable and take a break.

Once in the costume room and after changing into my comfortable outfit I had prepared,

I stepped outside and casually looked around.

Hmm, Park Kang-seok isn’t around.

He should still be with Han Se-ryeong, right?

I don’t intend to return to my spot just yet.

I should let them be for a while longer.

So, I strolled leisurely around the filming location.

Trying not to disturb the busy staff, I wandered around the edges while sightseeing when I spotted a familiar figure sitting over there and made my way over.

“What are you doing?”

“Who… Oh, Soo-hyun.”

As I casually greeted from behind, Moon Chang-sik turned back, who had been reading the script.

“I was practicing.”

“Practicing?”

“Yes, it feels insufficient no matter how much I rehearse.”

“Ah…”

I considered whether Moon Chang-sik even needed practice, but then realized it’s simply who he is.

Thinking back, he had seemed a bit normal recently, but he was originally quite an unusual person.

“By the way, why are you alone?”

“Excuse me?”

“I heard Park Manager picked you up today.”

Come to think of it, Moon Chang-sik would know about the agency’s situation.

Then he might also know about Park Kang-seok.

“That’s…”

Given that it’s Moon Chang-sik, he wouldn’t go spreading my circumstances everywhere.

I pulled out a chair and sat next to him, explaining Park Kang-seok and Han Se-ryeong’s situation.

“…So I snuck out to give them some time together.”

After explaining the situation, I looked at Moon Chang-sik with hopeful anticipation.

“…Why are you looking at me like that?”

“Do you know something?”

Why else would I have mentioned this?

Huh? If you’re in the industry, shouldn’t you have a clearer view of the situation?

Especially since Park Kang-seok is also a member of Moon Chang-sik’s agency.

Responding to my expectant gaze, Moon Chang-sik replied calmly.

“…I’m not very well-informed about rumors around me.”

“Ah.”

“Well, there must be some reason behind it. Managers switching agencies always have their reasons.”

Hmm…

This guy isn’t going to be of any help…

“Sigh, then I guess I’ll just leave it be. They can handle their own matters.”

If he doesn’t know anything, there’s nothing I can do about it.

I reclined back comfortably in my chair and took out my phone.

“By the way, that’s surprising.”

“What is?”

But at that moment, Moon Chang-sik glanced at my phone and casually remarked.

“I’d have thought you’d be the type to be curious and sneak a peek around.”

“Do you really think of me like that?”

Sneaking around to spy?

Isn’t that a bit outlandish?

There’s a clear relationship between the two, after all.

“If that wasn’t the case, then it’s fine.”

Saying this, Moon Chang-sik turned to his script disinterestedly.

Yeah, well, I also need to kill some time here.

What kind of conversation would they even have?

I’d just say how disappointed I was. I didn’t think he’d leave like this.

Once his idol contract ends, he wouldn’t be my manager anymore, right? That’s all I’d express.

Hmm…

Hmm…

Tap, tap.

I tapped Moon Chang-sik on the shoulder.

“…What?”

“I was wondering… should we grab some popcorn to take along?”

“…Let’s go to a convenience store first.”

Moon Chang-sik said this while getting up, but the script he’d been holding hadn’t flipped a single page since I first arrived.

…Not that I’m one to talk, it seems neither of us are particularly diligent.

 

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