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Today, I came all the way to Incheon for filming.

“Ugh.”

I probably feel the chill in the air because I woke up early and jumped straight into the car. The cold air seems out of season as I step outside, still feeling a bit tired.

“Wow, it’s kind of chilly, isn’t it?”

Since I was wearing a short-sleeve shirt suited for the current weather, I opened the car door again and pulled out a blanket to wrap around myself.

“It’s the harbor. It’s a bit chilly at this hour.”

As Park Kang-seok, who got out with me, said this, I looked ahead and could definitely feel the wind blowing from the wide-open sea.

As I observed this, I turned my head and saw containers stacked in front of the harbor with people gathered around.

Wow, it looks like preparations are already in full swing.

From my experience as an actor, I often wonder if the staff ever sleep.

Whether it’s morning or night, I’m just amazed to see them bustling about.

“Let’s go.”

As I walked with Park Kang-seok toward where the crowd was, I could see that they were busy preparing the set.

On one side of the set, the actors who had arrived early were waiting while looking over their scripts.

Seeing them all wrapped in their own blankets, it seemed like it was indeed a bit cold.

While checking out the other actors, I headed toward the person I was closest with.

“Oh, Soo-hyun!”

“When did you arrive?”

“Me? I just got here a while ago.”

It was none other than Han Se-ryeong.

Since I had many scenes with her recently, we had gotten quite friendly.

She’s a bit older than me, but she’s so comfortable that she even drops the formalities.

“I’ll go grab some coffee.”

After Han Se-ryeong sat down next to me, Park Kang-seok said that and took off.

Seriously, running away because it’s awkward.

But it’s definitely better than last time.

In the beginning, I was too awkward to even leave my seat, but silently slipping away seems more comfortable now.

“Haha…”

Han Se-ryeong seems to have gotten used to it too, awkwardly laughing while watching Park Kang-seok’s back as he left.

“By the way, today’s the last day, right?”

I casually asked as I observed Han Se-ryeong.

“Oh, right? It is the last filming today.”

This is the end of Han Se-ryeong’s role.

Not a metaphor, but literally, a heated Sera will drown someone in today’s shoot.

In the story, it’s the scene where Sera crosses the point of no return.

Well, setting aside the intense atmosphere from the story, I had a calm conversation with Han Se-ryeong.

“Must be nice. I wish I could take a break too.”

That wasn’t just a polite remark; it was genuine.

I had been feeling drained from filming so much recently.

I’m starting to think I might need to resume dance or vocal lessons in preparation for concerts, but I wonder if I’ll have time.

“Haha, I need to prepare for my comeback once filming wraps up too.”

Unlike my envy, Han Se-ryeong seems to have work waiting for her even after the shoot since her primary role is that of an idol.

“…Looks like we’re both not getting a break.”

“Right…”

I felt a sense of camaraderie there.

Of course, my practice and Han Se-ryeong’s comeback preparations are vastly different, but the essence feels somewhat similar, doesn’t it?

“Well, when I think about meeting the fans, it feels a bit nice.”

“Oh… really?”

“Yeah, when I debut this time, I’ll be performing live and stuff.”

I was a bit impressed with that response.

As expected…

Even though she seems a bit clumsy on set, she truly shines as a professional idol in her main career.

Speaking of which, since today is the last day…

I slowly looked around.

The set was still busy preparing, and nobody seemed to be paying any attention to me.

Neither Park Kang-seok nor Han Se-ryeong’s manager was around.

Is this my chance?

“Hey, I…”

“Yes?”

I had already narrowed the distance between us sufficiently in the time we’d spent together.

Thinking that this could be my last opportunity to ask before I don’t know when I’ll see her again, I bravely asked.

“I’ve wanted to ask this for a while… did something happen with your manager?”

I asked quite calmly.

I tried to bring it up casually and subtly glanced at Han Se-ryeong to gauge her reaction.

“Um, uhh.”

Han Se-ryeong’s pupils seemed to spin as she looked a bit flustered.

Seeing her in that state made me think she wouldn’t answer, but thankfully, Han Se-ryeong took her time to respond carefully.

“Well, it’s, um, not a big deal, but…”

“Not a big deal?”

“Umm, uh, yeah, but there was a stalker before.”

“Aha.”

“And so…”

She hesitated to continue speaking, but I already felt like I understood everything.

Ah, so that’s what it was…

“Did your manager knock the stalker out?”

“H-How did you know?”

Seeing Han Se-ryeong’s surprised reaction made me think I was right on the mark.

Park Kang-seok has the physical ability to take down just about anyone.

“Originally, the manager just reported it to the police, and didn’t take any serious action… But that day, Park Kang-seok, who was a substitute, chased down the stalker hiding in an alley and literally took him down…”

As I pieced the scenario together, Han Se-ryeong explained the situation in detail, and I was slightly taken aback.

…This was a scary person.

I decided I shouldn’t mess with Park Kang-seok and nodded in agreement.

“Thanks for telling me.”

Now that I understood everything, I felt a bit relieved.

Now I can understand why Han Se-ryeong was worried about Park Kang-seok.

Isn’t he like a prince on a white horse to Han Se-ryeong?

I would be grateful too and want to keep him as my manager.

“Well, it’s okay now… After all, the stalkers have lessened.”

“Really?”

“Yeah… our agency took a resolute stand last time.”

“That’s great to hear.”

As I replied and looked ahead, I saw Park Kang-seok approaching with two cups of coffee in hand.

Just as I finished talking, perfect timing for him to arrive.

Thank goodness he didn’t miss his timing and came at the right moment.

Watching Park Kang-seok, I leaned toward Han Se-ryeong and said,

“But are you sure there are no lingering feelings?”

“Uh…?”

“I can see you can’t take your eyes off him.”

“Oh, no it’s not!”

As Han Se-ryeong turned her head away, her innocent demeanor sparked a bit of jealousy in me towards Park Kang-seok.

What a lucky guy.

To have a girl like her care about him.

“I brought the coffee.”

“Did you make it yourself? Why did it take you so long?”

“Excuse me?”

“It’s nothing… thanks!”

So, I teased a little before quickly retracting.

Thinking about it, I had asked right after hearing the story about how he took down the stalker.

I’m sure that wouldn’t happen to me, but if Park Kang-seok were to get angry, I might truly end up in trouble.

Anyhow, after receiving the warm coffee, I watched the process of the set being prepared.

Having heard everything I needed, it’s time to finish Han Se-ryeong’s last shoot well.

**

Watching the drum barrel falling into the sea, I thought to myself.

Looking back, this drama is kind of intense, isn’t it?

I never imagined I would be filming a scene that belongs in a noir film.

“Alright, cut! Good job, everyone!”

Hearing the director’s cue, I turned away from the dark sea.

“Phew…”

As I stepped out of the filming area and turned around, I could finally see the morning sun rising in the sky.

This is the end for Han Se-ryeong.

After my hired hands stuff the barrel in and wrap things up, it’s a splash into the sea.

Never to be seen again…

“Soo-hyun, good job.”

…Not quite yet.

Just as I was about to jump into that dark notion, Han Se-ryeong, having wiped off her earlier makeup, approached me looking refreshed.

“Kim Se-yeon? What are you doing here…?”

I decided to playfully act up at her response.

If it were the usual Han Se-ryeong, she would have awkwardly laughed it off, but…

“Sera! I came to get my revenge!”

As I held my hands up in a threatening manner, she seemed to enjoy the banter, perhaps feeling euphoric after completing the shoot.

“Haha, you look really happy.”

“Of course! It’s finally over.”

Han Se-ryeong looked relieved.

To be fair, she had shown quite a bit of struggle from the beginning, making mistakes and taking time to adapt, so I could understand why she’d feel this way after finishing.

“Still, it is a bit disappointing; I feel like I could have done better.”

“Next time, you can just shoot again.”

“Right? After this activity ends, I’m thinking of doing another shoot since I’ve improved my acting a bit thanks to you.”

“Thanks to me?”

What have I done for Han Se-ryeong?

I don’t think I did anything…

“I asked Moon Chang-sik for help and got some advice.”

“Eh?”

“What? I thought you wouldn’t know?”

However, Han Se-ryeong’s follow-up response startled me a bit.

No way…

“That guy helped you?”

I thought I had just casually mentioned it; when did he even help her?

“He gave me a few tips that were really helpful.”

No wonder she started improving little by little from the middle.

It was thanks to Moon Chang-sik.

He is good at teaching.

After all, Baby Actor Kim Soo-hyun is quite a skillful educator, isn’t he?

“Then how did you know I asked for your help?”

“He just said it outright while talking. He said it was something Soo-hyun asked.”

“…Oh, I see.”

No wonder it felt like I became friends with Han Se-ryeong so quickly.

So it turns out I was building my likability from the start, huh?

I’ll definitely have to treat Moon Chang-sik to a meal someday.

Thanks to him, I solved my curiosity and got closer to Han Se-ryeong.

“Well, I guess I’ll be off now.”

“Oh, you’re leaving already?”

“Yeah, since Soo-hyun drowned her character… time to head back.”

“Whoa, that’s a weird way of putting it.”

“Haha… By the way, isn’t the drama going to air soon?”

“Oh, the drama? Yeah, that’s true.”

Has news really reached Han Se-ryeong already?

Well, it’s about time Lady Soo-yeon would start gracing the world.

Although I’ll be a supporting role, I still wonder how it’ll turn out.

“I’m looking forward to it too.”

“Thank you.”

“Now, I really have to go.”

“Sure, take care!”

And just like that, Han Se-ryeong left the filming set.

Watching her leave, I suddenly realized how much I had filmed myself.

By a few months from now, would I be leaving the set feeling relieved just like Han Se-ryeong?

Although Sera is the main character, she would be the first to get eliminated in the finale, after all.

“Soo-hyun! Come over here for a second!”

Well, there are still many scenes I need to film.

“Yes!”

Hearing the director’s call, I returned to the set.

 

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