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The day of the filming for the program I had a meeting about last time had arrived.

So, I got up early in the morning, went to the shop to get ready, and then came to the broadcasting station for the variety show filming.

“Oh, just put this on.”

The staff handed me the custom-made school uniform.

Hmm, a school uniform.

…It’s not the age for me to wear one anymore.

But what can I do? It’s the concept for the variety show.

When I went to the changing room to change, I felt a bit awkward.

But looking at my reflection in the glass, I thought I looked pretty cute.

“Well, it’s not bad…”

Come to think of it, has it really been four years since I graduated high school?

If I were a university student, some people my age would be preparing to enter society now.

Like I thought earlier, it’s definitely not the time to be wearing a school uniform…

But who cares?

If it fits, that’s all that matters.

I’m confident my skin is as good as it was back in my student days.

After changing, I headed to the waiting room.

Since I came in a bit early as I was informed, the guest waiting room welcomed me with an empty space.

It wasn’t a single-person room, so it was quite spacious, with a large mirror and a sofa that had everything you’d expect.

I sat on one side of the sofa, crossing my legs to rest for a bit.

While I was taking a break, my eye was caught by the large mirror on one wall of the waiting room.

…Should I take a picture?

It’s been a while since I wore a school uniform, and since I’m here for the variety show.

I thought taking a photo to promote it wouldn’t be a bad idea.

With that thought, I stood in front of the mirror.

A big mirror that filled the whole space, leaving room even for me.

I watched my reflection for a moment and pulled out my phone.

Who am I?

Isn’t this the influencer Miro?

So, I thought I should strike a pose and take the picture right then.

Bang!

Suddenly, the door to the waiting room opened, and someone walked in.

“Did you arrive first… What are you doing?”

I found myself face-to-face with Moon Chang-sik, who appeared just as I was about to pose in front of the mirror.

“…I was just looking at the mirror.”

“With your phone?”

None other than Moon Chang-sik himself.

Noticing me in the school uniform, he glanced between me and the mirror and nodded.

“You were taking a photo for Instagram, weren’t you?”

“…Yes.”

…He’s quick on the uptake.

Now I feel a bit embarrassed.

Doesn’t it seem like I’m just some child excited to take pictures in a school uniform?

I was just trying to promote it for my followers and the variety show staff.

“Go ahead and finish taking your photo.”

Seeing my awkwardness, Chang-sik walked to the sofa silently, leaving me feeling sheepish.

What an awful timing for him to walk in; couldn’t he come in a bit later?

“I’m done.”

Now that the mood was ruined, I just went to sit on the sofa as well.

“Why don’t you take your photo?”

“I’ll take it later.”

“Really?”

He replied comfortably, leaning back.

Oh right, Chang-sik is also in a school uniform.

“It suits you well, doesn’t it?”

“Is that so?”

It actually looked good on him.

…This guy really shouldn’t be in a school uniform at this age, right?

Why does it suit him so well?

His long legs really enhance the outfit.

“You’re not at the age to wear a school uniform anymore, right?”

“…I’m wearing it for the variety show. Besides, you’re not really at that age to wear one either.”

I must’ve taken a jab for no reason and ended up getting hit by it.

…Now I have to deal with my age?

But well, it’s not like I’m that far off from Chang-sik.

If I’m a fresh graduate, Chang-sik is like a young teacher.

“By the way, when are you going to take your photo again?”

“The moment’s gone.”

“It’d be great to take promotional photos.”

Well, I guess it would be nice to do so.

…Should I just take it?

I sat down feeling awkward, but now that we’re at it, it seems pointless not to.

“Let’s just take it now.”

As I stood up, Chang-sik naturally got up too.

“Why are you getting up?”

“After you take yours, I’ll take my photo too.”

…Was he gently nudging me to take a picture first?

It feels a bit awkward to take mine first.

Nah, I don’t think he would do that.

He’s the big actor Moon Chang-sik, so he’d probably be confident about it.

“Fine then, let’s take one together.”

Since we’re both up, I pulled Chang-sik over to the mirror.

I thought taking one side by side would pack more impact.

Besides, since we’re taking it in the waiting room, there’s no risk of misunderstandings.

So, we stood in front of the mirror together.

Hmm, standing like this makes us look like school uniform models.

Between Chang-sik and me, we both have pretty long legs, so we could probably be in a uniform magazine.

“Do you know which brand this uniform is from? Shall we suggest an ad after taking our photos?”

“Seriously, is this a market? Suggesting out of the blue.”

Moon Chang-sik looked at me like I was ridiculous, but so what.

Thinking of his name value, I figured they might just be generous with a suggestion.

I didn’t mind, I’d take the chance to be part of it.

“First, hand me your phone.”

“My phone?”

“Isn’t yours better?”

Equipped with the latest phone, Moon Chang-sik, who models for a major tech company, was definitely using something better than my old device.

“Here.”

He handed over his phone willingly, and I took it to snap some photos.

Click, click.

After a few snaps, we ended up with some good pictures.

The latest phone does make a difference.

After that, while we were taking pictures, we also took individual shots and checked what to post on Instagram.

Knock, knock.

The door to the waiting room opened, and a staff member came in.

“Oh, guests, please get ready now.”

“Yes.”

Both Chang-sik and I realized we had been so absorbed in taking pictures that we lost track of time.

With that, we got up from our seats and headed toward the area where the variety show was being filmed.

The place, styled like a classroom, had fixed panel hosts sitting at desks.

What we talked about earlier with Chang-sik about not being at an age to wear school uniforms felt funny as all the panel members, from middle-aged men to those in their early thirties, were all dressed in school uniforms.

“Welcome!”

“Wow, those are the people I’ve seen on TV.”

When we walked in, since it wasn’t recording yet, the panel members greeted us warmly.

As it started with everyone sitting down, we settled into our seats, breaking the ice lightly before the shooting commenced.

“Hello, nice to meet you.”

While we were introducing ourselves to the panelists, I noticed a familiar face among the seated mid-aged male panelists.

“Kim Soo-hyun, it’s been a while.”

I already knew he would be here since I did some research on the program beforehand, but seeing him in person was still a surprise.

“Chang-sik, we meet again here.”

He was the only variety show star who recognized the Romance of the Three Kingdoms game the last time we filmed the observational variety show.

“Nice to see you, senior.”

“Haha, feel free to sit down.”

After greeting the familiar variety star with Chang-sik, we went to our designated seats for the day.

The seats, designed in a classroom style, had two desks attached, and since we were guests, we ended up sitting close to the window in the front row.

I heard that this is the guest-only seating area.

After settling in, we chatted lightly to pass the time as one by one the cameramen entered.

“Okay, we’ll start shooting.”

With that, the PD said, and the filming for the variety show began in earnest.

At first, the camera captured the entire classroom while the middle-aged panelist in charge smoothly opened the introduction in line with the theme.

As guests, Chang-sik and I were asked formal questions, and since we had prepped for them during the earlier meeting, we answered appropriately.

Once we wrapped up the intro…

“When will the teacher arrive?”

One of the panelists spoke in a theatrical tone, giving the cue.

Creek.

“Hello.”

Not long after, the classroom door opened, and in came a middle-aged professor with strands of gray in his hair.

“I am An Sahak, and the topic for today’s lecture is…”

With a voice and demeanor typical of a university professor, he introduced himself and immediately wrote three Chinese characters on the blackboard.

[三國志]

“Today’s lecture will be on the Romance of the Three Kingdoms.”

I heard he specializes in Chinese history, so this should be interesting.

“Do you have any knowledge about the Romance of the Three Kingdoms?”

Responses echoed around the room.

The older panelists mostly knew about it, while the younger ones were less familiar, though Chang-sik and I had it covered.

“Oh, Soo-hyun, you know, don’t you?”

When I was pointed out as the youngest in the room, the professor asked in surprise.

“Yes, I’m a fan.”

Finding out I didn’t just know it, but liked it got an even more astonished response.

“Really? Then, do you know what event starts the Romance of the Three Kingdoms?”

“The Yellow Turban Rebellion?”

“Wow, that’s correct!”

It was a basic question, and answering it quickly made the professor clap in admiration.

…Why is he so happy?

I felt like a child being praised for math.

“Alright then, as Soo-hyun said, it actually starts with the Yellow Turban Rebellion.”

Clack, tap.

As the professor wrote ‘Yellow Turban Rebellion’ in Korean on the blackboard, he began to write Chinese characters below it again.

“At this time, Zhang Jue said a famous line. Does anyone know it?”

“I think Soo-hyun might know.”

The middle-aged panel called my name in the following question.

“Me?”

Feeling caught off guard, I responded as the professor’s gaze shifted to me as well.

“Oh, is today the ‘Let’s shower Kim Soo-hyun with attention’ special?”

The middle-aged panelists and the professor treated me like I was a top student.

But well…

“‘The heaven is dead; the yellow sky shall rise (蒼天已死 黃天當立).’”

Of course, I knew it.

“Wow… you got it right immediately.”

Looks like I’ll be in the spotlight for today’s class.

Bring on the questions, I say.

It’s been two years and a half since I played the Three Kingdoms game.

I’m ready to answer anything.

 

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