---

After the audition.

I stepped out of the Audition Hall with a look of dejection.

Kang Ji-soo.

That’s the name of the role I was offered.

According to the script, she is a woman who became a figure in the game’s organization for some reason after participating in the past Survival Game.

Moreover, considering she even plays the role of a shady secretary, it’s clear she possesses considerable abilities.

While she isn’t a leading role, the part carries decent weight and leaves quite an impact, so after a brief ponder, I accepted it.

Well… it’s quite a cool role, after all.

But the reason I felt so dejected…

“Hah.”

It must be because I couldn’t participate in the game.

Most likely, I will have to watch from afar.

Even though it’s acting, where would I ever get a chance to actually experience a Survival Game?

It’s just so regretful.

I exited the audition, wearing a face full of disappointment, though perhaps not as much as the other interviewees around me.

I received a message from Moon Chang-sik congratulating me on my casting, saying something came up and that I should leave first.

Well, since I had something else to do today, I had asked Park Kang-seok to drop me off afterward.

Just as I was thinking about Park Kang-seok, who was probably already waiting in the Parking Lot, I heard someone call out.

“Fancy meeting you here again?”

“Huh?”

I ran into Kang Yun-sung, who was near the entrance.

“Did you finish your audition?”

I finished mine quickly, so it looks like he did as well.

“I just wrapped up. I was heading to the parking lot since I have another schedule.”

Going straight from the audition to another schedule… Guess being a popular idol means staying busy.

I, on the other hand, confidently cleared my schedule for the audition.

“How did it go? Was the judging okay?”

I glanced at Kang Yun-sung’s expression for a moment, and not seeing a bad look, I asked.

I wondered if he did well; last time I saw him, I thought he acted pretty well.

“Oh, me? Well… I felt a bit regretful.”

“Eh?”

Maybe I shouldn’t have asked?

His expression rapidly darkened in response to my question.

“Sorry…”

“Oh. No, it’s okay. I did get through.”

“Really?”

“But I got cast for a different role…”

Huh? A different role?

“Did you too?”

A sudden wave of joy washed over me.

So, I’m not alone in this bittersweet feeling of being cast despite the disappointment.

“Oh, Soo-hyun! You too?”

“Yes, yes. They said… no, the vibe just didn’t match.”

I almost said it was because he was too handsome, but that would come off as too bragging, so I changed my words.

In reality, it might be more accurate to say that the vibe didn’t match.

Kang Yun-sung nodded at my response.

“I see. I felt the same.”

“Ah.”

What a coincidence; things went just as we exchanged before the audition started.

“So, what role did Soo-hyun get?”

“I’m playing the secretary for the organizers.”

“Oh, a secretary… That suits you.”

“And you?”

Actually, I shouldn’t be disclosing roles like this, but he’s already been cast, so it wouldn’t hurt to share since we’ll see each other on set.

Besides, I was curious what role he got.

Since he also didn’t get the role for similar reasons, his offered role must be somewhat similar…

“I’ll be playing an idol trainee who participates in the game.”

“Excuse me?”

Participating in the game?

“I heard it has quite a bit of weight, but… I’m concerned about whether I can pull it off.”

“…Please don’t talk to me.”

“Huh?”

Until a moment ago, I felt a sense of kinship with him.

But that was no longer the case.

What? Did they make him an idol trainee for the game because his looks didn’t fit the role of an investigator?

What about me?

Was there really no aspiring female idol?

It’s just so unfortunate.

A bit envious of Kang Yun-sung too, I must admit.

Anyway.

After that, we headed to the Parking Lot together and parted ways.

“Hello.”

I greeted Park Kang-seok, whom I first saw today, as I had come with Moon Chang-sik.

“Did the audition go well?”

“Is that the first question you ask when you see me?”

“Oh, I’m sorry. I was just curious.”

“Just kidding. I think I did reasonably well.”

It seems Park Kang-seok was quite curious if he asked first like that.

“It’s a different role than I wanted, but… it seems like we’ll be starting the new filming soon.”

We’ll have discussions and negotiations about fees at Sangshik Entertainment, but once it’s decided, that’s pretty much it.

As I answered, Park Kang-seok surprisingly smiled and nodded.

“Are you happy you’ll be filming soon?”

“Well, I was a little worried.”

…Seems like he must have been anxious since our main actor spends all their time doing variety shows and ads instead of acting.

As a veteran, he’s probably seen many similar cases.

“You’re surprisingly relatable.”

“Ahem, I’ll start driving now.”

Wow, even looking a bit shy.

He had given off that impression of a machine that gets stuff done, but it seems a few months has added a human touch to him.

“Oh, right. Please take me somewhere other than home today.”

“Somewhere else?”

“I’ll give you the address.”

Since I don’t have a schedule afterward, I normally would have gone home.

But today, I have a different destination.

“Ah. Got it.”

Receiving the address, Park Kang-seok nodded without further words.

“Aren’t you curious where it is?”

“Aren’t you meeting a friend?”

“Well… that is true.”

Friend? Should I even call him that?

If I had to express it, that would be it.

“It’s nearby, so we’ll get there quickly.”

Afterward, it really didn’t take long to arrive as Park Kang-seok had said.

It seems the Audition Hall was quite close, after all.

“Thank you.”

I said goodbye to Park Kang-seok, who was just leaning to head home, and got out of the car.

Hmm, it’s been a while since I’ve been here.

As I looked at the familiar streets, old memories came flooding back.

Come to think of it, I had my first filming here, too.

Back then, I never imagined I would have a manager like this.

After a moment of gazing at the streets, I stepped into the familiar building.

The stairs looked nearly the same as before, leading me to the door of the basement.

Knock, knock.

“—Yes!”

I knocked on the door, and I heard a woman’s voice from inside.

“Who… oh? You came early?”

It was Ah-young, the long-awaited friend, who opened the door.

“Long time no see.”

“True! It’s been ages since we last met in person.”

…Since it’s been so long since we saw each other in person.

Well, Ah-young did come to the concert.

“By the way, your hair has grown a lot, hasn’t it?”

“Isn’t it pretty? Come on in.”

I followed the now long-haired Ah-young inside the Workshop.

“It has changed a bit, hasn’t it?”

Unlike the outside, which hadn’t changed much, the workshop looked a bit different.

I feel like it’s more organized now?

It was always neat, but now it appears more spacious with a few things removed.

“Oh, I’m actually starting to prepare for moving.”

“Moving?”

“Yeah, it’s coming up soon, right?”

“Oh.”

That’s right; it’s only a few months away…

I thought they’d leave the workshop as it was, but I guess they’re going to relocate.

“Are you still going to keep working?”

“Probably? Well, we can’t just keep resting.”

Walking further in behind Ah-young, I spotted the band members gathered around.

“Soo-hyun’s here.”

“Nice to see you.”

“Ah, yep.”

I greeted them and sat down on the nearby sofa.

However, I noticed a Go board on the desk.

“Are you playing Omok?”

“Oh, it’s been popular amongst us lately.”

Hmm, Omok.

It’s quite popular, to the point where it feels like no one in Korea can’t play it.

“Who’s the best at it?”

“Hyun-su is really good.”

“Oh, that’s true.”

I remember Hyun-su attended a prestigious school.

He must be quite clever.

Just looking at him compose gives off that intelligent aura.

“Do you want to try it too?”

“Me?”

“Yes, are you good at Omok?”

“Well, I was a champion back in the day.”

Though I haven’t played in a while, my confidence is overflowing.

After all, using my brain is my specialty.

“There is another Go board; want to give it a shot?”

“Oh, it’d be a bit unfair to challenge against a regular person.”

“…Seriously?”

Perhaps sensing my light provocation, Hyun-su quickly retrieved the board.

He seems to have gotten a bit competitive.

“Should I give you the black stones?”

“Just a little mistaken; you’re the challenger here, right?”

“…Don’t end up making excuses if you lose.”

I didn’t expect to start playing Omok as soon as I arrived.

I took off my outerwear and rolled up my sleeves.

“Then I’ll go first.”

Hyun-su immediately placed a black stone in the center, and the Omok began.

A little while later.

“Hmm…”

Surprisingly, I thought it would end quickly, but the first game kept dragging on.

Soon, the board was filled with stones.

“Make your move quickly.”

“Just a second…”

Maybe it’s just as well; the so-called Slim Gold band’s ultimate Omok player is doing quite well.

Compared to me, who hadn’t played in a while, it seems I’m struggling a bit.

But Omok is a game where a single move can change everything.

If I choose wisely, I’m sure I can find an opportunity.

“Should’ve set a time limit; this is dragging on.”

Hyun-su casually made comments to rile me up, but I refused to take the bait.

Once I answer, I’d definitely lose.

Quickly focusing, I executed both defense and offense, finding the perfect move to place.

“This spot then.”

…But it was immediately countered by Hyun-su.

Now it was my turn again.

“Hmm.”

He really knows what he’s doing.

As I surveyed the filled board, deeply pondering where to place my stone, suddenly a thought occurred to me.

“Um…”

In that moment, I wondered what I was doing.

Why was I sitting here, merely playing Omok for ten minutes?

I came today with something important on my mind.

To the extent that I came here despite it not being a day for auditions.

Right now, Omok was not the priority, so I cleared my mind and made my move.

“Hey, Hyun-su.”

“Yes?”

Then, I asked Hyun-su, who was contemplating where to place his black stone.

“So when’s your enlistment date?”

Today’s purpose was to come to his enlistment celebration party at the workshop.

“Oh.”

Hyun-su let a stone slip from his fingers, scattering the board.

 

---