“Oh, are you Miss Seohee’s friends?”
As they entered the mansion, a middle-aged woman greeted Sooyeon and Jiyeon.
“Miss?”
While both of them looked at each other with that thought, Seohui appeared quite flustered.
“Now, naturally it was a joke. If you say it like that, people might misunderstand.”
“Oh my.”
The chuckling middle-aged woman took a moment to look back and forth between Seohee and Sooyeon.
The woman, aware of Seohui’s day-to-day life, had already known who the two girls were from before.
As far as Jiyeon, she had been over to Seohui’s house frequently, helping her with acting previously. It’s just that they hadn’t crossed paths personally.
“I’m Han Seo-young. I work here as the housekeeper.”
“Housekeeper?”
Sooyeon was surprised.
She thought such roles existed only in fiction.
Yet, when it was framed as a housekeeping service, it made sense.
Since wealthy families not only have housekeepers but also chauffeurs, it seemed plausible.
“If I were to clean a mansion this big, a housekeeper is definitely necessary.”
Sooyeon nodded in agreement.
It was indeed fascinating to have a housekeeper.
In fact, Seohui was practically a real “Lady.” Now, it made sense why Seohui’s portrayal of ‘Michiko’ in her previous performances had such impressive clarity.
“Is there no dog here?”
“Dog? Why do you ask?”
“Isn’t it common in houses like these to have an animal like a dog?”
“Where did you get that preconceived notion?”
Seohui muttered in annoyance.
Apparently, Han Seo-young’s words earlier had embarrassed her a bit.
Seeing this flustered Seohui, Han Seo-young found it amusing.
Although she’d known Seohui for a long time, this was the first time she’d ever seen her with friends.
Actually, while there had occasionally been friends in the past, they’ve long gone.
It was different back then.
Seohui seemed colder, her walls higher. But now, she appeared less rigid—like an ordinary teenager.
“Maybe it’s because they’re fellow actors.”
Perhaps, she has found like-minded friends.
However, Han Seo-young had a slight apprehension.
Sometimes, working in the same field might make it easier for them to drift apart depending on the situation.
One may succeed repeatedly while the other might keep failing.
“But, there’s no reason to think the worst.”
With that thought, Han Seo-young led the three girls further inside the mansion.
Seohui protested there was no need to go through such effort, but it was purely out of Han Seo-young’s curiosity.
Han Seo-young had heard stories about Jiyeon from other housekeeping staff but had never seen her directly. Moreover, despite knowing it was irrational, she worried that Seohui might be associating with bad influences.
Of course, it’s hard to avoid being cautious in adult eyes.
Seoyeon was currently very famous as an actress, and Jiyeon had just risen to fame as the lead in Gyeongseong Yeong-nyeo. Despite their external images, a more personal impression lingered.
“Maybe, they’re not part of the delinquent crowd?”
Surprisingly, it’s quite common for celebrities to be involved in such groups.
Troublemakers or those similar kinds of people.
From an adult perspective, they’re naturally suspicious.
Seoyeon looked distant, and Jiyeon appeared like a girl who hung out a lot.
Even worse, she carried a bag with a beer can!
While this was common at pajama parties, none of the three were of legal age, so it’s understandable to feel concerned.
Though Han Seo-young had no intention of stopping them from having fun.
To Han Seo-young, Seohui was like a daughter she had watched grow up since childhood.
So, naturally, she worried.
‘At least for Seo-ran’s sake.’
Seo-ran.
The late mother of Jo Seohui who passed away when Seohui was five years old. Once, she was a tragic yet beloved actress of Korea.
Back then, Seoyeon’s experience of playing with friends was quite rare. Since middle school, she hadn’t had such an experience.
To be honest, even back then, she didn’t really have proper friends.
Being someone with a lofty reputation for various reasons, people rarely approached her easily.
Due to her looks, except for Jiyeon, most people generally kept their distance from her.
‘Those were the turbulent teenage years.’
Seoyeon nodded.
Though embarrassing, back then she was easily swayed by emotions she didn’t fully understand and was physically unaware in many ways.
After that, luckily, she started exercising and came to understand herself a bit better.
Back then, she really knew nothing.
She couldn’t have imagined she would reach the level of physical strength akin to what you’d find in a fantasy novel.
There was a notion of having an invincible TS body, but she hadn’t expected it to be physically as strong as it was.
Anyway.
“Have you done this kind of thing often, Seohui?”
“Huh?”
Initially, Seoyeon hadn’t referred to Seohui by her name directly.
She typically went without using any titles like “Seohui-ssi” or “Seohui-yang.”
Rather, she simply didn’t use any titles.
Still, they’d grown closer lately, which made it easier to call her by her first name.
“Why do you suddenly speak so formally?”
Seohui grumbled, but let it pass as the current respect was more playful anyway.
“Something like a pajama party?”
“Yes.”
“Hm, hmm. Well, I mean, I’ve always had a lot of people around me.”
“Of course.”
Seoyeon nodded. After all, Seohui’s sociability was well known in the industry.
Most people who knew her liked her regardless of her serious appearance.
‘Of course, Seohui’s friendly demeanor aside, there seems to be a fundamental reason for that.’
It was a recent revelation for Seoyeon.
When actor Lee Sang-hyuk visited the set, he mentioned this.
When he described Seohui as “a daughter who carries her father’s legacy.”
That’s when Seoyeon remembered something.
It was a documentary she saw in her previous life—not a variety show but likely a documentary.
The documentary chronicled the life of an actress.
Her movies and dramas were all hits, earning the titles of National Little Sister and National Actress.
Her career spanned for around 10 years.
Her sudden death made a significant impact in Korea where she was deeply loved.
“And her daughter…?”
The reason Seoyeon didn’t immediately connect Jo Seohui with her was simple.
In her previous life, Jo Seohui failed significantly in The Moon That Hid the Sun.
Perhaps her confidence was shaken, or perhaps there were other reasons, but she went through a tough time afterward.
Seoyeon eventually established her reputation, but it took quite some time.
“Even so, it was never at this level.”
Thus, the documentary didn’t delve deeply into her life.
Perhaps Jo Seohui didn’t want to be mentioned, asking specifically.
Being overshadowed by her mother’s legacy would not have aligned with her pride.
“What are you thinking about?”
“Huh? Nothing.”
“As for the pajamas?”
“Ah, here it is.”
Seoyeon pulled out the pajamas she brought from home.
Technically, they were merely comfortable sleeping clothes.
Naturally, upon seeing them, Seohui thought differently.
“Isn’t this actually men’s wear?”
“It’s more comfortable with a bigger fit.”
“No, no. Hold on, this is just… not right.”
Seohui sighed.
Seeing Seoyeon staring blankly at her, she looked flustered and glanced at Jiyeon.
“Men’s clothes are comfortable sometimes.”
“That’s not the point!”
Still, Seohui checked Jiyeon’s pajamas hastily, glad they were from the women’s section.
In all honesty, this one wasn’t particularly designer either.
Typically, Jiyeon is someone who applies make-up and dresses fashionably, but in this department, she was quite unpolished.
‘There’s a reason these two are close.’
Seohui sighed hard.
“…I’ll lend you mine.”
“That’s not necessary.”
“In matters like these, the mood is quite important. Come here.”
Harrumphing, Jo Seohui guided both of them.
The two obediently followed, realizing some of the rooms were completely filled with clothes.
‘They have a whole room for clothes?’
‘I should do the same when I earn money later.’
Seoyeon and Jiyeon both had their own thoughts.
Seoyeon wondered why it was necessary to have so much, since all her clothes could barely fill half of this room.
‘I should go shopping with her at some point.’
Casually observing Seoyeon’s surroundings, Seohui guessed her thoughts.
She knew Seoyeon wasn’t very interested in fashion, but she didn’t expect it to be this extreme.
What a waste!
Seohui genuinely thought so.
“Let’s see, this one, this one.”
The one given to Seoyeon was pink pajamas.
The one given to Jiyeon was blue pajamas.
Generally, these colors were carefully picked by Jo Seohui based on the two girls’ images.
“Why do I get the pink?”
“It suits you.”
“Hmph…”
Pink pajamas.
For someone with knowledge from her past life, pink was considered a very feminine color.
Yet her being told she looks good in it was quite strange.
Regardless, the design was definitely of high quality.
Wait, isn’t this from a fairly well-known brand?
Worried about the price, she asked.
“Hm? I don’t look at the price tag when I buy, so I don’t know.”
Ah, so she shops without looking at the price tag?
Seoyeon marveled anew at Jo Seohui’s wealth revealed through such little details.
‘I have to use that line sometime later.’
It sounds impressive.
Thinking thus, she quietly changed into the clothes.
“The chest area is tight.”
“…You’re more developed than I thought. Though, come to think of it, looking at your mother…”
Jo Seohui had seen the drama Golden Baby.
The image of Sua, Seoyeon’s mother, there.
Frankly speaking, Seohui thought, ‘Why doesn’t she become an actress?’
Her looks effortlessly surpassed many actors.
Moreover, her figure was at a level rarely seen in actresses.
Especially, well… her bust…
‘Isn’t she supposed to be more slender?’
Like myself.
Jo Seohui thought this while subtly comparing their busts.
“What are you looking at?”
“It’s nothing, just trying to adjust the fit.”
Seoyeon hastily raised both arms to cover her chest in embarrassment.
Seohui was bewildered; it made her actions seem inappropriate.
She was simply thinking it was tighter than expected and that it must be uncomfortable for her in a snug pajama.
“I think these might be a better fit for You-jeon.”
“…”
Jiyeon’s eyes sharpened.
Seohui flinched under her glare.
‘Are you scared just because you’re looking at me like that?’
I should have brought a fan to hide my face behind.
Regretting not bringing a weapon, at least there were different sizes available.
Jo Seohui, believing in her growth potential, had stocked up from small to large sizes.
Frankly, Seoyeon found Seohui’s mindset a bit questionable but at least it was convenient.
‘It’s expensive, so I don’t want to ruin it.’
After all, something snug around the body could easily tear with just a bit of force.
“So, what exactly is a pajama party?”
“It’s just about chatting. Do you want to watch a movie or something? Otherwise, we could watch one of our previous shoots. I already have the footage.”
“…Maybe just the first part of the previous shoot.”
“Why? The scenes shot the next day were good. The ones you did with Jiyeon.”
Of course, there were also some with Seohui.
Both featured romantic performances.
She had thought of showing those but Seoyeon quickly signaled her to stop.
“Uh, I don’t feel ready to watch my performances like that yet.”
Seoyeon, who was quite confident in romantic roles, still felt strange after having performed them.
When reviewing the scenes with others, her face heated up for no reason.
‘Do you think I’ll eventually work with male actors?’
As an actress, this was something inevitable.
She couldn’t keep doing just action films or villainous roles.
“Joo Seo-yeon, are you feeling shy being an actor?”
Jiyeon, catching on to Seoyeon’s thoughts, scoffed, a beer can in her hand.
And when did you pull that out?
“Didn’t you perform quite confidently back when you were younger?”
“Back then? Oh, you mean during the theater days?”
“Yes, you were audacious and excelled at those performances back then.”
Really?
Thinking back to her role as Snow White, that might have been the case.
She must’ve been more carefree during those times, almost kissing another actor.
‘Is this a change that came with growing up?’
This question arose.
During her middle school years, her emotions matured.
What was once plain emotion now grew into sharp feelings here and there.
Her newly transformed heart—Seoyeon herself wasn’t precisely certain about its current form.
“…But, why do you have that already?”
“This will get warm if kept too long.”
“That’s true, but still…”
Beer cans, right?
Although Jo Seohui might disapprove, she was practically a sheltered “Lady.”
Never touching the mansion’s wine, she hadn’t even tasted alcohol despite seeing many wines her father collected.
“By the way, haven’t you tried alcohol yet? The real stuff, not non-alcoholic beverages?”
“Huh? Did you?”
“It’s okay with guardians around. I’ve tasted it during festivals.”
Jiyeon fibbed slightly.
Actually, it was during a high school trip with friends.
But seeing both Seohee and Seoyeon staring blankly at the beer can, she had no choice but to say such.
These are genuine “ladies”!
“Hey, don’t just stand there. Why don’t you try? It tastes quite similar anyway.”
Thinking she had to coax the others since leaving it like this would warm it up, Jiyeon subtly offered the two the beer can.
After all, chatting always goes better with snacks and drinks, right?
“Hmm…alright.”
Seoyeon accepted the can.
‘Well, it doesn’t matter.’
Secretly, she was curious about alcohol.
Isn’t it commonly said that when you’re drunk, emotions are heightened easily?
Seoyeon, deeply interested in various emotions, wanted to understand the exact feelings involved.
Even in non-alcoholic drinks, some alcohol content existed.
And thus, this was where it all began.
