Chapter 52

“……Hello, Seohui. It’s been a while.”

“Yes, it’s been… a long time. Senior.”

The two, exchanging a strange energy.

Park Jung-woo and Seohui Jo.

They faced each other with eyes filled with considerable caution.

‘Why is she here of all places?’

‘Why is this person here?’

Though they smiled at each other, a peculiar awkwardness was palpable.

A strange kind of stiffness that shouldn’t exist in young, highly regarded acting talents was present here.

And then.

The party caught between them.

‘How did it come to this?’

Sooyeon Joo slowly retraced the events after the play had ended.

So, about an hour ago.

“Today, everyone’s worked hard! Everyone, thank you!”

After the performance—especially a successful one—people can’t help but show their excitement.

Reflecting on their own performances in front of countless audiences.

And recalling those splendid scenes.

“Miss Sooyeon, that was amazing! Thanks to you, I really lived it.”

It was Lee Hye-jin, who’d played Minseo Song, who spoke up first.

Had it not been for Sooyeon, the stage could’ve easily been ruined. That was a given.

“It’s because actress Hyejin played her part well.”

“Ah, you speak so sweetly.”

“Really, did you see the audience’s reaction today? This kind of response hasn’t been seen since the first show. Truly.”

Sooyeon replayed the stage several times in her mind.

Meeting the excessive expectations with a performance that they delivered; just that gave an indescribable sense of accomplishment.

“We need to have a celebration! It’s a bit early, but let’s go anyway!”

The excited speaker was Jo Do-yul.

He was loudly declaring he would pay for it all when…

“But isn’t Sooyeon going to school? And we need the director to stay, right?”

“…”

Cheong-seok Sim, who always spoke like clockwork, silenced everyone. He wasn’t wrong, after all.

‘Now that I think about it.’

Sooyeon was still a high school student.

If alcohol came out during the dinner, it might cause a controversy.

Yet, it would also look odd if she didn’t attend.

Who was the superstar of this play, after all?

The one who saved the almost faltering performance? That was Sooyeon herself.

A celebration without Sooyeon wouldn’t exist!

“Ah, my school? You don’t need to worry about it. All permissions are granted.”

“Really?”

“Yes, as long as I meet the minimum attendance requirements, it’s fine.”

At Sooyeon’s calm words, everyone excitedly moved around, saying they should all go. Sooyeon herself felt a bit smug.

‘I did good today, didn’t I?’

It was different from her days as a child actor.

Back then, she had always felt everyone being considerate of her.

She had been aware of her own deficiencies, leading to dissatisfaction with her performances except for that final act.

However, today’s performance was incredibly satisfying.

An episode of “Joo Sooyeon Mad Movie” had been added to review before sleeping.

There was no expression on her face, but inside, Sooyeon was exhilarated about it.

As her mother Sua had mentioned—Sooyeon enjoyed being praised.

And today? It was the epitome of that experience.

Her usually blank expression showed a slightly rosy cheek.

Yes, everything was good until then.

“Although it’s a funny question for someone who’s already here, is a barbecue place okay?”

“Yes.”

As Sooyeon looked at the actors who had taken their seats in the barbecue restaurant from the morning, she suddenly remembered that she hadn’t washed her hands after the performance.

By the way, Jo Do-yul ultimately stayed because of the next performance.

It seemed that he entrusted the actors to Sim Cheong-sek.

Cheong-sek, despite his relatively young experience and age, had inadvertently taken on the role of guiding the other actors during the performance.

“Ah, can I just wash my hands for a moment?”

“Of course. Go outside and turn right, and there should be one.”

As he responded, Sim Cheong-sek listened to the other actors’ orders.

Sooyeon looked back at the lively actors before cheerfully heading outside.

And then…

“…”

She saw a man and a woman standing at the entrance of the restaurant.

‘Hmm?’

Sooyeon knew both individuals well.

First, the man.

A large pair of sunglasses, wearing a hat on his head.

A black mask covering his face with a casual outfit.

But his handsome appearance and the refined lines of his face were familiar to Sooyeon.

Park Jung-woo.

The same person who had acted with her recently on a variety show.

And then…

“Hem.”

The woman, looking at the man with a soft nose sound.

Dressed in a school uniform, just like Sooyeon.

Sooyeon clearly remembered this—it was the uniform of Seoul’s famous art high school.

Her face was slightly covered by a mask, and she wore glasses.

What was there to say?

Right there, behind the signboard, was a poster with her face.

Seohui Jo.

The girl Sooyeon had met at the audition for “The Moon That Hid the Sun” when she was younger.

“…”

“Uh?”

The pair noticed Sooyeon belatedly and moved their heads simultaneously.

They both flinched at the same time.

Realizing belatedly how they might have appeared.

A strange silence.

No one spoke. They only exchanged glances.

“Older…”

It was Seohui who spoke first.

“I just wanted to watch the play today and have a bit of conversation.”

Seohui said this with a very serious look, which didn’t seem like a joke.

“…Conversation?”

“Yeah.”

Sooyeon looked at Seohui, whom she hadn’t seen in reality for a long time since they were kids.

She secretly admired her.

Seohui had grown up without any noticeable changes.

‘She’s beautiful.’

Generally speaking, her appearance is feline.

Similar to Sooyeon, but different.

If Sooyeon was a lazy cat, this one was sharp.

Raising claws and fur.

Anyway, it didn’t seem like she had a pleasant personality.

One wrong word could feel like getting hit.

Of course, Sooyeon was confident her own fists were stronger, so feel free to try.

“But…”

Sooyeon asked curiously.

“You… we…”

They weren’t close enough to have that kind of chat, right?

The words rose to the tip of her tongue but didn’t come out.

That was right, wasn’t it?

‘Ah, parachute?’

That had been practically their only form of communication with Seohui.

Although they had seen many advertisements, it was still unexpected that she would show up like this.

No, rather, Sooyeon wanted to ask Seohui.

Why had she come?

“Ah.”

Though Sooyeon didn’t finish her sentence, Seohui seemed to understand roughly what she wanted to say.

As a result, Seohui froze, unable to find anything to say.

“Hmm.”

Park Jung-woo chuckled and unclasped his arms.

“Miss Seohui, this feels pretty awkward, doesn’t it? To come chasing after celebrities without any real acquaintance.”

“…”

“Hmm, I have appeared in dramas with her, and we recently did a variety show together… Therefore, I came here, expecting a familiar relationship. But you?”

“…”

Seohui glared at him, biting her teeth hard.

But Jung-woo merely shrugged his shoulders.

With his smaller stature and being three years younger than the already young Seohui, she was far from his equal.

‘Then?’

Sooyeon wondered how exactly Jung-woo had become so friendly with Seohui.

Hmm, perhaps more so than Seohui.

They had done a recent variety show together… and who knows, maybe he even watched the play.

“Hmmph.”

Then Seohui regained her composure with a soft smile.

“Still, as a junior, I’d like to offer advice. It’s better to be more careful. When male actors recklessly contact actresses…”

“…”

“…And, to me, Miss Sooyeon is a very grateful person, so I came here to greet her. Yes, that’s right, isn’t it?”

At Seohui’s words, Sooyeon became curious.

While Jung-woo made sense, Seohui’s motives were unexpected.

“Someone you’re grateful to?”

“Yes. Ten years ago, the audition for ‘The Moon That Hid the Sun.’ ”

Seohui talked, reminiscing about the event back then.

“Back then, my failure to win the role of Princess Yeonhwa against Miss Sooyeon—it became a good lesson.”

This was genuine.

Back then, Seohui believed she had grown arrogant at a young age.

Of course, she’s still confident now, but there’s a difference between arrogance and confidence.

“That’s why, I had to meet you once. I wanted to thank you when you return.”

“Really?”

“Yes. And, this time, I…”

As Seohui was about to naturally continue, Jung-woo’s eyebrows twitched, having somewhat figured out what she might say.

“Shh…”

Just as he was about to cut her off hurriedly…

“Didn’t you say you’d go wash your hands? Why aren’t you here yet? …Ah?”

Sim Cheong-sek, sent out to look for the missing Sooyeon, saw Jung-woo and Seohui.

His sleepy eyes.

His casual face as he alternately glanced between the two.

“What is this? Is it a hidden camera?”

The combination of people was enough to make him think that.

***

Seohui and Jung-woo were startled by Sim Cheong-sek’s appearance and immediately fled.

Though they thought he might naturally join the conversation, it seemed he didn’t want to intrude.

He gazed blankly at the two fleeing figures and then asked Sooyeon:

“Acquaintances?”

“Yeah, somewhat.”

“Hmm…”

Were they friends? Jung-woo was somewhat expected, but Seohui was surprising.

I didn’t know she cared so much about me.

Could her achievements surpassing the past be connected to that?

Even as such peculiar emotions welled within her…

‘Is that all from watching them?’

To only have such a reaction after seeing two top-tier actors.

Cheong-sek’s nonchalant entrance somehow foretold why, in the future, he faced harsh treatment during drama shoots.

“Everyone worked hard!”

“Keep going for the remaining performances!”

In that manner, the dinner party concluded successfully.

I informed Jiyeon about it the next day at school.

“By the way, I saw the performance too.”

“Really?”

Then, why didn’t we eat together?

Such an idea was implied in my expression.

“It’s a bother for others to join such an event. They probably left you out of consideration.”

“Is that so?”

So caring people, were they?

I’m not quite sure, but if Jiyeon says so, then it must be.

‘Still…’

I sat on the bench where I spent every lunchbreak with Jiyeon.

Though this feeling seemed different from before.

Was it because I’ve been occupied with variety shows and plays and haven’t been in school recently?

I’ve never perceived the atmosphere so clearly like this.

“It’s utter chaos.”

As if reading my thoughts, Jiyeon spoke.

“Everyone’s asking why you hid it from me. Did I hide it? They just didn’t find out.”

“Hmm, is it that level?”

“What level is that, Joo Sooyeon? Going to follow Uncle’s words?”

Jiyeon seemed exasperated.

For reference, the uncle she mentioned is our dad.

Then, pointing with her fingers at those gazing at us—

“Over there, over there, over there.”

From the teacher’s building.

From the classroom windows.

And people peeking while using the vending machines.

Every time Jiyeon’s finger pointed, students panicked and fled, making it somewhat entertaining.

The influence of the variety show was apparently quite significant.

‘Still, I haven’t made new friends.’

Why don’t they come closer and say hi?

The only person I’ve spoken to since school resumed today was Park Boxbi on my smartphone.

Ah, naturally, excluding Jiyeon.

“And…”

After roughly dispelling those gazes, Jiyeon spoke.

“We should get you an agency soon. What are you planning?”

“What am I going to do?”

“You’ve talked about wanting somewhere before, haven’t you?”

There was somewhere in mind.

The agency to which actress Kim Jung-ha belongs, from our past CF collaboration.

Originally, I recommended it to Jiyeon.

It’s also around the time Jung-ha is expected to rise, and currently, it has somewhat of a lukewarm reputation. Now would probably be a good time with no difficulties to join.

But.

“Is there an opening at your agency?”

“Of course. Even if there isn’t, one will be made if you come.”

Jiyeon’s agency, Nova Entertainment.

Where Jiyeon moved after being at Eunha Entertainment.

Back then, it was a mid-sized company.

Now, it’s become much bigger.

Certainly, it’s not a big agency, lacking in various aspects, and its luster is still weak.

But it was a place with solid longevity, broad connections, and one that would assuredly grow into a major agency in the future.

‘Since I see the people there often, it feels familiar.’

After all, through Jiyean, I’ve interacted with them for a long time.

Considering everything, there was nowhere better than Nova Entertainment.

‘Alright, let’s do that.’

Just as Sooyeon decided that…

UUUNG!

Her smartphone suddenly vibrated.

“Whose is it?”

“Ah, this.”

Glancing at the screen, the sender’s name appeared.

Jo Doyul.

The director of ‘Eyes Closed.’

Staring at it for a moment, Sooyeon calmly answered the call.

“Hello, this is Joo Sooyeon.”

“Ah, Sooyeon. It’s lunch time, right? Sorry for calling you suddenly.”

“Not at all. What’s up?”

Today, Sooyeon had the evening slot, so she had some free time.

Since she could be there by around four.

“There’s a director I know…”

When he got that far,

Sooyeon understood.

“Would you consider appearing in a movie?”

As Sooyeon processed this.

‘The inevitable has finally arrived.’