Chapter 84

“Voice Acting Academy.”

It was a place where Seoyeon also attended with Jiyeon in the past. Of course, Seoyeon had dropped out midway to learn various other things, but it was a place where she had spent quite a long time. For Jiyeon, it was the same; while she doesn’t go to the voice acting academy often these days, it’s known that she occasionally visits.

“Wizard.”

Fortunately, no wizards appeared in Ramiel’s broadcasts afterward. However, Ramiel occasionally mentioned one, which still put her on edge.

“Who could it be?”

If it’s the voice acting academy, do I know the person too? Plus, from the way Ramiel acted, it doesn’t seem like they were just casually acquainted…

With this thought lingering in her heart.

“Hello, my name’s Han Da-young.”

And the person in question was met without much difficulty. The first thing that came to mind was…

“Tall.”

She was at least a head taller than me. Plus, in various other aspects as well.

“Not as big as mom though.”

Still, she was quite imposing. She looked at least two or three years older than us, meaning she was likely a college student.

“Maybe an idol with a background in classical singing?”

I stopped my dazed staring for a moment and hurriedly searched my mind. There was no relevant information.

In other words, Han Da-young hadn’t been active in the entertainment industry. She must only have been active as a Vtuber. Trying to recall her Vtuber career didn’t bring up anything either. If it’s unrelated to the entertainment industry, then it’s no surprise that I don’t remember.

“It’s fine to talk casually, you know.”

“Eh? Really?”

“…”

Though she said it’s okay to talk casually, there’s no way she’d loosen up immediately.

Anyway, Han Da-young stuck close to Jiyeon, gently stroking her hair.

“Jiyeon’s a difficult character, so I thought it was a lie when she said we’d been friends since we were little.”

Han Da-young said as she winked at me. What’s she showing off?

“Ah, sister.”

Jiyeon looked up at Han Da-young with a bashful expression, another side of her I rarely see. While Jiyeon usually takes care of me, I’ve never seen her treated like a child since we were kids.

“So, how about we go inside and talk? You mentioned you came here because of a song, right?”

“Yes.”

“Yes. I hope it helps.”

As she said this with a warm smile, she truly gave off the vibe of an older person. Now that I notice, she has quite a mild impression so she’s very approachable.

Once inside the academy, we exchanged some brief conversation.

Indeed, it was Han Da-young who helped Jiyeon become a Vtuber. Although, she didn’t explicitly say Jiyeon was Ramiel or call herself a wizard.

“Jiyeon had a favor to ask me recently, so I’ve been busy.”

“Yeah, I’ve received a lot of help from sister.”

Saying this, Jiyeon gave me a side glance. Her face, rarely so cautious, as if checking how I was feeling.

Could she be… shy?

“Ah, is Jiyeon embarrassed?”

“No, it’s not that…”

“Ugh, really.”

Speaking like that, Han Da-young hugged Jiyeon warmly. The scene felt quite familiar, and Jiyeon showed no signs of disliking it.

Thereafter, their private conversation started. Roughly, they were talking about preparations for the Vtuber career; it wasn’t something I cared too much about. Especially since I had no plans to delve into Ramiel’s red potion.

However.

“…”

It was such a peculiar feeling.

‘She’s my friend.’

Though I’ve become friendly with the class rep recently, I’ve mostly only really considered Jiyeon a solid friend. Yet, there she is having an exclusive conversation with Han Da-young.

“…”

My lips twitched, the same emotion from before. The same feeling I had when Ramiel leaned into the wizard’s embrace.

“Ah, stop calling me sister.”

That’s right, it was the anger that surged at the exact moment she said that. My hands trembled. Jealousy.

It was an alien yet familiar emotion to me, similar to what Cha Sooah portrayed in her acting. Moreover, the feelings that Jo Harin, a character I was exploring for a new role, might have also experienced.

‘Oh, so this is what this emotion feels like.’

No, in Jo Harin’s case, it must have been even stronger. After all, Jo Harin was the girl who had a crush on the male lead Kim Si-hwan, and imagining the feelings of seeing Kim Si-hwan and Song So-ha together was not hard.

Irritation.

Seoyeon had never truly understood what “irritation” was, but now she did.

“Seoyeon.”

“… What is it.”

As I replied curtly, Jiyeon tilted her head for a moment, then smiled.

“How do you plan to do the song?”

Saying this, she sat next to me. Doing so, Han Da-young’s gaze, looking at us cutely, made my face heat up for no reason. Apparently, my emotions were clearly written on my face. I covered my cheeks with both hands.

“New emotions are always so unpleasant.”

Controlling unfamiliar feelings is difficult. Sometimes, like being restless, they make you want to run around.

“Ah, but I have to practice singing.”

“Do you?”

“Because I have to pass the audition first.”

Anyway, coming back to the point, learning how to sing was separate from the matter at hand. What mattered most was that I needed to pass this audition. “[Dream Future]” is an idol audition drama. Of course, you need some form of idol-like qualities, whether it’s vocal ability or whatever.

“Which is why it’s hard to predict the outcome of the audition.”

Also, during the audition, I sang. The judges’ subtle expressions from then still came to mind.

“I might… fail.”

With that sense of danger, I also had some doubts about whether learning to sing was the right choice. Honestly, today’s visit was more about catching a glimpse of the wizard’s face than learning to sing.

“…”

What I learned was that Ramiel and the wizard had a deeper relationship than I expected, potentially for at least over five years.

It seemed she also helped with idol-related work in the past. Thinking about that again agitated my stomach, but seeing Jiyeon smiling beside me made my insides churn differently.

“Then…”

At that moment, Han Da-young spoke up.

“How about trying something simply before we begin?”

“Eh? Right away?”

Since it’s a voice acting academy, there’s a recording studio nearby, so it shouldn’t be difficult.

“Yes, we need to know your level to help.”

“But the audition…”

“It’s fine.”

She smiled gently and said,

“You’ll definitely pass. Jiyeon always speaks so highly of Seoyeon’s acting skills.”

“AH! Sister!”

At her words, Jiyeon cried out.

Because of that, I also felt somewhat embarrassed.

“Only about that?”

When I fiercely glared at Jiyeon, she instinctively avoided my gaze, the very face I often gave her.

Then…

As we sang a simple song in the recording studio…

“Ah…”

Han Da-young’s face twisted into a complex expression. It was the same one the audition judge had given me before.

***

The “[Dream Future]” audition was rather smooth in various ways. More idols and actors applied than expected, and many had been hardworking in their preparations.

The rare genre of “youth romance,” perhaps because of its scarcity, was given a significant push by KMB.

“So, who do you think would be good for the Song So-ha role?”

At Casting Director Shin Yun’s question, the previously heated discussion in the meeting room fell silent. Not because there wasn’t an appropriate candidate, but rather…

“Personally, I think Joo So-yeon would be good.”

This was said by Director Kim Pil-seok, who held considerable sway. Several people nodded in agreement, but…

“However, she may not have the necessary singing skills for the leading role.”

“Hmm, with a few months, maybe some vocal training would help.”

“That’s uncertain, isn’t it?”

So far, Seoyeon had acted both as Cho Harin and Song So-ha, the former out of personal preference, and the latter at the judges’ request.

As for acting…

“Unbelievable.”

“Yes, this is the first time I’ve seen Joo So-yeon act, and now I understand why Park Jeong-woo speaks so highly of her.”

At this, Park Jeong-woo proudly adjusted his shoulders. Her acting was truly flawless.

‘Rather, it’s improved even more.’

Compared to what was seen in variety shows, and even her plays, her emotions seemed richer this time, as if she were “effortlessly” acting.

Without even using the method acting techniques, her acting skill had clearly evolved.

“Balance-wise, perhaps Cha Na-hee would fit better?”

Even though she’s more of an idol, one could argue the term “actor” applies. While her acting was far behind Seoyeon’s, her singing ability easily surpassed the latter. On that measure alone, Cha Na-hee was a clear frontrunner for “Song So-ha.”

“However, initially, Joo So-yeon herself preferred the Cho Harin role. So, that seems more appropriate.”

“But…”

“It’s such a waste.”

While heated discussions went on in the meeting room, Jeong-woo kept silent, aware that sharing his opinion might be seen unfavorably.

“Definitely, her singing was lacking.”

Seoyeon was well aware of this. She had clearly practiced, enough that she wasn’t entirely bad.

Yet, it simply wasn’t enough for “Song So-ha,” who was scripted to win the audition. The problem was primarily the lack of emotion in her singing.

“But..”

Jeong-woo recalled Seoyeon’s performance during the audition.

A week ago.

Audition site.

“I’ll do it! I want to do it!”

She bounced around the audition room like a cheerful puppy, more specifically, like a retriever.

“Can a person’s aura change like this?”

The judges were left in amazement. Until the audition began, she had appeared quite cold and distant. Once acting began, she radiated a surprising amount of liveliness.

But Jeong-woo noticed something different.

“Deserted Island.”

This was the exact emotion that he had felt from Seoyeon back when they were stranded on the deserted island. She perfectly channeled that energy into the role.

With that vibrant portrayal of Cho Harin and her subsequent heartbroken moment:

“Why, why not me…”

Her voice of lament carried an undeniable undertone of jealousy, much like the emotions Cha Soo-ah brought out in “The Chaser.”

The judges all nodded in unison, agreeing it was clearly a different level from what they had seen so far.

“Really, there’s a noticeable gap between idols and actors, isn’t there?”

One-sided, they might not stand out immediately, but compared side by side, the differences become much more evident.

“Ah, Ms. Seoyeon, did you memorize Song So-ha’s lines by any chance? If it’s okay, we’d like to see them.”

“Song So-ha?”

Seoyeon nodded nonchalantly.

She had naturally memorized the entire script.

And her subsequent performance as Song So-ha…

“Wow, this is genuinely impressive on both counts.”

Better than any idol or actor they had auditioned so far.

“So, for the last part… how about we listen to your singing?” “If it’s okay, this drama handles idol auditions, so it’s essential.”

“Ah, of course, I’ve prepared.”

Seoyeon replied confidently. The judges, impressed, gave a brief outburst of admiration.

Although it was short-lived.

“…Hem.”

“Ah, thank you for your effort, Seoyeon.”

Their expressions grew complicated. Her singing wasn’t bad, but…

Was it bad?

The room became restless with an indescribable atmosphere. Despite her impeccable acting, her singing left things a bit ambiguous.

“Ms. Seoyeon.”

That’s when Park Jeong-woo, who had remained silent, finally spoke up.

All eyes turned to him. Was he about to criticize?

He’d done that before, so the judges had this impression about him.

“Or is he trying to cover for her as someone he knows?”

If it’s that, it might be…

Everyone awaited the continuation of Park Jeong-woo’s statement with mixed sentiments.

“Can you dance?”

“Uh?”

His tone carried an air of certainty.

“I wouldn’t expect her to audition with only her shortcomings.”

She would know that she wasn’t good at singing. Though, it was surprising that she showed some confidence in that department.

“Idols aren’t all about singing, they must also dance. Is that doable for you?”

Dance.

The judges all looked puzzled at this turn. An actor dancing? While actors who can sing aren’t unheard of, dancers are rare.

“Yes.”

In response to Park Jeong-woo’s words, Seoyeon nodded.

“I can dance.”

Seoyeon’s eyes shimmered with a red glint. Acknowledging this, Park Jeong-woo nodded and gave a signal to the staff.

The music, one often heard during auditions, played.

Seoyeon closed her eyes and surrendered her body to the rhythm.

One, two.

Counting the beats like this.

And then…

Seoyeon’s eyes slowly opened.

With the music, her dance began.

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