My Girlfriend's Fortune: 3,141,592,653,589-Chapter 90: So Cute

TL: Aniea

"...That's amazing."

After a while, Seo Jun-woo, who had seen Kang Han-na's talent, let out an honest exclamation of admiration. He glanced briefly at Kim Eun-ha, who was next to him, then nodded his head.

“Woo-ju oppa advised me to try acting like I was wearing a mask!”

“Hm. A mask, huh... That's such a Woo-ju-like piece of advice. Well, the basic technique of acting is similar anyway. With just a little polishing, you could quickly find your place in this field.”

“...Really!?”

“Yeah. I'm sure.”

It was a firm affirmation from Seo Jun-woo, someone who could be called a veteran senior just based on his experience. Hearing that, even Kang Han-na’s eyes began to shine with a glimmer of hope.

“Han-na, you’re also doing well in your studies, so you can choose whichever university you want to go to. You might even become our hubae, you know?”

“Someone like me, becoming an actress....”

“It’s actually the opposite. If someone like you doesn’t become an actress, it’s a loss for all humanity. Well, I won’t force you, but it won’t be long before you start begging for the chance.”

“...Begging?”

“Yeah. Like, ‘please let me act’, you know.”

Hehehe-

Seo Jun-woo blatantly turned his gaze toward me and chuckled. I guess this meant that he included Kang Han-na in the ‘same kind’ he had mentioned before.

I was thinking something similar myself, so I didn’t react in any special way.

Then Seo Jun-woo suddenly made a serious face and began scanning Kang Han-na up and down.

“Now I understand why the two of them left you with me. As it is now, it’s hard to use you in a theater.”

“...I-I’ll work really hard!”

“No, if you push harder right now, it might actually backfire. Unless you reach the level where you can ‘act like you can’t act’.”

“......?”

Kang Han-na tilted her head, not understanding the context, so Seo Jun-woo scratched his head and added an explanation.

“Hmm. How should I put this? It’s exactly as it sounds. Sometimes, in drama stories, roles are given to aspiring actors with no experience, or characters who lie awkwardly....”

“That’s way too hard for beginners. The first case is when an actor parachuted in by connections is just so terrible that it’s a last resort. The second case is something only the veterans of veterans can pull off.”

“Exactly. For most actors who fall in between, it’s a truly hellish demand. I also try to avoid such roles whenever I can.”

Seo Jun-woo nodded and readily agreed with what I said. That shows just how difficult it is.

When a person lies, there are subtle tells. For example, the movement of the pupils or gestures like crossing their arms, all of that has to be recognized.

And it’s not just about knowing it. You actually have to act it out. It’s something you just can’t do unless you’ve mastered acting.

“Well, that’s why they entrusted Han-na to me, isn’t it?”

Seo Jun-woo shrugged his shoulders as if he understood everything. Caught in the middle, Han-na tilted her head in confusion.

“What does that mean?”

“Woo-ju specializes in acting that makes his own role stand out. On the other hand, blending in with the people around and averaging things out, that’s my area of expertise.”

“...Averaging things out?”

“Yeah. Compared to other occupations, actors tend to have strong individual personalities. But even among them, there are some who are exceptionally unique.”

Swoosh-

Seo Jun-woo deliberately glanced at me. Kang Han-na’s gaze naturally followed his.

“But in this field, standing out isn’t always a good thing. Whether it’s a drama or a theater, they’re all comprehensive forms of art, so syncing with others is also important.”

“.......”

“If you only have puzzle pieces with too much individuality, the puzzle won’t ever be completed, right? What I’m good at is exactly that, being the bridge that connects those pieces. I tone myself down and refine myself to fit in like a puzzle piece.”

“Syncing, puzzle....”

Kang Han-na mumbled, repeating Seo Jun-woo’s words. I thought it was a pretty hard explanation for a beginner to grasp all at once, but she really seemed to be a bit different.

‘This is what they mean by geniuses....’

Since they do the most ridiculous things like it’s nothing, I couldn’t even feel envious. What could you do about someone who’s just born like that?

In the past, I might have rolled around for days with jealousy. But after gaining confidence through <Peaceful Chaebol Life>, I didn’t care much.

Rather, from deep within my chest, I felt a flutter. It was simply so joyful to be able to act alongside such actors.

“Do you think it’s possible?”

"Of course I... would like to say that. But honestly, it's not a mediocre skill that can be perfectly mastered within a month. Above all, the greater the gap in acting ability, the higher the difficulty."

"Hmm. Then the other kids will need to work harder too."

"That's your specialty, isn't it? Find a way somehow."

"I'll have to try."

Twitch-!

The kids in the back, who had been eavesdropping with their ears perked up, all flinched at once.

Their bodies began to tremble slightly, sensing what the future held. Especially Kim Cheol-su, who had taken on the role of ‘King’, was shaking so badly his legs were giving out.

Whether that was the case or not, Seo Jun-woo, Kim Eun-ha, Kang Han-na, and I looked at one another, lifting the corners of our mouths. We all shared the thought that this was going to be a very fun rehearsal.

*

Full-fledged practice began.

Two weeks had already passed since then.

“Cheol-su, where did that bravado from the interview go, the one where you cursed in front of us? I told you to express that confidence through your acting, didn’t I?”

“.......”

Kim Cheol-su reluctantly nodded his head in response to the nonstop criticism, but there was no way Kang Woo-ju wouldn’t notice that.

“Your answer is slow. You don’t want to do it?”

“I’m sorry!”

“Were you dragged here against your will?”

“No! I’ll work hard!”

...Actually, he was dragged here against his will.

But Kim Cheol-su didn’t have the courage to say that out loud.

After being severely scolded for being cocky during his initial interview, Kim Cheol-su tried to avoid the two of them. However, the vicious Kang Woo-ju and Kim Eun-ha wouldn't allow it.

- You want me to play the role of a king!?

- Yeah.

- That's... um.... that's ridiculous no matter how you look at it. I've never acted in my life, and I haven't even watched plays, let alone dramas!

- But you’ve lied plenty of times, haven’t you?

- What?

Sneer-

Kim Cheol-su could still clearly remember the evil smile that had formed on Kang Woo-ju’s lips at that time.

- There’s a guy named Choi Ji-hwan among my acquaintances. He had a similar case to you. He also said he couldn’t do it, that it was too much. But once he tried, he eventually made it work.

- What kind of bullshit is that...

- Cheol-su, if it doesn’t work.

- ...Make it work?

- That’s exactly right.

After that, Kim Cheol-su was dragged into the theater troupe and had every aspect of his life controlled under Kang Woo-ju’s strict guidance.

- I smell cigarettes on you.

- I don’t smoke....

- Okay, you’ve got two paths. One, be honest and end it quickly. Two, lie and take a long detour. Either way, the destination’s the same. Which one would you choose?

- .......

He seemed like a living lie detector. If there was even a small lie mixed in with his words, he would notice it like a ghost.

- What, you quit smoking?

- ...I don’t even know, fuck.

- Moron. Got caught by the director again, didn’t you. Hey, hyung will generously give you one. Pay me back with a pack later.

- Forget it.

- Dude, I’m joking. Just take it.

- I said forget it!

Kim Cheol-su smacked away his friend’s hand holding a cigarette to his lips. Then his friend glared at him with a face like he had chewed shit.

- Why the hell are you getting so angry for?

- I said I don't smoke anymore, asshole. Whatever, I'm leaving first.

- Hey! Wait.... Huh? Who's that?

His friends tilted their heads in confusion at the mysterious man who appeared before them. But Kim Cheol-su, who instantly recognized who it was, started trembling all over.

- Cheol-su, why haven’t you been answering your phone?

- H-how did you find me here!?

- Hyung knows everything. What time you skipped class, what you’re doing and where. Even if you don’t tell me, I already know.

- Hey, who is this guy.... Aaaack-! My ear! My ear!

The friend, who had stood up while throwing away the cigarette from his mouth, was instantly subdued.

Watching that, the rebellious spirit slowly rising inside Kim Cheol-su immediately vanished.

He recalled with vivid clarity the time during the interview when he boldly pushed his face forward and was thoroughly subdued.

- Y-you, if you don't let go!? I'm going to call the police aaack!

- ...It’s no use.

- What? Hey! Stop talking nonsense and help me.... Aaaack-!!

Kim Cheol-su, shaking his head quietly in response to his friend’s words, stepped back instead. Seeing him like that, Kang Woo-ju grinned broadly as if he were proud.

- Wise choice.

Afterward, Kim Cheol-su received intense training together with his friend. Since that day, the friend didn’t even dare come near him, let alone look in his direction.

As these incidents repeated a few more times, Kim Cheol-su eventually couldn’t stand it and reported everything about Kang Woo-ju’s actions to the police.

- Please wait a moment.

After hearing Kim Cheol-su’s entire story, the police officer put on a serious face and made a phone call somewhere. A little later, someone came to the police station to see him.

- Cheol-su.

- W-What!? Why are you here...!?

- You called me, didn’t you?

- ...What do you mean!?

For a moment, Kim Cheol-su turned to the police officer with a betrayed expression, but the gaze that returned wasn’t just cold, it was completely indifferent.

- Thank you for your efforts.

- No, we’re the ones who should thank you. Thanks to you, the rate of delinquency among local students has significantly decreased lately. Oh, and my daughter’s a fan. Could I ask for your autograph...?

- As many as you want.

Kang Woo-ju even exchanged warm greetings with them. Watching that, Kim Cheol-su’s will was completely broken.

The police, everything, it was all in Kang Woo-ju’s palm. Even if he tried posting on social media, the posts would be forcefully taken down in less than five minutes.

- Cheol-su, hyung knows everything.

Every time he heard that line, Kim Cheol-su received training so awful it was beyond description. Eventually, he came to a realization.

That no matter what he did, he couldn’t beat this man. That even running away wasn’t an option.

Whether he took a bus, a taxi, or even threw away his phone, Kang Woo-ju would appear before him in no time.

“Kim Cheol-su! Not focusing!?”

“I’m sorry!”

...And now, back to the present.

Kim Cheol-su was spending more than half his day under the intense guidance of Kang Woo-ju.

At first, he wondered why he even had to do this. But the more he did it, the more he could feel his skills improving.

“That’s right. That expression just now was good.”

"Yes! ...Ah. Hmm."

“You can just be honest about being happy.”

“...I wasn’t happy, okay?”

Heh-

Kang Woo-ju smiled as if he could see straight into his thoughts.

In the past, he would’ve gotten angry and asked if he was being mocked. But now, he didn’t really feel much of anything. Rather, it was oddly pleasant.

‘...I think my brain’s broken.’

Spending the whole day stuck to Kang Woo-ju until he was so exhausted he couldn’t even move a finger somehow felt refreshing.

Like a long-standing knot inside his heart was slowly unraveling. It was a kind of liberation he had never felt before in his life.

"Ah, it's cold! What..!? Who is it!?"

“It’s me, you brat.”

After practice ended, Kang Woo-ju always bought cold drinks or ice cream like this.

Fizz-!

He even opened the lid himself with care. Kim Cheol-su silently accepted the cola that was pushed in front of him.

His throat had been burning after shouting for hours anyway.

Gulp, gulp!

Ahhh...

As the carbonation flowed into his parched body, a sigh of admiration escaped his lips. Seeing that, Kang Woo-ju quietly lifted the corners of his mouth.

Afterward, Kang Woo-ju plopped down next to Kim Cheol-su. Having worked hard teaching the kids and practicing, his body was soaked with sweat.

Ahhh-

Next, he cracked open a can of beer from the convenience store and downed it in one go. He must have been thirsty too, as he let out a spontaneous groan of satisfaction.

“Let me have a sip too.”

“Your aren't 18 yet.”

"...Old fogey."

“Want to practice one more round?”

Kim Cheol-su stuck out his lips without answering. He emptied the rest of the cola in his mouth to soothe his disappointment.

“The director was really worried about you.”

“...So what.”

“Hey, it’s because you’ve never really hurt anyone that you’re getting a second chance. I’ll take full responsibility and turn you into a decent human being.”

“Ah, what! Seriously!”

“You brat. You’re so cute.”

Rustle, rustle-

Kang Woo-ju reached out and tousled Kim Cheol-su’s hair messily. Though Kim Cheol-su grimaced in disgust, he didn’t make an effort to avoid it.

He didn’t even realize it himself, but a small smile had formed on Kim Cheol-su’s lips, something that had never been there before.

*****

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