My Girlfriend's Fortune: 3,141,592,653,589-Chapter 92: You Trust Me, Right?

TL: Aniea

“The choir exceeded expectations.”

“Yeah. A maestro really is different.”

At the words of writer Jung Ha-rin, director Kang In-ho nodded. Having watched their growth from start to finish while filming the documentary, he felt it all the more impressive.

Despite the seemingly unmanageable mix of people of all ages and genders, Kim Kaelin skillfully led the members and drew out the best harmony.

“It’s all thanks to the kids following along so well. The nuns who voluntarily took on the role of intermediaries also helped a lot.”

Kim Kaelin looked at the lined-up choir members with a satisfied smile. There’s nothing more fulfilling as an educator than witnessing the growth of one’s students.

“To be honest, even after writing the script, I wasn’t sure this would really work... Separating the theater team and the choir entirely was a stroke of genius.”

“Well, it was inevitable due to time constraints. Rather than mixing things halfway, focusing on each specialty was obviously more productive.”

“No problems with the theater team?”

“Probably not. Dong-gyu looked really excited. He even volunteered to take on the PD role. I asked him to give me a sneak peek, and he flat-out refused.”

"...Assistant director ssi!?"

At the next words, Jung Ha-rin widened her eyes like a rabbit. That’s how unfamiliar Oh Dong-gyu’s behavior was.

“It’s the first time I’ve seen the assistant director work so hard. He always says, ‘I only work as much as I’m paid.’”

“Looks like he got paid a lot this time.”

“Huh?”

"That side has 'that couple.'"

Ah-

The staff, who knew exactly who was being referred to, all let out exclamations at once.

Flustered, Kang In-ho, who had brought it up first, hastily added on.

"Hey hey! It's a joke, a joke! Anyway, those people do so many extraordinary things that even if they spout bullshit, people would swallow it right up."

“...It’s understandable.”

The staff all nodded in agreement. They really did things normal people couldn’t even imagine, as if it were nothing.

Right now, several crew members were holding Tablet PCs with the title <Peaceful Chaebol Life> displayed prominently.

Kang In-ho, observing the staff’s reactions, shook his head as if they were hopeless and continued.

“Not that anyone wouldn’t feel the same, but Dong-gyu used to be much more passionate than you guys at first. He just became numb after going through a lot.”

Perhaps recalling some bad memories, Kang In-ho swallowed a bitter smile. He slowly continued, gazing past the wall.

“If it weren’t for family, he would’ve quit long ago. Seeing him fired up with passion again... it really feels like we’ve gone back ten years.”

“Wow, you really sound like a grandpa.”

"...Hey."

Kikik-

People around them stifled laughter at the pair’s comedy act. Seeing this, Kang In-ho scratched his head as if trying to hide his embarrassment.

“Anyway, there’s nothing for us to worry about on that side. I don’t know what the hell they did, but even Seo Jun-woo joined the play.”

“I am curious what it looks like. After practice, the kids always seem dazed and talk all day about lightsabers. Just how flashy can it be?”

“Beats me. They say even the rehearsal is under tight security. They’ll decide whether to open it to the public based on our reaction. If it turns out to be nothing special...”

“They’ll do a good job, no doubt.”

Puhuhu-

Jung Ha-rin couldn’t hold back a laugh at grumbling Kang In-ho. A small smile spread across everyone’s lips as they watched the two.

***

“No. I can’t do this.”

Meanwhile, a considerable commotion was taking place on the theater team’s side. Seo Jun-woo, sprawled flat on the floor, declared a strike with a face full of resolute determination.

Sweat was pouring down his forehead like rain, and his clothes were soaked through, as if he had just walked out of a mountain stream.

Around him, pitifully flickering lightsabers lay scattered without care.

"For an actor to..."

“Yeah, man. Well said!”

At Kang Woo-ju’s reproach, Seo Jun-woo glared and lifted his head. Clearly feeling wronged, he raised his voice, the veins in his neck bulging.

“I am an actor, first and foremost! An actor! Not a martial artist! Using a lightsaber is fine. Let’s say that’s okay. But what the hell is this insane fight scene!?”

“We rehearsed all the choreography in advance.”

“...This is fucking crazy.”

Ack-! Aagh-!!

Grabbing the back of his neck, Seo Jun-woo collapsed back onto the stage. Right after, he let out a long sigh as if dumbfounded and spoke.

“...Hey, it took two whole days to film the legendary three-minute long take in the movie Oldboy. Two days! And you want me to do this live?”

“That was 17 to 1. You only have to deal with two people.”

“It’s a problem because each of those two fights like ten!”

Seo Jun-woo screamed.

He had been acting since childhood and had never once uttered the word “give up.” But this time was an exception.

The scene he claimed to be impossible was the climactic highlight of the play, where the prince and princess join forces to battle the evil sorcerer.

‘...Are these people actually insane?’

Seo Jun-woo ground his teeth as he looked at the two standing in front of him. Most infuriating of all was the expression on their faces that seemed to say, “Why can’t you do this?”

Of course, Seo Jun-woo hadn’t given up from the start. He had tried to keep up, somehow.

‘...This is physically impossible.’

The scene involved numerous acrobatic movements that even professional stunt actors would find daunting.

The paths of the swinging swords and the dodging movements were subdivided into dozens of levels involving the hands and feet, neck, head, shoulders, waist, and more.

That alone was enough to make someone lose their mind. But the setup had him facing both Kim Eun-ha and Kang Woo-ju simultaneously, which doubled, no, exponentially increased, the difficulty.

“No one could pull this off.”

“I did.”

“Ha, and just because you can open your mouth.... Even martial arts novels aren’t this extreme. Especially the part where you jump midair off nothing, what is that!? If that’s physically possible, I’ll donate my entire acting fee to the orphanage!”

“Are you serious?”

“...Yeah!”

Seo Jun-woo firmly declared that no such monster could possibly exist. Kim Eun-ha, who had been quietly watching him, turned her head.

“Team Leader Kang.”

“You called for me.”

“...Huh?”

At the sound of someone approaching, Seo Jun-woo glanced up. A middle-aged man who looked to be of considerable age stepped onto the stage.

“May I ask you for a demonstration?”

“Understood.”

After giving a slight bow, Team Leader Kang Dae-ho kicked up one of the lightsabers lying on the floor.

As if using telekinesis, the lightsaber flew up naturally into his hand.

Everyone gaped as he picked up the object without even bending his waist.

‘...What did I just see?’

Seo Jun-woo furrowed his brow, unsure of what he had just witnessed. The atmosphere was flowing in a strange direction.

In that moment, Seo Jun-woo locked eyes with Kang Dae-ho, who was looking down at him.

Flinch-!

His body jerked powerfully on its own, against his will. It felt like facing a tiger. Seo Jun-woo immediately sprang to his feet.

“.......”

Kang Dae-ho didn’t say a word, but Seo Jun-woo read the message in his eyes and quietly stepped back into a corner.

Then, naturally, the two others distanced themselves and faced off against Kang Dae-ho. Kang Woo-ju and Kim Eun-ha raised their swords with tense expressions.

“Then, I will begin.” 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚

Hup-

Kang Dae-ho drew in a short breath and charged toward the two.

As if they had been waiting, Kang Woo-ju and Kim Eun-ha swung their swords in sync.

The three moved seamlessly, like one body, with not the slightest break in rhythm.

With dazzling movement and lightsabers slicing rapidly through the air, their trails captivated everyone’s gaze.

“...Wow.”

“...Unbelievable.”

“...It’s like they’re dancing!”

The children watching the rehearsal from below the stage all opened their mouths in awe. Seo Jun-woo felt the same.

‘...Is this really possible?’

Even though he was seeing it with his own eyes, he couldn’t believe it. Watching the three people actually pull off something so absurd, Seo Jun-woo was utterly dumbfounded.

If Star Wars existed in real life, he imagined battles like this might actually happen.

As Seo Jun-woo stood there dazed, watching the rehearsal, the three had already moved into the finale without him realizing.

The demonstration ended with Kang Dae-ho literally kicking off into the air and the couple, Kang Woo-ju and Kim Eun-ha, chasing after him to deliver the finishing blow.

“.......”

Clap, clap, clap clap clap clap-!

Applause erupted belatedly. Everyone who had been watching stood up and gave a standing ovation.

“...I’m speechless.”

Oh Dong-gyu, who had captured every moment with his camera, spoke for everyone. It wasn’t a human performance, it was beyond that.

Swoosh-

At that moment, Kang Woo-ju and Kim Eun-ha, having finished the demonstration, turned their eyes toward Seo Jun-woo. Both wore identical smiles, as if stamped from the same mold.

“What was it you said earlier?”

“He said he’d donate his entire appearance fee.”

"Hmm. The appearance fee would include all of Seo Jun-woo ssi's profits from this play, right? If things go well, we might get a free model."

"Nah, that would be pushing it. I'll win the department store billboard model contract. Isn't this already a clear victory?"

“Hm. That’s true....”

Twitch-

Like they had scripted it in advance, the two took turns landing verbal jabs. Seo Jun-woo, his pride stung, furrowed his brow.

“...Says who?”

“Hmm? Didn’t you just say you were quitting? Isn’t that forfeit?”

“...I’ll do it.”

“Hmm? What was that?”

“I said I’ll do it! Fine, I’ll do it if that’s what you want! I watched how it’s done just now, and I think I’ve got a rough sense of it. If I can just see it two more times....”

At Seo Jun-woo’s words, the two gave disinterested expressions. Kang Woo-ju was the first to respond.

“Team Leader Kang is a busy man.”

“He’s old, so doing it twice would be tough.”

“Oh dear. His insurance premiums must be high.”

“Lately, his teeth have been getting loose too....”

Goddamn con artist couple.

Seo Jun-woo ground his teeth inwardly.

When practicing, they bickered like they were out for each other’s throats, but now they were acting like a match made in heaven.

Even now, they were practically volunteering, working for little to no pay. But how much more did they want to milk out of him?

The man in question, Kang Dae-ho, stood expressionless from beginning to end. Just what part of that monster was supposed to be old?

“...What do you want?”

Still, what could he do?

The one who needs something has to bow his head first.

The moment he saw Kang Dae-ho’s movements earlier, Seo Jun-woo erased the word “give up” from his mind.

He could’ve accepted not knowing. But having witnessed such acting with his own eyes, simply giving up wasn’t something he could allow in his personal dictionary.

“Then why don’t we take a short break and talk in more detail in the lounge?”

Siiick-

The two devils grinned wickedly at him.

Grit-

Among them, it was especially Kang Woo-ju’s smirk that irritated Seo Jun-woo the most. Grinding his teeth, he followed them, determined not to lose no matter what.

***

“I'm almost ready.”

“Looks that way.”

“Except for one thing.”

“.......”

Kim Eun-ha turned her head, avoiding my gaze in an uncharacteristic manner. In the play that was progressing smoothly, there was just one issue.

And that was.

That Kim Eun-ha had a severe case of tone-deafness.

“Ugh-!”

“Ah! S-sorry.”

Kim Eun-ha, who had stepped on my foot, apologized anxiously. This must be the umpteenth time. At this point, there was a visible bruise on the top of my foot.

“Eun-ha ssi, you’re not doing this on purpose, right? I still can’t believe someone so good at sports could be tone-deaf.”

“...I’m sorry.”

Kim Eun-ha opened her mouth very cautiously, her face full of guilt. Anyone could see she was genuinely sorry, which only made me feel more apologetic.

‘What should we do about this?’

What we were currently rehearsing was the final scene of the play, the “wedding.”

After defeating the evil sorcerer, the prince and princess hold a wedding with everyone’s blessings, and there’s a scene where they dance in the center of the stage.

“...Should I talk to the writer about it?”

“Hmm. That might be difficult.”

It was a perfect closing scene that also served as a device to naturally bring everyone who participated in the play up onto the stage.

Moreover, the children with smaller roles than the leads had relatively more time to practice the dance and had already reached a near-perfect level.

Changing the scene at this point would not only lower the quality of the production but also disappoint the kids who had worked so hard.

‘Eun-ha ssi must know that too...’

It also meant she was under so much psychological pressure that she didn’t even have the mental space to consider others.

When I looked over, I saw Kim Eun-ha with her head drooped, wearing a gloomy expression. I could say for sure I had never seen her so lacking in confidence.

Though I felt bad thinking it, she looked so cute I almost wanted to pinch her cheek.

“Let’s try it one more time.”

“Huh? But...”

As she hesitated, I reached my hand toward her without warning. Flinching slightly, she hesitantly placed her hand over mine.

“Eun-ha ssi, you trust me, right?”

“...What?”

She looked at me as if asking what I meant, and I gave a light smile as I gently pulled her in by the waist.

*****

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