Chapter 269
“The class president, Gil Da-hyun, felt it.”
Recently, as she found herself tangled up with Seo-yeon more often, she started to pick up on the emotions hidden behind Seo-yeon’s usual blank face!
‘Looks like Seo-yeon feels a bit pressured when hanging out with the classmates.’
They had been chatting here and there lately, and it felt like they’d grown a bit closer than before. However, she was aware that there was still a hint of awkwardness lingering.
‘Without me, there’s no one else she engages with first.’
Plus, it seemed like she felt uneasy without Lee Ji-yeon from the next class around.
‘Surely Seo-yeon has a hard time rejecting others due to her position.’
After all, since Seo-yeon is an actress, it would be tough for her to separate those aspects from her daily life.
Of course, Da-hyun had asked for a favor in return for helping her with exams, but she didn’t want to push something she knew Seo-yeon didn’t like.
It didn’t seem like Seo-yeon hated it entirely, but pushing forward felt a bit uneasy.
So, Da-hyun spoke to the classmates.
“Together with the next class? I’m okay with that!”
“Isn’t that a bit too big? How about mentioning it to the teacher?”
“Right? Can’t we use this as leverage to ask for something from the teacher?”
Taking those students’ suggestions into account, she approached their homeroom teacher.
“That sounds good. But if it’s just the two classes, it might be a bit awkward, right? How about we involve some students from other classes too and throw a school party? Should I go to the head teacher and discuss it with them?”
Thus, they headed to consult with the grade’s head teacher.
“Hmm, since we’re having a party at school, I think it’d be nice to include some boys from other classes too. And since Yeonhwa High School has recently become quite famous for its arts… it might be a good idea to add some character to that part… How about you talk to the guidance teacher with me?”
“Huh?”
Wait, why is it turning out like this?
Da-hyun was flustered.
She just wanted to keep it a simple class party, but it felt like things were blowing up.
Is this even alright to be deciding this lightly?
‘Ah, it’s a private school.’
At Yeonhwa High School, as long as the chairman approves, everything goes!
Realizing that truth, Da-hyun hurriedly made excuses. It felt a bit too late, though.
“Oh, we were just going to have it among friends…”
“I see. Now that you’ve come this far, make sure to ask the opinions of other students too.”
Fortunately, the teachers at Yeonhwa High School tended to be somewhat accommodating.
So, when Da-hyun relayed the news to the students again…
“Wow, that’s insane.”
“Are we not doing that? We should.”
“They’re giving us the auditorium for free, isn’t that a win?”
The students were just excited.
Meanwhile, Da-hyun felt cold sweat trickling down her back.
‘Wait, am I in charge of all this??’
Being the class president and the first to mention it, she had no choice but to relay the situation back to Seo-yeon.
Is it good that Seo-yeon will get to be with Ji-yeon?
“…Are we really having a party on such a scale?”
“Yeah, that’s how it turned out.”
Da-hyun spoke while observing Seo-yeon’s reaction, who actually felt a bit relieved.
When there are more people, it’s actually easier to avoid being the center of attention.
Especially since Ji-yeon would be there too!
“Then that’s great.”
She promptly agreed and sent a message over to Ji-yeon to inform her about the upcoming year-end party at school.
“Huh? I have a shoot then?”
“……”
Seo-yeon had never considered this scenario, and her body stiffened for a moment.
But it’s not like she couldn’t come at all; she just said she’d be a little late.
That was a relief, but the reality was she’d have to endure a few hours alone without Ji-yeon.
After contemplating, Seo-yeon dashed over to Da-hyun.
“Da-hyun!”
“Yeah? What’s up, Seo-yeon?”
“I-I hope it’s fine to invite a celebrity?”
“……?”
“N-not an actor, but what about an idol group? Isn’t that okay…?”
“???”
“Oh, is that a no?”
Seeing Seo-yeon reading the room and hinting around, Da-hyun couldn’t help but squeeze her eyes shut.
She couldn’t possibly reject Seo-yeon’s request when she was saying it like that.
Thus, what was supposed to be a modest year-end party among classmates ballooned into an unexpectedly large affair.
***
Anyway, when Da-hyun mentioned this unexpected year-end party to Manager Park Eun-ha…
“High schools have parties like that these days?”
“I don’t really know either.”
“Well, it’s your first time, after all.”
Park Eun-ha looked a bit thoughtful at Seo-yeon’s response.
“Speaking of which, the awards ceremony is coming soon.”
“Yeah.”
“You’ve got the film festival awards and the KMB Acting Awards.”
Seo-yeon likely wouldn’t be attending the entertainment awards since she doesn’t regularly appear on variety shows.
But with just those two, there was a lot to think about.
Considering Seo-yeon’s age, it wouldn’t be easy to prepare an extravagant dress.
A neat and tidy dress would be the safest bet.
“So for the school’s year-end party, I guess I don’t need a separate dress?”
“They asked everyone to come in party attire…”
“Oh really?”
Then should she be making an order for three dresses all at once while she’s at it?
Honestly, Eun-ha had no idea how big the year-end party at the high school would be.
“By any chance, celebrities aren’t coming, right?”
“They might.”
Of course, it was all because Seo-yeon had called them in.
The summer girl, Cha Na-hee, had readily given her permission.
As it happened, Seo-yeon had some things to discuss with Cha Na-hee, so the timing was perfect.
“Really? Then should I prepare one more dress? Since I won’t be preparing anything too flashy anyway…”
At those words from Park Eun-ha, Seo-yeon found herself wondering whether she should just let things lie as they were or intervene.
After all, Seo-yeon herself hadn’t decided how she would dress for the occasion.
“Anyway, now it’s time for the filming of Mine. Just focus on that, Seo-yeon.”
“Okay.”
“Then good luck today!”
“Thanks.”
Listening to Manager Park Eun-ha’s encouragement, Seo-yeon stepped out of the van.
The path to the filming set was always laced with a chill in the air.
On top of that, Seo-yeon hadn’t even managed to participate in the script reading.
‘Of all times to coincide with final exams.’
Being a high school student meant certain responsibilities.
She wanted to say that, but it might not sit well with the other actors.
The set of Mine was not meant for external filming.
Initially, they planned to use a shooting location that would heavily utilize CG.
‘Well, the cast lineup is cleverly put together.’
While Arthur Diaz might be around, there weren’t any terribly pricey actors involved.
It was more about the fact that they thought Arthur alone would be enough to draw attention.
Besides, the veteran actors were surprisingly featured as supporting roles.
It felt like they spent the money wisely in appropriate places.
‘Come to think of it, I’m not exactly an extremely seasoned actress myself.’
In terms of experience, it had been ten years.
However, given the majority of that time went inactive, it felt more like bubble experience.
And Narumi Sora was a newbie.
If overly veteran actors got too involved in the leading roles, it could throw off the focus.
‘In many ways, this is a very challenging drama.’
First of all, it’s GH’s first venture into an OTT drama.
Plus, it features superpower action, something rarely seen in Korean films.
From the viewers’ perspective who distrust the CG levels in Korean film and drama, it might seem ambiguous.
“You’ve arrived early, Seo-yeon.”
As soon as she got to the filming set, the first person to greet her was none other than Kim Hong-baek, the martial arts director.
This film featured Kim Hong-baek directly in charge of the action.
Though it was merely advisory, he wanted to see Seo-yeon’s action acting right before his eyes.
“Remember, this is action acting. Keep that in mind. I know you’re outstanding, but acting isn’t just about showing off your physical prowess.”
“Yes.”
“That’s all I need from you.”
Though he spoke sternly, Kim Hong-baek couldn’t help but gaze fondly at Seo-yeon as she walked away.
Obviously, the stuntmen from the Cheonghong Action School couldn’t help but exchange glances.
‘The director really likes Seo-yeon.’
‘There’s really no one else like her.’
‘I’ve never seen a sandbag chain break before.’
‘Is she a real esper or what?’
‘But do we really have to shoot action scenes with Seo-yeon?’
‘……’
After exchanging glances, they all felt the tension as Arthur and his bodyguards made their entrance.
And they turned their attention towards the stunt performers.
‘Aren’t they the ones who will take care of that?’
‘……Hmm.’
In any case, they were feeling anxious.
After all, numerous incidents reported at the Cheonghong Action School were evidence to back that apprehension.
‘Rumor has it, a certain actor left and snapped all the sandbag chains.’
Or how a car stunt went wrong, leading to a damaged engine component.
These strange rumors hovered around, leaving everyone skeptical.
Now, at Cheonghong Action School, if someone flew off, people had grown so indifferent they’d merely think, ‘oh, another one flew away.’
As the intrigued stunt actors watched, the cast began to gather on set.
It wasn’t just Arthur Diaz and Seo-yeon; veteran actors who showed up in movies and dramas like seasoning were present too.
“So, you made it today.”
Arthur Diaz spoke to Seo-yeon, who had quietly sat down first.
“I was worried you might just drop out of the drama like this.”
“I had exams.”
“Exams?”
It dawned on Arthur that Seo-yeon was a high school student.
Since he usually only viewed her with her made-up persona, it didn’t register that way.
‘Come to think of it, isn’t she wearing a school uniform right now?’
She came directly to the filming set after class.
“So, today we have to match up for some acting, so keep that in mind.”
“Yeah, I understand.”
Seo-yeon simply replied calmly.
Arthur frowned again at her demeanor.
The calmness emanating from Seo-yeon unsettled him.
Especially since her disinterest seemed reminiscent of someone.
It was quite unusual for anyone, let alone a woman, to treat Arthur like that.
As that oddity began to turn into annoyance, Seo-yeon’s gaze drifted to Oliver, who was quietly standing behind Arthur.
“Who’s the person behind you?”
“You mean the one behind? Oh, that’s Oliver.”
Seo-yeon squinted at Oliver, who was about the same height as Arthur.
He didn’t seem to be an actor.
After all, he was a man with considerable facial burns.
‘His physique seems sturdily trained.’
Could he perhaps be the private stunt performer Arthur brought along?
When it came to physique and proportions, he certainly appeared to be on a different level compared to Arthur.
Arthur was fit, but compared to Oliver, even he paled in comparison.
This wasn’t just to look good; it was muscle built for function.
“Oliver is, in my view, the best stuntman in America.”
“……”
“Why do you look at me like that?”
“Oh, it’s just because I wasn’t expecting you to be so straightforward about this.”
Seeing Arthur being candid about Oliver made Seo-yeon interested.
Yet it made Oliver noticeably puff up his shoulders.
“Well, he’s my friend, after all.”
“Hmm.”
“Anyway, Oliver’s strength is extraordinary; he has even appeared on Strongman competitions. For example… “
Arthur glanced around before picking up a metal rod tucked in a box.
It could have been a prop for the shoot or perhaps just a decoration for creating atmosphere.
“He can even bend this in one go.”
With a gesture, Oliver sighed silently.
He had no desire to perform impressively in front of others.
‘He must be looking to get a surprised reaction from that girl.’
Oliver thought, as Arthur confidently bent the thin metal rod with a bit of effort.
That alone caused gasps of surprise from the surrounding crowd.
Arthur shrugged his shoulders in pride, and Seo-yeon widened her eyes slightly.
“See?”
“Your strength is impressive.”
“Ahem, right. But Oliver’s talent isn’t just strength…”
Just as Arthur was continuing to explain…
『Arthur.』
At that moment, Oliver quietly called out to Arthur.
As Arthur turned his attention, he spotted director Han Ye-geon arriving on set.
Dressed rather casually for a director, he sported a lightweight leather jacket and jeans.
His face showed he hadn’t groomed properly, and his droopy eyes were fixated on Arthur and Seo-yeon.
It was only then that Arthur cleared his throat quietly and turned around.
Unlike how he spoke about Oliver earlier, Arthur now stared intently at Seo-yeon.
“I’m looking forward to seeing if you can show us the skills you’ve honed over the past few days.”
After saying that, he stuffed the metal rod into an empty box and turned away, while Oliver couldn’t help but stare at Seo-yeon, who stood quietly, watching Arthur’s actions.
“……”
Oliver felt a bit uneasy.
It felt unnecessary to show off in front of a girl like that.
And he was concerned about the bent metal rod they had left behind.
Whether it was a prop or just something dangerous that needed to be gathered away, he thought it would be problematic if it was left as is.
“Arthur, I’ll be right back.”
“What? Why?”
“I’m worried about that prop I bent earlier.”
“It’s just a metal rod; why are you fretting? Do whatever you want.”
Arthur waved his hand dismissively.
He knew that was Arthur’s way of allowing him to go.
With that, Oliver returned to the spot where he had chatted with Seo-yeon earlier.
“……?”
As he arrived, he saw Seo-yeon carefully fiddling with the metal rod she had been playing with, examining its bent shape.
She straightened it out and practically smoothed over the bump with her fingers.
Seeing that, Oliver quietly made his way back to Arthur.
“Arthur.”
“What? You’re back sooner than I thought?”
“That girl might really be an esper.”
“What are you talking about?”
Arthur couldn’t help but grow irritated at his friend’s apparent seriousness.