The Genius Actor Who Brings Misfortune

Translator: Marctempest

Editor: Rynfinity

Chapter 274

‘It’s not just my imagination.’

I felt Seo Ji-oh’s gaze on me from a distance and swallowed a sigh.

The gaze that had been on me since yesterday felt especially sharp today.

‘Why is he doing that?’

It was suspicious that he stared at me at specific times, even for someone as strange as him.

Whenever Han Ha-ram clung to me and chattered, or when I petted him, the gaze grew particularly intense.

‘...Could he be interested in him?’

The thought that suddenly came to mind made me freeze.

Han Ha-ram, noticing that my hand, which had been patting his forehead, had stopped, asked in bewilderment.

“Why? Aren’t you going to pet me anymore?”

“Ha-ram, you know you shouldn’t trust anyone just because they’re my friend, right?”

“Huh?”

“No matter how close they are to me, you shouldn’t trust them. Even if they ask you to go with them, don’t follow them. Understand?”

Han Ha-ram blinked his eyes at my sudden words.

Then he tilted his head.

“What if Jin-bae hyung does?”

“...”

“Should I still not follow him?”

I hesitated for a moment before replying.

“Even if it’s Jin-bae hyung, don’t follow him. Actually, not even me. Don’t trust me either.”

“Huh??”

Han Ha-ram, worried that I might be sick, touched my forehead.

“No fever...”

Looking at his worried eyes made me speechless.

What was I doing right now?

I sighed and shook my head.

“It’s nothing. Just ignore what I said.”

“Okay.”

At this rate, it seemed like I was the one with separation anxiety.

Considering that I had pushed Han Ha-ram into my arms the moment break time started, I had no excuse.

‘Am I being too sensitive?’

But he had been kidnapped just a few days ago.

It was natural for me to be sensitive.

‘Yeah, that’s right.’

I nodded slowly.

‘I’m not the weird one.’

If anything was strange, it was the gaze I felt whenever I was with Han Ha-ram.

As soon as I sorted out my thoughts, I turned my head.

“…!”

Seo Ji-oh, having no time to avoid my gaze, met my eyes directly.

Without giving him a chance to recover, I opened my mouth.

‘Let’s talk.’

He should be able to read my lips to this extent.

Fortunately, Seo Ji-oh seemed to understand my intent.

He nodded slightly.

I didn’t take my eyes off his slightly stiffened face.

‘If he’s targeting Han Ha-ram...’

That was something I couldn’t overlook.

Though I knew Seo Ji-oh wasn’t a bad guy now, he was sometimes as inscrutable as a snake and at other times very straightforward.

‘Seo Ji-oh.’

‘Can’t you call me Ji-oh? You seem especially cold to me, is it just my feeling?’

‘It’s not just your feeling.’

‘That’s harsh.’

‘Yeah, I’m being harsh. So, can’t you hang out with someone else?’

‘I don’t want to. Others aren’t as famous as you.’

I knew why he approached me.

I told him I’d go along with his intentions as long as he didn’t cross the line, and he hadn’t crossed it since.

‘Seo Ji-oh wants to become a famous actor.’

That’s why he kept me, Lee Yeon-jae, close.

This fact hadn’t changed even after nearly two years of knowing him.

While it wasn’t pleasant, it wasn’t unbearably unpleasant either.

Conversations with Seo Ji-oh were interesting in their own way, and I didn’t particularly suffer from them.

‘But not Han Ha-ram.’

However, Han Ha-ram was a different matter.

He had grown up struggling.

He had already suffered enough and I couldn’t let him get entangled in anything strange.

‘I need to set this straight.’

Now that Sung Lee-jun was somewhat grown, I let him meet Seo Ji-oh alone occasionally.

In the past, I had been thorough about ensuring they didn’t contact each other privately.

Even if my perception of Seo Ji-oh had changed, the fact that he could significantly influence someone else remained.

‘Not Han Ha-ram.’

I’d rather he used me more.

Han Ha-ram was off-limits.

No matter what, he wasn’t someone who should be exploited.

‘...Absolutely not.’

Unconsciously, I tightened my grip around Han Ha-ram.

“Yeon-jae?”

At his puzzled voice, I apologized and relaxed my grip, but I didn’t avoid Seo Ji-oh’s gaze.

Maybe because of my sharp look, Seo Ji-oh seemed slightly flustered.

While I understood his position, various possibilities rattled in my mind.

The thought that Seo Ji-oh might want to use Han Ha-ram.

Just that one possible thought made my body tremble with discomfort.

* * *

Seo Ji-oh was quick-witted.

There was no need to specify a meeting place.

As I moved to a secluded place, Seo Ji-oh appeared within seconds.

"Yeon-jae."

"..."

When I stared at him silently, he gave an awkward smile.

"I must have been staring too obviously. Sorry if it made you uncomfortable."

"Why were you staring?"

I continued without pause.

"Is it because of Ha-ram?"

"Huh?"

"Are you interested in Ha-ram?"

Unconsciously, my words turned sharp.

Seo Ji-oh hesitated for a moment, then looked at me quietly.

Then he slowly opened his mouth.

"It's fascinating. You... really think about others to an incredible extent."

"Don't change the subject, answer me."

"Why would you think I have an interest in him?"

"Hey, is my question that difficult?"

My brow furrowed in frustration.

Seo Ji-oh looked at me, his eyes calm.

"It's a question where you just need to say yes or no. Is there any reason you can't answer?"

"No, sorry. It's not like that."

Seo Ji-oh agreed and answered promptly.

"I'm not particularly interested in him. I was just curious because he was following you around. It was a bit interesting."

"What was?"

"You were treating him so kindly. Of course, I know you’re generally kind to those around you. You’re like that with Sung Lee-jun, and even with me."

Seo Ji-oh shrugged.

"Even considering that, your attitude towards him seemed especially different. I wondered why. I thought maybe it was because he’s a kid."

His slow, deliberate speech was oddly irritating.

Before I could reply, Seo Ji-oh nodded.

"But it doesn't seem to be just because he's a kid, does it? This morning, you looked at the director’s daughter like she was almost an inanimate object. Haha."

He laughed.

I didn’t.

"So, you stared at me all day just to figure out why I’m kind to Ha-ram?"

The expression on my face clearly showed I didn't believe him, but his response was nonchalant.

"Yeah. That’s all."

"..."

"Should there have been more?"

His tone was genuinely curious, making me hesitate before speaking.

"Don’t mess with Ha-ram."

"What do you mean by that?"

"I mean don’t use him for your fame."

"..."

Seo Ji-oh fell silent.

I tried to relax my eyes as I slowly spoke the prepared words.

"Ha-ram is a good kid. He’s still young. Whether he grows up to be an actor or a model, that’s for him to decide."

I would help him make that decision.

I would protect him from being swayed by his mother, Seo Ji-oh, or anyone else.

"He’s not someone who should be manipulated. I know there are many eyes on him right now because of the kidnapping incident. I understand that from your perspective, you might see a good opportunity to use him."

I had to calm myself to keep my words from speeding up.

I took a deep breath to speak as calmly as possible.

"I know how unpleasant it might be for you to hear this when you had no such intentions. I’m sorry. But I had to say it."

"..."

"He’s off-limits."

I pressed my fingers into my palm.

Unconsciously, I clenched my fists tightly.

"Instead, use me. I don’t mind."

"..."

Seo Ji-oh remained silent for a long time.

I stared at the ground without a word.

Having said everything I wanted, my mind felt blank.

‘At least that’s a relief.’

I couldn’t be sure if it was true, but Seo Ji-oh had said he wasn’t interested in Han Ha-ram.

Even after hearing that, I warned him not to use Han Ha-ram.

While I had repeatedly told Seo Ji-oh not to cross the line, it was I who had crossed it this time.

‘Anyone would think I gave birth to Han Ha-ram.’

I was aware, as Seo Ji-oh pointed out, that I was particularly protective of Han Ha-ram.

I cherished everyone around me like Noh Bi-hyuk, Sung Lee-jun, and Lee Eun-taek as much as I did Han Ha-ram.

But I had to admit it.

I was especially sensitive about Han Ha-ram.

‘He’s so young.’

Han Ha-ram was only nine years old and obviously needed looking after.

‘That’s why I’m taking care of him.’

Even as I made this excuse, I was unconsciously aware.

Even if Han Ha-ram weren’t so young, my attitude towards him wouldn’t change.

Gentle eyes, soft cheeks, a bright smile.

He was a kid I couldn’t help but adore.

As I had told Seo Ji-oh, Han Ha-ram was a good kid.

‘More importantly…’

When I saw those earnest eyes following me, it reminded me of someone.

Even now, thinking of that person who would be watching me, I clenched my fist again.

Seo Ji-oh grabbed my hand.

"...?"

What was this?

Despite my cold stare, he didn’t flinch.

“What are you doing?”

The sudden touch gave me goosebumps, but before I could brush it off, he quickly let go.

Seo Ji-oh had forcibly opened my clenched hand, revealing marks left by my nails.

“You might get hurt.”

“...”

His tone was calm, as if he had no other motive, as if he held no lingering feelings.

“Our Yeon does that too.”

“...Your cat?”

“Yeah. Do you know about kneading? It’s something cats do when they feel good.”

He went on to explain that cats don’t only do it when they’re happy.

“They also do it when they’re very nervous or anxious, to calm themselves down.”

“...”

“Noh Bi-hyuk and your fans... They really don’t know what they’re talking about. You’re just like a cat.”

Again with the cat talk.

I gave him a cold stare, and he slowly smiled.

“Yeon-jae, I understand what you wanted to say. I won’t do anything that would worry you.”

His eyes, looking directly at me, revealed no hidden thoughts.

I slowly nodded.

“Yeah, please. Thank you.”

I added an apology, genuinely sorry if I had offended him.

‘I feel a bit relieved.’

Though I couldn’t say I knew Seo Ji-oh completely, he wasn’t someone who lied.

‘He’ll keep his word.’

There would be no incidents of Seo Ji-oh using Han Ha-ram.

Now I just had to deal with Han Ha-ram’s mother.

I was sorting through my thoughts when Seo Ji-oh, also deep in thought, spoke.

“Yeon-jae, I’ve never really had regrets in my life.”

“…? Yeah.”

“I used to regret not stopping my mom when she left. But now, I don’t regret it. I understand why she left.”

Because of that, I was able to dream of becoming an actor.

He smiled loosely.

“But do you know what I regret the most right now?”

Here we go again.

I watched him quietly as he asked yet another question.

Seo Ji-oh’s slow smile turned increasingly bitter.

“You.”

“...”

“The moment I first spoke to you is what I regret the most.”