༺ Requesting Cloud Support from a Shooting Star – 19 ༻
Kyung Seo sat closest to the director, resting his chin on his hand, and stared at a man with a sparkling gaze.
“Hello. I am cast as… Jae Seong.”
The pale bored expression seemed unfamiliar. He usually had a placid face.
“I’m Eun-sung. Pleased, pleased to meet you.”
Kyung Seo glanced at Eun-sung, who bowed nearly 90 degrees at the waist in greeting, and quickly looked around.
Today he was alone. Hee Wook didn’t come with him. It was an expected thing, yet he felt regretful.
The camera was rolling for shooting a making film. After the actors’ greetings, they casually shared their opinions about the drama and read the key lines of the scenes. Except for the first greeting and acting, Kyung Seo didn’t really open his mouth.
Finally, the first script reading and meeting with the main and supporting actors was over. While everyone was fumbling to stand up, there was a man who was the first to finish preparing and stand up. It was Eun-sung, who had been rigid and showed his tension throughout the session.
“I’ll be going now. Thank you for your cooperation.”
Eun-sung bowed again as if he would fold in half. The actors gave him brief greetings.
Among them, Eun-sung had the lowest popularity. Considering they were all famous celebrities, he seemed to have been extremely nervous during the script reading.
Kyung Seo twirled the pen he held between his fingers and stood up. At the creaking sound, everyone turned to look at him.
“Mr. Eun-sung.”
It was awkward to call him “Mr.” who he usually addressed as Eun-sung or just Eun. Kyung Seo unconsciously made a subtle expression. Eun-sung opened his mouth wide and stared back at him.
“M, me?”
Eun-sung seemed quite surprised when Kyung Seo, who hadn’t chatted with other actors, called out to him.
Kyung Seo walked up to Eun-sung and stared at him closely. They used to see each other often at offline fan events, but he doubted Eun-sung would recognize him.
“Why are you doing this…?”
Eun-sung, who was scared of Kyung Seo’s silent stare, swallowed hard. His normally deep and clear facial features were shadowed, making him look rather intimidating.
Kyung Seo glanced back. Everyone looked at him with a mix of interest and confusion. There were many questions he wanted to ask Eun-sung, but it was definitely awkward to ask anything right now.
“No, I’m about to leave too.”
Kyung Seo curtly replied and slightly nodded his head towards the back.
“I’ll be going now.”
At the brief greeting, everyone awkwardly smiled and waved. Then Kyung Seo stared at Eun-sung again. With a gaze that seemed to linger on his back, Eun-sung walked out stiffly like a robot.
Eun-sung seemed to have come alone, without a manager. To move around, Kyung seo had to contact his manager Woo Jin, but Kyung Seo put that aside for now and spoke to Eun-sung.
“You used to be an idol, right?”
“Huh? Yes! Right. I mentioned that at the audition, right.”
“Did you decide to fully become an actor?”
At the unexpected question, Eun-sung made a confused face. His expression seemed to wonder if he was being tested. He stuttered for a while before finally speaking.
“…I haven’t completely given up on the dream of being a singer.”
During the whole time as a fan of Two Planet, Kyung Seo didn’t really pay attention to anyone but Hee Wook. Still, he had thought Eun-sung was relatively better than Yoon Min, who had left the team, Jae Gyu, who seemed thoughtless, and timid youngest member Young Woo, so it hurt him to see Eun-sung dejected.
He was a good singer. Not as much as Sung Hee-wook though.
“It would be nice if you could release a group album again.”
It was a comment made casually, but it was 200% sincere. Eun-sung was taken aback, his eyes widening in surprise. Kyung Seo looked at Eun-sung with a shaky expression, implying a silent pressure to continue singing seriously instead of messing around with acting like Cha Yoon Min and causing trouble for Sung Hee-wook.
Just then, the elevator doors opened. Kyung Seo gestured for Eun-sung to hurry up and get in. Eun-sung, hesitating a bit, awkwardly stepped into the elevator.
“Well, I’ll see you next time, senior.”
Eun-sung continuously bowed his head. Kyung Seo, who had been looking down at Eun-sung, sighed. He thought about the times when most of the members, including Eun-sung, used to address each other casually, and a bitter smile slipped out.
“I was much younger then, so feel free to speak casually.”
The elevator doors closed before Eun-sung could respond. Suddenly addressing him formally. Kyung Seo muttered something under his breath that Eun-sung wouldn’t understand, and turned around.
Everyone said ‘hey’ or ‘you’, but Hee Wook always called him ‘Yu Kyung’. He had really liked that aspect, even though it wasn’t his real name.
＊＊＊
“So, usually,”
“Yes?”
“Wouldn’t you dress more impressively for the first read-through of a script than the day of the main cast’s meeting?”
At Woo Jin’s words, Kyung Seo, who had been focusing on his reflection in the mirror, turned around. Woo Jin, dressed as he always was in a grey hoodie and cargo pants, had his arms crossed and was narrowing his eyes.
Kyung Seo recalled his outfit at the time of the first script reading. He had worn a white T-shirt with a beige shirt over it, and black slacks. It was a safe choice.
“Wasn’t I cool that day?”
“No, you were cool. Even if you wear a sackcloth, you’d be cool. No, let me rephrase it.”
Woo Jin pressed and then released his forehead with his fingers before asking again.
“Who goes to a script reading dressed like this? Are you going to another shoot alone? Are you filming a music video?”
At that, Kyung Seo checked his reflection in the mirror once more.
Today, he wore a snug black t-shirt underneath a long leather jacket. It emphasized his already broad chest, and his wide shoulders seemed even more expansive. He was also wearing a necklace from a luxury brand that he didn’t usually wear and shoes to match.
“Is it too much?”
“A bit.”
Kyung Seo clicked his tongue and moved closer to the mirror. But even after a self-evaluation, he found himself quite pleasing today. His neatly styled hair also looked cool. Above all, he liked that he looked rough, like a character from a Hollywood action movie, speeding on a motorcycle and shooting a gun.
‘It’s the complete opposite of the idol-loving girl fan vibe.’
If Woo Jin had been able to hear Kyung Seo’s inner thoughts, he would have retorted that there was no such vibe, even without slicking back his bangs and wearing a leather jacket. However, Kyung Seo did not voice these thoughts, and Woo Jin had no ability to read his mind.
“Well, it’s too late to change now.”
He gave his jacket a quick shake.
“I just dressed for the role, that’s all.”
Kyung Seo, beaming a cheeky smile, looked too stunning to reprimand. In the end, even Woo Jin shut his mouth, thinking it would be better for public opinion to see an actor eager rather than petty.
Just before they got out of the van upon arriving at the meeting place, Woo Jin gave a puzzled look at Kyung Seo’s outstretched arm.
“I need the mirror.”
“Huh?”
Kyung Seo raised an eyebrow.
“Don’t you have one?”
With a baffled look on his face, Woo Jin opened the glove box of the passenger seat. He pulled out a palm-sized mirror that had been shoved in a corner from disuse, and Kyung Seo took it immediately.
“What a fuss, really.”
A stunned Woo Jin mumbled to himself.
Regardless of Woo Jin’s bafflement, Kyung Seo, who had packed a hand mirror in his bag, walked steadily to the elevator and pressed the button. Woo Jin sneakily glanced at Kyung Seo, who was hastening his steps.
Normally, Kyung Seo rarely was late, but he would enjoy every bit of leisure he could afford. He would lie down and sleep as much as possible, rarely in a hurry.
There were only two instances recently where he had been diligent. One was on the day of the final audition for the drama’s supporting role, and the other was today.
“Do you have something?”
“What?”
Kyung Seo shrugged as he got on the elevator. Woo Jin stared at Kyung Seo, but he didn’t meet his eyes.
The full script reading was going to be minimized to prevent the spread of coronavirus and to prevent the leakage of the drama’s content. There were many who were excluded from the attendance list, especially those actors with less significant roles. It was announced that their lines would be read by the director instead.
As the male lead, Kyung Seo, naturally, had to attend, no need to check the list. However, he had insisted on the list and confirmed the name Hee Wook.
‘What will he wear?’
This would be Sung Hee-wook’s first time participating in a script reading. He wondered not only about his outfit but also about his feelings and preparation. Kyung Seo fiddled with his phone, opening the messenger to revisit the conversation he had with Hee Wook last time, recalling that moment.
[Sung Hee-wook: Although I might be lacking, I will work hard not to be a burden during the shoot. I will learn a lot. Thank you in advance.]
How cute was Hee Wook’s message, the embodiment of ‘sincerity’. He wondered how Hee Wook, who was so diligent, would prepare for his acting.
[I’ll see you on set. Acting might be hard, but I believe you’ll do well! I’m very curious about how you’ll be… If you relax, it should be manageable]
He hesitated as he typed the words. Except for the first sentence, the rest was not from Cheon Kyung Seo, but Yoo Kyung. He hastily erased the text and started writing again. He racked his brain for a simple cheer he could send without lying in their new relationship.
[See you at the shoot. I’m curious how well you’ll do..]
That was what he ended up sending after erasing and rewriting multiple times. The message, expressing his curiosity about how well Hee Wook would perform, seemed a bit dry even after he removed the part about his expectations.
He sent a couple of playful consonants to prevent any misunderstanding. All of this was something the usual Kyung Seo would never do.
[lol]
After that, their conversation had ended as he focused back on his schedule. And today, although it was not the actual shoot but a script reading, he would finally get to see Hee Wook’s first acting.
Kyung Seo’s pace quickened as he got off the elevator. He advanced swiftly with large strides and grabbed the door handle to swing it open.
Kyung Seo, with his black mask pulled up to his nose, was impeccably groomed from head to toe. As the shadowy giant stepped in, the laughter of those already present significantly decreased. Everyone widened their eyes and stared at the tall, handsome man clad in black.
Kyung Seo, unbothered by others’ gazes, quickly scanned the cast and staff. Hee Wook was not there. His excitement plummeted.
“We’ll check your temperature.”
A staff member shakily extended a thermometer. Although he didn’t show it on his face, Kyung Seo, greatly disappointed, reached out his wrist. However, his tension rose again as soon as he saw the paper sign with ‘Sung Hee-wook’ written on it from his seat.
‘After all, it’s the fan who usually arrives first and waits.’
Fan activities are 80% waiting. Recalling the wise words about fandom that he realized while attending Two Planet concerts, Kyung Seo’s lips curled up inside his mask.
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