༺ Requesting Cloud Support from a Shooting Star – 24 ༻
“So, what did you want to ask me?”
On the second floor of the cafe, in the most secluded corner, the camera first zooms in on Hee-wook’s hand placing a mobile phone on the table. The smartphone screen shimmers, displaying a group photo of a girl group dressed in pastel-toned outfits.
Before showing Hee-wook’s face, the camera catches Kyung Seo’s face. In the drama, Kyung Seo, playing the character ‘Jung Hyuk’, is dressed in all black from head to toe. He’s wearing a black cap and fiddles with its brim.
“Something I want to ask you? Nothing in particular.”
“Then why did you call me here?”
Though Hee-wook had rehearsed these lines numerous times alone, hearing Kyung Seo’s response made him unexpectedly nervous. Trying not to stiffen up, Hee-wook asked naturally.
“We have a concert coming up soon, right?”
“Do we?”
“You told me you went to a concert, right? How was it, seeing your favorite idol?”
Kyung Seo asked, maintaining eye contact. Watching Kyung Seo tilt his chin, Hee-wook swallowed nervously.
‘Just be natural, just speak naturally.’
Repeating this mantra to himself, Hee-wook raised his thumb.
“It was… amazing!”
He thought he’d answered perfectly with a crisp smile, but then…
“Cut!”
The director’s harsh call echoed. Hee-wook, stiffened up, looked in his direction.
“Could you deliver that line a bit more like a passionate idol fan?”
“Didn’t I sound like a fan?”
“Your expression just now, Hee-wook, seemed more like a casual visitor who had no expectations for an exhibition, but ended up with a surprisingly pleasant memory.”
Hee-wook, startled, swallowed hard upon seeing the director’s tired face as he scratched at his temples. The director stifled a yawn before speaking.
“Maybe if you think about the expressions of your fans, it’ll be easier?”
“I’ll try again.”
With clenched fists, Hee-wook poured all his concentration into his expression and tone. He repeated “It was amazing” ten times in a row. Once, his words tangled and he nearly bit his tongue.
“It was amazing.”
Uttering it for the eleventh time, not even knowing what kind of face he was making, the director abruptly raised his hand.
“Ah, yes. Let’s go with that.”
It didn’t seem like the director was 100% satisfied. However, Hee-wook felt relieved, as if he had been freed from the chains of watchful eyes that had bound him. The momentarily halted filming resumed.
“You like them that much? Even though they probably don’t know you?”
Given the newcomer’s shaky acting had delayed filming, it would be expected for Kyung Seo to show some irritation. But there was no hint of that, leading Hee-wook to wonder if his cynical act was just that impeccable. Watching him fiddle around, Hee-wook replied with a slightly drained voice.
“That’s not what’s important. Just their existence alone is something I’m thankful for.”
A call for “Cut!” echoed. Hee-wook released the grip from his clenched fist. The imprints of his nails remained on his palm, tingling as if a weak current ran through it.
＊＊＊
At last, the shoot was over. Though the overall filming was still in progress, all scenes involving Hee-wook were completed, and he was told he could head home.
Bending over slightly to show respect, Hee-wook greeted the director and staff, then entered the designated changing room to change his clothes. He timidly wore his T-shirt and packed his light belongings.
Walking cautiously toward the back door, trying to avoid busy staff members, Hee-wook froze as soon as he stepped outside.
“Why are you here…?”
The reason for his surprise was that Kyung Seo, whom he thought was in the middle of shooting, was there.
“I’m just taking a break.”
Kyung Seo curtly replied. Hee-wook glanced around them. The garden behind the cafe building was shielded with tall partitions, making it impossible for outsiders to peek in.
Wondering if Kyung Seo might have stepped out for a smoke, he quickly scanned the man’s hands. Contrary to his assumption, Kyung Seo held nothing.
“Are you leaving?”
“Uh, well…”
He considered nodding in greeting, as he had done with the staff earlier, but given they had decided to be informal, it felt awkward to bow so formally. As Hee-wook hesitated, watching Kyung Seo for cues, he finally took a step forward.
“The more defined the character is by the actor himself, the easier it is to act.”
Caught off guard by the unexpected remark, Hee-wook widened his eyes and looked up at Kyung Seo. Kyung Seo met his gaze directly as he continued.
“In the drama, there’s an idol that ‘Hee-wook’ follows, right? Imagine what kind of vibe they give off.”
“What kind…?”
“Whether they are a group at the peak of their popularity, making it a miracle to even secure a concert ticket, or they are idols on the brink of disbandment, and it might be the last time to see them perform. Depending on the state of the singer, the fans’ feelings would vary.”
As Kyung Seo’s explanation flowed effortlessly, Hee-wook’s mouth gradually opened in astonishment. Seeing Hee-wook silently taking it all in, Kyung Seo furrowed his brow and scratched his smooth forehead with his long finger.
“You’ve only acted as an idol, but never actually been a fan, right? That’s why your expression lacks authenticity.”
That bitter remark hit Hee-wook hard, and for a moment, his eyes shimmered with unshed tears.
“One doesn’t need to have been a fan to…”
“If the imagination I just mentioned is hard for you,”
Hee-wook was about to argue that even if he hadn’t been a fan himself, he had seen the faces of many fans, and with a little more effort, he could emulate them. Kyung Seo, whom he thought was picking a fight, casually added to his statement. Furthermore, he seemed deeply lost in thought, rubbing his chin contemplatively.
“Perhaps you can assume a situation similar to that of your own group. Such analysis might add depth to your acting.”
Hee-wook blinked in surprise. He had expected Kyung Seo to be chiding him, but instead, the man seemed genuinely concerned and helpful.
Seeing no response from Hee-wook, Kyung Seo stole a glance at him. Hee-wook shifted awkwardly and moved his lips.
“Thanks for the advice… But the last time I performed was so long ago…”
Squinting his eyes, Hee-wook tried to recall. The last time they had a ‘concert’ was during Two Planet’s third year, around the time Yoon Min began gaining fame through a web drama. Hee-wook was twenty-five then, making it already four years ago. Chuckling bitterly, Hee-wook mused aloud.
“I wonder if our fans back then, not anticipating this future, were just blissfully happy? It was fun.”
It was a statement made with a hope that perhaps they were. At least, Hee-wook hoped so, as he had never predicted the team would disband and he’d lose his way.
Reflecting on it now, he felt a twinge of nostalgia, realizing how rosy his perspective had been. Hee-wook rubbed the bone above his eye awkwardly. Kyung Seo, who had been quietly listening, shifted his gaze into the distance.
Hee-wook belatedly realized his blunder. Here he was, receiving acting advice from a senior, and he responded with such a disheartening answer. He quickly spoke up again.
“I’ll definitely imagine it more vividly. So that I can improve my acting…”
“Must have been complicated,” Kyung Seo abruptly interrupted him. Puzzled by the unexpected response, Hee-wook stared in confusion. Avoiding Hee-wook’s gaze, Kyung Seo continued.
“Feeling happy watching your favorite idol, yet anxious about how long that happiness will last. Pleased to watch from a distance, but wanting to be closer. Hoping to see them again tomorrow. Feeling joy but also sadness…”
Kyung Seo’s words flowed more slowly than before but remained composed. He trailed off and pressed his lips tightly before releasing.
“It’s just what I think,” he said.
Kyung Seo looked up and locked eyes with Hee-wook. Shortly after, Kyung Seo’s eyes narrowed in confusion.
“Why are you looking at me like that?”
Hee-wook, who had been observing him with an intrigued expression, uttered a surprised “Ah” and scratched his cheek.
“It’s just unexpected. Being an actor, do you analyze characters so well?”
“……”
“You truly understand a fan’s heart.”
“It’s not particularly that… I have fans too.”
For a moment, Kyung Seo’s eyes widened, and he sighed before replying.
Of course. Kyung Seo would undoubtedly have a hundred, if not a thousand times more fans than him. Chastising himself for his superficial insights, Hee-wook offered an awkward laugh.
“Kyung Seo’s fans are lucky. They adore a star who truly understands a fan’s heart.”
Without responding, Kyung Seo clicked his tongue. To Hee-wook, that sound felt like a subtle reprimand, and he discreetly swallowed.
Embarrassed by the realization that he had focused solely on memorizing his lines due to his minor role rather than genuinely studying the character, he felt amateurish. Just as he was about to stand up, determined not to face the same criticism again, Kyung Seo spoke.
“As for Sung Hee-wook’s fans…”
The clearly pronounced words made Hee-wook freeze in place.
“They probably felt bad, didn’t they?”
Being significantly taller than Hee-wook, Kyung Seo’s proximity required Hee-wook to tilt his head up to meet his gaze. Behind Kyung Seo, the afternoon sky was painted in ethereal shades. The visage of Kyung Seo, seemingly enveloped against the bluish backdrop, looked mystic.
It felt like a blue bruise had formed.
Hee-wook tried to respond, but for some reason, his voice failed him.
‘Did those people feel good because they liked me?’
He couldn’t confidently say they did. But admitting they might not have made him feel like he was on the brink of tears.
Contemplating, Hee-wook felt a tingling sensation in his nose and firmly closed his mouth. Instead, he chose to awkwardly smile and change the subject.
“I should get going.”
“……”
“Since I’m your junior, it feels weird if I’m the only one speaking informally. Can’t we talk more comfortably?”
“I’m younger in age, and you’re my senior in the entertainment world. What does it matter?”
“If you don’t want to speak informally, can you at least drop the ‘Mr.’? Or call me ‘Hyung’? Or I’ll go back to speaking formally.”
Purposely speaking in a formal tone made Kyung Seo squirm, his thick eyebrows furrowing. He wore a visibly troubled expression.
“It’s difficult.”
Hee-wook responded to the stubborn remark with a disheartened laugh.
‘Has he never used the term “Hyung” before? That can’t be right.’
But if Kyung Seo was uncomfortable, Hee-wook had no intention of forcing it. As he pondered reverting back to the formal speech, he gave a slight bow in greeting.
“…Next time we meet, I’ll try calling you that.”
From above, Kyung Seo’s reply dropped like raindrops. Straightening up, Hee-wook gazed at the man in front of him. Kyung Seo’s expression was one of deep contemplation, his brows drawn together.
Although he was strikingly handsome, his face that had once felt imposing and fierce, now oddly resembled a mischievous child. This drastic shift in impression made Hee-wook burst into a chuckle.
“Alright, that’s good.”
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