Chapter: 10
I looked up, slightly startled by the voice I heard. When my eyes met the staff’s, I hastily covered my mouth. It seemed that I was embarrassed by the words I had blurted out unconsciously.
“Well, I understand perfectly, but I’ll pretend to be surprised.”
I acted clueless, avoiding their expectant gaze. The staff around us started whispering.
“The kid got scared!”
“No, seriously, I thought his brain was going to pop out of his mouth! Crazy. I’ve never seen such a handsome boy. Hey, student, I’m not a weirdo, okay?”
“Director, you already look like a weirdo enough.”
“Ah, I know, I know. Student! What’s your name? How old are you?”
I feigned embarrassment, preparing to tell my name.
“Huh?”
But no sound came out. Suddenly, I realized my mistake.
“He said I wouldn’t have a voice for three minutes.”
The fairy seemed to have been waiting for this moment and laughed.
<Hee hee hee. Chanan, I warned you. Don’t underestimate the price.>
Honestly, I was a little surprised. I had expected life to be easier, but this wasn’t going as planned.
Still, it wasn’t my concern.
“I’m not going to fail at enduring three minutes, let alone thirty.”
I was an actor. And a superstar at that.
“Time to show the power of an actor.”
I deliberately avoided eye contact with the staff, trying to flee like a herbivore avoiding a cheetah in the Serengeti. The director hurriedly grabbed my sleeve.
“Hey, hey! Don’t run! I’m really not a bad person! Oh, student, do you want something to eat? Should I get you a whipped cream bun? No, it’s just that you’re so pretty. Is… is this uncomfortable for you?”
“…It looks even weirder. I’m scared someone might report me.”
I glanced around. The cafe wasn’t crowded, but someone nearby was watching us while holding their smartphone. They seemed ready to report at any moment.
“Ah, I can’t take it. Trust me, I’m a director!”
I know.
But the three minutes weren’t over yet. I pretended to get more flustered and tried to stand.
“W-wait!”
The director hurriedly searched his pockets, looking for a business card.
Everything was going according to plan. Anyone whose identity was questioned would instinctively try to prove themselves.
And my reaction was predetermined.
“Once I get that, I’ll pretend to relax and give a sly smile.”
That would buy about twenty seconds. It was a twisted situation, but thinking of it as an ad-lib scene, it wasn’t too difficult.
However, the situation twisted again. After rummaging for a while, the director tilted his head.
“Ah, it’s not here. I must have left it behind.”
Damn.
<Kuhahaha! See? Don’t underestimate cause and effect! Chanan! Even if you were a top star, this new life won’t be easy! Kuhuhuhuhu. How’s it feel, huh?>
The fairy laughed like a demon. Our damn fairy.
“Hmm…”
Well, it might be hard for an ordinary person.
But,
“If you stay calm, the path opens.”
If once doesn’t work, try twice. I had plenty of experience steering others’ reactions the way I wanted.
I looked at the iced tea in front of me. Perfect.
“If you can’t use a human, use props.”
I gently slipped out of the director’s grip and deliberately nudged the iced tea.
“Ah!”
It didn’t spill completely, only a little, wetting my sleeve slightly. A nearby staff quickly handed me some tissues.
“Oh, are you okay? Lucky it’s not hot.”
I smiled gratefully. For a moment, everyone’s pupils trembled. Of course—they were witnessing a superstar’s shining smile, perfected with tape over the mouth.
“It takes a moment to process this beauty.”
The padded staff fell silent. I waited patiently in the quiet.
Exactly five seconds later, the staff whispered among themselves.
“Wow, seriously unreal.”
“What did I just see?”
“I thought there was a halo. No special effects at all.”
I shyly scratched my cheek and let out a faint groan. Finally, my voice returned. It had been a long three minutes.
I immediately said to the staff who handed me the tissues:
“Thank you.”
I was still training, so my voice wasn’t perfect, but I had practiced enough. My voice carried far and wide, reaching the cafe walls and fading away. I placed my book on the table, making it clear I wasn’t running this time.
Tap-
Director Kim hurriedly made excuses.
“Um, student? I’m really not a bad person. I just don’t have a business card right now. Wait, actually, I’m the only one without one. Seungcheol, do you have yours? Anyone else?”
“Just a moment.”
The staff called Seungcheol fumbled through his pocket and handed a crumpled business card. Kim Director sighed heavily.
“Why hand me a crumpled one?”
“You didn’t expect this, right? Anyone have a crisp one?”
A few staff dug through their pockets. I looked at the crumpled card with curiosity.
“Production Utopia…”
“Yeah, that’s it. It’s upstairs. I’m Lee Jinjung, the director there. But you’re not just anyone, right? Your voice is different.”
I smiled shyly.
“I’m studying acting.”
“Of course, a face like that should appear somewhere. Otherwise, it’s a crime.”
I agreed internally but deliberately avoided eye contact, acting like an inexperienced rookie.
“I’m Oh Chanan. I also have a card. Here. Ah, it’s not mine, it’s my agency boss’s card.”
“Oh my, Chanan. Such a pretty name. And you have an agency!”
I lied without even moistening my lips.
“Yes. My relative is the boss.”
Not true.
“Well, going back far enough, there might be someone with blood ties. Not a complete lie, maybe?”
<Chanan, really now.>
Noisy fairy.
“My uncle told me to show this card if anything happened. I’ve carried it around, but never needed to give it out…”
I kept avoiding eye contact, whispering shyly.
“It’s my first time, so it’s embarrassing.”
The cafe went quiet for a moment, then erupted again.
“Oh my, so cute!”
“Looks shy. Wow, first time I noticed. When pretty kids do cute things, it gives me goosebumps!”
The situation was ideal. My beauty was working overtime.
<Ugh, utterly cunning.>
“Thanks for the compliment.”
<How is that a compliment?>
Ignoring the fairy, I focused on the situation. Director Kim examined my face carefully.
“Hm, I’ll have to talk with your uncle, Chanan. I’m directing a music video this time.”
“Yes.”
“I think you’d be great for it. Of course, I’ll need to consult the higher-ups… do you have a filmography?”
I shook my head.
“I’ve only studied acting, never performed.”
“Oh, really? With a face like that, I’d know if you’d been anywhere. What to do… I don’t use total beginners.”
No.
I lifted my head slightly, meeting the director’s gaze. For about five seconds, I held it, then blinked once.
He saw me. Could he really not use this face?
“Wouldn’t it be a shame to miss it?”
Not a shame? Plus, he liked taking risks. It was worth trying, right?
I dangled the lure of my debut, swaying it gently.
Then,
“Hmm, I guess I could use him!”
He took the bait.
“Director!”
“You’re just too pretty. Even if you can’t act, as long as the camera captures you, it should be fine.”
“But you argued in the meeting that acting skills are necessary for this music video. And now this!”
“People’s minds change between entering and leaving the restroom!”
A valid point. But one thing wasn’t true.
“I can act.”
I placed my hand over my chest and said it sincerely.
“I’m just a beginner.”
Then I met the eyes of each of the padded staff.
“Please believe me.”
A risky statement. A rookie actor with a blank filmography saying this would seem insane.
“But curiosity is the base of temptation.”
Better to be arrogant but interesting than bland, right?
The director’s expression changed. I knew now I had shifted from a pretty boy to an actor with intriguing potential.
“Wow, confident, huh? I usually dislike arrogant actors…”
I smiled at him warmly.
“Because of the face? Somehow makes me trust you.”
This path of trust will be glorious, Director.
“If you need proof, I can send acting clips. Or do it right here. What role should I play?”
Director Kim fiddled with the card I gave him.
“No need. If I trust, I fully trust. Otherwise, I just say no. I’ll think about it and contact this number. Really, weird. Why am I like this? Hah, okay. See you later, Chanan.”
The padded staff disappeared one by one. I only removed my smile once I confirmed they were gone.
Though the targets were gone, everyone else in the cafe still focused on me. I took a deep breath amidst the gazes. The fairy spoke.
<Cheater.>
I chuckled.
<It seems your face is armored enough to block even radiation.>
“Hey, what did I do?”
<You tried to debut using your face.>
“It’s natural for an actor to use their face, fairy.”
<Chanan, you’ll get shot if you keep this up.>
I tapped the sticker on my shoulder.
“Already been shot.”
<Ah! Right, Chanan. Acting like this got you shot. So in this life, live a purer life.>
I was pure enough.
I tidied my book and stood up.
“I’ll take your advice into consideration.”
<Good. Live honestly.>
“I said I’ll consider it, not that I’ll live like that.”
The fairy seemed angry; the sticker vibrated. I returned the cup I’d been using and stepped out of the cafe.
The clear weather felt like a shame.
“Ah, if I’d acted, it’d be an instant success.”
That was the only regret.
I shook my head. I was a rookie aiming for a debut. You can’t be satisfied with the first bite.
“Well, I did my best, so that’s enough.”
At least I’d done all I could for now.
I looked up at the sky. The sunlight sparkling through the clear sky was warm.
Days like this were perfect. The sunlight highlighted a beautiful face.
I had a productive thought.
“I hope I can get one more business card on the way home.”
A natural-light beauty was rare. Anyone in this industry would probably be unable to resist giving a card.
With that thought, I walked lightly toward the subway. It had been a truly fulfilling day.
