Chapter 24: Sparks of Courage

There was work to do before my sunbaes returned.

“What food did they go buy?”

“Probably meat and stuff for grilling samgyeopsal.”

I took brown bricks from the storage and placed them on the ground.

“PD-nim, for the space, I just need to make it circular, right?”

“Yeah, probably?”

“You don’t know either, PD-nim?”

“If I tell you, it’s less fun.”

“That’s true.”

I arranged the bricks in a neat circle, filling the space with dry firewood and newspapers Ong PD gave me.

But there was a problem. I’d rarely used a lighter.

I wasn’t good at lighting it.

“I can’t light a lighter…”

“Give it a try.”

“If I do it, it’ll work, right?”

Holding the lighter forward, I leaned my head and body back dramatically.

“I’m lighting it? Lighting it? Lighting it?”

The phrase “lighting it” sounded odd, but it was scary.

Click.

Just a sound, no flame.

Click click? Click click click.

Only a grinding noise. No flame appeared. Was I doing it right?

“Bada-ssi, press harder!”

“Harder?”

“Harder!”

Everything starts with courage. I pressed the lighter’s thumbwheel harder, and a flame sparked.

“Ohh!”

“Ohhh!”

Like a primitive seeing fire for the first time, I couldn’t help but exclaim in wonder. Watching the red flame flicker beautifully, I shouted to the staff.

“Look, I did it!”

“Wow, Bada-ssi, that’s impressive!”

“Thanks for teaching me!”

Having mastered the lighter, I was about to ignite the firewood when my sunbaes returned, arms full of groceries.

I scurried over, reaching to take their bags. But—

“I’ll—”

Before I could say “carry them,” Tae Jin-hwa sunbae-nim spun around.

“Huh, huh? Sunbae-nim.”

“No way. You can’t carry them.”

“Me?”

“You’re small.”

“Small?”

Small? I’d never been called that. Spreading my hands to ask for the bags again—

“Your finger’s hurt.”

“Huh?”

I must’ve scratched my finger moving bricks. But that tiny scrape was less important than the bags she held.

“It’s nothing! I can carry—”

“No! You’re hurt. Go put on some ointment.”

She turned and headed to the kitchen. Left alone, I rolled my eyes clockwise.

‘Was she worried about me?’

She barely spoke or looked at me, so I thought she disliked me. I even avoided her to not make her uncomfortable. Though I watched her from behind.

Maybe I could talk to her during a break. I ran to the kitchen, claiming the spot beside her.

“S-Sunbae-nim!”

“…Yeah?”

“I-I-I!”

My urgency made my words rush like a motor.

“Hm.”

Tae Jin-hwa sunbae-nim glanced me up and down, unpacking bags, and said casually, “Bada-ssi, weren’t you scared of me?”

My brain froze. Scared of her? No way.

“Scared? No!”

“Then why’d you tremble whenever you saw me?”

‘Admitting I’m a fan is embarrassing…’

She paused, waiting for my response. I mumbled softly, “Fan…”

“What?”

“I’m a fan.”

No reaction came. Instead, her voice trembled slightly.

“For real?”

“Yes. I’m not lying.”

“So that’s why.”

I was just flustered being around her, fumbling awkwardly.

“I thought you were scared of me.”

Her tone carried a gentle warmth.

“No way. Why would I be scared of you?”

“True, Ian’s scarier than me.”

Cheon Ian, moving bags, pouted indignantly.

“Why drag me into this when I’m just standing here?”

“Move.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

I’d heard rumors: she’s selective, only close with her inner circle. So it was surprising how easily she treated me.

I needed to move too.

“What should I do?”

Both sunbaes shook their heads.

“Stay still.”

“Don’t move~.”

Huh? Cheon Ian added, “You made that fire pit.”

But isn’t it weird for a junior to just sit? As I tried to move—

“Stop.”

“Stay still~!”

They scolded me again.

‘No way!’

Even if I looked like a workaholic, I grabbed gloves, newspapers, and branches to prep the fire—

Gurgle.

My stomach growled loudly. Both sunbaes turned and chided me.

“No way.”

“I said don’t move~!”

Then Tae Jin-hwa sunbae-nim, after talking to Ong PD, handed me snacks herself.

“Eat.”

“Huh?”

“Open your mouth.”

“I can do it myself.”

“Mouth.”

I’d get scolded if I didn’t eat. So I ate.

★★★

True to Kitchen Warrior’s name, after eating, we sat in the room chatting about recent activities and updates. Afterward, we had free time.

As the staff left late, leaving only cameras, various stories flowed.

Amid this, I couldn’t hold back my curiosity and risked rudeness.

“Is your next project YoungYoung, Tae Jin-hwa sunbae-nim?”

“Hm, why?”

“I’m joining that drama too.”

Her eyes widened at my words.

“You’re in it?”

“No official article yet, but I’m playing Yeon-woo.”

“Yeon-woo?”

“Yes, and you’re my mother, right?”

I hadn’t heard confirmation, but if she got the offer, it’s the most likely role.

She didn’t respond immediately, so Cheon Ian, watching quietly, asked, “What’s Yeon-woo’s role?”

“A one-sided love role.”

“You, in a one-sided love? That’s a bad role! I didn’t raise you like this!”

“What are you on about?”

He clutched his heart, pretending it hurt every time he watched dramas.

I wished he’d actually tear it.

“Don’t overdo it.”

“I’m serious! My heart breaks for my junior, noona.”

“Then deal with it.”

“That’s not a joke…”

As she stood, he scrambled to sit beside me.

“Don’t come closer.”

“You don’t like me?”

“Yup.”

“That hurts. My heart’s breaking.”

“Patch it up.”

His dramatic beer-drinking left me speechless.

As silly banter continued, Tae Jin-hwa sunbae-nim asked calmly, “Why’d you ask?”

“Just…”

“Testing me?”

Testing? I’d rather be honest than shady.

“No! I just want to work with you. I want to see how you act up close.”

I wanted to show her my acting. And, selfishly, if we’re in the same drama, maybe we could act together…

Plus, if she joins, the buzz could flatten Director Kim Jin’s competing drama.

After five years away, her return would naturally draw fans and viewers.

“It might not be great for you.”

“Why?”

I’d only worked with her once, so I didn’t know her style well.

“Our noona’s picky on drama sets. She scolds co-stars who can’t act.”

“So what?”

“Just saying.”

“Don’t start what you can’t finish.”

Picky? A new side of her! I wanted to see it.

“I think that’s great.”

“Wow, such a fan.”

Cheon Ian, calling it an incurable disease, stuffed snacks in his mouth.

“You sure?”

She admitted she’s sensitive, her face showing dislike if annoyed, and asked if I was okay.

“Then won’t my acting improve? I want advice from skilled sunbaes. If I don’t grow here, I’ll sink.”

Too many words? Calming my excitement, I continued, “I’m still hungry for acting.”

I wanted to act better. With their advice, maybe I could reach acting’s peak.

“That’s it?”

“…Huh?”

“Doesn’t seem like it.”

Her sharp words pierced my heart like an arrow.

“People’s drive comes from dreams, but also revenge.”

“…..”

“I think you’ve got some revenge too.”

She was right, leaving me speechless. But I couldn’t bring it up—it’s my fight alone.

I glanced up slightly. “Is that bad for acting?”

Smiling, she placed her hand on my head.

“Not bad.”

“…….”

“It’s not like you’re killing someone. What’s the big deal?”

Even Cheon Ian, who seemed ready to stop me, nodded in agreement.

“Those feelings help you act better.”

So, is she joining YoungYoung? I grabbed her sleeve and asked, “Are you doing the drama?”

“Hm, not sure. I got the offer but haven’t decided.”

She didn’t say no. As I smiled, lost in hopeful daydreams, she fed me a snack and said, “But it’s my first project in five years. Fun aside, a low-quality drama in my filmography would hurt my pride. I have a career, you know?”

“Uh… right?”

“It depends on who the male lead is. It could get canceled.”

Right, a filmography matters. She mentioned the male lead specifically, but Ryu Byeol should be fine—a popular actress.

‘…The male lead.’

The male lead wasn’t confirmed yet. A veteran would be great.

With it being a cable drama by a rookie writer and director, it won’t be easy.

Who could it be?

“Noona, should I do it?”

“No way.”

“So firm. Can’t you consider it~?”

“I said no!”

She shouted, grimacing as if the idea was unthinkable, and stuffed snacks in his mouth.

Mumbling, unable to speak, he furrowed his brow, aggrieved. In this sitcom-like moment, I burst out laughing. Their soft smiles followed.

A sub-quest window popped up, signaling success.

[Sub-Quest ‘Appear on Cheon Ian’s Variety Show’ Completed.]

[Reward Obtained: 0.5 Points]

As the sub-quest confirmed, “I’m glad I came to Kitchen Warrior today.”

Truly.

★★★

Days after wrapping Kitchen Warrior, at the drama set.

Save Me hit over 20% by episode 11, securing an extension as promised, with filming today.

The extension episode, per the writer’s intent, had an open ending, focusing on the characters’ pasts, not a continuation.

Why Ewha-won became a sociopath. Why her first emotion was tied to “death.”

“Hello! Hello!”

I wove through staff, greeting Yoon Hee-ae and Song Heo-jun.

“Hee-ae unnie, sunbae-nim, long time no see.”

She hugged me, inhaling deeply.

“I missed you, Bada-ya. So stress-relieving.”

She said my woody scent relieved stress, hugging me every shoot.

Used to it, I rested my hand on her arm, but something felt off.

‘My partner.’

“Where’s Ko Eun-hyuk?”

“He’s changing.”

“Oh, got it.”

Having had her fill of healing, she let go, letting me sit in my labeled chair.

“Oh, Bada-ya, I heard you’re joining a new project?”

“…How’d you know?”

“How? From a friend.”

A friend? I couldn’t think of anyone connecting me and Song Heo-jun.

“Who?”

“Im Hoon. You don’t know Hoonie?”

Why’s that guy popping up?