Chapter 85: An Audition for Two

The dormitory provided by AC Entertainment Agency was on the top floor of a high-rise, overlooking the heart of Seoul.

At dawn, the eastern sky would be tinted red, and at night, the city wrapped around her with a flow of lights.

Sunlight reflected off the building’s exterior, swaying along the windows as if dancing, filling the room with warm, cool air.

Da-hye was experiencing so much during her stay in the dormitory for her middle school summer vacation.

At first, she thought she’d only stay for a short while and then go back, but now, life in the dorm had become her daily routine.

In the morning, she would stretch as always, open the window, and loosen her body as she looked outside.

Her gaze fell on the novel and diary she’d left on the table in the living room.

Among them, the one that caught her eye most was titled ‘You Are the Star Inside Me.’

After finishing her stretches, Da-hye settled down on the sofa by the table.

At first, she picked up her brother’s novel out of simple curiosity,

But now, she was completely immersed in it.

In each sentence, every word, she could feel the care and sincerity—a brother’s love for his younger sister.

She could feel in the writing the same feelings her brother had given her all this time.

It was as if the story was about how her brother treated her.

Da-hye couldn’t get past a few pages before she had to wipe her tears away with her fingertips.

“How hard must he have worked to earn money? I just lived, taking money from my brother without knowing anything.”

And through the story, she glimpsed the sweat and toil behind her brother’s efforts.

She’d always thought asking meant he would just give her money. But after reading, she knew now that was never the case.

Through the writing, she became aware of the hardships she’d never known about before.

On a certain spring day, when cherry blossoms scattered in the wind, the yellow dress she loved, the words her brother said as he patted her head—such scenes were all preserved in the pages.

“......”

[When my little sister smiled, the whole world felt brighter. On the days she fell asleep with her head on my lap, her quiet breaths wrapped up the end of my day in warmth.]

[Even if we walk different paths, we are people who grew up sharing the same memories. At some point, those memories become the strongest force for one another. Family is a resonance that never disappears, no matter how far apart. Family is not someone who protects you, but a companion who grows with you, completing each other.]

Each letter, every sentence, gently wrapped around her heart, warm and comforting.

“Hng.”

A tear from Da-hye wetted one of the letters.

Feeling her brother’s love through the story, all the affection he’d shown her stacked up in her mind.

“Why am I only realizing this now?”

Her brother had never once shown how hard things were to her or their parents.

If there was something tasty, or if her favorite menu appeared, he’d never reach for it first—always saying he wasn’t feeling well, was too full, or didn’t like it.

He took on the hardest tasks first and lived as if it was only natural to do so.

Now that she’d grown a bit and was living at the agency, reading ‘You Are the Star Inside Me,’ she was realizing truths she’d never known before.

“Oppa, I’m sorry. I was so thoughtless.”

She felt incredibly sorry to her brother.

Her tears kept falling, soaking the book.

Whenever she wanted a doll, he’d buy it without question; if she wanted tteokbokki, even in a downpour he’d bring it to her.

If she didn’t have an umbrella, he’d give her a piggyback ride so her feet wouldn’t get wet. When she was sick, he’d cry more pitifully than anyone and worry over her.

These memories flashed by like a video.

It was only now she realized that all of this was her brother’s love.

“Oppa, I’m going to work really hard and repay you for everything you’ve done.”

Other friends called her brother a devil and a jerk, but to her, he was like a parent—someone full of kindness.

She closed the book, closed her eyes for a moment to calm her heart, and resolved to repay her brother no matter what.

Once she was somewhat calmed, Da-hye opened her diary and picked up a pen.

[August 17, 2002, Saturday.

Today I reread the book Oppa wrote. Every time, my heart feels strange. The way my old speech patterns and favorite scenes are captured exactly as I remember.

It’s hard to believe it’s just a novel. Sometimes I wonder if it’s really built from the memories Oppa and I made together.]

“Hm, I miss Oppa.”

Carefully setting down the pen, Da-hye closed her diary and thought of her brother.

Had there ever been a time she hadn’t seen him for this long?

She picked up her phone from the table, unlocked it, and pressed on the name marked ‘Oppa.’

Then, she carefully tapped each key, one by one.

[Oppa, how are you?]

When she saw ‘Message Sent Successfully,’ she waited for his reply.

[I’m doing well. Are you well, Da-hye?]

Not long after, a reply came right back.

[Yeah, I’m fine. Are they making sure you’re eating well over there?]

[Of course. Everyone’s really nice.]

[That’s good. How about sleep?]

[I sleep well too.^^*]

[Don’t overdo it. Take care of yourself.]

[Got it, Oppa, don’t worry about me. I get daily massages here and live in luxury, haha.]

[That’s good to hear.]

[So Oppa, don’t worry—just focus on Da-hye and do your thing. Nothing’s been hard?]

[No, the Director looks after me well.]

[Good, listen to the Director. I’ll come see you before vacation ends.]

[Okay. Oppa, thank you as always ^_^.]

She couldn’t remember the last time she’d thanked her brother.

She hadn’t realized how awkward those words felt.

But Oppa always used to say it.

[I’m always thankful too. Don’t forget I’m always cheering for you.]

[Yeah...]

As they texted, she missed her brother even more.

But she’d have to hold back.

She put her phone back on the table and prepared for the day’s schedule.

[AC Entertainment Director.]

“Huh? There was a message from the Director?!”

Just as she’d finished her shower and was about to head out, she saw she’d gotten a message from the AC Entertainment Director.

[When you come to the company, drop by my office. I have good news.]

It was a message telling her to come straight to the Director’s office as soon as she arrived.

“What could it be?”

She tilted her head, pondering for a moment, but decided she’d know once she got there, so she put aside her curiosity and stepped out the door.

She got into the manager’s car in the parking lot and headed for the agency.

It took about thirty minutes to get there.

As soon as Da-hye got out of the car, she went straight to the Director’s office.

“You’re here? Have a seat over here.”

Inside the spacious office.

Watching the sunlight diffuse gently through the window glass, Da-hye sat down with a slightly nervous face. The Director poured her a cup of warm tea and spoke.

“I have good news today. Congratulations. Your brother’s novel is being made into a movie.”

The Director took out a thin stack of papers from the conference table and slid them to Da-hye, smiling broadly.

At the top of the papers, the title ‘You Are the Star Inside Me’ was printed, and below were details related to the film.

“R-really?! Oppa’s novel is going to be a movie?”

For a moment, Da-hye felt as if she couldn’t breathe. She blinked at the Director.

“The director and screenwriter have already been finalized. The scenario adaptation is going smoothly. The casting process has officially begun.”

The Director nodded, his smile deepening.

“Ah, and I didn’t even congratulate him when we texted.”

Even with such good news, why hadn’t he mentioned it?

But she didn’t feel hurt.

Rather, from deep within, she felt a swell of emotion. Scenes from the book, the warm lines like her brother’s voice, all of it flickered through her mind.

“And, there’s going to be an audition soon. The details are on the next page.”

“Ah? Oh!”

Da-hye quickly turned to the next page.

[Female lead: Elementary school student (under 10), middle/high school student (15–17), adult (20+).]

She scanned the details about the main female role.

“This is...”

At that moment, her heart thudded.

“Director, could I... could I apply for this?”

She pressed a hand to her pounding chest, looking at the Director with earnest eyes.

“If you want, you can audition. They’re looking for a new face, so you have a good chance.”

The Director kindly gave her the casting information.

“If you’re worried about acting, we’ll assign you someone for focused coaching.”

He knew what Da-hye might be anxious about and added words of encouragement.

If Da-hye got cast, it would be a huge benefit to the agency—so he was willing to back her up.

‘It’s her own brother’s work; how could he not help?’

And behind that, there was calculation. Even if she didn’t get the part, Da-hye’s brother was such a vital investor to AC Entertainment, they had to stay on his good side.

“I want to do it.”

She wanted to appear in the story her brother wrote.

No matter how she looked at it, the novel’s heroine was herself—the story of her and her brother.

It didn’t make sense for her not to try out.

“I figured you’d say that, so I prepared a script. See the brown envelope? That’s the script. You’ll have a dedicated acting coach from now on. The audition is in a week, so do your best to prepare.”

“Yes! Thank you!”

“Now you should let your brother know, right?”

The Director, smiling, encouraged her to call her brother right away.

There were already rumors about Da-hye’s brother’s impressive background.

It was expected that his influence would play a large role in this casting, so the Director wanted her to inform him.

“Director, please don’t tell my parents or my brother.”

But Da-hye shook her head, asking not to tell her family.

“What?”

“I want to earn this role with my own skills. Not by relying on Oppa.”

“...Still, that’s...”

“Please.”

“Hm, well. All right. I’ll keep it quiet.”

He wasn’t thrilled about it, but the Director couldn’t refuse.

He decided to honor Da-hye’s wishes.

“Thank you. Instead, I’ll practice really hard and make sure I get the role!”

Da-hye balled her small fists and promised she’d work hard to win the role.

‘It’s disappointing, but nothing I can do. She wants it that much.’

The Director nodded, a bit deflated, and then sent Da-hye on her way.

‘Oppa, I’ll really give it my all.’

Walking down the hallway, her fingertips felt warm.

On the way to the practice room in the elevator, Da-hye suddenly wanted to call her brother.

But she turned off her phone again.

Holding her phone tightly in both hands, she firmly resolved to get the role, pressing forward with determination.