Chapter 27: A Star’s Emotional Ascent

Save Me was a third-quarter drama. No drama since had matched its success, but still…

“Bada-ya.”

“Being nominated doesn’t guarantee you’ll win.”

“…I know.”

‘I know.’

I couldn’t believe I was nominated in so many categories.

My amazement was brief. A pink quest window shimmered with white light before my eyes.

[Sub-Quest Activated.]

[Sub-Quest: Approach Ryu Byeol after the awards ceremony.]

[Reward: 1.4 Points]

Ryu Byeol? Is she attending the CBS Acting Awards?

“Come on! Let’s go for your dress fitting.”

“…Uh, yes.”

Following Manager Min Seo-eun, my mind was consumed by the sub-quest.

‘Meet Ryu Byeol out of nowhere…?’

★★★

On the day of the CBS Acting Awards, online communities buzzed about the grand prize.

[(CBS Acting Awards) The grand prize is Yoon Hee-ae, right?]

–Heard Save Me had the highest ratings this year.

–Song Heo-jun for Excellence Award.

– CBS grand prize is Yoon Hee-ae’s.

– If Hee-ae unnie doesn’t get it, the awards are rigged.

– Proof.

– Actually proved it

– Ugh, my food’s messy now

[(CBS Acting Awards) Who’ll get the Rookie Award?]

Female Rookie is Bada.

–If Bada doesn’t win, it’s rigged.

– Seriously, anyone but Bada is rigging.

– Female Rookie is probably Bada. No other rookie stood out this year.

– Male is probably Ko Eun-hyuk?

[(CBS Acting Awards) Im Hoon and Ko Eun-hyuk fans keep dragging Bada ᄉᄇᄇᄇ]

–Arguing she has better chemistry with Im Hoon.

–Or with Ko Eun-hyuk.

–They’re fighting over Bada’s chemistry on a nano level.

– So who won?

– Bada won ;

– As expected.

– What’s expected? LOL

As the CBS Acting Awards began, the Save Me team hit the red carpet first.

Yoon Hee-ae, in a simple white mermaid dress with dazzling accessories, stepped out, sparking gasps from reporters. A hushed awe settled over the scene.

Even the live chat went silent.

– Chat was quiet for 2 minutes HAHA

– Her face is unreal ;

– Unnie’s gorgeous. Couldn’t even see the accessories because of her face.

– Doesn’t feel human.

– Were there accessories? Her face outshined them.

Next, Song Heo-jun, in a black tuxedo with slicked-back hair, blew a kiss to the cameras. Yoon Hee-ae gracefully beckoned him, and he dashed to her side.

“Hello, we’re joined by Yoon Hee-ae and Song Heo-jun at the CBS Acting Awards.”

The interview MC clapped and asked, “Is there anyone you two want to see right now?”

Without hesitation, Yoon Hee-ae shouted, “Bada’s the one I want to see most.”

“Not me?” Song Heo-jun feigned shock.

“Thank you both for the short interview!”

“I didn’t even answer!”

As the interview ended, she raised her arm for him to link. “Seriously!”

Grinning widely, Song Heo-jun waved at the cameras. “Song-slave is off.”

He never let go of her arm. A black van arrived for the next red carpet.

“Waaaa!”

“Bada unnie…!”

“Ko Eun-hyuk! Insane!”

Ko Eun-hyuk, in a navy suit holding a single rose, stiffly stepped out and offered his hand to the van.

Im Bada emerged, also holding a rose, her flushed cheeks radiating cuteness.

– What’s with the roses?

– Im Bada’s visuals…

– Ko Eun-hyuk’s suit game is unreal.

– Who picked the sharp bob and red dress? Wanna kiss them.

– Our kitty is insane

Unlike Ko Eun-hyuk’s fans’ loud cheers, he trembled like a leaf beside her.

He was shaking so much he might trip.

‘Is he escorting me, or am I escorting him…?’

Less nervous, Bada grabbed his arm, dragging him to the interview spot.

“Here we have Im Bada, who stole hearts as a sociopath in Save Me, and Ko Eun-hyuk, the epitome of pure love!”

The MC threw a question at Bada first. “Everyone says the Female Rookie Award is yours. Think you’ll win?”

“…Uh, uh, could I… win?”

“You will, right?”

“Uh, uh.”

Trembling, she handed her rose to the MC. “Th-Thank you so much for saying that… Please accept my feelings…”

“…Is this okay?”

“…Uh, yes!”

Both nodded vigorously. The MC, holding the rose, turned to the frozen Ko Eun-hyuk. “Thank you… In honor of the rose, do you think you’ll win the Male Rookie Award?”

“…Uh, if they give it to me… I’d be grateful.”

Bada, slightly less nervous, chimed in, “If you win, you should kneel.”

“Uh, right. Gotta kneel.”

Like two chirping chicks puffing up to seem grown, the press watched fondly as they counted and bowed politely.

“Thank you.”

“Thanks, where’s the camera—uh, anyway, thank you.”

The camera director’s voice slipped out. “So cute.”

– Huh? What was that?

– HAHAHA Camera guy’s voice?

– Can’t find the camera LOL

– Bada winking while saying thanks LOLOL

– These two LOL

“Thank you for the interview.”

“No, thank you.”

“…M-Me too. Please take this!”

The MC took Ko Eun-hyuk’s sudden rose, and the two vanished from the red carpet.

My face was burning.

“Meant to give the roses to fans.”

“…Yeah.”

★★★

The roses were meant for fans, but in my daze, I gave them to the MC.

“Eun-hyuk-ah, is my face red?”

Ko Eun-hyuk nodded. “…Matches your outfit.”

Fanning myself hard, he helped with both hands.

Entering the hall, we met Yoon Hee-ae and Song Heo-jun.

“Bada-ya, you were shaking. You okay?”

“Yes, I’m fine now. The cameras startled me.”

“First times are always nerve-wracking.”

“…Unnie.”

Yoon Hee-ae gently stroked my cheek, and I smiled contentedly.

“How’s it feel to be at the awards?”

Ko Eun-hyuk teared up, saying it was his first time, but bit his lip to hold back tears, saying his noona told him not to cry and look foolish.

“Bada?”

“…I don’t know yet.”

My heart was a mess.

‘It feels like a dream.’

I worried I’d wake up and it’d be gone.

“Bada-ya, look.”

Following Yoon Hee-ae’s finger, I saw a fan in the second-floor audience holding a [Im Bada, We Love You] sign, waving it. I waved back warmly.

“Your fans have grown.”

“It’s surreal.”

“You’ll see them often now.”

That sign dispelled my fear it was a dream, brightening my sinking heart like a ray of light.

“Hee-ae unnie… being loved by fans feels incredible.”

“Hm?”

“Seeing that erased all my doubts.”

She smiled, tapping my forehead. “That’s great, but don’t forget your acceptance speech.”

“Oh.”

“You might stutter later. Want to make the worst kind of history?”

‘Acceptance speech. I forgot. Even if I don’t win, I need to prepare.’

“Yes… I’ll keep thinking about it.”

Before the ceremony, the NBS Acting Awards MCs appeared—Song Heo-jun and Ryu Byeol.

“Live broadcast starting!”

At the assistant director’s shout, silence fell. The camera’s red light blinked, and the MCs greeted.

“Hello, I’m Song Heo-jun, MC for the 30th NBS Acting Awards.”

“Hello, I’m Ryu Byeol, MC for the 30th NBS Acting Awards.”

Song Heo-jun, a veteran MC, hosted smoothly. But Ryu Byeol—wasn’t this her first time?

‘She’s so natural.’

“Ryu Byeol-ssi, this year had some fierce rookie actors, right?”

“Yes, with strong dramas, the rookies shone too.”

“Let’s meet the Female Rookie Acting Award nominees.”

My video played first. Seo-eun unnie told me to stay calm, but…

It started with Jo Arin staring at Lee Geom-il, then shifted to her tearfully signing in close-up.

Then Save Me’s final scene—Hwa-won and Do-hyuk at the Han River. My voice filled the hall.

– Min Do-hyuk, seeing you, I think I understand what love feels like.

‘…This is so embarrassing.’

I thought I stayed composed, but Yoon Hee-ae held an apple from the table’s decor, comparing it to me.

“Unnie…”

“Smile. It’s a good day.”

The other nominees’ videos felt familiar, just like my past life. Seeing myself among such strong contenders was surreal.

“Some impressive nominees, right, Ryu Byeol-ssi?”

“Yes, watching this year’s rookies made me reflect on myself.”

“So, Ryu Byeol-ssi, who did you want to see most?”

Her gaze dropped, meeting mine directly. “My university classmate, Im Bada-ssi.”

Suddenly…? I pressed my chest, breathing deeply.

“Wow, university classmates? What a connection. Last year’s rookie winner, Ryu Byeol, will announce.”

“This year’s Female Rookie Award goes to…”

Ryu Byeol brought the mic to her lips, opening the card. Seeing it, she gasped briefly. “Im Bada-nim, congratulations!”

‘…Me?’

I’d be lying if I said I didn’t expect it, but actually experiencing it choked me up.

“Bada-ssi, congrats!”

“…Im Bada-ssi, congratulations.”

Director Kang Jo-jo and Writer Lee Mi-na gave me a bouquet. Even holding it, I couldn’t snap out of it.

“Bada-ya, congrats!”

I only nodded slowly at Ko Eun-hyuk’s cheer. Yoon Hee-ae forcibly lifted me. “Our Bada’s gotta go get her award.”

Right. The award… I have to get it. Holding the oversized bouquet, I climbed the stage as laughter erupted below.

“Give me the bouquet~.”

Handing it over, I received a gold trophy from last year’s winner, Ryu Byeol, as Song Heo-jun presented.

“…Uh.”

“…..”

“Uh?”

Ryu Byeol hugged me, whispering, “Congrats.”

“…Thank you.”

Clutching the trophy, I turned to the mic. The cheers quieted, and I felt alone in the vast hall.

I stood in a place I’d only dreamed of. A stage I longed for. Just a few steps to reach it.

I thought it was too far to ever stand here. Yet here I was.

Clenching my fists, I suppressed overwhelming emotions and smiled brightly at the red-lit camera.

“Hello, I’m Im Bada.”