Chapter 59: Exhaustion and Encounters

My mind was foggy, but I vaguely understood what had happened. The shoot, expected to last about 15 minutes, had dragged on for 30. 

‘No wonder I collapsed.’

“Director… Director?” 

“Hey, Bada-ssi, you okay?” 

“Reshoot…” 

As the second half progressed, I lost track of how I was acting. I just went with the flow. Yeom Haejin looked at me silently. 

“No need. It was perfect. The staff even clapped at the end.” 

“…Oh.” 

“So rest well.” 

That’s a relief. As the car door closed, I heard a voice. 

“This is for Bada.” 

It was Tae Jin-hwa sunbae-nim’s voice. Is she coming to me? No, that’s not good. 

‘She might catch my cold.’ 

Manager Min Seo-eun brought a thick animal-patterned blanket and wrapped it around me. 

“Bada-ya, you need to say if you’re sick…” 

“…Unnie, am I dying?” 

“Dying? What are you talking about!” 

Am I really dying? My body had no strength. I reached out, grabbed Min Seo-eun’s hand, and said, 

“This life too…” 

“What kind of scary talk is that!” 

“Unnie, unnie, the world… it’s weird.” 

Is this how it ends? Just then, she spoke. 

“Right, you drank coffee on an empty stomach, didn’t you?” 

“Huh?” 

“And took medicine.” 

Medicine on an empty stomach? Min Seo-eun lightly smacked my arm. 

“You, you, really!” 

“…Unnie?” 

I’m sick, can you not make that scary face? 

“…I’ll go get some porridge.” 

“Sorry, unnie.” 

“No, I don’t want to nag a sick kid.” 

So you’d nag if I wasn’t sick? While Min Seo-eun searched for a place to get porridge, a window popped up. 

[You’re not dying.] 

Confirming it directly, huh. 

‘My body feels like a ton of bricks.’

The fatigue from the buff effect had piled up, causing this. Lesson learned: I need a proper break. Life is about growing through learning, isn’t it? 

“Bada-ya.” 

“Yeah?” 

“Get out of the car.” 

Huh? Min Seo-eun firmly motioned for me to get out. 

“I asked Ryubyul’s manager to take you.” 

“Unnie, are you abandoning me?” 

“What are you talking about? You’ll get carsick, get out.” 

As she spoke, my stomach churned. Ugh. Never take medicine on an empty stomach. What a ordeal. 

“…” 

I reluctantly got out, and Ryubyul was waiting right beside. 

“…Get in.” 

“Okay!” 

“Hurry up, are you a snail?” 

I’m sick, you know. As soon as I got out, Seo-eun unnie left. All I had was my bunny bag and my body. 

‘They say leaving home is pure suffering.’ 

“I’m coming in.” 

Getting into Ryubyul’s car, I was impressed. 

‘Nice car.’

Her agency is big, right? The back seat was spacious, the cushions plush like a bed. 

That thought didn’t last long. 

“…Ugh.” 

My stomach started hurting. Body aches, chills, and now stomach pain. 

“How’d you act in that condition?” 

“…Dunno. I was out of it.” 

Rain pouring, lines to deliver, a body that wouldn’t cooperate. But I could immerse myself purely in acting. 

“…Impressive. Should I say great immersion or just foolish?” 

Foolish? For me, foolishness was the driving force of life. 

“Acting is supposed to be foolishly intense.” 

I finally had the world I wanted so badly. Physical pain was no big deal. Acting was all I had. 

“Earlier, Haejin said my acting was good. What’d you think?” 

Even sick, I wanted an objective critique. 

Why’s she silent? I opened my eyes and glared at Ryubyul. 

“If it was bad, just say so.” 

“Not saying.” 

Hmm? I narrowed my eyes and gave a sly smile. She’s not talking, so… 

“It was good, huh? Really good.” 

“…” 

“My acting was so good you’re speechless. Got it. Thanks.” 

Episode 9’s impact was all me. Apart from episode 1, I hadn’t had a scene to prove my acting, so it was tough… 

As my fever rose, Ryubyul’s eyes sharpened. Push her more, and I’d get an earful. 

Just then. 

“Hey! Hey! Im-sensei’s here, right?” 

Im Hoon flung the car door open. I sighed in relief. Saved from an earful, just in time. 

“Tell him not to worry about me.” 

Guess he was worried since I collapsed in front of him. After months together, some camaraderie must’ve formed. 

“She’s sick?” 

“Yeah, she’s sick.” 

“Stupidly, if you’re sick, say so. Are you an idiot?” 

Camaraderie, my foot. 

“Hey… If I’m sick…” 

“Hm?” 

He blinked annoyingly, as if asking what the problem was. 

“Any issue?” 

If I had something to throw, I would’ve. But since I didn’t take care of myself, I stayed quiet. 

“Ugh, ugh.” 

“…What now?” 

Ryubyul spoke with an irritated tone. 

“Not you, I was calling Im-sensei.” 

Me? I slightly opened my eyes and stared at Im Hoon. 

“I asked you before. How’s our acting, me and Ryubyul?” 

“Acting?” 

“Who’s better?” 

You’re asking now? I’m sick! Watching him grin, I sighed with deep exhaustion. 

‘Yeah, this is Im Hoon.’ 

“I’ll tell you later.” 

I squeezed out with what strength I had. Ryubyul, subtly waiting, pouted. 

Is my answer that important? I thought for a moment and turned the question back. 

“Im Hoon, what about you?” 

“Me? What?” 

“Are you satisfied with your acting?” 

Im Hoon twisted his body, reluctant to answer. Ryubyul, looking disgusted, hid her face with a script. 

“Ugh.” 

“Hey! What’s with the ugh! You’re the ugh!” 

“Hey, watch your mouth.” 

When Ryubyul gagged, Im Hoon jumped, claiming he was hurt. Do his fans know he’s such a kid? Ignored by everyone, his expression turned serious. 

“I’m never satisfied with my acting.” 

“Damn it!” 

Ryubyul cursed in disgust. 

“Hey! I’m human too, I get hurt!” 

“So what?” 

Despite her cold attitude, Im Hoon continued unfazed. 

“When are you gonna tell us? We made a bet.” 

He was determined to get an answer. Rubbing my throbbing temples, I replied. 

“At the wrap party.” 

“We’re having a wrap party?” 

Why not? With this momentum, the drama department will throw one. 

“I’m gonna sleep now.” 

Too tired to talk, I waved Im Hoon away. 

“Alright. Since you’re resting, rest well.” 

Ryubyul said kindly. 

“Yeah, like she said, rest up. You barely appear anymore anyway.” 

Im Hoon’s words hit like a blow to the head. 

‘Rest up? Oh.’ 

The rain scene was done, and the Youngyoung writer said Yeonwoo only appears briefly in episode 12’s ending. 

A scene where Igeum Jin, released from prison by Prince Lee young’s grace, lives in the mountains with Chaehee. 

“True.” 

Guess it was fine to pour everything into today. As the medicine kicked in, my eyes grew heavy. 

‘I was gonna stay awake till Seo-eun unnie came.’ 

My plan to eat porridge and sleep crumbled. 

“…I’m sleepy.” 

“Sleep.” 

“I want porridge.” 

“This kid.” 

Im Hoon was saying something, but I tuned it out. 

‘Gotta sleep.’

Clutching the animal blanket from Tae Jin-hwa sunbae-nim, I drifted off. 

*** 

Waking with a throbbing headache, I was still in Ryubyul’s car. Later, I heard I’d refused to go to the hospital. 

After medicine and sleep, my body and head felt lighter. Naturally. 

Getting out of the car, I stretched and changed into my original costume in the makeup van. 

‘Should I go where they are?’ 

Ryubyul and Im Hoon were shooting, and I was curious about Tae Jin-hwa sunbae-nim’s acting. 

Walking toward the busy staff, I stopped. 

“Hm?” 

Cigarette smell. Where’s it coming from? 

“Ugh, damn it, doing this crap for that guy…” 

Swearing too. My nose and ears felt violated. I was about to pass by, pretending not to notice, when I stepped on a plastic bag, making a rustling sound. 

“Who’s there?” 

It was Seong Handong, the actor playing Lee young’s guard, Cheongrip. A tall, rugged model-turned-actor, famous for his towering presence. 

We’d crossed paths a few times in my past life, but we weren’t close. 

‘Meeting like this in this life.’

He looked like a wholesome guy who wouldn’t touch cigarettes. But appearances aside… 

‘Kinda has a bad personality?’ 

Worse than in my past life… I nodded to greet him, thinking I’d pass after a quick hello. 

“Im Bada-ssi?” 

“…Uh, yes.” 

“This is our first time talking one-on-one, right?” 

“Yeah. We haven’t had many overlapping scenes, so there wasn’t much chance.” 

“Right. I thought you were ignoring me.” 

…Suddenly? I smiled and said, 

“Why would I ignore you?” 

“You could. You’re a rising actor these days.” 

What’s this? His attitude was rough, his tone snarky. Like a student picking a fight. 

‘He’s trying to start something?’ 

His slanted eyes and condescending look clearly showed he thought little of me. 

“I’ve never ignored you. If you felt that way, I’m sorry. I’m a bit shy.” 

I denied it first. If bad rumors spread, they’re hard to fix. But Seong Handong barely listened, continuing his own spiel. 

“Oh, about earlier.” 

“…” 

“Pretend you didn’t hear it.” 

I tilted my head. 

“The swearing?” 

“…Yeah.” 

Recalling his words: 

‘Ugh, damn it, doing this crap for that guy…’ 

That guy? Who was he cursing? 

“Since you’re close with that person.” 

“…Huh?” 

“Everyone swears sometimes, right? I had a bad day, so I let it out, not knowing you were nearby.” 

He was spilling hints unprompted. Someone I’m close to, someone near him. 

‘Im Hoon.’ 

It had to be him. 

“Well, you weren’t cursing me, so it’s fine.” 

“Right.” 

People curse colleagues; it’s not like he hit a fan or spread weird rumors. Clearly, Im Hoon did something wrong. 

But that’s that, and this is this. 

“Watch your words.” 

I advised Seong Handong. 

“I heard it, so it’s fine, but someone else might’ve misunderstood.” 

With so many people ready to tear into celebrities, it could’ve been fodder for reporters. 

“…Yeah.” 

He turned away with a reluctant look. 

‘What’s the problem?’ 

I figured my warning was enough for him to get it. 

*** 

Like that time, eating gukbap with the staff and heading home, Min Seo-eun spoke to me. 

“Bada-ya, you know Director Han Jun-hyuk, right?” 

“Of course.” 

“He asked you to do a cameo.” 

A cameo? 

“What role?” 

“Go Eun-hyuk’s ex-girlfriend.”