Episode: 17
“Are you saying you're the manager, or the team leader?”
The response came from both the front and the back simultaneously.
“What is this person even saying? I don't even know them. Anyway, I was already thinking of quitting this stupid troupe first.”
As Lee Da-young shouted, the man whose wrist I was holding also screamed.
“I was thinking of firing you today anyway! Every day it's just complaints, complaints! I can't work with someone like you who only ruins the overall atmosphere and everyone’s mood!”
“Fine. You bunch of jerks, go live your pathetic lives until you end up on the streets.”
Quite the vicious curse.
Lee Da-young stormed out without looking back.
I followed after her.
“Hey, Lee Da-young. No, Da-young.”
When I called out to her as if we were close, Lee Da-young, who was running, stopped in her tracks.
“And who are you?”
A normal woman would have been flustered or at least a little scared.
But not Lee Da-young.
I liked that about her.
How should I put it?
Ah, this woman is strong.
Since she's strong...
I think it’d be okay to just take her? If I get the chance, I should find some excuse to take her.
[Not a bad idea.]
“I helped you out, didn't I? You could at least say thanks. Besides, I’m someone who could change your life.”
“What the hell are you talking about...?”
Her words were pretty harsh.
No, she was definitely a rough woman by nature.
“Who asked you to protect me? Shit, it would’ve been more satisfying to just get slapped right there. And who the hell are you to talk about changing someone’s life?”
“That’s true. But hey, have you ever thought about becoming an idol?”
“I’m an actress, you jerk. What idol are you talking about? Who even are you, popping out of nowhere?”
“You’d definitely succeed if you debuted as an idol. Hmm, no, wait.”
I grabbed Lee Da-young's wrist and asked her again.
“What do you really want to do? Let’s start with that.”
“Didn't anyone teach you not to grab a stranger’s wrist?”
As soon as she finished speaking, Lee Da-young tried to kick my shin with some self-defense moves, but unfortunately for her, I easily blocked it and pushed her further.
“You’re the strongest woman I’ve seen. Not that I’m weak or anything.”
“Ugh.”
“Just tell me. It doesn’t cost you anything. Actually, if I can convince you to debut as an idol after hearing it, it’s like earning money. I’m trying to help you get rich.”
“I don't need money, okay?”
“Huh? You’re the first person I’ve met who says they don't need money.”
When I sneered slightly, Lee Da-young furrowed her brows in irritation.
She’s really damn pretty.
I had to admit, at least in terms of visuals, she was easily above an S-grade.
“It’s not that I don’t need money at all. In today’s world, if you make the minimum, you can survive. I just want to act. All I want is a satisfying role in a satisfying project.”
“So, you’re planning to keep joining these B-grade troupes and repeating the same thing? Like you said, those troupes are just kid’s play. And with your personality, it seems like you’ll cause trouble wherever you go unless you start your own troupe.”
“...”
“But that’s impossible too. Who would accept you with that kind of personality?”
“So what. Who cares? Shit, if I keep trying, I’ll get what I want eventually.”
What a childish mindset.
Sure, effort never lies.
But there’s a little trick to that. Effort usually doesn’t lie, just 'usually.'
Effort can lie too.
Especially in today’s world.
The problem is, stubborn people like this never bend even when faced with a knife to their throat.
How can I get this woman to fall?
Should I just seriously go for it?
[Here, let me give you some special advice. After all, finding a talent like Lee Da-young is to your credit, Master.]
Oh.
[The answer is very simple.]
[Just have her meet Han Hye-eun. Then you’ll get what you want, Master.]
Huh?
What?
Is that really all it takes?
It was such a simple answer that it was almost unbelievable.
Just by doing that, I can get this foul-mouthed woman into my hands?
“Hey, do you like Han Hye-eun?”
At that moment, Lee Da-young flinched.
“Yeah, I'm a big fan.”
A big fan? What does that even mean?
I couldn’t help but chuckle.
“Wanna meet Han Hye-eun?”
Lee Da-young's eyes widened.
For the first time, the malice disappeared from her eyes.
* * *
Over seventy percent of the people wandering around the theater were couples.
Even those who came alone were either fiddling with their phones or pretending to be nonchalant with earphones plugged in, trying to kill time.
But amidst them, there was one woman sitting alone, staring blankly.
She looked like an orphan abandoned by her parents.
She sat there with lifeless eyes, staring into space.
It was Eun Hee-ju.
She was sitting exactly where I told her to, breathing and doing nothing else.
“Hah, seriously.”
Her appearance left me speechless, yet somehow, it made me feel good.
How should I put it?
It made me realize that she really only listens to me.
It was fascinating to see that there really is someone like her in the world.
“Sheesh, does she really not function without me?”
I mumbled to myself as I was about to head back to Eun Hee-ju.
But before I could, I noticed a man approaching her and holding out his phone.
Seeing that made my mood sour.
Eun Hee-ju slightly shook her head at him, a small gesture but a clear refusal.
However, the man didn’t give up and extended his phone toward her again.
But Eun Hee-ju didn’t even glance at him.
“Ah, you’re back.”
“Yeah, I’m back.”
I answered somewhat irritably, and Eun Hee-ju cautiously observed my reaction. The man, feeling awkward, quickly walked away.
“What’s with that guy?”
“Oh, he asked for my phone number. But since I don’t have a phone, I declined.”
It wasn’t exactly the answer I was hoping for.
“If you had a phone, would you have given him your number?”
This might have been the first time I showed a bit of irritation toward Eun Hee-ju.
But why?
“Are you angry, Team Leader?”
Eun Hee-ju seemed to be somewhat pleased.
No, her expression stayed the same.
But that’s how I felt.
“Not really angry or anything. Now that I think about it, you really don’t have a phone, do you?”
“Yes. I don’t need one. I don’t have anyone to contact anyway.”
“Hm.”
I rubbed my chin thoughtfully.
“When you were a trainee at our agency, phones were prohibited. I can’t exactly get you one using the company’s money. But I’ll buy you one with my own money. It might be frustrating if I can’t reach you like before.”
“Ah, yes. Thank you.”
“But, you’ll only register my number on it. Got it?”
“Yes, I will. I don’t think I’ll need anyone else’s number anyway.”
Now, that’s an answer I can be satisfied with.
“Alright. Do that.”
“By the way, Team Leader, did you come here alone?”
“Huh? Oh, I have a meeting scheduled later.”
“……”
“Don’t worry about it. I’ve got some time before my appointment, so I’ll watch another play, get your phone, and take you back to the dorm.”
“……Okay.”
As I was selecting another play.
“Huh?”
Every time a woman passed by, Eun Hee-ju quietly covered my eyes with both hands.
“Why?”
“It seems too bright.”
Then you should cover your own eyes.
Why are you covering mine?
I couldn’t help but laugh, finding it amusing, and just let it go.
Because it was Eun Hee-ju, after all.
“Oh, Team Leader.”
“Yeah?”
“How can I succeed quickly?”
“Wow, you’re really ambitious, aren’t you? Hey, we’re just getting started. Why are you already thinking about success? For now, just focus on training hard, as I tell you.”
“Okay……”
“For now, your job today is to watch the actors performing right in front of you and learn how they express their emotions. Crying, laughing, getting angry, those kinds of things. Got it? Also, observe the audience’s reactions to see which scenes evoke stronger feelings.”
“Got it.”
There was trust in Eun Hee-ju’s response.
Because I had already seen that she wasn’t someone who just gives lip service.
“By the way, I need to prepare Lee Da-young’s contract too.”
“I’ll succeed quickly, Team Leader.”
Yeah, yeah.
I nodded and ended up falling asleep during the next play. On the way back to the dorm, Eun Hee-ju also fell asleep.
Considering she hadn’t slept, it was impressive that she managed to focus on two plays in a row.
“Now, where should I go?”
After laying the sleeping Eun Hee-ju in her dorm, I checked the time and headed out.
It was time to meet Han Hye-eun and Lee Da-young.
* * *
[Noble Apartment]
The meeting place was Han Hye-eun’s house.
[Kim Hyun-woo: Hye-eun, let’s meet up today.]
[Han Hye-eun: All of a sudden?]
[Kim Hyun-woo: When I say let’s meet, we meet. What, you don’t want to?]
[Han Hye-eun: Oh, come on. Of course, if oppa wants to meet, I have to. I should get ready, right?]
As expected, my number one girl.
[Kim Hyun-woo: I’ll give it to you plenty today. But you’re not the only one; I’m thinking of adding another one. How about the three of us?]
[Han Hye-eun: Hmm. I’m a bit torn, but it sounds tempting.]
[Kim Hyun-woo: I’m thinking of casting her as a trainee, but she’s got a tough personality. I need your help.]
[Han Hye-eun: I don’t know what’s going on, but you just want me to turn her into your slave too, right?]
[Kim Hyun-woo: You got it.]
[Han Hye-eun: I’m a little jealous, though. If you’re thinking of casting her, that means she’s talented, right?]
Han Hye-eun never had a great personality either.
Seeing her now, I can kind of understand why her career tanked after her first project.
[Kim Hyun-woo: Don’t get distracted. Do your job well.]
[Han Hye-eun: Yes, oppa.]
When we arrived in front of Han Hye-eun’s house, I could see Lee Da-young anxiously playing with her hair, waiting.
‘Damn, she’s really pretty.’
Honestly.
I thought earlier that she could outshine any celebrity, but now?
Lee Da-young was on a whole other level.
I really couldn’t understand why someone like her was stuck in some B-grade theater, doing B-grade roles and delivering B-grade performances.
“Let’s go in.”
“Oh. Is this really Han Hye-eun’s mansion?”
“Yeah.”
“Wait a minute. How do you know that?”
Well, because I’ve been screwing Han Hye-eun here.
“I used to be Han Hye-eun’s manager. Until recently, for a short time. That’s why her form has improved. I helped her out.”
“She would’ve done just fine without your help.”
Yeah.
Keep growling all you want.
Soon, you’ll be moaning and crying for me.
[25+]
Ding!
When we arrived at Han Hye-eun’s front door and rang the bell, she opened the door and welcomed us.
“Oh! Welcome, Hyun-woo oppa.”
If you looked only at her smiling face, you might wonder if this was the same woman who had spread her legs in front of me, barking like a dog, begging me to do her harder.
But Han Hye-eun was an actress.
“Oh, and you must be Da-young? Oppa told me about you. I heard you’re a fan of mine. Ah, thank you so much. I’ve been in a slump for a while, but I’ve recently gotten back into form.”
“N-No! I, uh… Ah, hello! I decided to pursue acting after watching your first performance.”
“Oh, really? We should have a long chat then. Come on in. I’ve set everything up. Do you drink?”
“I, uh, don’t really…”
“Oh, come on. How can you not drink on a day like this? I’ll be disappointed.”
“I’ll drink.”
Yeah.
You should drink.
Because alcohol and sex go hand in hand, don’t they?
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