The Genius Actor Who Brings Misfortune

Chapter 143

A still silence brushed past over the phone.

I wondered if I had spoken too bluntly and tried to recover belatedly.

―At first, it was like that.

I stopped at the unexpectedly calm voice.

―I knew about your existence from the first year because you were so famous. But there wasn’t any chance to get close to you… No, honestly, I didn’t talk to you because of your rumors. I thought, ‘Why bother?’

“…….”

―Then I heard you were shooting a drama and thought, ‘Oh, he could become a celebrity too.’ So, I started acting friendly towards you.

I already knew this story well and had expected it.

So, it shouldn’t have been a shock. But still, what was this feeling?

―At first, I didn’t think much of it. I just thought about maintaining a proper relationship with you and managing my connections… something like that.

“I knew it too.”

―Yeah, I figured you did. Honestly, I would have thought the same way. It was too obvious.

The words that followed were smooth and unhesitant.

As if they had been rehearsed several times.

―Actually, I know my intentions were too impure, so I understand if my words now don’t sound convincing. But I just wanted to say that it’s not like that anymore.

Strange. Behind the calm tone, I could read the trembling emotions.

Noh Bi-hyuk was trembling in the calmest voice I had ever heard from him.

―I really didn’t care about your rumors, and I wasn’t particularly curious. And when I wanted to ask, I couldn’t bring myself to.

“…….”

―I know it seems hypocritical. Taking advantage of every opportunity beside you, pretending not to know anything, and now saying I’m worried about you, it’s ridiculous.

Listening to his self-deprecating voice, I spoke quietly.

“It’s not that ridiculous.”

―…That’s because you’re too nice.

He told me to be careful because I was the type to get scammed easily, as if it were a joke.

I could clearly read the anxious emotions he tried to cover with a light laugh.

So, it felt even more peculiar.

If only he acted a bit better, I might have doubted him a little.

‘Can I trust you?’

Disappointment is the only thing that comes after trust. So, I shouldn’t trust him.

But still, avoiding his sincere apology would be childish.

The best answer I could give was this.

“Thank you for being honest with me now.”

―Oh….

I couldn’t bring myself to say that I believed him.

Noh Bi-hyuk seemed to realize this too and didn’t say anything more.

I held the silent phone for a while before suddenly asking.

“Then, did you envy Seo Ji-o because you thought you’d have fewer opportunities?”

―Wow…. Was that the image you had of me?

The voice that came back was bitter.

―No. It was just my feelings as written in the thesis.

“…? So, you felt insecure about losing your place as a close friend?”

―…I expected too much sensitivity from you. Yeah, that’s it. You got it. Happy now?

His joking question about whether I felt better now was filled with self-blame and self-hatred.

I couldn’t help but sigh at the emotions I knew too well, as Noh Bi-hyuk suggested we hang up.

“Noh Bi-hyuk.”

―Yeah.

“Get over to my house right now.”

―…Huh?

“Bring your uniform. We’re going to school together tomorrow. I’m hanging up.”

I couldn’t trust Noh Bi-hyuk.

But I couldn’t leave him alone either.

‘I’m just like Noh Bi-hyuk.’

Sometimes when I sit in the passenger seat, I notice the writing on the side mirror.

‘Objects in the mirror are closer than they appear.’

In books, there’s a lot of talk about how life doesn’t go as planned.

I thought I had a clear distance, but suddenly, it comes close—that’s human relationships.

If Noh Bi-hyuk’s explanation was correct, he did it, and most importantly, so did I.

‘It’s true that my feelings for Noh Bi-hyuk have changed.’

Whatever his impure intentions were when he approached me, I received an apology for it.

And now, we both care more about each other than we did initially.

‘For now, that’s enough.’

Tonight wasn’t a night that required noble words like trust or friendship.

Just lying down and chatting about things we missed would be enough.

* * *

“Seo-jin. Hi.”

“Hi! Yeon-jae… You look tired. Didn’t you sleep?”

“Yeah. About three hours?”

“Wow, why?”

I stayed up all night talking with Noh Bi-hyuk, who entered looking like a scolded child.

I slept four hours later than usual, so I thought Mist would grumble.

Surprisingly, Mist hugged me warmly. I already missed him.

“I reconciled with Bi-hyuk.”

“Oh…. That’s a shame.”

I laughed at Baek Seo-jin’s genuinely disappointed expression.

And right on cue, he showed up.

“Were you badmouthing me?”

“Wow, what’s this? You haven’t been to our class in a while.”

“I’m just going to do whatever I want now~.”

Noh Bi-hyuk smiled cheekily and sat down boldly.

It was nice to see him looking lively as usual.

If only he hadn’t sat in my seat. Move….

“Hi, Yeon-jae.”

And then the problematic third party, Seo Ji-o, showed up.

“Bi-hyuk is here too. Did you two make up?”

“Yeah.”

It was Noh Bi-hyuk who spoke first to the smiling Seo Ji-o.

“Hey. I’m sorry for glaring at you at first and for acting childish after that.”

“…….”

Seo Ji-o maintained his smile, staring at Noh Bi-hyuk’s outstretched hand before shaking it.

“Okay. I accept your apology.”

“But I still don’t like you.”

At Noh Bi-hyuk’s sly smile, Seo Ji-o burst into laughter.

“Haha! Wow. That’s a relief. I really don’t like you either.”

What are they doing?

From afar, it looked like they were shaking hands amicably, but their glaring eyes were sharp.

And judging by the veins popping out on their arms, they were clearly putting a lot of strength into their handshake.

‘They really are like kids.’

Shaking my head, I tried to get back to my work, but Baek Seo-jin clicked his tongue next to me.

“They’re being ridiculous.”

“…!”

I flinched at the familiar exclamation.

“…Seo-jin.”

“Yeah?”

“Do you still keep in touch with Ha-eun?”

“Of course! We hung out last weekend too!”

I see.

I nodded slowly, looking at Baek Seo-jin’s bright smile.

“I think your way of speaking has become similar.”

“Really? Ha-eun’s way of speaking is really lovely. Oh, are you indirectly saying I’m lovely too?”

I just laughed at Baek Seo-jin, who was embarrassed at saying such a thing in front of others.

Park Ha-eun…, she has a big influence.

I just hoped Baek Seo-jin wouldn’t adopt Park Ha-eun’s love for tteokbokki.

* * *

“Yeon-jae, please change into this for the next shoot!”

“Yes, I understand.”

I took the clothes from the staff and went into the waiting room.

‘These shorts are too short.’

I looked at the white short-sleeved shirt and navy shorts with a reluctant expression.

Just looking at the bright color of the shorts made me think of summer.

‘It’s still April.’

It felt too early, but I wasn’t in a position to complain.

After changing clothes, I came out, and people gathered around me.

I was used to the hands touching my hair and applying something to my face, but a staff member who was fixing my outfit shouted.

“Oh? There’s a scar on your thigh?”

“Yes. I got hurt a long time ago. Is it a problem?”

“No! We can easily cover this with concealer. Don’t worry.”

One of the staff approached and applied makeup to my thigh.

After a few light taps, the slight scar was completely covered.

“Ta-da! You can’t see it at all.”

“Amazing. Thank you.”

“It’s nothing. It’s easy!”

“When something looks easy when someone else does it, it means they’re good at it. I probably couldn’t apply it well even if you taught me.”

The staff chuckled and murmured, “It’s really nothing….”

Although it was my second time doing a photo shoot and I was a bit nervous, the atmosphere on set was generally pleasant.

‘It’s completely different from the first time.’

The photographer I met back then had a mad look in his eyes.

Whether it was because of a sensitive personality, he constantly snapped at the staff, and it wasn’t pleasant to watch.

Fortunately, the photographer today was consistently gentle and polite.

The photographer, who had been chatting with a junior staff member, approached me.

“Yeon-jae, do the clothes fit well? Are you uncomfortable?”

“No. But I’m worried the makeup on my thigh might rub off on the clothes.”

“Oh, don’t worry about that. It’s our exclusive product anyway.”

That’s a relief. As I was about to get up to continue the shoot, the photographer spoke again.

“When did you get that scar?”

“When I was in elementary school. Maybe third grade?”

“It’s in a barely noticeable spot, but it must have been quite a bad injury since it’s still there.”

I just smiled gently at his concerned tone.

There was no need to go into detail.

Though I had told everything to Noh Bi-hyuk the night I

called him over urgently.

I couldn’t avoid his relentless questions about how I had held back my curiosity all this time.

‘What kind of crazy person leaves something like that in the playground?’

‘Luckily, it wasn’t bad enough to lose a piece of flesh.’

‘Oh, how lucky. Are you really okay now? Let me see.’

My elementary school PE teacher couldn’t stand seeing kids sitting still.

The boys had to play soccer, and the girls had to play dodgeball. Naturally, I was included too.

Thinking I’d just participate moderately, I was wandering around and tripped over something. When I opened my eyes, I was in the hospital.

‘It was indeed odd to find construction debris in the playground.’

Unfortunately, I had been pierced by a sharp piece and needed sutures.

After that incident, playing in the playground was banned for a while, and I remember the rumors about me getting worse.

‘But after that, I was excused from PE.’

‘That’s what anyone with sense would do. Seriously, did the school just let that slide? Are they out of their minds?’

‘Bi-hyuk, watch your language. They were constructing a new gym at that time. It must have come from there.’

‘Hey, seriously. Does that make any sense?’

It was a night I spent calming down the enraged Noh Bi-hyuk.

The incident had been settled with the construction company covering my medical expenses.

Since then, I had started to develop a habit of compliance, so I wasn’t particularly curious about the cause.

‘Well, it must have been the misfortune factor back then too.’

I felt lucky to have met Mist.

Otherwise, I wouldn’t have been able to lie down and chat comfortably with Noh Bi-hyuk.

‘I miss Mist.’

Once the photo shoot was over, today’s schedule would be finished.

This was the last outfit anyway.

‘Just a little more.’

I was about to enter the studio after checking my pose references again when Jin-bae hyung called me urgently.

“Actor! Kang Se-hyun contacted you.”

“Se-hyun hyung?”

Why suddenly?

It was the first contact since the big phone incident. Did something happen?

I asked the photographer for a moment and answered the call.

“Hello.”

―Yeon-jae. I’m really, really sorry to contact you urgently, but are you free tomorrow?

“Tomorrow? What’s the matter?”

Kang Se-hyun’s voice was filled with difficulty and embarrassment.

As I frowned along, a small voice returned.

―Actually…