The Genius Actor Who Brings Misfortune

Translator: Marctempest

Editor: Rynfinity

Chapter 250

I hesitated for a moment before opening my mouth.

"(Mia. Just to clarify, I'm asking this just in case.)"

"(Yes?)"

"(When you said you wanted to hang out, did you really mean just to hang out? Or is it more like a date...?)"

Even as I brought up the word, I felt embarrassed.

If I was mistaken, I would be so embarrassed I'd want to bite my tongue, but it was better to be sure. It was better than facing mutual embarrassment later on.

Contrary to my expectations, Mia calmly replied.

"(I did ask you out on a date.)"

"(......)"

"(Why? Am I not your type?)"

Mia tilted her head and mumbled, "That can't be."

Her confident attitude caught me off guard instead.

"(No, I didn't mean that you're not my type...)"

"(I thought so. So, it's a date, right?)"

"(No. Calm down.)"

I tried to calm Mia, who was acting like a bulldozer. It was a bit frightening.

I swallowed a sigh and slowly opened my mouth.

"(Mia, I really appreciate what you said, but right now, I have no intention of dating anyone. So, I think meeting up separately would be difficult.)"

I chose my words carefully to avoid embarrassing her.

'When will I ever get used to moments like this?'

I thought I might never get used to it when suddenly, Mia looked startled.

"(Whoa, buddy. Calm down! When did I say I wanted to date you? I just suggested a casual date!)"

What?

"(I don't have any intention of getting serious with you either! I just meant a casual date.)"

Mia seemed genuinely surprised.

And I was just as surprised.

'What kind of nonsense is this?'

My conservative instincts were stirring inside me again.

When I asked why she wanted to go on a date if we weren't going to date seriously, Mia's mouth dropped open.

"(Uh, well... How do I put this...?)"

She reacted as if it was the first time she'd heard such a question.

After hesitating for a while, Mia shook her head.

"(Never mind. Forget what I said. I didn't expect to feel such a cultural difference in this area. You're really conservative, aren't you?)"

Conservative?

'Don't you think you guys are too open?'

It was absurd, but I felt it was pointless to say more.

"(......)"

We both remained silent.

It was a while later that Mia, who had been staring blankly at the floor, chuckled.

"(You're really... You're truly refreshing. How can someone like you exist?)"

"(That's what I want to say.)"

At my immediate response, Mia laughed as if even that was amusing.

"(You're really cute. It's a bit disappointing though. Are you sure you don't want to go on a date with me?)"

"(Yes.)"

"(Wow, you're so firm. Really cute.)"

Mia looked at me with a face full of affection and amusement.

When I made a wary expression, Mia laughed heartily and waved her hand.

"(Don't worry. I have no intention of pursuing a guy who's not interested in me. I understand what you said, so I won't be making any more moves on you.)"

That was a relief.

'I’m exhausted.'

If I could, I would knock myself out just to see Mist right away.

As I swallowed a sigh, Mia continued with a smile.

"(You're going to keep working in Hollywood, right?)"

"(If circumstances allow.)"

It's not something I can decide just because I want to.

But if the conditions are right, there's no reason to refuse.

'Especially since the CEO wants it.'

CEO Jang had mentioned before that working with foreign actors would elevate my status.

He was also the one who actively supported my appearance in Lily's music video.

As long as I'm an actor under Wu Yeon Entertainment, I have to follow the CEO's words to some extent.

'But why is she asking that?'

While I was puzzled, Mia immediately resolved my curiosity.

"(I think you should know if you're going to keep working here. This world runs on gossip.)"

"(Gossip?)"

"(Yes. Who's dating whom, who unfollowed whom on Instagram, who attended which party, and so on. There are a lot of people who live off of these trivial things.)"

Mia shrugged and smiled.

"(If you and I were dating, Lily's song would be even more successful. It would sound much more romantic.)"

I nodded slowly at her words that some stars actively use this to their advantage.

'This isn't entirely unfamiliar.'

Even in conservative Korea, there were occasional such cases.

What Mia was trying to say was, 'This happens much more often here than in Korea.'

If I were to work in Hollywood, I would need to consider these aspects.

"(Thanks for letting me know. But I don't think I need to worry about that.)"

"(…?)"

At my disinterested tone, Mia raised an eyebrow.

I answered her curious expression with a smile.

"(Fortunately, our company has a lot of people who are very good at their jobs.)"

My job was to be an actor.

The most important thing I had to worry about and focus on as an actor was 'acting.'

Of course, I knew that just being good at acting doesn't guarantee great success as an actor.

To consistently have people's attention means having a wider range of projects to choose from.

I understood what Mia meant.

However, it wasn’t my job to worry about how to maintain the public’s interest in me.

It was the job of our company’s staff, specifically the employees of Team 1, to which I belonged.

Of course, it would be nice if I could handle that as well.

That would make me perfect. But...

‘Why bother?’

Why did I need to be perfect?

There were already competent people around me.

"(I trust our team’s staff. If there are any shortcomings, they will fill the gaps.)"

"(......)"

"(No matter how great someone is, they can't live alone in this world.)"

I only had 24 hours in a day, and the time I could spend on acting was limited.

If I paid attention to everything else, when would I have time to practice acting?

‘I don’t need to try to handle everything by myself.’

When things got complicated, it was best to think simply.

‘Let’s focus on what I need to do.’

As an actor, my job was to act well.

So, I just needed to focus on acting.

From Team Leader Woo to the employees of Team 1, I didn’t want to disappoint the people I worked with.

When I smiled, Mia quietly made eye contact with me.

"(You’re really... a strange guy.)"

Was that a compliment?

I stood still, confused, while Mia slowly shook her head.

"(It feels strange. After seeing dozens of people desperate to make a name for themselves, talking to you feels like being in a different world.)"

It seemed to be a compliment.

When I thanked her calmly, Mia let out a deflating laugh.

"(You know, out of all the people I’ve met, you’re the least ambitious, but I strangely have a feeling you’ll become the most famous.)"

"(You’re too kind.)"

"(Listening to you makes me feel like I can act without pressure for the first time in a while.)"

Mia thanked me as she stood up from her chair.

At that moment, a staff member’s shout announced that the preparations for the shoot were complete.

‘Once we shoot this scene, the music video filming will be over.’

That meant I could go to Korea this weekend.

Just thinking about it gave me a burst of energy.

As I took a deep breath and got into position, Mia quickly whispered.

"(Bambi, I have something to say.)"

"(Yes?)"

"(As I said earlier, I won’t be making any moves on you. I won’t burden you with that.)"

"(Okay.)"

"(So, can we... stay friends?)"

Mia’s face was filled with a nervous tension.

Although her anxious reaction puzzled me, my answer was already decided.

"(Of course. It would be an honor.)"

"(Wow! That makes me so happy.)"

As soon as I finished speaking, Mia beamed.

Her reaction was more enthusiastic than I expected, and I couldn’t help but chuckle.

‘I made another friend.’

Day by day, my world was gradually expanding.

It didn’t feel too bad.

*    *    *

I take it back, take it back.

‘I want to take back what I said earlier.’

It didn’t just feel not too bad—it felt terrible now.

"(Bambi! Relax your face!)"

Mia, holding two cups, tapped my shoulder as I stood there with a stiff face.

"(People might think you were dragged here against your will.)"

"(I was dragged here against my will.)"

"(...You’re right. I can’t argue with that.)"

Mia gave an awkward smile.

That’s right. I was dragged here by Mia against my will.

To the party hosted by Mia’s friend.

‘Why am I here?’

Right after successfully finishing the music video shoot, I was planning to go straight back to the hotel when Mia stopped me.

She said her friend was hosting a small party and dragged me along without giving me a chance to refuse.

The place we arrived at was a three-story mansion.

‘How is this considered small?’

People in swimsuits were in the pool in the yard, and inside, people were packed together with loud music playing.

There were even waitstaff in uniforms serving guests.

"(Who are those people? Are they employees of this mansion?)"

"(Pfft, no! They’re part-time workers my friend hired for the party. Is this your first time at a party like this?)"

Mia laughed and patted my arm. Stop hitting me.

"(Drink this.)"

"(Just to make sure—.)"

"(It’s just juice. No alcohol, don’t worry.)"

After two weeks, Mia seemed to have gotten used to me, answering with a smile.

I glanced at the red plastic cup and took a sip.

‘Apple juice?’

It tasted pretty good. But I still felt uncomfortable.

‘Jin-bae hyung must be alone right now.’

Since the party was only for teenagers, Jin-bae hyung had been left waiting in the car.

Thinking about Jin-bae hyung being alone made me feel a bit resentful towards Mia.

"(Why did you bring me here?)"

"(I had no choice. You said you’re leaving for Korea this weekend. I wanted to talk to you a bit more before then.)"

"(Then we could meet alone.)"

Somewhere much quieter than here.

I frowned and spoke amidst the loud noise, and Mia chuckled.

"(Did you bring me here because you want to spread rumors that we’re dating?)"

"(What?)"

"(I told you, this is Hollywood. If we meet alone and get caught by the paparazzi, there will be articles immediately. You don't want that either, right? That's why I brought you here.)"

Mia apologized for dragging me here without warning.

Now I understood the reason for coming here, but even so, this place wasn’t suitable for having a conversation.

‘It’s just too loud.’

I decided that I should return to the hotel tonight and set up a separate meeting with Mia.

I had just organized my thoughts and was about to speak to Mia.

"(Hey, what’s this? Isn’t this an arrogant guy? Why are you here?)"

A sharp voice came from behind me.

It was a familiar voice I had heard once before.