The Genius Actor Who Brings Misfortune

Translator: Marctempest

Editor: Rynfinity

Chapter 261

"Don't you think you're being a bit too much?"

—Woof!

"Just thinking about that time still raises my blood pressure. Telling me not to be curious about anything, isn't there a myth about Pandora's box for a reason? I'm a person too, isn't it too much?"

I grumbled while brushing Happy's fur.

There was still plenty of time before the shoot, and thanks to Jin-bae hyung stepping aside, it was easier to talk.

"I know Mist isn't at fault. He's probably listening to this right now. When we meet later tonight, there's nothing I can say, so I'll just be groaning. Sometimes, it feels like he tries to get away with things by being cute, which makes him even more annoying. He is cute, but... you understand what I'm trying to say, right?"

—Woof!

"Yeah. It's a bit better since you understand."

Talking to Happy about Mist was more effective than I had anticipated.

At first, I wondered what the difference was between talking to him and talking to a wall, but strangely enough, he really seemed to understand my words.

'I should have tried this sooner.'

Of course, I knew Mist would be listening to this conversation.

Maybe even the one who warned me not to be curious about anything would be watching.

'So what?'

But I wasn't curious right now; I was just venting.

More confidently than anyone else.

'At this point, it's more like venting to their face.'

The important thing was that I hadn't crossed the line they had set.

I hadn't asked anyone to look into it, nor had I searched for it myself.

'If they make a fuss over this, that would be really petty.'

I pouted my lips and petted Happy.

"Thanks for listening to me, Happy."

—Pant, pant.

I patted his sturdy forehead, moving past his moist nose.

He growled contentedly, as if he was enjoying it.

In the meantime, I glanced at the clock on the wall.

'Wow, it's already been an hour.'

No wonder I felt a bit thirsty.

I had talked a lot.

Once I started speaking, the words I had held back poured out nonstop, and I couldn't stop.

But despite talking for an hour, I didn't feel tired at all.

In fact, I felt refreshed.

Even though nothing was resolved and I still didn't know what to do.

I could surprisingly feel my anxiety subsiding.

'I guess I'm no different.'

It made me realize once again that humans are social animals.

A weak being that can only survive by constantly interacting with others.

Would it be strange to find comfort in the fact that I was just another human?

—Woof!

"......Alright, I'll pet you again."

Geez, he doesn't give me a moment to think.

When my hand, which had been petting him, stopped, Happy barked, unable to wait.

I chuckled as he rubbed his face against my hand, asking to be petted again.

"Your fur has gotten really soft."

It seemed the brushing was really effective.

I had started brushing him because it felt a bit awkward to just stand around and talk.

Compared to an hour ago, his fur had become noticeably softer.

'It's like golden silk.'

With the sunlight streaming in through the floor, Happy, who was lying on my lap, looked dazzling.

"Yeon-jae, it's almost snack time for Happy. Can I take him?"

At that moment, the owner peeked out from the end of the yard.

"Yes, of course. Happy, it's time for your snack."

—Woof!

Happy jumped up and ran quickly toward the owner.

He ran so fast that the dirt in the yard scattered everywhere.

That guy didn't even look back.

"Actor, did you have a good time?"

After the owner and Happy disappeared, Jin-bae hyung approached.

"Yes. Thanks for giving me space. I feel like I've gotten much closer to Happy."

"I'm glad."

Jin-bae hyung smiled as I nodded.

"If you need anything else, feel free to ask. Don't hesitate."

His voice, as always, was kind and gentle.

I looked into his gentle eyes and suddenly asked,

"Hyung, have you ever found it hard working as my manager? Did you ever feel resentful or hate me?"

"All of a sudden?"

"Well, I was reading the script, and I kept thinking about you."

Especially when I thought about Shin.

Like many pets, Shin had to stay home alone while Do Yoo-young was at school.

Living a life waiting patiently until the owner returned.

Seeing Shin's blind loyalty and devotion to his owner reminded me of Jin-bae hyung.

Someone who cared more for me than for himself.

How could he do that?

At times, I found it puzzling.

"Honestly, from Shin's perspective, switching bodies with Do Yoo-young isn't such a bad situation, right? His original body had clear limitations."

"That's true."

"In a human body, he could enjoy various foods he couldn't eat before, and move freely without any restrictions."

Most importantly, he no longer had to wait.

For a heartless owner who might not come home.

Despite the obvious benefits, Shin tells Do Yoo-young with a bright face.

Let's find a way to return to our original states together.

"Honestly, if it were me, I think I would have had bad thoughts. Like maybe it's not so bad to stay like this."

But there's no such emotional arc in the script.

It was amazing to me that Shin had no intention of taking over Do Yoo-young's body.

At the same time, I thought of Jin-bae hyung.

Had he ever once wanted my place?

‘It’s not like he hasn’t tried acting before.’

Though the work we clumsily shot during the club days was his first and last attempt, who knows what might have happened if he had continued acting since then.

Perhaps, instead of being my manager, I might have known him as a fellow actor.

“If I were hyung, I would feel unfair. All the attention and awards I received for my acting were possible thanks to hyung’s help, but I get all the spotlight.”

Obviously, without his help, I wouldn’t have liked acting this much or been able to focus on it.

‘He's such an amazing and wonderful person.’

I worried he might be tired of being hidden in the shadow of being my manager.

It's a natural emotion anyone would feel.

But as soon as Jin-bae hyung heard my words, he immediately smiled.

“You're really… always thinking of others. Why would you worry about that? Are you afraid I’ll leave?”

“I'm scared you might leave, but… I’m just worried you might not be happy. I’m happy because you’re here, but if you’re not, it’s too unfair.”

“Haha!”

I didn't think it was that funny.

I glared at Jin-bae hyung, who was laughing joyfully.

“I’m serious.”

“Sorry. You’re just too cute.”

“Hurry and answer.”

“Don’t worry. I swear, I’ve never been dissatisfied. Being a manager suits me well, and above all, I really like my actor.”

“Really? It's not even a little hard?”

At my question, Jin-bae hyung pondered for a long time before answering.

“It’s hard when I feel I can’t solve all your problems. It’s tough whenever I realize my limitations.”

“That’s very manager-like.”

At my words, Jin-bae hyung chuckled softly.

Then, with a mischievous voice, he replied.

“Shin probably feels the same.”

“What do you mean?”

“If Shin thinks of Do Yoo-young the way I think of you, he just wants Do Yoo-young to be happy and healthy. He wouldn't want anything else.”

“......”

Jin-bae hyung spoke lightly, but his words hit me heavily.

I held my breath for a moment.

‘How can a person be like this?’

No matter how selfless one is, one’s own interests come first.

Even if we feel and care for each other like family, I’m still just another person.

I was hesitating, not knowing how to respond.

“What do you think?”

“Pardon?”

“Is Do Yoo-young happy?”

There was a gentle smile in his eyes as he looked at me.

I watched those waves for a moment.

“Do Yoo-young wouldn’t think so himself, but objectively, he’s quite happy. It’s a happy ending, so he’ll probably get happier by the end, right? Most importantly… he has Shin.”

“I see.”

Jin-bae hyung nodded and quickly added.

“Then you must be happy too, since you have me.”

I looked at him for a moment before nodding.

“Yes, I’m happy.”

“I’m glad. That’s enough for me.”

Jin-bae hyung said he was happy because of my words and smiled.

Then he whispered softly.

“Shin must feel the same. If Do Yoo-young is happy, Shin will surely be happy too.”

“...Do you think so?”

“Yes, that’s what I think.”

How strange.

Just calculating the time I spent practicing to perfectly portray Do Yoo-young and Shin, it was well over a month.

During practice, they sometimes felt unfamiliar, and sometimes like close friends.

But never had they felt this warm before.

I slowly let out a laugh.

“Aren't you being too much as a manager?”

“Pardon?”

Jin-bae hyung looked puzzled.

“It’s the first shoot, you should at least let me feel nervous. How can you make me so relaxed?”

I grumbled, saying that if I overslept tomorrow because I was too relaxed, he’d be responsible.

Even though it was a ridiculous complaint, Jin-bae hyung replied with a smile.

“That’s fine. I’ll wake you up.”

He never misses a beat.

I lightly bumped my forehead against his shoulder in defiance.

A low chuckle from him followed.

And so, I welcomed the first shoot of my second film warmer than anyone else.

*    *    *

“Yeon-jae, are you ready?”

“Yes, I’m ready.”

The director smiled and said, “Let’s do our best.”

“We’ll shoot until just before Shin jumps at Do Yoo-young. Check the camera movements one more time~. Lighting team, just like during rehearsal, please.”

“Understood!”

“Alright, let’s start the first shoot of ‘Shin Yoo-young’, which will be the first blockbuster of the next year!”

The director shouted loudly, and the staff laughed.

“We’ll start shooting soon!”

“Everyone, please switch your phones to silent!”

The noise gradually died down, and soon silence fell.

The staff, Jin-bae hyung, and even Happy were all looking at me.

With all the cameras and eyes on me, I quietly closed my eyes.

And then, I thought of Do Yoo-young.

You, who float around aimlessly without settling anywhere.

Just like your name, Yoo-young (游泳), you probably think of yourself as a drifter, a loner drifting here and there.

It might not be the right thing to say in a moment when I need to make that feeling my own, but...

‘You'll be okay.’

I know your ending.

I know how happy you'll become.

"Camera standby—."

So, you don’t need to be anxious alone anymore.

All the emotions you will feel from now on.

"Action!"

I will feel them with you.