NOVEL NEXT Chapter 42
The child was at an age where they could accept things as they were better than anyone else.
What this means is,
– Hey, why are you so dirty?
It means they react very sensitively to both good and bad.
The year Ryu Jaerin turned six.
It was the time when children’s heads began to grow, and they could start distinguishing the surrounding objects.
Living alone with her grandmother, Ryu Jaerin’s clothes were messier than others.
To endure poverty, adapting was quicker than overcoming it.
The six-year-old Ryu Jaerin became wise faster than anyone else.
‘People don’t really like me.’
Except for my grandmother, no one approaches me.
That thought crossed her mind.
– What are you doing alone here?
The prince on a white horse appeared.
When she was alone, he would take care of her,
wipe her face if she got something on it,
and share snacks during picnics.
As these little things piled up, Ryu Jaerin became curious one day and asked.
What on earth was the purpose of this inexplicable kindness?
Why does he give me Pokémon bread stickers every day?
How is it that every time he buys me cup noodles, he also adds a boiled egg?
When she asked, the reply was,
– Just? I think you’re going to be a famous idol later.
Idol?
– …So am I prettier than Kim Sujin?
– Uh, right?
That decided Ryu Jaerin’s fate.
At six years old, an age that would gradually be forgotten with time.
But the intense memories with Kim Donghu were deeply engraved and wouldn’t fade away.
On the contrary, as time passed, her feelings grew stronger.
Pure kindness and the happy times they spent together for just a year.
How could she forget the miracle of always ending up sitting next to each other?
This feeling later became a huge source of strength when Ryu Jaerin became an idol trainee.
Even when people around her were harsh, even when she was bullied for being pretty,
she could keep enduring because of that one memory.
On the other hand, there was also a longing to find out where Donghu was.
But as an idol trainee, she couldn’t have a phone,
external contact was limited, and because of her family situation,
she had to live in a dorm.
So Ryu Jaerin couldn’t find Donghu.
Time flowed and flowed until she turned fifteen.
‘Huh?’
Ryu Jaerin came face to face with Kim Donghu on TV.
Seeing Kim Donghu shining brighter than anyone else on “Hydream,”
while wishing to stand next to him soon,
she even nurtured the fantasy of “Shall we get married? Let’s participate in a show together.”
Since it was a program that popular celebrities often appeared on,
she imagined that one day, when she and Donghu became adults.
Just thinking about that was enjoyable.
But really, Donghu appeared right in front of her like destiny.
And as a couple of school uniform models, no less!
Let’s model as a couple in school uniforms together.
Ryu Jaerin’s emotionless eyes quickly sparkled with life, and Kim Donghu, who didn’t recognize her right away, felt mischievous and wanted to tease her.
“W-who…?”
So, Ryu Jaerin answered this naughty question.
“It’s me, your bride, Ryu Jaerin.”
While celebrating our fateful meeting, I thought about our wedding in the near future, saying, “Honey, how have you been?” with a bright smile.
+++++
‘Ryu Jaerin?!’
The top star idol Ryu Jaerin?
The one who’s destined to be a globally famous diva?
‘What are you doing here?’
Could it be that since they’re trying to match my worth, they brought down the value of female models? Or is it because of the “special treatment” path?
Anyway, I hastily pulled Ryu Jaerin away.
“What are you trying to do if others see us?”
Idol scandals carry a weight completely different from actor scandals.
While actor scandals feel like just news, idol scandals are like something juicy to chew on.
In serious cases, it could lead to backlash, disappearance from activities, or even retirement—a route that only leads to the worst.
“There are no CCTV cameras in this waiting room anyway, so it’s fine.”
A small laugh escaped at Ryu Jaerin’s nonchalant words.
“You’re still so laid-back, nothing has changed.”
“You still look like a prince on a white horse.”
“Do you still use that expression? It’s the first time I’ve heard it since I was six; it’s embarrassing.”
“Psh, who cares? It’s my feelings.”
Ryu Jaerin pouted for a moment and quickly relaxed her face, inching closer to me again.
It’s nice to see her after a long time, but why is there this distance?
Should I say something more? Aren’t idols supposed to act like this?
Just as I was about to remind her again, suddenly…
“What’s going on? Looks like you two got a bit cozy already?”
Seok-ho entered, glancing between us and grinning contentedly.
When models get along, the synergy looks good, like a businessman’s discerning eye.
‘When did he drop by?’
By the time I realized it, Jaerin was already a little further away from me,
at a distance that really felt like we just became friends.
I couldn’t help but admire her skill at managing that subtle distance.
Knowing this precise point to avoid any gossip,
could it be that a top star idol’s instincts unconsciously gauge the distance?
“Since it’s been suggested that we should shoot with a sweet couple concept, what do you think?”
Oblivious to such things, Seok-ho continued casually.
A couple concept, huh?
Is that really okay?
A glance.
As I turned my gaze, Jaerin met my eyes, sending a positive look.
It felt more like a determination that we had to do it, but that must be my misunderstanding.
“Yeah, Jaerin says it’s fine too.”
“Right, it’s really rare for a 15-year-old to model in school uniform.”
Our Dong-ho is definitely different in a crazy way.
Seok-ho’s random compliment made my face heat up in an instant.
Why do you have to say embarrassing stuff, especially when Jaerin is here?
But the most embarrassing part was that Jaerin was nodding enthusiastically.
“Right, right.”
With little affirmations like that, I found it hard to look up.
“Anyway, since everyone agrees, I think we can change into our uniforms and get ready for the shoot right away.”
“Yep.”
Seok-ho said that and immediately left the waiting room, and I was about to follow him out to change.
Or I was trying to.
Just then,
“Wait.”
At that moment, Ryu Jaerin grabbed my hand.
“Dong-ho, can you give me your number right now?”
“My number? You want my number?”
“Yeah, if it’s not now, it might be awkward to get it later.”
“True, things get chaotic after the shoot.”
But why is she fiddling with my left hand’s fourth finger while exchanging numbers?
I wanted to ask but somehow felt like it would be a bad idea.
‘Why is my face so flushed?’
Am I sick?
+++++
The shoot went way more smoothly than I imagined.
Since it was a couple concept, we were doing things like hugging tightly, linking fingers, and making heart shapes with our hands.
After wrapping up the typical uniform photoshoot, Jaerin and I exchanged a few words before parting ways.
“Did you know each other before?”
“Yeah, we were kindergarten classmates, but I never thought we’d meet like this.”
“Kindergarten classmates? What a small world.”
I hopped into the van and had a brief conversation with Seok-ho about schedules.
“Oh, I heard the special concert is going to be on the second Sunday of March.”
“Are we not having it right after Hidream ends?”
“Yeah, seems like the schedule got adjusted that way.”
I think there’s going to be piano and band performances then, is that possible?
Nodding in response to Seok-ho’s words, I felt it wouldn’t be difficult at all.
“So I guess I’ll be resting until then?”
“Yeah, I think that’s for the best. After doing several projects in such a short time, you usually need a break.”
Even if the body is okay, the mind’s got to be really exhausted.
I nodded at Seok-ho’s consideration.
‘This kind of support is like cheating in a game.’
He was saving my energy needed for acting and research time to the max, and I could easily switch my emotions on and off.
It was a ridiculous cheat code.
It was a cheat key.
“Hey, the hero said we can watch the editing together right away, and he’s also preparing for the mise-en-scène evaluation.”
“Really? That’s super fast.”
“When I talked to him last time, he mentioned he’s been sleeping three hours a day lately.”
I hope he’s not wearing himself down.
While we were chatting about this and that, I noticed a script I hadn’t seen before sitting next to me.
What’s odd is that it was entirely in English from start to finish.
“Seok-ho hyung, is this script all in English?”
“Uh? Oh, that was there? Sorry, sorry, that’s from the independent film scenario I was working on; I had an overseas translation version printed along with it.”
But I think I left it there by accident.
Listening to Seok-ho hyung, I felt a question arise.
‘Can I immerse myself in an English script?’
It was an attempt I had never tried before.
‘Does this mean I can learn English?’
Just as that thought crossed my mind…
Ding! Ding! Ding!
As if waiting for this moment.
A message arrived from [Sims – The Real Life].
-[It has been determined that the current script’s language is unsuitable for the user’s status.]
-[Downloading the application ‘Indestructible Babel Tower’.]
-[From now on, immersing in foreign language scripts or foreign language characters will also allow you to acquire the corresponding language.]
…?
Can I really acquire languages?
‘Immersion.’
To confirm its effect, I immediately immersed myself, and since it wasn’t for the script, I quickly pulled out of the immersion.
Just a few short seconds.
What should have looked like complete gibberish turned into English that I could ‘read.’
It came to me as easily as my mother tongue.
“…Seok-ho hyung, can you get me scripts in other foreign languages besides English?”
“Eh?”
“Like Japanese and French scripts.”
At my words, Seok-ho hyung looked like his brain short-circuited for a moment.
After a few seconds of blankly driving, he finally spoke up.
“…Dong-ho, can you read that? Oh, can you read other stuff too?!”
I couldn’t read normally before.
“Yes, I can read it.”
I think it’s really going to work now.