The Genius Actor Who Brings Misfortune

Chapter 209

On Christmas Day, the house was bustling with people.

“Jin-bae hyung, I think this is ready. I’ll move it to the plate.”

“Oh, thank you.”

While Jung-hyun hyung and Jin-bae hyung were busy transferring food to the plates, Han Ha-ram was hovering around.

“Um… I want to move it!”

His small frame trying to help beside them looked quite cute.

“Yes. Then, please do.”

Jin-bae hyung, also amused, handed a small plate to Han Ha-ram with a smile.

“Hyung, how was Italy?”

“It was amazing…!”

Sung Lee-jun and Noh Bi-hyuk had been chatting for over an hour, catching up after a long time. Truly impressive, both of them.

“It was the best trip of my life.”

“Really? I’m jealous. I wanted to go too. Did you visit the Colosseum by any chance?”

“Yeah. On the second day. Didn’t Yeon-jae tell you?”

“He never tells me anything about his shoots. Says there might be problems if he does.”

When Noh Bi-hyuk grumbled, Sung Lee-jun laughed, saying that was just like Yeon-jae.

It was nice to see everyone laughing happily, but…

‘I’m tired.’

Everyone had such good stamina.

Even before the party officially started, I already felt sleepy.

‘I should go to my room and rest for a bit.’

I was about to sneak away while everyone was distracted, but Nam In-hoo caught me.

“Where are you going?”

“…I need to get something from my room.”

“Yeah, right. You’re just going to lie on your bed.”

I couldn’t argue with that.

As I hesitated, Nam In-hoo grabbed my sleeve, telling me not to go.

“Why? What’s up?”

“Nothing, it’s just a bit awkward.”

“…? With me?”

We had been meeting often even after the filming of *Twins* ended, so what was awkward now?

When I tilted my head and asked, Nam In-hoo gave me an incredulous look.

“No, not you… That hyung.”

Nam In-hoo subtly gestured to the side with his chin.

There stood Lee Eun-taek.

In the midst of a party where everyone had cheerful expressions, he alone wore a gloomy face.

Nam In-hoo spoke uncomfortably.

“I thought he would have a similar vibe since he’s Sung Lee-jun hyung’s friend, but he feels kind of cold? His expression is dark too.”

“Maybe something bad happened.”

“You said you knew him. Is he usually this quiet? I’m not sure if it’s just my imagination, but he seems especially cold to me. …Almost like he’s ignoring me.”

Nam In-hoo grumbled softly.

It had been a while since I had seen him like this.

Suppressing a smile that threatened to surface, I gently opened my mouth.

“Hyung, do you remember when you first met Bi-hyuk?”

“Huh?”

“I think you said something similar back then too. That Bi-hyuk seemed to be ignoring you.”

The day Nam In-hoo first met Noh Bi-hyuk.

Seeing Noh Bi-hyuk taking care of Sung Lee-jun, Nam In-hoo misunderstood, thinking that because he wasn’t famous, Noh Bi-hyuk was ignoring him.

Since then, Nam In-hoo apologized first and they’ve been getting along well.

‘No need to repeat the same mistake.’

I looked at Nam In-hoo.

“It’s possible that Eun-taek hyung is ignoring you, but it might not be the case too.”

“…….”

“Why not try talking a bit more? He might just be feeling awkward. We’ve met several times, but it’s his first time at a gathering like this.”

Well, his expression didn’t really look awkward though.

A quick glance at his face showed more discomfort than awkwardness.

He looked like someone wearing ill-fitting clothes, completely uneasy.

‘Why did he even come if he’s like that?’

While I was wondering this internally, Nam In-hoo sighed.

“You’re right. That was just my paranoia. I’ll try talking to him properly first.”

“Yeah.”

“Ha, why do I have such an inferiority complex? I hate my personality too and tried to fix it… But no matter how hard I try, it doesn’t work.”

Nam In-hoo scratched the back of his head roughly.

Seeing him looking so frustrated with himself, I chuckled.

“Who’s perfect, hyung?”

There are so many people who can’t even objectively assess themselves.

“You’re fine as you are. That kind of personality is decent.”

“…Is that an insult or a compliment?”

Nam In-hoo asked with a perplexed expression.

I added an explanation.

“There are countless varieties of human personalities.”

“Right…?”

“And every personality has its pros and cons.”

Kindness can sometimes be seen as weakness, and honesty can sometimes come across as rudeness.

There are people who lose out by trying to be kind to everyone, and those who selfishly look out for themselves but never let their family go hungry.

‘So, there’s no such thing as a perfect personality.’

Even what is considered a good personality depends on the criteria.

Therefore, the phrase ‘fixing one’s personality’ doesn’t make sense. By what standard would you fix it?

There’s no law defining it.

Nam In-hoo, having listened to my words, wore an ambiguous expression.

“But… isn’t inferiority complex bad no matter how you look at it? People usually say to fix it.”

“Everyone has some twisted part in their personality.”

In Nam In-hoo’s case, it was his inferiority complex about not being famous.

An inferiority complex arises from the desire to have what the person being compared to has.

In other words, if used well, that feeling can drive you to achieve your dreams.

“I don’t think the inferiority complex itself is a problem. Honestly, it’s hard not to have one.”

“That’s true, but…”

“Ultimately, it’s about how you utilize that inferiority complex.”

I raised my hand and poked Nam In-hoo’s chest.

I looked into Nam In-hoo’s startled eyes.

“The way I see it, you’re doing well as you are.”

“…….”

“Just being aware of your twisted parts and trying to control them is enough, I think.”

So, hyung, you’re a good person.

I quietly added, and Nam In-hoo closed his mouth.

As he looked at me silently, I started to wonder.

“You’re really… intriguing.”

“Really?”

When I asked what was intriguing, he replied that it was intriguing that I didn’t know.

Frowning at his non sequitur, Nam In-hoo laughed.

“Thanks for the kind words. Then I should go deal with my inferiority complex. I’ll try talking to that hyung.”

I smiled back at Nam In-hoo, who was smiling with a much lighter face.

As I cheered him on, saying to do well, he grabbed my wrist.

“…?”

“Where are you trying to go? You’re coming with me.”

“Oh, I…”

“You know him, right? Introduce us. It’ll lighten the mood.”

If I went, it would only make things worse.

I tried to explain, but it was too late.

Nam In-hoo had already grabbed my wrist and approached Lee Eun-taek.

“Hello. I didn’t properly introduce myself earlier. I’m Nam In-hoo, I shot a movie with Yeon-jae.”

“Oh, yes. I’m Lee Eun-taek. Um… Yeon-jae and I….”

Lee Eun-taek hesitated and then mumbled, “We used to know each other.”

‘He could’ve just said he debuted with Bi-hyuk.’

Or mentioned he’s a friend of Sung Lee-jun.

I found it strange but kept silent.

The two exchanged a few more words before dropping formalities.

“Hey. Let’s just speak informally. Using formal language feels awkward.”

Lee Eun-taek grinned and lightly patted Nam In-hoo’s shoulder.

‘Wow.’

I barely held back a laugh.

He used to look at me like he wanted to kill me.

‘He can smile like that?’

It felt strange.

I watched Lee Eun-taek talking and laughing with Nam In-hoo.

My fingers twitched involuntarily.

The tips of my fingers felt rough.

…As if they had brushed against candy wrappers.

‘What am I doing?’

I swallowed a sigh.

I had invited Lee Eun-taek for Noh Bi-hyuk’s sake.

When Noh Bi-hyuk and Lee Eun-taek debuted, there was a high chance the three of us would have to interact.

If Lee Eun-taek remained hostile, Bi-hyuk would suffer the most.

We can’t change the past, and I can’t become family with Lee Eun-taek again.

I needed to focus on what I could do.

I just needed to maintain a relationship where he didn’t openly insult me.

‘This is just for that.’

It wasn’t about reclaiming the second brother who used to sneak me candy with a smile.

‘Get a grip.’

I took a small breath.

“Dinner is ready. Everyone, come on over.”

Jin-bae hyung’s voice cut in at the perfect time.

I walked slowly, following the group heading to the table.

‘Today doesn’t seem like my day.’

I’d try to mend things with Lee Eun-taek another time.

For today, inviting him to the party was enough.

‘I won’t look at him for the rest of the night.’

I made up my mind.

* * *

To conclude, I failed.

And quite thoroughly.

“Ha….”

I sighed in the bathroom, having fled there.

‘This is driving me crazy.’

I did a dry wash of my face, recalling the recent situation.

Until the meal ended, the atmosphere was good.

Lee Eun-taek and I didn’t look at each other or pick fights.

After starting a conversation with Nam In-hoo, Lee Eun-taek talked to the other hyungs and even joked around with Han Ha-ram.

Honestly, it felt bad.

I knew Lee Eun-taek had every reason to dislike me.

I wasn’t so shameless as to not understand that.

So I kept my mouth shut. I knew I had to.

‘But it still felt bad.’

The more I saw Lee Eun-taek smiling at others, the more my mood sank.

Realizing my own state made me feel worse.

Because I couldn’t deny the truth.

I was paying attention to Lee Eun-taek.

‘This can’t be.’

Lee Eun-taek was a stranger.

Sung Lee-jun’s friend, Noh Bi-hyuk’s group member. That’s all.

I didn’t need to concern myself with someone who had nothing to do with me.

I shouldn’t have done that. The past couldn’t be changed.

‘Actor-nim. Are you okay?’

Jin-bae hyung’s whispered words brought me back to my senses.

I had been cutting steak just a moment ago, but now there was a cake in front of me.

I reflexively answered that I was fine and picked up a fork.

‘When did so much time pass?’ I wondered as I took a bite.

‘…!’

As soon as I registered the taste on my tongue, I saw Lee Eun-taek about to eat the cake.

Without a moment to think, I sprang to my feet.

‘What—’

‘Did you eat it?’

The sound of my chair clattering backward and the table shaking echoed in quick succession.

The loud noise buzzed in my ears, but I couldn’t pay attention to it.

‘Did you eat the cake?’

I had already snatched the fork from Lee Eun-taek’s hand and thrown it aside.

Gripping his wrist tightly, Lee Eun-taek winced in pain.

‘Let go. What are you—’

‘Did you eat it or not!’

I kept repeating the question like a parrot, unable to think of anything else. Only after asking four times did Lee Eun-taek yell, “I didn’t eat it! Let go of me!”

It wasn’t until Jin-bae hyung grabbed my shoulder and said, “Actor-nim,” that I snapped out of it.

Only then did I notice everyone staring at me with bewildered expressions.

Lee Eun-taek was glaring at me, panting.

Under everyone’s demanding eyes, I exhaled the breath I had been holding and muttered.

‘…It tasted like peanut butter.’

‘What?’

‘The cake… it tasted like peanut butter….’

Still dazed, I barely managed to utter the words.

‘Peanut allergy….’

Everyone looked confused.

I wouldn’t have understood it either if I were them.

As I tried to collect myself, I felt Lee Eun-taek’s gaze on my cheek.

He stared at me intently before speaking slowly.

‘…I got over the allergy. Back in middle school.’

He explained that it had been severe when he was younger, but it naturally went away after he entered middle school.

He didn’t receive any special treatment; it just disappeared on its own.

I replied blankly.

‘I see….’

‘…….’

‘I didn’t know.’

Ah.

I mentally smacked my head against the wall.

I didn’t know? Was that the best I could come up with?

‘Of course, you didn’t know.’

We hadn’t seen each other for a long time before then.

‘Why did I answer so stupidly?’

After saying that, I excused myself to the bathroom and fled.

‘I overreacted.’

Remembering how Lee Eun-taek had once been taken to the hospital for his peanut allergy was my mistake.

I sighed deeply, feeling like the ground could swallow me whole.

‘What should I say when I go back out?’

As I was trying to figure out how to handle the situation, I heard a knock on the door.