The Genius Actor Who Brings Misfortune

Translator: Marctempest
Editor: Rynfinity

Chapter: 46

“Since it’s cold, please don’t drink too much at once.”

“Yes. Thank you.”

As soon as the cup was placed in front of me, I heard the sound of ice clinking.

I took a sip and tasted the cool, unsweetened lemonade.

Manager An Jin-bae, after confirming I was drinking, took a sip of his own Americano.

“Is it not too sour?”

“It’s perfect. I prefer it unsweetened compared to the ones sold outside. It must have been troublesome to make….”

“It wasn’t as hard as I thought. I’m glad you like it.”

Manager An Jin-bae, who had said he had something to talk about, suggested we go up to the house first. But when we arrived, he told me to wash up.

Faced with his stern expression, I couldn’t argue and quietly went to wash. When I came out, I saw a surprising scene.

Manager An Jin-bae was taking something out of a large container, about the size of his arm.

Instinctively, I took a step back.

It wasn’t a rational decision; my body just moved on its own.

The fact that I couldn’t see his eyes made it look even more intimidating.

‘Actor?’

If Manager An Jin-bae hadn’t called out, I would have opened the front door and left.

When I finally came to my senses and approached, I saw it was lemon syrup.

A jar with lemons meticulously stacked like a tower.

There was no red color or ominous lump that had momentarily crossed my mind.

I felt bad. I guess image really matters.

“Thank you for making it. But next time, just rest. Or I’ll make it myself.”

“……”

Apparently, he had made it himself during the two days he visited his family home.

I felt uneasy knowing he had done this troublesome task for me when he should have been resting, but he didn’t respond to my comment.

As I started to wonder at his unchanged reaction, Manager An Jin-bae, who had been slightly averting his gaze, suddenly lifted his head.

“Actor. I feel very hurt.”

“……What?”

I felt my eyes shaking at his unexpected words.

“To be honest, I felt very hurt in the car earlier.”

“Oh… I see.”

“……”

“……I’m sorry. Could you―.”

I was about to ask why he felt hurt, but before I could finish, he smacked his own forehead.

“Actor, why are you always so apologetic?”

“……Because you said you felt hurt, hyung.”

“Just because I said I felt hurt doesn’t mean you did something wrong. Hurt is an emotion, actor. It’s not something that only arises when someone does something wrong.”

Even though he wasn’t scolding me, my slumped shoulders didn’t straighten easily.

So what did he want to hear from me? If not an apology, then what? A promise that it wouldn’t happen again?

As I racked my brain, Manager An Jin-bae, watching me, spoke in a low voice.

“What hurt me in the car earlier was that it sounded like you were telling me not to interfere, no matter what happened to you, unless it was work-related.”

“……”

“That’s not a separate issue. That’s also something I need to take care of as your manager.”

Dewdrops on the glass rolled down.

As I lowered my gaze to follow them, I heard a voice, now much softer.

“Unless it’s a different profession, for an actor, such things are never separate issues. If you’re not in good health or have personal problems, it naturally affects your work. So, as a manager, I have no choice but to be concerned.”

“Yes. I understand.”

I nodded at this finally comprehensible explanation.

“And this lemon syrup… Others might find it puzzling why I go to such lengths. It seems you’re uncomfortable for the same reason.”

“……”

“But I consider this part of my job. It’s not because I want to impress you, but because it’s my job as a manager to create the best environment for you to focus on acting.”

I see. I understood a bit of what he was trying to say.

So, this is part of his job as a manager, and I shouldn’t feel burdened or uncomfortable about it.

But how does that relate to feeling hurt?

As I felt the frustration of missing something important, Manager An Jin-bae, seemingly not wanting me to suffer alone, provided the answer.

“Of course, that’s not why I feel hurt. What hurts me is this situation, not you. I’m curious about so many things but can’t ask.”

“……”

“I’m curious about you as a person, not just as an actor. I wonder if you’re okay and what you’re thinking.”

I had nothing to say.

With my mouth agape, I just stared at his face.

“I won’t pressure you to talk until you’re ready. I won’t easily suggest counseling or therapy. But I’m curious. I’m human too. It’s not wrong to be curious, is it?”

“……No, it’s not.”

“Similarly, it’s not wrong for you not to tell me.”

He emphasized that I needed to know this, his serious eyes meeting mine.

“I hesitated because I didn’t want to burden you… but I told you because I thought you didn’t know how curious I am. If there’s a reason you’re not talking, that’s fine. But don’t hesitate because you think I wouldn’t want to hear it or would find it bothersome. Okay?”

“Yes. I understand.”

“I’m not upset with you. So, there’s no need to apologize.”

I nodded at this newfound understanding.

As Manager An Jin-bae watched me for a moment, he smiled.

After he dumped out the melted lemonade and made me a second glass, the conversation became a bit more relaxed.

“Was that the first time you had trouble breathing quickly?”

“No. It happened once before.”

“I see…. How about getting a check-up?”

“A check-up? Are you suggesting a psychiatric consultation?”

Didn’t he just say he wouldn’t bring that up?

Before my thoughts could continue, Manager An Jin-bae shook his head.

“No. I meant a physical check-up. I heard hyperventilation can be caused by underlying health issues.”

“Oh, I don’t have any notable health issues.”

“Health problems can arise anytime. It would be good to have a check-up just in case. If it is due to an underlying issue, it’s best to address it early.”

“Okay. I’ll get one sometime.”

“I’ll make the appointment. As for counseling… do it when you feel comfortable.”

His gentle eyes moved slowly, as if gauging the situation.

“At first, both I and the other actor thought it might be good for you to get counseling, but we figured you wouldn’t want to. Forced counseling wouldn’t be beneficial either.”

That’s true. Since I couldn’t talk about Mist, any counseling session would be limited in what I could say.

Still, if Manager An Jin-bae recommended it, I planned to attend at least once or twice out of courtesy.

I was truly relieved. I remembered putting my phone down in shock after looking up the cost of counseling.

“I’ll do that. Thank you for your concern.”

“You’re welcome. You did well at the training today. Now go and rest.”

“Yes—uh, hyung.”

Manager An Jin-bae, who had been about to leave with the glass, stopped in an awkward position.

Though slightly embarrassed, I felt I should say this to someone who had been so honest with me.

“Don’t worry. What you said today didn’t make me feel burdened. But… I don’t really know what you’re curious about. I probably can’t tell you everything.”

“I see.”

Watching his calm nod, I continued slowly.

“Still… I’ll answer what I can. Feel free to ask. Or rather, I’ll try to talk more.”

There wasn’t much I wanted to hide except for matters about Mist.

There wasn’t much to hide; I just hadn’t felt the need to talk about them. There was nothing significant enough to keep secret.

Honestly, I still felt bewildered. I had no idea what he was curious about.

But I wanted to let him know it was okay to ask if he was curious. My words came out disorganized because I wasn’t clear myself.

Fortunately, the face in front of me looked quite satisfied despite my clumsy words.

“Yes, I will. Actor.”

Though he still used formal speech, his softened expression felt comforting.

* * *

“Noona, it’s been a while.”

“Yes. Long time—oh?”

As she turned around at my greeting, Han Se-young’s eyes widened.

Her already big eyes grew even bigger, surprising me more.

“What’s this? Why are you so dressed up? It’s startling.”

“Why? Is it bad?”

“Are you asking just to hear you look good?”

She lightly tapped my shoulder and laughed, easing the tension I had been feeling.

Geez. I had already thought I might have overdone it and was starting to regret it sincerely.

Today was the day of the press conference to officially introduce the drama before its first broadcast.

I texted Noh Bi-hyuk, who was whining about me skipping school and asking if he missed me, and then entered the hotel.

The waiting room was a floor above the conference room where the event would be held.

Having my hair done at the salon felt so awkward that I struggled to keep my hands from reaching up to touch it.

“The waves in your hair give you a completely different look. It suits you well.”

“Thank you. You look pretty too, noona.”

“Gosh. Do you have to say that?”

I wondered if this was the correct usage of the expression, but I just laughed.

Han Se-young had a light soap scent.

It might be a personal preference, but it suited her much better than the heavier scent she used to wear.

“Noona, I think this scent suits you well.”

“Scent? I’m not wearing perfume.”

“Really?”

Then it was really the scent of the soap.

It was fascinating that a natural scent could smell so pleasant.

Unconsciously, I moved my head closer and quickly pulled back when I saw her slightly stiffened expression.

“Sorry, did I startle you?”

“……Behave yourself, you rascal. It’s cute, but if you keep doing that, it will backfire.”

“Huh?”

Backfire? Not understanding her words, I asked again, and she waved it off with a dismissive gesture.

As she sat back down for the rest of her makeup, I still felt uneasy and approached her.

I apologized again, and she gave me a look of exasperation. Uh-oh. She must have been really uncomfortable.

“You really are….”

“I’m sorry. I’ll be more careful. It wasn’t intentional.”

After I apologized again, she looked at me for a moment and then told me to be very careful.

Swallowing my nervousness, I nodded at her somewhat curt face.

‘I shouldn’t get too close.’

I had probably relaxed too much in my comfort. I made a mental note to avoid a repeat of such incidents.