The long red carpet.
Cameras of entertainment reporters filling both sides.
Up to the photo wall visible beyond.
‘…It’s been a few years.’
For Ha-eun, all of this was a sight she hadn’t encountered in a long time.
Since attending the UBS Acting Awards as the young Han Yu-hwa from <Your Star>, she hadn’t particularly gone to any award ceremonies.
Her hazy memory of receiving the youth child actor award on the vast stage of the UBS Acting Awards was also fading now.
She didn’t really remember what acceptance speech she had left.
Simply, it was because she had returned to the landscape she saw as a child.
Walking the red carpet not as a child actor, but as a proper lead actress, she was beginning to feel it gradually.
-Swoosh.
After arriving at the photo wall with Yu Sung-jae, she paused for a moment and lightly waved her hand toward the cameras in front of her.
The calm smile of an actor that had settled on Ha-eun’s face.
The turmoil from Da-yeon’s Diah keyring had already vanished.
Perhaps that was why.
“…Hmm.”
Yu Sung-jae, noticing the overall change in Ha-eun’s atmosphere, cast a brief glance her way.
Returning that gaze was Ha-eun’s puzzled voice.
“Did something get on my face?”
“No, it’s just that you look fine now.”
There was nothing specifically on her face.
Only when she heard Yu Sung-jae’s gentle voice, which was no different from usual, did Ha-eun’s doubts dissipate.
Almost simultaneously, another familiar voice was heard.
“You look beautiful today. The dress suits you well, Ha-eun.”
“Ah… You too, Sung-jae.”
To be precise, it wasn’t the first time she had been told she was beautiful.
She had heard it from the makeup artist who had done her makeup, of course.
Her manager, Ju Jung-yun, had also complimented Ha-eun, saying she looked particularly pretty today.
Because it was something Yu Sung-jae had said, it wasn’t particularly burdensome.
There was no denying that today she looked more like a movie star.
However, the voice that followed quietly mumbled.
“…■■■■.”
-Click click click click─!
Amid the camera shutter sounds filling the area, it was hard to hear.
That was why Ha-eun spoke up again in the relatively quiet awards hall.
“Um, Sung-jae.”
“Yes?”
“What did you say earlier outside?”
A moment of silence followed.
But the words that came next weren’t what Ha-eun had been curious about.
“I said you look beautiful today.”
“Ah, no. The words after that.”
“Did I say the dress suits you?”
“…A little later.”
“Oh, that was just a whisper… No, it wasn’t really.”
From then, Yu Sung-jae’s contemplation lasted about ten seconds.
However, as a result, Ha-eun couldn’t hear the words she was curious about right now.
“I’ll tell you later. It might be a long story.”
“Ah, okay.”
Finally, Ha-eun and Yu Sung-jae walked toward the seats beyond.
They soon reached the seats labeled ‘Lee Ha-eun’ and ‘Yu Sung-jae’.
The voice of someone who had already arrived at the awards hall was heard right after.
“How is it?”
Da-yeon’s voice followed the question, asking if she also felt any different when dressed up properly.
As Ha-eun momentarily turned her gaze to Da-yeon, she relayed the compliment that Yu Sung-jae had given her earlier.
“You look pretty.”
The overall white-toned dress.
Soft makeup layered over Da-yeon’s strong impression.
From head to toe, it was no less than Ha-eun.
Of course, Ha-eun only spoke the truth as it was, and didn’t compare herself on purpose.
However, personally, Da-yeon seemed to want Ha-eun to raise her own self-esteem a little more.
“How pretty are you?”
Without even glancing at Yu Sung-jae, Da-yeon persistently pressed Ha-eun.
Not knowing what to answer, Ha-eun only offered an awkward expression.
Nevertheless, Da-yeon’s persistence didn’t end.
So eventually, after much deliberation,
“…As pretty as you.”
Ha-eun gave a compliment that would seem strange if Da-yeon denied it herself.
It was Ha-eun’s way to escape Da-yeon’s tenacity.
However, Da-yeon’s expression wasn’t what Ha-eun had expected.
For some reason.
After hearing Ha-eun’s compliment, her shoulders went up in what seemed like displaying her own beauty.
“What… What does that mean?”
Her face was slightly flushed for some reason.
Her eyelids were trembling.
Ha-eun’s expectations were all the more different in many ways.
In various ways, it was unfamiliar.
“Just that Da-yeon is as pretty as you… Why?”
“Ah, no… That… …Thank you.”
Since then, no questions about Da-yeon came up.
For some reason, Da-yeon had become very quiet.
‘Why is she acting like this?’
To be honest, it was not entirely that Ha-eun didn’t care at all.
However, just minutes later, the KBC Acting Awards finally began, and she missed the moment to speak.
And soon, two middle-aged actors appeared on the stage beyond.
With a brief introduction, the lights inside the awards hall began to turn gradually toward the stage.
“It is an honor to be able to spend this festival together with all of you.”
“There are some truly amazing people sitting in front of me~.”
After a brief conversation, they talked about various dramas from KBC.
They mentioned the influence of KBC dramas, famous iconic scenes, and several actors who became famous through KBC.
“Now, let’s start the KBC Acting Awards with these wonderful people who have graced this stage!”
Right after, a huge cheer and applause erupted.
For Ha-eun, it was quite a while since she had heard such loud sounds, and memories of the past began to emerge gradually.
11 years since <Mr. Next Door>’s Jiji.
7 years since <Your Star>’s young Han Yu-hwa.
The time it took to return to the grand scenery filled with actors all around was long, if long, but not short.
But since she could be confident that more would happen in the future than had happened in the meantime.
At this moment, Ha-eun thought to do her best to ensure this would not be her last awards ceremony.
“Okay, first up is the Youth Acting Award.”
Ha-eun did not feel awkward or unfamiliar with everything unfolding before her.
Just like Da-yeon and Yu Sung-jae on either side of her, like the many actors around her.
She wished to become a part of the KBC Acting Awards, possessing only the two words ‘actor.’
Following then, the awards ceremony continued.
Only a few actors deemed qualified among numerous actors climbed onto the stage to receive trophies.
As she clapped sincerely for those who ascended the stage.
“Now, next is the Best Supporting Actress!”
When a familiar face appeared on the screen alongside the voice of the middle-aged actor in charge of the ceremony, a slight tension filled the atmosphere, and when the name of the winner was finally announced.
“…Congratulations! Min Da-yeon from <A Moon Split by Clouds>!”
-Tap.
Instead of clapping as usual, Ha-eun gently pushed the frozen back of Da-yeon.
Thus, Da-yeon inevitably had to go up on stage.
The acceptance speech that followed started with, “I really didn’t expect to receive this.”
However, as Da-yeon began to thank the people she was grateful for one by one, she finally uttered.
“Thank you, Ha-eun. No, thank you, Ha-eun…”
While recalling past memories, Da-yeon could not hold back the emotions and burst into tears.
When Da-yeon returned to her seat next to Ha-eun, her eyes were slightly puffy.
“Are you okay?”
“It’s because of you.”
“What? What did I do?”
“Because you, Lee Ha-eun, avoided me and made it so hard for me, sniffling… Do you know how difficult it was?”
To put it bluntly, it was unfair.
In the first place, it was because of Da-yeon’s request that she started avoiding Da-yeon.
Of course, for Da-yeon now, those ‘trivial’ matters were not worth worrying about.
Even though she knew her words were strange, she stubbornly scolded Ha-eun.
“If you keep avoiding me, I really won’t let you go…!”
‘…Why is she acting like this today?’
Was this the arrival of her second adolescence?
Or perhaps she hadn’t yet shaken off the aftermath of her overflowing emotions.
The current Da-yeon seemed childish in many ways.
That was why it had been a while since she had spoken the three-character word ‘senpai.’
“The awards aren’t over yet, senpai. It’s live, so just calm down~.”
“… ….”
Fortunately, Da-yeon didn’t whine any further.
Although she still stared daggers at Ha-eun, well, anyway.
So, once again, time flowed.
The screens on either side of the awards hall were still playing various KBC dramas.
“This is the Best Couple Award. Wow, so many couples here that suit each other well~.”
The host’s voice seemed a bit excited.
Even when it was time to announce the nominees, the host’s cheerful mood didn’t fade.
However, among the names announced by the host, there was one particularly familiar name to Ha-eun.
Not long after, when the names of the winners were finally announced, Ha-eun’s name was among them.
“Congratulations to the Best Couple Award winners, Yu Sung-jae from <A Moon Split by Clouds>, and Lee Ha-eun! Congratulations!”
-Clap clap clap clap─!
Once again, she had to stand up amidst the applause filling the space.
Finally, walking in step with Yu Sung-jae, they arrived at the stage.
“Congratulations~.”
A bouquet and golden trophy were presented to Ha-eun and Yu Sung-jae by another host.
Starting with Yu Sung-jae, the acceptance speech began.
“First of all, I’d like to thank everyone who loved <A Moon Split by Clouds>. Luckily, I was able to work with truly amazing actors—”
Until that point, Ha-eun was only thinking about what to say in her own acceptance speech.
Therefore, she was attentively listening to Yu Sung-jae’s exemplary acceptance speech.
-Whoosh.
For some reason, the atmosphere among the actors below became slightly noisy.
Unexpectedly, Da-yeon also appeared to have a somewhat flustered expression.
Eventually, as Da-yeon’s wandering gaze led Ha-eun’s attention, almost simultaneously, they were faced with iconic scenes fitting the ‘Best Couple Award’ from <A Moon Split by Clouds>.
“…Dear my lord….”
“Willingly.”
Of course, they couldn’t hear the sound.
But the expressions of Yeong-wol and Lee Hyun, who were gradually coming closer to each other, were clear enough, as were Ha-eun’s closed eyes that could no longer see any further.
“Now, let’s hear Lee Ha-eun’s acceptance speech~!”
By the time it was Ha-eun’s turn to stand before the microphone, all her calmness had vanished.
Because the various kiss scenes, other than the one she was fixated on, were all displayed on the awards hall’s screens.
Above all, the many actors in front of Ha-eun.
From one to ten, everyone was someone famous, and they were watching the kiss scenes between Ha-eun and Yu Sung-jae extremely closely.
“I’m so glad to be able to act with someone like Sung-jae.”
Even the phrases Ha-eun had prepared in her head got mixed up or cut off.
Her earlobes were already turning red.
In the end, she hurriedly left the stage without even finishing her concluding remarks.
The problem was that Da-yeon’s eyes, which had observed the various kiss scenes on the screen, had narrowed significantly.
“…You’ve really done everything with Yu Sung-jae.”
“?! Ah, no!”
“That’s not true. You seemed completely dazed in the last episode’s kiss scene.”
“Ah, I wasn’t dazed. That was acting too!”
“Ah, okay~.”
Ha-eun could bet her life that everything Da-yeon said was a misunderstanding.
The kiss scenes, which looked even more real than an actual kiss, were all thanks to the atmosphere within the drama and the excellent editing by the editing team.
She had only touched fingers with Yu Sung-jae.
There hadn’t been any contact in any other place.
However.
“Hey, Sung-jae, say something…!”
“Um… Your Highness, I hope you won’t mind the affectionate acts between married couples~.”
“?!”
For some reason, Yu Sung-jae’s playful voice, which came out instead of clarifying, made Da-yeon’s eyes narrow even further.
In the end, Ha-eun, caught in between Yu Sung-jae and Da-yeon, felt even more embarrassed.
To put it mildly, a bed of nails.
Or a needle cushion.
“Be bold, my lady. What’s so embarrassing about it?”
“H-Hey, my lady? My lady?!”
“It’s appalling, Your Highness. If you’re jealous, just say so.”
Even Yu Sung-jae got dragged into a childish argument with Da-yeon, causing Ha-eun to lower her head.
She wanted to hide, even if it meant going into a mouse hole.
Nevertheless, the awards ceremony continued.
The continuous applause.
The ongoing acceptance speeches.
In the end, the option to escape was not given until the very end.
The appearance of Ha-eun’s name among the nominations for the ‘Best Actress’ award in the latter part of the awards ceremony couldn’t have been overlooked.
However, she didn’t have particularly high expectations.
Having already won the Best Couple Award, and because the other nominees were outstanding actresses with superb acting skills.
Of course, no one doubted that <A Moon Split by Clouds> was a huge success.
However, she had never thought that she could consistently outshine several remarkable actresses.
“─The KBC Acting Awards, the winner of the Best Actress Award is… Congratulations. Lee Ha-eun from <A Moon Split by Clouds>!”
“…Huh?”
On the massive screen in the awards hall, iconic scenes began to unfold, and all of them were Ha-eun’s.
-Crunch.
“…I’ll kill them all.”
As she cut through assassins that had invaded the palace from all sides, she bravely advanced toward her lord.
“Die──!”
“…!! Your Highness!!”
In the end, the woman who flew to protect her beloved was none other than Ha-eun.
Thus, once again, she had to stand up and head to the stage.
-Clap clap clap clap clap clap clap─!
The sound of applause like thunder erupted, and the golden trophy extended from the host.
The many emotions that crossed Ha-eun’s mind as she received that trophy, which only she among the countless actors could possess, were overwhelming.
The acceptance speech that began was much calmer than the previous one during the Best Couple Award.
“Hello. I am Lee Ha-eun, who played Yeong-wol in <A Moon Split by Clouds>.”
As always, she was composed.
She calmly delivered the words that needed to be said and those she wanted to say into the microphone at the podium.
However, an old memory that started to rise in Ha-eun’s mind began to question her.
And she felt that now she could sufficiently respond to that question.
‘I will become someone worthy of the award you gave me…’
“I think I’ve been able to become a person worthy of the award you’ve given me, and I am grateful.”
Ha-eun, who had bowed her head during her first awards ceremony, now held her head high until she finished her acceptance speech.
She knew that it might seem a bit arrogant, but she didn’t really care.
“Then, I will work hard in the future. …No, I will work even harder. Thank you.”
With that, step by step.
Holding the golden trophy that belonged to her close, she descended from the stage and returned to her seat.
Back to the seat of ‘actor Lee Ha-eun,’ where she would continue to reside.
There was no doubt that this place was Ha-eun’s.
After all, she had become someone deserving to sit in the fitting position.
She had no intention of giving up her place to anyone else.
It was solely a seat for one person, for Ha-eun.
*
This KBC Acting Awards was a ceremony conducted live from beginning to end.
Therefore, reactions to the awards had to be in real-time.
Thus, community reactions began to surface while the awards were still in progress.
– Lee Ha-eun KBC Acting Awards entry gif.
ㄴ What’s up with that dress?
ㄴ That dress fit is insane, seriously ㅠㅠㅠㅠ
ㄴ No way, I’m seriously losing my mind.
ㄴ If Ha-eun is my sister, that’s just not allowed.
ㄴ If you’re prettier than me, you’re older than me.
– Real-time) Lee Ha-eun & Yu Sung-jae couple taking the top.
ㄴ Look at the video material of the treasure spread!
ㄴ They are really great at picking prime cuts to show, haha.
ㄴ Is it because they’re both 15? There’s no censorship at all.
– Ha-eun seems to be stunned.
– An unexpected kiss scene appears, and Lee Ha-eun goes into a panic.
ㄴ It’s so cute how she’s embarrassed.
ㄴ She’s not usually a stutterer, but she can’t help it now, lol.
Ha-eun’s fan communities were live broadcasting her appearance at the KBC Acting Awards like this.
To be precise, it wasn’t that strange of a spectacle.
But one community somewhat distant from Ha-eun’s fan communities had its own commotion.
– Real-time) Min Da-yeon Diah shout-out.
ㄴ No matter how I look at it, that’s the Diah keyring.
ㄴ Yeah, that’s definitely the Diah keyring.
ㄴ That handbag is extremely expensive; it has Diah keyrings all over it, lol.
– Who’s the virtual YouTuber hiding in the shadows!!!
ㄴ Our Diah is world-class..!
ㄴ Even current actress has fallen for Diah’s charm.
– I didn’t really see Min Da-yeon like that, but now she’s just so relatable.
ㄴ Oh, celebrities are people too~ They’re not heavenly beings.
ㄴ Why do we separate levels among those of the same community, haha.
Ha-eun’s other side was filled with that kind of commotion.
More accurately, the uproar was due to Da-yeon, but as a result, the attention toward Diah rose significantly as well.
Perhaps that’s why.
– Click.
<End of the Year Gathering at the Fantasy Realm>
“Hello~”
“Hello, hello─☆”
In the last week of December, during the group collaboration broadcast from the Fantasy Realm, the most common chat messages were primarily about Da-yeon and Diah.
– A virtual YouTuber who was shouted out by a celebrity!
– Is Min Da-yeon not still watching right now?
– Our baby has unexpectedly become world-class..!
– Is a high school girl & famous actress actually watching this broadcast????
– Just shout out Diah GOAT.
Luckily, Da-yeon’s entourage did not attract attention.
There was no incident of Ha-eun, known for being close to Da-yeon, receiving the arrows of attention that she had worried about in the past.
However.
– Ding.
[WithCoin donated 10,000 won!]
: Is Diah’s real name starting with Min, having a middle name, and ending with Yeon??
“W-What sort of nonsense is that…?”
She never imagined that they would mistake Diah’s true identity for Da-yeon.
She was caught off guard suddenly.
– ?
– Why are you stuttering?
– Wait, seriously????
– Is Diah actually not you? Right??
– Hold on, my head is spinning.
– Speak clearly, please.
“Uh, I see some strange comments… I’m going to ban anyone spreading rumors. Handle yourselves well!”
– Ah, Da Ramji is a bit out of it.
– It’s not a rumor, though.
– Let’s hear Diah’s explanation first?
– So is she Min Da-yeon or not!!
– Hm, this seems like blue pill material.
![[TS] Surviving in a Yuri Visual Novel](https://i0.wp.com/cdn.novelupdates.com/images/2025/02/TS-Surviving-in-a-Yuri-Visual-Novel.png?resize=151,215 "[TS] Surviving in a Yuri Visual Novel")
