After thoroughly disguising ourselves, just like when we went out to eat the poached duck, we stepped out onto the street.
Top stars of Heavenly Yuah’s caliber could never enjoy such an ordinary stroll through the streets.
Since there were aspects I felt uneasy about, I helped disguise Heavenly Yuah even more meticulously than usual.
“So, where do you plan to go today?”
“I haven’t really thought about it.”
It seemed that Heavenly Yuah, who had randomly dragged me out onto the streets, had no special plans.
It was an unplanned outing, simply walking wherever our feet took us. For Heavenly Yuah, who became a star right after her debut, walking freely through the streets like this must have been quite an old memory. Even as the eldest daughter of S&M, it seemed unlikely that she could have been very free, even in America.
With my inadvertent anger levels rising, I could only hope that things like this would help lighten her mood.
“Ah, let’s go there.”
“What is it…”
“A chicken franchise.”
“That’s right.”
After wandering through the streets for quite a while, Heavenly Yuah pointed to a chicken franchise with a plump grandpa smiling happily. It seemed she was craving chicken after a long time.
Although chicken is something most people in our country enjoy, Heavenly Yuah, who always picks duck as her go-to, is especially fond of chicken. Duck or chicken? Something like that?
However, she didn’t eat chicken often at the company. That’s not because chicken is the main enemy of calorie management. If she properly executed her metabolism techniques, there’s no need to worry about a few pieces of chicken. After all, Heavenly Yuah, who consistently consumes thousands of calories a day, is a creature that never puts on weight.
Even so, the reason chicken doesn’t appear frequently is entirely due to me. I’m not the type to enjoy chicken very much, being the eldest son of a fried chicken family. While I can eat our father’s chicken decently, other brands don’t do it for me at all. Since Heavenly Yuah has always been considerate of me, it was now my turn to respect her choices.
“I like the drumsticks.”
“Me too. While warm chicken is delicious no matter what part, the core is, after all, the drumsticks, isn’t it?”
Both Heavenly Yuah and I are drumstick people. Sitting at the table with a few perfectly fried drumsticks in hand, a couple chatting nearby caught my attention.
Maybe because it was a topic we were familiar with, it seemed to resonate more with me.
“It was surprisingly fun.”
“Really?”
“Yeah, I thought it’d feel childish. I’m not a big fan of fantasy because it feels unrealistic. But it was better than I expected. Heavenly Yuah and Nam Hyun-ho are famous, as expected, and White Siu? He’s really good too. He starts off as the ultimate nobody, and it’s like he’s genuinely that.”
“No way, someone with that face is a nobody?”
“That makes it even more impressive. And Luna. The final scene… wow.”
“Isn’t Luna now at a level where it’s confusing what her main job is?”
“Ah, why are you saying such a hurtful thing? Our Luna-ssi, of course, her main job is singing.”
Recently, they’d seen our movie and were discussing it quite seriously. Most of the comments were positive, and it even made me feel proud.
And it seemed like the experienced actress Heavenly Yuah felt the same way.
“It’s a strange feeling. It’s the first time I’ve directly heard honest reviews about a work.”
“Right? It’s not an easy experience.”
“This acting career began for my satisfaction, but there are moments when it feels more fulfilling.”
“Do even you care about people’s reactions?”
“Of course. I am human after all. Though, I care less compared to others.”
This was somewhat unexpected from a woman who seemed like she wouldn’t care about others at all. But in reality, that’s who she is. She’s completely her own way, isn’t she?
“And at that time, I did care too.”
“Really?”
“No, why are you looking at me like that? If I hadn’t cared, Siu would have been the commander of the Heavenly Demon Army long ago.”
“Huh? Would that have happened?”
“Thinking about it, maybe the reason why ‘I’ didn’t care about others’ opinions is, in a way, due to memories I don’t fully recognize.”
“As an actor, not being aware of others’ reactions would just be plain wrong, wouldn’t it?”
“That’s why. It’s strange, isn’t it?”
While smiling bitterly about how she managed to remain so detached from others’ opinions throughout her acting career, Heavenly Yuah wondered why she sought such unnecessary ambition at that time. Probably there’s no special reason. It’s simply that as a Heavenly Demon, she aspired to act like a real Heavenly Demon. Subtle as she may be, she lacks the chaotic personality that would allow her to ruin relationships with allies. Perhaps she was waiting for someone to break through all obstacles and eventually reach her?
Back then, we only made mistakes, so I don’t really have much to say either.
“By the way, you don’t do it anymore these days, right?”
“What don’t I do?”
“Talking in the tone of Heavenly Demon.”
“Ah, that? I’ve obtained all I need, so now it’s time to let go. Afterwards, it’s only a loss, isn’t it.”
“Does it become that way?”
“Of course. When both parties aren’t equal, it leads to Martial Forest chaos anyway. Isn’t it?”
“True, I supposed.”
Heavenly Yuah activated the Heavenly Demon mode to deepen internal intimacy. Once that intimacy was restored, calculating that continuing in the Heavenly Demon mode would only result in losses. The master-servant relationship from the Heavenly Demon era couldn’t pave the way for a proper romantic relationship, after all. Reflecting on how the fact that she was once the Heavenly Demon became an unintended obstacle, it doesn’t seem to be a wrong judgment.
Indeed, the Heavenly Yuah who now possesses refined wisdom seems three times stronger than before.
“Alright. If we’re done eating, let’s get up.”
After enjoying the chicken, we headed to a nearby coffee shop. I’m not a huge coffee enthusiast, but during times like this, a place to leisurely sit and enjoy some peace is always nice, isn’t it? On the other hand, Heavenly Yuah takes coffee quite seriously.
Although her taste is not so pretentious that she avoids franchise coffee shops, the company only uses specially selected premium beans, after all.
“It’s a bit disappointing.”
“What’s disappointing?”
“This movie. It really could have reached 10 million viewers.”
“Isn’t it going to?”
“Eh, once Guardians starts showing, that’s it. The hype will drop, and the media will focus on that only.”
Sitting at the café with Heavenly Yuah, an advertisement for our movie aired on the distant screen. It meant the momentum was still going strong.
But because of that, it occurred to me how regrettable it was. Being an actor myself, I had already given up hope on achieving 10 million viewers, but now that the moment is here, it feels different.
In fact, besides that couple earlier, there were other people talking about our movie. Discussions like this happening in everyday life indicate the response was better than expected, but this won’t last much longer. When the epic Guardians series lands, not only the attention but also the screens will shift entirely in its direction.
“That movie—Guardians: The Seven Heroes—is actually set to release on November 7.”
“Huh? ‘Guardians: The Seven Heroes’ on November 7th? I thought it was the last day of October. The schedule was already set, right?”
“The plan was to release it on the 7th. It’s the same day in Japan too. They moved it back a few days to focus more on Korea, but then they postponed it again. Anyway, it’s not simultaneous.”
“What… Could this business trip be about that?”
“So… Are you mad?”
“Huh, wow…”
So, we were just venting a little, but it turns out this woman is dropping some astonishing news.
So, they postponed the Korean release of Guardians? By a whole week?
Is that even possible?
“Is that maybe… Did you hold a gun or something to pressure them into it?”
“That’s not what you pressure people into with a gun, right? You don’t need a gun for something like that.”
That’s right. There’s no point in using a gun for that kind of negotiation.
I don’t know exactly what she did,
but S&M has always been shrouded in mystery, being such a big company. It seems they did something, possibly using the headquarters’ influence, but I have no idea what exactly it was.
But regardless of all that, if she was away for that reason, it makes sense why Moon Suyeon felt the need to act impulsively.
If she stepped away for such a great mission, reacting impulsively in her absence…
Even thinking about it carefully, strictly and seriously, it was Moon Suyeon’s fault.
That’s why her being genuinely upset makes sense now.
This situation really is all my fault. No matter what, it’s my fault.
She went through so much trouble outside,
and inside the house… Hmph.
“…Do you look big to me?”
“…What does that even mean?”
“Just that today you look especially extraordinary.”
“…I’m extraordinary all the time.”
Today, Heavenly Yuah is my eyecatching star.
*
After chatting at the coffee shop, it was on to a beer joint.
Walking, fast food, coffee shop, walking again, and ending at a beer joint.
It was something ordinary and everyday. A simple date.
Maybe, this is what Heavenly Yuah would define as a date—something everyday and unremarkable.
“So, are you on hiatus, Senior?”
“If there are no special tasks, yes. There are a few things to handle, but I want to take a break too.”
“Hmm…”
“Why?”
“It’s nothing.”
Both me and Heavenly Yuah are actors,
so once you’ve had a drink, you naturally end up talking about our works. Especially at a time like now, after a project ends, while we prepare for the next one.
In my case, I’m considering a drama for my next project, while she plans to rest for at least half a year before starting her next role.
It’s a very standard plan, but knowing how she’s acted up till now, it’s hard to believe she’ll stick to it. If that ‘special circumstance’ is somehow related to me, does taking a break even make sense?
Today, though, feels different, so we should seriously consider discussing our thoughts.
“Could it be that you’ll be joining another project where I’m involved?”
“Isn’t that different depending on the situation?”
“Still, isn’t that a bit excessive? We have already worked on two projects together.”
“If you start filming with someone as shady as Jin Seo-hee, wouldn’t I need to make a decision for your protection?”
“Protection?”
“Of course, you’d understand as an actor. That’s the part where our eyes are most likely to wander. It’s an incident that occurs subtly during a project’s focus. Being blindsided while fully aware is something I prefer to avoid.”
So that’s your concern.
I understand why she worries, given how often relationships can develop unnoticed. There was also the experience where someone like myself was unexpectedly charmed by others in the Martial World.
But continuing in this way would cause losses for both her and me.
We should try to instill some trust that such a scenario won’t occur.
“Admittedly, it sounds strange even to me, but if I were to have a relationship with someone, it would only be someone among you, Senior Yuah or Senior Su-yeon.”
“…What does that mean?”
“Meaning there’s no chance my focus will drift to another actor, no matter whom I work within any project.”
“No, not that part. What came before it?”
“What? That I wouldn’t consider anyone other than Senior Yuah or Senior Su-yeon?”
“Yes, that part. Are you now seriously considering a romantic relationship with me?”
“No, it’s not as simple as choosing between two people…”
“Hmm, is that right?”
“…Why do you look at it that way?”
“No, it’s fine. I get it now. Siu… you really are peculiar… But, okay. I won’t interfere with your next project.”
What? How did she interpret it like that? The source of her good mood is completely beyond me.
Fortunately, it seems our misunderstanding has been resolved, which is a relief.
It’s also fortunate that she promised not to interfere in my next project.
