Chapter 19: Jealous for No Reason

The table read that had begun in the morning continued after a lunch break and rest time, lasting through the afternoon.

Since filming was scheduled to begin in earnest three weeks later, and because this was a mini-series, today’s reading was planned to be both the first and the last.

They weren’t going through every single scene, but this was the only opportunity to align the writer’s intent with the actors’ interpretation in advance, so the session was conducted with full concentration.

At three in the afternoon, the director finally announced the end of the read-through.

“Let’s wrap up the reading here.

Thank you all for your hard work over these long hours!”

“Thank you.”

“Thank you!”

Everyone clapped with relieved faces.

The tension that had lingered in the conference room just moments earlier as they acted out their lines melted away, and people relaxed, exchanging greetings with those beside them.

“Please gather toward the front.

We’ll take a group photo, then move on to the promotional video shoot.

We’ll be doing the test shoot as well!”

The actors gathered near the screen in small clusters.

They changed poses a couple of times and took several photos.

Hearing the call of “Thank you for your hard work!”, Han-geon headed into the dispersing crowd, eager to get some water to Eun-gyeol, who had worked for hours.

“Cha Eun-gyeol-nim, if you could come this way, please.

We’ll film your promotional clip!”

“Yes.”

But the PD from the PR team was a step faster.

He whisked Eun-gyeol away from the front row and set him in front of a camera, asking him to give a greeting.

Even though he must have been tired from reading lines all day, Eun-gyeol immediately turned to the camera with a bright smile.

“Hello, viewers.

I’m Cha Eun-gyeol, playing the role of Cha Kang-woo in Heart for Love.

It’s a pleasure to meet you like this.”

With his gentle voice and the smile resting on his eyes, he looked so beautiful that Han-geon felt his mind go hazy just watching him.

Holding the water bottle, he stood there blankly, staring at the actor he managed.

Even after recording the promotional video flawlessly in one go, the work wasn’t over.

Only after changing into all the pre-prepared outfits and filming the test clips did Eun-gyeol finally receive the bottle of water from Han-geon.

“You really worked hard today.

You were amazing.”

Han-geon touched Eun-gyeol’s shoulder with affection.

After taking a sip, Eun-gyeol gave him a soft, smiling glance.

“I was amazing?”

“Yeah.

You were the most amazing one there.”

Eun-gyeol’s smile deepened.

Just then, the director’s voice rang out.

“You all worked really hard.

The team dinner starts at five, so please arrive at the location on time!”

“Yes!

Thank you!”

People began gathering their belongings, chatting comfortably with those nearby.

At that moment, the veteran actress who had been sitting beside Eun-gyeol the whole time approached them.

Startled, Han-geon instantly bowed ninety degrees.

She received the greeting gracefully, then extended her hand naturally to Eun-gyeol, who took it as if it were only natural.

“Eun-gyeol-ssi, your acting was so impressive.

I’ve only ever seen you on screen before.

Working together in person—my goodness, you’re really something.

Honestly, I was amazed.”

“Thank you, sunbaenim.

It’s an honor for me as well to be able to work with you.”

“Hehe, let’s do well together from here on.”

Hand in hand with the senior he revered, Eun-gyeol walked her to the exit.

Watching with a satisfied smile, Han-geon returned to Eun-gyeol’s seat to gather their belongings.

And then— the cap of the water bottle he was holding rolled across the floor.

He bent down to pick up the cap and was about to screw it back on when someone bumped into him carelessly.

“Oh!

I’m so sorry!”

Water splashed out of the bottle in Han-geon’s hand, soaking his T-shirt.

The cold shock made him jerk back.

“I’m really sorry.

I misstepped.”

“Ah… it’s fine.

It’ll dry.”

When he glanced up, he startled—standing there was a ridiculously handsome man.

Han-geon hadn’t yet seen him on screen, but during the reading earlier, the actor’s performance had left a strong impression.

It was Yoo Junseong.

In Heart for Love, Junseong plays Eun-gyeol’s rival and romantic competitor.

Even within the drama, Eun-gyeol’s character, Cha Kang-woo, is prickly yet calm—much like his real personality—and Junseong plays a mischievous younger resident doctor, a year below him.

Unlike the “beautiful” aura that suited Eun-gyeol perfectly, Junseong had a more boisterous, playful impression.

From personality to cheerful looks, he contrasted sharply with Eun-gyeol in a way that would make things more entertaining for viewers.

Junseong hurriedly grabbed some tissues nearby and dabbed at Han-geon’s clothes.

The ticklish sensation made Han-geon quickly take the tissues back and wipe himself instead—of all places, it had landed on a rather embarrassing area.

“…Oh?

Are you Manager Cha Eun-gyeol’s manager?”

Junseong asked, widening his eyes.

He’d noticed the necklace hanging around Han-geon’s neck.

“Ah, yes.

I’m Cha Eun-gyeol-nim’s manager.

Nice to meet you.”

“Oh, hello!

I’m Yoo Junseong, Eun-gyeol-sunbae’s junior.”

They even ended up shaking hands.

His cheerful greeting left a good impression; Han-geon almost forgot about the mishap and smiled back at him.

Just then, Junseong winced and turned sharply.

Eun-gyeol was walking up with a scowl.

“Come on, sunbae… go easy on me.

I can’t breathe.”

Whatever the reason, Junseong raised both hands like he was surrendering to Eun-gyeol.

One of Eun-gyeol’s eyebrows twitched.

Han-geon didn’t know why, but he looked annoyed.

The tense air between them made Han-geon blink in confusion.

“What is this?”

Ignoring Junseong entirely, Eun-gyeol demanded an explanation.

His eyes were fixed on Han-geon’s thoroughly soaked chest.

“Ah, I spilled some water on Manager-nim…”

“Be careful, would you?

What do you think you’re doing to my manager?”

The low, growling tone instantly chilled the air among the three.

Flustered, Han-geon waved his hands at Eun-gyeol.

“Hey, it was an accident.

Why are you making it into a big—”

“How do you ‘accidentally’ do that?

You blind?”

His sharp tone made Han-geon’s spine tingle.

Did he have some grudge against this guy?

Why was he overreacting this much?

Thankfully, everyone else was too busy chatting in groups to pay attention, but if they stayed here any longer, they’d start drawing eyes.

Han-geon grabbed Eun-gyeol’s arm.

“Um— it was nice meeting you.

See you at dinner later!”

Junseong blinked, then relaxed and grinned.

“Yes!

See you later, sunbae-nim, manager-nim!”

After bowing repeatedly, Han-geon hurried to gather their things and pulled Eun-gyeol out of the conference hall, leading him toward a quiet hallway.

“Hey— what the hell is wrong with you?”

By the restroom at the end of the hall, Han-geon whispered sharply.

“What about me.”

“Why did you blow up like that?

It’s just a bit of spilled water.

And even if you were upset, he’s your junior—”

“Junior my ass.

What does he have to do with me.”

Eun-gyeol glared, swearing viciously.

Running a hand through his hair, he wore a menacing expression.

Seeing his mood worsening, Han-geon sighed.

Something was definitely off.

He decided to soothe rather than scold.

“Still… ugh… Eun-gyeol.

Just go with the flow, okay?

Whether you like him or not, you’re going to be working together for months.

If you start trouble, everyone gets uncomfortable.”

“Ha, f*ck… it’s showing.”

“Huh?”

“Your damn nipple’s showing through, for f*ck’s sake.

Annoying.”

His tone was bristling.

Startled, Han-geon quickly looked down.

Because he’d worn a plain white shirt today, the wide water stain made the inside visible—enough that something important was about to peek through.

The shirt had gotten wetter than he thought; even with an undershirt, it wasn’t enough.

“Hey, so what if something shows a bit?

Who’s gonna stare at another guy’s nip—”

“Don’t talk nonsense.”

Embarrassed, he rambled, but Eun-gyeol only narrowed his eyes further.

He swore again under his breath, then suddenly crossed his arms and pulled his T-shirt off.

Han-geon nearly jumped out of his skin.

“Hey— you— what are you doing?”

“What do you think?

I’m taking this off.

Put it on.”

“You’re crazy!

What actor strips for his manager?!”

“Shut up.

Put it on unless you want your nipple shown to the whole world.”

Wearing only his inner T-shirt now, Eun-gyeol strode ahead.

It was absurd and ridiculous, but after he’d gone as far as taking off his shirt for him, refusing would definitely set him off again.

Not wanting to provoke him any further, Han-geon ran into the men’s room, stripped off his soaked shirt and undershirt, and put on Eun-gyeol’s.

“Come on.”

Eun-gyeol glanced back as he walked ahead.

“That Yoo Junseong punk made me get scolded on the first day.

Annoying bastard.”

There was a dangerous edge to his voice.

Han-geon wanted to retort but decided to keep his mouth shut.

At this point, he truly couldn’t tell whether Eun-gyeol had disliked Junseong from the start, or if he’d gotten pissed because Junseong got him wet, exposed something sensitive, and caused an argument.

As Han-geon hurried to catch up, he stopped for a moment.

‘Your damn nipple’s showing… f*ck.

Annoying.’

He stared down at the wet shirt and undershirt in his hands.

Seeing the water-stained fabric suddenly made him feel small.

Sure, maybe seeing some random guy’s nipple unexpectedly might piss anyone off for a moment—but was it really something worth cussing him out over?

His mouth tasted bitter.

And yet, even as he stood there, he found himself faintly savoring the scent of the shirt he was wearing—the scent of its owner—and he felt disgusted with himself.

“Come on!”

Shouting back, Han-geon hurried after him.

Thankfully, he had packed a spare change of clothes for Eun-gyeol in the car.

First thing would be to get him dressed properly, then head to the team dinner.