Chapter 43: Holding Back the First Blow.

“It’s here.”

The assistant director opened the door first and entered the audition room.

Just as Yoojun let out a short breath and was about to enter, Jeongmin, who had been following right behind, gently grabbed Yoojun’s wrist.

When he looked back, Jeong-min, with a gloomy expression, whispered in a voice hushed as much as possible.

“Inside… Han Jaewoo is there, right?”

“Seems like it.”

“I don’t like that bastard either, but still… the director is here too, so don’t provoke him first unless he crosses the line.”

Only then did Yoojun realize why Jeongmin had grabbed him and frowned.

Summarizing Jeongmin’s request in one sentence, it meant ‘don’t cause trouble just because you feel bad.’

He was dumbfounded.

Although Yoojun didn’t have a kind or affectionate personality, he was someone who knew manners.

It meant he wouldn’t act arrogantly first when the other person treated him politely.

Of course, if the opponent was rude or picked a fight first, his personality was also such that he never held back.

However, Jeongmin’s anxiety had validity in a way.

Frankly speaking, in this industry where popularity equals power, there were few cases where Yoojun had to endure.

Jeongmin’s worry was exactly that part.

Jeongmin knew that Yoojun already considered Han Jaewoo displeasing.

He couldn’t be blamed for that.

Because he was the one who cast annoying flirtations at Yoojun first.

Anyway, even if he didn’t show it, there was no way he would like the fact that he suddenly got involved in Yoojun’s most anticipated project.

But to run into him suddenly in such an unexpected place like this.

Jeongmin was extremely worried that Yoojun might openly be sarcastic to Han Jaewoo today.

Perhaps Han Jaewoo might provoke Yoojun’s temper first.

It was obvious that the actions he took thinking he was expressing favor would be annoying and bothersome from Yoojun’s perspective.

Honestly, even if he said a word to Jaewoo, Yoojun wouldn’t take a big hit, but Jeongmin was concerned that this was a place opened for auditions and Director Jung was present.

Why plant a bad image before filming even started?

And Yoojun, who read all those inner thoughts from Jeongmin’s expression groaning like a puppy needing to pee, burst into a scoff of disbelief, saying, “Hah, seriously.”

Yoojun said.

“What do you take me for?”

“I take you for the great actor Kim Yoojun.”

“You sure have a way with words. Be quiet and manage your own expression well.”

Without giving the answer Jeongmin wanted properly, Yoojun turned his body as it was and stepped inside the open door.

It was an expression and posture that fit the description of ‘great actor’ marvelously—confident and, in a way, even seemingly arrogant.

Although everyone seemed to be doing their own work, in fact, the people inside the audition room, who had been pouring all their attention that way from the moment Yoojun was visible through the open door, couldn’t take their eyes off Yoojun walking in.

If Yoojun decided to focus attention on himself, it became difficult to even pretend not to be interested.

“Mr. Yoojun, welcome.”

Director Jung, who had neatly trimmed his beard that had grown wildly until recently, greeted Yoojun first with a handshake.

It was unusual for a master like Jung Myeongcheol to greet an actor first.

Yoojun bowed politely and grasped the hand the director extended.

“Hello, Director. Have you been well?”

“I couldn’t sleep because I was nervous at the thought of seeing Actor Kim’s acting.”

“I was the one having a hard time wanting to work with you as soon as possible, Director. Thank you for allowing me to observe the audition.”

“It’s something I should be grateful for if Mr. Yoojun watches with me.”

“Not at all. Please think of me just as an audience member today. The decision depends entirely on you, Director.”

At Yoojun’s flawless answer, the director burst into hearty, good-natured laughter as if satisfied and patted Yoojun’s shoulder.

Then he turned around and spoke to those pouring all their attention on the two.

“Well, I don’t think an introduction is really necessary, but… this is actor Kim Yoojun who will take the lead role in our movie.”

Only then did the staff here and there greet Yoojun with loud voices.

Yoojun also exchanged greetings with them by bowing lightly.

Director Jung Myeongcheol was famous not only for making good works but also for leading the on-set atmosphere well and caring a lot about staff treatment.

Yoojun was satisfied that the faces of the staff were filled with anticipation and excitement rather than fatigue or tension.

However, that satisfaction vanished entirely the moment he saw the brazen face approaching behind the director.

It was Han Jaewoo.

The favorability filling his expression made Yoojun’s mood even dirtier.

Yoojun clenched his two fists tightly without realizing it for a moment.

While making such a good-natured expression and building his image, behind the scenes spreading dirty rumors about Sayoung, agreeing with the scandals through silence, disguising himself as a victim, and ultimately being the culprit who made Yoon Sayoung die on the cold asphalt.

“Hello, Mr. Yoojun. Finally… I meet you in the same work as Mr. Yoojun.”

Such a person extended his hand toward Yoojun with a voice openly filled with favor and affection.

All sorts of trashy words Sayoung said he heard from Jaewoo came to mind.

Memories of him scratching the back of his hand convulsively until it bled without realizing it himself, and enduring while covered in coercive pheromones, also came to mind consecutively.

Following his heart, he wanted to punch him in the face right then and there.

No, at the very least, he wanted to crush his pride as much as possible by saying, ‘Is that so? I didn’t really have much desire to act with you.’

“…Nice to meet you, Mr. Han Jaewoo. Indeed. I am also looking forward to being able to match acting with Mr. Jaewoo.”

However, Yoojun miraculously held back all the actions he wanted to do and grasped Jaewoo’s hand with an extremely commonsensical attitude.

That wasn’t all.

Yoojun created the most charming face he could make and even smiled softly with his eyes at him.

It was a face so handsome that one could be sure even Han Jaewoo would have fallen for it upon seeing it, even if he had no particular interest in him.

Jaewoo put strength into the hand shaking his and persistently met Yoojun’s eyes.

Those who didn’t know might think they were testing each other’s strength, but Yoojun could feel that he was seducing him very clearly.

Han Jaewoo seemed to openly want Yoojun to notice the sexual gestures he was sending.

Yoojun felt disgusted.

He wanted to pour out all sorts of curses.

Nevertheless, finishing the greeting without losing his smile was all for the revenge Yoon Sayoung spoke of.

Not yet.

Now was not the appropriate moment to drop Jaewoo to the bottom.

As Sayoung said, he had to make him fall for him more than now.

Not just simple favor, but to make him fall in love to the point where he would want to die if rejected by him.

Yoojun would never have chosen this method, but this was strictly Yoon Sayoung’s revenge, and since he decided to go along with it, it was right to do as Sayoung wished.

Above all, Han Jaewoo wasn’t what was important right now.

“Then, excuse me for a moment….”

Yoojun, having wrapped up the greeting roughly, quickly got out of there.

Turning away Jeong-min who tried to follow, he moved to a corner of the building where there were no people, took out his phone, and quickly made a call.

The recipient was naturally Sayoung.

Pick up.

Please pick up.

Yoojun muttered anxiously.

He was impatient, worried that he might have turned off his phone because he was focusing on the audition or something, or that he wasn’t paying attention to calls.

No matter what, he had to inform him that Han Jaewoo was here.

He had to prevent him from standing on the audition stage without any preparation and encountering Jaewoo, no matter what.

He had not the slightest intention of watching with his eyes open as Han Jaewoo blocked Sayoung’s path at such an important moment.

Just as he made a resolution to go directly to the waiting room if Sayoung didn’t pick up the phone like this, a voice was heard over the phone.

“Yooju…. Yes. This is Yoon Sayoung.”

Sayoung, who seemed to have habitually tried to call Yoojun’s name, hurriedly changed his words.

It seemed he was with other people around him.

Yoojun opened his mouth, thinking that if he had recklessly visited him in the waiting room unsuitably for the situation, his reaction would have been quite a sight.

“This is Kim Yoojun.”

“Yes. What is the matter?”

“For a moment… go to a place where there are no people and take the call.”

“Ah, wait a moment.”

Perhaps sensing the unusual atmosphere in Yoojun’s voice, Sayoung moved immediately without acting frustratingly.

Yoojun stood by the window at the end of a secluded hallway and looked around to see if anyone was approaching.

Over the phone, the sound of Sayoung moving busily was heard.

Only then did the thought occur that Sayoung must be thrown alone among people who knew nothing of the truth right now.

Just because they are actors doesn’t mean they are particularly different.

Although there might be people who are not interested in Sayoung’s affairs or don’t care even if they heard rumors, most react sensitively to rumors and easily add their words.

Until Sayoung’s voice was heard again, Yoojun stood in the silent hallway and recalled Sayoung sitting amidst the gazes of people whispering while looking at him.

“Yes. Now it’s okay.”

And Sayoung spoke again from the other side.

Yoojun wanted to figure out if he was okay by his voice, but Sayoung’s voice, calm as always, didn’t allow any conjecture.

Yoojun was about to reflexively ask if he was okay, but stopped, thinking that question might rather trigger Sayoung.

Instead, Yoojun opened his mouth about the fact Sayoung needed to know right now.

“Mr. Yoon Sayoung. Listen calmly.”

“Han Jaewoo is here. It seems he intends to observe the audition.”