130 - I Unknowingly Rejected My Favorite

EP.130 #130. Me and Nora [Kim Eojin is awesome!] [Sigh... Why isn't there a delinquent like him at our school?] [Kim Eojin's form is insane!] Praises are supposed to be a good thing... But I couldn't understand why it was so hard to see them with open eyes, so I put down my phone and closed my aching eyes. Still, it's a relief. Regardless of how I look, there weren't many people harshly criticizing my acting. Though it was funny to critique acting since I had only a few lines, I couldn't shake the tension while reading the comments. -Vrrrr My phone buzzed. It was the manager, as promised. [Hello.] [Hi, Taemin! Did you check the reactions?] [Oh. Yes. I was just looking at them!] His voice sounded excited. It felt like the news I was about to hear wouldn't be so bad. [To get straight to the point, um... the company is receiving a very positive reaction towards you, Taemin!] [...Really?] [Yes! The real-time reactions are great, and the drama’s impact relative to its scale is impressive! We've also received a lot of inquiries!] I always feel this way, whether in texts or calls. When things lack a tangible form, they feel vague and unreal. [Where are the inquiries coming from?] [There are inquiries from similar drama productions, and also regarding advertisements.] ...Advertisements? Me, in an advertisement? Thinking of those celebrities I’d only seen on TV made my head spin. [Oh... Of course, it's not mainstream TV, but slightly larger than what you're doing now.] Perhaps understanding I was dreaming too grandly, the manager's tone was soothing. I hadn’t really expected much in that direction. [I see...] [With the drama wrapping up next week, we’ll likely move directly onto scheduling the next project.] [Understood.] I thought maybe I'd just relax for another week, but that wasn't the case. [We need you to start attending acting classes from tomorrow.] [Acting classes?] The sudden requirements made me seek clarification once more. [Yes. There might be a short drama shoot within your contract period, so you need to start preparing right now.] Oh... Is that so? I guess I have to...? Although it wasn’t delightful or happy news, I knew I shouldn’t expect another stroke of luck like last time. [Alright. Should I go to the same place as before?] [Yes. I’ll come to pick you up each morning.] [Oh... Okay...] [Rest well, and I’ll see you tomorrow!] [Yes. Thank you.] Slowly, my life as “Han Taemin” is expanding. Last vacation, I seemed to be living more as “Lucario” than anything else. I used to work continuously hidden under the name Pingtukdan, but now I live with the name Han Taemin, revealing my face to the world. ...Is it okay for things to change so drastically? Lying in bed, gazing at the ceiling, I clasped my hands for a dry wash of my face. Wait a minute. Acting classes won't run so late that I can't watch the broadcast, right? Ruka's broadcast is set at 8 p.m. As long as I'm home by then, it should be fine. But if I get home precisely at 8, when will I have time to date Doa... Returning home right at 8 would be a problem in itself. Maybe on weekends... on days off from practice... Suddenly, a chilly breeze blew through a corner of my heart as if a hole had been poked in it. That couldn’t happen. See Doa only once a week? I had grown accustomed to seeing her every day, and the thought of being apart from her was unbearable. I thought of calling my manager again, but instead, I dialed my girlfriend's number. Doa didn't answer right away, probably busy, but just as I was about to hang up— Her voice reached me. [Hello...] In contrast to my unease, her voice was endlessly tranquil. [...Were you sleeping?] [Mhm...] All my worries turned to dust and blew away. Doa's voice seemed to be a spell that warded off negative thoughts. [What are you doing...] Sleepily, Doa tossed a question my way. With a slight chuckle, I shared my new schedule. [They want me to start going to acting school from tomorrow. I’m feeling down about it.] [Don’t go...] I wondered if she even understood what she was saying. She probably wouldn't remember. When deeply asleep, Doa would respond if spoken to, but rarely remembered it. [They want me to go every day. What should I do, Doa? We won’t be able to date as often.] Taking the chance to express my disappointment. Right. It’s something I could always discuss again later. [Don’t go... Play with me...] Doa whimpered like a child. I wanted to run to her and shower her cheeks with kisses right then and there. [I need to earn money for my idol's support, you know.] Even as I jokingly responded, Doa whined. [Nuh uh. I'll earn money... You play with me...] [It wouldn't be very manly of me, then.] [Kim Eojin... You’re annoying...] Afraid she might fully wake, I held in my laughter, stifling my giggles. [Okay, Doa. Continue sleeping and contact me when you wake up, alright?] [Mhm...] Ah... Yes... With Doa, I felt like I could tackle anything. The thought warmed me. * * * “Alright. Let’s try it again.” ...Why are you doing this to me? I wanted to cry and run away, but I couldn't even voice my displeasure. The acting class began at 10 a.m. Luckily, the manager promised to let us finish by 5 p.m. The schedule was akin to attending school, but what mattered was not the time but the content. -Vrrrrrk The chair slid back, and I stood up. My task was to make my way to the whiteboard. I swiftly turned my head, looking at the instructor with a plea in my eyes. “Getting up was okay, but your posture while standing is still slouched.” I thought the basics of acting would involve practicing emotions or imagining situations, but reality was different. The fundamentals were built from very solid basics. Nothing was easy. I spent more time typing messages than speaking, and more time lying down watching online streams than exercising outdoors. For someone like me, practicing speaking clearly and loudly felt close to torture, and standing straight and walking properly was pure ordeal. “Taemin.” The instructor's hands firmly pulled my shoulders back. A short yelp escaped my lips from the sensation of my muscles being forcefully stretched. “Ugh!” “If you're hurt by this, it's a real problem. You need to walk around assuming this position is your default.” Once the pain subsided and my shoulders returned to their positions, the instructor applied pressure once more. “This isn't just because you're an aspiring actor. It's relevant to everyone in general.” “Oh... okay...” If this were a game, I would've clicked the logout button immediately. I wanted to go home. I missed Doa. Please save me, Luca... “Whew... Let's take a 10-minute break and get back to it.” “Okay...” As soon as the instructor left the practice room, I buried my face on the desk. Right. I should at least text Doa. [Doa.] [Yes?] Her reply was almost instant, as if she was working on her computer. [Acting... is tough...] [But it’s already 3 p.m., doesn't that mean you're nearly done?] No! Don’t say that! I still had two hours left! It felt like hearing, "You just got here," said to a soldier on a short break. Cringing, I quickly typed back. [No way! How can you say that?] [I meant finish up quickly and come over.] Oh... Really? Was I being too sensitive? Feeling awkward, I scratched my head. “Shall we start again?” ...Why are you back so soon? It's only been eight minutes! It felt like being back in cram school during high school. I sighed deeply, sensing the traumas from my entrance exam days creeping back. After letting Doa know I'd contact her once done, I returned to the repetitious stand-sit exercises that felt like torture. I sometimes doubted if this training would really help, but when the instructor filmed me and showed my movements, I realized how awkward I looked. Though I believed I was acting naturally, it was clearly only me who felt that way. The instructor wrapped up the lesson, mentioning you couldn't be satisfied with the first taste. I remained in the practice room, waiting for my manager. -Creak The door opened and the person who was going to take me home, my savior, walked in. “Ah! Manager!” I was relieved to see him, but it seemed he didn't feel the same. “Taemin.” “Yes.” “Um... Do you happen to have any history... um... with school violence?” A question mark popped up over my head.