The Genius Actor Who Brings Misfortune

Chapter 196

“Yeon-jae, can I come with you too?”

Han Ha-ram’s eyes were filled with tears as he whimpered.

It was awkward, but I knew what I had to say.

“I’m not going for fun, I’m going for work. We can go next time.”

“When is next time?”

“Um….”

I gently patted Han Ha-ram’s head.

‘At this age, a lie won’t work.’

But telling the truth would be painful for me.

After hesitating, I carefully brushed back Han Ha-ram’s bangs.

“When you’re all grown up. Then we can go.”

“But I’m already grown up…?”

“Oops.”

At Han Ha-ram’s words, Jin-bae hyung, who was beside me, gritted his teeth.

I felt the same way.

“……Right, you are grown up.”

My voice trembled as I tried to suppress my laughter.

“Yeon-jae, are you a rabbit? What’s wrong?”

Han Ha-ram’s innocent question made it even harder to hold back.

It took a long time to finally calm down.

“When I said grown up, I meant when you’re an adult. When you can travel abroad without a guardian’s consent.”

“I don’t understand.”

I stroked his dejected face and changed my language to make it easier for him to understand.

“When you’re old enough to take a plane by yourself without your mom. We’ll go then.”

“Without mom?”

Han Ha-ram asked uncertainly.

I smiled and nodded.

“Yes. How about it, do you think you can do that?”

Han Ha-ram fiddled with his fingers.

After hesitating with his lips, he finally nodded.

“Okay. But you can’t change your mind later!”

The serious expression he tried to make was amusing.

“Okay. Now let’s stop talking about the trip and take a nap.”

“Can’t we talk a little more?”

“We have dinner later. I’ll wake you up, so just sleep a little.”

Thanks to Han Ha-ram, English flowed easily.

I coaxed the reluctant Han Ha-ram into bed.

I couldn’t refuse his request to sing a lullaby, so I sang for a while before coming out.

Leaving the door half open, I went back to the living room where Jin-bae hyung was smiling.

“You really have a soft spot for kids, don’t you?”

“Well…, they’re cute.”

I looked away and sat beside him.

As I quietly packed the rest of my things, Jin-bae hyung gave me a knowing smile.

‘Han Ha-ram is cute.’

He was cute in a different way from Mist.

Unlike Mist, who seemed sly, Han Ha-ram had an untainted innocence.

I knew I was getting too involved in Han Ha-ram’s life, despite not being related at all.

I was aware of it, but what could I do?

‘He’ll hit puberty soon enough.’

There would come a time when he couldn’t handle his mother’s pressure and would explode.

And I would help him get through that.

‘I’ll just be there for that part.’

By then, he would forget about me, the big brother he barely knew.

That’s how I saw my role.

That way, I wouldn’t be negatively affecting Han Ha-ram’s life.

With my thoughts organized, I finished packing.

It was already the day before my departure to Italy.

* * *

―So you won’t be able to call during the shoot? Not even at night?

Noh Bi-hyuk grumbled over the phone.

“I can, but it’s better if I don’t. International calls cost a lot.”

―You sound like an ordinary student. Even though you earn a lot of money.

His voice was sharp.

―Are you making excuses because you don’t want to talk to me?

“Bi-hyuk.”

―…Sorry.

One word from me, and he immediately apologized.

‘Preparing for debut must really be tough.’

A kid who used to laugh off minor irritations was now constantly on edge.

―I’m really sorry. I just got scolded by the vocal coach… I didn’t mean to take it out on you. I’m really sorry.

“It’s okay. Did you get scolded a lot?”

―Just a bit? Anyway, I’m sorry.

Even through the phone, I could picture Noh Bi-hyuk’s apologetic face.

‘He’s not much different from Han Ha-ram.’

I knew he was my age, but at times like this, it was hard not to see him as a kid.

“We still have quite some time before your debut. Just practice. Don’t get too anxious.”

―Okay.

His voice was calm but filled with anxiety.

I imagined him flicking his fingers with a downcast expression.

‘If only he were a bit less sincere, I could joke with him.’

If it came down to it, I would have joked that he could debut with our agency.

But I knew how serious Noh Bi-hyuk was about being an idol.

I knew how much he was dedicated to his practice to make his dream a reality.

“Bi-hyuk.”

―Yeah.

So I didn’t make any jokes or give meaningless reassurances.

“You already know, don’t you?”

―…? Know what?

“That practice makes perfect. You know everything will work out if you keep at it.”

―…….

“Before I return to Korea, make sure you’ve addressed the coach’s feedback. You’ve got plenty of time, right? You can do it, can’t you?”

After all, it’s a piece of cake for you.

I spoke as if it were a trivial matter.

Noh Bi-hyuk was silent for a moment, then laughed in disbelief.

―Alright, got it.

“I’m serious. I’ll check personally in 11 days.”

―Okay, teacher~. Just make sure you come back safely.

He chuckled.

We exchanged a few more words before ending the call.

“Actor, we’ll be arriving soon.”

“Okay.”

At Jin-bae hyung’s words, I looked out the window.

Having been here once before, the airport felt somewhat familiar.

“There might be reporters, so please put on your hat. I’ll check it for you.”

I pressed the hat that Jin-bae hyung handed me firmly onto my head.

I tucked my hair securely inside the bucket hat, worried that the hair color might show.

### Chapter 196

**The Genius Actor Who Brings Misfortune (196)**

But I wondered what the point of this was.

“Hyung, won’t I get recognized in Italy anyway?”

Someone walking around with numerous cameras was bound to stand out.

There was no way there wouldn’t be any Koreans in Italy. Above all…

“Even if they don’t know who I am, they’ll probably take photos.”

I looked at my reflection in the mirror awkwardly.

My hair was an ambiguous color between red and orange, with a perm to boot.

Anyone could tell I wasn’t an ordinary person.

Despite what I said, Jin-bae hyung focused solely on hiding my hair.

“Hyung, why aren’t you listening to me?”

“I’m listening, actor. Just tilt your head for a moment.”

You’re not listening at all.

When I stared at him grumpily, Jin-bae hyung finally met my eyes with a smile.

“That’s exactly what the production team wants. Photos taken by ordinary people and posted online are more effective than news articles.”

“Really?”

“Yes. That’s why your appearance on the variety show and your departure are being kept secret. Even if it’s frustrating, please keep it hidden until then.”

With his hand patting me, saying the hat suited me, I couldn’t say anything more.

Unlike my previous departure for France, we parked in a field near the airport.

As soon as I opened the car door, staff members rushed over.

“Hello.”

I didn’t show it, but it was a bit intimidating.

“We’ll attach the microphone first.”

“Okay.”

The camera with the red light on immediately focused on me.

I heard that nowadays they start without formal greetings, but experiencing it firsthand was different.

“Mr. Lee-jun is waiting inside the café.”

“Okay.”

I had to head to the café first.

As I walked calmly in the direction the production team pointed, many people followed me silently.

Seeing the café in the distance, I felt the need to say something.

“…I’m sorry for greeting you with a hat on. There’s a reason for it.”

“What?”

“Oh, I was talking to the camera.”

I guess my sudden words were unexpected.

Since a staff member answered instead, I pointed to my hat.

“It’s my first time greeting the viewers, and I’m wearing a hat. I’ll take it off once we arrive in Italy and properly introduce myself.”

I looked straight into the lens as I spoke.

There was no response this time.

As I walked to the café in silence, various thoughts crossed my mind.

‘Still, I’m getting paid for this.’

Even though it’s a variety show, it would be bad if it’s too boring.

Maybe I should have brought Bi-hyuk with me, even if it seemed crazy.

‘Should I have just refused?’

I opened the café door with a hint of regret.

Jingle.

The door opened with a bell sound, and I looked up to see the gazes directed at me.

“Yeon-jae!”

Sung Lee-jun came into view.

I couldn’t help but laugh.

“…?”

Sung Lee-jun, who was running towards me like a dog spotting a treat, stopped in his tracks.

“Yeon-jae?”

“Oh, sorry. Hehe.”

I tried to suppress my laughter seeing his bewildered expression.

But once the laughter started, it wasn’t easy to stop.

“Why are you laughing? Did I do something wrong?”

“You didn’t do anything wrong. It’s just funny.”

Sung Lee-jun’s expression as he opened the door and saw me was worse than mine.

‘A face full of regret.’

There were more cameras than he had expected.

I could tell he had been looking around nervously amidst the cameras and people.

Laughing, I poked Sung Lee-jun’s cheek.

“Hyung, you were regretting agreeing to do this variety show, weren’t you?”

“…It’s not that I regret it.”

I had at least appeared on “Mission Clear,” but this was Sung Lee-jun’s first time on a variety show.

‘He must have felt burdened too.’

His eyes looked slightly shadowed, as if he hadn’t slept well.

Seeing his face relax with relief the moment he saw me was quite amusing.

‘At least having one comrade makes it easier.’

There was no turning back now.

Might as well make the best of it.

Patting Sung Lee-jun’s back, I moved to my seat.

As I sat down, the PD spoke.

“To ease the tension, shall we greet the camera? Although we don’t usually include this kind of shot, let’s record it just in case.”

“Sure. I understand.”

“Mr. Lee-jun, you go first.”

“Okay…!”

Sung Lee-jun gulped.

After taking a deep breath, he smiled brightly.

“Hello, I’m Sung Lee-jun. I’m honored to join ‘From Today, My Home.’ It’s my first variety show, so I might be clumsy, but I’ll do my best!”

“…”

I silently buried my face in my hands.

I heard Sung Lee-jun’s embarrassed voice in my ears.

“Yeon-jae, why are you laughing again….”

“Sorry. Hehe.”

I tried to apologize quickly, but another burst of laughter escaped.

‘Anyone would think he’s giving an acceptance speech.’

Still, he is an actor.

Seeing his instantly composed, mature smile made it even funnier.

“I laughed because you did so well. As expected, you’re the best. I feel reassured.”

“Don’t tease me….”

How did he know I was teasing him? I thought he wouldn’t notice.

Sung Lee-jun glared at me with a red face.

“Now it’s your turn.”

He looked at me as if saying, ‘Let’s see how well you do.’

‘Hmm.’

I made eye contact with the PD in front of me.

Like me, the PD’s eyes were full of laughter.

After a brief exchange of glances, I smiled.

“It would be better to greet the viewers properly in Italy, right?”

No sooner had I finished speaking than the PD responded with a laugh.

“Yes, I think that would be best.”

“What, you can’t do this…!”

What do you mean, I can’t? We’re doing it right here.

“Hyung, look over there. That must be the questions we need to answer.”

“No, you have to greet the viewers too…!”

“We have a flight to catch. We can’t be late, right, PD?”

The PD smoothly went along with my diversion.

“Unfortunately, yes. For now, we’ll ask questions focusing on your expectations and feelings before the trip.”

“Okay. Shall I go first?”

“Sure.”

As I confidently stood up, Sung Lee-jun looked back and forth between me and the PD, flustered.

He looked like a raccoon caught off guard.

This time, I felt I shouldn’t laugh, so I gritted my teeth and held back.

‘This is more fun than I thought.’

I was quite looking forward to this variety show.