Chapter 81

The warm sunlight shines down on Waikiki.

I was led around the shopping street by Heejeong.

Of course, driving the rented car was my responsibility.

Before I knew it, Hyojoo had also become close to Heejeong, and they were exploring various places.

"Sorry, I should have applied for an international driver's license too."

Team Leader Byeon followed me with a troubled expression.

"It's fine."

After all, the one with a driver's license suffers the most when traveling.

"By the way, they say Manager Jung is also coming here and will arrive soon."

"Ah, really?"

"Yes."

Manager Jung…!

Is he coming to rescue me from this driving hell?

"Oh, by the way, Mr. Writer, Manager Jung's birthday is coming up."

"Ah… really?"

"Yes. So… it happens to be on the last day of our trip."

Of all times, he has to spend his birthday abroad.

Even though we call each other company family, we're not really family.

"But why doesn't he spend it with his family…?"

"…I don't know."

Team Leader Byeon tilted his head and continued.

"I'm not sure. Manager Jung never talks about his family."

"Really?"

"He's never even mentioned how many family members he has."

"…."

I didn't know that.

Thinking about it, he's never talked to me about his family either.

If even the closest colleague in terms of work, Team Leader Byeon, doesn't know, then it's a done deal.

'…Well, if he wants to talk, he'll talk first.'

Still, what would be a good birthday gift?

Just then, Heejeong approached, grinning and showing her phone.

"Bro, our next restaurant is here! There's a wait, but they say it's really good!"

"…I just want to go to the hotel buffet."

"What, are you kidding me!"

"Yep. Here it is."

Heejeong continued to lay out her grand plans with a bright smile.

"We'll go snorkeling today, visit Hanauma Bay, and the Makapuu Lookout, and…."

"Wow… Are you listening to me?"

"Sounds great, doesn't it?"

"…."

I'm sorry, but I'm a writer with low stamina.

Besides, Manager Jung said he prefers to rest at the hotel.

Heejeong listens to Manager Jung well.

"I have to go shopping, so I'll be over there."

"Okay!"

Kim Heejeong, when Manager Jung comes, he'll uproot all your plans.

A brief moment of freedom.

I lightly greeted Team Leader Byeon and entered a nearby store.

The large shopping mall had a variety of gift shops.

Each store was filled with various souvenirs that exuded a Hawaiian vibe.

I checked out a few stores for suitable gifts.

A tumbler shaped like a pineapple.

An eco-friendly bag with good value.

A cool, Hawaiian-style T-shirt.

"Pretty good? But… wait."

The conversation my younger sister had just a while ago flashed through my mind.

- Bro, even if something looks good, don't buy it.

- Why?

- What you think is pretty might not be that great to others.

- …

Thanks, sis.

I almost made a big mistake.

I then left the gift shop and entered a jewelry store.

"Huh? This is…."

A necklace with a cubic zirconia that looked like the sun.

It reminded me of the fireworks we watched together.

"It was fun when we watched the fireworks together."

It was quite expensive, but I thought, "This is what I earn money for."

While paying for the necklace in a cool and stylish manner,

Ding─

A message from Heejeong lit up my smartphone.

[Bro, Manager Jung is here!]

"Oh, great. Finally…!"

Now, all that's left is to return to the hotel together.

My wrists are sore from driving all day.

Tap-tap-tap─

I ran over to greet Manager Jung.

"Manager, you came to save me!"

"No, I was also caught."

"…I'll drive."

* * *

Yuminseo stretched and woke up from her nap.

"Is this happiness?"

A rare moment of peace.

Lying on a sunbed with a good view, watching people play was enjoyable.

How many top stars can afford such leisure during their peak?

"Well, this is a vacation."

Thinking about it, being cast in Kim Jinwoo's work was a great stroke of luck.

'After all, when entering a good work, pride is unnecessary.'

Kim Jinwoo's works are special.

They are always nearly perfect, without a single flaw.

It's as if they were written by a seasoned star writer with 30 years of experience.

The three works I've seen up close.

In 'Pure Macho' and 'Reincarnated,' I was thoroughly rejected.

But I thought it was all part of the big picture to get into 'Overseas Sales Team 3 Kim Nayoung.'

It made sense because the role given in the work matched me so well.

'But…'

The new script I received yesterday.

This work was definitely different.

"What is it?"

Why is it so different?

Yuminseo picked up her phone and scrolled to the beginning of the script.

#1 Young Minjeong and Young Hyunseong, facing a large dog at the playground.

Minjeong: (gripping Hyunseong's sleeve tightly) Hyunseong…

Hyunseong: (with a stern expression) I'll protect you. Don't worry.

Minjeong: (sniffling) I'm scared…

Hyunseong: (in an urgent voice) Get, get away!

Then, the large dog lunges, leaving a deep wound on Hyunseong's arm.

The scenes continue with the young actors in the second and third scenes.

And the adult transition scene starts in the fourth scene.

In the story, Hyunseong grows up to be a gangster, leaving a strong impression on viewers with his brutal actions.

#4 Hyunseong stabs a sushi knife into the abdomen of a member of the opposing organization.

Hyunseong: (with blood in his mouth) Are you okay? If it goes in a little deeper, you'll die.

Organizer 1: (in pain) S-stop…

Hyunseong: (with a cruel smile) Speak. Where did you hide the money?

Organizer 1: (reluctantly) I'll tell you, just please spare my life…

Hyunseong, completing his given task amidst the bloody scene, spits out the blood in his mouth and nods to his companion.

Contrasting with his innocent youth, this scene provides a fresh shock to the viewers.

'Something is different.'

There was a clear difference from previous works.

For the first time, it attempted a young actor role and noir action,

included more brutal scenes than expected,

and progressed with a fast-paced development despite the short script.

These aspects were important, but the most crucial thing was:

'Actors were given maximum freedom.'

Although I pretended not to, I had read all three scripts thoroughly and could clearly see the difference.

Scripts that used to give specific action instructions and detailed tone guidance to actors.

Originally, the scripts were so tight that there was no room to breathe.

'Is he changing his style now?'

As an actor, it had the advantage of allowing for personal interpretation.

The director would also have room to get involved in the production to a certain extent.

'Indeed, it's quite interesting.'

The atmosphere and handwriting in the script remained the same.

Thanks to this, it was still easy to read, and I quickly became engrossed.

As evidence, I was already reading the same work for the third time.

Meanwhile, at the same time.

Ding-dong─

Kim Jinwoo, confused by the sudden activation of the system, jumped up.

['Recognition, Stage 1!' mission accomplished.]

[Completed a hidden mission, receiving a special reward.]

[Obtained a random reward.]

"Huh? What is it…?"

I just returned to the hotel and was resting in my room when this happened.

Did Yuminseo recognize me?

"…Thanks."

Putting aside the rest, I immediately pressed to check the reward.

[30% discount coupon for upgrade costs]

"Wow."

There was no need to confirm; it was an extremely intuitive reward.

"30% off upgrade costs…"

To upgrade to Platinum, it costs 30 billion, so that's a 9 billion won discount.

However, using it right away would be a foolish move.

"I'll use it when upgrading to a higher level."

I don't know how much it will cost next time.

The later I use it, the more beneficial it will be.

* * *

Time passed, and it was the last day in Hawaii.

"To think you would give such a gift."

Kim Writer casually threw it as if he had just picked it up.

In fact, it was surprising that he even knew when my birthday was.

"I've never received a necklace as a gift before."

A small smile appeared on Saerom's lips.

She then, as usual, put on a rash guard and grabbed a surfboard.

Soon after, Heejeong poked her head out from the next room.

"Sis!!!"

"Oh, you're up?"

Originally, Heejeong was supposed to return to Korea earlier, but due to a schedule change, she was able to stay until the last day.

"Here's your birthday gift, sis!"

"Thank you."

A cute bracelet that could be sold in Hawaii.

Including the bikini, I had already received two gifts from Heejeong.

"But sis…"

"Hmm?"

"…You're wearing a rash guard?"

"???"

"We're going to the beach, so you should wear a bikini!"

"…Forget it."

"…Could it be that you don't like the gift I gave you…! Sob…!"

"Ah, no, that's not it…."

Saerom sighed deeply and gave up.

"…Okay. I'll wear it."

Heejeong smiled brightly as if nothing had happened.

A moment later.

'Oh wow.'

Heejeong nodded, looking at her sister's clearly defined 11-pack abs.

On the way to the beach, Saerom casually asked Heejeong.

"By the way, Heejeong, have you decided on an agency?"

"Huh?"

For a JTBS 16-episode lead actor, not having an agency would be strange.

If the conditions are right, she could choose from several.

"I haven't thought about it yet."

"Okay, if it's fine, how about Tempes…"

"Yes!"

"Huh?"

"I like it!"

…But I haven't said anything yet?

"How long have you been waiting for me to say that?"

"…Really?"

"Yes. Can we sign as soon as we get back to Korea?"

"…"

Saerom, putting her hand on Heejeong's waist, hugged her smooth, fat-free waist tightly.

'…'

Being too close to an actor isn't a good thing.

'But…'

With Heejeong, it somehow felt okay.

"Heejeong."

"Yes, sis."

"I can't breathe."

Heejeong laughed and let go, and Saerom pointed in a direction and spoke.

"Mr. Kim Jinwoo is over there."

"Ah! Not now…."

"Huh? Why?"

"Ah, I played a prank on my brother earlier."

"…"

This brother and sister, if they don't play pranks, who would come and catch them?

On a quiet Waikiki beach.

There was no one else near where the group was gathered.

Hwang Hyojoo was running and jumping on the beach and the sand.

Kim Jinwoo was lying on a sunbed, talking to Yuminseo, who was reading a script.

"Yuminseo, you recognized my script, right? It's fun, isn't it?"

"It's written by someone I know."

"…That's not important at all. How was it?"

"I haven't read it yet."

"What are you reading now?"

"The next work I'm going to be in."

"Bad Man's Love?"

"No."

As Saerom approached, Jinwoo turned his head, sensing her presence.

"Manager, you're here?"

"Yes, Mr. Writer."

"Are you going surfing?"

"Ah, yes. The waves are good."

"Is that so? By the way, have you seen Heejeong?"

"Heejeong?"

Saerom gestured in the direction she came from.

"Over there… Huh?"

Heejeong was already far away, running away.

Jinwoo also ran off at a speed faster than a bullet.

"Hey, Kim Heejeong!!! Did you steal my panties from the car!?"

"…"

Wait, so you're saying you're not wearing any panties right now?

"Umm…."

Indeed, no matter how you look at it, this brother and sister have a great relationship.

If they both join Tempes, there won't be a moment of peace.

Paba-ba-bat─

Jinwoo running to catch Heejeong.

Heejeong laughing and running away from her brother.

Hyojoo falling while running alone on the sand.

Yuminseo lying on the sunbed, pretending not to care and reading a script.

Click─

Holding a surfboard in one hand, Manager Jeong Saerom,

raised her other hand to take a picture with her smartphone.

"…Looks like everyone is happy."

Saerom checked the saved picture, smiled, and headed towards the sea.

The next day,

The Tempes group boarded a plane and returned to reality.

A tight shooting schedule and the TVM competition were waiting for them.

* * *

The TVM competition, which was now just two months away,

had become well-known in the industry due to its grand promotion.

The production of a drama for the grand prize and the best award winners

was the highest reward and opportunity that the competition participants could hope for.

Even though it was a four-episode short drama,

the possibility of being directed by Director Han Kiseong, who directed last year's TVM flagship drama "Sky Blue," was a significant