Chapter 31

30. First Reading of the Melody

After that, the busking shoot proceeded without any major issues. People were comfortable with Taeju, who was seen playing with the cat and sharing fruit with a smile. Despite his young age and inability to refuse requests, he followed the staff's instructions well because he was a good actor.

However, after witnessing him push extras off the set, people no longer treated him casually. Even before, as a lead actor who always brought his personal staff, few people approached him closely, but now there was a noticeable distance in the way people looked at him.

"Our spot feels like it's floating like an island. Who could be the reason for this? Huh?"

"Um, is it because of me?"

"Of course not, it must be because of you."

Mina gave him a sly look and then began to talk about the extras from before.

"Those people's school professor had some issues, so they were heavily ignored at the previous set."

"Why? The professor is the professor, and the students are the students."

"That senior was their advisor."

"Wow. Still, if they weren't prepared for their roles, it was their fault."

No matter the situation, once you take on a role, you should do your best, Taeju answered. Im Ina agreed with Gyeonwoo's words. Taeju was more cold and calculating than he appeared. This side of him was not evident in his usual behavior, but it became clear when discussing acting.

"By the way, I have to go to Seoul again tomorrow. It's the first reading, right?"

"Yes. We need to leave right after the morning shoot."

"From the day after tomorrow, there's a photo shoot in the evening."

With the continuous shooting of works, the reading for the next project was scheduled during the shooting period. Taeju, who had to play two roles, was a bit worried about how he would manage.

*

"Since there are still a few hours before the reading, would you like to have lunch first?"

"Go ahead, you three. I'll rest in the car for an hour. Bring me a hamburger when you come back."

Taeju, who usually ate with the group, suggested resting in the car. The people, unfamiliar with his suggestion, looked worried, thinking he might be tired from the round trip.

"I'm just a bit sleepy. I think I'll be fine after an hour of rest."

As Taeju pulled Taesan into his arms and reclined the seat, the group made space for him. Taesan, though confused, snuggled up to Taeju, finding comfort in his embrace.

"Hey, I'm here."

"Taeju, come quickly."

Taeju adjusted his visit to the garden to shed his role in Busking before participating in the Melody reading. He planned to spend 48 hours in the garden practicing Melody and then head to the reading venue. He thought it would be good to rest, play an instrument, and practice the role of Minjaeha in Melody.

"Sorry, I couldn't come yesterday. I couldn't get a separate room."

"It's okay. We talked a lot."

Yesterday, there were only two rooms available. Im Ina used the smallest room, and the three men shared the larger one. Im Ina offered her room to the female staff, who were going to stay in a separate accommodation. Everyone was dealing with the grueling schedule of traveling to and from Seoul, so it was better to rest when they could. It felt wrong to send Taesan to a crowded accommodation.

"Meow."

"Dan."

Taesan and Dan seemed ready for another maze exploration, dashing off in that direction like lightning. Despite Taeju's efforts to play with Taesan as much as possible, the young tiger's boundless energy couldn't be fully expended. It was fortunate to have Dan around.

"Fast. I need to go to the maze too. They're already inside."

"Taeju, are you practicing today?"

"Yes. I'll only practice Melody today."

"Okay, I understand."

Hye's face looked a bit downcast as she answered. Taeju realized he needed to spend time with Hye before practicing, as he had left her alone yesterday and immediately went to practice upon arrival.

"Before that, shall we eat some cotton candy? Hye, do you want to go get some cotton candy?"

"Taeju, I'd like that."

"Ha ha ha."

*

The group returned after finishing their meal and coffee. Fortunately, it was just past an hour. Taeju greeted them as if he had just woken up. After resting sufficiently in the garden and taking a recovery potion, he felt quite refreshed.

"Let's grill some meat at the cabin after the reading today."

"Let's finish the hamburgers first and then talk. How can you talk about eating while eating?"

"Has your weight not returned yet?"

"Yes. I think I'll be fine if I eat and sleep tonight."

He needed to gain some weight before the photo shoot tomorrow evening. In the garden, he had wrestled with Taesan for hours. Young tigers learn hunting through wrestling, so he couldn't refuse Taesan's playful challenges, leading to excessive movement.

Taeju finished the fries and prepared to head to the reading venue. Although there was still some time left, he planned to go early to review the script.

*

"Are you here?"

"You're already here?"

"Yes. I came early because there was nothing to do at home. Did you bring Taesan?"

"He's playing outside with Seok."

"Just bring him in. Only people who know each other come in here anyway."

Kim Yunseon was already at the reading venue, dressed casually and reviewing the script. Taeju had arrived early, but Kim Yunseon was even earlier.

With the two main actors of the film waiting first, the staff preparing the seats felt awkward. They bowed slightly to the two and placed name tags on the table.

"How is shooting with Han Seon?"

"Everything is fine except for the weather. It's been very hot lately."

"It's gotten so hot. It wasn't like this before."

The two chatted quietly until everyone took their seats.

Following introductions by the director, assistant director, cinematographer, and other crew members, the actors were introduced. The reading began after the introduction of Kim Yunseon, who played the Maestro, and the supporting actors.

Thump thump.

Kim Yunseon, one of the actors always considered the best. Before the regression, they had never worked on the same project. It was only after coming back twenty years that this opportunity arose.

I was looking forward to the Maestro he would portray. This first reading was to check the overall flow of the story, the dialogue, and the expressions, but I couldn't hide my excitement.

"The vision I see is not important. The melody I hear with my ears. I must chase it, I must grasp it."

"If the one playing this melody is a living being..."

The reading began with Kim Yunseon's narration. Taeju's role in the film involved more action than dialogue, often using the violin to express emotions. He would play the violin to convey his feelings, whether anxious or happy.

Taeju was thinking about the violin music that would be part of the background while waiting for his turn. However, when Kim Yunseon's narration ended and his lines began, Taeju couldn't help but be impressed.

"Hey, Seunghee."

Seeing the hallucination of his family lost in an accident, he called out to them with a voice that was both fearful and welcoming.

A single sentence, just calling a name, drew everyone's attention. The air around Kim Yunseon seemed to grow heavy. His decades of acting experience and depth were evident. This was something Taeju couldn't achieve through effort alone.

'Oh. I was planning to deliver my lines with less force.'

Kim Yunseon set the stage on fire. Taeju noticed the supporting actor next to him change his expression. He realized all the actors were holding their scripts tightly, fully focused.

The reading, which started at 3 PM, was still going strong as it approached 8 PM. Taeju began to wonder if he should step in to stop it. In the past, he would have stopped it without hesitation, but now he had to consider even such minor matters. Sensing Taeju's thoughts, Kim Yunseon stepped in.

"Director, let's stop here for today. Everyone seems tired."

"Oh, it's already this late. Let's do that."

Director Lee Jeongyoung looked very tired but had a bright expression. He seemed pleased with today's reading. Taeju sighed inwardly, confirming his condition. It didn't seem to have worsened since last time, but it hadn't improved either.

"Did you like the tea I gave you, Director?"

"Taeju, the tea you gave me is really good. Can I get more? I've almost finished it."

"I'll bring some when I come for the next reading."

The herbal tea seemed to have some effect, but it was only a mild pain reliever, which was disappointing. The garden shop had very few items related to disease treatment, which was a letdown.

As Taeju and the director walked out, they saw people gathered in the hallway. Taesan was drawing attention, yawning with his face on Seok's shoulder, looking adorable.

"Hee. So cute, so cute."

"Look, he's yawning. He must still be sleepy after napping earlier."

"Awooo."

Kim Yunseon, whom they thought had already left, was also among the people. Park Manager was nearby, carrying some items.

"You're still here. Would you like to have dinner with us?"

"I can't today. I have a meeting with the distributor and the representative."

"A distributor meeting?"

"It's not really a meeting. We've already signed the contract. It's just a drink with them."

"Wow, that's fast."

"Of course, with the representative leading it, it's no surprise."

It seemed the distributor had already been decided. The representative was as skilled as rumored. After parting ways with Kim Yunseon, the group drove to the cabin.

*

Taesan, who had slept enough while waiting, was now gnawing on a toy in the car.

"Where does he get all these toys?"

"Why?"

"He always has toys I've never bought. Whenever he disappears for a bit, he comes back with a new toy. I hope he's not stealing them."

The fish-shaped toy Taesan was currently gnawing on was new to Taeju. The three in the car all cleared their throats and avoided eye contact. All three had bought toys for Taesan during Taeju's shooting. They had even set up a snack schedule to take turns bringing snacks.

"Visit the office once. Everyone has bought toys and is waiting."

"Is it that bad?"

"Yes. You haven't seen the cat tower in the representative's office, right?"

"A cat tower?"

"Yes. It looks like a bookshelf, but one side of the wall is all cat tower."

'What? I never left Taesan with the representative, so why?'

Taesan's popularity in the company rivaled that of a major star. Some employees, including Team Leader Woo, bought toys from nearby pet shops after meals. The representative moved an expensive bookshelf to his office and installed a cat tower to attract Taesan. What started with one person had escalated into a competitive effort to win Taesan's affection.

Upon arriving at the cabin and preparing to grill meat, Taesan became excited. The smell of raw meat made him climb onto the table, sniffing and touching the meat packages. Taesan, who was familiar with raw meat from his baby food, had a round belly from a full dinner but still poked at the meat packages.

"You just had dinner. This isn't for Taesan."

"Look at his belly. He'll get sick if he eats more."

Everyone