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Chapter 12
“I was supposed to get it done by Ms. Eunha…”
“Oh, she went out for lunch. She should be around here somewhere though. Let me try giving her a call.”
“Ah, um—”
Heeseo quickly added.
“If she’s not back yet, it’d be fine if you did it instead, Director.”
“…Me?”
“Yes. You’ve already finished with your other client, right? Since you’re here, it won’t take long.”
The director’s gaze lingered on her for a beat before he finally replied.
“If you made an appointment with Eunha, then you should get it done by Eunha.”
“That’s true, but she’s not here yet. Besides, I kind of like your style a little more, Director…”
“It’s not even your reserved time yet. I’ll call her—just wait here.”
“Oh, okay! I must’ve come too early.”
The director left the room with his phone in hand.
Silence settled in the room, leaving only two people inside, and the air instantly turned awkward.
Should I just get up and leave now?
Her makeup was already finished, and if she left right away, it wouldn’t even be that early to arrive on site. Considering how the agency liked to stage things, her junior probably wasn’t too thrilled about meeting her either.
But in the end, that thought stayed only as a thought.
“Sunbae, can I sit next to you?”
“Of course.”
So Hae-rin gave up her plan of leaving.
I’ll just stay until someone else comes, that’s all.
In the mirror, Heeseo’s smiling face lined up with her own.
“Sunbae, you’re appearing on Cooking King too, right?”
“Yes. We’ll see each other at the recording later.”
Heeseo nodded slowly.
“I’m not sure if I should say this… but I was kind of surprised when I heard you were coming.”
“Surprised? Why?”
Because of the controversy? If that was the reason, she could understand why younger artists might want to avoid her. After all, someone notorious for being harsh with her manager wasn’t exactly expected to be kind to juniors.
“Well… just because.”
“Speak freely, it’s fine.”
“I thought you’d basically retired by now.”
Heeseo went on.
“The Director here seems really proud of having made the Yu Hae-rin Makeup style popular, but that was, what, two years ago?”
Her words dripped with youthful arrogance, and yet her wide, round eyes sparkled as if she had scored a victory.
Did she hear something from the company?
Otherwise, why would she so blatantly try to undermine her?
Either way…
It didn’t sting. It wasn’t even shocking. With years of experience, it took more than obvious barbs to rattle her.
But letting it slide without a word—that was impossible.
Heeseo continued, smiling brightly.
“Sorry, sometimes I say things I shouldn’t. People tell me I’m too blunt.”
“It’s fine. People say things when they don’t know better.”
“I don’t think I don’t know, though…”
“You don’t. If you want this spot, work hard for it. Who shows their insecurity so plainly like this?”
The smile dropped clean off Heeseo’s face.
“My… your spot? Why would I even want that? Sunbae, you’re being self-absorbed. Did you not see the headlines when they announced your casting? Not one good word.”
“If you don’t want my spot, Heeseo, then tell the company to leave my name out of the title. Simple as that.”
“….”
“Maybe you don’t, but clearly the company does.”
With that, Hae-rin rose, as if there was nothing left to see.
By the time she got into the van, she already felt drained—even before recording had begun.
“Kids these days are exhausting…”
The first shoot was held inside the STB Entertainment Division studio.
“Hello.”
“Oh, Sunbae, you’re here!”
Among those exchanging greetings, a staff member hurried over.
“Our set isn’t quite ready yet. Could you wait in the dressing room? It’s just down the hall.”
“Of course.”
“Ah, one more thing, Sunbae—”
The staff member rushed to explain.
“We’d actually arranged private two-person dressing rooms, but due to some issues, today we’ll be assigning a shared one. If that’s uncomfortable, you can wait in the car until we’re ready.”
“No, it’s fine. I’ll wait inside.”
“Thank you so much. See you soon!”
She made her way toward the dressing rooms.
The fact that it was a shared one didn’t matter much—except for one thing.
Creak.
As she gently opened the door with “Cooking King” taped across it—
“So, anyway—”
“….”
The voices inside froze mid-conversation.
And this… this is the problem.
Others’ discomfort.
Putting on a bright smile, she stepped in.
“Hello, I’m Yu Hae-rin.”
“Oh! Yes. Wow, you’re such a senior… I’m a fan.”
A tall young man stood to shake her hand.
She took it, albeit awkwardly.
Nam Joo-ho. One of the line-up members she’d been pleasantly surprised about.
But as soon as the handshake ended, another man nudged Joo-ho with his elbow.
“What?”
“Just a sec.”
His hand signals and eye gestures made it obvious: follow me out.
He must feel uncomfortable.
Far from offended, she understood.
The man slipped out first, leaving Joo-ho hesitating. Then he smiled politely.
“I’m Nam Joo-ho, by the way. Just in case you didn’t know.”
“Of course I know. You starred in Scared of Cats, right?”
She hadn’t followed dramas closely. But Min-joo had been such a devoted fan of that show—of Joo-ho in particular—that it was impossible not to know.
“Wow, you know me! I can’t believe I get to appear on the same show as you, Sunbae. Could I maybe get an autograph later?”
“My autograph? Sure, anytime.”
“Thank you so much, seriously.”
After bowing several times, Joo-ho finally stepped out.
Pulling out a chair, she sat down.
He’s got great social skills, that one.
Being gracious to a senior with a reputation for a bad temper couldn’t be easy. Fan or not, it was impressive.
And even though she knew some of his words weren’t fully sincere, it still left her feeling a little better.
But that good feeling didn’t last long.
“…”
This was awkward.
Painfully awkward.
As the minutes ticked by, more people filed into the room. Nearly everyone was present now.
And yet, despite the growing number, the silence inside felt suffocating—as though not even an ant dared to move.
Please… someone just talk already.
She wanted to shout it aloud.
If it were just shyness or naturally quiet personalities, she wouldn’t have felt so guilty about it.
But the atmosphere made it clear:
They’re quiet because of me.
Even those who’d entered cheerfully with warm greetings now sat in grim silence, as if punished.
This can’t go on…
She glanced at the empty chair beside her. It stayed unoccupied, even though others were crammed onto folding stools or standing against the wall.
Honestly, I’d rather Heeseo came and picked a fight. Anything would be better than this suffocating quiet.
Maybe she should just step out.
The recording would be announced even if she waited in the hallway, and it would be more comfortable for everyone if she left.
Yes. This is too much. No one should be forced to tiptoe around like this.
It was clear already—this program wouldn’t be a cheerful, bonding experience for her.
Resolving herself, she pushed back her chair—
Clack.
“Oh—wow. Hello.”
“Ah, hello! Nice to meet you.”
Voices rang out instantly, breaking the silence at last.
“…”
She turned toward the tall man who had just walked in.
Lee Hyun.
As he returned greetings around the room, he walked straight to her.
His polished shoes stopped right before her chair.
“Is this seat free?”
“…No one’s sitting there.”
“Then I’ll sit.”
What is with this guy…?
Her eyes followed his movements as he sat down beside her.
Only then did she notice—the room, once so stifled, was now buzzing with chatter.
Conversations flowed. Someone even laughed out loud.
Well… at least the atmosphere’s better now.
She leaned back, closing her eyes briefly in relief.
At that moment, something brushed against the back of her hand.
“…?”
“Here, drink this.”
Startled, she looked down. A cup was being offered to her.
Iced chamomile tea.
In Lee Hyun’s own hand was the same cup holder—his filled with iced americano.
…Wait. Did he buy this on purpose?
