Ch.42I think I can do it now.

Children are at an age where they accept things as they are better than anyone else.

What this means is,

“Hey, why are you so dirty?”

It means they react very sensitively to both good and ill intentions.

The year Ryu Jaerin turned 6.

Around the time when children’s minds start to develop and they can distinguish objects around them.

Living alone with her grandmother, Jaerin’s clothes were inevitably shabbier than others’.

To endure poverty, adapting was a faster path than overcoming it.

The six-year-old girl Jaerin grew up faster than anyone else.

‘People don’t really like me.’

Except for grandmother, no one approaches me.

Around the time she started thinking this.

“What are you doing here alone?”

A prince on a white horse appeared.

He would look after her when she was alone,

Wipe her face when there was food on it,

Share snacks with her during field trips,

As these things accumulated, one day Jaerin became so curious that she asked.

What exactly was the purpose of this unconditional kindness?

Why could he give her Pokémon bread stickers every day?

How could he add a boiled egg every time he bought her cup tteokbokki?

When she asked, the answer was,

“Just because? I think you’ll become a famous idol someday.”

Idol?

“…Then am I prettier than Kim Sujin?”

“Yeah, of course.”

That determined Ryu Jaerin’s fate.

Six years old, an age that would gradually fade from memory as time passed.

But the intense memories with Kim Donghu remained deeply embedded in her mind.

In fact, as time went on, her feelings only grew stronger.

Pure kindness and happy times spent inseparably for just one year.

Even the miraculous consistency of being paired as desk mates.

How could she forget?

This feeling later became a great source of strength when Jaerin became an idol trainee.

Even when people around her were harsh, when she was bullied for being pretty,

She could endure it all because of that one memory.

On one hand, she wanted to find Donghu.

But idol trainees couldn’t have phones,

Outside contact was limited,

And due to family circumstances, she had to live in the dormitory.

Jaerin couldn’t find Donghu.

Time passed, and when she turned 15.

‘Huh?’

Jaerin came face to face with Kim Donghu on TV.

Seeing Kim Donghu shining brilliantly at High Dream,

While thinking she wanted to stand beside him soon.

She even fantasized about appearing together on “Will You Marry Me?”

Since it was a show popular celebrities often went on,

Later when she and Donghu became adults.

Just imagining that much always made her happy.

For him to appear right in front of her like destiny.

And as a school uniform model couple, no less.

Life quickly returned to Jaerin’s previously emotionless eyes,

And feeling miffed that Kim Donghu didn’t recognize her immediately, she wanted to play a prank.

“W-who…?”

So to this awkward question, Jaerin answered.

“It’s me, your bride Ryu Jaerin.”

Celebrating our fateful meeting,

Thinking about having our wedding on “Will You Marry Me?” in the near future,

“Honey, how have you been?”

She smiled brightly.

+++++

‘Ryu Jaerin?!’

That top star idol Ryu Jaerin?

The Ryu Jaerin who would become a world-famous diva?

‘Why are you here?’

Could it be that they had to lower the female model’s fee to match my price?

Or is it because of the special benefits package?

Anyway, I quickly pushed Jaerin away.

“What if people see us?”

Idol scandals were completely different from actor scandals.

Actor scandals felt like a kind of news,

But idol scandals became gossip fodder in themselves.

In severe cases, they could face public criticism, activity hiatus, or even retirement,

It was a route that could only lead to the worst outcome.

“There are usually no CCTVs in waiting rooms like this, so it’s fine.”

I couldn’t help but laugh at Jaerin’s nonchalant words.

“You’re still so laid-back, haven’t changed a bit.”

“You’re still like a prince on a white horse.”

“You still use that expression? First time I’ve heard it since we were 6, it’s really embarrassing.”

“Tch, what does it matter? It’s my feeling.”

Jaerin pouted briefly but quickly brightened up and moved closer to me again.

It’s nice to meet after a long time, but why is there this distance?

Should I say something more? That idols shouldn’t act like this?

Just as I was about to caution her again.

Bang.

“Well, looking at the atmosphere, you two seem to have gotten friendly already?”

Seokho hyung came in and smiled contentedly seeing us together.

The look of a businessman thinking good synergy would come from models getting along.

‘When did she move away?’

When I came to my senses, Jaerin had already moved slightly away from me.

Just the right distance to appear friendly.

I was impressed by her skill in adjusting that subtle distance.

Knowing exactly this subtle point where no rumors would start,

Was this the instinct of a top star idol unconsciously measuring distance?

“There’s an opinion that shooting with an affectionate couple concept would be good, what do you think?”

Seokho hyung, oblivious to this, continued speaking casually.

A couple concept,

Is that okay?

Glance.

When I turned my gaze, Jaerin’s eyes met mine and she gave an affirmative look.

Rather than affirmation, it seemed more like determination that this must be done, but I must be imagining things.

“Yes, Jaerin seems okay with it too.”

“Right, it’s really rare for a 15-year-old to model school uniforms.”

Our Donghu is definitely different, very different.

My face instantly flushed at Seokho hyung’s sudden praise.

Why would he say something so embarrassing in front of Jaerin when it’s awkward even when we’re alone?

What’s more mortifying is that Jaerin was nodding enthusiastically.

That’s right, that’s right.

Adding small affirmative sounds, making it hard for me to look up.

“Anyway, since everyone agrees, change into your school uniforms and get ready for the shoot.”

“Yes.”

Seokho hyung said that and immediately left the waiting room,

And I also moved to leave the waiting room to change.

No, I tried to move.

Grab.

Just as I was about to leave, Ryu Jaerin grabbed my hand.

“Donghu, can I have your number now?”

“Number? My number?”

“Yes, it might be awkward to get it later.”

“True, things get hectic after the shoot.”

But why are you caressing my fourth finger on my left hand while exchanging numbers?

I wanted to ask but somehow felt I shouldn’t, so I let it go.

‘And why is your face so flushed red?’

Is she sick?

+++++

The shoot ended more smoothly than I had imagined.

Because of the couple concept, we did things like hugging tightly,

Interlocking fingers, or making hearts by joining our hands.

After completing the school uniform photoshoot with these common concepts,

Jaerin and I chatted briefly before parting ways.

“Did you know each other before?”

“Yes, we were kindergarten classmates, but I never expected to see him like this.”

“Kindergarten classmates? Small world.”

Getting straight into the van, I had a brief conversation with Seokho hyung about the schedule.

“Oh, I heard the special concert will be on the second Sunday of March.”

“Not right after High Dream ends?”

“Yeah, that’s how it worked out after adjusting the schedule.”

They’re thinking of having piano performances and band ensembles then, can you do it?

I nodded at Seokho hyung’s continued words.

None of that would be difficult for me.

“So I’ll be resting until then?”

“Yes, I think that would be good, because usually you need to rest when doing several projects in such a short time.”

Your body might be fine, but mentally it can be very taxing.

I nodded at Seokho hyung’s consideration.

‘In this aspect, immersion is really like cheating.’

It saved the physical energy needed for acting and research time to the extreme,

And I could easily turn emotions on and off,

It was an absurd cheat key.

“Oh, and The Real Hero said he wants to watch the edited version together as soon as it’s done, and he’s also preparing for the mise-en-scène judging.”

“Really? That’s incredibly fast.”

“When I talked to him on the phone last time, he said he’s only sleeping three hours a day lately.”

I hope he’s not damaging his health.

As we were talking about various things,

‘Hmm?’

I noticed an unfamiliar script next to me.

What was strange was that it was entirely in English from beginning to end.

“Seokho hyung, is this script all in English?”

“Huh? Oh? Ah, that’s where it was, sorry, sorry. I had an overseas translation of an independent film script that I printed together.”

I must have forgotten and left it there.

Listening to Seokho hyung’s words, I had one question.

‘Can I immerse myself in an English script?’

It was something I had never tried before.

‘Does that mean I could learn English?’

The moment I had that thought.

Ding! Ding! Ding!

As if it had been waiting for this moment.

A message from [Sims – Real Life] arrived.

-[The language of the script you are currently reading is deemed unsuitable for your status]

-[Downloading application ‘The Unbreakable Tower of Babel’]

-[From now on, when immersing in foreign language scripts or foreign language characters, you will also acquire the corresponding language]

…?

You can acquire languages?

‘Immerse.’

To confirm the effect, I immediately immersed myself,

And since it wasn’t an immersion for the script, I quickly came out of it.

A very brief few seconds.

English that should have looked completely alien,

‘I can read it.’

It entered my eyes as easily as if it were my native language.

“…Seokho hyung, can you get me other foreign language scripts besides English?”

“Huh?”

“Like Japanese and French scripts.”

Hearing my continued words, Seokho hyung seemed momentarily brain-frozen.

After driving blankly for a few seconds, he finally spoke.

“…Donghu, can you read that? No, I mean, others too?!”

I couldn’t read it before.

“Yes, I can read it.”

I think I can now.