Chapter 47: It Wasn't the Movie

Chapter 47: It Wasn't the Movie

༺ It Wasn’t the Movie ༻

Scene 109.

Yeonjeong was the ballerina the Phantom chose after Hwaran.

She approached Hwaran and whispered in a friendly tone.

“That person... you know about him too, right?”

“I’ve seen behind his mask, and it was horrifyingly hideous.”

“I admit that he’s great at ballet, but hiding like that is suspicious... Aren’t you scared, senior?”

Hwaran sensed what was underneath those whispers.

There was the arrogance of thinking, ‘I am the next chosen one after you,’ the selfishness of only wanting to reap the benefits of an opportunity, and the ulterior motive of getting close to her under that pretext.

‘Someone like you, who belittles his worth based on his appearance...’

She gritted her teeth.

During lessons, he occasionally dropped such remarks.

‘The highest jete was done by Do Shin-jeong.’

‘The most beautiful Odette was performed by Seo Hee-won.’

Whenever she heard those comments, Hwaran was seized with intense jealousy.

She wished the God of ballet would only see her, but he had already gone through a long history.

“I’ve decided to date Soobin, who plays the role of Albrecht.”

She mentioned that out of pettiness, a twisted defiance to show that she could look elsewhere too.

However, not long after, she witnessed it: the lesson with the new ballerina chosen by the Phantom.

Arghhhhh—

She let out an inner scream, one she couldn’t voice out.

Like the crazed Giselle.

Giselle had a weak heart and died of madness, but Hwaran was healthy.

Mad as she was, she wouldn’t die; instead, she would stab Bathilde (Albrecht’s fiancée).

Scene 110.

“Moon Yeonjeong, can you get my hairband?”

“Huh? Where is that...?” The original appearance of this chapter can be found at Ñøv€lß1n.

“Check around the light winch behind the stage. I think I left it there earlier.”

“Yes, senior.”

Unaware of her intentions, the slender figure in a tutu quickly headed behind the stage, like a handmaiden who didn’t want to offend the seemingly irritated ‘Prima Donna.’

Then,

“Aaaahhh—!”

It was easy.

A member of the corps de ballet (dance ensemble) was easily replaced by another waiting ballerina. She had climbed to this position exactly to avoid that.

On the stretcher being carried away, the white tutu, now gradually stained with red blood, was captured in a close-up.

Hwaran’s twisted smile was captured in the final shot.

*

“Scene 110.5 is next!”

It was the added scene.

Although Yoomyeong insisted on including ‘The Phantom’s Gaze’, the script hadn’t changed much. He merely showcased a different interpretation of the character through subtle tones in dialogue and eye acting.

Only two scenes were added.

Those were scene 38.5, with the cherry blossoms where Phantom’s obsession began, and the one they were currently filming, scene 110.5.

Phantom’s reaction after Hwaran trapped Yeonjeong.

She dealt with Yeonjeong, unaware that he was watching. However, from a height, a blurry figure swiftly passed through the tilted crevice in the ceiling.

After the camera zoomed in as if observing a distant figure,

“Wire team, get ready and let go as soon as you get the cue!”

Yoomyeong, strapped with wires,

Whoosh—

Leapt and landed smoothly into another shadowy part of the theater.

Once the wire was edited out in post-production, all that would remain was the Phantom, who was moving about the theater as if it were his own home.

The camera followed him into the dark corner where he landed, wobbling uneasily.

Adapting to the darkness, the focus sharpened, gradually revealing the Phantom’s unmasked face.

Half of his face was grotesquely distorted.

The twisted side of his face breaks into a sly smile, as if cheering for Hwa-ran’s wicked deed.

The final shot captured the gleaming white teeth revealed between his upturned lips.

“Cut! Okay!”

After several jumps, the perfect shot was achieved.

Director Ki Do reviewed it on the monitor and gave the final okay.

Seeing a seasoned actor in their late 30s who had already solidified their reputation discard their established methods and learn a new way to act was truly impressive.

‘There are really some amazing people out there.’

Watching Seryeon as she gazed at Hansung on screen, Yoomyeong felt grateful for his good fortune.

Compared to his precarious past life, he had met so many wonderful people in just one year.

People who cautiously, but steadily, treaded on an uncertain and dark path.

He wanted to be like them.

*

“It wasn’t about the movie after all.”

“Pardon?”

After watching the movie, they went to a place where they decided to have some dinner and drinks. Then, Seryeon candidly spoke.

“While filming the movie, it was more fun than I expected, so I thought maybe I was interested in that field... but it was just because it’s a ‘ballet movie’.”

As if confirming a known fact, she calmly continued.

“It seems I really can’t do anything other than ballet.”

She spoke with a strength that seemed like accepting a predetermined fate.

At that, Yoomyeong nodded in understanding.

Perhaps it was a shared sentiment among those who weren’t just choosing an art, but being chosen by it.

“Are you... going to start rehabilitation?”

Even though he was aware she had already started, Yoomyeong asked, pretending not to know.

“I’m not sure about 15 years... but I’m planning to try for at least two years. I’ve wasted two years after retiring, anyway.”

She tilted her head, her long hair falling to one side, and gave a playful, half-hearted laugh.

“I’m pretty, and I don’t have to worry about making a living. Isn’t it okay to waste that much time?”

Even while boasting in such a haughty manner, the surface of the drink in her glass was rippling.

Her hands were trembling.

The determination she mustered up to vocalize her resolve for the pain ahead was evident.

It wasn’t unpleasant to hear.

Because he knew that she could forsake beauty and a wealthy background if only she could dance.

“You were my first partner.”

“...Yes.”

“You’re someone I think is both cool and beautiful.”

“...”

“I’m very proud that both those identities belong to the same person.”

Hearing his serious response to her joke, she met his gaze.

His eyes were sincere.

Seryeon smiled.

“Because of what you just said, I’ll add another year. So, three years.”

“...Haha.”

One drink.

Then another.

The alcohol flowed.

Their conversation ranged from behind-the-scenes stories from the set,

“Isn’t it funny when Director Ki flinches every time cinematographer Choi uses formal language with him?”

To interpretations of the film,

“Hwaran is like the darkness inside me. I might never fully let go of my resentment towards the people who take for granted the opportunities I’d die for... but I’ve already lived through it in the movie as Hwaran. Now, I want to live my way.”

As the night and alcohol deepened, their conversation became more honest.

And then...

“Thank you, Yoomyeong.”

Yoomyeong silently looked at her.

“The Phantom I originally imagined was an absolute being, akin to ballet itself. An entity like a force of nature that I couldn’t stop pursuing even if I wasn’t chosen.”

“But you showed me a Phantom that wasn’t perfect, yet had the same obsession with Hwaran. That Phantom... was a ‘human’ Phantom. One that I wanted to comfort and be comforted by.”

Her voice was calm.

“After tonight, I’ll stand alone without relying on anyone. For a long time, I won’t cling to God or any person; I’ll trust only in my time and effort and remain strong.”

Yet, her delicate hand gripped Yoomyeong’s collar.

Her hand shook.

“But just for this last night... I want to be with my Phantom.”

“...Would you... stay... with me tonight?”

Her voice wavered at the end.

Yoomyeong gently unclasped her tightly-fisted hand and held it in his own.

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