Chapter 39

Chapter 39

This chapter is generously sponsored by Shirubame.

The warm spring sun shone down everywhere. It was no different for the young man occupying the rooftop. Even though he used the script as a shield to cover his face, he couldnt hide his tall figure. His long arms and legs stood out, and his uniform, alive with stitches along its seams, gave off a refreshing vibe. At that moment, a shadow fell over the young man.

Jang Yeongguk!

The young man sneakily lifted the script covering his face. His class presidents mouth was wide open. Naturally, she must have looked all over the school grounds for him. At that moment, the young man naturally straightened his upper body. It was not a position where her underwear could accidentally be seen, yet the girl quickly straightened her fluttering skirt in the spring breeze.

Youre laughing now! The freshmen and seniors are all looking for you! They even came to the classroom during lunch. Its not like were in a zoo, but everyone kept peering in so much that I almost choked on my lunch!

I dont have any indigestion medicine, but do you want me to pat your back?

Youre so cheeky, never mind! Is that article true?

The class president also seemed quite curious. After all, Jang Yeongguks face was plastered all over the entertainment news. At the point when the dramas pre-production had been completed, it wouldve been impossible to silence the reporters any longer. Because of that, the mass media started discussing everything from who Writer Hwang Sugyeongs male lead was to his past filmography.

They say Seo Minhye has been cast as the female lead! The whole school is going crazy right now. The teachers in the staff room are only talking about you. Are you really going to be the male lead and Seo Minhye the female lead?

Hwang Sugyeong was a popular writer regardless of the viewers gender. But among her works, the unique, earnest lines were enough to make the hearts of many women flutter. Moreover, wasnt the current top high-teen actress cast as the female lead? There were many rumors because of that. Some were saying that the male lead was too subpar compared to her.

Are you really Writer Hwang Sugyeongs male lead?Vissit novelbin(.)com for new novels

No.

A story is a series of imaginations that unfold in a deprived reality. The more a writers beliefs and values interweave with their stories, the more captivating they become. Hwang Sugyeongs new series, Youth, was one of those stories. Every line and even the most trivial dialogue held meaning. Thats why the young man shook his head.

He wasnt Hwang Sugyeongs male lead but the protagonist of that series.

Youre joking right now!

The young man smiled casually. His smile, while stretching, was as charming as a field of blooming forsythia flowers. With the school bell ringing, the students on the field below the rooftop reluctantly gathered their things. The class president bellowed towards the retreating figure of the young man.

Stop smiling like that!

* * *

Like ants swarming around a sweet fruit, the reporters were incredibly busy anticipating the script reading. Actors and reporters were in an inevitable symbiotic relationship. The reporters shared unknown stories, and they also exaggerated trivial matters.

Whos Jang Yeongguk?

Didnt you watch Man of August three years ago? It was the hit KBC miniseries. He starred in that as a child actor. Back then, he caused a big stir by becoming the youngest person to win the Newcomer Award. What were you doing back then, not knowing about this?

Three years ago, I was covering current affairs, so there was no way I couldve known.

There were various types of reporters. Some delved into news, culture, and social scenes with in-depth coverage, while others focused on celebrities diverse events and accidents. In a way, the stories they covered were connected.

The subjects may be different, but the fact that they reported on them remained the same. The only difference was that entertainment reporters didnt always base their stories on facts. Instead, they sometimes predicted the future, like fortune-tellers.

The script-reading venue quickly transformed into a basketball court.

Hey, Dojin! What time is it, and youre still playing basketball? Look, youre the only one on the court right now.

Passion bloomed on the basketball court as if a cold was brought on by the spring breeze. It was no exaggeration to say that Seo Minhye was leading the heat of the script-reading venue. Lines filled with emotion, rather than the usual bland script reading, landed with force.

You got first place in the midterm exams again, huh? You selfish jerk. Other kids struggle to get first place even once, but you do it as easy as eating. Lucky bastard. And you got a confession today, didnt you? Yoon Heesu is pretty, isnt she? She has a nice personality too. You have so many people who like you, but you dont date anyone. Dont tell me you have that kind of taste?

A basketball rolled around with a rumble.

Is that whats important?

A single word stirred up ripples like a droplet of water falling into a calm lake. Contrary to the initial impression, a cold and dry voice came out.

Seo Minhye cautiously raised her head.

No, never mind then. Why are you being so scary with a voice like that? Cant friends joke around?

Emotions carried through each line, spoken in confusion. An inexplicable tension hung in the air on the basketball court.

Friends?

Some people said that ones school days, or the age of blossoms, were the most beautiful time in life. But for the young man, it was not. It was a painfully cold season. Just like how others may not recognize the passion of love, he only wished for her to understand.

Amid the intense quietude of the script-reading venue, even the simple act of swallowing seemed a challenge. The reporters watched the confrontation between Seo Minhye and the young man with wide eyes.

What a joke.

While a smile lingered at the corner of his mouth, the eyes that resembled a calf grew cold. It was distant and cold as if looking into a dark alleyway. Following the line, Seo Minhye felt as if her breath had stopped.

Do you still think of me as just a friend?

Even though the script reading was nearing its end, the reporters had no intention of leaving their seats. They wanted to capture every emotion that radiated in the script-reading venue.

As their hands moved faster, Seo Minhye couldnt hide her surprise as she looked at the young man opposite her. He showed a simple, bright smile, but she saw the coldness hidden within his calf-like eyes. As she met his gaze, didnt she feel a chill, like her lungs were about to collapse?

This is amazing.

With that sight, Reporter Kwak Myeonghwan swallowed his admiration. And he had a hunch. That Hwang Sugyeongs next work would once again cause a syndrome in Korea. And at the center of it would undoubtedly be Jang Yeongguk.

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