I Don’t Want to Play Villains Anymore - Chapter 13

“Yeah, you… made it, huh? Congratulations…”

“Baek Ha-neul, did you pass?”

“You still haven’t gotten your results, have you? The results will be announced in ten days.”

Seo Hyun-woo anxiously ran over, breathing heavily, and asked.

The teachers seemed to have misinterpreted that Seo Hyun-woo liked me; they were just laughing behind him.

From their perspective, it must have looked like a cute scene.

A child with big sparkling eyes running over, and someone pretending to be annoyed but accepting it.

It was a sight common in auditions.

But to me, that wasn’t what mattered right now.

‘Until the results are announced… ten days.’

Just looking at the clock on the table instead of my smartphone made my heart race.

This was the second time I was experiencing an audition since I started acting in this life.

And this audition’s pressure was incomparable to the first.

“Jo-eun” succeeded, but it was just a small drama in the broadcasting department.

There was nothing to boast about from that success, but anyhow, its impact was probably less than that of the broadcasting department’s other productions.

However, ‘Even if we lose the light, we’ from Broadcasting Department C created a buzz among the directors, and I would have more connections.

Being from Broadcasting Department C alone guaranteed countless actors would apply, and I was no exception.

“Hyun-woo, please just stay still. The more you move around, the more I get nervous.”

Like a lost puppy all this time.

I raised my eyebrows slightly and looked at him.

“I’m super nervous. Baek Ha-neul, you look okay, but you’re really freaking out inside, right?”

Seo Hyun-woo tilted his head and asked.

…That was true.

Although my face showed no signs of anxiety, inside I was completely flipped upside down.

What if I don’t pass this audition?

Everything I’ve worked hard for could go down the drain.

And that thought was so realistic that it tightened my heart.

“It doesn’t matter if I’m nervous.”

I tried to reply nonchalantly.

“Are you really nervous? Then we’re the same.”

Hyun-woo smiled innocently.

It was remarkable that he could smile without a care every time.

He would just speak without any worries, yet it brought me some comfort.

‘I’m not the only one who’s nervous.’

Thinking that way made me a bit more at ease.

“By the way, I really think you’ll pass. You were so cool when you acted yesterday.”

Seo Hyun-woo lightly patted my arm with his small hand.

“You did well too. You said you were nervous, but you acted quite naturally, didn’t you?”

Even though I went home without seeing the results.

I smiled a little while giving him compliments.

“Really? I did well? Hearing that from you makes me really happy!”

Seo Hyun-woo laughed, waving his arms happily.

So simple.

But sometimes I envied that simplicity.

Because I couldn’t live such a simple life.

Even after the audition, I continued to feel anxious.

Yoon Seok-won’s gaze, the subtle hints of caution and shock he sent my way.

And the fact that his sound had wavered.

I did well. I always do.

But, was I really good?

I didn’t have the confidence that I overwhelmed my opponent as I did when playing a villain.

I memorized my lines properly, and I thought I conveyed my emotions perfectly, but…

Something felt lacking.

A sense of distance as if another Buram was acting instead of me.

‘I wasn’t as immersed as when I play a villain.’

I reflected on myself.

The acting in the audition.

Even while I was acting, I felt continuously inadequate.

‘No. There’s no need to feel this way. I did my best. That’s what matters.’

I whispered to myself.

No matter what the results are, it doesn’t matter.

I’ve already done all I could do.

But my heart wouldn’t settle so easily.

I felt my fingertips trembling slightly but tried to turn a blind eye to it.

Time was passing slowly.

‘Still… five days left.’

I was tired of just staring at the meaningless clock.

I looked around again.

Teachers were smiling at Seo Hyun-woo.

Then suddenly, I heard them whispering.

“That kid is rumored to be a really good actor. Was it Baek Ha-neul?”

“Yeah. I heard she acted in the audition for Broadcasting Department C yesterday.”

“It’s amazing that she can act so well at that age…”

I started to listen intently.

Everyone was evaluating me.

Hearing that I acted well was pleasing, but at the same time, it put pressure on me.

‘If I fail, how will that impression change?’

I closed my eyes for a moment.

My head was getting a bit more complicated.

What was most important right now was calming my heart.

I slowly inhaled deep breaths and exhaled slowly.

And at that moment, the teacher called my name.

“Haneul, phone call! They’re calling about the audition results.”

My heart suddenly thudded-d loudly.

The sound was so loud that I couldn’t even hear the surrounding noise anymore.

‘The audition results… it’s coming now.’

I approached the teacher with trembling hands.

And at that moment, all the surrounding sounds faded away.

[Haneul! You passed!]

And my excited mother’s voice completely eased my worries.

“What? Really?”

It felt quite empty.

If I had known this would happen, I wouldn’t have worried.

[Yes. And I heard the boy playing Nam Ji-hyeok is Na Jae-hyeon.]

“Oh.”

Na Jae-hyeon.

A name I couldn’t possibly not know.

In my past life, he was famous as a genius male actor.

Though his acting skills couldn’t compare to mine, his face…

‘That face…’

Seriously, his face was a cheat.

No matter how well he acted, that face was already unfair.

With a distinctly handsome appearance.

In any production that he appeared in, it couldn’t help but be a topic of discussion.

Just that face alone overshadowed numerous actors and drew countless directors to him.

And now, I would be acting alongside him?

“Haa…”

I let out a deep sigh.

Well, there’s nothing I can do.

Considering that in my previous life, he was a stud who attracted women everywhere he went.

It was predetermined from the start that I could never win in looks.

‘But what if this life is different?’

Now I was an undeniable beautiful girl.

Not just in acting, I could overpower him in looks too.

So, in this project, I had to prove that.

…I felt like I was getting a bit too ahead of myself.

“Ah, Hyun-woo you…”

As I turned my head toward him, Seo Hyun-woo had a strained smile on his face.

His eyes looked a bit sad but seemed forced into a smile.

“I didn’t make it.”

That one sentence froze the air instantly.

Ah. Right. If Na Jae-hyeon passed, then it was inevitable that he didn’t.

‘What an idiot. I should have asked. It was obvious.’

Despite knowing intuitively, the feeling of confirming it was completely different now.

Seo Hyun-woo seemed to be trying hard to smile.

As if he were pretending to be fine while hiding the pain inside.

“It’s okay. I was just doing it for experience anyway.”

His voice sounded a bit too strained.

It was as if he was trying not to worry me rather than simply comforting himself.

That made it feel even more painful.

For a moment, I pondered what to say.

I knew that superficial comfort could hurt more.

“Hyun-woo.”

“Yeah?”

“We can always try again later.”

I made an effort to say it as softly as possible.

No matter how awkward it sounded, that was all I could do.

“There’s going to be another opportunity, right?”

“Yeah. You did well. Just because you didn’t pass this time doesn’t mean your skills are lacking.”

Saying that might apply to me as well.

No matter how good you are, if you don’t get the chance to perform, it means nothing.

But my sincerity was for Hyun-woo alone.

Seo Hyun-woo had undeniable talent.

He just needed more time to grow; he was still so young.

“You’ll definitely make it next time. We could work together then, right?”

I said deliberately, smiling.

Then I could see the tension in Hyun-woo’s face easing a bit.

“…Yeah. I’ll make it for sure next time.”

His eyes began to shine once again.

Hard and pure, those sparkling eyes unique to a child.

Seeing that made my heart lighten.

Maybe, rather than me trying to comfort him, he was actually comforting me.

But still, there remained a trace of uncertainty in his eyes.

And that concerned me.

“It’s okay. Hyun-woo will succeed someday.”

That was my honest wish.

“Haneul, let’s go! I made something delicious!”

My mother was calling from afar, waving her hand.

Her smiling face approaching me gave me a sense of relief but also made me feel a bit guilty.

“Hyun-woo, I’ll go ahead.”

“Yeah, take care.”

Seo Hyun-woo forced a bright smile at me.

But I could sense the faint sadness behind that smile.

“…Okay.”

‘In the past life… I don’t think there was an actor named Seo Hyun-woo.’

No, I suppose he could have gone abroad and succeeded without me knowing.

I reassured myself as I rushed to my mother.

“Haneul, are you feeling down? Did I go a bit overboard…?”

“Yeah.”

Stop overthinking it.

Let’s not assume the future based on the past.

…

…

…

“…Oh, what’s this?!”

Even if we lose the light, we.

That name alone had stirred excitement for the show’s female lead.

And at the center, Choi Woo-a, cast as Yoon Na-rae, was now staring at a small phone screen with a confused expression.

The photo on the screen was of an adorable, no… a beautiful little girl.

With bright blond hair shining like the sun, and blue eyes sparkling like jewels.

“What is this kind of situation? Is she a doll?”

Choi Woo-a shook her head in disbelief as she zoomed in with her fingers.

Honestly, she had seen many cute and pretty kids. That was a common sight in the entertainment industry.

But this child was different.

Simply calling her pretty didn’t do her justice.

It was unreal to the point of being surreal.

“…This kid is going to portray my childhood?”

“Yes. I heard she’s a new actress C is really pushing.”

Listening to her manager’s explanation, she looked back at the picture again.

It felt strange to think that this mystical little girl would portray her childhood.

“…Hmm. She will definitely attract attention.”

At the manager’s words, Choi Woo-a let out a small sigh.

To think her name was ‘Baek Ha-neul.’ Even the name seemed oddly fitting.

“But is she really biracial? She looks like it.”

“Oh, I’m not sure about that. But I heard her acting was out of this world during the audition.”

“Acting? A kid? With this kind of visual?”

“Yeah. Although they say she’ll wear a wig. I haven’t heard about her skills yet…”

Woo-a’s eyes were wide in disbelief.

In cases like this, it was generally a pretty face pushed by the broadcasting department.

Like a beautifully wrapped chocolate.

“So, this kid is going to play my childhood? And viewers will see me in episodes two or three?”

“That’s right.”

“No, it’s way too comparative!”

Woo-a said, grabbing her hair in a mix of frustration.

What kind of crazy production team created such a heightening contrast between childhood and current appearances?

She was worried that the adult version of Yoon Na-rae would end up looking less attractive in comparison.

“Ugh. What do I need to prove that I’m prettier than that kid? Maybe I should get a facelift or something?”

“Just act naturally. Woo-a, you’re pretty too.”

“Yeah, I’m a bit pretty. But that’s not the issue! The other side is unrealistically pretty?!”

Her manager shrugged and smiled.

He understood her worries, but…

“Still, if we’re talking about acting, you’re bound to be better, Woo-a. Acting isn’t just about looks.”

“Right? It should be that way.”

Woo-a repeated nervously, her legs shaking.

Until now, she hadn’t faced many situations where her looks fell short, and in this instance, it was a kid.

“Yeah, actors should rely on their acting skills!”

With her manager’s reassurance, Woo-a felt uplifted as she contemplated whether she should just watch episode one, which only featured her voice.