After the commotion caused by method acting quickly subsided, people applauded both Sujin and me for wrapping up the final shoot so well.

“Great job, seriously!” “You two have amazing synergy! You should definitely do a romance together someday!”

After receiving enthusiastic cheers, thanks to the privilege of being a minor, I was able to leave the set without any after-party.

Though I did have a passionate conversation with the director on the way out. But even that ended quickly due to my working hours as a minor.

Leaving the busy set behind, Sujin and I headed to where the van was waiting.

“Have you finished crying now?”

She couldn’t help but throw in a joke.

“...”

Normally, you’d expect some kind of response to that, right? But after answering earlier, Sujin had only nodded without any big reaction.

We walked a bit farther away from the crowd until it felt like the streetlights were shining on just the two of us, making the world seem empty.

“Hey, Kim Donghu.”

Sujin slowly opened her mouth.

“Keep your promise.”

With our steps coming to a stop, Sujin didn’t bother to hide her flushed, persimmon-colored cheeks as she stared directly at me.

“What promise?”

My question seemed to amuse her, as Sujin extended one hand.

Her fingertips, bent slightly by the chilly breeze, still pointed directly at me.

“You said you'd hold me.”

Her hand.

Faced with such a bold statement, I almost looked around but stopped and fixed my gaze on Sujin.

After all, what's dumber than me frantically checking our surroundings when you, unbothered by anyone’s gaze, said what you said?

So I, too, reached out my hand, and the moment our fingertips touched—

“Did you hear that earlier? They said our synergy is amazing. We should totally try doing a romance.”

Sujin smiled slyly as she withdrew her hand and tucked it into her pocket.

“How pretty do you think I’ll be by then?”

Her confident words weren’t really a question. The answer was already clear, and there was no need to say it aloud. All I could do was nod in agreement.

“Very?” “Of course. I’ll be ridiculously pretty by then. You’ll be shocked.” “You’re already pretty.” “Of course, heh... Ah, no, not that! You know what I’m talking about!”

I shrugged at Sujin’s words, wearing an expression that said I truly had no idea.

“Hmph... Even after I say that, you still play dumb, huh?”

Sujin stepped closer to my outstretched hand, her footsteps as light as if walking on feathers.

What awaits at the end of those careful steps?

Sujin stopped in front of my hand, gently took it, and placed it on her cheek.

“Your Highness, could you promise to always hold my hand when I cry?”

“...”

I couldn’t say anything, only nodding silently. Sujin, seeming satisfied with how my body moved as if bewitched, continued speaking.

“I’m worried. You’re so softhearted, Your Highness, that when I make even greater requests...”

Will you nod your head so innocently then, too? I’m really looking forward to it.

“...Didn't you just say you were worried?” “It’s just a saying, you fool. Anyway, clear your schedule for Christmas. We’re spending it together.”

“Well, that’s a bit difficult this year. I promised to spend it with my family.”

Though I did want to spend it like last time, my mom was pregnant now, so I needed to cherish time with family for a while. Before I could explain all that, Sujin quickly accepted it.

“Yeah, well, we’ve got plenty of time.” “Huh?” “But we’re watching the first episode of Ilshik together, okay? If you say no, I’ll cry.” “Alright, I’ll watch the first episode with you for sure.”

Satisfied with that answer, Sujin breezed past me and hopped into the van.

Only then did I take in my surroundings.

We were in a secluded alley, and somehow, we’d pulled off all of this without being seen by anyone.

‘What just happened?’

It didn’t feel real, and I couldn’t help but chuckle. With that feeling still lingering, I reached the van.

Pop.

A small firecracker sound went off, and suddenly, a cake appeared in front of me.

“Congrats on your last shoot, Donghu!” “You’ve worked hard. It’s time for a break, right?”

Seokho hyung and Miju noona, who had joined us as a stylist, offered their simple congratulations, and I thanked them as I climbed into the van.

“But Donghu, were you cold outside?” “Huh? No? I was fine.” “Really? Your face was so red, I thought you were freezing.” “...”

At the mention of my red face, I couldn’t say anything. No one could find out about our private conversation.

All I could do was smile faintly and take a bite of the cake.

+++++

Suddenly, the end of November was upon us.

I was relishing a rare sense of relaxation I hadn’t felt in a long time.

‘It’s not so bad to take it easy once in a while.’

Apart from the upcoming award ceremonies and any potential advertising offers, all my entertainment industry commitments were wrapped up.

As for other plans—

Donghu, I’ve adjusted your schedule like you asked! You’ll have light sparring in April, and in May, just win the National Junior Sports Festival! Then, continue on to the youth division! Let’s aim for a boxing medal in the Asian Games or Olympics!

There was the boxing competition next year.

Donghu, don’t forget our promise! We’re hanging out next week! If it’s too much, we don’t have to, though. Let me know if you’re free, I hit Challenger in League of Legends. Gangshik is insanely good at League, he’s a beast;;;

And hanging out at a PC bang with the guys next week. But that didn’t really count as a schedule—it was just playing around.

‘Boxing, huh?’

Boxing was what Master Baek Sangha taught me the most in-depth. It’s the foundation of all striking, and a strong foundation makes everything easier to learn.

Swish, swish.

I lightly swung my fists, feeling power in each punch.

‘A medal, huh?’

It wasn’t like I hadn’t thought about it before.

If I could achieve anything, why not win a medal and get exempted from military service?

But I hadn’t seriously considered it yet. As for the military, well, there’s no rush if I can use my phone by then.

‘Now that I think about it, it feels unfair.’

I already went once, didn’t I?

‘...Is there a script out there about a boxing prodigy?’

It was a night that made me wonder about such things.

+++++

Late November.

Just as discussions about award shows were beginning to surface, one film festival was ahead of the rest.

“Good evening, viewers! The highly anticipated Blue Dragon Film Awards have just begun!”

That’s right—it was the Blue Dragon Film Awards.

Broadcast reporters, each with a large camera, captured wide shots of the surroundings. Towering lights and fences lined with security guards heightened the tension in anticipation of what was to come.

The highlight of the Blue Dragon Awards, no—the highlight of any awards ceremony—the red carpet, filled the screen.

Curiosity mounted as to how stunning the actors would look.

Just then—

“A car is pulling up! Let’s see who’s arriving first.”

The door opened, and—

“Oh!”

The first to appear were—

“It’s the Endless Frontline team!” “Director Kang Sanghun, actors Han Taegun, Seo Myungwoo, and Ko Changshik have all arrived together.”

Despite their remarks, there was a sense that someone was missing. While those four were indeed major figures in Endless Frontline, the person who delivered the knockout punch hadn’t shown up yet.

‘Could they be skipping the event?’ ‘There’s no way they’d miss the Blue Dragon Awards.’

Just as everyone was thinking that, the MC began asking the Endless Frontline team the usual questions about their resolve for the Blue Dragon and their attitudes toward the upcoming event.

After a few standard questions, the MC was about to ask the one thing everyone was curious about but couldn’t find the right moment, when—

“Our youngest is pretty bold. They went to take care of their lead role first.”

Actor Han Taegun suddenly dropped a cryptic remark.

“Huh? What?”

The MC, caught off guard, fell silent.

“I just wanted to say, please take care of our youngest when they come later. It’s their first time at a film festival.”

“And, well, they’ll do great, obviously, since I handpicked them.”

“Oh, a car is pulling up, we’d better get going!”

Han Taegun hurriedly corralled the group and rushed off, leaving behind a brief interview and what felt like a bombshell statement.

Neither the MC nor the reporters could grasp what he meant by “the youngest.”

As the red carpet event continued, a car unfamiliar to the attendees arrived.

‘Everyone who was supposed to come is already here, so who could it be?’

“Director, we should get out together for this.”

“Well, I don’t know, how could I walk alongside Kim Donghu?”

“We’re already here, you can’t back out now.”

A tall figure with striking looks emerged from the car, turning heads.

“Don’t be nervous, alright?” “Yes, sir!”

Kim Donghu, the lead actor of Hero, and Director Lee Seongdeok had arrived, and people quickly realized what Han Taegun had meant.

‘He shot a ten-million-dollar commercial film, and now he’s showing up at a film festival for a short film lead role?’

Everyone was stunned by his audacity, jaws dropping at the realization.