After sending Yooil away, So Yijin and Seo Mihee found themselves in a deep dilemma.

“…Writer So, you said Han Yooil is your junior, right?”

“Yes…”

“He’s really good at acting, genuinely.”

“I… I know…”

So Yijin answered with a dumbfounded expression. She, too, was not left untouched by the impact of the audition.

“Director… from what I see, both the boy and the vampire roles seem perfect for Yooil… what should we do?”

“…Huh.”

Seo Mihee shook her head as if it was absurd, but not because she disagreed.

‘I never thought I’d be in such a dilemma.’

 

Initially, Seo Mihee didn’t expect actors to grasp the emotional line of the play in one or two meetings. She intended to give them about a week to continuously discuss and shape their characters.

But Han Yooil was different. He understood every emotional line with just a few lines of dialogue. It was as if he was reading her mind.

It was the first time she felt this way watching someone’s performance. And in an audition room, no less!

“I was going to cast Suho for… the vampire role.”

“What if we cast Jung Suho as the vampire and Yooil as ‘the boy’?”

Seo Mihee furrowed her brows.

‘…That’s also a pity.’

Yooil’s portrayal of both the boy and the vampire was tempting. She wished she could use a cloning technique if possible.

Then, as So Yijin was pulling at her hair, she suddenly spoke up.

“Director, I just had an idea… Ah, no.”

 

“…Why? Tell me.”

“No, it seems too out there.”

“Just say it already.”

Urged by Seo Mihee, So Yijin slowly began to talk. And hearing her words, Seo Mihee looked at her writer with a peculiar expression.

“…That’s a good idea!”

*

Having successfully completed the audition, Yooil finished a major assignment at home. Planning for an early night’s sleep, he was jolted awake by So Yijin’s call.

More surprising than the late call was the content.

“…Excuse me?”

– What do you think, Yooil? Can you do it?

 

“I… I think I haven’t quite grasped it yet. Could you explain it once more?”

Hearing Han Yooil’s words, So Yijin replied in a gentle voice.

– That is… you and Jung Suho would perform both roles together. You two would take turns playing ‘the boy’ and ‘the vampire.’

“…!”

Brion quietly interjected at that moment.

【A unique form of double casting.】

– How about it, is it okay with you?

A faint smile appeared on Yooil’s lips.

“Yes. I would like to take on the challenge.”

– Great! Hehe, I just spoke with Jung Suho, and he seemed intrigued!

【Jung Suho. A 27-year-old male actor. Known for his distinct features and decent acting skills, he’s one of the popular actors among theater fans. His recent works over the last three years include…】

Brion seemed to have been waiting to recite Jung Suho’s filmography. Yooil had to tightly close his eyes to concentrate on the phone call.

– Then, I’ll call you back later. See you then!

“Yes. Thank you, writer.”

【…The play ‘Friend of a Mad Scientist’, the musical ‘Moon and I’…】

‘Stop.’

Yooil lay back on his bed, feeling a mix of emotions.

The declaration to participate in both productions was half bravado.

‘…But it really is happening.’

【Congratulations, Yooil. You will start theater practice from the final exam period, followed by movie filming after the semester ends, then preparing for the play…】

Han Yooil, while half-listening to Brion’s voice, slowly drifted off to sleep.

The next morning, feeling refreshed, Yooil arrived at school and immediately received a call from Kim Jinwoo. Ever since seeing the theater club’s performance, Kim Jinwoo’s eyes would sparkle whenever he saw Han Yooil. He jokingly warned not to pretend not to know him when he becomes famous.

Indeed, he was a colleague who was as good at socializing as he was at making frivolous remarks.

“Hey, over here!”

Yooil approached Kim Jinwoo, who was waving from a corner of the school café. Their conversation, starting with complaints about assignments, naturally shifted to plans after the vacation.

Seamlessly, Yooil mentioned his involvement in the movie and play, and Kim Jinwoo’s eyes sparkled with curiosity.

“What?! Whose work is it?”

“Writer So Yijin and Writer Kim Mijin.”

Kim Jinwoo’s jaw dropped in amazement.

“Wow, those seniors are really famous. They’re the ‘Two Jins,’ you know!”

“…’Two Jins’?”

According to Kim Jinwoo, So Yijin and Kim Mijin were quite famous seniors, often mentioned in their department even after graduation.

“Wow! Both won contests before graduating, and there are always banners hanging in front of the building, and it’s famous that they used to write together in the department room but fought…! Our seniors told us when we were freshmen!”

‘Famous for everything, huh.’

Observing Han Yooil’s expression, Kim Jinwoo squinted at him.

“Han Yooil, are you really a Korean Literature major?”

Instead of answering, Yooil just shrugged and sipped his coffee. Watching him, Kim Jinwoo slumped over the table.

“Ahh, I want to be famous too~”

“What would you do if you became famous?”

“Ah, I’ll think about that once I become famous.”

Kim Jinwoo chuckled with his cheek squished against the table.

“Honestly, if I had the talent, I’d want to be an actor or a writer. But I don’t think I have that talent… So I’m thinking of changing my career path to planning or management, building a career, starting a company, and making it big.”

【…That’s interesting.】

‘What?’

【Never mind.】

While Kim Jinwoo was indulging in his fantasies, he casually checked the time and suddenly stood up.

“Yikes! Hey, we’re going to be late! Only 1 minute left!”

And Han Yooil and Kim Jinwoo managed to sprint into the lecture room within just one minute.

* * *

One day in November, a man entered a meeting room on the 2nd floor of the A Cultural Foundation building. He had noticeably double-lidded eyes and full lips.

“Oh, Jung Suho!”

“You’re early, actor.”

Jung Suho bowed to the staff members who greeted him.

“I feel like I have so much to learn. It’s only right to come early.”

“Oh, don’t be silly!”

“Please, don’t say that!”

The staff, noticing his humility, waved their hands dismissively. Jung Suho offered a kind smile in response and took a seat.

Although he smiled amiably, in reality, he was quite bruised in pride. This was the first time he had received such a casting format. He had agreed to it because he liked the work, but that didn’t alleviate his irritation.

‘A vampire role that’s perfect for me… And now, a sudden double casting?’

No, it wasn’t just any double casting. They were supposed to alternate roles. He would have declined without a second thought if he had only slightly disliked the project.

Moreover, the words added by Seo Mihee lingered in his mind.

– The actor you’ll be performing with is a newcomer, but they have exceptional energy. They really! Truly! act well. Ah, of course, Suho, you’re a great actor too…

After saying that, Seo Mihee chuckled, mentioning that since they were of similar ages, they could create good synergy and then ended the call.

‘Acts “really, truly” well.’

‘It must be something extraordinary.’

Jung Suho’s lips curled up at one corner. He would find out soon enough whether those words were an exaggeration or not.

‘I’m curious to see which it is.’

Jung Suho leaned back in his chair with that thought when a staff member, checking their phone, spoke up.

“The director and writer will be here soon.”

“Ah, Han Yooil will also arrive shortly!”

Jung Suho waited for Yooil with a polite smile on his face. Soon the door opened, and a young man with a pale face entered.

‘…That guy.’

He had a distinct appearance that would catch anyone’s eye anywhere.

“Hello, I’m Han Yooil!”

“Jung Suho.”

As Jung Suho shook Yooil’s hand, he continued,

“How old are you, if I may ask?”

“I’m 21 years old.”

“Wow~ So young. I thought you’d be around my age since the director mentioned it.”

Han Yooil responded with a gentle smile to his words.

“It’s an honor to be on stage with you. I will do my best.”

Jung Suho raised his eyebrows, impressed by Yooil’s composed demeanor.

Just then, the door opened, and So Yijin and Seo Mihee entered. It was the first reading, and both were very excited.

“We will have two readings. For the first reading, Yooil will play the boy, and Suho will play the vampire. In the second reading, we’ll switch roles.”

After saying that, Seo Mihee clapped once, echoing through the conference room.

“Alright, let’s start with the first reading!”

Writer So Yijin began reading the stage directions.

“Stage. A ruined building, beneath it a cold, dark space. Occasionally, debris crumbles, creating a menacing noise.”

With that voice, the first reading of ‘From the Ground’ began.

“Stage situation. A child crouches among the debris, shivering from the cold.”

As So Yijin recited, Yooil’s movements changed.

Even Jung Suho, who had been reluctant, found himself widening his eyes when Yooil spoke his first line.

“Mom…”

Han Yooil uttered just a single phrase.

Jung Suho fixed his gaze on Han Yooil, who seemed genuinely cold, shivering slightly.

Han Yooil breathed into his hands.

“…So, so cold…”

Jung Suho clicked his tongue.

‘What’s this, really?’

It was believable that he could have devoured a child.

Yet, it didn’t feel like he was overdoing ‘cuteness’ or pretending to be ‘younger.’

“Uh…!”

At that moment, the boy’s desperate gaze met Jung Suho’s.

“Ah, mister… are you hurt? …Can you speak? Where does it hurt?”

Looking at Han Yooil, who inspected him with worried eyes, Jung Suho clamped his mouth shut.

It was soon his turn.

“Hey, you’re alive, right…? I saw you moving… Definitely saw it…”

“Hey, kid. Keep it down.”

Jung Suho spoke with an annoyed tone. Despite the unfriendly response, the boy remained cheerful.

“I was worried… that you might be dead.”

“…Worried? About ‘me’?”

If Han Yooil’s vampire was devoid of all emotion, Jung Suho’s vampire had a twisted sense of humor.

As they conversed, Seo Mihee’s face flushed with excitement.

‘This is a hit.’

The reading exceeded expectations.

Seo Mihee occasionally felt as if she was not in a conference room but on stage, thanks to their surprisingly good chemistry.

Just then, Jung Suho smiled, revealing his teeth. It was a chilling smile, like that of a grim reaper.

So Yijin also watched silently, spellbound.

The characters she had written were more vivid in front of her than on paper. Han Yooil and Jung Suho were already performing beyond the scope of a mere reading.

The boy spoke, with a calm and composed demeanor.

“It’s too cold and dark here… That’s why I was worried.”

“Is that so?”

Now fully immersed, Jung Suho turned to meet Han Yooil’s gaze. He posed a question to this bold and irreverent boy, who claimed to be worried about him.

“What are you, to worry about me?”

The boy looked at Jung Suho with clear eyes.

The child slowly opened his mouth.

“Anyone would be worried.”

“Why?”

“…Because you’re a person.”

Transparent and innocent eyes gazed at the immortal being, as if seeing right through him.

“Mister… you’re ‘human,’ right?”

Jung Suho hadn’t thought his acting was lacking since he became an adult.

He had never missed being the top at Korea’s most prestigious arts school, had been on stage since his student days, and had never heard anything but praise.

But the moment he saw Han Yooil’s eyes, Jung Suho had to admit it.

Really, he acted ‘really, truly’ well.

For the first time since his debut, Jung Suho felt a sense of crisis.