The ringtone of a peppy girl idol group played, and soon the call connected.

The man spoke,

“It’s me.”

– Boss, don’t you know I’m off work?

A sharp voice came through the receiver.

– Do you see the time right now? It’s ten o’clock. Ten! And my quitting time is six!

“I know.”

– Ah, you know~ Just making sure. But you do realize I’m watching my favorite drama right now, right? Please respect my work-life balance. If you disturb my sweet rest one more time, I’m seriously quitting. Got it?

The man, unfazed by the sharp response, continued,

“Jang Jaeyi. I’m calling you not as a boss but as your Oppa right now.”

– Ugh, that’s creepy.

Despite the even colder response, the man started laying out what he had to say,

“I think I’ve discovered a gem.”

– Geez, you’re talking as a boss, aren’t you? Are you insane? I’m really going to report you to the labor board!

“Prepare a contract for a new actor.”

– You’re really too much…

“Set up a meeting as soon as possible.”

– …

“Respond.”

– Ahh! Stop that…! It’s really creepy!

After a barrage of complaints, the person on the other end of the line asked with a reluctant voice,

– …But is he really that good?

“Yes. That good.”

– Who is he?

Curiosity began to swirl in the woman’s voice,

– You always have such high standards, only the good-looking ones won’t cut it for you. If he’s an unsigned rookie actor… Is it for a web drama? Or theater?

The woman began to ask questions, her irritation replaced by curiosity.

The man smirked before answering,

“I’ll tell you tomorrow. It’s not working hours now, as you said.”

– …What?! You steal my precious time and won’t tell me? Are you out of your mind, you—

Click.

The man hung up the call cheerfully and leaned back, feeling good. Soon, Chopin’s Nocturne (Nocturne in E-flat Major, Op.9, No.2) filled the interior of the car.

“Nice.”

The man who had just watched “From the Ground” was Jang Jaehyun, the CEO of JJ Entertainment.

* * *

After the performance, Yooil and Jung Suho patted each other on the shoulders as they headed to the dressing room.

“Good job.”

“You too, hyung.”

A week had passed since Jin Hayoung watched the play.

That meant there was only one performance left.

The staff, organizing Yooil’s Henry costume, said with regretful faces,

“Ah… it’s such a shame. We won’t be able to see Yul-Henry anymore.”

“I can’t believe tomorrow is the last show…”

“…Me neither.”

Yooil, who had hastily wiped off his stage makeup, left the dressing room. Ignoring the incessant chatter of Brion, he stopped when a shadow blocked his path.

“Hello, Actor Han Yooil.”

Startled by the unfamiliar voice, Yooil looked up. The first things he noticed were the woman’s high ponytail, tall stature, and deep double eyelids.

“Ah, hello.”

“Nice to meet you. I am Jang Jaeyi, the director of JJ Entertainment.”

The woman blocking Yooil’s path, Jang Jaeyi, smiled faintly as she handed him a business card.

‘…So it’s him.’

She carefully observed Han Yooil as he took her business card.

The actor whom her boss, and erratic brother, Jang Jaehyun insisted on signing.

The very Yooil he had been talking about was standing right in front of her.

‘Getting a ticket was tougher than I thought.’

Director Jang Jaeyi, who couldn’t rest until she saw for herself, had struggled to get tickets for “From the Ground.” She managed to secure a canceled ticket for the 14th show.

Before the curtain rose, she was skeptical, but as soon as the performance started, she realized it.

He was an actor whom one couldn’t help but admire once they saw him perform.

And it wasn’t just his acting that was outstanding.

His looks were handsome, and his height and physique definitely had a celebrity vibe. The kind of face that would make you take a second look if you passed him on the street. He could even be mistaken for an idol trainee.

‘Where has he been hiding until now…?’

With his acting skills and as long as he steered clear of controversies, he was indeed a gem, just as Jang Jaehyun had said.

Jang Jaeyi’s eyes sparkled as she smiled,

“I really enjoyed the play.”

“Thank you.”

“Do you have a moment? I’d like to buy you a cup of coffee.”

* * *

A few minutes later, they were sitting in a nearby cafe. Han Yooil looked around. Thanks to the thin curtains draped over each seat, the place offered privacy. Despite frequently passing by Daehak-ro, he didn’t know a place like this existed.

【Had I known you needed it, I would have searched for you. I can also search nearby cafes, so please feel free to ask anytime.】

Han Yooil sighed inwardly, looking at the distant mountains. The more he thought about it, the more unnecessary features the device seemed to have.

【Thank you for the compliment.】

‘…’

While Brion was unexpectedly promoting itself, Jang Jaeyi, sipping her decaf americano, began to speak,

“Have you heard about JJ Entertainment?”

“Yes, I have.”

【JJ Entertainment is a company that has been gaining popularity recently, with a few rising stars under its belt. It was founded by siblings who have over 10 years of experience in managing famous entertainment companies.】

‘Siblings?’

【Although it’s a relatively new company, it’s known for treating its actors well. The CEO is known for having a good eye for talent.】

At that moment, Jang Jaeyi’s eyes looked directly at him,

“I’ll get straight to the point. I would like Actor Han Yooil to work with our entertainment company.”

“…!”

“Our company is really good to its actors. I can send you a provisional contract if you wish. Please take a look at it.”

Her attitude was confident, as if she hadn’t even considered the possibility of him declining.

“…Thank you for the offer, Director. If it’s alright with you, may I take some time to think it over and get back to you?”

“Of course.”

Jang Jaeyi, responding to his request for time to think, smiled broadly and added,

“I hope we can meet again soon. I really took a liking to Actor Han Yooil.”

* * *

The theater enthusiasts’ community was abuzz with fans lamenting and celebrating the final performance of “From the Ground,” desperately clinging to the production company UMK in various ways to express their emotions.

Yooil, through the window Brion provided, watched the fans’ reactions with an awkward expression.

【Would you like to see other communities as well?】

‘No, that’s okay.’

More than half an hour had passed. If he continued like this, it would soon be time to go on stage.

“What are you thinking about so deeply, Yooil?”

The staff, applying his makeup, asked with a face full of curiosity. Han Yooil could only respond with an awkward smile.

“…Just, it feels strange because it’s the last performance.”

“Uh, right! It feels strange to me too.”

The staff finished the makeup with a laugh. At a similar timing, Jung Suho, who had also finished his makeup, came over with a grin.

They bantered casually but soon began to prepare as the staff’s voices indicated that the play was about to start.

Jung Suho nudged Han Yooil and whispered,

“Ready?”

“Yes.”

Han Yooil smiled back at him and then took a deep breath.

Announcements were flowing through the theater, indicating the imminent start of the performance.

And the moment he opened his eyes on stage, he transformed once again into a being not of this world.

A vampire who, living an endless life, had grown weary, never knowing loneliness.

* * *

“…This kind of ending doesn’t seem too bad.”

A voice, rough yet tender, one that seemed impossible to belong to a vampire, resonated across the stage.

And then, the familiar darkness enveloped the theater.

“…”

Silently, Han Yooil stood up and headed backstage.

His steps were light. No, his entire body felt light. Conversely, his heart was pounding as if it would burst.

He felt like his body would melt away under the conflicting sensations of intense heat and cold.

Despite having experienced many finales, the excitement was always the same.

‘…The last one.’

It was really the last.

He reminisced about the moment he first received a call from So Yijin, the rehearsals for the play, and the moment he first stood on stage.

“…Actor!”

Someone grabbed Han Yooil.

“You need to go out now!”

A stage staff whispered, lightly holding Yooil’s arm. Han Yooil took steps towards the stage.

Applause echoed through the theater.

Standing on the stage, Han Yooil looked towards the audience. He could see the multitude of faces seated in the auditorium.

Yooil tried to meet the eyes of each one of them. Although obscured by darkness, he could still recognize the warm smiles.

That was when it happened.

Some audience members stood up and began to clap.

Like a wave, one by one, they started to rise from their seats.

“…!”

Someone whistled, and someone else shouted.

Han Yooil gazed blankly at the audience.

Everyone in the theater was standing.

With sparkling eyes and flushed faces, they clapped passionately until their hands turned red.

“Thank… you…”

Han Yooil’s vision blurred. Blinking didn’t help.

“Thank you…”

Yooil bowed to Jung Suho, who was standing with him on stage, to the staff behind the scenes, and lastly, to the audience who had devotedly followed the story on stage for over an hour and a half.

Tears streamed down his face, unabated.

“…Thank you.”

The final curtain call ended.

At that moment, Han Yooil was unaware.

Unaware of the persistent gaze that had been following him from beyond the stage.