LIGHTNOVELONLINE Chapter 96
[…So, the director has created a new filming location.]
“Are we creating a filming location?”
[Yes, he apparently didn’t like the existing set, so he’s renting a site to build it from scratch.]
Moon Chang-sik’s comment left me a bit dumbfounded.
Is it really necessary to go that far just to shoot one movie?
“So, will I be filming there as well?”
[Probably? But the parts that Kim Soo-hyun is in don’t really matter that much since we could do those at the broadcasting set we had before.]
That’s true; my range isn’t that large anyway, and it’s just a scene, so there’s no need to put in so much effort.
“Um… so when will I be filming?”
[It shouldn’t take too long. Probably around the week after next, so it’d be good to relax and practice a bit more during that time.]
I momentarily fell into contemplation upon hearing Moon Chang-sik’s voice over the call.
It’s really not long before I need to start filming—will I be okay?
I had received praise from Moon Chang-sik, but I felt a bit uncertain myself, so I guess I should practice during the remaining time, just as he said.
[By the way, it seems like there’s a lot of noise around you. Where are you?]
Noise? Can they actually hear the sounds around me through the call?
“Oh, I’m headed to the airport right now.”
“To the airport?”
“Yeah, I’m going to Japan today.”
Today is the anticipated departure day.
Oh, is it wrong to say that? More accurately, it’s the day before our manager Kim’s birthday.
Departing Friday morning and returning Sunday, a two-night, three-day overseas trip.
For someone like me, who has only been to Jeju Island on a plane, this is a unique first trip abroad, but these days getting a passport is quick, and the entry procedures are simply done with a QR code, so it wasn’t much trouble at all.
[Japan… I’m envious.]
“Have you been to Japan?”
Saying that, I wondered if it seemed a bit out of place.
As a famous actor, it’s only natural to have visited, right?
[Yes, I’ve been a lot. I filmed there too.]
“Oh… Can you speak some Japanese?”
[Just the basic vocabulary.]
Really? Wow, so you can handle a foreign language too.
Does being an actor mean you unexpectedly learn how to do everything?
[Anyway, have a good trip, and I’ll see you at the filming location.]
“Okay, got it. Take care.”
Click—
After finishing the call with Moon Chang-sik, Mrs. Jang, who had been watching my conversation intently, casually asked me.
“Who were you on the phone with?”
“Oh, Moon Chang-sik.”
“What?”
“I think we just arrived at the airport?”
“Who did you say??”
After arriving at the airport, we boarded the long-awaited flight to Japan.
Settling into my reserved seat and listening to the announcements, the plane took off.
The flight didn’t feel like much. Maybe it’s because it’s a short distance, but we didn’t even have in-flight meals, and it felt like we arrived in Japan in the blink of an eye.
Plus, the check-in process was incredibly simple. Just filled out one document and scanned a prepared QR code—what a breeze.
After that, I breezed through security, and soon I found myself at Japan’s international airport.
The whole process felt so straightforward that I felt a bit deflated, but still, it was my first trip abroad.
Upon arriving at the airport, signs written in an unreadable language and a mix of various nationalities traveling like us really made me feel like a tourist—I was somewhat flustered at first.
“Ugh, this is chaotic! Just come this way!”
“Oh, okay.”
Fortunately, since Manager Kim and Mrs. Jang had experience traveling overseas, we somehow navigated through the airport and arrived at the subway station.
“Um… so then.”
After that, using the unmanned machines in the subway, I inserted the yen I had exchanged beforehand to purchase a ticket, though I fumbled a bit, thankfully with the help of a translator and station staff, I managed to get the ticket to my original destination.
After reaching the intended area, we dropped our luggage at the hotel and headed out.
As expected of a tourist area, the Japanese-style scenery and shops scattered around definitely gave me the feeling of being on a trip, but I was surprised to see just as many Koreans and foreigners.
I had heard it was a famous tourist spot, but I didn’t expect this many people.
It felt almost like a 50-50 split between Japanese people and foreigners.
In fact…
“Excuse me… are you Korean?”
“Oh, yes, how did you know?”
“Just a hunch. Did you come alone?”
“Pardon?”
“We came as a pair, but…”
While my parents had temporarily stepped away, I found myself being approached by a Korean for a pickup line.
I couldn’t help but chuckle at the absurdity of the situation.
“I came with family.”
“Really? But why are you by yourself?”
“I went to the restroom. Here they come—Dad!”
As I called out, from a distance, I saw Manager Kim and Mrs. Jang strolling leisurely my way, and as they spotted me, their expressions hardened.
And it looked like the two Koreans nearby noticed as well, quickly making their exit.
“Those kids…”
“Oh wow, is our daughter popular?”
Seeing the differing reactions from Manager Kim and Mrs. Jang about the same situation, I shrugged.
“Well, I guess… let’s go grab a meal.”
“Yeah, I heard there’s a famous restaurant nearby.”
So we lined up and enjoyed a meal at the famous spot, and as we were enjoying the breeze, a group of men with bags approached me.
“Excuse me… are you Korean?”
“Yeah? That’s me.”
“Are you here by yourself? We are three…”
“Oh… we’re three too.”
The man who was leading the way suddenly brightened up at the mention of “three.”
“Really? Wow….”
“Well, since it’s three of us, just go your own way.”
“Sure….”
With that, the guy walked away, and whenever I found myself alone afterward, without fail, someone would approach to strike up a conversation.
Do I really look like a lone traveler from Korea?
Or rather, it seems I haven’t been able to properly sense it due to the ambiguous timing or being around other people, but there are so many people who want to chat in tourist areas.
Just as I was about to get annoyed by the annoying attention, fortunately, the itinerary concluded, and we returned to the hotel, where we celebrated Manager Kim’s birthday with the cake I had bought beforehand, wrapping up the first day of our trip.
**
The next morning.
I left the hotel early to head to the pre-arranged location.
Walking while taking in the chilly morning air, reminiscent of Korea, I observed the calm Japanese scenery around me; it felt oddly refreshing.
It felt like being a citizen of Japan. The traditional wooden structures provided a certain sense of tranquility to my heart.
I began to think that maybe a longer trip would be nice as I strolled leisurely, browsing through the scenery and shopping streets as I made my way to the subway according to the map.
Upon reaching the subway, I found that surprisingly, there were quite a few people, including office workers with briefcases and even students in uniforms despite it being Saturday.
Do they go to school on Saturdays in Japan?
After purchasing my ticket from the unmanned machine, I boarded the subway immediately.
As I waited for my stop while gazing out at the unfamiliar views, I received a message from Tenshi.
[Tenshi: Where are you now?]
Where am I? I sent back the station name that was phonetically spelled in English, and I got an instant reply.
[Tenshi: Almost there! I’m already here. I’m wearing a brown coat.]
A brown coat?
It is the kind of weather that calls for something like that…
I looked around.
It seems like brown coats are trending in Japan, as there are three people in this carriage alone wearing them.
…Will I be able to find her?
Well, I can just message her once I get there.
Arriving at the designated station, I noticed it was bustling, even at this early hour.
And indeed, with so many people and the station being large, it seemed impossible to find her based solely on the clue of a brown coat, so I sent another message.
[Tenshi: Have you arrived? What are you wearing?]
My outfit? I’m just in jeans and a knit hoodie.
And there are… none of those around either?
I realized a bit of a gap in fashion trends between Japan and Korea, so I took a picture of my outfit and sent it to Tenshi.
After sending a picture of just my upper and lower body, there was a brief moment of silence before Tenshi replied.
[Tenshi: Your outfit looks nice! I’ll try to find you.]
Although Tenshi said she would look for me, I was sure I was the one spotting her first.
From quite a distance away, I saw a girl glancing around while continuously checking her phone.
She looked small, with bright light purple hair that stood out immensely.
According to Tenshi, she’s in a brown coat too… but it seems a bit flashy for a virtual YouTuber.
…Aren’t I being a bit judgmental here?
Anyway, I decided to message her again as I noticed the girl with the light purple hair checking her phone.
As I got closer, it became clear that she looked more like a girl than a woman.
She must be older than me, but has a youthful appearance, right?
However, just to be sure, I messaged her again, and when I saw her checking her phone once more, I thought I had complete confirmation.
I wanted to surprise her, but I wasn’t sure how to pull it off.
No way.
Only the weaker ones need to put in all the effort to surprise someone.
For someone like me, just being here is enough of a surprise.
I walked right up and gently tapped her on the shoulder.
The girl lifted her head from her phone with wide eyes.
“Um, Tenshi?”
I spoke up, ensuring I was correct, but for a moment, I was worried what if I was mistaken, but her eyes widened as she recognized my familiar voice.
“Eh? Hontou?”
“Nice to meet you!”
And just like that, I had my first meeting with an online friend.