Possessed 10 Million Actors

Tadano shifted his gaze from the contract to the lawyer. It was a look demanding an explanation. Under the weight of that intense gaze, the lawyer hesitated, then awkwardly spoke.

—

"Th-that is, um…"

—

At that moment,

Several police officers and individuals who appeared to be detectives stormed into the funeral home. The unexpected intrusion turned the previously hushed atmosphere into chaos.

—

"Katsuke Moy, is it?"

—

The detective who entered first called out to the lawyer with a solemn voice. The lawyer, glancing at the detective, let out a bitter laugh mixed with a sigh.

—

"Well, look at that. They've come chasing already… I suppose the police have already found evidence in my case. These idiots move surprisingly fast in situations like this."

"Katsuke Moy. You have the right to retain an attorney-"

"Ah, forget it. Just go. What's the point of Miranda rights in a situation like this?"

—

The lawyer's voice and attitude, distinct from a moment ago, left Tadano bewildered. The lawyer chuckled, glancing at Tadano.

—

"Sharp senses you've got there. Managed to protect the money without signing in that short time."

"What is going on?"

"Talking now will only make my mouth hurt, let's discuss it in court, Mr. Tadano."

—

Leaving words unknown to the lawyer, he extended his hand to the police, as if instructing them to handcuff him. The lawyer, caught without any significant resistance, surprised the detective a little, but as a matter of course, they cuffed him.

As the police took the lawyer away, the detective spoke to Tadano.

—

"It seems you're a resident here. Did Mr. Tadano also happen to come?"

"Uncle?"

"Yes, Mr. Masui Tadano."

"Yes, he did come. He's inside at the memorial altar… But what's going on?"

"Inside the altar. Bring him."

"Yes!"

—

As soon as they heard Tadano's words, several police officers rushed to the memorial altar. From inside, rough swearing and intense scuffling sounds could be heard, with someone shouting, "What the hell are you guys doing?! Do you have a warrant?! What is this?!"

As the sounds of the fight subsided, the detective handed Tadano a piece of paper.

—

"Do you have a friend named Yuta Ryochi?"

"Yuta Ryochi… Yes, he's a friend I've known since elementary school."

"Alright. That man attempted suicide this morning."

"Suicide?"

"Yes. He claims to be the one responsible for the accident that took your parents' lives yesterday."

"…?"

"The reason is written in this letter. Yuta called the police, confessed over the phone, and took his own life. The details are in the letter, so read it later when you've composed yourself."

—

The detective looked at Tadano with infinite pity. Under that gaze, Tadano blinked his eyes blankly.

The lawyer and uncle were trying to take the parents' estate, and a friend was the one who killed them.

—

‘What is going on?'

—

Tadano, stared at the letter from his friend with vacant eyes as if he had become a fool.

In the meantime, the uncle was dragged out by the police, shouting at Tadano. But Tadano couldn't hear.

Amidst the chaos, the funeral became a mess, and guests began to leave one by one. Alone, holding his friend's letter like a stone, Tadano stood still.

After all the guests had left, Tadano left alone in the funeral home, unfolded the letter.

It was a messy handwriting. Even considering that he wasn't good at writing, it was still challenging to read.

—

Tadano. Nada. Yuta.

Two weeks ago, a lawyer named Katsuke and your uncle visited me out of the blue. The first thing they said was, "Do you hate yourself?"

I immediately dismissed it as nonsense. But those bastards knew me better than I knew myself. You were born rich, smart, and had everything since birth. But my parents were idiots, and I was an idiot too. I didn't know, but hearing those words, I realized I hated you too much. I envied you. And I resented you.

The lawyer said he was the same. He studied for over ten years to barely become a lawyer. But you, a genius, passed the bar exam after just one year. If you pass the bar exam next year, you'll become a lawyer. The lawyer envied your talent. Envied you. Resented you.

Your uncle hated you too. Your father's business was originally supposed to be inherited by him. But your father took it because of the elder brother. And he was going to pass it on to you. Your uncle despised you. So he tried to take all the property. He claimed it was originally his.

The lawyer and your uncle made me an offer. If I kill your father and mother, they'll take the property from you and give it to me. Then I can live like a normal person instead of a loser.

I agreed. And I did it. But after doing it, I regretted it too much. I didn't want to do this to you, the only friend who treated me like a friend even on the day I was treated like an idiot by my parents.

I can't undo what I did. Still, I want to apologize to you like this.

Finally, I resent you.

"I'm sorry, but many people around you hate you. Envy you. Many harbor ill feelings like mine. Be careful."

—

Having read the letter, Tadano grasped the full story of the incident. However, his mind felt empty, unable to process any thoughts.

The scent of incense spread in the hollow funeral home.

Thunk!

His vision returned.

***

‘I knew he was good at acting, but… is that really an emotion a young friend like him can express?'

A gulp. Watching Jinseok within the camera and lights, Katahiro had this thought first.

Even though he had felt it when watching movies or dramas, witnessing Jinseok's acting in person conveyed a true ‘experience' of his skills.

"Hmm…"

And unequivocally, experience cannot be gained through talent and effort alone. It is only achievable through time and exposure.

‘But if he keeps acting as if every day is his last from the first scene, he might eventually tire.'

If a drama is a marathon, a movie is a half marathon. The running time may be shorter, but it requires even more effort. Some may argue which is more challenging, but both are undeniably difficult.

‘Actor Kang Jinseok has been in several works, so he probably knows how to manage his condition….'

At that moment, Katahiro was admiring and worrying simultaneously.

Jinseok unfolded his friend's letter. Rather than muttering with uncontrolled anger, he subtly shook his hands, as if deeply shocked.

"…"

So, silence flowed through the studio.

Deciding that the scene had roughly concluded, Katahiro quietly said, "Okay, let's move on."

***

After the first shoot.

Without much rest, they moved to the next filming location. Since the first scene didn't take much time to shoot, it was a natural procedure, but…

‘Is it because it's been a while since I was possessed by someone… Or maybe because it's such a serious experience? I'm quite tired.'

He sighed briefly, rubbing his forehead. At that moment, the driver, Ha Jun, who was driving in front, asked with a concerned voice.

"Hoo…"

"Actor-nim, are you feeling okay? Did you perhaps have trouble sleeping last night?"

"Oh, no. I slept well. I just feel a bit oddly tired. Don't worry; it won't affect my acting."

To reassure him, he deliberately smiled brightly.

"If that's the case, I'm relieved. However, if there's anything uncomfortable or if you feel unwell, please let me know. Your well-being is a priority over the shooting schedule."

"Haha, sure."

It was a conversation without much significance, but still, talking to someone made him feel a bit more relaxed. After taking a deep breath or two, he glanced through the script for the next scene.

[…Betrayed by family, friends, and loved ones, the protagonist, Shirosaki, begins to feel disillusioned with his life. He starts sorting through the traces of his life one by one, with the first being dropping out of university. Shirosaki meets with the dean to discuss his decision to drop out.]

As per the script, the next scene is where the protagonist, having decided to drop out, meets with the dean for a final consultation. Although it was a dialogue-heavy and straightforward scene, it wasn't without significance. In this work, the protagonist encounters the catalyst that leads him to meet his first love.

As he was going through the script for a while,

The van stopped, and Ha Jun spoke.

"Actor-nim, we've arrived."

They had arrived at the second filming location, Tokyo University.

***

‘Is this the place?'

Jang Sunho, who was driving, parked the car, observing the quaint building in the distance. Seeing a sign nearby saying ‘Ten Million Daycare,' it seemed they had found the correct place.

‘So this is where the actor comes to volunteer when he has no schedule. Quite far… I should have offered to pick him up if I had known.'

Jang Sunho parked the car closer. With bags full of snacks and gifts for the teacher and kids, they got out of the car. At that moment, as if on cue, the daycare door opened, and several teachers came out.

"Oh! Are you the Manager of Jinseok by any chance?"

The middle-aged woman with a warm demeanor, standing at the forefront, said.

"Yes. Nice to meet you. I'm Jang Sunho."

"Yes, yes. Jinseok told us a lot about you. Ah, my, you brought so many things."

"Just a little something. It's nothing."

"Thank you. Come inside instead of standing there."

"Ah… Yes."

Jang Sunho hesitated a bit unexpectedly. It was the first time someone he met for the first time treated him so warmly since Jinseok.

Jang Sunho was aware that his appearance could be somewhat intimidating.

‘Seems like a nice person.'

Jang Sunho entered the daycare slowly. Inside, there were numerous posters with Jinseok's autograph. Some posters also featured the autographs of other actors. For some reason, there were even bromides and autographs of the RedLeads' Park Hayeon.

As Jang Sunho's gaze was captured by the posters, the teacher smiled and spoke.

"Everyone here is a fan of Jinseok. Among the girls, there are many who say they will marry Jinseok. Some are quite serious about it."

"Haha… That's cute."

"Well, it might not be cute for Manager-nim. There are even some who are seriously preparing to propose to Jinseok."

"It seems like the actor is really well-loved."

"It's inevitable. Even before, he was popular, but after Jinseok's success, he really helped our facility a lot. He taught the kids and sponsored them a lot. The kids he sent to college had their tuition covered."

Jinseok's substantial financial support to the daycare was something Jang Sunho was aware of.

However…

"So, the actor teaches the kids as well?"

"Yes. Didn't you know? Jinseok is really good at studying. He never missed being at the top of the class. Although he dropped out of high school."

"Oh…"

Knowing that Jinseok was good at studying was something Jang Sunho was aware of. He had read Jinseok's student records to the point of memorizing them. However, he didn't know that Jinseok also taught the kids.

While the teacher looked at the posters with a proud gaze, she asked Jang Sunho.

"By the way, why did you come here today?"

"Oh, that… I came because there's something I wanted to ask about the actor."

"Me?"

"Yes. Um…"

Jang Sunho hesitated with his follow-up. It was a small dilemma, wondering if it was appropriate to ask such a question to a teacher who had raised Jinseok since their first meeting.

However, having come this far, he couldn't refrain from asking.

"Teacher, did Kang Jinseok, the actor, happen to be involved in fights during his school days… I mean, if there were any stories about him being involved in school violence? Do you happen to know anything?"

Jang Sunho finally opened his mouth after some hesitation.

I asked, hoping the teacher would respond with something like, "No, Jinseok involved in fights? That's absurd."

However…

"Yes."

"…"

"When Jinseok attended school, he often had conflicts with other kids."

Suddenly, Jang Sunho felt choked up, as if his throat tightened.