Chapter 40 – Not the Protagonist?

SH Company.

A small raid company that people did not even know existed.

However, now it was different. The undisputed star Raider, Lee Se-min, belonged there. As they recruited new Raiders and gathered trainees, its scale grew. It had stepped forward as a small but solid company.

“Se-min, let’s appear on one.”

“I refuse.”

“Why? If you go on, there will be an advertising effect, and you’ll get an appearance fee…”

“I will absolutely not go.”

And in the office of SH Company, Yoo Sang-heun and Se-min were bickering.

Hyeon Jae-yeong assisted the boss from the side.

“Brother, you went on some variety show before, didn’t you?”

“Did I go because I wanted to? The boss said he had already confirmed the appearance.”

Yoo Sang-heun brightened.

“Oh, then I can just say you’ll appear? Should I call and confirm it for you?”

“Then I will leave the company.”

Recently, there was a variety show program that inquired about Se-min’s appearance through SH Company. It was a broadcast where celebrities or famous figures were invited to do talks, games, and skits, and the PD earnestly wanted Se-min.

The PD was not seeking Se-min blindly, either.

“If you go on the program and give lip service to Honey Biz, it’d be great.”

A few days ago, the rookie girl group Honey Biz had appeared on that program. It was the group to which Se-min’s high school classmate Lee Yu-jin (stage name Lee So-jin) belonged. She was known to have graduated from the same school as Ahn Seong-jun and Lee Se-min.

On the program, the mischievous cast members asked who was closer to her ideal type between Se-min and Ahn Seong-jun.

Lee Yu-jin chose Se-min.

Although she added a redundant comment that she had been closer to Se-min during their school days, her answer was so refreshing that it became a hot topic. For a while, ‘Lee Yu-jin Lee Se-min’ hovered on the search rankings of Mango Net.

The PD requested Se-min’s appearance to keep the topic going.

He said they would highlight Se-min’s image, so let’s do a win-win.

From Se-min’s perspective, he did not particularly want to win with something like that.

“Anyway, seeing how they try to tie even minor things together, they are such opportunists.”

Se-min clicked his tongue.

“Did you even watch that broadcast?”

Yoo Sang-heun played the corresponding scene of the program.

Lee So-jin, who had become even prettier after entering show business, appeared. She smiled and answered with Se-min’s name. The cast members made a fuss, speculating about the relationship between the two.

Se-min’s lips twitched.

“Uh, this guy smiled.”

“Brother, I saw you smile stealthily.”

Se-min denied it.

“It was a bitter smile. Being popular is tiring.”

Suddenly, Se-min’s phone rang. The caller was John McKellan. It was a few days ago when he had last informed him of the progress of the magic beast meat franchise.

When Se-min answered the phone, John McKellan’s characteristic bright greeting followed.

[Hey, dude. How have you been?]

“Not at all. As long as magic beasts run rampant in the world, having a good time is impossible for me.”

[Hahaha. Still diligent. Do you remember the shoot I mentioned before?]

“Of course.”

[The date has been set.]

Se-min had agreed to shoot an advertising pictorial as the co-founder of the magic beast meat franchise.

Originally, they had decided to recruit a model separately. However, as Se-min’s popularity soared following the Kesia raid and the Missing Gate incident, they shifted direction to put him forward.

[And this shoot isn’t just you alone. I invited one more person.]

“Who?”

[It’s no fun if I tell you beforehand. Come and see for yourself on the day of the shoot.]

“Well, got it.”

With that, Se-min ended the conversation without much thought. Today, too, several raids were waiting for him. Something like an advertisement was a minor matter to him.

And on the day of the shoot, Se-min faced the person John McKellan had spoken of and opened his mouth.

***

“Why are you here?”

The very person who made Yoo Sang-heun pressure him every time he went to the office.

Lee Yu-jin was standing there.

“What do you mean why?”

Her face after makeup was radiant. She was pretty on TV too, but her real appearance was even more than what he had seen on screen.

“Your company cast me.”

“By any chance, Yu-jin, are you that commercial model?”

“Yeah. You didn’t know?”

She smiled, crossing her arms.

Se-min looked at John McKellan, who was coordinating the site far behind. Noticing his gaze, he smiled and raised a thumb.

It was clear that he had purposely brought her to exploit the recent hot topic.

The enemy was not only in the office.

As expected, he was a cold-hearted businessman.

“You really didn’t know. I’m disappointed. I said I’d do it because it was you.”

“You probably said you’d do it because they pay you.”

“Fufu, right. I have to get settled too.”

A staff member who spotted Se-min dragged him over to get makeup done. When Se-min sat down, Lee Yu-jin teased him from behind.

“Se-min looks cute with makeup.”

Of course, Se-min did not take any damage.

“I’m already overflowing with popularity, but if I even get makeup done… whew…”

Lee Yu-jin and the makeup artist made absurd expressions at the same time, but Se-min only curled the corners of his mouth, admiring himself in the mirror.

Soon, the shoot began.

Se-min engaged in the shoot in his usual attire. In the case of magic beast meat including Koud, Se-min had a large presence and the ingredients were also procured by raids, so they decided to expose his trademark souvenir jacket and claymore as they were.

Lee Yu-jin wore a black mini-dress.

The concept of the shoot was a luxury restaurant. Since magic beast meat itself was expensive, the target was the upper class who could spend a large sum of money on a single meal. The props on the set sparkled.

Soon, the lights turned on.

Se-min and Lee Yu-jin sat facing each other across a table.

Actual Koud meat was placed between them. Its oiliness shone enough to stand out even among metal tableware.

The sound of clicking shutters followed. Se-min and Lee Yu-jin continuously changed their poses according to the photographer’s orders.

Lee Yu-jin handled the requests well as if she was used to this kind of work, but Se-min kept receiving rebukes.

“Se-min-nim, raise your chin slightly. Lower it again. It went down too much. Yes, about that much. A bit up. Yes. Don’t look at the meat, look at Lee Yu-jin-nim. The meat is important, but the subtle atmosphere between the two is also important.”

Se-min made eye contact with Lee Yu-jin. Until a satisfactory result came out, the two had to stare at each other while carefully blinking their eyes.

“Do we have the prepared wine? Fill the glasses and put them up. I think that will have good color.”

The staff placed glasses on the table.

Deep down, Se-min did not like the shoot. Magic beast meat should naturally be enjoyed with a wild flavor, but wasn’t this a too-civilized way of consumption? Soju, not wine, should be served.

“Clink your glasses, you two.”

Se-min awkwardly grabbed the wine glass. Because his posture was sloppy, the photographer personally lowered the camera, approached, and corrected Se-min’s hand shape. The photographer chuckled.

“Se-min-nim, you make good money, but have you never drunk wine?”

“I only know soju and beer.”

“Haha, down-to-earth. Let’s go again.”

The shoot continued.

He had thought it would end with just taking a single photo, but having to pose and only take photos for several hours, fatigue rushed in. Raids were rather better.

When a break was declared, Se-min buried his head on the table.

“Tired?”

“A raid would be easier.”

Lee Yu-jin’s manager approached and brought her a drink. He also handed one to Se-min. Se-min expressed gratitude.

“Thank you.”

“Not at all. We are shooting a commercial thanks to you.”

The manager smirked.

“For your information, our company bans dating, so be careful.”

At his joke, Se-min shrugged his shoulders.

“Don’t worry. Our company is like that too.”

“Hahaha. That’s a relief.”

When the break was given, John McKellan also approached.

“You’re doing well.”

“Brother, I’m tired.”

“Bear with it a little. You and Yu-jin-nim are becoming the face of our business.”

John McKellan spoke toward Lee Yu-jin.

“Yu-jin-nim, please endure a little more too.”

“Yes. I’ll work hard, Advertiser-nim.”

He left the spot while answering the phone. It seemed to be a story related to the magic beast meat franchise.

Se-min admired him once again. Although he had thought he was a simple Raider, John McKellan was actually a man who loved girl groups and was thorough in business.

“Restarting the shoot.”

This time, Se-min and Lee Yu-jin left the table and posed side-by-side.

It was a process of compositing minor things with a computer and capturing only their appearances.

The two stood close and stared at the camera lens. Only Se-min and Lee Yu-jin existed within the composition. It was an appearance close to a clothing commercial.

“Ummm…”

The photographer groaned while monitoring the results.

“Se-min-nim.”

“Yes.”

“Let’s wear other clothes once. Go change clothes.”

Se-min nodded. It was expected to some extent. No matter how much it was his symbol, he could not wear only a souvenir jacket for an ad shoot.

A suit was given to him.

It was an attire he had thought he would have no connection with except for funerals.

After wearing the suit in the dressing room, Se-min came out and asked the stylist for a tie knot.

After finishing dressing, Se-min reflected his appearance in the mirror. It was not bad. Se-min took a cocky posture, lifting his chin.

“It suits you so well.”

The stylist clapped.

“Wear things like this normally instead of a souvenir jacket. You look like a different person.”

“How did I look before?”

The stylist, who could not bring herself to say it aloud, mouthed, ‘Punk.’

“Puppy? Did I look that cute? Oh, me.”

The stylist’s expression rotted.

When Se-min came out to the set again, one by one, they showed surprised expressions at seeing him.

The photographer also nodded.

“Much better. Looks good. Standing with So-jin-nim over there makes a handsome man and beautiful woman. The angle is perfect.”

Lee Yu-jin, who was monitoring the taken photos beside him, made an ‘oh-oh’ expression. She raised her thumb.

“It’s the most excellent attire I’ve seen on you next to the school uniform.”

Se-min frowned.

The two stood together again. There was no particular contact, but occasionally there was a touch of putting a hand on a shoulder. The photographer released consecutive shutter sounds.

The shoot ended.

John McKellan, who was monitoring the photos from behind, nodded.

“Good. Perfect as the face of Dragon Barbecue. Good work.”

Dragon Barbecue was the name of their franchise.

People wanted something new. They were sick of beef, pork, and chicken. Just like the legendary dragon, it contained their resolve to present a completely new kind of meat that did not exist in the world.

“We will edit the results and send them to you. You should be able to receive them around next week.”

“Yes. I will wait.”

Se-min untied his tie first because the suit was stuffy.

When he tried to change clothes, Lee Yu-jin stopped him.

“Why? It looks good, so just stay like that.”

“It’s uncomfortable.”

He returned to his former attire.

“It’s good that you are consistent.”

Lee Yu-jin laughed, looking at Se-min who had returned to his souvenir jacket attire.

“Are you going to a raid today too?”

“I decided to take a day off.”

Se-min had devoted himself to raids without resting for a while. Because today was the day of the shoot, he had not scheduled a raid.

“Then let’s go eat together.”

Se-min nodded.

“Since you suggested eating, you buy.”

“Hey. Isn’t that too much for a rookie who hasn’t even received a settlement?”

“Does the advertising fee for today’s shoot also go to the company?”

“Yes.”

“I see. Not my business.”

Lee Yu-jin hit Se-min’s arm.

Se-min laughed.

“Alright. Since I made money thanks to you before, I will buy today.”

He meant his appearance on the past variety show program. Although he had not gone voluntarily, the appearance fee had come.

Lee Yu-jin, who returned while fidgeting with her cell phone after speaking with the manager, said to Se-min.

“They say my friends are coming too?”

Se-min frowned.

“You don’t want to?”

“I do not eat with people I do not know.”

“You can meet and get to know them. That’s it. I already invited them.”

Lee Yu-jin sent a message arbitrarily. Seeing Lee Yu-jin somewhat excited, Se-min did not nag further and shrugged his shoulders.

Over time, his past feelings had dulled, but she still possessed that appearance that Se-min had liked.

Lee Yu-jin fidgeted with her cell phone alone, saying she had to find a good restaurant. Se-min smiled looking at her.

If it were not for Sister Iana, feelings might have arisen again.

“Just eat anything.”

He tossed out a word for no reason.