Rookie Talent Agent Knows It All

Chapter 197: Haru VS Woo Sung-Chan (2)

"So you're the one competing against me this time?" Woo Sung-Chan asked in a mocking tone as he looked down at Haru.

"Pardon?" Haru asked, taken aback.

"Why are you so surprised? Did you really think I wouldn't know? Ms. Yoo Hyun-Ji personally contacted me to tell me you applied for the drama audition."

'What? How did that information leak already?' I wondered.

I did not expect the news to leak so quickly when it had only been an hour since I had spoken with Yoo Hyun-Ji.

'PD Yoo has looser lips than I thought,' I remarked inwardly.

I hadn't had much interaction with her in my past life, so I couldn't have anticipated this.

Although Woo Sung-Chan knowing about Haru's audition wouldn't really change anything, I just found this situation ridiculous. After all, Woo Sung-Chan was trying to intimidate a middle schooler.

But he had chosen the wrong opponent.

Haru didn't even understand the situation. To Haru, Woo Sung-Chan was just a tall sunbae whom he should be careful around.

Seeing Haru's uncomfortable expression, Woo Sung-Chan seemed satisfied as he thought he had won the psychological battle.

"Let's do our best, shall we?" Woo Sung-Chan said with a smirk.

"Yes, sunbae-nim!" Haru exclaimed with a smile on his face.

The innocent Haru took Woo Sung-Chan's words at face value and kept smiling.

"Huh?" Woo Sung-Chan tilted his head in confusion, almost causing me to burst out laughing.

'Are you shadowboxing alone or something?' I said silently to myself.

It seemed best to get Haru out of here before Woo Sung-Chan noticed what was going on.

I turned to Haru and said, "Haru, it's time to go."

At that moment, Woo Sung-Chan looked at me with a displeased face. "Hey, what's the rush? Hanyoung Arts Junior High is pretty lenient with attendance."

Ju Ho-Sung also chimed in to support his actor. "That's right, Team Lead Jung. Even if they're auditioning for the same drama and are competitors, they're still colleagues at the same company. Don't you think you're being a bit too harsh?"

I wondered if Woo Sung-Chan would still be smiling if he ended up not getting the role.

"By the way, did PD Yoo call you directly?" I asked.

"Yes. Mr. Kim heard about it while scheduling a visit to the broadcasting station. Why did you keep it a secret? You could have just told us," Ju Ho-Sung replied.

I remembered how Kim Dong-Soo had half-melted Yoo Hyun-Ji with all sorts of lobbying in my past life. But if I'd been so easily swayed, I wouldn't have started in the first place.

"Keep it a secret? Why would I hide the fact that Haru is auditioning? I was just busy. And no matter who gets the lead role, I hope it turns out well," I said.

Ju Ho-Sung smiled and replied, "Alright, Team Lead Jung. But don't get the kid's hopes up too much. Think of it as a good experience."

Ju Ho-Sung laughed and patted Woo Sung-Chan on the shoulder.

"Sung-Chan, they seem busy. Let's get going."

Woo Sung-Chan grinned and waved at Haru. "See you at school. Since HanYoung Arts High School and the Junior High share the same field, we'll see each other often."

Haru nodded. "Okay, sunbae-nim."

Ju Ho-Sung and Woo Sung-Chan got in their car and left first.

'It won't go your way, Woo Sung-Chan,' I thought to myself.

I wanted to give them both a taste of their own medicine, but I had to hold back with Haru and Sae-Ri here.

***

As soon as Haru and Sae-Ri sat in the backseat, I looked at the rear mirror and said, "Haru, try not to hang out with Sung-Chan if you can."

Sae-Ri tilted her head and asked, "Why?"

"That guy's a bully," I said with a frown.

My words surprised Sae-Ri, causing her eyes to widen in shock. "Sung-Chan oppa is a bully? How did I not know that?"

"Because you're in middle school and he's in high school."

"Oh! That makes sense."

Although I spoke casually, Sae-Ri understood immediately and clapped her hands.

Since I couldn't reveal the details of my previous life, I simply told Haru and Sae-Ri that Woo Sung-Chan was a bully.

The only ones who knew about Woo Sung-Chan's involvement in a school violence case right now were me and Kim Dong-Soo, who had scouted him.

'Maybe even Ju Ho-Sung knows by now,' I thought.

At that moment, Sae-Ri suddenly shivered and began speaking urgently with a worried look. "Yoon-Ho oppa! What if Sung-Chan oppa bullies Haru?"

"It'll be fine, Sae-Ri. Just introduce some of your friends to Haru and help him adapt to school life. I'll handle everything else," I assured her.

"But I need to protect Haru..." Sae-Ri said softly.

"Sae-Ri, I'm the talent agent, so I'll take care of it. You should just focus on your attendance. Aren't you worried that you won't be able to graduate?"

Sae-Ri's face turned red. "D-don't worry! I've arranged to take supplementary classes during the holidays and will make up the attendance days!"

"I know. Those supplementary classes are included in what I mentioned. Your homeroom teacher said it still might not be sufficient for your graduation."

Sae-Ri glanced at Haru. "Hey, don't laugh! It's because I've been too busy with work recently!"

"Yeah, I know," Haru said while smiling.

"Do you really?" Sae-Ri questioned.

Haru nodded. "Yes."

Seeing Haru's endless laughter, Sae-Ri finally stopped pouting and joined in the laughter. "Why are you laughing, dummy!"

"Just cause..." Haru stuttered.

I couldn't hold back my laughter while listening to their conversation. But now it was time to go to school.

I turned to them and said, "Alright, enough chit-chat. Buckle up, guys."

"Got it! Let's go, Yoon-Ho oppa!" Sae-Ri exclaimed with a wide grin.

Seeing Sae-Ri quickly recover and put on a carefree face sometimes made me envious.

'I wish I could be as simple as her,' I silently remarked.

***

In the office at Hanyoung Arts Junior High, Haru watched as his talent agent and guardian, Jung Yoon-Ho, repeatedly bowed deeply.

At that moment, a warm feeling swelled in his chest without realizing it, knowing how much his newly acquainted talent agent cared about him.

"Ms. Hong, please take good care of Haru," said Jung Yoon-Ho with a bow.

The homeroom teacher, Hong Ye-Ji, responded with a friendly smile in a gentle manner.

"Don't worry. Even if it weren't for me, students from Hoop Entertainment are specially looked after by the vice principal. And he shouldn't have too much trouble adapting since he's in the same class as Sae-Ri."

After a long greeting, Jung Yoon-Ho turned to Haru and said, "Call me immediately if anything happens."

Haru nodded. "Okay, hyung. Don't worry."

"Do you have your handkerchief?"

"I've got it."

Hong Ye-Ji smiled warmly. "You seem to care more than some parents."

Jung Yoon-Ho grinned and replied, "He's my actor, after all."

Haru's heart felt tight every time he heard those words coming from Jung Yoon-Ho.

"Oh my. Haru, I thought you were an idol trainee just by looks. When is your debut?" Hong Ye-Ji asked.

Haru decided not to be shy anymore. He looked Hong Ye-Ji in the eye and said in a confident voice. "I'm auditioning next month. It's only a few days away."

Hong Ye-Ji smiled and said, "Is that so? I'll help with whatever you need for the audition and shoot. Just let me know in advance."

Then Jung Yoon-Ho quickly handed over a printed A4 sheet as if he had been waiting.

"Here's Haru's schedule. It's still tentative, but it would be good if you could keep it in mind."

Haru had never acted before. But Jung Yoon-Ho, one of the industry's top talent agents, was already treating him as an actor.

He even prepared a schedule that said 'Haru, upcoming appearance in Master of Mukbang.'

At that moment, Haru resolved to become a proper actor.

***

In class 3-3, Sae-Ri was waving at Haru from the front of the classroom.

After the greetings, Hong Ye-Ji pointed to the seat next to Sae-Ri because the students were seated by height order.

Thanks to Sae-Ri, Haru was able to chat with all his classmates during the four classes in the morning. Given it was a school for aspiring entertainers, Sae-Ri’s influence was immense after having topped the music shows for ten consecutive weeks.

After the morning classes and having lunch, Sae-Ri patted her full stomach and stood up. "Haru. You can get back to the company on your own, right?"

"Of course," Haru said.

Sae-Ri crossed her arms with a worried expression. "Hmm. I'm not so sure about that."

"Go on. Don't you have to go to the clinic?" Haru asked.

After ten weeks of activities, Sae-Ri was in bad shape and had to head straight to the clinic after the morning classes.

"Ah, I'm sorry. I really wanted to look after you today. Have fun with the other guys and be careful on your way back. I've told the classmates to look out for you."

"Okay."

Sae-Ri asked her friends to look after Haru and left with a brisk step.

Only then could Haru breathe a sigh of relief. While he was grateful to Sae-Ri, it was admittedly a bit overwhelming. As soon as Sae-Ri was gone, his classmates started to crowd around him even more.

"Hey, you’re debuting soon, right?"

"When is Hoop Entertainment holding public auditions, Haru? I've heard good things about your company recently."

"Haru, can I join Hoop Entertainment too? My dad said I should go to the company where Jung Yoo-Jin is."

"Hey! You're really good-looking."

"But Haru, why are your eyes that color?"

As questions started pouring in from all directions, Haru didn’t know what to answer.

That's when the classroom's back door opened and a large figure entered.

Thud!

It was Woo Sung-Chan, whom Haru had seen earlier at the company.

Woo Sung-Chan flicked his finger. "Hey, Haru. Come out here for a sec."

The atmosphere turned tense as the high school student suddenly barged in.

Woo Sung-Chan said with a languid expression, "And you guys better pretend you didn't see anything. I came here to talk about something between company sunbae and hoobae."

The size difference between middle school 3rd graders and high school 3rd graders was already huge, but Woo Sung-Chan was larger than most adults. Because of this, everyone lowered their eyes and didn't dare raise their heads.

Haru thought about calling Jung Yoon-Ho because of what he had told him earlier. But as Woo Sung-Chan stared intently, Haru put down the phone he was fiddling with.

"Okay, hyung," said Haru as he reluctantly followed Woo Sung-Chan.

***

The buildings of Han Young Arts Middle and High Schools are connected on the rooftop of Hanyoung Arts Junior High.

This allowed Woo Sung-Chan to cross over to the rooftop while avoiding the corridors monitored by teachers.

Seeing a group of students smoking on the rooftop, Woo Sung-Chan exclaimed as if dumbfounded. "Hey. You'll get cancer if you smoke this early in age, kids."

Five of the 3rd graders from Hanyoung Arts Junior High bowed their heads.

"Sorry, Sung-Chan hyung. We'll just finish smoking these and go down right away."

"Who do you think you are to smoke freely in front of me? Get out of here now. Or is it that you have a death wish?" Woo Sung-Chan rebuked them.

The 3rd graders had no choice but to bow their heads and go down.

Then Woo Sung-Chan sat on a chair on the rooftop, crossed his legs, and lit a cigarette from his pocket. When Woo Sung-Chan took a long drag and exhaled the smoke, the white smoke floated around in doughnut shapes.

"Why do you think I called you here?"

Haru had no choice but to shake his head. "I have no idea."

When a bully called you out, it was usually for one of two reasons—either to extort money or to use you as a punching bag to vent their anger.

Haru gritted his teeth in determination.

Seeing this, Woo Sung-Chan took another drag from his cigarette and smirked meaningfully. "What is it? Do you think I'm going to extort money from you? I know you don't have any money, dude."

Haru swallowed hard because that left only one possibility.

"Please, not the face," said Haru as he covered his face with both hands, prompting Woo Sung-Chan to laugh.

"Wow, look at this guy. You're just unbelievable. I'm not going to hit you, dude." Woo Sung-Chan said with an incredulous expression.

"Then...why did you call me here?" Haru asked.

"Didn't you hear what my team talent agent said earlier? The lead role in the drama is decided—it’s me. So give up on the audition," Woo Sung-Chan demanded.

"I'm sorry?"

"I don't want to embarrass myself by competing with a rookie like you," said Woo Sung-Chan nonchalantly

However, Haru’s face hardened like stone.

No matter the reason, he couldn’t give up on the audition. That would betray the expectations of Jung Yoon-Ho, who had rescued him from his father and shown him a future.

Haru mustered all the courage he had. Though physically weak, the old timid Haru was a thing of the past. The weak Lee Haru no longer existed. He was just Haru now.

"I can accept anything else but that!" Haru yelled.

Woo Sung-Chan snorted as if Haru were a joke. "No?"

Woo Sung-Chan rose from his seat and approached Haru. He came up close and thumped Haru’s chest with a clenched fist.

Thump!

"What do you mean you can accept anything else but that? When a sunbae like me tells you to do something, you do it. Have you lost your mind because I spoke nicely?" Woo Sung-Chan threatened.

Thump, thump.

Woo Sung-Chan’s fists repeatedly hit Haru’s chest. With each heavy blow from Woo Sung-Chan’s thick hands, Haru’s body started to sway.

Haru felt pain in his chest but clenched his teeth tightly. He could endure this much.

'Just endure it. This is nothing compared to what my father used to do,' Haru told himself silently.

However, Haru’s silent endurance seemed to irritate Woo Sung-Chan even more.

"Look at this bastard. You're holding out, huh? Let's see how long that lasts, shall we?" Woo Sung-Chan said with a conniving smile.

Woo Sung-Chan had hoped his opponent would back down at a certain point. But when Haru refused to submit even under threat, Woo Sung-Chan’s pride was wounded.

Grip!

Woo Sung-Chan grabbed Haru by the collar. "You asshole. You dare ignore what I say?"

Haru responded, still held by the collar. "Cough, cough. Let go... please."

But Haru's stiff resistance only fueled Woo Sung-Chan’s anger. The enraged Woo Sung-Chan slowly lifted the cigarette he was smoking.

"Let's see if you can endure this too, you son of a bitch."

The red glow of the cigarette began to approach Haru’s left cheek.